This is a time to hunker down and enjoy a nice glass of wine, especially with the swirling whirlwind of politics just outside our door! So, we are rounding up a great number of wines that are in that sweet spot where price intersects with quality and distinctiveness to yield great value. You can certainly find plenty of cheaper wines, but they won’t be as interesting and you might not like what goes into them. So, here are some great winter wine values that are filling up our shelves right now!
- Palacio de Bornos Frizzante Verdejo NV: The winery was founded in 1870 in the town of La Seca, in Rueda. In the late 19th Century, its wines were well known throughout Castilla, expanding both nationally and internationally during the 20th Century. Palacio de Bornos boasts 220 hectares of their own vineyards, in the towns of Rueda, Pollos and La Seca. This is a unique wine: 100% Verdejo from the Rueda region that is slightly fizzy! Very aromatic, with citrus, tropical fruit, tangerine, lemongrass and lemon thyme. Fruity notes with anise and minerals, typical of the Verdejo grape. Fresh in the mouth, with an excellent balance between acidity and sweetness. Looking for some inexpensive, fun, and unique bubbles? Try these!
- Willm Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé NV: This is a fresh, festive sparkler that is perfect for your festive fall moments or with a great meal! It is made from 100% Pinot Noir using the Méthode Traditionnelle, where the wine undergoes secondary fermentation inside the bottle, just like Champagne, to create its bubbles. Crémant d’Alsace is currently the most consumed AOC sparkling wine in France and has a great international reputation for its quality and value! This wine is a light ruby color with an expressive bouquet of cherry, blackcurrant, and raspberry. Elegant, balanced, with delicious strawberry flavors, it is fresh and lively with a background of discrete tannins. It is a great aperitif, perfect with salmon or tuna, or try it with red fruit desserts for a heavily match!
- St. Kilda Chardonnay 2017: St. Kilda wines are produced by De Bortoli Wines, based in Bibul in the Riverina region of New South Wales. The DeBortoli family first established their operation in 1928 and since has grown the business into the largest family-owned winery in Australia, now in its 3rd generation. Southeastern Australia, rather than being classified as a wine region in the traditional sense, is officially classified as a ‘viticultural super zone.’ It measures some 1250 miles and reaches from the Pacific coast in Queensland to the Indian Ocean. The sheer scale of this zone and the diversity of its climates, zones and latitudes, make it a virtual spice market for winemakers to choose from when selecting their vineyards and their grapes. Favored grapes profiling melon and stone fruit were ideal for this modern wine style that has just a hint of nutty oak. 100% Chardonnay
- Terra Del Giglio Chianti DOCG 2013: Our super value Chianti of the winter … This 80% Sangiovese and 20% Canaiolo blend offers great value in a classic package! Bright, ruby red color with a nose of fresh red fruit and a palate that is round and quite elegant for its price, this wine is perfect everyday food wine. Pair it with pizza, burgers, roasts, braised chicken, turkey, ham, or heartier winter food for a nice meal before the fire!
- Altosur Cabernet Sauvignon 2016: Altosur means “high in the south” and with wines grown at 1,200 meters and higher elevations, it is truth in naming! Their wines have a fine purity and finesse to go with the bold Mendoza fruit. From estate grown fruit and with a few months barrel aging, this is loaded with juicy currant and blackberry fruit framed by touches of chocolate and crushed herb. Plenty of body, no one will call this “light” – but nothing too overpowering, drink now and pair with anything. This is a great Cabernet Sauvignon value and a Crystal City Wine Shop favorite!
Plus, don’t forget other great winter wine values, such as our selection of New, Natural, & Sustainable Canned Wines, or any of our wines that appear on our center rack!
This Week’s Schedule:
- Beer Thursday, 5-7p: Beer Tasting TBC
- Wine Friday, 5-7p: Austrian Wines, including Meinklang, with Bill from Siema
- Staff Pick Saturday, 2-6p: Staff Pick Tasting
