I have such a love hate relationship with Priorat. First of all I want it all to cost around $20 a bottle not the incredible $50 - $75 some of them can cost, and second I want to taste the region in the bottle. Then along comes this little gem from a fantastic vintage; full of licorice and earth with a long intense fruitiness that is anything but light and frivolous. This is the kind of wine that you could truly take a hold of and spend an evening with. Oh and it is great on its own but if you are so inclined roast up some pork and and make yourself some rice and enjoy.

Labels: priorat, reds, spanish

Just a couple months ago, you could stroll in to Vine Wine, pick up a bottle or two, settle in at home with your food- and entertainment-of-choice and enjoy your wine in a calm, controlled environment. But now, dear reader, it's summer and that means you'll be confronted with many obstacles to your wine-drinking comfort. These obstacles can include, but are not limited to, picnics, concerts, road trips, long subway rides, lazy afternoons in the park, sporting events and the ever-dangerous outdoor film screening. It isn't always practical to carry around a full bottle of wine into these events, especially if glass containers and/or alcohol are prohibited. Don't tell anyone, but there are ways of getting around these obstacles. Come closer. We here at Vine have a fine selection of super-spy half-bottles that often defy discovery. Ranging from syrah to sauvignon blanc, one of them, Conundrum, even has a twist-off top so you won't have to carry the incriminating corkscrew. Need something even more subversive? Come reeeeal close. Check out the Three Thieves Bandit 250ml juice boxes. Unless you're in the know, no one would suspect that these little boxes carry the drink of sin. They come in cabernet & pinot grigio singles, 4-packs or, if you feel brazen, 1 liter boxes. At ten bucks for a 4-pack or $7.95 a box, you can save your money for those spy sunglasses you've been saving up for. Go forth and enjoy your summer, wink wink.

Labels: cabernet, californian, pinot grigio, reds, whites

This isn't an easy moment to pick a wine for. The pick must reflect the giddiness of spring and the looming prospect of sweaty, humid summertime while still considering the chilly nights we're given. With all this in mind, I can think of few better mid-spring wines than Casamatta [$16.95 750ml]. This Tuscan wonder is 100% sangiovese, a fantastic grape that's known for its versatility and as a component in Chianti. Casamatta brings out the best of this grape, making for a tart but juicy medium-bodied wine with some great cherry and slight licorice notes. You can pair just about anything with Casamatta but grilled meats and tomato sauces will be complemented especially well. Give this recipe a try and see what I mean.

Labels: italian, reds, sangiovese