YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Complices de Loire Côt

Côt is the local name for Malbec here in the Loire Valley and into other parts of Southwest France, where the wines tend to be on the lighter side. Expect flavors of black cherries, blueberries, hints of licorice, menthol, violets and a little white pepper. All wrapped up in a chillable, easy to drink red.

 

PERFECT WITH

Backyard BBQ, a solid ham sandwich, pasta salad, Steak & Eggs brunch

YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

La Lande Cavagnac

Big, dry and pruney in the best way - the darker side of Malbec. Concentrated vinous flavors and ripeness dominate, but the wine is far from cloying or intrusive. Blackberry and currant are the main fruit culprits throughout, with noticeable integrated oak along for the ride.

 

PERFECT WITH

Venison steaks, Boar sausage, Coq au Vin, Cassoulet

YOU SAMPLED an Al Fresco white from

Estola Verdejo

A tropical fruit basket of pineapple, ripe melon and a touch of banana. All these flavors translate to the palate but remain as refreshing as a fruity, dry white tea.

 

PERFECT WITH

fish, crab, oysters, sushi

YOU SAMPLED a Medium white from

Castillo de Benizar Semi-Dulce

A fresh and fruity wine made from Airén. By halting fermentation of the wine earlier than normal, the winemaker was able to achieve a semi-sweet wine with good acidity, akin to the still moscato wines of Italy. Aromas of pear and banana greet you in the glass before a white plum and crisp Asian pear flavors round out the palate.

 

PERFECT WITH

Spicy Thai food, poké, apple pie, salty potato chips

YOU SAMPLED an Al fresco red from

Domaine Sinson Pinot Noir

Fresh, flighty, fruity and oh so soft. Light cherry cola scents mingle with a pronounced raspberry note before warm baking spices and berry-pie-filling flavors dance across a super light, dry and fresh palate.

 

PERFECT WITH

Saag paneer, Seared tuna, Bruschetta, Red Pepper Hummus

YOU SAMPLED an Al fresco rosé from

Pierblancs Sancerre Rosé

Produced via the saignée method in which juice is bled off of the red wine press and vinified on its own as a rosé wine. Pale salmon in color, this rosé evokes scents and flavors in the same color range like strawberries and watermelon. Soft and dry with prototypical Sancerre mineral intensity and racy acidity. The finish is fresh berry aromas surrounded by lip smacking mineral flavors and just enough weight.

 

PERFECT WITH

Crottin de Chavignol, Spicy curries, Shrimp-on-the-Barbie, ceviche

YOU SAMPLED a Medium white from

Domaine Millet Chablis

Clear yellow in the glass with scents of pear, white peach and nectarine. The mouth changes as those ripe fruits are replaced by citrus and crisp, fresh acidity. Enough texture to carry all of those flavors along with their aromatic density to the palate with whispers of spicy white pepper on the finish. Crisp, clean and mineral - Chablis!

 

PERFECT WITH

Butter poached trout, oysters - raw or grilled, goat cheese, char-grilled scallops

YOU SAMPLED a Medium white from

Maillet Mâcon-Villages

This is a “blend” of the two polarizing styles of what Chardonnay can be. On the one hand, it's full of notes of bright spring flowers, honeysuckle, lime zest, and Meyer lemon. On the other hand, it still embraces the buttery richness and tropical fruit notes of candied pineapple and baked apple pie that Chardonnay can produce. With an average vine age of 45 years, this unoaked yet powerful Chardonnay benefits from the maturity of its first home - the vineyard.

 

PERFECT WITH

Mussels in most any kind of sauce, your go-to roast chicken recipe, avocado-based dressing, a quiet summer’s afternoon

YOU SAMPLED a Medium white from

Meix Guillaume Rully Chaponnière

Classic barrel aged Burgundy. Sugar torched pineapple and candied orange zest mingle with ripe yellow fruits and flowers amongst a background of brioche toast and lightly sweetened buttercream chiffon. A biting baked Meyer lemon acidity keeps everything fresh and tidy, and a finish of tart quince and white peach wraps up a beautiful classical white Burgundy.

 

PERFECT WITH

Grilled Char, Beurre blanc, couch popcorn, crab legs with clarified butter