Marques del Silvo Rioja Cosecha 2019 La Rioja, Spain

March 27, 2021

This is a whole lot of Rioja for the money! Enjoy this with just about anything off the grill, chops, soups, stews, lighter fare, and even pasta and pizza! Seriously, this is classic Joven Rioja at a price lower than most supermarket plonk.

Domaine la Rouviole Vin Photographique Minervois, France

February 6, 2021

If you think about it, a photograph and a bottle of wine share some very notable similarities. They each capture a particular place at a specific point in time, and they’re also a result of an artist’s creativity and passion. Knowing that, it makes perfect sense that my buddy Jean-Christian would name his cuvée “Vin Photographique.”

Bodegas Valdehermoso Lagar del Rey Verdejo Nava del Rey, Rueda, Spain

January 23, 2021

Bodegas Valdehermoso is a perfect example of the kind of property and producer I look for during my buying trips to Europe. The Bodegas is way off the beaten path — literally out in the middle of nowhere — and without the glitzy, glamourous building like most of the famous names in the region.

San Michele Rondinella Valpolicella, Italy

January 22, 2021

Are you looking for something just a little different –perhaps a best buy from Italy? The San Michele Rondinella could be just the thing. I’m told the local translation of Rondinella is “little swallow.” I think it could also unquestionably translate as “super tasty light red from Italy that screams drinking pleasure!”

Trevini Sangiovese

Trevini Sangiovese – Emilia Romagna, Italy

September 19, 2020

Easily the Best 8 Bucks in the Shop! Over the last couple of years, this easy-going Sangiovese has become the all-time best seller at the shop. It’s the usual M.O. of many locals to work a few of these into every mixed case they purchase. Once you try it, you’ll know why! Haven’t tried a…

Red and white wine from the co-op at

Les Vignerons de St. Hilaire d’Ozilhan Cotes du Rhône Prestige Blanc and Rouge

October 25, 2019

St. Hilaire d’Ozilhan Prestige Blanc and Rouge — These wines pack a ton of quality and are super versatile — the red and white Prestigeare a great choice for the beach, pool, or porch, and will be the star of the party at your summer cookouts.

Domaine Martin 2018 Le Petit Martin IGP Vaucluse, Travaillan, France

May 4, 2019

The ultimate “Tuesday Night” red — Years ago I coined the phrase “Tuesday Night” wine to describe affordably priced, quality-driven wines. These are wines that you’re not afraid to open and enjoy on a Tuesday night and they’re great to have around when friends and relatives show up at your door. My favorite way to…

2016 Domaine de Couron – Best Buy Merlot

May 2, 2019

Welcome Back to Merlot! Fifteen years ago Merlot fell victim to an inadvertent smear campaign. A single line in a movie ignited such a strong cultural backlash that it caused Merlot sales to plummet. Almost overnight, hundreds of years of love and respect for the noble grape turned to aversion and disdain. The movie was…

2018 Vallevo “Terre di Chieti ” Abruzzo, Italy

March 23, 2019

Our new favorite best buy Chardonnay — Pure un-oaked Chardonnay goodness! We taste a lot of wine at the shop in order to preview and curate the selections for our customers.  Roughly one out of thirty or forty reaches our quality standard and makes it past us to the shelves. The most challenging of these…

2017 Cristia Ventoux Rouge Ventoux, France

March 16, 2019

The Rhône Valley in France is a veritable treasure trove of wine. There’s truly something here for every wine lover, whether it’s a stately Châteauneuf-du-Pape red, or just an inexpensive, yet beautifully crafted regional wine.    Cristia is one of the hidden gems of the region: The Ventoux. The Ventoux AOC is a gorgeous region,…