Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things that pair well with this "fool's spring".
2018 Mas Que Vinos Conejos Malditos Tempranillo Carbónico - $11.99
If you're like me, fool's spring has me reaching for chillable, crushable reds and wines that undergo some variation of carbonic maceration are the perfect answer. Enter Conejos Malditos Tempranillo Carbónico from Mas Que Vinos. This project was started by three winemakers in central Spain, just south of Madrid and east of Toledo. In 1998 Margarita Madrigal, Alexandra Schmedes, and Gonzalo Rodriguez began rescuing old parcels of indigenous grapes and transitioning to organic farming. Carbonic maceration is triggered by a carbon dioxide rich environment inside the fermentation vessel and causes grapes to develop fruity, candied flavors like bubblegum, banana, and cinnamon (think Beaujolais Nouveau). Conejos possesses crunchy red cherry and strawberry notes with a bit of tobacco smoke and an almond-skin like flavor. Enjoy this while you can- the wine is named for its most dangerous enemy- rabbits that munch away at the vines year after year.
-Claire
Domaine de l'Idylle Roussette de Savoie - $21.99
For years, most wine from the Savoie region of Eastern France was consumed "apres-ski" in the shadow of the French Alps and rarely found its way to the US. The grape here is Roussette (also called Altesse) and it's a stunner. Aromas of Alpine flowers, cardamom and green apples with a creamy mid-palate, bright acidity and firm minerality. Perfect with all sorts of cheeses and the sound of melting snow.
-Angie
2019 Vigneti Massa, Fuso Vino Rosso - $19.99
The Fuso Rosso is 100% Barbera which has been fermented in cement tanks, this leads to a light, bright and expressive style of Barbera. Flush with tart cranberry, fresh raspberry and citrus-like acidity, there is also a slight rustic funk throughout due to the Natural wine practices; unfined, unfiltered and wild yeasts. This is an everyday type of wine that would pair well with most any meal from American-Italian food to tacos!
-Nick Z.
2018 Ballard Lane, Chardonnay, Central Coast - Reg Price: $15.99 Sale Price: $9.99
Sourced from vineyards just outside the quaint community of Ballard, close to locations used in the wine loving film, Sideways, this solid offering from the Miller family starts with clean and crisp aromas of lemon blossom and pear. It enters your palate with an easy grip of lemon and pear and opens in the glass to buttery, creamy cashew and toasty vanilla, with just a hint of lemon zest. With 7 months aging in both new and old French Oak, this is a great value for a Central Coast chardonnay. And it gets even better because we got a great deal on this wine and are passing the savings on to you. Normally, this chardonnay is $15.99 a bottle but we have it on sale for you at $9.99. Enjoy with chicken, broccoli, and cashews in a white wine cream sauce. I did!
-Patrick
Mocali, Ciliegiolo Maremma Toscana - $15.99
Mocali is an organic wine producer we've known and loved for years at North Loop Wine & Spirits. Tuscany fans will remember the Mocali staff favorite "Suberli", a Sangiovese based wine. Well, allow the Ciliegiolo to become your new favorite Italian wine of value. This wine made of 100% native grape Ciliegiolo will take you straight to flavortown, for the low cost of $15.99. With beautiful acidity, sturdy structure, and a surprisingly explosive mid-palette - you will want to purchase this intense, fruit forward Tuscan by the case!
-Katrina
Cocchi Americano Rosa - $17.99
While Giulio Cocchi is best known as a premier producer of Vermouth di Torino, their other fortified, aromatized wines are definitely worth exploring as well. This rosa version of their Americano (a category of aromatized wine that is primarily flavored with gentian, the bitter root of the flower of the same name) uses a Brachetto d'Acqui base wine and gets its color from roses. The addition of ginger, citrus, and quinine (among other botanicals) balances the bitterness of the gentian, and helps provide some lifting citrus and a soft, round mouthfeel. The floral element of this aperitif makes it an excellent pair for agave spirits & gin. Mix it 50/50 with a more floral mezcal such as the Banhez Ensamble ($29.99) for a simple but delicious aperitif cocktail, or stir 1oz of it with 2oz of your favorite gin & a couple of dashes of grapefruit bitters for a springtime Martini riff.
-Nick S.
