October

Deep Creek Artisans Red Region: Western, Md Varietal: Blend of varied red grapes Cost: about $9 Hailing from the land of Maryland's only lake, Deep Creek's Artisan red is a dry, medium bodied Loire style red. Perfect for cheese and crackers, roasted chicken and veggies or salmon.	Don Conde CAVA Brut NV Region: Spain Varietal: Macabeo and Paralleda Price: about $7 Terrific starting sparkler. CAVA is a wine done in the traditional method Champenoise. This makes a great accompaniment for appetizers (remember those Spaniards do like their appetizers or Tapas). With notes of toasted almonds, eucalyptus it faintly reminds one of Toron's (Spanish sweet nougat candy) caramelized quality.
Dry Creek Zinfandel Heritage Clone 2000 Region: Sonoma, CA Varietal: Zinfandel (90%) Petite Sirah (10%) Cost: about $17 Rich, lush,and spicy but not overwhelmingly so. Receiving kudos by the boatload from other wine geeks, and with good reason. Balanced and bright. We declare this the ultimate Mom's best meatloaf wine... Works with the meat, the veggies and the obligatory (no wincing we all love it) ketchup glaze.	Chehalem Pinot Gris 2002 Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon Varietal: Pinot Gris Price: about $17 One of Chehalem's hallmarks is their Pinot Gris (which I feel they improve upon with every year they make it again,) This is bottled to reflect the tradition of rich, complex and mouth filling wines from Alsace. Entirely fermented in stainless, the wine is bright and full of personality on the palate, yet lengthy on the finish. Perfect with myriad of foods, smoked scallops from Neopol, located in Belvedere Square..
Montes 2001 Malbec Region: Nancagua. D.O. Colchagua Valley, Argentina Varietal: Malbec Price: about $9 Malbec is beginning to get some much deserved respect from the sheep of the wine world. For years, many a wine snob looked down upon this grape primarily famed for blending in Bordeaux. Since being planted in Argentina, it’s living up to it’s potential. This bottle of red is not a complicated wine, but a great everyday red that will warm the cockles of your heart on this most dreary day. It’s soft on the palate, holds up to meat and cheese equally well. Great value. Shepherd’s pie anyone?	Woodhall Vidal/Riesling 2002 Region: Made in Maryland Varietal: Vidal/Riesling Cost: about $10 A delightful white that works with lot’s of foods (or on it’s on to end the day with a smile). No oak to hid the fruit’s bright character, well balanced and lengthy on the finish. Great with rotisserie chicken and smashed potatoes.
Zacagnini 2001 Sangiovese Region: Chianti Varietal: Sangiovese Price: about $10 It's raining cats and dogs, it's cold and miserable out. Methinks a big pot of goulash rich with spicy Italian sausage, mushrooms and peppers will be perfect with this zippy, fruit filled and drinking much pricier than it is red from Italia!	Tokaji Furmint Mandolas 2001 Region: Tokaj, Hungary Varietal: Furmint Price: about $13 Tokaj is a region best known for it's dreamy dessert wines. They also make some lip smacking whites as we see with this fine specimen. Became a fan two years ago, every vintage is pretty consistent.Crisp, herbaceous with notes of tarragon, Celtic sea salt and moist earth. Cuts through the richness of Chicken Paprikash like a hot knife through butter. Travel by the glass, enjoy.
2002 Vampire Merlot Region: Romania Varietal: Merlot Price: about $10 O.k. admittedly, upon first glance this seems a cheesy (especially on Halloween) suggestion, but, it’s good and come to think of it, would be great with cheese or red meat. For the vegetarians, here’s what you serve with cheese filled cannelloni (or pasta fingers).	Ferrara Greco Di Tufo Region: Campagnia, Italy Varietal: 100% Greco di Tufo Price: about $13 Greco di what? Is that a guy or a grape? It's actually an ancient indigenous varietal to this region in Italy.In the capable hands of Paolo (winery's winemaker) it makes a fabulous white that works so well with a variety of foods and makes a welcome change from Chardonnaire. I An intense nose of orange blossom, lemons, roasted almonds with great acidity and balance. Perfect with seafood pastas, smoked fish, mild fresh cheeses (particularly goat and mozzarella).
Castle Rock Pinot Noir 2002 Region: Russian River, CA Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir Price: about $12 Pinot noir that's got some gumption, not to mention won't fight with the Turkey (hasn't that poor bird already been through enough?). Rich, notes of cherry and smokey mushroom in the background. Great acidity. Second helpings, definitely required.	Kris Pinot Grigio 2002 Region: Veneto, Italy Varietal: 100% Pinot Grigio Price: about $11 Charming, bright, open the appetite, "I think I'll have a glass of wine" wine. Nothing complicated here folks, just a nice wine to sip. A hint of white peach, florals and tarragon on the nose (for those who must know). Easy and enjoyable drinking. Great with the greens that go with the bird.
Pepperwood Grove 2002 Syrah Region: California Varietal: Primarily Syrah with 18% other red varietals Cost: about $8 Great drinking value here folks. Full, rich, juicy and relatively multidimensional for a wine at this price point. Game, leather, smoke and chocolate are the high points. Perfect with turkey BBQ sandwiches.