Domaine Houchart Côtes de Provence Rosé AOC 2007

The soil of this ancient Domaine has been farmed since the days of the Roman Empire. The Houchart family took control of the property in the 1850’s, which is currently owned by Geneviève Houchart and run by her husband Jerôme Quiot. Today, Quiot farms 50 hectares, roughly 123 acres, planted to a large variety of grapes. Rosé from the Côtes de Provence is perhaps the best known in all of France. It is said that 80% of the wine produced in the region is rosé and that nearly half the rosé produced in France hails from the Côtes de Provence. This is a classic dry style rosé, look for strawberry and raspberry flavors with that crisp, minerally edge that is classic to good quality rosé.

Crosby Cabernet Sauvignon California 2006

What to have when you just want a tasty glass of wine? This wine fits the bill, it’s perfect for casual parties, or at home with spaghetti and meatballs. Fruit harvested from various sites is fermented in stainless steel; no oak means that the primary red fruit flavors of the grapes are preserved. This is a no-brainer crowd pleaser that is perfect for end of season cookouts, but is destined to be your house red.

Amaroo Chardonnay New South Wales 2006

This Aussie addition to our Chardonnay selection is a fuller-bodied expression, found in our rich section. Am-a-roo is the ancient Aboriginal term for ’a beautiful place’. The label is playful, but the wine is quite serious. The focus is on delicious ripe apple and pear fruit, one of the strong suits for Australia. The wine is aged in oak, giving an added dimension on flavor and texture. Great for parties and gatherings, this wine will be at home with rich seafood dishes or grilled chicken and pork.

Pedroncelli Friends Red Sonoma County 2005

Pedroncelli Winery is one of the few "institutions" in California’s glitzy North Coast. The winery has been family owned and operated since 1927 (selling fruit during prohibition); they have remained humble. Now they have created Friends Red, a blend of grapes intended to offer an exceptional value for immediate and immense enjoyment. The components were aged for one year in a blend of French and American oak barrels, adding character to the ripe fruit. This is the ideal burger wine, great for most any occasion.

Maramonte "Syrage" California 2005

Taking its name from one of its component grape varieties (Syrah), Syrage is a big, full-bodied California red. The wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, but Cabernet Franc and Syrah are blended in for complexity. The wine is the brain-child of Charles Mara who strives to blend the best of a California "Meritage" with a Rhone Valley Hermitage, a French appellation exclusively produced from Syrah. His efforts have paid off, resulting in a real bargain, considering bottles of similar weight and intensity coming from the state. A natural partner for grilled meats, this will also enhance a roasted eggplant and heirloom tomato pasta.