Thanksgiving Wines

Greetings!
In response to numerous requests, we are changing our minimum order and delivery policies. We will continue to offer free delivery in Marin County for orders of six bottles or more, but our new minimum order is three bottles plus a $5.00 delivery fee.
To purchase any of our selections or to arrange delivery, please contact us at communitywines@gmail.com or call 415-454-1244.

Here’s what we have for Thanksgiving:

2009 Benaza Monterrei Godello (Spain)
Godello, an indigenous Spanish grape from Gallicia, is the star of this apple crisp white wine. This wine will win friends and influence people… that is, if you share it. $13.50 per bottle/$145.80 per case w/10% discount

2009 Benito Santos Albariño (Spain)  
The grapes that make this organic white beauty come from vineyards owned by the Church and watched over by an eighth century chapel. Made by San Franciscan Todd Blomberg, this wine will shake all of your Chardonnay drinking friends from their stupor and awaken them to the possibilities that await those willing to take the wine road less traveled… $16.00 per bottle/$172.80 per case w/10% discount

2009 Vevi (Spain)  
This is our best selling white. A blend of Viura and Verdejo from the Rueda region of Spain, we tried for months to get it back in stock, and now we’ve got it… lots of it! Our friend Idie describes it as a “vevi, vevi good wine.” This wine has a wonderful citrus quality; it’s a real palate cleanser. We’d sell it with a straw, but that’s illegal. However, it does come with a screw cap for your convenience. $14.00 per bottle/$151.20 per case w/10% discount

2009 Peciña Rioja Joven (Spain)  
Our first Rioja! Francie and I have had the pleasure to taste several wines from these folks, all made from the Tempranillo grape, and they truly express the place where they are from. Take a look at these photos, and tell me they don’t make you want to pack up and head for Spain. This is their everyday wine; it’s what they drink while they are waiting for their Gran Reserva to mature. Its deep color and bold flavor says ¡Bienvenidos a España!” $12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount

2008 Bielsa (Spain)
One of our crowd pleasers is back! Our friend Velvy loves this wine, so you should, too. There is no pretense to this wine from the Campo de Borja region. It is made from the Grenache grape and is truly built for comfort. This dry red is soft and delicate, plush and debonair. The good news is we got a good deal on it, and we’re passing the savings on to you. $11.00 per bottle/$118.80 per case w/10% discount

2009 Coquelet Chiroubles Beaujolais (France)  
This wine smells like ripe plums and cherries ready to be picked. Its generous fruit is perfectly balanced with good acidity. This one begs to be enjoyed with a meal. I think this wine will develop nicely for several years and will benefit from decanting. $21.50 per bottle/$232.20 per case w/10% discount

Champagne Pierre Moncuit-Delos Grand Cru Le Mesnil (France)
Well now, what would the holidays be without Champagne? This one is from a family owned estate, not from some mega corporation that makes a million bottles a year. When I put my nose in the glass, my first thought was it smells like a fresh baked apple pie. Just looking at the fine bead of bubbles in a glass of this wine makes me happy!  $39.00 per bottle/$421.20 per case w/10% discount

2009 Château Ducasse Bordeaux Blanc (France)
This is a delightful blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion. It reminds me of Grace Kelly in Rear Window, sheer elegance. Golden in color, redolent of spring blossoms, this wine is a classic. It’s like a favorite book that every time you read, you find something new to like about it. It pairs well with lighter fare and does just fine by itself. $15.00 per bottle/$162.00 per case w/10% discount

2008 Saint Martin de la Garrigue Tradition (France) 
 This wine was a big hit at a recent tasting. I heard lots of oohs and ahs as people put their noses into their glasses. A blend of Syrah and Carignan, it is an exemplar of a great Rhône style blend. This one, however, comes from the Languedoc, not the Rhône. The scent of wild thyme and black olives reaches out to greet you from the glass. It works well with medium to heavy fare and is a perfect red wine for your favorite fall meals. $12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount

2008 Château d’Oupia Les Hérétiques (France)  
We offered this wine this past summer as part of our Back to School sale, and it was a hit! We’re bringing it back as we still have eight more months of school, but who’s counting? This time, though, there’s an added bonus. We will donate all profits from the sale of this wine to Partners in Health. But don’t just buy it for the donation – it’s an excellent value and a great example of price to quality ratio. This is a perfect party wine for your holiday gatherings, a real quaffer. One more thing – the label is beautiful. $9.50 per bottle/$102.60 per case w/10% discount

2009 Domaine de Colette Beaujolais-Village (France)  
Currently, the wine world is buzzing about how great the 2009 vintage from Beaujolais is. I am usually skeptical when I hear such great things about a vintage. Usually the hype raises my expectations so high that I end up being disappointed. Not this time, though. I am here to tell you, believe the hype! Made from 100 percent Gamay, this little baby has a color and flavor that reminds me of cherries. I know it’s not much of a description but, in Francie’s words, yum! $14.00 per bottle/$151.20 per case w/10% discount

2008 Becker-Landgraf  Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) Unfiltered (Germany)
This description is from the poet and wine importer Bill Mayer  
“The Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) is light in color but not in flavor. I’m always amazed by folk who look at a wine’s color and, if it’s not black, assume the wine is light, rosé, and thoroughly uninteresting. Nothing could be further from the truth. Like many great Pinots (Romanée Conti, for example), the color is light but the flavors are long and very beautiful. A seductive spiciness is enhanced by the elegant acidity and slightly creamy texture. This is a winery that you simply cannot afford to miss.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. Then again, he is a poet!
$21.50 per bottle/$232.20 per case w/10% discount

2008 Hauth-Kerpen Riesling Blauschiefer (Germany)

This description is from the poet and wine importer Bill Mayer This is a lovely Mosel with good, though not overbearing acidity, and only around 5 grams of residual sugar – very dry. But it’s beautifully balanced, not in the least tart, and is perfect for picnics, light dishes, or probably just about anything. If you like minerals in wine, this is the one for you. I’ve been glugging it down with chicken dishes and have felt no remorse whatsoever. Maybe this is the wine you should back your U-Haul up to the warehouse for. And don’t rent one of those puny U-Haul trailers. Get a big one; you’ll need it. I’m ready and willing to help.

$12.75 per bottle/$137.70 per case w/10% discount

2008 Pollerhof Grüner Veltliner (Austria)  
This is a fabulous food friendly organic white made from Grüner Veltliner, a grape native to Austria. Conveniently packaged in a one-liter bottle, this wine is capable of disappearing right before your eyes. I like to open one of these to enjoy while I’m cooking. I often add a splash of it to whatever I’m preparing on the stove and enjoy some more of it with my meal. This wine is truly refreshing with its lovely citrus and floral nose. It is a great cocktail white and pairs particularly well with Asian or Indian foods. $12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount

NV Prosecco Sorelle Bronca Prosecco (Italy)  
Most of the Prosecco imported into the United States is made on an industrial scale like Coca Cola, but not this baby! The Bronca sisters produce this charming organic sparkler, grown on the hills northwest of Venice. The wine has a straw color and a pear aroma that will keep you coming back for more, and it is a perfect foil for one of Francie’s favorite appetizers, olives. $17.00 per bottle/$183.60 per case w/10% discount

2009 La Sibilla Campi Flegrei Falanghina (Italy) This wines comes from the Campania region located on the coast north of Naples. The wine has a lovely mineral and citrus quality. Here’s what the wine maker has to say about his wines: “… La Sibilla is the story of our family, and can be represented by the roots of a vine that combine with the soil over the years, going ever deeper in search of minerals. We are like those roots, and for at least five generations we have worked this fascinating and mysterious little outcropping of earth…” $17.00 per bottle/$183.60 per case w/10% discount

October Offering

Greetings!

Ah, October… It’s 90 degrees one day, 60 degrees the next. What’s a wine merchant to do? Well, your friends at Community Wines are dealing with the unpredictability of this month by providing a selection of wines that are light to medium bodied and a red that can take a chill.

Some other Community Wines news: We will donate 100 percent of our profits from the sale of any wine imported by Louis/Dressner to Partners in Health. Click here to find out why.  If you’ve yet to have a chance, please check out our website: communitywines.com.

2009 Château Ducasse Bordeaux Blanc
This is a delightful blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion. It reminds me of Grace Kelly in Rear Window, sheer elegance. Golden in color, redolent of spring blossoms, this wine is a classic. It’s like a favorite book that every time you read, you find something new to like about it. It pairs well with lighter fare and does just fine by itself.
$15.00 per bottle/$162.00 per case w/10% discount

2009 Vevi
This is our best selling white. A blend of Viura and Verdejo from the Rueda region of Spain, we tried for months to get it back in stock, and now we’ve got it… lots of it! Our friend Idie describes it as a “vevi, vevi good wine.” I think if she had another child, she would name it Vevi. This wine has a wonderful citrus quality; it’s a real palate cleanser. We’d sell it with a straw, but that’s illegal. However, it does come with a screw cap for your convenience.
$14.00 per bottle/$151.20 per case w/10% discount

2009 Peciña Rioja Joven
Our first Rioja! Francie and I have had the pleasure to taste several wines from these folks, all made from the Tempranillo grape, and they truly express the place where they are from. Take a look at these photos, and tell me they don’t make you want to pack up and head for Spain. This is their everyday wine; it’s what they drink while they are waiting for their Gran Reserva to mature. Its deep color and bold flavor says ¡Bienvenidos a España!”
$12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount

2008 Saint Martin de la Garrigue Tradition
This wine was a big hit at a recent tasting. I heard lots of oohs and ahs as people put their noses into their glasses. A blend of Syrah and Carignan, it is an exemplar of a great Rhône style blend. This one, however, comes from the Languedoc, not the Rhône. The scent of wild thyme and black olives reach out to greet you from the glass. It works well with medium to heavy fare and is a perfect red wine for your favorite fall meals.
$12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount

2009 Domaine de Colette Beaujolais-Village
Currently, the wine world is buzzing about how great the 2009 vintage from Beaujolais is. I am usually skeptical when I hear such great things about a vintage, a book or a film. Usually the hype raises my expectations so high that I end up being disappointed. Not this time, though. I am here to tell you, believe the hype! Made from 100 percent Gamay, this little baby has a color and flavor that reminds me of cherries. I know it’s not much of a description but in a word, yum! I love this wine, and, more importantly, so does Francie. Also, if the weather gets warm, this wine will take a light chill rather nicely.
$14.00 per bottle/$151.20 per case w/10% discount

2008 Château d’Oupia Les Hérétiques
We offered this wine this past summer as part of our Back to School sale, and it was a hit! We’re bringing it back as we still have eight more months of school, but whose counting. This time, though, there’s an added bonus. We will donate all profits from the sale of this wine to Partners in Health. But don’t just buy it for the donation – it’s an excellent value and a great example of price to quality ratio. This is a perfect party wine for your holiday gatherings, a real quaffer. One more thing – everyone loves the label.
$9.50 per bottle/$102.60 per case w/10% discount

2008 Bielsa
One of our crowd pleasers is back! Our friend Velvy loves this wine, so you should, too. Check out his band’s website: great music from a member of our community! There is no pretense to this wine from the Campo de Borja region. It is made from the Grenache grape and is truly built for comfort. This dry red is soft and delicate, plush and debonair. The good news is we got a good deal on it, and we’re passing the savings on to you.
$11.00 per bottle/$118.80 per case w/10% discount

To purchase any of our selections or arrange delivery, please contact us at communitywines@gmail.com or call 415-454-1244.
Fine print:
10% discount on any full or mixed case.
We do not, at this time, accept credit cards, but happily take checks or cash.
We offer free delivery within Marin. Note: someone 21 years old or older must be home to accept the wine. For delivery outside of Marin, call me.
Payment requested at time of order.
Please feel free to forward this offer to your friends and family.
If you know people who might like to purchase wine wholesale, please send them my way.

Back to School Sale

Greetings!

In order to mark the start of the school year, Community Wines announces its first annual Back to School Sale. Truth is, I got so overwhelmed by all of the Back to School aisles in the stores and the ads on television, I just had to have a BTS sale of my very own. So here it is:

Please take 15% off all wines in stock (see list below). Teachers, please take 20% off. But wait, there’s more! How about a red wine for $9.50 and a liter bottling of a white for $12.00? This deal is so good I may have to throw in a Ginsu Knife. These wines do not qualify for the discount above. However, I can take 10% off for all case or mixed cases of these two wines.

2008 Château d’Oupia Les Hérétiques

This versatile simple sipper, at 12.5% alcohol, is full bodied and pairs well with a wide range of foods or is just fine on its own. Made from Carignane and Syrah grapes, it is dark in color and reminds me of red fleshed plums. It is produced in Minervois in the Languedoc region of France.
$9.50 per bottle/$102.60 per case w/10% discount


2008 Pollerhof Grüner Veltliner

This is a fabulous food friendly organic white made from Grüner Veltliner, a grape native to Austria. Conveniently packaged in a one liter bottle, this wine is capable of disappearing right before your eyes. I like to open one of these to enjoy while I’m cooking. I often add a splash of it to whatever I preparing on the stove and enjoy some more of it with my meal. This wine is truly refreshing with its lovely citrus and floral nose. It is a great cocktail white and pairs particularly well with Asian or Indian foods.
$12.00 per bottle/$132.00 per case w/10% discount

Sale Wines
Quantities are limited -- these will go fast!

Vintage	Wine	Original Price	Sale Price	Teacher Price
2008	Bielsa Tinto Viñas Viejas	$12.00	$10.20	$9.60
2006	Mariell Zweigelt	$17.50	$14.85	$14.00
2009	Chateau le Roc Rosé 2009	$11.00	$9.35	$8.80
2008	Domaine Chiroulet Gascogne Blanc	$12.00	$10.20	$9.60
2008	Domaine Chiroulet Gascogne Rouge	$15.00	$12.75	$12.00
NV	FRV 100 NV	$19.00	$16.15	$15.20
NV	Cremant du Jura	$20.00	$17.00	$16.00
2007	Domaine Ilarria Iroleguy	$18.00	$15.30	$14.40
2009	Pettiot (Sauvignon Blanc)	$13.00	$11.00	$10.40
2007	Lapeyre Jurançon VV (white)	$19.00	$16.15	$15.20

For information on any of these wines, please check our website and click on wines. Any questions? Just send us an email.

To purchase any of our selections or arrange delivery please contact us at communitywines@gmail.com or call 415-454-1244

Fine print:

10% discount on any full or mixed case.

We do not, at this time, accept credit cards, but happily take checks or cash.

We offer free delivery within Marin. Note: someone 21 years old or older must be home to accept the wine. For delivery outside of Marin, call me.

Payment requested at time of order.

Please feel free to forward this offer to your friends and family.

If you know people who might like to purchase wine wholesale, please send them my way.

Offering # 4 -- France, encore

Greetings!

I spend a lot of time tasting wines from the road less traveled. My palate and wallet often lead me to Europe. Though France is often known for expensive meals and pricey haute couture, its wines can be a real bargain. This offer features six French selections: two sparkling wines, two reds and two whites.  Also, we still have some of the rosé and white from our last offer. If you are interested in reordering any of the wines you’ve had, please let me know. If you’ve yet to visit our website, please check it out! communitywines.com

NV FRV 100

Our first sparkling wine is so sexy that when I first tasted it, I could swear I heard Marvin Gaye singing. The name of the wine, FRV 100 is a French pun. (Eff Air Vay Sont is how the French say “effervescent”.) This wine makes me feel like skipping. It is made from the Gamay grape and is slightly effervescent. The light pink color is a perfect match for the beautifully floral nose. One of my most articulate friends, Leslie G., upon tasting it was reduced to “me likey.” Me too.

$19 per bottle/$205 per case

NV Crémant du Jura Rosé Domaine Labet

Next up is a wine that was requested by another friend, Kathy T. What she wanted was a Crémant from the Jura region. What is Crémant, you ask? It is simply any dry sparkling wine made in France outside of the Champagne region using the champagne method. This Crémant is made in the Jura region, which is just west of the French Alps, and it is delicious. It is strawberry in color, has fine bubbles, and is beautifully dry. This wine does well as an aperitif but also pairs excellently with spicy food.

$20 per bottle/$216 per case

2007 Lapeyre Vitatge Vielh Jurançon Sec

Just to add to the confusion of the world of French wine, France has both the Jura and the Jurançon regions. (Confused yet?) Jurançon is most famous for its sweet wines, but its dry wines, although obscure, are also excellent. This is a rich full-bodied wine, and you can feel its weight in your mouth. The wine has a floral, smoky nose that reminds me of roasting nuts. This wine is organic and the wine maker’s goal is to have his wines express the place they are made. They do!

$19 per bottle/$205 per case

2009 Domaine Ricard Touraine Petiot Blanc

And now, for your immediate drinking pleasure, from Touraine in the Loire Valley, real Sauvignon Blanc. That’s right, a crisp clean golden beauty with what our friend Rob B. described as the scent of a lady’s handkerchief. This wine is a perfect start to a summer meal. At table, it works well with light fare.

$13 per bottle/$140 per case

2003 Chateau de Cugat

Bordeaux has fallen out of favor of late. Not the outrageously expensive ones that people actually buy and sell in a futures market, but the everyday bottles that, years ago, were a common gateway into the world of wine. I say “Enough!” Bordeaux is a fabulous value, and if you try this one you’ll see why. This wine is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It reminds me of velvet: soft, supple and smooth. If this wine were a skin lotion, you might want to put it on throughout the day.

$13 per bottle/$140 per case

2007 Domaine Ilarria Iroleguy

Selling wine brings out the missionary in me. Often, like my religious counterparts, I find myself preaching words that not everyone is interested in hearing. Don’t worry, I’m not about to start passing out copies of the Watchtower. Our next wine is from Iroléguy, the Basque region of France, spitting distance from the Spanish Border. Organic, made from Tannat, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a wine that tastes better the second day. Unlike me, the wine will age gracefully for several years. You can enjoy it now, but it’s best if you open it up and pour it a few hours before drinking it. This is a dark, brooding beauty.

$18 per bottle/$194 per case

If you would like to purchase one of each of the above selections, the total, with tax, is $111.18.

If you would like to purchase a mixed case (two of each of the above selections) the total, with tax, is $200.12.

P.S. Apparently, those fabulous folks at Google have come up with a simple, secure for way for us to take credit card orders. We are investigating their new system. In the meantime, we’re still checks only. Also, check out this great article in the New York Times by Eric Asimov about unusual wines. Please note: we carry several wines made from the grapes mentioned in the article, and more are coming soon!

To purchase any of our selections or arrange delivery please contact us at communitywines@gmail.com or call 415-454-1244.

Fine print:

10% discount on any full or mixed case.

We do not, at this time, accept credit cards, but happily take checks or cash.

We offer free delivery within Marin. Note: someone 21 years old or older must be home to accept the wine. For delivery outside of Marin, call me.

Payment requested at time of order.

Please feel free to forward this offer to your friends and family.

If you know people who might like to purchase wine wholesale, please send them my way.

Offering # 3 -- France

Greetings!

Our third offering features French wines from the importer Charles Neal. You remember the French, those folks who helped us out in a couple of scrapes with the British in the 18^th and 19^th century? And with whom we got all huffy in the early 21^st century? It’s nice we’re all friends now. Some of these wines are from obscure regions and unfamiliar grapes, but rest assured they are all quite tasty and represent excellent values.

2008 Chateau Tour de Mirambeau Entre deux Mers

Our first wine is a white Bordeaux, made from nearly equal parts of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle grapes. The wine has a lovely citrus aroma, medium body and a nice crispness to it. This is a great cocktail wine, but it has enough going on to pair well with any white fish. Please don’t serve it too cold.

$14.00 per bottle/$151.20 per case

2009 Domaine Chiroulet Les Terres Blanches

This white wine is from Gascony, home of the Three Musketeers (the Dumas characters, not the candy bar). It is grown on what the winemakers call the white ground or, in French, the “terres blanches.” For wine geeks, this is a big deal. White ground usually means limestone, old sea beds and other things I won’t bore you with. This wine is made from 50% Gros Manseng, 30% Sauvignon Blanc, and 20% Ugni Blanc (what the Italians call Trebbiano). Pour this wine in a glass and you’ll be hit with the scent of grapefruit. It’s a crisp and delicious wine.

$12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case

2009 Chateau le Roc La Saignée

This lovely rosé is from the southwest of France. Rosé’s reputation was marred by the high crimes committed by Mateus in the 1970s. Since then, rosé has been stuck with the label sweet. Made from 60% Négrette, 30% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is not sweet! To quote importer Charles Neal, this dry rosé is “bursting with raspberry and strawberry fruit, with plenty of weight on the palate.” To quote my wife, “Yum.”

$11.00 per bottle/$118.80 per case

2008 Maison Angelot Gamay

My friend John described this as a picnic wine. He’s right. A picnic: warm day, lots of sunshine, cool red wine. Many members of the church of the vine abstain from white wine, but that doesn’t mean they have to feel left out on a warm day. Here’s a great example of a red that drinks well with a slight chill. Although light in color, it doesn’t lack for elegance. This wine is made from the Gamay grape.

$13.00 per bottle/$140.40 per case

2008 Domaine Chiroulet Cuvée Classique

This is a red wine from Domaine Chiroulet, made from a blend of 50% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Tannat, and 10% Cabernet Franc. The nose on this wine reminds me of the dark cherries we’re starting to see and enjoy at the farmers market. It has the comforting smell of a cigar box, and to quote Charles again it “glides across the palate.” It’s important to know that this wine needs a little time to open up. All of you “I’m not a morning person” people should understand. Like you, this wine is much better an hour or so after you open it up. So, pour some in a glass, decant if you can, cook your dinner, and by the time you’re done this wine will start to show its stuff.

$15.00 per bottle/$162.00 per case

2007 Domaine Les Terrasses d’Eole Mountagniero

This southern Rhone wine, made mostly from Syrah, is a crowd pleaser. It’s a beautiful purple. The problem with serving this wine is the lapping sounds people make when they drink it. It is so easy to suck down, I’ve considered selling it with straws. It comes from Provence, near Mount Ventoux, one of the stages in the Tour de France. On second thought, maybe I should sell it with a Camelbak.

$11.00 per bottle/$118.80 per case

If you would like to purchase one of each of the above selections, the total, with tax, is $82.84.

If you would like to purchase a mixed case (two of each of the above selections) the total, with tax, is $149.11, which is a bit more than $12.00 per bottle.

Also, many of the wines from our last two offerings are still available. Please scroll down for more information on them.

To purchase any of our selections or arrange delivery please contact us at communitywines@gmail.com or call 415-454-1244.

Fine print:

10% discount on any full or mixed case.

We do not, at this time, accept credit cards, but happily take checks or cash.

We offer free delivery within Marin. Note: someone 21 years old or older must be home to accept the wine. For delivery outside of Marin, call me.

Payment requested at time of order.

If you are interested in hosting a tasting at your home, please let me know, and I’ll explain the details.

Please feel free to forward this offer to your friends and family.

If you know people who might like to purchase wine wholesale, please send them my way.

We’d like to thank our friends who gave of themselves and worked tirelessly to try these wines and give us feedback. It’s hard work, but someone’s got to do it. Merci beaucoup to John, Margaret, Mary K., Mary B., Maureen, Kathy, Kathleen, Christina, and Brian. 

Offering # 2 -- Italy

Greetings!

Community Wines is off to a great start. So many of you sampled our Spanish selections and have shared your feedback. We’re glad you’ve enjoyed them! For our second offering, we are sticking with southern Europe but moving east. We are pleased to present six Italian wines from importer Oliver McCrum. This offering features three wines from Sicily (two whites and a red), a red and a rosé from Abruzzo and, finally, a red from Piedmont in northern Italy. These wines are some of the best values we have found to date, and we are pleased to share them with you.

Sicily is an island with a host of indigenous grapes, and most of them are unknown outside of their home. That is, until now! First, a red made from Nerello Mascalese, by Cantina Corbera, a co-operative winery in western Sicily. There is a lot of fruit flavor, a touch of smokiness and no sweetness in this win. It is dark and smells like the plums that grow all over Marin and Sonoma counties. It is easy to drink and a great value.

2007 Isola d'Oro Nerello Mascalese $9.00 per bottle/$97.20 per case w/ 10% discount

Our next selection is also from Cantina Corbera, a white wine produced from the Inzolia grape. This wine has some zip, and it will clean your palate. We drank it with pasta tossed with olive oil, garlic and some fresh herbs, and it was delicious. It is the color of bottled sunshine and just looking at it makes me think of summer. In fact, it makes me want to go to Sicily. Let’s go!

2008 Isola d'Oro Inzolia $9.00 per bottle/$97.20 per case w/ 10% discount

Our last Sicilian selection is a white wine made from the Cataratto grape by Feudo Montoni. This is a light white wine that is ethereal in nature. It is easy to gulp down glass after glass. Every white wine only drinker (WWOD) we have poured it for has enjoyed it. (Are you a WWOD? It's okay!) This wine has a lovely hint of citrus. It is uncomplicated and delightful alone or with food.

2007 Feudo Montoni Cataratto $10.00 per bottle/$108 per case w/ 10% discount

Next we have what is known in the wine trade as a spaghetti red. I don't really like the term because it seems to imply cheap red wine of dubious quality. This wine is anything but that. This wine from Abruzzo, a region east of Rome, is made by the Vallevò co-operative from Montepulciano grapes. As Oliver McCrum, the man who imports this wine says, "In a sense this is an importer’s highest achievement; it’s pretty easy to find good wine at $50 a bottle, but very difficult at less than $10." This is an honest full flavored bottle of wine. Whip up a pot of pasta or a pizza, pull the cork, and see what you think.

2007 Vallevò Montepulciano d'Abruzzo $9.00 per bottle/$97.20 per case w/ 10% discount

When the weather gets warm, we drink a lot of rosé at our house, and even though it hasn't been that warm yet, we've already drunk of lot of our next selection. The wine is dark for a rosé, somewhat cranberry in color, and it smells like summer. It also produced by the Vallevò co-operative and made from Montepulciano grapes. In Italy (attention language geeks!), rosé is often labeled Cerasuolo.

2008 Vallevò Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Cerasuolo $9.00 per bottle/$97.20 per case w/ 10% discount

La Casaccia produces our last selection from Piedmont, in northern Italy. It is made from the Barbera grape. This is an excellent example of a balanced wine. What does that mean? It means that the fruit and the acid in the wine are in harmony. This is the type of wine that northern Italians drink with their daily fare, which is usually made from something that goes moo or oink. We usually drink it with French lentils or a mushroom based dish. (Don’t tell the northern Italians.) It goes well with hearty dishes.

2007 La Casaccia Barbera del Monferrato $16/bottle/$172.80 per case w/ 10% discount

If you would like to purchase one of each of the above selections, the total, with tax, is $67.58.

If you would like to purchase a mixed case (two of each of the above selections) the total, with tax, is $121.64, which is a smidgen more than $10.00 per bottle.

Offering # 1 -- Spain

Spanish Selections

The sparkling wine, called Cava in Spain, is from the producer German Gilabert. This wine is the perfect start to any gathering. I know that many people feel that sparkling wines need an occasion, but they don’t! This wine is great as an aperitif and is a delight to drink with appetizers. $17.00 NV/ $184 per case w/ 10% discount

Next up is a lovely white from the Rueada region. This producer is Vevi, and the wine is made from two grapes, Verdejo and Viura and that’s enough V’s for any one sentence. This wine is light and refreshing. You won’t taste any butter or oak in this bottle, unless you add them yourself. $14.00 2008/ $151.20 per case w/ 10% discount

This first red is a real charmer. There is no pretense to this wine from the Campo de Borja region. It is made from the Grenache grape and is truly built for comfort. This dry red, produced by Bielsa, is soft and delicate, plush and elegant. This was the first wine I bought from this importer, and I think it is a great example of what a price to quality ratio means. $12.00 2008/ $129.60 per case w/ 10% discount

This next red is a bit more serious. It is made from the Mencia grape, native to Spain, and is grown on hillsides so steep that they have little platforms on tracks to move the grapes down to the winery from the vineyard. The producer’s name is Guimaro and the wine comes from the Ribeira de Sacra. This is the kind of wine that you want to get to know. It drinks well with medium to hardy fare. This was a wine that I was taken with from the first taste and have returned to it many times. $17.00 2008/ $184 per case w/ 10% discount

My wife fell so hard for my next selection that I was almost jealous. This wine is made from the Carignane grape, known as Samsó in the Monstant region. Carignane is frequently found in California Zinfandel blends. This bottle, produced by Clos De Noi, is pure Carignane. What I love about this wine is the perfect balance between its masculine and feminine qualities. This wine has character. $17.00 2008/ $184 per case w/ 10% discount

Last but not least is a wine from the Alicante region produced by Primitivo Quiles. This wine is made from the Mourvèdre grape as it is known in France and the United States. In Spain Mourvèdre’s name is Monastrell. This wine is like someone you meet at a party who you want to see again -- easily approachable and welcoming. I’m not one to judge a book by its cover, but I must admit to having a soft spot for the old style label. $14.00 2008/ $151.20 per case w/ 10% discount