Hang on to the summer with this fruity, spritzy $11 rosé
By D.M.,
Scott Suchman for The Washington Post
Summer is waning, but there is still time to welcome the evening with a spritzy rosé vinho verde or a port tonic cocktail from Portugal. For dinner after the aperitifs, we have two moderately priced Bordeaux reds showcasing different styles of winemaking as well as a terrific red from Anjou in the Loire Valley.
Tiroliro Vinho Verde Rosé 2020
(Good/Excellent)
Portugal, $11
Slightly spritzy, with flavors of strawberry and raspberry and a light, refreshing palate, this wine is good for a patio luncheon or an uplifting start to a late summer’s dinner. Alcohol by volume: 11 percent.
Imported by Artisans & Vines, distributed in the District and Maryland by Artisans & Vines, in Virginia by LK Wine Tours & Sales: Available in the District at A. Litteri, Ace Beverage, the Bottle Shop, Cairo Wine & Liquors, City Corner Mart, Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Dupont Market, Gathering Spot, King Street Oyster Bar, Rodman’s, Schneider’s of Capitol Hill, Sheffield Wine & Spirits, Streets Market (Adams Morgan, Massachusetts Avenue). Available in Maryland at 818 Market in Catonsville; Beers and Cheers Too, Downtown Crown Wine and Beer, FineWine.com in Gaithersburg; the Bottle Shop in Potomac; Bradley Food & Beverage, Georgetown Square Wine and Beer in Bethesda; Charles Restaurant in La Plata; Cheers & Spirits in Arnold; Crescent Wine & Spirits, Hilltop Wine & Spirits in Bowie; Decanter Fine Wines, Iron Bridge Wine Co. in Columbia; Delaney Wine & Spirits in Towson; Fairground Discount Beverages in Timonium; Franklin’s Restaurant Brewery & General Store in Hyattsville; Fulton Wine & Spirits in Fulton; Greenbelt Co-Op in Greenbelt; Kingsview Beer & Wine, Seneca Meadows Beer & Wine in Germantown; Main Street Pearl, Takoma Park-Silver Spring Co-Op in Takoma Park; McGinty’s Public House, Snider’s Super Foods, Woodmoor Supermarket in Silver Spring; Montpelier Liquors in Laurel; Rodman’s in White Flint; Wild Tomato in Cabin John; Wine Bin in Ellicott City. Available in Virginia at Aldie Peddler in Aldie; Murphy Beverage, Union Jack’s in Winchester; Woodstock Cafe in Woodstock.
Taylor Fladgate Chip Dry & Tonic
(Good/Excellent)
Portugal, $18 for a 4-pack of 250 ml cans
Wine fiends who have visited Portugal’s Douro Valley have probably fallen in love with port tonic, the local cocktail made with white port and tonic water, and served over ice with a wedge of lime and a sprig of mint. Think of it as a lighter version of gin and tonic, and a great segue from afternoon into evening. Now Taylor Fladgate has put port tonic in cans, convenient for picnics and those times when you don’t have white port on hand. Pair it with a sunset and the aroma of dinner on the grill, just don’t forget the lime and mint. ABV: 5.5 percent.
Imported by Kobrand, distributed by RNDC: Available in the District at 1 West Dupont, Angel’s Share, Barmy Liquors, Calvert Woodley, Classy Corks, MacArthur Beverages, Michigan Liquors, Sherry’s Wine & Spirits. Available in Maryland at the Wine Bin in Ellicott City; Wine Source in Baltimore.
GREAT VALUE
Château Les Arromans 2019
(Excellent)
Bordeaux, France, $16
This is a classical styled red Bordeaux, based on merlot from vineyards near Saint-Émilion on the Right Bank, and farmed organically. It doesn’t come with a Grand Cru pedigree or price, but don’t take it for granted. I found it developed a great expression of fruit and spice several hours after opening — so here’s a modest wine worth decanting a few hours before dinner. ABV: 13.8 percent.
Imported and distributed by Elite Wines: Available in the District at A. Litteri, the Bottle Shop, Cairo Wine & Liquor, Capitol Supermarket, Classy Corks, District Liquors, Lion’s Fine Wine & Spirits, MAC Market, Magruder’s, Metro Supermarket, Morris Miller Wine & Liquors, New H Wine & Spirits, Rodman’s, S&S Wine & Spirits, Scheele’s Market, Street’s Market (various locations), Sunset Liquor, Uptown Market, Virginia Market, Wagshal’s Deli, Whole Foods Market (Glover Park, P Street, South Capitol), Yes! Organic Market (8th Street, 14th Street, Georgia Avenue). Available in Maryland at Balducci’s, Bradley Food & Beverage, Capital Beer & Wine, Shuvam Beer and Wine in Bethesda; Crescent Wine & Spirits, Rip’s Country Inn in Bowie; Drink Fine Wine & Spirits in Timonium; Eastport Liquors, Mills Fine Wine & Spirits in Annapolis; Fine Wine of Wheaton in Silver Spring; Foundry Row Wine & Spirits in Owings Mills; Maple Lawn Wine & Spirits in Fulton; Old Farm Liquors, Orion Wine & Spirits, Riverside Liquors, Trout Liquors in Frederick; Plaza Liquors in Pasadena; Shawan Liquors in Cockeysville; State Line Liquors in Elkton; Town Center Market in Riverdale. Available in Virginia at Arrowine & Cheese, Towers Foods in Arlington; Balducci’s, Streets Market (Del Ray) in Alexandria; Basic Necessities in Nellysford; Can Can, Libbie Market, Oxford Cellars Strawberry Street Market in Richmond; Kelsick Market in Gloucester; Whole Foods Market (Ashburn, Fairlakes, Greensboro, Tysons, Springfield); Wine Cabinet in Reston.
Cru Monplaisir 2019
(Excellent)
Bordeaux Supérieur, France, $24
Winemaker Julie Gonet-Médeville has fashioned a modern-style fruit-forward wine that might make you think New World at first sip, but shows some of Bordeaux’s earthy, mineral character on the finish. This blend is also based on merlot, with some cabernet sauvignon and a soupçon of cabernet franc. ABV: 14.5 percent.
Imported and distributed by Elite Wines: Burka’s Wines & Liquors, D’Vines, Hills Spirits, Hop Cask & Barrel, Rodman’s, Rosebud Liquor, Whole Foods Market (P Street, South Capitol). Available in Maryland at Bin 201 Winesellers in Annapolis; the French Paradox in Stevenson; Rip’s Country Inn in Bowie; Shawan Liquors in Cockeysville; Spirits of Mt. Vernon, Wine Works in Baltimore. Available in Virginia at Aldie Peddler in Aldie; Arrowine & Cheese in Arlington; Balducci’s in Alexandria; Bottle House, Crush Pad Wines in Charlottesville; Can Can, Oxford Cellars, Richmond Wine Station in Richmond; Whole Foods Market (Greensboro) in Tysons; Yianni’s Wine Co. in Virginia Beach.
GREAT VALUE
Domaine de Brizé Clos Médicin Anjou-Villages 2018
(Extraordinary)
Loire Valley, France, $24
This wine shines if given a few hours to breathe. It’s cabernet franc, with some cabernet sauvignon, and it displays textbook characteristics of Loire Valley reds: dark cherry, black tea, leather and smoke — pipe tobacco, not wildfire — and a peppery finish. As an Anjou-Villages, the body and texture are lighter and more austere than other Loire appellations such as Chinon or Bourgeuil, but the flavors pop with energy. This wine would like to have a conversation with you, and it should age well for at least five years, maybe more, to keep the discussion going. ABV: 13.5 percent.
Imported and distributed by Kysela: Available in the District at Calvert Woodley. Available in Maryland at Columbia Fine Wine & Spirits in Columbia. Available in Virginia at Arrowine & Cheese in Arlington; Belmont Butchery, Kroger (Lombardy), Leek & Thistle in Richmond.
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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