The Grapes-You-Probably-Haven't-Heard-of Tasting

Yasa Old Vines Macabeo 2009 – $8.99 on sale for $6.96

(100% Macabeo; Calatayud, Spain)

"Yasa" is made by the local coop Virgen de la Sierra in the town of Villarroya de la Sierra in Calatayud. "Yasa" also means a dry streambed in the dialect of this area of northern Spain just south of Rioja in Aragon. This smashingly delicious white bargain is made from old vine Macabeo, which is also called Viura in Rioja. It flaunts lovely tropical fruit aromas with a smooth, round mouthfeel, and a perfectly pleasing finish.

Benaza Godello 2009 – $13.99

(Godello, some Dona Blanca & Treixadura; Galicia, Spain)

“The Benaza Godello is good, clean fun because it takes a grape from Galicia that few people have heard of and then wins them over in the glass. Good acidity with a bit more roundness, perhaps from two months on the lees, perhaps from a dollop of the treixadura grape that is blended in, or perhaps from the 30-50 year-old vines themselves. Chill and serve with seafood on the deck.” – Dr. Vino

Caldaro Lagrein 2007 – $15.99

(100% Lagrein, Alto Adige, Italy)

“The predominant red grape of Italy's Alto-Adige region, Lagrein produces medium to full bodied wines full of plum and dark berry fruit with hints of black minerals, herbs and smoked meats. Lagrein has moderately intense acids and tannins and can benefit from cellaring.” – Snooth.com

“Our Lagrein has a ruby to dark garnet color, aromas which evoke violets and blackberries, is velvety on the palate with light herbal nuances.” – The winery

Familia Mayol Bonarda 2009 – $12.99

(100% Bonarda aka Charbono; Mendoza, Argentina)

“Charbono is a grape variety found in California. It is not very common in California, but is the second most commonly grown variety in Argentina, where it is known as Bonarda (which is not the same as the Bonarda Piemontese varietal). The wine made from Charbono tends to be dark, with medium to high tannins and acidity. After genetic testing conducted by Carole Meredith, it was determined to be the same grape as the grape known as Corbeau, Douce Noire, or Charbonneau in the Savoie region of France; but in spite of repeated references, it is probably not related to Dolcetto of Italy. It is likely that this confusion arose because an Italian synonym for Dolcetto is "Dolce Nero" which translates to "sweet black," as does the French name "Douce Noire" for Charbono.” – Wikipedia

Plus a special treat!

Chocolate Shop Chocolate Wine

"The chocolate lover's wine!"

Red wine with natural dark chocolate flavor. Inviting aromas of black cherry and dark chocolate entwine and continue on the palate surrounded by hints of cocoa powder. Nuances of red wine and residual sugar linger on the smooth finish. It embodies both rich, velvety chocolate and deep, ruby red wine, artfully blended together to create a decadent wine experience. The combination is like liquid chocolate truffle in bottle.