‘R’ Field Blend Lot #7
2012 Field Blend ‘Lot No. 7’ (Raymond)
Sale Price $9.99 – $101.90 case of twelve
There is no shortage of great upper-end California wine. The challenge is to find bargains. For red wine we gravitate towards field blends and Raymond makes a delicious one. This full-bodied dark red is a blend based on Zinfandel and Petite Sirah with dollops of six or seven others scattered in for good measure.

Good Old Corbières
2010 Corbières (Domaine Sainte-Eugénie)
Sale Price $9.99 – $101.90 case of twelve
This domaine has been a mainstay of our Languedoc selections. Here we have one last shot at the excellent 2010 vintage at a great price. The blend of Carignan, Grenache, and Syrah is well integrated, as the fruit, spice, and earth have merged into a lengthy, seamless, graceful red.

Valpolicella
2012 Valpolicella (Brigaldara)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
We were recently surprised to learn that production of Valpolicella normale has been significantly reduced due to demand for Amarone. As we much as we like Amarone it is not a wine we reach for very often. Happily we have Brigaldara to thank for continuing to make a brilliantly affordable regular Valpolicella. The blend is mainly the Veronese mainstays of Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella. Aromas of fresh cherries with hints of clove waft from the glass. This is medium-bodied with mellow tannins and a fine, lacy fruit finish.

Jumilla
2012 Jumilla (Honoro Vera)
Sale Price $9.99 – $101.90 case of twelve
There is more Monastrell in Spain than there is Mourvèdre in France, which is why a Jumilla will always be a better value than a Bandol. The 2012 Honoro Vera is a deep, dark, spicy Monastrell with a smooth intensity of ripe plum and fig fruit. It also picks up some mineral flavors from the grape’s low yield.

Grüner
2012 Grüner Veltliner (Count Karolyi)
Sale Price $9.99 – $101.90 case of twelve
Grüner Veltliner may be Austria’s most widely planted grape variety, but that does not mean that it is the only Grüner-endowed nation. Who can blame neighboring Hungary for wanting to cash in on this wonderful varietal? The 2012 from Count Karolyi is a totally dry, mineral-laden Grüner that is poised to use its dry crispness to cut through spicy and rich foods.

Grand Sauvignon Vinny
2012 Touraine ‘Le Grand St. Vincent’ (Les Vignerons des Coteaux Romanais)
Sale Price $9.99 – $101.90 case of twelve
This Touraine is our most popular French Sauvignon Blanc. This is our second pallet of the 2012 and it delivers classic Sauvignon Blanc flavor in its ripe yet delicate mixture of fruits and its firm, clasping, dry, very French finish.

Chinon
2012 Chinon (Clos de la Lysardière)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
The 2012 Clos de la Lysardière is a classic Loire Valley Cabernet Franc with tempting raspberry fruit and fine tannins. This mid-weight red strikes the perfect balance with foods such as salmon and poultry.

Haudinière
2012 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine (La Haudinière)
Sale Price $8.99 – $91.70 case of twelve
Despite stiff competition La Haudinière has been crowned as our Muscadet value of the year, an award we do not hand out lightly. It begins with crisp, delicate aromas, and then expands with a nice mid-palate and a pleasant, gliding finish.

Moscato
2012 Provincia di Pavia Moscato (Centorri)
Sale Price $9.99 – $101.90 case of twelve
The surge of popularity of Moscato served as a reminder that we have liked the Moscatos of northern Italy all along. At first these seemed to be a refreshingly chilled sorbet substitute after a rich meal. But these wines are so delicious and light they can be served with anything. Centorri’s 2012 is a perfectly balanced, light, fizzy quaffer that is as perfect with a fruit tart as it is with mac and cheese.

The Golden Stones
2012 Costières de Nimes Blanc ‘Les Galets Dorés’ (Château Mourgues du Grès)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
The Costières de Nîmes is located to the west of the Rhone River, but for the most part is an extension of the Côtes du Rhône. The grape varieties are the same and the vineyard area has large alluvial stones similar to those in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Les Galets Dorés are the golden stones in the white wine vineyard at Mourgues du Grès. The 2012 is a fresh, aromatic mix of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Vermentino, Marsanne, and Clairette. The nose smells like freshly cut flowers, the palate features spiced pears, and the finish is stony and quite dry.

The Power of Zin
2011 Amador Zinfandel (Easton)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
Zinfandel remains California’s most original wine. Old Zinfandel vines in Amador County have long proved themselves with their earthy powerful wines. Easton continues to honor these vines by making a powerful yet balanced Amador red. This is packed with dark cherry fruit and peppery spice. The palate is smooth and rich with more than adequate fruit. The finish is soft, dry, and well balanced. Try this with your turkey.

Chavignol de Sancerre
2012 Sancerre ‘Les Mont Damnés’ (Thomas-Labaille)
Sale Price $24.99 – $254.90 case of twelve
The famous appellation of Sancerre has earned its price and popularity by producing some of the world’s finest Sauvignon Blancs. Although there is no hierarchy of Sancerre vineyards, a few vineyards are known for their high quality in vintage after vintage. Les Monts Damné in the village of Chavignol is certainly one. Because Thomas-Labaille has admirably maintained quality without raising prices we return each and every year. The 2012 is an excellent vintage here. Ripe, rounded peach fruit is accented by an earthy dryness. Try this with quickly seared bay scallops.

Porto Ferreira
Porto Reserve Dona Antonia (Ferreira)
Sale Price $17.99 – $194.30 case of twelve
If you are really into vintage Port you need to start early. The just released 2011s are twenty years away from maturity. Fortunately there is Port resting in casks in Portugal that will always supply us with consistently excellent ready-to-drink wine. These are colloquially called ‘wood’ Ports because they do most of their aging in barrel. Ferreira excels at this style of Port. Their best value Port is the Dona Antonia, which is aged for eight years in cask. This is a tangy, smooth port that is ripe with fig-like fruit and a softly tannic finish. Sweet, yes, but balanced by just enough savory elements to match with cheeses and custard desserts.

Ciano Toscana
2011 Rosso di Montepulciano (Dei))
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
The Dei family doesn’t go for dramatic Montepulciano wines, just honest renditions that will go well with food. Their 2011 Rosso di Montepulciano is a wonderfully balanced, structured blend of Sangiovese (80%) and Canaiolo. There is fine plum and cherry fruit and a spicy, gripping finish with a hint of leather. Have this with all your Italian favorites or just a simple Bolognese.

Somme Fem
2010 Coteaux du Languedoc ‘Cuvée Sommelière’ (Château de Flaugergues)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
For some reason Château de Flaugergues’ Cuvée Sommelière lags a vintage or two behind its neighboring Languedoc reds. This is by no means a bad thing because this fine Mediterranean red blend needs a few years to knit together into smoothness. The 2010 Coteaux du Languedoc from the sub-zone La Mejanelle is a blend of fruity Grenache (50%), elegant Syrah (30%), and spicy Mourvèdre (20%).

Short on Shine but Long on Flavor
Ashmead’s Kernel (West County Cider)
Sale Price $21.99 – $224.30 case of twelve
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without local pumpkins, Brussel sprouts, apples and cider. Once again the folks at West Count Cider in Colrain have delivered another delicious dry cider, this time based on an apple grown since the 1700’s in Gloucester, England. Ashmead’s Kernel is a crisp yellow fleshed apple that makes delicious cider. Its high sugar content delivers a full flavored zesty dry cider that is mouth watering and feast friendly. We suggest serving in a wine glass for maximum aroma and to savor its long dry finish.