Napa's Domaine Chandon has launched a first release of pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay. While Domaine Chandon is best known for its Chandon sparkling wines, the winery has produced very limited quantities of still wines from Carneros since 1989, which were only available at the winery and through its wine club. This will be a limited release that is well worth a little search of fine wine shops and better restaurants.

The 2000 vintage also represents the first wines released by Domaine Chandon winemaker Wayne Donaldson, who joined the Napa Valley winery in the summer of 2000 after 11 years at Domaine Chandon Australia. "Many people forget that sparkling wine is made primarily from pinot noir and chardonnay. I’ve worked with these grapes all my professional life and it’s exciting to see them star on their own," says Donaldson . Domaine Chandon’s first varietal wine dates back to 1989 when it released boutique quantities of pinot meunier, a grape that plays a small but vital role in its sparkling wine program. Rarely planted outside of the Champagne region in France, pinot meunier is being discovered by only a few of the most adventurous winemakers in the U.S. "With a lush and soulful style," those being Donaldson's words, this rare red wine is sure to be new for many consumers. A total of 2,400 cases were produced. It retails for $29.

Pinot noir, which adds depth, structure, and a lingering finish to Chandon’s Blanc de Noirs and Reserve sparkling blends, made its debut as a still wine in 1996. Says winemaker Wayne Donaldson, "This wine is earthy, with funky flavors, sort of like sex on a forest floor." Knowing the Australians, this fellow already has embraced the concept of drinking beer while making wine in a big way based on his remarks. "It is powerful and intense, revealing complex layers of ripe fruit couched in classic elegance. A total of 7,000 cases were produced with a retail price of $29," says Donaldson.

The Chandon still (no bubbles) chardonnay imparts rich mouthfeel and creaminess to Chandon’s sparkling wines, but it was never made without bubbles prior to 2000 at the winery. There is an oak message in this wine, and the entry is soft rather than crisp like that of bubbly. A total of 1,220 cases were produced and it retails for $19.

From wine to books on wine, the perfect pocket book on wine has been released by the smart, young (relative to most stuffy wine authors) Andrea Immer. "Andrea Immer's Wine Buying Guide for Everyone" (paperback, Broadway Books $12.95) examines such important issues as how well does the affordable wine stay fresh in your refrigerator. This perfect book addresses wines that are easily available in most any good store or even merely good to great restaurants. There is no author's hovering over select wines that the average person likely will never have option to buy.

"Although enjoying a good glass of wine is easy," admits Immer,"all the types, costs, and confusing labels can make shopping for a bottle pretty hard." Immer is the author of last year's successful "Great Wine Made Simple: Straight Talk from a Master Sommelier (a James Beard Award nominee).

A graduate of Southern Methodist University, Immer ventured forth with a business related degree and then altered her path from Wall Street to "Windows on the World" restaurant. She continued to advance both in the wine corporate world as well as within the media. She is wine and spirits columnist for "Esquire" magazine.

This essential book, priced at or about the same price as an average to good quality wine ($12.95) should be a resource to any wine drinker. It is edited by the equally important wine writer, Anthony Giglio, and captures wine news you can use.