Mad About Madégo

“La Cappuccina” is the small 15th century chapel where Capuchin friars once worshipped. “Madégo” is what locals in the Soave region of the Veneto call the alfalfa that once grew in the vineyard that now bears that name. A Bordeaux blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Carmenere, the Madego shows aromas of cassis, cherry and vanilla, but with an Italian twist. Soft, ripe tannins; a fresh, bright acidity; exquisite balance; and seamless texture make this bellissimo charmer an amazing bargain.

On sale for $9.96 through 6/3/13

Regularly $14.99
Open for tasting at both stores

"Summer in a Glass"

Mouzillon is located just outside Nantes, France near the mouth of the Loire River. This is Sauvignon Blanc country, and the appellation of Touraine produces oceans of fresh, delectable Sauvignons. Jean Sablenay may be just a minnow in that vast ocean, but we love his gluggable, vibrant white. With its aromas of snow peas and pink grapefruit followed by soft palate of lime and honeydew melon, it's summer in a glass.

On sale for $7.96 through 5/27/13

Regularly $10.99
Open for tasting at both stores

Domaine Guintrandy Saint-Léger 2010 - $9.99

Marie Claude and Olivier Cuilleras' winery, Domaine la Guintrandy, sits near the hamlet of Saint-Leger in the northern hills of the Rhone Valley. This Vin de Pays is a delectable 50/50 blend of Syrah and Grenache that’s smooth and round with dusty black currant and cherry fruit and lingering tannins. It’s an old school French wine, aged without oak and made bio-dynamically with low sulfur. Open it next time you’re grilling out, or whenever you need an excuse to wear a beret and argue about Sartre.

Palazzone Dubini Bianco 2012 - $10.99

Although a touch lighter than the estate’s Orvieto Classico, this smooth white offers the same terrific aromatic profile as its traditional sibling. The grapes are entitled to be Orvieto, but Giovanni Dubini decided to declassify them into an IGT so as not to compete his Orvieto bottling. Aromas of golden apples, citrus, and white flowers are echoed in the refreshingly mineral palate. We agree with wine guru Stephen Tanzer that Palazzone is “unquestionably the number one small estate of Orvieto."

Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2011 - $14.99

Ever since Malbec supplanted Shiraz as the smooth, easygoing red everyone loves to drink, average quality Malbecs have become ubiquitous. We feel it’s important to treat yourself to better wine, and this spectacular red is a step way up to Reserva level Malbec. “Cento percento” Malbec, as the Italian-Argentinians say, 100%. It wows with a saturated nose of red and black cherries spiced with fig and prune notes. The palate is ripe and refined, smooth and full of fruit, with a long, silky finish. “Molto elegante!”

Bricco dei Tati Rosé 2012 - $8.99

The Gaiarins, Emanuele of the Veneto region of Italy and Mary Beth of Washington, D.C., met at university in the US. They married, lived in Italy, returned to the US, had two sons (“tati”) and founded one of our favorite importers, Siema Wines. Made at their new hillside (“bricco”) vineyard, this is a young, fresh, lively, dry rose with a medium dark color, aromas of peaches, cherries and a bit of spice. Delightfully approachable, it has bold fruit, good body and a hard-to-believe price.

Bodegas Borsao Garnacha “Monte Oton” 2011 - $7.99

Bodegas Borsao lies west of Zaragoza in Spain’s Campo di Borja wine region. Vineyards for their Monte Oton bottling sit high on the sunny, windswept slopes of the extinct volcano, Moncayo. This is ideal for harvesting fully ripened Garnacha (aka Grenache) grapes. Smooth and juicy, it shows engaging red berry fruit both in the nose and in the ripe, plump palate. No oak, just juice. A smashing red for picnics and BBQ.

Siema Estate Bianco del Piemonte 2012 - $7.99

Siema Wines is the importer of many of our Italian favorites, including this fresh, delicate and dry white. Winery owner Emanuele "Manu" Gaiarin blended crisp, mineral-scented Cortese from Gavi with softer Chardonnay and then splashed in a bit of Moscato for aromatics, all at a smashingly low price. The Siema Bianco is a breath of fresh air to sweep away the winter and welcome in the spring. But why stop there? We're betting this energizing quaffer will be your go-to white all summer long!

Rubus Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2010 - $12.99

Rubus is a private label created by importer Fran Kysela to find high end wines, re-label and market them at a lower prices. For this rocking bargain, he found an old vine vineyard in Lodi of stellar quality with excess inventory. Ruby red in color, this lush, robust red shows flavors of cherries and raspberries, and notes of vanilla with a smooth finish.

Willm Pinot Gris Alsace 2011 - $14.99

Easter is yet another complicated wine pairing holiday, due mainly to the traditional presence of ham. Ham is salty, and excess salt is an enemy of wine. To counteract that saltiness, we recommend a wine full of fruit, yet still on the dry side. This Pinot Gris will be perfect on the Easter table; pear, peach, and white flower aromas lead into a lush, softly-fruited palate.