You see a fair number of discussions where wine lovers are asked to name their “desert island wine” — the one wine they would take with them if stranded on a desert island. Similarly, in the April 2010 issue of the tasting panel magazine, San Francisco bartender Jeff Burkhart was asked about his desert island cocktail. His reply? “Hendrick’s gin and tonic. Purely for medicinal reasons: lime for scurvy, tonic for malaria and gin for courage.” Burkhart is very practical. However, in most cases, the responses feature a single wine type, i.e. Champagne or a specific wine.

Frankly, I’d like to think that I am too smart to find myself stranded long term, plus, how can you plan to be stranded — I think there is an oxymoron in there somewhere (or maybe just a moron?). But, whole television series have been devoted to just that problem — the classic Gilligan’s Island and the current-running, Lost. Now that I think about it, I think the Howells had a never-ending stash of liquor, much more than one might think to take on a three-hour tour.

Anyway, if I were to purposely go to a desert island (perhaps I’ve met my Waterloo and will need to spend some time in exile?), I intend to plan far in advance and have decided that my palate preferences are just too varied to be content with only one wine. Accordingly, in my preparations, I will ensure that proper storage and service will be addressed and that corkscrews, decanters and appropriate stemware will be on hand. Moreover, I plan to bring a full wine menu of my selections that I hope will provide me with tasting joy during my stay on said island.

Here is my list, what’s yours?

Sparkling Wines
Juve y Camps, Cava Reserva de la Familia (current vintage), Penedes, Spain – an everyday sparkling wine I can drink without impunity
Nicolas Feuillatte, Palmes d’Or 1996, Champagne, France – a prestige cuvee to enjoy on special occasions
Banfi, Braquetto d’Acquis, Piedmont, Italy – my favorite dessert sparkler

Still Whites – I figure I’ll be eating a lot of fish; it is an island after all.
Pewsey Vale, Riesling (current vintage), Eden Valley, Australia
Benjamin de Vieux Châteaux Gaubert, Bordeaux Blanc 2005, Bordeaux, France
Drouhin, Bourgogne Blanc (current vintage), Burgundy, France
Drouhin, Grand Cru Bougros 2008, Chablis, France
Bott-Geyl, Pinot d’Alsace (current vintage), Alsace, France
Hidalgo Manzanilla Sherry La Gita NV, Jerez, Spain

Still Reds
WillaKenzie Pierre Leon Pinot Noir (current vintage), Willamette Valley, OR
Fonbel, Bordeaux Rouge 2001, St.-Emilion, France
La Rocquette, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007, Rhone Valley, France
Produttori del Barbaresco, Nebbiolo 2006, Lange, Italy

Spirits – OK, I’m cheating, but even wine lovers crave a cocktail now and then.
Tequila – To me, Margaritas are the quintessential cocktail for a tropical setting.
Vodka – Purely for its versatility, although I can borrow from Burkhart’s practicality and use it as an anti-septic if necessary should I find myself having a Magyver moment.
Cognac – Perfect in cocktails (the classic sidecar) or for sipping on its own.