All Time *Favs*
GREAT EVERY TIME.
These are not new. They are the wines that we buy over & over, because we know they’re going to be delicious every vintage! They’re reasonably priced, and they taste great.
Old World
ITALY
We have some surprises in our All-Time Favs from Italy: Trebbiano Spoletino from Umbria (for sure!), two from Alto Adige: the indigenous, red grape Lagrein, and a minerally Pinot Grigio, then well-priced Barbera (Piedmont), Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (for your Friday night pizza!), Vino Nobile Riserva (Sangiovese Prugnolo) from the co-op for Montepulciano, and Nebbiolo — a Barolo Riserva (from the fancy room) — sells like hot cakes!
FRANCE
The All-Time Favs from France are: a well-priced Bordeaux Blanc (with more Semillon than Sauvignon Blanc), a delicious Right Bank Bordeaux (tasty fruit & a good price), a Sablet Côtes du Rhône Villages rouge from Domaine Piaugiet, a Southern Rhône Blanc from Séguret, Picpoul (of course — go oysters!), and a Carignan blend from Minervois.
SPAIN • PORTUGAL
Who would have thought that a white blend (Viura, Malvasia, Garnacha Blanca) from Spain’s Rioja would be an All-Time bestseller, but it is! As is the Thomas Cusine Tempranillo from Catalunya. From Portugal, it’s the Fitapreta (Alentejo) and the Dão red blend, and then the Alvarinho & the Vinho Verde — delicious, well-priced whites.
New World
AUSTRALIA • NEW ZEALAND
From Australia, you get a Shiraz & a crazy orange wine (they call it an amber) made of Zibibbo & Gewürztraminer. From New Zealand, you won’t be surprised that two Sauvignon Blancs are the winners.
SOUTH AFRICA
We hand-sell these wines because we love them! And over the years, we’ve created a following. Best-sellers from South Africa: Secateurs (the second label from AA Badenhorst) Chenin Blanc (and Shiraz, not shown), co-op Pinotage (light & fruity) and a small producer version (a little more body & complexity). We also have higher-end Pinotage which is exceptional. Last, we’ve had the Kumusha red blend on the shelf for years — delicious.
CHILE • ARGENTINA
From Chili, hands-down our best seller is the Elqui Carménère blend — pretty luscious, easy-drinking, great price. From Argentina, you won’t be surprised that it’s Malbec all the way: Catena, Zuccardi, and a small family production from Valle Las Nencias (delicious & well-priced).
WASHINGTON STATE
From Washington State, Darby’s Purple Haze is probably with winner. Production is low and people wait every year for its release. Other bestsellers = Tranche Pape Blanc (it’s a special wine for sure), L’Ecole’s Luminesce (a Bordeaux Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc blend), and Andrew Latta’s Kind Stranger Chardonnay (tastes like a well-done Mâcon), two red blends — another one from the Kind Stranger line (Alter) and Métier (second-label for Delille), and two Syrahs — Lone Birch & Owen Roe Ex Umbris (both from the Yakima Valley).
OREGON
From Oregon, two whites: Pinot Gris & a crazy blend (Big Salt) from Ovum Wines, and two Pinot Noir: Ken Wright & Broadley Vineyards. Lots of other great bestsellers in this category!
CALIFORNIA
Seattle wine drinkers are predisposed to not want California wines, but sometimes they’re just too good! Raeburn makes a beloved, nicely oaked Chardonnay, Nielson has a beloved Santa Barbara Pinot Noir, and then two Zinfandel — Turley Old Vines and Ridge’s Three Valleys blend.
Cheers to beloved wines that taste great every time!