Spark's wine list

[vanneu]

So I'm going over Spark's wine list (they faxed me a copy) as I'm throwing a dinner party for 5 this weekend, and I was wondering if anyone can recommend a tasty bottle for under $100.  I don't know if it's me but there is a lot of uninteresting swill on that list.  Anyone have a recommendation?

[Beachfan]

Since I don't know there list, it might help to ask about some specific wines.

As for general advice in that price range, are there any 1995 or 1998 Chateau-neuf du Papes? Any wines from Behrens and Hitchcock?

[tommy]

So I'm going over Spark's wine list (they faxed me a copy) as I'm throwing a dinner party for 5 this weekend, and I was wondering if anyone can recommend a tasty bottle for under $100.  I don't know if it's me but there is a lot of uninteresting swill on that list.  Anyone have a recommendation?

are you eating there?  or are you just looking at the list to get some ideas. i'm curious as to how you'll translate their prices into retail.  i suppose assuming a 300% markup would get you in the ballpark most of the time.

and what kind of food are you serving?  i'm thinking their list might be geared towards steak-friendly selections.

[Wilfrid]

Also, as you have five people coming to dinner, are you intending to buy more than one bottle, and if so would you like recommendations for different wines?  Are you serving steak?  I would recommend trying a wine store, but if you can find nothing tempting on Sparks list, most wine stores may turn out to be disappointing too.  After all, Sparks does have a Wine Spectator Grand Award, and offers over 1,000 choices.  Are you sure they sent you the right list?

[jaybee]

How about a Gigondas, 1975 vintage?

[Ron Johnson]

Which producer?  Rhones age well, some better than other.  I generally find Gigondas peaking at about 8-12 years, but have had some at 15 and up.  A 1975 would be 27 years old, I would love to know how this turns out.  In my experience, Northern Rhones are better long term agers than Southern.

Cheers.

[jaybee]

Which producer?

I will check my cellar this weekend and let you know.  I think I still have a few bottles left.

[mogsob]

I am not familiar with Sparks' list, other than I remember it was quite a mark-up as one would expect.

Rhone wines are indeed very good value, but I find that the better CDPs are marked up above $100/bottle in steakhouses.  I would suggest going further into the wilderness, for example, Bandol (Tempier, Pradeaux, Pibarnon) or the Languedoc (Daumas Gassac, Mas Jullien, Grange de Peres).  Southern Italy may also provide great value, particularly at Spark's (insert joke), such as Librandi's Gravello bottling.  I also like Amarone with aged beef, but Spark's is unlikely to have a good one (Masi, Zenato, Allegrini are some of the more common top producers) for less than $100/bottle.

Good Luck!