Finca de Arantei 2006 Albariño, Rias Baixas
From the sweet spot of Spain’s Albariño production in the country’s northwest comes this crisp, gently melony white that will work with anything from softshell crab to simple chicken dishes. And …
white
Orsolani 2006 “La Rustia” Erbaluce di Caluso
Along the Dora Baltea river in northwestern Piemonte is the town of Caluso, center for the Erbaluce di Caluso DOC. The eponymous grape, named for the goddess Albaluce, takes on a …
Benini 2006 “Sassotondo” Maremma
The Tuscan Maremma is becoming the place to go for lighter, softer reds, contrasting earthy Chianti Classico and brooding Brunellos. In the airy hills of Grosseto province, Sangiovese is known as …
Ascevi 2005 “Ronco die Sassi”Sauvignon, Blanc Collio
French varietals have a long history in Italy, most notably in Friuli. Commitment to producing monovarietal white wines has put a uniquely Italian stamp on those grapes and reflects the cross-cultural …
Rutherglen 2004 Shiraz/ Petite Sirah
This winery is quickly becoming near and dear to my heart (I fell in love with their Marsanne /Viognier blend a few weeks ago). This oddball blend may end up in …
Ponzi Vineyards 2007 Arneis, Willamette Valley
If Arneis from its home base in Piedmont is unfamiliar to most American wine consumers, its Oregon incarnation is likely to be downright bewildering. But one sip of this fruity, stony …
Pascual Toso 2007 Torrontes, Mapiu Valley
Malbec might get all the glory in Argentina, but a good Torrontes, like this melon, springtime-in-a-bottle white, stands out by its easy, almost dangerous drinkability. But don’t fret: if you kill …
Katharina and Helmut Gangl 2003 Zweigelt
Velvety smooth nose, like a cross between the game of syrah and the smoke of Sangiovese, all of it brightened up nicely by ripe, red berry fruit. White pepper flavors take …
The Top Five Wines for Raw Oysters
The brine and sweet fragrant flesh of a shucked oyster is an essential tribute to the summer. The wines served alongside should reflect a bit of sunshine and refreshment, too. Here …
d’Arenberg 2004 “The Laughing Magpie” Shiraz/Viognier, McLaren Vale
Why does Arenberg sell this wine for so little? Why sell a bottle of wine for under $20 when so many people are happy to spend over $30? Even the critics …
Sylvan Springs 2006 “Hard Yards” Shiraz
Aussie to the core, this bottle is from McLaren Vale and offers up dark chocolate and licorice. Aromatics of white pepper and kirsch round it out this bruiser.
Top Wine Buys
For a full list of wine recommendations, check out our wine review page. Ravenswood Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel, Sonoma ValleyA definite must-buy for Zin drinkers. Dense and full-bodied, the wine uncorks …
Wine Reviews
For our newest wine reviews for summertime drinking, check out our main page for wine ratings and reviews. The WhitesTangent Pinot Gris, Edna Valley (California)A rather unique bottling from the Central …
Recommended Wine Buys
Our few recommended wine selections. Also make sure you have the perfect wine glass to make the experience truly memorable. Vionta Albarino (Spain)An aromatically complex white with plenty of white fruit …
Gaudio Grignolino 2005″Brico Mandolino” Piemonte
One of the fascinating aspects of Italian wine is the number of varietals under the radar, especially in renowned areas such as Tuscany and Piedmont. It’s hard to acquire cachet when …
Wine Reviews
Domaine du Coulet Cornas Terrasses du SerreA classic style, with minimal oak and blended from several slopes within Cornas. The traditional approach is quite evident on the palate. More delicate than …