YOU SAMPLED an Al Fresco red from

Vin de Savoie Gamay Noir

A crisp and fruity red grown on the Alpine slopes of Savoie. Soils consisting of glacial deposits of lime and other minerals keep the strawberry, raspberry and blackberry flavors lean, but still fruit forward. Round and lively, these easy drinking reds from the foothills of the Alps always show great acidity and an outburst of fruit immediately in the glass.

 

PERFECT WITH

Turkey sandwiches, roast squash, spaghetti and meatballs, strawberry pastries.

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Domaine Dumas Brouilly

An intense red fruit core of sweet Rainier cherry, spiced wildberry bramble, ripe strawberry and super silky-soft tannins.

 

PERFECT WITH

Andouille sausage, Bolognese pizza, charcuterie, chicken tagine

YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

Château Pineraie Cahors

An old school nose of rural France opens up to intense berry fruit and plum aromas. The palate carries those berry and plum flavors and adds blackberry, spice and touch of vanilla. A soft oak expression lends violets, potpourri, complexity and very gentle tannins for such a bold wine. Smooth, sumptuous, dark black and the loveliest expression of the almost tender notes that Malbec is capable of.

 

PERFECT WITH

Dark meat turkey, most cheese, lamb roast with herbs, mushrooms and shallots

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Lilium Nero d’Avola

A rare organic vineyard of Nero d’Avola from the Italian island of Sicily. Dark in the glass though drinking slightly lighter on its feet, expect rich dark cherry with a present red plum note and whispers of sweet pipe tobacco and spice.

 

PERFECT WITH

Hoisin sauce, beef stew, BBQ burgers, bacon.

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Château Beauregard Mirouze Cuvée Lauzina

A blend of 45 year old vines of Syrah and Grenache, this organic Corbières has tons of structure layered with harmonious fruit. A deep garnet color greets you in the glass before notes of ripe red and black currant, garrigue spice and richness from the oak aging catch up. Karine and Nicolas reduced the vineyard by half to convert to 100% organic practices and essentially went from “quantity” to “quality” with passionate determination.

 

PERFECT WITH

Roast lamb, soft cheeses, dark chocolate, roast beef sandwiches.

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 a Medium red from

Mazziotti Merlot

Young vines that yield an intense ruby red colored wine. Soft and supple, elegant and balanced with pronounced scents of raspberry jam, vanilla and violets. On the palate the wine is soft with just a little tannic grip and loads of pleasant berry fruit, most noticeably strawberry and raspberry.

 

PERFECT WITH

Instant Pot curry, spaghetti and red sauce, McDoubles + fries.

YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

Château du Donjon L’Autre

Garnet color with violet hues. Blackberry, liquorice, and vanilla on the nose. Full bodied, great expression and a long, aromatic finish of dark fruit.

 

PERFECT WITH

Lamb with fig, local produce in butter, grilled meats.

YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

Giovanni Abrigo Barolo Ravera 2013

Dominated by brambly underbrush, wet leather, tart cherry and a touch of rose hip tea. 2013 was cool with a late harvest date, resulting in silky wines with striking aromatics.

 

PERFECT WITH

Umami-laden pot roast, mushroom risotto, sliced proscuitto.