Two Corinos

*2010 Dolcetto d’Alba (Renato Corino)

Sale Price $17.99 -- $183.50 case of twelve;

*2010 Langhe Nebbiolo (Giovanni Corino)

Sale Price $22.99 -- $234.50 case of twelve;

Dan came back from Italy raving about the quality of the 2010 Dolcettos from Piedmont. One of the best so far has been the Dolcetto d’Alba from Renato Corino. This medium-bodied red has juicy cherry fruit along with bright tannins and a touch of minerality. Dolcetto is always a favorite of ours with dishes that involve mushrooms and roasted vegetables, and it’s an excellent reason to make a risotto. The 2010 Langhe Nebbiolo from Giovanni Corino features a gorgeous see-through garnet color, copious fruit, and floral aromas. The finish is wonderful, with well-balanced tannins. Try this beauty with braised beef or lamb with polenta and Val d’Aosta Fontina.

In Boca

*2010 Vino Rosso ‘Maggiorina’ (Le Piane)

Sale Price $16.99 -- $173.30 case of twelve;

Le Piane is a property in the northern Piedmont’s rarely seen DOC, Boca. It is another great source of Nebbiolo at prices lower than Barolo and Barbaresco. Our favorite and most affordable wine from Le Piane is their ‘Maggiorina’ blend. The 2010 is a dry, earthy mix of Nebbiolo, Bonarda, and Vespolina. This creates a lovely lighter red that is perfect for a roast chicken or a seared salmon or tuna steak.

Chianti

*2010 Chianti (Piazzano)

Sale Price $11.99 -- $122.30 case of twelve;

We adore Chianti because it is so simple, which may not sound like a compliment. But because Chianti works so well with so many foods, it really doesn’t require too much thinking – simple. Try the 2010 Piazzano with anything you’re putting together, whether it be a stir-fry of shrimp or a chicken cacciatore.

Share a Cab

*2010 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Sharecropper’s)

Sale Price $17.99 -- $183.50 case of twelve;

The Sharecropper’s wines are the fruit of the hard labor of Owen Roe, a consistently excellent producer of wine in both Washington and Oregon. The 2010 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a big and balanced wine with deep blackberry fruit, lively tannins and a smoky finish. Try this with a grilled rib-eye loaded up with black pepper and multiple cloves of roasted garlic.

Traminer as in Gewurz

*2010 Traminer Aromatico (Cabert)

Sale Price $9.99 -- $101.90 case of twelve;

It is in dispute whether Gewurztraminer was first isolated in the northern Italian town of Tramin. Ampelographers now seem to think that Alsace was the first region to cultivate this spicy aromatic white. Even so, many folks think that this variety is as German as Riesling. In a spirit of open-minded inquiry we try to have at least one from each area available in the shop at all times. Generally speaking the Alsace wine will be the richest and spiciest, the German will be the sweetest, and the Italian will be the freshest and the best value. Cabert, in Friuli, has produced a wonderful version that they label Traminer Aromatico. This is a dry white wine with a bushel of flowers in the nose, a fine medium body, and a crisp clean finish. Grab your favorite herbs and fiery spices and see how this wine stands up to flavorful fish and chicken dishes from all over the world.

Vouvray

*2010 Vouvray ‘Les Aumones’ (Le Capitaine)

Sale Price $11.99 -- $122.30 case of twelve;

This has long been our best-selling Vouvray, but we can’t remember a better example than this 2010. This is technically a Demi-Sec but its concentration of dry matter gives it a push to the dry side, supported by the terrific chalky structure that defines Chenin Blanc from Vouvray. Try this beauty with a stew of monkfish resting on a tangle of braised leeks.

Le Super Muscadet

*2009 Muscadet Sevre et Maine ‘Clisson’ (Marc Ollivier et Remi Branger)

Sale Price $24.99 -- $254.90 case of twelve;

Here’s an update: Marc Ollivier, the hardest working man in the Muscadet business, has taken on a partner. Remi Branger comes from a Muscadet family and brought several vineyard holdings with him when he came to work with Marc. We’re all for it. This can only mean increased production and more fascinating single-vineyard Muscadet. For now, the top of the line is called ‘Clisson.’ The 2009 is as deep as a well with a whirlpool of dry minerals and gripping acidity. This pushes the Melon to levels of richness without sacrificing its crisp, dry identity. Have this with a steamed crab and black bean sauce or a simple meal of lobster. It would also be wise to age it for another five to ten years.

An Excess of Riesling…

We went a little crazy last year with German wine. We are firm believers that the Riesling Revolution is under way, but we admit that we went overboard. Today we must reduce prices and move on, so we can have more opportunities to buy too much. The Closeout Sale Price is also discountable as a whole (15%) or within a mixed (10%) case.

*2007 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Kabinett (Dr. Fischer)

Regular Sale Price $14.99;

Closeout Sale Price $11.99;

Great vintage, terrific producer, the 2007 from Dr. Fischer is beginning to show off its mature qualities – wonderful aromatics and pristine slate-infused fruit.

*2008 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett (Karp-Schreiber)

Regular Sale Price $14.99;

Closeout Sale Price $11.99;

The 2008 from Karp-Schreiber is a drier-than-average Kabinett that is crisp and lively with a persistent mineral component. Try with poached fish and salds.

*2008 Bechtheimer Rosengarten Riesling Spatlese (Machmer)

Regular Sale Price $11.99;

Closeout Sale Price $9.99;

The Machmer is a fine sweet Spatlese with good body and a soft ripe finish. Try this with spicy foods.

*2008 Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett (Vereinigte Hospieten)

Regular Sale Price $19.99;

Closeout Sale Price $17.99;

Vereinigte Hospieten is a winery whose profits go to an almshouse for the poor, and most fascinatingly the operation was founded by Napoleon. Scharzhofberger is one of the greatest vineyards in all of the Mosel if not Germany. This Kabinett is an absolute delight and many other Rieslings from this vineyard sell for at least twice the price.

*2009 Piesporter Goldtropchen Riesling Spatlese (Bollig-Lehnert)

Regular Sale Price $17.99;

Closeout Sale Price $14.99;

A Riesling from Piesporter Goldtropchen always delivers a cornucopia of ripe orchard fruit along with zesty crispness. The 2009 Bollig-Lehnert is a textbook Mosel Spatlese.

*2009 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese (Studert-Prum)

Regular Sale Price $19.99;

Closeout Sale Price $17.99;

Wehlener Sonnenuhr wines are known for their racy acidity and long life. Studert-Prum’s 2009 is gently sweet, with fine minerals and a crisp, lomg finish.