News Blog

This is surely one of the best-value wines in the shop. Frank and I visited this property when we first when to Gigondas ten years ago. Gigondas is one of those “most-picturesque” villages in France. Domaine Les Florets has a small hotel surrounded by vineyards nestled in the shadow of the Dentelles de Montmirial in […]

Nebbiolo is one of the world’s great grape varietals. It is the varietal of Barolo and Barbaeresco, two majestic wines of great longevity. More affordably, Nebbiolo d’Alba and Langhe afford the opportunity to taste this varietal without the commensurate price tag of Barolo. These are also wines that you can enjoy much sooner, with warmer, […]

We were first introduced to the Falesco “Vitiano” when we opened the wine shop two and a half years ago. Then, as now, it was a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet, Merlot. Then, unlike now, it was $9.99 and frequently went on sale for $8.99. It was a steal then, and it is still a great […]

This is a great introduction to Malbec– rich flavors of black berry fruit, mulberry and black cherry along with a bit of licorice and spice. The new vintage was just released, and to promote it, the distributor offered a deal. The wine usually sells for $2 more per bottle, so now is the time to […]

This super-value has been a crowd pleaser since we first introduced it over a year ago. An unoaked Tempranillo from La Mancha, it is the perfect weight for those who only drink red and need something less ponderous for summer evenings. It can be enjoyed as a glass on its own, but also pairs nicely […]

This is our harbinger of summer; when the Peyrassol arrives, we know that summer is not far behind. A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, we buy this wine by the case and serve it at early evening gatherings when the sun is still out and parched throats yearn for something refreshing. When we […]

This will be like no other Sauvignon Blanc you’ve tasted. It is so unusual, more like Vouvray (Chenin Blanc) than a Sauvignon Blanc. If it resembles any Sauvignon Blanc, it would be a Graves from Bordeaux, and then only because of the Semillon blended with the Sauvignon. Though the wine is dry, it has such […]

This is an opportunity to taste a terrific white Burgundy at an affordable price. Domaine Caillot is located in the village of Meursault. In February, the owner and winemaker, Michel Caillot visited Vermont and we were able to taste through 8 of his wines, each of which we wanted to buy. We finally settled on […]

This is a very unusual, distinctive and delicious wine. It is a blend of 80% Petit Manseng, 20% Gros Manseng from the Jurancon. Even if you travel a lot in France, you are unlikely to have visited the Jurancon. It is located in far south-west France, just north of the Pyrennes and in the middle […]

Here is an opportunity to taste two grapes (50% Clairette and 50% Bourboulenc) that are more often blended with lots of other grapes. They are two of the thirteen grapes allowed in Chateauneuf du Papes. Chateau de Beaucastel still famously uses all thirteen in their stellar Chateauneuf, but most use just 2-4 varietals. Of the […]