CASTELLO DEL POGGIO MOSCATO D'ASTI
$14.99

With it's delightful frizzante texture, notes of ripe pears and
grapes, and delicate, perfumed sweetness, there is nothing like
a good Moscato... and when it's vinified this way, with a lower
alcohol content, all the nuances are so much easier to enjoy.
Try this as an appertif before dinner (serve with mild cheeses,
like Fontina) or all by itself as dessert.

POMELO SAUVIGNON BLANC $12.99

One of our perennial go-to whites for under $15, Pomelo is a crisp,
bright, lip-smackingly good Sauvignon Blanc, with flavors of ripe
lime and grapefruit, and a refreshing, zippy finish. It's not as
intense and in-your-face as a lot of the New Zealand versions, so
it's a bit more versatile, too. Hard to beat this on a hot day.

SELBACH DRY RIESLING $10.99

Riesling is one of the great food wines, due to its naturally high
acidity, but all too often, the sweeter versions go unappreciated.
This drier version shows all the lovely aromas that make Riesling
famous- lime, pear, apricot, white flowers- and yet the finish is
not sweet, but bright and refreshing. This is a fantastic choice to
serve with more exotic cuisines, but its light-to-medium body make
it a nice choice for quaffing by itself as well.

LOIMER "LOIS" GRUNER VELTLINER $12.99

It's so difficult to find less expensive wines from Austria, that
this one has started to garner a real cult following among our
customers. Gruner Veltliner is the grape here, and if you like
dry, bright, oak-less whites that are chock full of citrus and
mineral notes, this is the wine for you. This bone-dry wine is
wonderful with simple grilled white fishes topped with fresh
cracked pepper.

DOMAINE SANCET $7.99

Another of our go-to whites in the under-$15 price range. This wine
is made from Trebbiano (read: one of the world's most boring grapes) BUT it's grown in a region very close to Sancerre, where there is a considerable amount of chalkiness to the soil. The result is "the little white that could" here; loaded with bright citrus flavor
laced with a streak of mineral. This one is a steal.

DOMAINE POLLIER ST-VERAN $11.99

Domaine Pollier can pretty much be counted on to provide excellent
examples of white Burgundy at a few dollars less than most of
their competition. Their St-Veran has the apples-and-earth that a
wine from this region should (the slightly smokier character is
what sets St-Veran apart from your normal Macon-Villages.) Made, of course, from 100% Chardonnay... but medium-bodied and nicely balanced, not at all overdone.

LES SALICES VIOGNIER $10.99

Viognier is one of those grapes that true hedonists love; it's
all about aroma and romance. Apricot, peach, and gardenia blossom waft from the glass, but this version from the south of France is actually a bit more reserved on the palate, with a fresh finish. This is a great choice for spicier Asian fare (and it picks up
the nuances of Jasmine rice nicely, too.)

DOMAINE HOUCHART ROSE $9.99

A blend of 35% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 20% Cinsault, and 20% other varietals, this fresh, bright rose is brimming with aromas of
strawberry and herb. Just ever so slightly off-dry, this lovely
blush has a brisk streak of mineral and zingy acidity running
through it; it is this liveliness that helps it to pair so well
with a wide range of foods. A delightful rose, this is sure to
be a favorite once the weather turns warm.

LES HERETIQUES $10.99

This special cuvee is a blend of old-vine Carignan
and Syrah. A fresh, easy-going red, Les Hérétiques is bursting
with ripe berry flavor that mingles with hints of earth and herb.
The tannins are well-balanced and the finish is juicy and long.
This is a great choice for baby-back ribs off the grill.

DOMAINE ANDRE BRUNEL GRENACHE $9.99

This is a new arrival this week. Notes of ripe cherry and wild
berry mingle with flavors of earth, game, and violets, all
presented in a wonderfully silky textured, medium-bodied wine.
This is a wine with serious style... and it's so refreshing to
find a red in this price range that so clearly shows true Old
World character. A phenomenal wine.

SONSIERRA TEMPRANILLO $10.99

Few wines pair as well with the spicier foods of summer than those
made in Spain,from the Tempranillo grape; there's just something
about the dusty-earth-and-cherry character that makes it work.
Also, a note to you die-hard Cabernet fans: Tempranillo has a lot
in common with Cab, flavor-wise, but it's a little leaner, so
when the weather gets steamy, it's not as overpowering. This
particular version from Sonsierra is on the juicier side, so it's
also great for drinking by itself.

BISOL PROSECCO $16.99

Simply said, at the end of a long, hot day, nothing is as
refreshing as an ice-cold glass of nice, dry Prosecco... and this
one from Bisol is one of the best in the under-$20 category.