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Casali Pra di Bosso Lambrusco NV
Origin: Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Retail: $21.95 | Sale: $19.76
Casali Viticultori's history began in the year 1900 when Giuseppe Casali decided to make his family wine into a full-blown business. Casali Viticultori is now a benchmark in Reggio wine making and was incorporated into the Emilia Wine Group in late 2014. Pratissolo di Scandiano, the firm's headquarters, is midway between the high plains and the Reggio hills, known for its clay-rich rocks providing optimal winemaking conditions. With the Pra di Bosso line, they have sought to elevate the category through low yields and a meticulous balance of silky tannins and acidity. From their dry Lambrusco to their prized Storico, and even the estate’s semi-sweet amabile, this through line remains a constant. Made from a trio of historic clones, this remarkably balanced dry Lambrusco has all the typicality one could hope for: a beautiful, dark hue, brambly fruit, low alcohol, and acidity that was born for a grilled sausage or mushroom pizza. 40% Lambrusco Marani 40% Lambrusco Montericco 20% Lambrusco Salamino
Domaine de Fontsainte Rosé Gris de Gris 2023
Origin: Corbières, France
Retail: $19.95 | Sale: $17.96
The first vineyards at Domaine de Fontsainte, in the Corbières appellation, were planted by the Romans. The original domaine was built around a thermal spring, which was later named for the local, twelfth-century patron saint, Saint Siméon; hence Fontsainte—the saint’s fount. Winemaker Yves Laboucarié’s family has been making wine here since the seventeenth century. Like his father, one of the first vignerons working with whole cluster fermentation in the region, he believes strongly in the family’s legacy of innovation. He has re-equipped the cellars, replanted new vines, and even added new cuvées. The Fontsainte vineyards surround the hamlet of Boutenac in the area known as “The Golden Crescent.” This swath of land is one of the sunniest in the appellation of Corbières, enjoying south-southeast exposure, and protection from the cold, northeast winds by a large 500-hectare forest. The cooler sea breezes from the Mediterranean help this sun-soaked terroir achieve balance as well. Fruity notes of pineapple, mango, and vine peach balanced by superb freshness and acidity, with a lasting finish. 90% Grenache Gris, 5% Carignan, 5% Mourvèdre
Domaine Dupeuble Beaujolais 2021
Origin: Burgundy, France
Retail: $21.95 | Sale: $19.76
In the hamlet of Le Breuil, deep in the southern Beaujolais and perched above a narrow creek, the Domaine Dupeuble has been running almost continuously since 1512. The name of the domaine has changed just three times in its history, most recently when the last heir, Anna Asmaquer, married Jules Dupeuble in 1919. Anna’s son Paul, and her grandchildren Ghislaine and Stéphane Dupeuble, manage the domaine. Today it comprises one hundred hectares, about forty percent of which is consecrated to vineyards. Strong advocates of the lutte raisonnée approach to vineyard work, they tend their vines without the use of any chemicals or synthetic fertilizers. The vineyards, planted primarily to Gamay, face Southeast, South, and Southwest, and about two thirds of the property is on granite-based soil. The wines are not chaptalized, filtered, or degassed and only natural yeasts are used for the fermentation. The wines of Dupeuble represent some of the best values in the Beaujolais today and are widely regarded for their very high quality and eminently reasonable price. The elegance, freshness, bright fruit, and utter quaffability of this beautiful wine will immediately blow you away. 100% Gamay
Head High Pinot Noir 2021
Origin: Sonoma County, California
Retail: $21.95 | Sale: $19.76
Head High Wines mission is to produce elegant yet affordable North Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay while supporting environmental initiatives such as the Seatrees Organization which oversees blue carbon restoration projects all over the world. Head High fruit is sourced from like-minded, select growers in Sonoma County with a dedication to finding the highest quality fruit that embodies the coastal influence of the region. Winemaker Britt Richards takes a pure, honest approach to making the Head High Wines focusing on bringing out the aromatics of the fruit of each varietal. The grower’s vineyards are planted with many of the same clonal selections, each one producing a different result based on the diversity of weather, soil conditions and orientation to the sun. This results in a dynamic blend of 100% of each varietal based on its proximity to the ocean breezes. This Pinot Noir produces red fruit characteristics of bright cherry and herbal spices on the nose, red raspberry and cola on the palate, finishing with a pleasant forest floor undertone. Pair this Pinot with pizza topped with spicy sausage, grilled pork chop with sautéed vegetables or sharp cheese. 100% Pinot Noir