2010 – Main Party Store

If you were a fly on the wall in our “secret cellar” last week (and you weren’t, because we don’t allow flies in there), you might have overheard a conversation that went something like this: JOE (sounding a little intimidating): Alright, who the heck ordered this La Tarasque Rhone? DAVID (a little cautiously): Um, I don’t know. JOE: Too bad, I wanted to give them a raise. This stuff is GREAT! When you have around three thousand wines on hand, things can become a bit of a blur. But *whoever it was that ordered the la Tarasque (we still haven’t figured out who it was) deserves a promotion. For one thing, it has a really cool dragon on the label. But more importantly, this little wine is not only a well-executed, old-vine Grenache-dominated Rhone created by Aaron Pott (the only American to lead a Grand Cru Chateau in France), it’s an absolute STEAL at $8.99. And it’ll probably stay at that price, unless we figure out who ordered it, and have to figure out a way to cover their raise.

From the Producer: Strawberries, cherry, red currants, plum, fig, violets, caramel, coffee, tar, cocoa and wet stone in an incredibly vibrant nose. Cherry, wild strawberry, caramel and peach in a bold attack with medium density. Soft and super supple finish with density, stone fruits linger with persistence. This wine is tasting great! It is refreshing, supple and juicy. ~ Aaron Pott

Mi Amore from Northern Italy –
a versatile choice with a
charmingly romantic label.

If your number one priority this Valentine’s Day is picking the perfect wine, or getting the best table at the most expensive restaurant, your priorities may be a little out of order. Like the accomplished romance artist and crooner Dean Martin said, “when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore”. A romantic Valentine’s Day should be about the love, and all the other things that express it – some flowers, a simple gift, some sensual food, some levity, and the look in the eyes. Not the price tag and the Robert Parker score. That’s why we’ve picked some versatile, accessible, and affordable bubblies and table wines for your consideration. Italy and Spain are sort of legendary for expertise in the romance department, which might explain the fun sexiness of the wines here. And we especially focused on wines that have a romantic hue, or in the case of the Mi Amore, a romantic label. The producers themselves say that the “two doves kissing represent peace, harmony and passion”. What more do you want out of Valentine’s Day. We’ve suggested some wine, the rest is up to you.