This crisp pinot grigio stands out in the crowd at only $12
By Dave McIntyre,
The Washington Post
Three standout wines from Spain highlight our list this week: a delicious albariño from Rias Baixas in Galicia and two natural wines from central Spain. We round out the list with affordable whites from France and Italy.
Mil Historias Bobal by Rosalía Molina 2018
(Extraordinary)
Manchuela, Spain, $18
This lively natural wine from central Spain is practically joyful in its expression. The fruit brings a smile upon first sip and a song an hour or even a day or two later. Flavors of tart cherry and pomegranate seem to dance out of the glass, accompanied by a rhythm section of spice. Certified organic, no added sulfites. Alcohol by volume: 14.5 percent.
Imported and distributed by Siema Wines: Available in the District at Glen’s Garden Market, Queen’s English, Rodman’s, Wagshal’s Deli, Wagshal’s on New Mexico. Available in Maryland at Catoctin Furnace Liquors in Sabillasville; Dunkirk Wine & Spirits in Dunkirk; Franklin Liquors in Ijamsville; Longmeadow Wine & Liquors, Rosewood Liquors, Wooden Keg Liquors in Hagerstown; Orion Wine & Spirits, Spin the Bottle Wine Co. in Frederick; Village Spirits in Smithsburg. Available in Virginia at Balducci’s, Department of Beer and Wine in Alexandria; Bombolini Pasta, Once Upon a Vine in Richmond; the Caboose Market & Cafe in Ashland; the Vine and Leaf in Front Royal.
Mar de Viñas Albariño 2020
(Extraordinary)
Val do Salnés, Rías Baixas, Spain, $19
Citrusy, with a hint of salinity from the ocean breeze off the Atlantic, this wine brightens your palate the way a squirt of lemon lifts the flavors of any dish. The fish on the label suggests the perfect food pairing. ABV: 13 percent.
Imported by Grapes of Spain, distributed by Elite Wines: Available in the District at Ace Beverage, Bacchus Wine Cellar, Broad Branch Market, Congress Market, Cookies Corner, Dixie Liquor, Grand Liquor, LA Liquors, Magruder’s, Morris Miller Wine & Liquor, Old City Market and Oven, Rodman’s, Streets Market (Connecticut Avenue), Uptown Market, Watergate Vintners & Spirits, Yes! Organic Market (Georgia Avenue); Young’s Deli & Market. Available in Maryland at 3rd Base Liquors in Bel Air; Beer Wine & Co., Butchers Alley, Capital Beer & Wine, Cork 57 Beer and Wine, Georgetown Square Wine and Beer, Lance’s Beer & Wine in Bethesda; Beers & Cheers Too, Downtown Crown Wine and Beer, Finewine.com in Gaithersburg; Botanero, Grosvernor Market, Pour Vino N’ Hops, Village Beer & Fine Wine in Rockville; the Bottle Shop in Potomac; Friendship Wine & Liquor in Abingdon; Knowles Station Wine & Co. in Kensington; Locavino, Snider’s Super Foods in Silver Spring; Old Farm Liquors in Frederick; Olney Beer & Fine Wine in Olney; Pine Orchard Liquors in Ellicott City; Rip’s Wine and Spirit Shop in Bowie; Ronnie’s Beverage Warehouse in Forest Hill. Available in Virginia at Arrowine and Cheese in Arlington; Cheesetique (Alexandria, Arlington); Kroger (Eastridge) in Richmond; Wine Gallery 108 in Alexandria.
GREAT VALUE
Dominio de Punctum Aventurero 2020
(Extraordinary)
Castile, Spain, $13
The pale color of this wine had me thinking of rosé, but this is a white wine, apparently with a little skin contact. The blend is sauvignon blanc, viognier and macabeo, an indigenous Spanish variety. It’s a garden walk after a spring rain, with flavors and aromas of passion fruit, jasmine, chalk and oregano floating through each sip. It’s also another reminder not to drink your white wines so cold that these subtle flavors are obscured. Certified biodynamic, organic and vegan. ABV: 14.1 percent.
Imported by Terroir Wine Group, distributed by Global Wines Maryland: Available in the District at LeDroit Park Market, Old City Market and Oven, Prego Again, Rodman’s, U First Mart. Available in Maryland at the Beer and Wine Cellar, Dawson’s Market, Gilly’s Craft Beer & Fine Wine, King’s Craft Beer, Wine & Deli, On the Vine Craft Beer & Wine, Pour Vino N’ Hops, Rollins Beer-Wine-Deli in Rockville; Beer Wine & Co., Bethesda Market, Cork 57 Beer and Wine in Bethesda; Colonial Liquors in La Plata; Downtown Crown Wine and Beer, Finewine.com in Gaithersburg; Friendship Gourmet Market in Chevy Chase; Roots Market in Olney. Available in Virginia at Union Kitchen in Arlington.
GREAT VALUE
Socius Sauvignon & Semillon 2019
(Excellent/Extraordinary)
Périgord, France, $14
The Périgord region of France is known for truffles, foie gras and historic castles from the Thirty Years’ War. Wine — not so much. But it is, after all, just a hop, skip and jump east of Bordeaux. This delicious blend of sauvignon blanc and sémillon fits the classic bordeaux style, with flavors of peach, apricot and fig braced by bright acidity and a mouth-filling texture. ABV: 13 percent.
Imported and distributed by Baron Francois: Available in the District at Connecticut Avenue Wine & Liquor; Cordial Craft Wine, Beer & Spirits; Rodman’s; U Street Wine & Beer. Available in Virginia at Norm’s Beer & Wine in Vienna.
GREAT VALUE
Il Casato Pinot Grigio 2020
(Excellent/Extraordinary)
Valdadige, Italy, $12
The 2019 vintage of this inexpensive beauty ranked among my greatest values of the year last year. Too many pinot grigios in this price range are innocuous white wines, but the Il Casato manages to combine crisp acidity with ripe flavors of apricot and a fairly rich texture. It’s ideal for sipping on its own or with antipasti before a feast. ABV: 13 percent.
Imported by Tri-Vin, distributed by DMV in the District and Maryland and by Service in Virginia: Available in the District at Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits, Lee Towers Market, Magruder’s, Morris Miller Wine & Liquor, Paul’s of Chevy Chase, Rodman’s, S&S Liquors, Yes! Organic Market (Brookland, Capitol Hill). Available in Maryland at A&A Wine & Spirits in Gambrills; Bethesda Co-Op, Sal’s Italian Kitchen, Wild Tomato in Cabin John; Bradley Food & Beverage, Persimmon in Bethesda; Downtown Crown Wine and Beer, Finewine.com in Gaithersburg; Dunkirk Wine & Spirits in Dunkirk; Eastport Liquors, the Italian Market in Annapolis; Edgewater Liquors in Edgewater; Fishpaws Marketplace in Arnold; Frederick Wine House in Frederick; Kings Contrivance Liquor Shop in Columbia; Longmeadow Wine & Liquors in Hagerstown; Maple Lawn Wine & Spirits in Fulton; McHenry Beverage Shoppe in McHenry; Seminary Beer Wine & Deli, Snider’s Super Foods in Silver Spring; Silesia Liquors in Fort Washington; Town Center Market in Riverdale Park; Wine Bin in Ellicott City; the Winery in Chester. Available in Virginia at Wegmans (various locations).
Availability information is based on distributor records. Wines might not be in stock at every listed store and might be sold at additional stores. Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.
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