Little Known Zone

*2008 Chianti Colli Aretini ‘Bernardino’(Fattoria La Striscia)

Sale Price $11.99 -- $122.30 case of twelve;

Because Chianti Classico is so dominant it is worth peeking into other corners of Tuscany when looking for value. The Chianti Colli Aretini zone is the most easterly zone of Chianti and surrounds the town of Arezzo, which is famous for being the birthplace of Petrarch, for its enchanting frescoes by Piero della Francesca, and for having the worst drivers in Tuscany. The wines of the Colli Aretini tend to be light and fruity, a style which, when moderately priced, will always find a market. This 2008 Bernardino from Fattoria La Striscia has a bit more depth and color than is usual and it will stand up to stronger fare and riper tomatoes -- when they become available.

Feraud-Brunel

*2007 Cotes du Rhone Villages (Feraud-Brunel)

Sale Price $14.99 -- $152.90 case of twelve;

The dynamic duo of Feraud-Brunel have struck again. Laurence and André, both of whom have a Chateauneuf-du-Pape property to run, continue to bottle great value Cotes du Rhone Villages under their negociant label. It certainly helps when the wine is from the blessed 2007 vintage and is fairly priced. This deep, dark Grenache/Syrah with its smoky medium-bodied fruit is perfect for grilled meats and ratatouille.

Cab Franc Rosé

*2009 Bourgeuil Rosé (Lamé Delisle Boucard)

Sale Price $11.99 -- $122.30 case of twelve;

On the steamiest days and nights of July and August rosé is the perfect choice. So far our favorite French rosés of the 2009 vintage have come from the Loire Valley. This month we have the 2009 Cabernet Franc rosé from Lamé Delisle Boucard in the village of Bourgeuil. Flowers, currants, and minerals are the defining aromas and dry flavors of this beauty. Great with cool vegetable salads.

High Altitude Chardonnay with Attitude

*2008 Chardonnay (Catena)

Sale Price $14.99 -- $152.90 case of twelve;

Let us first state that Chardonnay and oak barrels can be a delicious combination, but it takes impeccably ripe grapes, expensive French oak barrels, and skillful winemaking. We’ve come to expect nothing but delicious wines from Catena, but this Chardonnay at this price is exceptional. They use two high-altitude vineyards located at 3100 and 5000 feet to provide exceptional balance and ripeness. The oak does not interfere with the full and crisp fruit; instead its adds a furtive spice and some round texture. We’ve found that Chardonnay and crab cakes is a wonderful combination.

Chile’s Purple Pride

*2009 Carmenère Reserva (Montgras)

Sale Price $9.99 -- $101.90 case of twelve;

While Carmenere isn’t exactly indigenous to Chile, it has become the Chilean national red grape in much the same way that Malbec has for Argentina. Carmenere was initially confused with Merlot, but in the 1990s vine growers became adept at identifying the leaf pattern and started planting more Carmenere. To us it is darker and spicier than Merlot, with velvety ripe tannins. The 2009 Reserva from Montgras has wonderful plum fruit and an earthy intensity. And at ten dollars it’s a great bargain wine for your next affair involving grilled meat.

Chablis is Chardonnay is Chablis

*2008 Chablis Premier Cru ‘La Forest’ (Domaine Dauvissat-Camus),

Sale Price $44.99 -- $458.90 case of twelve;

If you visit Chablis, a wine grower/winemaker like the Dauvissats might tell you that they grow the Chardonnay grape variety, but that they make Chablis. We wouldn’t argue one bit, because this top producer makes such distinctive wines with a true sense of place. Even though the La Forest Ier Cru spends some time in oak, the most striking components are its minerality and its amazingly crisp focus of flavors. Beneath the green/gold color lurks a deep well of complex flavor. 2008 is an excellent vintage in Chablis, and this wine has a glorious future ahead.

Morgon et Morgon

*2009 Morgon (Brun/Terres Dorees),

Sale Price $19.99 -- $201.90 case of twelve;

*2009 Morgon (M. Lapierre)

Sale Price $22.99 -- $234.50 case of twelve;

We love Burgundy and Bordeaux, but the best of them are beyond almost everyone’s budget. But buying and consuming the best of the exceptional 2009 Beaujolais vintage is a super-affordable wine luxury. The vineyards are mostly all Gamay, the region is Beaujolais, home to Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages -- but these two wines are Morgon. The Morgon Cru is near the top of the heap for the region. Fine Morgons can age as well as many a much more expensive Burgundy, plus they exhibit a full spectrum of drinkability from their deliciously fruity youth to earthy and mellow old age. Jean Paul Brun makes wine in the Bas Beaujolais, but has always wanted to try his skill in the Northerly Crus. He suggests that you decant this Morgon to elevate the aromas and, because he adds only a trace (que tres peu de sulfite) of sulfite, that you consume it rapidement. His method captures the wild fruit of the Gamay and the earthy underside of Morgon. Marcel Lapierre also practices low-sulfite winemaking, and his Morgons always have such precise fruit that they may be some of the most guileless reds out there. His 2009 is a masterpiece.

Brachetto d’Acqui

*2009 Brachetto d’Acqui ‘Niades’ (Cascina Garitina)

Sale Price $14.99 -- $152.90 case of twelve;

The wines of Piedmont capture many facets of the world of wine, from its super-serious Barolos and Barbarescos to its fun and frivolous Moscatos and Brachettos. Moscato d’Asti is well known as a fizzy, low-alcohol charmer that is a totally delicious but not overwhelming dessert or aperitif wine. Brachetto d’Acqui is Moscato’s red counterpart. The 2009 from Garitini is the embodiment of lightness and freshness in wine with its vivacious frizzante strawberry and raspberry flavors. At 5.5% alcohol it is a summer delight with a fruit tart or on its own.