Peppy, but still friendly—sort of like a terrier. This dry white from the South of France is quickly gets to the point on your palette with its racy acidity, and then expands and mellows. This is a great food wine. A workhorse for its intensity like the always-trying-to-please terrier! Viognier is expressive and aromatic in nature (like Sauvignon Blanc) and when blended with Marsanne, a fuller-bodied a counter point is created. For food pairings, order in some Thai curries and you will be set!

Kacher writes: "Across the Rhône River from Avignon, and just south of the appellations of Lirac and Tavel, is the tiny village of Fournès and the estate of Thierry & Véronique Boudinaud. Thierry has traveled extensively in his quest for knowledge about winemaking, working at Domaine Chandon in California, Morton Estate in New Zealand & in Bordeaux. Ten to 15 years ago they planted the vineyards around their domaine of Grange des Rouquette with three hectares of Viognier and two hectares of Marsanne. This bottling is a blend of Marsanne (55%), with the balance in Viognier. The two varietals are picked separately and the grape clusters are pressed whole, very slowly, to extract maximum flavors. After a short period of skin contact, two-thirds of the wine is fermented in stainless steel, with the remaining third vinified in new, one and two year-old barrels. The wine is then aged on its lees for three to four months. Bottling in early Spring ensures impeccable freshness. Aromas of white peach and citrus rind melt into the round, tropical palate that finishes on a bright mineral note."

If only more Chardonnays were made this way, we could enjoy more of it with food. This wine has a full-bodied personality but has enough acid to keep it interesting and also lets the food flavors penetrate its terrific soft-texture. Only 2,200 cases were made of this wine. It's entirely barrel-fermented using equal amounts of new, one, two and three year old barrels. The oak is extremely well integrated for a wine at this price point. making it a GREAT VALUE.
Parker gave this wine a score of 88: "It is very possible that Yves Grassa, the proprietor of Domaine Lalande, could be considered one of France’s finest white winemakers. Although this estate is located in a region known more for producing fine Armagnac brandies, Yves has been dedicated to growing “alternative” varietals and producing some of the freshest white wines to be found anywhere. …Harvest normally takes place during the first part of September, with the wines kept on the lees and stirred regularly (batonnage) until being bottled unfiltered around the first of April each year. The Lalande Chardonnay is rich in flavor, but not at all heavy. A great wine and a terrific value!!"

This fun wine comes to us through Black Sheep Finds down in the Santa Barbara area. The wine is aged for 15 months in a combination of small and large barrels. Great texture that just invites the food in.

Here is some of the personality this winery delivers: "Dalla Pancia was made according to traditional practices in Tuscany (including smoking on the job and long mid-afternoon naps). Hand picked, sorted and aged for 15 months in barriques. In May 2007, Peter and Amy traveled back to Italy to taste the components, ultimately settling on a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. This was a very happy trip filled with friends, food, wine, food, vineyards and food. We hate to say it, but the couple packed on a few unnecessary pounds. On the journey back, after being charged a surplus weight fee by AlItalia and undergoing a strip search in security due to a mysterious bulge in Peter's mid-section, the name of the Chianti project was born. 'Dalla Pancia' translates as 'from the belly' and indeed, all good things are. 500 cases produced (from sustainable vineyards)."

It's very rare to have a wine from Tasmania and even more rare to have a decent Pinot under $20. This Pinot is fluid and soft. The cool climate brings forth some fresh cherry notes with great acidity. This is a food Pinot, not a big meal-deal Pinot. With 10 months in oak (30% new), this wine is balanced for fall mushroom flavors.

Want to offer something different for your Thanksgiving feast? While this wine is perfect with fish and shellfish, it also actually pairs extremely well with turkey. You can impress your friends and family with a varietal they never heard of!

Kacher writes: “Paulo Saturnino Cunha is the owner of the Quinta do Alqueve, a terrific property in the Ribatejo region of Portugal, approximately 40 miles north of Lisbon. He has worked hard to transform his family’s farm of many generations--planting nearly 140 acres of tightly spaced vineyards 20 years ago in the sandy, dry calcaire soil. Paulo decided to use grape varieties that originate from the region of Porto, including Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, which is better known as Tempranillo in Spain. These wines are made very carefully-- starting in the vineyards. Yields are severely controlled, crop-thinning is done twice each season, and all the fruit is picked by hand and hand-sorted before vinification. Fernão Pires is an ancient Mediterranean grape varietal produced in the Ribatejo. The flavors remind one of the stone fruit of Marsanne. This bottling has 10% barrel fermented Arinto blended in.”

I know I pick on Chardonnay, and on California Chards in particular , but I’ve found one that I like. Yes, I did put that in writing. The winemaker really tries to let the fruit talk. Yes, there is ML and it is vinified in French oak (30% new) but everything comes together. It’s integrated, not clunky or overly heavy. A great pick to snuggle up with for the fall and winter. Support a small winery and order lots of it!!

The new Camacho house wine--easy, dense, and works well with or without food. Deep, rich flavors for the fall, and easy on the pocketbook.
Kacher writes: “The vineyards were planted in the 1950’s and 1960’s to the current varietals. The vines are trained using a system called Cordon de Royat, which helps maintain lower fruit production. Mas Carlot limits yields to around 45hl/ha, which is one-third below what the appellation allows. Nathalie likes to wait during harvest--picking late to obtain the maximum maturity for each grape varietal. This Cuvée was created for the first time with the 2003 vintage. While in the cellar and talking about our little ones and how active and mischievous they are, ‘Les Enfants Terribles’ was born. This is a selection of really good old vines Mourvèdre and Syrah. The Mourvèdre was aged in barrels for one year. This is a hearty wine with lots of spice and elegance. It unites plum and berry preserves with a raw meat character for an unforgettable juxtaposition. There are hints of herbs, cocoa powder and vanilla. For those of you who enjoy deeply flavored reds, which are wrapped in a lush texture…run, don’t walk to buy this wine. Not much was made. This wine must be good…as it’s named for Nathalie and Cyril’s kids!”