Merry Christmas everyone!

BUBBLES

Incanto Prosecco

The basics – It’s 100-percent glera from the Veneto, as it must be.                                         

Trader Joe’s take – “Straw-yellow in your glass, and every sip crisp and aromatic. Luxurious notes of peach, apricot, and almond tickle the tongue and lead to a vivid, dry finish. We particularly love it for toasts and nightcaps, but it also makes magical mimosas for brunch.”

My take – Before the New Year, I’m going to drink these bubbles side-by-side with Costco’s Kirkland Prosecco and attempt to decide on a favorite. Then again, I may declare it a tie. At this price, very similar to the Kirkland’s price, why bother to quibble?   

For more information – www.traderjoes.com

Price – $8.99 at Trader Joe’s

PINK

2024 Ile de Conas Le Rosé

The basics – It’s a kitchen-sink blend of grenache gris (25 percent), grenache noir (20), caladoc (15), pinot gris (15) and cinsault from the highly respected Paul Mas estate in the Languedoc.

Winemaker’s take – “This unique Mediterranean blend is succulent with a delicate, tongue-tingly zest. Bursting with flavors,it can be served as a pre-dinner drink or paired with salmon teriyaki, zucchini, carpaccio or Mediterranean salad.”

Critical acclaim – From the Cheap Wine Finder: “Tastes like a stew of honey, pear, and lemon, followed by cherry and tart cranberry. The mid-palate adds melon, a salty sensation, and raspberry hard candy (not sweet). The acidity is well-balanced, allowing the flavors to unfold and beckons you to take the next sip.”

My take – It’s my new house rosé for reasons of flavor, price and the gorgeous bottle.  

Price – $8.99 at Trader Joe’s

WHITE

2023 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay

The basics – The grapes, 96 percent chardonnay with a bit of gewürztraminer and other white varietals thrown in to add nuance, come from the winery’s estate vineyards, of which there are 30 in six different AVAs.        

Winemaker’s take – “This wine is rich and round, opening with aromas of Meyer lemon, pear, golden apple, toasted marshmallow, and vanilla bean. The palate shows incredible depth with layers of Bartlet pear and graham cracker leading to hazelnut and baking spice on the finish.”

Critical acclaim – From James Suckling, who scored it a 91: “Generous aromas of lemon confit, vanilla, pastry and yellow apples. The palate is full-bodied with bright acidity and a creamy texture, the slight phenolic grip adding to the structure. Ripe yet elegantly balanced and refreshing.”

My take – A reliable workhorse, it may not dazzle, but it never disappoints.

For more information – www.ferrari-carano.com

Price – $16.37 at Spec’s

RED

Drop of Sunshine Red Blend

The basics – It’s an unusual blend of Central Coast pinot noir (62 percent), syrah (19), and cabernet sauvignon.  

Winemaker’s take – “Rich and full-bodied, this red blend envelops the senses with the bold flavors of dark, ripe fruits, including luscious blackberry and deep black cherry. Smooth, velvety tannins provide a perfect structure, while well-integrated toasty oak and a hint of spice add complexity and warmth. The wine’s round, approachable character delivers a seamless finish, making it an inviting and balanced companion for any occasion.”

Critical acclaim – From the Tasting Panel: “This warm and cozy wine exudes toasty aromas and flavors of plum, cherry, and raspberry lightly drizzled with vanilla and caramel; taut acidity adds a spark to its velvety mouthfeel.”

My take – We don’t see many pinot noir-cab blends, do we? But I paired it with a burger and fries and that proved to be about as perfect pairing as exists.

For more information – www.dropofsunshine.com

Price – $19.99 at Total Wine

2019 Adobe Road SHIFT Red Blend

The basics – It’s blend of zinfandel (52 percent), teroldego (25), syrah (18) and carignane fruit from Sonoma County (61 percent) and Santa Barbara County. Adobe Road founder Kevin Beckler has been an auto-racing maven for more than three decades with 200-plus podium finishes around the glove, which explains the truly ingenious bottle design.      

Winemaker’s take – “SHIFT your palate into gear with dark blue fruits. Zinfandel brings the strawberry compote and Teroldego is all about cocoa nibs and blueberries. Syrah adds a touch of everything that’s good about food off the grill, and Carignane deepens the aromas with fresh cigar. Complex baking spices, caramel notes, and a big mouthfeel make this an incredible wine.”

Critical acclaim – From the Wine Spectator, which scored it a 92: “A high-octane red that retains a sense of style and polish, with expressive cherry, cassis, licorice and savory cracked pepper flavors that zoom toward medium-grained tannins.” And from Jeb Dunnuck, who scored it a 91: “It’s full-bodied and packed with spice, with toasted cedar, cracked pepper, plum, and scorched earth. It’s another warming wine, with ripe tannins and an earthy finish as well as a coating and lasting feel.”

My take – A big, bracing, flavorful wine. Note that Dunnuck also scored the 2021 Adobe Road Red Line a 92, and that red, a blend of six varietals, also revved up my palate bigtime. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)   

For more info – https://adoberoadwines.com

Price – $42.99 at a smattering of Total Wine stores around the Houston area. The Red Line can be ordered from the Saratoga Wine Exchange (www.saratogawine.com), which ships to Texas. Their price is $39.94.

2023 Domaine de Mourchon Tradition

The basics – it’s a concrete-aged grenache-syrah blend from the winery’s three principal terroirs just outside the Rhone Valley village of Seguret.  

Winemaker’s take – “This wine is deep garnet in color with a complex nose of juicy red berries, liquorice, ground pepper and black olive. Ripe and round on the palate, richly textured and balanced with notable freshness and fine tannins.”

Critical acclaim – From Janis Robinson: “Juicy sweet fruit but with structure and amazing freshness. Offers lots of pleasure.”                   

My take – I couldn’t agree with Janis more. It’s just a delicious wine that pairs comfortably with almost everything. I’ve probably been through 50 cases in my lifetime.

For more information – www.domainedemourchon.com

Price – $20.49 at Spec’s

2024 Fratelli Revello Nebbiolo d’Alba

The basics – The grapes come from a southeast-facing vineyard near Annunziata – on the hillside below La Morra – planted in 1996.

Winemaker’s Take – “A beautiful nose of strawberry and savory herbs that leads to great structure. Brighter notes of red and black cherries compliment the depth of fruit on the palate. Vanilla and cedar round out the smooth finish that ends with fine and silky tannins.”

My take – I love finding nebbiolos that can pass for a Barolos, as this one does in spades. 

For more information – www.revello.wine.com

Price – $29.99 at Spec’s