“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).”
Available in these stores or ask your favorite retailer to order it for you:
WASHINGTON DC
Boom Boom Crab Kings Seafood
Good Ole Reliable Liquors
Irving Wine & Spirits
Morris Miller Liquors
Northwest Liquors
Rodman’s Discount Drugs
DELAWARE
Bayside Wine & Spirits, SelbyvilleMARYLAND
Barrel & Brew, Parkville
“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).”
Available in these stores or ask your favorite retailer to order it for you:
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Giant 1050 Brentwood Road, NE, Washington
Giant 1400 7th Street, NW, Washington
Giant 3336 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington
Giant 300 H Street, NE, Washington
Giant 1345 Park Road, NW, Washington
DELAWARE
Camden Liquor & Wine, CamdenMARYLAND
Big B Liquors, Bryans Road
“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).
Available in these stores or ask your favorite retailer to order it for you:
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Rodman’s Drugs, Washington
DELAWARE
Available for Sale – request it from your local store!
MARYLAND
Dunkirk Wine & Spirits, Dunkirk
” “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).”
Available in these stores or ask your favorite retailer to order it for you:
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Available for Sale – request it from your local store!
DELAWARE
Available for Sale – request it from your local store!
MARYLAND
Beards Hill Plaza Liquors, Aberdeen
“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).”
Available in these stores or ask your favorite retailer to order it for you:
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Verified Wine & Spirits, Washington
DELAWARE
Available for Sale – request it from your local store!
MARYLAND
Breezy Point Market & Spirits, Chesapeake Beach
” “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).”
Available in these stores or ask your favorite retailer to order it for you:
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Costco, Washington
District Liquors, Washington
Rodman’s Discount Drugs, Washington
DELAWARE
Costco, Newark
MARYLAND
Eastport Liquors, Annapolis
“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”
Available in these stores or ask your favorite retailer to order it for you:
DELAWARE
CoColo Sushi, Bethany Beach
Deerfield Fine Wines, Newark
Franks Wine, Wilmington
Teller Wines, Lewes
Bakers Liquors, Chester
MARYLAND
Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, Annapolis
” 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).”
Available in these stores or ask your favorite retailer to order it for you:
WASHINGTON DC
Magruder’s of DC
Rodman’s Discount Drugs
S&S Wine & Spirits
Watergate Vitners
Yes Organic Market #9 – Capitol Hill
MARYLAND
Aloha Liquors, Baltimore
“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.”
Available in these fine stores or ask for it at your favorite retailer:
MARYLAND
Bay Wine & Spirits, North Beach
Fireside Deli & Wine Shop, Swanton
Old Farm Liquors, Frederick
Pine Liquors, Fort Washington
Rosewick Wine & Spirits, La Plata
Village Beer and Fine Wine, Rockville
“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.”
Available in these fine stores or ask for it at your favorite retailer:
DC
Rodman’s Discount Drugs, Washington
The Mediterranean Way, Washington
DELAWARE
West Line Liquors, Selbyville
The Grog Shop, Lewes
MARYLAND
Dunkirk Wine & Spirits,Dunkirk
Frederick Wine House, Frederick
Hops & Vines, Odenton
Liquor Locker, Hagerstown
Longmeadow Wine & Liquor, Hagerstown
McHenry Beverage Shoppe, McHenry
The Italian Market, Annapolis
The Tasting Room, Frederick
Village Spirits, Smithsburg
“Here’s another shout out for Finger Lakes riesling to have a place on your table at Thanksgiving — or any time that calls for a dry white with bracing acidity to match a variety of foods. This lovely riesling is on the mineral side — more an impression of stones than citrus fruits.”
reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 11-17-2022
Available in these fine stores or ask for it at your favorite retailer: DC Classy Corks Wine & Spirits, Washington Rodman’s Discount Drugs, Washington
MARYLAND Bel Air Liquors, Bel Air Blue Wind Gourmet, Lexington Park Canton Crossing Baltimore Castle Liquors – Washington Williamsport Franklin Liquors, Ijamsville Frederick Wine House, Frederick Mount Airy Liquors, Mount Airy Mountain Road Deli & Spirits, Joppa The Fountain at Drug City, Baltimore The Vineyard Wine Bar, Havre De Grace
“Lodi may be California’s most underestimated wine region. There are pockets of old-vine zinfandel vineyards producing impressive wines that combine rusticity — wild sagebrush and a dusty character that suggests warmth — with fine acidity and soft tannins. The cranberry and raspberry flavors with herbal accents make this a versatile food-friendly wine.”
Available in these fine stores or ask for it at your favorite retailer:
DC
Rodman’s Discount Drugs, Washington
S&S Wine & Spirits, Washington
Schneider’s of Capitol Hill, Washington
Wegmans Wisconsin Ave, Washington
Yes Organic Market Ga Ave, Washington
DELAWARE
Milton Liquor, Milton
Tax Free Fine Wine & Good Spirits, Delmar
MARYLAND
A&A Wine and Spirits, Gambrills
Bethesda Market, Bethesda
Castle Liquors – Frederick, Mount Airy
Cheers Wine & Spirits, Bel Air
Columbia Fine Wine & Spirits, Columbia
Fallston Liquors, Fallston
Hunt Valley Wine, Liquor & Beer, Hunt Valley
Leelynn’s Dining Room & Lounge, Ellicott City
Liquor Locker, Hagerstown
Old Farm Liquors, Frederick
Pratt Liquor & Convenience, Baltimore
The Loft Wine & Spirits, Columbia
The Perfect Pour, Elkridge
Wine World, Abingdon
EXTRAORDINARY/SUBLIME! GREAT VALUE!
“Savory and rich, this wine’s intensity displays the influence of the volcanic soils in the Stags Leap District, near the southern end of Napa Valley. The traditional black fruit flavors of cabernet are here, unfolding on the palate like an intricate plot line in a psychological thriller, one new revelation after another. The alcohol is a bit high, but the fruit carries it well. And don’t let the vintage scare you off: Though Napa Valley was hit hard by wildfires during the 2020 harvest, the damage was mostly at the northern end of the valley. The bottle I tried showed no hint of the ashy flavors from smoke taint. Given the price cabernet from Stags Leap District can command, this merits a “Great Value” designation. “
Available in these fine stores or ask for it at your favorite retailer:
MARYLAND
Longmeadow Wine & Liquor, Hagerstown
McHenry Beverage Shoppe, McHenry
Old Farm Liquors, Frederick
World of Wine, Towson
“South Africa is known for delicious, affordable chenin blanc. This fine example from Backsberg offers abundant flavors of ripe apricot and kumquat, with some pear and lemon zest. Great on its own, it’s a good partner for lighter fare.”
Available in these fine stores:
DC
The Mediterranean Way
DELAWARE
Bayside Wine & Spirits, Selbyville
Bin 66, Rehoboth Beach
Country Liquors, Felton
Milton Liquors, Milton
Tax Free Liquors, Delmar
Woodside Liquor Warehouse, Dover
MARYLAND
Cindy’s Skylight Liquors, Elkridge
Colonial Liquors, La Plata
C-Town Liquors, Chestertown
Fireside Deli & Wine Shop, Swanton
Hair O’The Dog, Easton
Hook & Vine Kitchen and Bar, North Beach
Kings Contrivance Liquor Shop, Columbia
Longmeadow Wine & Liquor, Hagerstown
Marlin Market, Pocomoke City
McHenry Beverage Shoppe, McHenry
Old Farm Liquors, Frederick
Pigtown Wine, Beer & Liquors, Baltimore
Shalom Kosher, Silver Spring
Spain Rooftop Bar, Ocean City
Town Center Market, Riverdale
The Winery, Chester
EXCELLENT-EXTRAORDINARY!
“Chile’s Casablanca Valley stretches inland from the Pacific Ocean, almost like a finger pointed at the capital, Santiago. The maritime influence is ideal for cool-climate grapes such as sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. The Loma Larga sauvignon blanc is racy and refreshing, with guava and kumquat flavors. This would be a great match to nearly any seafood dish, especially if there’s a fruit component.”
Available in these fine stores:
DC
Giant 7th Street, Washington
Giant Wisconsin Ave, Washington
Giant Park Road, Washington
Magruder’s of DC, Washington
Rodman’s Discount Drugs, Washington
Yes Organic Market – Ga Ave, Washington
DELAWARE
Coming Soon!
MARYLAND
A&A Wine and Spirits, Gambrills
Angel’s Food Market, Pasadena
Bethesda Co-op, Bethesda
Cindy’s Skylight Liquors, Elkridge
Colonial Liquors, La Plata
Crescent Beer & Wine, Bowie
Eastport Liquors, Annapolis
Fireside Deli & Wine Shop, Swanton
Fishpaws Marketplace, Arnold
Franklin’s, Hyattsville
Frederick Wine House, Frederick
Giant Easton, Easton
Gina’s Cantina, Millersville
Giolitti’s Delicatessen, Annapolis
Hunt Valley Wine, Liquor & Beer, Hunt Valley
Kings Contrivance Liquor Shop, Columbia
Landover Liquors, Landover
Liquor Locker, Hagerstown
Lisbon Liquors, Woodbine
Longmeadow Wine & Liquor, Hagerstown
Market Tavern, Sykesville
McHenry Beverage Shoppe, McHenry
Old Farm Liquors, Frederick
Pine Liquors, Fort Washington
Quarry Wine & Spirits, Baltimore
Town Center Market, Riverdale
Town Center Wine & Spirits, Hyattsville
Village Pump Liquors, College Park
Vintage 414, Cambridge
Wheaton Winery, Wheaton
The Winery, Chester
Wooden Keg Liquors, Hagerstown
“White wines from the Côtes du Rhône often are flabby and boring, lacking acidity. This rendition from Chateau Saint-Nabor is taut and focused. It offers aromas and flavors of jasmine, honeysuckle, lemongrass, zest and surprising complexity for a wine in this price range. I wrote about this winery’s chardonnay before; the Côtes du Rhône blanc is one to look out for.”
Available in these fine stores:
DC
Classy Corks Wine & Spirits, Washington, https://www.classycorksdc.com/
DELAWARE
Fairfax Discount Liquors, Wilmington, http://fairfaxdiscountliquors.com
Hockessin Liquors, Hockessin, http://www.hockessinwines.com/
Tax Free Liquors, Delmar, https://taxfreeliquor.com/
MARYLAND
Bay Wine & Spirits, North Beach, https://www.baywineandspirits.com
Bella’s Liquors, Annapolis, http://www.bellasliquors.com
Blue Wind Gourmet, Lexington Park, www.bluewindgourmet.com
Bottoms Up Wine & Spirits, Hagerstown, https://bottomsupwinenspirits.com/
Canton Crossing, Baltimore, https://cantoncrossingwine.com
Dunkirk Wine & Spirits, Dunkirk, https://www.facebook.com/DunkirkWineandSpirits/
Eastport Liquors, Annapolis, https://eastportliquors.com/
Eddies, Baltimore, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054509798280
Fairground Discount Beverage, Timonium, https://www.fairgroundsliquors.com
Firefly Farms, Accident, www.fireflyfarms.com
Fireside Deli & Wine Shop, Swanton, https://www.yelp.com/biz/fireside-deli-and-wine-shop-swanton
Leonardtown Wine and Spirits, Leonardtown, https://www.yelp.com/biz/leonardtownws-leonardtown
Longmeadow Wine & Liquor, Hagerstown, www.longmeadowwine.com
Marlin Market, Pocomoke City, https://www.facebook.com/Marlin-Market-340903776487876
McHenry Beverage Shoppe, McHenry, https://www.facebook.com/pages/McHenry-Beverage-Shoppe/1686590471570710
Old Farm Liquors, Frederick, http://www.oldfarmliquors.com/
Pratt Liquor & Convenience, Baltimore, https://www.yelp.com/biz/pratt-liquors-baltimore
Sipside Lounge, Oakland, http://sipside.net/
Town Center Market, Riverdale, https://www.towncentermarket.net/
Town Market Basket, Snow Hill, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057324713771
Vagabond Taproom, Oakland, https://www.vagabondtaps.com/
Victoria Gastro Pub, Columbia, https://www.victoriagastropub.com/
Village Spirits, Smithsburg, https://www.yelp.com/biz/village-spirits-smithsburg-2
Wells Discount Liquors, Baltimore, www.wellswine.com
Wine Shoppe, Waldorf, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=149748148402194
The Winery, Chester, https://thewineryki.com/
“White wines from the Côtes du Rhône often are flabby and boring, lacking acidity. This rendition from Chateau Saint-Nabor is taut and focused. It offers aromas and flavors of jasmine, honeysuckle, lemongrass, zest and surprising complexity for a wine in this price range. I wrote about this winery’s chardonnay before; the Côtes du Rhône blanc is one to look out for.”
Available in these fine stores:
DC
Classy Corks Wine & Spirits, Washington, https://www.classycorksdc.com/
DELAWARE
Fairfax Discount Liquors, Wilmington, http://fairfaxdiscountliquors.com
Hockessin Liquors, Hockessin, http://www.hockessinwines.com/
Tax Free Liquors, Delmar, https://taxfreeliquor.com/
MARYLAND
Bay Wine & Spirits, North Beach, https://www.baywineandspirits.com
Bella’s Liquors, Annapolis, http://www.bellasliquors.com
Blue Wind Gourmet, Lexington Park, www.bluewindgourmet.com
Bottoms Up Wine & Spirits, Hagerstown, https://bottomsupwinenspirits.com/
Canton Crossing, Baltimore, https://cantoncrossingwine.com
Dunkirk Wine & Spirits, Dunkirk, https://www.facebook.com/DunkirkWineandSpirits/
Eastport Liquors, Annapolis, https://eastportliquors.com/
Eddies, Baltimore, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054509798280
Fairground Discount Beverage, Timonium, https://www.fairgroundsliquors.com
Firefly Farms, Accident, www.fireflyfarms.com
Fireside Deli & Wine Shop, Swanton, https://www.yelp.com/biz/fireside-deli-and-wine-shop-swanton
Leonardtown Wine and Spirits, Leonardtown, https://www.yelp.com/biz/leonardtownws-leonardtown
Longmeadow Wine & Liquor, Hagerstown, www.longmeadowwine.com
Marlin Market, Pocomoke City, https://www.facebook.com/Marlin-Market-340903776487876
McHenry Beverage Shoppe, McHenry, https://www.facebook.com/pages/McHenry-Beverage-Shoppe/1686590471570710
Old Farm Liquors, Frederick, http://www.oldfarmliquors.com/
Pratt Liquor & Convenience, Baltimore, https://www.yelp.com/biz/pratt-liquors-baltimore
Sipside Lounge, Oakland, http://sipside.net/
Town Center Market, Riverdale, https://www.towncentermarket.net/
Town Market Basket, Snow Hill, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057324713771
Vagabond Taproom, Oakland, https://www.vagabondtaps.com/
Victoria Gastro Pub, Columbia, https://www.victoriagastropub.com/
Village Spirits, Smithsburg, https://www.yelp.com/biz/village-spirits-smithsburg-2
Wells Discount Liquors, Baltimore, www.wellswine.com
Wine Shoppe, Waldorf, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=149748148402194
The Winery, Chester, https://thewineryki.com/
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.”
Quaffable and crisp, with notes of white flowers and quince, this wine is simple, refreshing and best when not too cold. And bonus — it’s a liter! Alcohol by volume: 12 percent. Bottle weight: 429 grams (Light).
Imported by Scoperta Importing Co., distributed by DMV: Available in the District at Mayfair Liquors, Rodman’s, Yes Organic Market (14th Street, Capitol Hill, Cleveland Park). Available in Maryland at Apple Greene Wine & Spirits in Dunkirk; Bella’s, Eastport Liquors in Annapolis; Edgewater Liquors in Edgewater; Kings Contrivance Liquor Shop in Columbia; Lance’s Beer & Wine in Bethesda; Old Farm Liquors in Frederick; Pour Vino N’ Hops in Rockville; River Hill Wine & Spirits in Clarksville; Snider’s Super Foods in Silver Spring; the Vine on Main in Sykesville; Town Center Market in Riverdale Park; Whitey’s Liquors in Linthicum Heights.