Gianluca Rottura is the owner of a wine store on Manhattan‘s Upper East Side and author of “Wine Made Easy.” (Gianluca Rottura)
Louis Latour Ardeche Chardonnay 2006 for $10 is a stainless steel white with hints of apricot and green tea. It is a great example of typical White Burgundy, but at a third of the price.
Palazzone is known as on the best producers of Orvieto and their 2008 bottling is a gift for only $10. It is light- to medium-bodied with hints of apple and citrus. It makes a perfect aperitif wine or matches well with white meats.
Moving on into the world of reds, we find Domaine de l’Ameillaud Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2007 for only $10. It is a stunning Rhone blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre with intense, meaty notes of blackberries and earth. It makes a great match with lamb dishes.
Masciarelli Montepulciano 2006 for $9 comes from Italy’s largest organically farmed estate. It has loads of cherry notes with accompanying hints of blackberry and chocolate. If this wine were to have a French label, it would cost twice as much.
Borsao Tinot Grenache 2008 for $9 comes with a splash of Tempranillo with a tons of ripe fruit. Explosive mouth-feels of cherries and black cherries extend into a long finish. This is a great party wine and should be purchased by the case.
Gianluca Rottura is the owner of a wine store on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and author of “Wine Made Easy.”
