LOW ROAD WHITE

2019 Borgo Paglianetto Patrara Verdicchio di Matelica Verdicchio $14.40 

Sarah’s dad lived 20 minutes from where these grapes are grown in the region of Marche. We visited the family and the property there when we went in 2017. If we haaaaad to choose a favorite white varietal (ouch my arm!), Verdicchio would be a medalist. This one has good body, citrus, and almond, plus, the high acidity that you expect from Italian wines.

2018 Antichi Etna Bianco Petra Lava $19.20

You can thank Club Members Bill and Cindy for this new vintage of an old favorite. The active volcano Mount Etna has a distinct soil for which island wines are often famous. The soil is extremely fertile and rich in minerals, which gives it's wines a smoky flavor – yes really. Really, really. Taste it. Not everyone is a fan of that style (ahem, Sarah) but this one is mild enough to still be distinct, but more of a crowd pleaser. Although the minerality is there, the fruit and body help appeal to a wider audience. Other shops sell this for $25, but hey, we want you to be a fan.

LOW ROAD RED

2017 Clefs des Murailles Vacqueyras $16.87

Vacqueyras is a region a few miles from the more famous and expensive Chateauneuf-du-Pape. We’ve had it before, but not in the Low Road. In a recent blind tasting of Cotes du Rhône, the wine finished second, right behind another Vacqueyras with double the price tag (heads up High Road, you may see that one soon.) Nothing about this wine says $16. It is a big blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault with a traditional crest on the bottle. It’s fancy enough to bring to dinner with your wine nerd friends, but you don’t have to worry about opening it on a Tuesday and drinking the whole bottle by yourself. Gulp.

2012 Rioja La Antiqua Classico $17.28

We’ve had Rioja before, but not in the Low Road. It is an easy drinking (13.5% ABV) blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, and Garnacha with some oak, great acidity, and enough tannins to make you want to take another sip. From steak to veggies (even fish,) this wine can wash down any meal. With the taste and the price tag, we may have just scored with Club Members Jack and Katie.

HIGH ROAD WHITE

2018 Foxen Chenin Blanc $23.04

Chenin Blanc in California was historically grown to add acidity to cheap jug wines. It’s like the squeeze of citrus that makes a well drink palatable. But more and more wineries are treating the grape with the same respect that use to be reserved for the blue chip grapes like Chardonnay (lower grape yields and smarter wine making.) Foxen is an extremely well-respected producer and this Chenin Blanc comes from a single vineyard of old vines planted in the 1960s. You’ll find the acidity that you expect from Chenin, with the elegance and body that you get from California. Pro tip: The tasting room is worth a visit, too. 91-94 points

2017 Inama Vigneti di Carbonare Soave $24.32

Inama is the producer, Carbonare is the Vineyard (vigneti means vineyards), and Soave is the wine. With at least 70% of the Garganega grape, you’ll taste citrus fruit with good acidity and minerality. Enjoy it with a fancy lunch or to start off a dinner party. I thought the drawing on the label was showing us how to make gnocchi, but it turns out those are cork cutters – almost as cool. Wine Enthusiast gave 94 points.

HIGH ROAD RED

2018 Christophe Semaska Syrah D’Auguste Coteaux de Vienne $26.88

It is said that there is a Syrah clone used primarily in the Northern Rhône that tastes like bacon. I have no idea if this is that clone, but this is one of the meatiest Syrahs I’ve tasted. It is made to drink young, so don’t hide it in the cellar. We recommend a little air from decanting. We drank a bottle with smoked ribs and it was perfect, but food is optional, this wine is the meal.

2016 La Ca’Nova “Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina” Barbaresco $32

La Ca’Nova is run by the Rocca Brothers who make wine as traditionally as possible. Marco, the winemaker, is said to use open barrels and stir the wine with a large wooden spoon. The low-tech winemaking produces a very honest representation of the grapes and 2016 was a perfect year to let the grapes of Barbaresco speak for themselves. The result is a fantastic (95 points), single vineyard wine at a ridiculous price. Sarah prefers their “normal” Barbaresco ( a mere 94 points) so we got a case of that too! $27.52 if you want to compare.