Five Exceptional Bottles of Wine

I have been lucky enough to work in a small well managed wine shop for the past two years. When I began working there I knew less about wine then most. Recently I realized I had finally come to a relaxed understanding of wine, bottle by bottle. The trick is, wine is a strange mix of tradition, hype, pretension, daring, unsung heroes, and some terrible grape juice. All you really need to know is that wine is fun, delicious, a pleasure, and not a big deal. When you stop worrying about the other guy, you’ve won the race. Wine is accessible to everyone. Wine is for everyone. Great wine does not have to be expensive.

Here are a few exceptional bottles I’ve been enjoying of late.

Leese-Fitch, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 a California Red, $8.99 - Deep ruby in color, black cherry and cedar on the nose. The 2009 vintage of Leese-Fitch Cabernet has flavors of rich berries, chocolate, mints, currants & figs. This Cabernet is very complex. French oak, sweet fruit and savory nuances. This bottle of wine is like a good warm mitten. Perfect to enjoy with a meal, give as a gift, or pour in the evening as a stand alone. Balanced, rich, satisfying.

The Velvet Devil, Merlot a Washington State Red, $10.99- The nose is earth, iodine and red plums. The mouthfeel is full and the taste is 'caramel'. Great choice to serve at a party. This is an exciting bottle. Good gift for wine friends. Bold, round, delicious. I like this in a big goblet by itself in the fall. Cool bottle and unusual on the palate, this is a great show off wine or gift. It will create conversation.

Grasco Vasco, Dao a Portuguese Red , $7.99- Red purple color. Leafy, herby nose is followed up on the palate by soft red fruit (cherries) and moderate tannic structure, some of which is no doubt contributed by a touch of new oak. Hints of spice, olives and coffee contribute to what is a fairly complex, burgundy-style wine that is nicely put together. This is my go to wine. Cheap and really, really good. I could offer this wine to anyone. Balanced, natural, gentle without being weak. When people are looking for an everyday wine that is spot on this is what I hand them.

Raw Power, Shiraz an Australian Red, $10.99 - Australia has made Syrah its own, even bestowing it with a new name: Shiraz. In the warm, dry climate of Australia this noble grape produces an intense, unique expression that is distinctly Australian. Classic notes of black pepper, black cherry and plum fruits on the palate. Fun, wild wine. Big and bold, speaking of youth and recklessness, I serve this at parties. It has bite and vitality, not for the faint of heart.


Casal Garcia, Vinho Verde Branco White, a Portuguese White, $7.99 - It is a very light straw color, with a slight fizz and a light apple, pear flavor initially with a very clean and lingering aftertaste. This is a little golden acorn of a wine. Clean, champy, with lower alcohol content, this is a great summer afternoon sipper. Really clean and cold, as cheap as they come, if you spot this wine at your local grocery store snap it up, drink it almost cold.

And as an aside, my wicked good, slightly pricey picks are: Allegrini Valpolicella Classico, at $14.99. A big complex Italian red, I pull out this gun when I want to be heard. Wedding gift, or special occasion wine that is worth the extra bucks. A beautiful wine. And for a white, Spann Vineyards Betsy Backacher Bottle Blond a California Chardonnay blend, $14.99 A golden smooth white with pear, apple, and peach tones. I like it, and I do not drink a lot of white wines outside of work. This is a soft sultry white, creamy. Really romantic. I give this as a gift to white wine lovers and have brought it to an event or two (especially when a lot of women will be there) Drink it just chilled.

These are a few standouts of late in my neck of the woods. What are some of yours? If you don’t have a list, and want one, then you should find a small wine shop near you and ask for some of their favorites. Go to every Wine Tasting in your area, they are more prevalent then you’d think and generally open to anyone. Then a bottle at a time you decide what you like. It’s fun and only as expensive as you want it to be.
Salute!