Drinking Among the Chaos

You haven't heard from me in over a week. Life has dealt me plenty of projects, runny noses, and baby sleep transitions so I have just been trying to sort through all of the chaos. This also means there hasn't been much time for drinking. While that's great for my liver, it's not so great for my ability to share new beverages, but such is life.

Notice how I said "much" time. After all, I'm still a professional with a job to do. You need to know what to enjoy when you are going through the same thing. You work your tails off all week long, and sometimes at the end of the night you just want to grab a glass of wine to enjoy without really thinking much about it. I know when I get into this kind of a mood, my only requirement is that it simply tastes good. I don't need some long, complex finish that I need to analyze to death. I'm not looking for subtlety and nuance. Just give me a good, straightforward wine.

So for these moments when we haven't had time to connect due to all of our commitments (and my brain has temporarily turned to mush), let's do a flight of three wines that are satisfying at any time...and they won't cost you an arm and a leg.

I'll be back soon, ready to chat like a grown-up again soon enough after my upcoming trip to the Michael Skurnik Wines Grand Portfolio Tasting in NYC. Enjoy!

Parolvini Barone Nero Veneto Red Blend ($11): The Barone Nero is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec (rare to find in Italy), and Refosco (a popular violet-scented northern Italian grape). This unusual combo yields a wine with lots of dark fruit and gentle tannins. Great with a sausage and pepper sandwich.

Claar Cellars Cabernet-Merlot White Bluff ($16): 60% Cabernet, 40% Merlot, 100% from Columbia Valley, Washington. Bright and ripe cherry, berry, and black plum fruit with a touch of cocoa. Full body, soft tannins, and the right amount of acidity to balance the wine. Delicious and easy-drinking.

St. Hallett "Faith" Barossa Shiraz ($15): Australia deserves a little love. After the "critter" wines infiltrated the U.S. market, we wrongfully stopped taking the wines seriously. What better way to get reacquainted with Aussie Shiraz with the St. Hallett...it has the blackberry jam, prune, and peppery spice that is widely associated with the Shiraz grape. Grab a bacon cheeseburger and get drinking! 

This Week in Tony's Cellar...

Last week was loaded with afterschool activities, rehearsals, concerts, and caring for ill children. It's not easy to find time to get some adult beveraging in with all of that going on, but by golly I found a way to make it happen! After all, part of my service to you is to share what I am drinking, which I realize I have not done nearly enough since starting this blog. You need to know what tastes good, brings you value, what might make a nice gift, and so on.

Fortunately, among the chaos of the week I tasted some terrific wines (sorry...no time for spirits or beer). The Old World triumvirate of France, Italy, and Spain dominated my liver and brought moments of happiness. I have some good things to share with you as all of these are worth seeking out and trying for yourself.

Mionetto Prosecco Brut ($16): Mionetto has been making Prosecco for 130 years, with styles ranging from casual to prestige-level. This flagship product is fresh and lightly fruity; we added some peach nectar for a simple Valentine's Day cocktail.

Bodega Otazu Navarra Premium Cuvée Red Blend ($13): Rioja's neighbor Navarra is red and rosé-dominant. Aside from traditional varieties like Tempranillo and Garnacha, Navarra also plays with international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This particular blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Tempranillo, and 20% Merlot is loaded with dark cherry, blackberry and tobacco flavors. An easy weeknight red to enjoy with a juicy burger.

Château Saint-Cosme Little James' Basket Press Red ($14): Saint-Cosme is best known for its wines produced in the Gigondas region of the Rhône Valley (a neighbor of the higher-profile Châteauneuf-du-Pape region). This multi-vintage 100% Grenache is aged in concrete tanks, leading to a very fresh, yet dark and deep wine. Awesome with a medium-rare roast beef.

Maison Louis Latour Marsannay ($23): Louis Latour's wines are a consistently great way to get introduced to the individual villages of Burgundy. Red wines from Marsannay are 100% Pinot Noir, and this expression shows a mix of red and black fruit. Fragrant yet powerful on the palate, its savory finish begs for some roast duck, but a charcuterie platter or flavorful cheese (like Munster) would do just fine here, too. We had this as a reward for surviving the busy week!

As for the week coming up...

February 21st: We are tasting a range of wines from Steele of Lake County, California at the Divine Wine Emporium. Bill Bishop, National Sales Manager at Steele, joins us in the classroom. He is a fantastic storyteller and with vineyard holdings throughout California, you can get a very good feel for which styles you prefer over others. Steele's wines are a longtime favorite of the store as they consistently deliver for the price.

February 25th: I am delivering a tasting of kosher wines for a group that is preparing for Passover. The time to taste wines for the holiday table is now, and I will be showcasing an array of wines from Bordeaux, Spain, and Israel, all produced in accordance with kosher guidelines. It's a fun topic to revisit for myself, but it is also great to promote the fact that kosher wines are quite tasty!

Hope your week is off to a great start!

The Obligatory Valentine's Day Wine And Chocolate Post

Tuesday is Valentine's Day, a date on your calendar that can be met with a mix of emotions. Some people love it and go all out with the stereotypical package of flowers, candy, and dinner out at a nice restaurant. Others loathe it believing it is some made-up "Hallmark Holiday" or perhaps do not have someone to share the day with, and therefore it becomes a depressing day. Some will do their best to just make a Tuesday night extra special for a loved one.

The mix of emotions is understandable. After all St. Valentine, who the holiday is named for, is quite the complex character in history. He performed Catholic marriages against the wishes of the Roman Emperor Claudius II, so Valentine was subsequently beaten, stoned, and beheaded for his actions in the year 269. Oh, what fun! Also, over time St. Valentine became the patron saint of love, but also the patron saint of beekeeping, epilepsy, and plague. My goodness...love is in the air!

And whether you view Valentine's Day as a time for love or the plague, chocolate will always be associated with this day. If you are a wine lover (which I assume you are, because you are here reading this post), then you will inevitably see the articles about "Best Wine & Chocolate Pairings This Valentine's Day" or something of that ilk smattered about the Interwebs. So let's get this out there immediately:

Unless you like sweet wines, stop pairing wine with chocolate.

This is not some hot take. It's fact. Chocolate has a complexity unlike any other food out there. Chocolate comes in flavors that are salty, milky, caramelized, bitter, fruit-filled, but the actual chocolate itself is a combination of sweet, savory and umami. This bold array of flavor needs wine with just as much character and has to be sweeter than the chocolate. The only wines that come to mind are Vintage, Late Bottled Vintage or aged Tawny Port wines. Other sweet wines like Late Harvest Riesling and Ice Wine are too delicate. Sauternes and Tokaj can be dominated by chocolate's character, despite bringing the requisite sweetness and richness levels.

Now, I am sure there is a group of you who might be saying something like, "Hey, Jerky Mr. Know-It-All...I have chocolate-covered strawberries and cherries for dessert. What do you say to that?"

Glad you asked! I have two suggestions, each of which will cost you around $20.

Look for Banfi's Rosa Regale, an Italian lightly sparkling low-alcohol wine bursting with cranberry, strawberry, and raspberry flavors. This is a home run with chocolate-covered strawberries. 

Gerard Bertrand's Banyuls (a Port-like wine made in southern France from Grenache grapes) has a deep, dark black berry jam and cherry fruit character. This is what you want with your chocolate-covered cherries. 

Now with such a challenge posed to the range of sweet wines, why are the dry wines going to be even more difficult? The popular and romantic association has been the ubiquitous Cabernet Sauvignon and dark chocolate pairing, but here's what happens: Cabernet's flavors go hollow when chocolate is introduced. All you are left with is a mouthful of acid, tannin, and alcohol. It's not a pleasing experience, and you want satisfaction on Valentine's Day. Pinot Noir also has a misguided presence here, too. Yes, it is fruity and silky-smooth when done well, but it is delicate and low in tannin; chocolate overwhelms any affordable Pinot Noir. 

My suggestion to you this Valentine's Day is to drink those dry red wines with your kick-ass dinner, or maybe enjoy the wine as an "intermezzo" after dinner and before dessert. Your senses will thank you.

A Salute To My Other Side

With a last name like Ambrosini, it is obvious that Italy makes up my family background. Italian culture didn't necessarily rule my house as a kid, but it certainly made an impact on me. Wine was not a huge part of my upbringing, but it was present here and there, mostly on special occasions. Food, on the other hand...that was an Olympic sport at Casa delle Ambrosini, as well as at the homes of my extended family (that will get a post on its own someday, because it is a well-deserved epic tale of eatery).

Photo credit: Rick Steves

Photo credit: Rick Steves

But today, I focus on the other part of my own cultural makeup. That is correct, I am not 100% Italian. My family history also traces back to one of Europe's most popular battlegrounds, Belgium. Yes, Belgium. Outside of my own family, I know of no one else in my social circle who is Belgian, and I love it. The reason for a post about Belgium today is that my one surviving grandparent (my father's mother) just celebrated her 92nd birthday this week. A Belgian native, she came to the U.S. in rather dramatic fashion, being whisked away as a teenager from the perils of World War II by my grandfather. They fell in love, started a family in pre-gentrified Brooklyn, New York, and the rest is history.

This story compelled me to learn more about this "Low Country," both as a kid and as an adult. I did research projects for grade school on World War II (where my grandmother was an unbelievable resource). I went to Belgian cafes and restaurants; Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia is one that immediately comes to mind as a great place for beers and Belgian cuisine.

Here at Flight School wine is a big part of what we discuss, but wine is not made in any real quantity in Belgium. It is, however, consumed at a rate of about 30L per capita (or three times that of the United States). Perhaps this explains my affinity for adult grape juice, but let's not forget about those delightful Belgian beers.

Trying to describe and pinpoint one style of Belgian beer is nearly impossible, sort of like blanketing "Italian wine," because you have a ton to choose from in the Belgian category. You could find any of the following: Trappist-style and Abbey-style; Blonde, Pale, Strong Pale and Strong Dark; Dubbel, Tripel and Quadrupel; Saison, Lambic, Flemish Sour Brown and Flemish Red...the list goes on. Now I am no authority on such subject matter, but if you need a resource I highly encourage you to visit the Beer Advocate style page. You will get to know all of the differences in styles and see examples from a wide range of producers.

As for spirits, Gin and fruit liqueurs are what you will typically find here in the United States. Prior to gin, Belgium was producing the predecessor to gin known as Jenever, which a distilled malt wine that has a richer, earthier flavor than gin's refreshing aromatic character. Within the last year, I encountered Belgian gin for the first time...and I couldn't have been happier to have done so.

From a food standpoint, mussels cooked in beer are one of my favorites. Sausages, pommes frites, and countless other seafood are delicious, too. You also can't forget about a huge array of chocolate and pastries for dessert.

So I raise a glass to my grandmother today with some tasty choices for you to try.

Saison Dupont ($10, 750 mL): Golden, citrusy, yeasty, and light-bodied with a touch of hops. An easy one to knock down, and the first Belgian beer I ever tasted.

Chimay Cinq Cents ($11, 750 mL): Peachy, malty, and loaded with green herbs and spices. While on the richer side, it is well-balanced with zestiness and refreshment.

Ommegang Dubbel Abbey Ale ($10, 750 mL): This is a sort of New World take on an Abbey-style ale, brewed with licorice, coriander, and orange peel. Very refreshing despite 8.5% abv and a fine way to usher yourself out of the winter.

Domaine des Quatres Routes Muscadet ($14): I had to throw a wine in somewhere, and this light-yet-creamy Loire Valley white wine makes a great partner with steamed mussels (mentioned above as a Belgian food staple) or clams.

Belgin Speciale Dry Gin & Dry Hop Gin (about $25 each): I would put the Speciale up against any of the larger brands. 17 different botanicals are used, but I definitely notice the cloves, thyme, and cardamom in this. Very clean and fragrant. The Dry Hop Gin adds a substantial amount of Belgian hops to the recipe, resulting in a fuller-bodied gin with a pleasant bitterness. The Dry Hop can be consumed either in a cocktail or on its own. 

Enduring The Big Game and Joe Buck: How To Drink On Super Bowl Sunday

(Warning: Contains some football and other sports content)

Long before I became interested in alcoholic beverages, I was a severe sports nerd. I still follow sports, but it doesn't consume my life as it once did. The days of watching a hockey game go into five overtimes on a Wednesday in February are over; I value sleep far more than my desire to stay up for a game. That being said, I have still been hooked on one sport and that is professional football.

Yeah, I know. The sport isn't perfect these days, and truthfully none of them are. Football game flow is choppier now and off-field transgressions are always in the spotlight. Basketball games come to a screeching halt with two minutes left in a half. Baseball can take forever since there is no clock. Major college sports is driven by the quest for the dollar. I get it, trust me. But with its ease of television viewing, ability to wager (where legal) and play fantasy games, I can't resist the call of the National Football League. 

So this little sporting event viewed by gazillions of people is being played on Sunday evening that I shouldn't really mention by name or some NFL executive's minion will beat down my door and give me a scolding, a fine, and perhaps take one of my children away as a penalty (Hint: it rhymes with "Duper Hole"). But this Sunday's championship largely isn't watched for the game itself (unless you live in Atlanta or a state north of Connecticut). Instead, we have large gatherings of friends, family, coworkers, and maybe even a few enemies. We watch the funny commercials and movie trailers. We have "square pools" and friendly wagers. We have tons of food and drink at the ready, because if you are getting started when the pregame shows are on, this is a 12-hour event for you.

This man hates your team. Image credit: Twitter @DrunkJoeBuck

This man hates your team. Image credit: Twitter @DrunkJoeBuck

Ah, drink you say? Indeed I do, because for roughly five hours, you have to hear Joe Buck, Fox Sports Lead Announcer, slight your team on Sunday (C'mon...you believe he hates your team with his commentary, no matter which team you root for). You can go in any direction you want: beer, wine or spirit. The key here is to get something you don't have to think about too much. Remember, you are likely at a casual party or focused intently on the game, eating many different things. Your party foods might be along the lines of nachos, pizza, wings, burgers, or pulled pork/barbecue just to name a few favorites.

I tend to favor low-alcohol beers, anything less than 6.0% abv and fruity and/or acidic wines low in tannin. Want a few recommendations? I have them for you below. Whether your team is in the game or you don't care about football, enjoy yourself this Sunday and as always...drink responsibly. 

If you are a beer person, rooting for New England: 

  • Berkshire Brewing Co. (Massachusetts) Steel Rail Extra Pale Ale ($6, 22 oz. bottle). This is the brewery's flagship product; it is malty and rich, but not crazy-high in alcohol at 5.2%. A good match with a simple burger.

If you are a beer person, rooting for Atlanta:

  • Pontoon Brewing Co. (Georgia) No Pants Pilsner ($9/six-pack). If you prefer a Lager style, this pine-scented Southern Pilsner is very refreshing, smooth, and easy-drinking, great with a plate of wings.

If you are a beer person who doesn't care about the game at all:

  • Ommegang (New York) Game of Thrones: Iron Throne ($10, 25.4 oz bottle). Sit back and watch the chaos and squirming from afar while you sip on this Belgian-style Pale Ale from Cooperstown, NY. That's right...I recommended a beer from the Baseball Hall of Fame location for a football game.

If you are a wine person, here's what we are tasting at the store this afternoon from 2:00-5:00pm:

  • Andrew Murray Vineyards Santa Maria Valley Viognier, (about $20). This white grape traditionally grown in the Rhone Valley of France has a second home in Santa Barbara County, California. Andrew Murray's expression is citrusy, floral, and has a honey-drizzled peach flavor. Great for Buffalo or "Hot & Honey" style wings.
  • Monti Guidi Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva ($15). When the Montepulciano grape shows its best, it is a fruity, dry red wine. Flavors of sour cherries and blackberry jam with a touch of black licorice. Two years in barrel increased the wine's body and softens the tannins. Perfect for a sausage and pepper sandwich or just a slice of cheese pizza.
  • Bodegas Ateca "Atteca" Garnacha ($16). This Garnacha from Aragon, Spain is very full-bodied with soft caramelized red fruit peppery spice. I like this with a plate of loaded nachos.
  • The Federalist Mendocino County Zinfandel, Bourbon-Barrel Aged ($21). Zinfandel when made as a serious red wine is plush, soft, and very fruity/jammy. After the wine is fermented and aged as normal, it is transferred to used Bourbon barrels for six months to impart extra cherry and vanilla flavor. Even though the abv registers a whopping 15.5%, you don't even feel the fire from the alcohol. Great with pulled pork or brisket BBQ.

If your team is victorious:

  • Oban 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch ($80): Treat yourself to what I feel is the most balanced flagship product of any distillery. It has just the right amount of fruitiness, malt, spice, and smoke. Congratulations to you! 

 If your team failed:

  • Water (Free, from the tap): Rehydrate and go to bed. No need to wake up the next morning both hung over and a loser.

New In Town: Wine, Food, Music & More

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After a little time off, I'm back with lots to share. With each passing day, I learn more and more about how vibrant my shore town is in the winter time. I am also fortunate to have landed at a great shop that isn't all about itself, but rather cultivates partnerships throughout the community to put on some fantastic events. 

This is a loaded week, and the Nor'easter will be out of here by the time we get started. If you are in the area, come by and see me or any of our great people in town!

Photo of the Douro Valley from the IVDP web site

Photo of the Douro Valley from the IVDP web site

Wednesday, January 25th, 7:00pm: I'm teaching a Port 101 course at the Divine Wine Emporium classroom! Port wine's fruity and fiery character makes it a great way to end a meal or enjoy as a nightcap. You will learn everything to do with Port from vineyard to bottle, and we are tasting six different styles (including a Vintage Port). All of this for just $20 per student. You can call us at the store, 860-691-1053, to register and make payment.

Thursday, January 26th, 6:30pm: Flanders Fish Market & Restaurant Food & Wine Series - Spanish Edition. Last week's Italian session welcomed 62 guests! Can we top that number this week? Ken Turcotte, Owner of Divine Wine Emporium, and Olivia Formica, Head Chef of Flanders Fish, will present four small plates and five wines for just $35 per person. Call Divine Wine to make your reservation. We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback about these evenings, and we can't wait to bring it to you again on Thursday. Can't make it? No problem...next week's final session will be a French theme.

Friday, January 27th, 7:00pm: Chris Leigh, Director of the Mystic Blues Festival and Owner of the String Theory School of East Lyme, joins us for a concert in the classroom! He will be joined by another unbelievable local musician, Josi Davis, who has performed for us several times in the past. $10 payable at the door, all proceeds will go toward this summer's Mystic Blues Festival! Call the store to make your reservation!

Friday, January 27th-Sunday January 29th: Mohegan Sun Wine Fest. It's a huge show; I have never been, but possibly going on Sunday. Details are included right here for you!

Be A Self-Made Wine Expert: How To Run Your Own Tasting

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As I continue to grow and evolve as a husband, father, and general human being, more and more tasks and experiences fill up my schedule. I always have something that needs to be cleaned or cleaned up. A spirits class lands on the calendar. The kids have a Cub Scout meeting. My wife and I might even like to go out to dinner and not listen to an excruciatingly-detailed account of why the red brick was chosen over the blue brick in the building of a Lego structure.

And with the quest for occasional peace and quiet comes the infrequent visits with longtime friends. It's OK...they are going through the same thing. So are you. You have places to be, family to visit (or perhaps, family to avoid), and work to do. Hell, some people may have moved to D.C., Chicago, or Florida...perhaps even out of the country, which can make it even tougher to stay in touch.

Luckily, I know that I can count on two days per year that I can virtually guarantee I will get to see my friends from college: our fantasy football draft (nerding it up for 20 years!) and the NFL Divisional Round of the playoffs. Fear not, non-football fans...this is not a football post. Just stay with me here. The first event is just for the handful of us fools that keep torturing ourselves and one another with a ridiculous game every August. The second, however, is a larger affair in January with north of thirty people in attendance; one couple is gracious enough to put on this shindig at their residence every year.

This past weekend, not only did I receive my usual invite to the party, but we also discussed running a wine tasting before the games started. It's a great idea for those who want to hang for a party centered on football without having to care about the games. Easy enough...I am officially a seasoned professional with this subject matter! I learned that the group participating preferred white wines over reds and had an open mind to explore a wide range of styles. Beautiful...we tackled "White Wines of the World," where we tasted six wines from six different countries. All wines were unoaked and five of six wines were made with just one grape variety. These were also in a very fair, casual price range of $10-$17. Our hosts set out various cheeses, meats, and spreads with crackers and just like that, we were off and running with me bloviating about topics like Chenin Blanc, Verdejo, and Saint-Veran.

The setup from Saturday's tasting. Wines from L-R: Elvio Tintero Arneis, Cousino-Macul Chile Sauvignon Gris, Honoro Vera Rueda Verdejo, Finca El Origen Cafayate Torrontes, Les Trois Pecheurs Saint-Veran, Fairview South Africa Granite White Blend. Bi…

The setup from Saturday's tasting. Wines from L-R: Elvio Tintero Arneis, Cousino-Macul Chile Sauvignon Gris, Honoro Vera Rueda Verdejo, Finca El Origen Cafayate Torrontes, Les Trois Pecheurs Saint-Veran, Fairview South Africa Granite White Blend. Big thanks to the party hosts for having me run this for them! 

Sounds simple, right? By the way, it is. You can do this, too. Sure, my friends have access to me to plan it and leverage my knowledge and experience. But truthfully with a few guidelines, a little research, and an open mind, you can make a great event of your own. Here are eight that will help make your tasting a success:

  1. Open your mind
  2. Plan your theme
  3. Source your wine
  4. Food for all
  5. Pour an ounce
  6. Light to full
  7. White to red
  8. Sweet for last

Open your mind: I can't stress this enough. The reason you are doing a tasting is because you want to learn more. A tasting will not only help you identify something new to like, but you also learn what you don't like (equally important). If there is a wine you don't like, chances are someone else in your party will like it. Remember that everyone has different tastes and preferences of style: some like oaky flavor, others prefer fruity flavor. Some like bold wines, others go for delicate. Some like acidity, others like sweetness or strong tannins. If you are just bringing what you know you like, then you are not tasting...you are drinking (also an enjoyable activity, by the way).

Plan your theme: Our tasting featured white wines of the world. You can do six reds, roses, or even sparkling wines in a similar theme to get a broad brush of styles. Another way to go is to explore one region (Loire Valley, Oregon, Chile, Sonoma, Tuscany, and so on). Maybe you want to do a single grape variety from around the world. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are easy to do a "worldwide" tasting since these grapes express themselves so differently as you go to different parts of the world. You can get as broad or as focused as you want; it's your show!

Source your wine: Get to know a retailer. Tell them what you are doing. Ask questions. If you can get to a specialty shop, where the employees are likely to know about specific wines, they will be able to guide you in your purchases and even suggest viable alternatives. Larger stores will have a giant selection, but if you have researched ahead of time you won't be overwhelmed by the choices. There is also a wealth of information on the Internet to arm you with what you are looking for...such as this web site!

Food for all: Even if you are tasting and spitting (typically preferred if you don't want to get loopy too soon), you need munchies on hand to counter the alcohol. It's even better if you ate a good hearty meal before your tasting. An assortment of cheeses, crackers, cured meats, bean dips and spreads are great options. Olives and grapes are tricky with many wines as they don't particularly mix well; olives work better with dry Sherry and grapes with sweeter wines (but that's another topic altogether).

Pour an ounce: Or two. No more than that. If someone ends up really liking something, go back for more at the end. Remember, there is a good chance you have several wines to taste through!

Light to full: Dry Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio tend to feel lightest in your mouth. Chardonnay, Soave, and white Rhone Valley French varieties tend to be the fullest. Going in reverse makes those delicate whites taste too thin and aggressively acidic. So taste the lightest-bodied wines first and work progressively fuller.

White to red: Red wine tends to be more intense than white wines, so taste the white wines first. Tannic red wines (Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Syrah) should come after lighter, fruity reds (Barbera, Pinot Noir, Beaujolais). If you need a bridge from white to red, go for a rose wine from Provence or a rose of Pinot Noir from California or Oregon. These types of wines have the flavors of a red wine with the freshness of an unoaked white wine.

Sweet for last: Very sweet Rieslings, Ice Wine, Port, and sweet Madeira (for example) should always be served last. These wines have the richest mouthfeel and the residual sugar content is such that if you go back to a tannic red wine afterwards, an unpleasant astringency will overtake your palate.

Most of all, have fun with this! You have countless wines to choose from and get to know. Spend some time looking up some wines; Google searches will give you many credible results from retailers, restaurants, and wine magazines and blogs. The more you do these themed tastings, the sharper and more confident you will be with your wine purchases.

Of course if all else fails...give me a call. I'll be right over.

Play Along At Home: Northwestern Wine

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On Monday, you learned of the debut of a food and wine series happening at the Flanders Fish Market & Restaurant. This week, The Boss and I worked hard (as you can see in the picture) to find the right wines from Oregon and Washington for the theme of "Clean Eating," and our 31 guests were very pleased!

A shot of the tasting lab. We worked very hard for you this week.

A shot of the tasting lab. We worked very hard for you this week.

It's funny...we tend to lump Oregon and Washington together as if they were the same state with the same geographical features, particularly because we tie the city of Seattle's identity to Washington state. However from a wine perspective, these parts of the country couldn't be more different.

The bulk of the wine production in Oregon comes from the Willamette Valley, where Pinot Noir is king and Pinot Gris is the top white grape variety. The climate is milder with more yearly rainfall than Washington's major regions (dominated by the Columbia Valley), so the conditions favor those grapes, plus the aromatic varieties like Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, and Riesling. Killer sparkling wine is made here, too. Only when you head to the far south (like Rogue Valley) or northeastern corner of Oregon (Columbia Gorge) do you find drier, warmer conditions that suit other (mostly red) grape varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and even regional varieties like Grenache and Tempranillo.

Oregon Wine Region map courtesy of Oregon Wine. Most of the wine produced in Oregon comes from the Willamette Valley, which is in close proximity to Portland (in the yellow area).

Oregon Wine Region map courtesy of Oregon Wine. Most of the wine produced in Oregon comes from the Willamette Valley, which is in close proximity to Portland (in the yellow area).

Most of Washington's wine regions are semi-arid with long sunny days during the growing season with very little rainfall. With more uniform soils and higher elevations, there are major day-night temperature swings that allow grapes to ripen during the day and rest at night. Washington has the whole palette at its disposal with Bordeaux varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc) and Syrah tend to rule, but wines made from Riesling, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay come through bright and fruity. You even find wines made from Semillon, Nebbiolo, and Blaufrankisch (an Austrian red variety) which also carries the not-so-marketable synonym "Lemberger." It's too wet and cool in the Willamette Valley for many of these grapes to ripen successfully.

Washington Wine Region map courtesy of Washington State Wine. 98% of wine made in Washington is made east of the Cascade Mountains, several hours drive from Seattle (the red dot in the light green area)

Washington Wine Region map courtesy of Washington State Wine. 98% of wine made in Washington is made east of the Cascade Mountains, several hours drive from Seattle (the red dot in the light green area)

Yet with these differences, Oregon and Washington are outstanding New World wines that pair well with both the fresh and roasted foods that were featured at Flanders Fish last night, thanks to the acidity retained in the grapes during ripening.

So as promised, I am providing you with the "home game" that you can play. Now, we don't have the recipes for the food, but you can work off of the menu provided by the restaurant and test the pairings for yourself. Or you can just drink five different wines (all of which range from $15-$17 with friends and be happy. After all...it's Friday! Celebrate the end of the first full week of 2017.

Welcome/Aperitif:

Waterbrook Melange Founder's White Blend, Columbia Valley, $14.99

First course:

Cajun roasted corn and cauliflower salad with arugula, dried cranberries, pine nuts, lime vinaigrette

Adelsheim Vineyards Rose of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $16.99

Second course:

Seared tuna with marinated sliced cucumbers

Pappas Wine Co. Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley, $15.99

Third course:

Black shrimp jicama taco, cilantro, pico de gallo, avocado puree

Steele Wines Shooting Star "Blue Franc" (Blaufranksich), Washington, $15.99

Fourth course:

Peppered roasted chicken with greek yogurt dipping sauce

Pacific Pinot Cellars Pinot Noir, Oregon, $14.99

I Survived Volleyball Night...Now It's Time For A Drink

When we moved to Connecticut over four years ago, I knew I needed to find a physical activity to do. It had been a LONG time since I had really broken a sweat aside from going for walks or hikes in a park, or eating jalapenos in the summer sun. Taking care of the kids and studying for wine school took up most of my waking hours for several years, and when I was done with that for the day, I wanted to do nothing.

Yeah, that's not good...

I used to play basketball. A lot of basketball, and over the years I just didn't like how my back, knees, and ankles felt when I was through. So when I looked in our town's Parks & Rec brochure, I said, "Oh...they do volleyball here. Let's give this a shot."

I showed up the first day, and when I watched people warming up I muttered, "What the #$%! am I doing here?" Fortunately, I stuck with it. To this day, returning a serve is still a coin flip proposition, but I did improve my setting, spiking, and blocking. People who had been doing this much longer than I have coached me up on my technique, too, and I was (and still am) happy to take the advice. As a result of venturing out of my comfort zone, I not only became a believable enough player, but I also met some awesome people who became friends.

And while the theme of this blog is to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone with your adult beverage purchases, I actually tend to stay rigid when I am looking for a post-game drink. Most nights I immediately head directly to the showers and bed. However, on the nights I choose to meet up with the crew at the bar or watch a game at home, I need something restorative after chasing down a free ball to the corner, absorbing punishing kills, or diving after a short tap over the net. I essentially play steel cage volleyball, so my body is always in need of repair.

That's me on the left back in August; I almost look like someone who can play volleyball! Soon enough, we'll be playing on the beach again. Hopefully, my friends don't mind their likenesses being used for my benefit.

That's me on the left back in August; I almost look like someone who can play volleyball! Soon enough, we'll be playing on the beach again. Hopefully, my friends don't mind their likenesses being used for my benefit.

Whether you are into running, cross-fit, weight training, or just going for a stroll, I'm sure you like to reward yourself for getting the blood flowing with a satisfying drink. Now, I will say this: I am no fitness expert, but I do find it important to re-hydrate with water or your electrolytic drink of choice. Directly replacing all those lost fluids and nutrients with booze will lead to feeling like garbage the next day. For a non-alcoholic drinkable meal, a smoothie made up of some proportion of frozen fruit, yogurt, banana, fruit nectar, and greens (maybe even a scoop of protein powder) does wonders for keeping you going. When I am in for the night, it's leftover pasta or a sandwich of some kind. Even when I go to the bar after playing, wings or pulled pork is a must for me.

So after proper refueling, here's what I typically reach for after my body has splattered itself on the court for two hours on a Tuesday night.

 

Abita Turbodog ($9/6-pack): Yes, a beer has made it into a post! This is a full-bodied brown ale that has all of the "brown" flavors going on: caramel, toffee, roasted nuts, and chocolate. It's a very good brew to have on-hand in the winter months. If I have zero inventory, well...I go for a Guinness Draught or Boddington's Pub Ale.

Two Roads Worker's Comp Farmhouse Ale ($10/6-pack): More beer! If I need something lighter but still loaded with flavor, I love a good Saison/Farmhouse Ale, a wild yeasty style that is traditionally made in winter to be sold in the summer. This Connecticut brewery's example is packed with tropical fruits and spices. I will happily knock this back year-round, along with Maine's  Allagash Saison (pictured, about $10/4-pack).

Whisk(e)y (any price point): On nights where I have exerted myself more than I expected to, or if the games are particularly intense, whiskey is in order. Bourbon, Scotch, whatever. As I write this, I am enjoying the Sons of Liberty Battle Cry Rhode Island Single Malt American Whiskey ($44). This is actually a distilled Belgian-style ale, which results in what tastes like breakfast: a bowl of oatmeal with almonds and baking spices. They also make the Uprising American Whiskey, made from a distilled stout beer for a few bucks more.

You have something you like to enjoy after a workout? Share it with me below!

Local News: Food & Wine Series Debuts This Week

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Has everyone dug out of their snowy caves yet? Good; it means that if you live in (or will be in) Southeastern Connecticut, you can come visit a terrific local restaurant who is partnering up with my store to do a food and wine series!

The owner of Divine Wine himself, Certified Specialist of Wine Ken Turcotte, is teaming up with Chef Olivia Formica of Flanders Fish Market & Restaurant to present five wines and four small plates. This is happening on four consecutive Thursday nights, beginning January 12th, 6:30-8:00pm. The theme for this week is "Eating Clean," and the featured wines will come from Oregon and Washington...a great way to keep the momentum going with your resolution to eat healthy this year. Successive events will include wines from Italy on January 19th, and wines of Spain and France on January 26th and February 2nd.

Whether you choose to come to one event or all four, you can make your reservations by calling the Divine Wine Emporium: (860) 691-1053. It's a fantastic and easy way to explore wines of the world and potentially introduce your palate to something you haven't discovered before. If you aren't going to be around, I will recap the wine for you on Friday's post and you can play along at home. 

Whisk(e)y: 'I' Before 'E', Except When It's 'Y' (Either Is Good And I'll Tell You Why)

I am a lucky person. I have great family and friends who love to explore adult beverages, and I have been fortunate to taste some killer stuff. I also have a job that allows me to design and lead spirits classes at my local shop, thanks to an awesome boss who has complete faith in me and my abilities. Additionally, my time spent taking classes with the WSET really helped me learn about and appreciate all kinds of distilled beverages: Gin, Rum, Tequila, Cognac, and of course...whisky.

Or is it whiskey?

So how is it spelled? Does it even matter? We see both spellings on labels, so doesn't there have to be a reason the 'e' is choosing to infiltrate our whisk(e)y?

All spirits trace their roots back to ancient times, where the first evidence of chemical distillation was started by alchemists in ancient Greece, but alcoholic distillation is believed to have started in the 13th century in Italy. These products were used to treat all sorts of diseases and general pestilence, and when the sick were being restored to good health, the term aqua vitae or "water of life" was used to describe these medicinal wonders. When these techniques spread throughout medieval Europe, other terms evolved such as the Dutch brandewijn ("burnt wine"), which later became simply "brandy," and the Slavic voda ("water"), which later became known as vodka. Within the United Kingdom, Usquebaugh (Scottish Gaelic) and Uisge Bethea (Irish Gaelic) also translated to "water of life." 

And when the two Gaelic terms were translated/anglicized, for whatever the reason the 'e' stuck in Irish Whiskey, while the 'e' never made it into Scottish Whisky. When Irish immigrants came to the United States with their knowledge of distilling from grains, the American producers started to use the 'e' in their whiskey labels. That is why your bottles of Bourbon are called "Whiskey."

"But Tony," you may be asking, "what about this?"

An excellent question! The Samuels family, who produces Maker's Mark traces their roots to Scotland, not Ireland. Therefore, they chose to roll with the Scottish spelling. Along with Scotch omitting the 'e', so does Canadian Whisky; one of Scotland's first colonies was in Canada back in the 1600s, and their influence has been felt ever since...no 'e' is getting in their whisky!

You might also notice more products are coming in from Japan lately; they also omit the 'e' on whisky labels, mainly because they pattern the majority of their styles after Scotch whisky far more than Irish Whiskey or Bourbon. 

So there you have it. Whether you like whisky or whiskey, there are so many out there to sample. Whether it is Scotch, Irish, American, or from some other part of the world, whisk(e)y has never been more popular. Two years ago, the Glenfiddich distillery surpassed one million cases shipped worldwide, a first for a single malt Scotch whisky. Glenlivet is about to do the same. Craft distilleries all over the United States are making tremendous, unique Bourbons and other American whiskey distilled from countless combinations of grains. We have a lot to taste and talk about...how is this a bad thing?

There's a ton to enjoy, so I have narrowed down six for you. Keep in mind that whisk(e)y prices are on the rise and sometimes there is fluctuation from store to store and state to state. Nothing I listed here is cheap, but they are incredibly satisfying starting points for you to begin your adventure...whether you prefer the 'e' or not.

Three without the 'e':

Glenmorangie Original ($40): I just ran out of this in my own bar, which is the best-selling single malt Scotch in Scotland. With its citrus and vanilla flavors, Glenmorangie Original (10 Year Old) is the Scotch I recommend to those who claim they don't like Scotch; it gets them every time. It should be a whisky staple in your home bar.

Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve ($54): Whisky Maker John Hall creates three separate whiskies made from rye, barley, and corn and ages them all in their own barrels. Then, when the time is right, he blends all three and ages the blend in Bourbon barrels. The result is a full-bodied nutty, spicy whisky that is easy to enjoy at the end of the day by a fire. I have referred to this as "dessert whisky" in my Whisk(e)y 101 classes.

Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky 90 Proof ($65): While Japan's template follows the peated examples from the Scottish islands, this example resembles Bourbon in some ways, as it is mostly made from corn. While it has some sweet vanilla and caramel flavors, the main distinction from a Bourbon whisky is a noticeable meaty/smoky character. This is a welcoming, well-made Japanese whisky and is a fun one to try. 

Three with the 'e':

Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey ($44): Jameson is certainly the most popular Irish whiskey in America, however Knappogue Castle is strictly a single malt Irish whiskey that is easy to love. Tropical fruit, vanilla, and toasted marshmallow flavors show up in this whiskey that was aged all 12 years in Bourbon casks. This also went over very well with the beginner and connoisseur alike in my last class. You owe to yourself to try this as it delivered big time for the price.

Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Whiskey 100 Proof ($47): I have had multiple friends tell me I needed to try this, and when I found E.H. Taylor at a fantastic wine and spirits shop in Chattanooga this summer, I had to go for it. It's rich, creamy, spicy and fulfilling on a winter evening. There is a little heat on the back of the throat, but when that subsides you are left with caramel apple pie flavor with baking spices lingering long on the palate. This is a steal. 

Balcones "1" Single Malt Texas Whiskey ($90): That's right...single malt whisky from Texas. The first time I tasted this, it was given to me without knowing it and I was blown away. This is 100% malted barley and made in the same process as a Scotch whisky, but it is very clear this does not taste 100% like Scotch. It also doesn't taste like a typical Bourbon. Caramel, pecans, vanilla, peach jam, and the entire rack of baking spices (cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg) make an appearance in this very complex whiskey. If you were good this past holiday season and saved a few bucks along the way, I highly recommend giving this a shot.

A Resolution You Can Keep: Drink More Wine

We did it - we survived the holidays!  If you're reading this, you're no longer in your butter soaked food coma and you made it through all those family gatherings without strangling your uncle.  Congratulations! It's the new year, time for a fresh start.  Maybe you're looking to drop a few more pounds or a few less dollars.  I'm here to help and with a resolution you can keep - drink more wine.  Hear me out - I know we all overindulged.   Since Christmas Eve and Day fell on a weekend, my traditional family visits on the weekends before and after Christmas meant that the holiday lasted over two weeks. I have eaten sausage rice balls with every meal for the past few days. I also celebrated a birthday this month, so there was cake, too. I had my share of salted cured meats, and cookies before breakfast, during lunch, and after dinner has been the norm. I am practically oozing butter and cheese at this point. I need a vegetable that hasn't been dipped in ranch dressing or fruit that wasn't drizzled in caramel. 

Yes, a glass of wine will set you back a few calories (approximately 125 per glass), but you're dieting, not dead.  A small glass will help you face that mountain of vegetables, plus give you antioxidants.  "But where am I going to get the money to restock my cellar?  I'm a little embarrassed to go back to the wine shop so soon after buying all the sparkling wine you recommended in your last post.  My wine guy will think poorly of me."  (Pro tip, no he won't.  He's probably lonely in there now that the holiday crowds are gone.  Go visit him.  It's a great time to get to know your local wine shop.)  Enter my list of budget friendly wines.  Each wine listed below should run you about $10 per bottle, making this list a great one to remember for parties too when you want to buy a case.

Saget La Perriere "La Petit Perriere" Vin de France Sauvignon Blanc: The Domaine La Perriere Sancerre is an awesome bottle of Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, but it will run you north of $22 per bottle. Enter the "Petit Perriere", where the grapes come from a larger geographic area outside of the Sancerre region. Since this wine doesn't carry "Sancerre" on the label, the wine costs you a fraction of the price. An awesome partner with delicate fish dishes or goat cheese.

Azul Portugal: To the right, this is an example of one of the many labels you will find from this brand. The Azul Portugal series is a great way to be introduced to native white grape varieties such as Arinto and Fernao Pires, and red varieties such as Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro. Those are a mouthful to say and we will go deeper into Portugal in the future, but these wines remain a terrific value. The Dao (right) red makes a fine starting point for red berry and cherry fruit flavors with some spicy/floral notes. If you run into any of the other wines, jump in! You won't be disappointed.

 

Cono Sur Bicicleta Series (Take your pick...Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Noir): Cono Sur practices organic farming and sustainability in the vineyards. These are bold and fruity wines; Viognier can work well with Thai-style seafood, Chardonnay with a risotto, or the Pinot Noir with a roasted pork tenderloin. Chile also remains a very good value on your local shelves.

 

 

Charles Brotte Grand Vallon Vin de France Syrah: This is a very simple way to be introduced to Syrah from France. Charles Brotte is well-known for his wines of the Rhone Valley, but this particular wine sources Syrah from all over southern France. The fresh blackberry and violet aromas and juiciness on the palate make this a great match with a low-fat burger. 

Feudi del Duca Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (not pictured): This was a huge hit at the Divine Wine Emporium; we must have run through 30 or 40 cases of a very humble wine. Many Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines at the $10 price point can be astringent and tough on your palate, but I was floored by how fruity this wine was. With red cherry fruit and a little anise and earthiness, this is killer with a red sauce-based pizza or pasta.

Bodegas Atalaya Almansa Laya red blend (not pictured): Spain's most popular red wine in America is Rioja by a mile, but to search for greater value your best bet is to head south to Almansa, where Garnacha and Monastrell grapes rule the vineyards. Garnacha's red berry character and Monastrell's dark berry and plum fruit combine to make a bold, full-bodied wine. If you are looking to try lean game meats like venison or bison, the Laya red blend is a winner.

The Obligatory New Year's Sparkling Wine Post

Many of you know I work at the Divine Wine Emporium in Niantic, CT. From time to time, I will be promoting events for the local folks in this space, but if you are stuck in traffic on I-95 in Connecticut, get off at Exit 72, turn right at the light,…

Many of you know I work at the Divine Wine Emporium in Niantic, CT. From time to time, I will be promoting events for the local folks in this space, but if you are stuck in traffic on I-95 in Connecticut, get off at Exit 72, turn right at the light, and the store is a 1/4 mile down on the right. A few of the sparkling wines mentioned below are on the display (pictured). Drop by before 6:00pm on Saturday and pick some of these up if you are in the area!

In most of my social media feeds, I see a lot of folks who are just done with 2016. Certainly, everyone goes through ups and downs and that's just part of life. But it seems that those who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s have been hit hard emotionally; large chunks of childhoods have been ripped away with the passing of many iconic celebrities in the world of the performing arts in one calendar year.

And yes, it stinks. We grew up wanting to act like them, dress like them, see them in concert, on stage, or on the big screen. It makes us sad to lose them, but today I am going to take a different approach. Do you realize how great it was to have Star Wars, Ziggy Stardust, Young Frankenstein, How The West Was Won, Purple Rain, Die Hard, and anything Wham! (you love this phase of George Michael's career...don't lie to yourself) in our lives? We should all be so lucky!

With 2017 speeding toward us, there will be plenty of articles regarding "Best Sparkling Wines" types of posts from various publications. So you know what? I am going to throw my hat in the ring with this, too. I have chosen five sparkling wines to enjoy this Saturday night (or any time, really...sparkling wine is not just for special events and New Year's parties!).

These choices give you plenty of options for styles in different price brackets. They also all have a positive personal connection to me in the way our fallen icons have been a positive part of my childhood and adult life.

No need to get all educational on this go-round; we'll make a deeper dive into sparkling wines another day. For now, sing Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth and Last Christmas one more time this season! Go watch The Producers and Harry Potter. Download those songs. Stream those movies. Whether you choose to celebrate 2016 or welcome the fresh start in 2017, here's to a happy and healthy new year:

Mionetto Prosecco Brut Treviso ($15): The supplier who carries this wine at our store in Connecticut has reached out to me for several events, and I have to thank them for thinking of me as my career evolves in the beverage industry. Golden apple and white peach flavors dominate this fruity sparkler, and this is great to drink on its own, or mix in cocktails.

Pares Balta Cava Brut ($14): I have grown to love Cava for the fact that if I want a sparkling wine without having to pay big bucks for Champagne. Cava producers typically use the local grape varieties of Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada (modern examples include Chardonnay), but Pares Balta chooses to stick with the traditional trio I just mentioned. This particular example is all green apples and pears with some yeasty/toasty things happening. Another one that is mixable or suitable to enjoy on its own.

Gruet Brut ($17): Sparkling wine made as they do in Champagne, but produced in...New Mexico?! This has nectarine and red berry flavors with a touch of fresh bread. The first time I tasted this Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blend, I knew I would never reach for the similarly priced, Korbel ever again.

Pol Roger Champagne Brut Reserve ($40-$50): This is the Champagne the International Wine Center welcomed me with when I registered for the WSET Diploma program and attended orientation. What a great way to loosen me up before attacking nearly three years of wine and spirits academia! I was too busy wondering if I could really earn this credential to write a real tasting note, but I remember tasting brioche bread with a creamy texture. You may be able to find the occasional deal on this for $40, but this will mostly creep closer to $50.

Ayala Champagne Brut Majeur ($40-ish): If you go over to my "About" page and check out the handsome devil in the picture, this wine is in the Champagne flute after completing the Diploma program. Aromatic and citrusy, the huge sense of relief made me want to go back for more glasses. This will go with any light appetizers or sushi; use the Pol Roger with crab or lobster dishes.

Pinot Grigio: Establishing a Wine Baseline

Many years ago when I was figuring out Twitter, I started an account so I could follow wine bloggers and sports personalities. It was just something to do to give me a break from taking care of small children every now and then. Sports was clearly a goof-off thing, but getting to know those in the wine community was important to me. They offered interesting perspective; they weren't selling publications, reviews, or individual wines. They were just telling me how good a wine was, had interesting stories to tell, and if I had never tried a wine before I kept my eyes open for it.

I also followed retailers and other beverage industry folks. One retailer in New Jersey ended up becoming a place where I worked, and a few of the individuals became good friends in the business. One person in particular was a great partner in crime on nights we were on the clock together. We would often try to steer customers towards wines that were just outside of the comfort zone and the wine most frequently found inside the comfort zone was Pinot Grigio.

Ah, Pinot Grigio. The easy Italian crowd-pleaser; the "safe choice" for a party, or when you just want a chilled glass of dry white wine to suck down with light foods or after a busy summer day at the office. In this Italian form, the Pinot Grigio grape (when grown in the flat, fertile regions of the Veneto region) is a neutral, light and inoffensive wine. Maybe there is some green apple or faint citrus notes, but that's about it. Simple, clean, and easy-drinking.

But you are reading this because you want to explore and discover other wines. You want new aromas and flavors. You want to break away from the everyday. Fortunately, Pinot Grigio makes for an excellent starting point in building your flight. Pinot Grigio was the very first wine I tasted when I went for Intermediate certification at WSET wine school, because of the baseline of acidity, body, alcohol, and flavor intensity.

Now, back to my New Jersey retail days. We had two shelves in the Italian section for white wines: Pinot Grigio and "Not Pinot Grigio." The Not Pinot Grigio shelf was packed with all kinds of grape names and places throughout Italy. Anytime I saw a customer standing in that section for more than three seconds, I knew this person didn't just want to walk away with the same old bottle. It was always easy for me to approach this person; I have been there before. I have stood in front of a giant wall of Italian white wines that all looked the same to me. My job was to help them choose the right bottle without feeling overwhelmed.

So if you have made it with me this far, congratulations...I have some ideas for you. Here are a few wines you should be able to find in your large-scale local beverage depot or small family-owned boutique wine shop, all of which will cost you roughly $12-$15 per bottle. These wines are all unoaked, fresh, vibrant, and incredibly food-friendly, perfect for your post-holiday resolution to eat lighter, healthier, fresher foods. Commentary on styles reflects a general comparison to your typical bottle of well-known Pinot Grigio. If your friendly wine merchant has a different producer in stock or can offer an alternative, have an open mind and roll with it!

Try your Pinot Grigio alongside two of the following, and you will get to taste for yourself.

Gavi: Made from Cortese grapes, those green apple and citrus fruits from above have a little more flavor intensity. Along with more body and a gentle salty kick (believed to come from the Gavi region's proximity to the coastline), this keeps you close to your comfort zone, but doesn't pull you too far away. Banfi's Principessa di Gavia ($14) has been a consistent example from year to year.

Soave: this region in the Veneto uses the grape varieties of Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave (also called Verdicchio further south in Italy). The Classico region of Soave is its viticultural heartland, providing better quality wines and a more rewarding tasting experience. Inama Soave Classico ($15) gives you more of a floral and nutty character with more body and texture.

Arneis: What better way to get introduced to the grape known as the "little rascal" from the Piedmont area? A wine that typically is priced in the high-teens and above, Elvio Tintero Langhe Arneis ($14) is excellent for the dollar, showing intensely fragrant aromas of hardy herbs (like rosemary), peaches and a touch of almond.

Orvieto: Heading south, the town of Orvieto is located in the landlocked region of Umbria. You will find a wide range of local grape varieties that grow virtually nowhere else in the world, such as Grechetto, and Procanico. Worth a try if you are looking to venture far away from your everyday wine, Palazzone's Terre Vineate ($12) is packed with stone fruit flavors and anise seed.