Excellent!

Lion & Dove Chardonnay 2023

“an affordable kosher wine from Chile that hits the right notes for the grape variety”

“Soft and round, with flavors of peach and a hint of sweetness on the finish, this is basic, good chardonnay. Lion & Dove has been a consistent brand, delivering quality at an affordable price. Kosher for Passover, Mevushal. Vegan. Alcohol by volume: 13 percent. Bottle weight: 440 grams (Light).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 03.21.24}

Excellent/Extraordinary!

“This $19 merlot is kosher for Passover and ripe with berry flavors”

Syndey Back Merlot 2021

“a kosher merlot from South Africa that echoes old-style Bordeaux”

“Classic merlot in a bordeaux style, with flavors of dark plums and berries accented by an aroma commonly described as “pencil shavings.” There’s structure here without the wine tasting as though it were propped up by oak. Kosher for Passover, Mevushal. Alcohol by volume: 13.5 percent. Bottle weight: 425 grams (Light).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 03.07.24}

Extraordinary! Great Value!

 Backsberg Blueberry Row Pinotage 2020

“The name may be suggestive, but there is a hint of baking spices and dark berry fruit in this medium-to-light-bodied wine. Decant it for an hour to let the fruit aromas unfurl before pairing it with kebabs or grilled chicken. Sustainable. ABV: 14 percent. BW: 480 grams (Light).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 02.15.24}

Introducing Pigtown Sweeeeeeet Red!

So Sweet, You’ll Squeal! A delicious sweet red wine coming in at 16% ABV…

Available in your favorite stores. Don’t see it? Ask your retailer to order it for you!

#9 on The Washington Post 12 Best Bargain Wines of 2023

 Karl Kaspar Riesling Kabinett 2021

“This wine should help convince riesling skeptics: fruity, beautifully balanced”

EXCELLENT-EXTRAORDINARY! GREAT VALUE!

“This wine should help convince riesling skeptics: fruity, beautifully balanced between sweetness and acidity, and low-alcohol. Try this with spicy food, garlicky dips, grilled seafood — or just about anything. Most of all, don’t worry about sweetness — the key is the balance with the fruit and acidity. Alcohol by volume: 8 percent. Bottle weight: 400 grams (Light).”

_{Rated #9 in the #12  Best Bargain wines of 2023 by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 12.21.2023}

_{first reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 06.15.23}

Lion & Dove Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie 2022

“Delicious, ripe-tasting pinot grigio”

EXCELLENT – EXTRAORDINARY! GREAT VALUE!

“Beware: It’s gulpable”

“This is delicious, ripe-tasting pinot grigio, with flavors of peaches and apricots and a squirt of citrus to keep it lively. Beware: It’s gulpable. Kosher for Passover. Mevushal. Vegan. Alcohol by volume: 12 percent. Bottle Weight: 495 grams (Light).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 11.25.23}

Acuma by Ego Bodegas Red Blend 2020

“Top-notch, reasonably priced”

EXCELLENT – EXTRAORDINARY!

“This juicy red blend is based on monastrell, with minor roles for syrah and petit verdot. It has enough heft to match burgers or steaks, offering flavors of tea, olives and sarsaparilla over blackberry and plum. Vegan. ABV: 14.5 percent. BW: 650 grams (Average).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 10.19.23}

La Fou Els Amelers Garnatxa Blanca 2020 “A splurge-worthy white”

EXTRAORDINARY-SUBLIME!

“fantastic, with aromas and flavors of jasmine, sage, peach blossom, kumquat”

“Let’s face it, this wine is a splurge. But it is fantastic, with aromas and flavors of jasmine, sage, peach blossom, kumquat — trust me, your palate is likely to conjure some other savors from this beauty. Grenache blanc is experiencing a boomlet of popularity in California and elsewhere. This wine could be a benchmark for the variety. ABV: 13.5 percent. BW: 640 grams (Average).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 10.9.23}

Cartuxa Évora Branco 2021

“A white blend of stunning complexity”

EXTRAORDINARY-SUBLIME!

“a mineral-driven wine with flavors of white flowers, citrus and quince and a complex finish that lasts so long your food may get cold waiting for you to take the next bite.”

“This belongs among the top tier of the world’s white wines at this price level.”

“Portugal’s Alentejo region is best known for affordable value wines, but it can climb the wow ladder when it wants to. The Cartuxa wines, including a deep, savory Tinto (red), demonstrate Alentejo’s ability to produce extraordinary wines while maintaining good value for the price. (Though the extravagant bottle most likely adds extra cost without contributing value.) The winery takes its name from a Carthusian monastery dating to the late 16th century, where monks lived a vow of silence. They may have been contemplating wines like these. The Branco is a blend of antão vaz, arinto and roupeiro grape varieties fermented and aged without oak. The result is a mineral-driven wine with flavors of white flowers, citrus and quince and a complex finish that lasts so long your food may get cold waiting for you to take the next bite. This belongs among the top tier of the world’s white wines at this price level.”
ABV: 13 percent. BW: 700 grams (Heavy).

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 09.21.23}

EA Red Blend 2020
“As wine prices rise, this $15 Portuguese red shows bargains do exist”

EXCELLENT! GREAT VALUE!

” “This delicious red blend demonstrates why Portugal, and especially its Alentejo region, is a reliable source of bargain wines. This is good burger wine. Spaghetti wine. Weeknight wine. Alcohol by volume: 14 percent. BW: 415 grams (Light).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 09.07.23}

Quarisa Mrs. Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
“This fruity $17 cabernet sauvignon is a great intro to Australian wine”

EXCELLENT!

“Coonawarra is one of Australia’s best-known regions for cabernet sauvignon. This wine is a good introduction — sweet blackberry and cherry flavors wrap themselves around a tannic core. This is a wine for burgers or something simple off the grill. Or crack the screw top open when you place the Grubhub order. Alcohol by volume: 14 percent. BW: 530 grams (Average).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 08.24.23}

Casa Natal Malbec Reserva 2018

“Malbec’s blueberry and black raspberry flavors shine through”

EXCELLENT – EXTRAORDINARY!

” “Here’s a sturdy wine, thanks to 10 percent cabernet sauvignon in the blend. Malbec’s blueberry and black raspberry flavors shine through a medium-long finish. ABV: 14 percent. BW: 560 grams (Average).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 08.17.2023}

Vini Ocone Bozzovich Bianco 2021

A “delightful white wine”

EXTRAORDINARY!

“This is a field blend of Italian white grape varieties, mainly falanghina, fiano and greco. As such, it speaks of ancient winemaking before grape varieties were isolated and bottled alone, even if the art on the label shows a more modern sensibility. Jasmine, hyacinth and lemongrass highlight the aromas, with nectarine and sage filling out the palate. ABV: 13 percent. BW: 625 grams”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 07.26.23}

Lab Vinho Verde Rosé NV

“Here’s a good, simple vinho verde rosé“

EXCELLENT! GREAT VALUE!

” Here’s a good, simple vinho verde rosé, slightly spritzy, not particularly sweet, and refreshing with tart strawberry and watermelon flavors. Vegan friendly. Alcohol by volume: 11 percent. Bottle weight: 480 grams (Light).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 06.22.23}

Karl Kaspar Riesling Kabinett 2021

“An ideal summer wine — low in alcohol and bracing with refreshing acidity”

EXCELLENT-EXTRAORDINARY!

GREAT VALUE!

“This wine should help convince riesling skeptics: fruity, beautifully balanced between sweetness and acidity, and low-alcohol. Try this with spicy food, garlicky dips, grilled seafood — or just about anything. Most of all, don’t worry about sweetness — the key is the balance with the fruit and acidity. Alcohol by volume: 8 percent. Bottle weight: 400 grams (Light).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 06.15.23}

Ocone Diana Falanghina 2021

“An Italian white to savor as the summer sun slides gently below the horizon”

EXCELLENT-EXTRAORDINARY!

“Lemon drops, lime zest, orange blossoms — this wine captures the aromas of a citrus grove in liquid suspension. It took me a few hours on a noisy day to warm up to it, so don’t simply pull it cold from your fridge as you’re about to sit down for dinner. Take time for a conversation, preferably over seafood. This wine has something to say. ABV: 13.5 percent. BW: 495 grams (Light).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 06.01.23}

Vinha da Coutada Velha Red Blend 2020

“This $15 Portuguese red is full of fruity, earthy flavors”

EXTRAORDINARY!

GREAT VALUE!

“Every time I sing Portugal’s praises for producing great quality and affordable wine, another example drives the point home. This is a blend of aragonez (a Portuguese name for tempranillo), trincadeira, syrah and cabernet sauvignon, so it combines native grapes with international standards. The result is a spicy mix of red and dark fruit flavors, anchored by an appealing earthiness. This wine is delicious by itself but really calls for hearty meats and sausages.”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 1-12-2023}

Confidencial Reserva Tinto 2018
“A Juicy, Spicy Bargain”

Viña Palaciega Cava Brut

“Flavors of ripe peach, lime zest and crystallized ginger lead to a soft finish that can only end with a smile”

EXTRAORDINARY & GREAT VALUE!

“Here’s a bargain bubbly to get any evening off to a good start. Flavors of ripe peach, lime zest and crystallized ginger lead to a soft finish that can only end with a smile. The cava brut designation means it was aged a minimum of nine months on the lees.”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 12-08-2022}

Champagne Albert Lebrun Grand Cru Brut

“Like a long conversation that takes you down different paths, there’s something new in each sip”

EXTRAORDINARY – SUBLIME!

“The Côte des Blancs in Champagne gives magnificent expression to chardonnay. This delicious example tastes as though age on the lees and in bottle has given it a fuller mouthfeel and richer texture. Classic champagne flavors of brioche, slightly overripe apples and roasted nuts round out the palate. Like a long conversation that takes you down different paths, there’s something new in each sip.”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 11-25-2022}

Clos de Napa Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
“A Thought-Provoking Discussion”

Backsberg Chenin Blanc 2022

EXCELLENT-EXTRAORDINARY! GREAT VALUE!

Loma Larga Sauvignon Blanc 2021
“a racy sauvignon blanc from Chile to lend verve and energy to your meal”

Chateau Saint-Nabor Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2021

Plaimont Rosé d’Enfer 2021
“Keep a bottle chilled for an infernally hot day.”

EXCELLENT-EXTRAORDINARY!

“If you delight in trying wines from obscure grape varieties, here’s one for you: Rosé d’Enfer is 70 percent pinenc, which is more commonly known as fer. The balance is cabernet sauvignon. This hails from the foothills of the Pyrenees. Both varieties are tannic, which gives this rosé a bit of structure to back up the fruit. Keep a bottle chilled for an infernally hot day. Certified Haute Valeur Environnementale.”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 05.05.22}

Wine is made from fermented grapes — and grapes are a fruit. Vegan foods are those that do not come from animals. So, it stands to reason that all wine would be vegan, right?

Not necessarily.

Do you really need a reason to attend a wine tasting? It seems like any opportunity to sample great wine and meet others who share your interests would not need much prompting.

It’s that time of year again. Time to look at wine industry trends and determine how they’re likely to impact wine shops and restaurants across the nation.

“Organic” is a buzzword that’s slowly gaining traction in the food and beverage industry. In 2017, “organic” food accounted for 5.5 percent of retail food sales in the US. Now, organic wine is becoming popular and increasing in global market growth.

Having a sommelier-created wine list at your restaurant isn’t always doable. The responsibility of curating wine often passes to the restaurant manager or owner. With hundreds of wine and food pairings, it’s difficult to find varieties that complement your dishes and delight your customers.

Wine tasting is so much more than taking a few sips from a glass and swishing it around your mouth. It’s an art that employs tasting skills that are honed over time.

Talking about wine is pretty intimidating in certain situations, like when you’re at a restaurant with a wine list in hand and the waiter’s standing next to you. Are you ready to make a decision?

Customers who are new to wine often don’t know what they want to drink. They look at the menu or stare at the bottles and pick what’s obvious, what has the prettiest label, or what everyone else orders.

You can have the best products, most productive employees, and prime location for your store, but if you don’t have a good layout for your floor space, you’re cheating yourself out of some serious profit.

According to BevSpot, a self-proclaimed “all-in-one food and beverage program management software” out of Boston, “Wine…sees its highest on-premise sales in the autumn, with demand dropping off after the December holidays end.”

Throwing your first wine party? Congratulations!

DMV Distributing in Frederick, Maryland, has a few tips on how to impress your guests. From swirling and sniffing to proper food pairing, here’s how to win your friends over.

Today’s cookouts call for more than just a cooler of beer – wine and cocktails are becoming increasingly popular in backyards across the country. From grilled dishes to cool desserts and appetizers, wine and wine cocktails complete the summer menu at every backyard cookout.