(California) $20
Who doesn’t need a delicious fleshy red that’s just right for burgers (Impossible or otherwise)? A tasty blend of syrah, zinfandel and cabernet franc.
88 points KM
Available at Smith & Devereax
(Rioja, Spain) $25
This is the steal of a lifetime from one of the best traditional estates in Rioja. Beautiful “old” aromas and flavors of earth, mushrooms, pipe tobacco, and saddle leather. Close your eyes, and it could be Burgundy.
90 points KM
Available at K&L Wine Merchants
(Sicily, Italy) $22
A glass of this complex, balanced, beautiful wine, combined with a giant pan of lasagna is the best cure for Corona lockdown I’ve found yet. A really astounding nerello macalese, from a producer that was instrumental in saving that variety!
90 points TS
Available at Toast Wines By Taste
(Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain) $20
Lightly citrusy and peachy, with a nice sense of roundness. Fresh and simple.
88 points KM
Available at Vivino.com
(Rueda, Spain) $9
Nine dollars! Verdejo has a flavor similar to sauvignon blanc, and if you like New Zealand SB, you’ll like this too.
88 points KM
Available at Vivino.com
(Ribeiro, Galicia, Spain) $25
The name means “the medicine woman of the wine terraces,” and this fresh, peppery, spicy white made from treixadura grapes is fantastic and mouthwatering.
89 points KM
Available at The Underground Bottle Shop
(Valdeorras, Spain) $23
Godello, one of the greatest white grapes of Spain, has golden flavors, a wonderful peppery aliveness, and is incredibly juicy.
89 points KM
Available at Vivino.com
(Alsace, France) $20
Think you don’t like gewürztraminer? You have nothing to lose by trying this with some Asian spring rolls and surprising yourself. Technicolor flavors. Perfect as a foil to spice.
88 points KM
Available at Vivino.com
(Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, CA) $22
As crisp, light, dry, and tart as wine gets. Add some club soda and a lime, and a summer spritzer has arrived.
88 points KM
Available at Wally's Wine & Spirits
(Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy) $22
The name means “Only Sun,” and what could be better than some sun in your glass? From the Tuscan coast comes this fresh tangy vermentino with bright lemon zest and sea spray notes.
90 points KM
Available at Vivino.com
(Apulia, Italy) $15
The appellation Salice Salentino in Apulia is a treasure trove of inexpensive southern Italian reds like this bold rustic wine from negroamaro grapes. It’s just begging for a dish of pasta with sausages from the grill. The name “Passamante” refers to a forest beside the vineyard where Italian lovers used to meet to do what Italian lovers do in secluded forests. From the words “pass” (to pass) and “amante” (lover).
88 points KM
Available at Vivino
(Provence, France) $13
Refreshing, citrusy, and tasty with the merest hint of strawberry. Terrific as a wine for making Pink Sangria.
88 points KM
Available at Vivino
