Domaine Huet Vouvray “Le Mont”
Demi-Sec 2022
($53, Roanoke Wine Co.)

We’d be remiss if we didn’t shine a light on Vouvray, a delicious wine-growing zone in the Loire. Here, Chenin Blanc is the grape variety and the wines range from bracingly dry to dessert wine sweet. This iteration falls somewhere in-between, with plenty of lusty ripe pear and honey tones buttressed by formidable zing on the finish. A beautiful layer of aromatic white flowers drapes itself over the top of the whole affair to make an enchanting semisweet white wine.

Perfect Pairing: Serve with buttery ripe cheeses like Camembert.

Sojourn Cellars Pinot Noir “Gap’s Crown Vineyard” 2021
($75, Kysela Pere Et Fils)

We know $75 is a stretch, but this is one of the silkiest, most enticing, food-friendly Pinots we’ve tasted from California in some time. Gap’s Crown is a famous Sonoma Valley source for great Pinot Noir and it’s on full display here. Lovely layers of strawberry, black raspberry, and blueberry mingle with the barest hint of vanilla and baking spice.

Perfect Pairing: The finish is plush, with a lightly chewy texture that begs for food. Think grilled lamb chops or broiled salmon with a rich, satiny butter sauce.

Chateau de Valcombe Costieres de Nimes Rosé “Pastel” 2023
($20, SAWM Imports)

This offering from southern France is a classic example of why “dry” rosé became popular in the first place—it’s a racy, limpid wine with a bit more body than white wine but without the weight of a red wine. Made mostly from Syrah (with a dash of Viognier for aromatic lift),

Perfect Pairing: “Pastel” is perhaps served best with several bottles shoved into a cooler full of ice and a lot of friends and family close at hand. It’s the perfect patio sipper without shying away from food. But this is rosé and summer is officially here, so don’t work too hard. Grab some pre-steamed chilled shrimp and a jar of cocktail sauce and go to town.

Bandol is an ancient fishing village on the Mediterranean coast just a few kilometers east of Marseille in Provence. Wine-making tradition stretches back to the 16th century, although the Romans may have gotten an earlier start.

Bandol is unique as the only French wine-making region in which Mourvedre is the dominant red wine variety. It gained official status as an appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) in 1941. American chef Richard Olney released a cookbook based on his visits with Lulu Peyraud at Domaine Tempier, which drew a larger audience to this relatively obscure region. It remains a tiny part of French wine production today, with barely 3,800 acres under vine (Bordeaux, by contrast, is roughly 152,000 acres).

Below are three bottle recs to properly celebrate the region’s output.

Domaine Tempier Bandol Blanc
($60, Prestige Ladroit)

Domaine Tempier is considered by many wine enthusiasts to be the most important of Bandol’s producers. After all, it was founder Lucien Peyraud who led the charge to make Bandol an official wine region of France in the 1940s, and his wife, Lulu, was famous for championing its regional cuisine. Today, most of the accolades go to their reds and rosés, but the white should not be overlooked. It’s a blend of Clairette, Ugni Blanc, Bourboulenc, and Roussanne and offers notes of citrus, pear, and a hint of salinity that supports its lightly floral aromas.

Bedrock Wine Company Old Vine Rosé “Ode To Lulu” 2022
($35 750 ml, Free Run Wine Merchants)

We said we’d offer you a taste of Bandol but didn’t limit ourselves strictly to the wines of Bandol and here’s why—this delicious wine from Contra Costa County in California mimics the subtlety of Bandol rosé with admirable grace. Bedrock prides itself on making wines as naturally as they can from fruit fermented with native yeasts and minimally handled in the winery. Made mostly from Mourvedre, the rosé offers a stylish take on the pink stuff with notes of strawberries, raspberries, and mineral heft on the finish.

Mas Redonne Bandol Rouge “Bartavelles” 2020
($80 750 ml, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Founded in 1989, Mas Redonne is a relative newcomer to the Bandol region. This hasn’t stopped them from ascending to the forefront of the area’s top producers with owners Henri and Genevieve Tournier in command. The couple farm 12 hectares of mostly Mourvedre organically. The wines are vinified with native yeasts. It’s classic Bandol rouge, with notes of blackberry, black currant, and black raspberry with subtle minerality and a sturdy dollop of tannins.

Jean Reverdy Sancerre Rosé 2022
($30, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Sancerre, the bucolic French zone synonymous with stylish white wines, also produces a bit of red wine made from Pinot Noir. And where there’s red, there’s rosé. Bled from the red wine production, Sancerre rosé is 100-percent Pinot Noir and offers a sleek take on pink wine. This iteration from superstar Jean Reverdy is a great example, showing off notes of Alpine berries and currant buttressed by a dry finish. Treat this like a hearty white wine when pairing it with food—think soft cheeses, poached salmon, lemon risotto, and even cured meats.

Wonderment Zinfandel “Burton Ranch” 2017
($40, 750 ml, Well Crafted)

Those of us with a few miles on the odometer remember what might be called the golden age of Zinfandel, a time when we still had to say “red” when talking about it, because the only context most people knew was the pink stuff. In those days “red Zin” was made in the full-bodied style this wine evokes with its raspberries and earthiness. In an era when Zinfandel is mass-produced, this bottle was full of wonderment. Clocking in at a heady 15-percent ABV, it will chase away the chill and demand a cheeseburger.

L’Alpage Chasselas 2021
($28, Free Run Wine Werchants)

It isn’t often that a Swiss wine crosses our path, so we were excited to encounter this white wine from an obscure spot. Hailing from Switzerland’s Valais region, L’Alpage is crafted from 100-percent Chasselas, a grape variety that precious few producers still grow. This wine is the epitome of a cool-climate white, with light tones of apple, accompanied by a crispy finish. It’s versatile, too. It’s delightful as an aperitif or as an après-hike activity. But the combination of good flavor and zing makes it a natural pairing for fondue, or fish finished in cream sauce.

Fun Fact: Switzerland may seem like an odd place to grow grapes, but it has a history of wine-making that stretches back over 2,000 years. It was the Romans who really got the wine ball rolling, with historical evidence of Roman involvement dating back to the year 2 A.D. Incredibly, over 90 varieties of grapes are grown in Swiss wine country, and most of them are either indigenous or rarely planted in other countries. Pinot Noir is the dominant red wine variety, and Chasselas takes the crown for white wine. Interestingly, almost all Swiss wine production gets sucked down by the locals, leaving very little for export. As a result, there isn’t any such thing as “cheap” Swiss wine, but the good ones compete easily with the best wines of Europe.

Regular readers of this column know that we have a tradition in the Farlow household: Top Shelf January. The holidays are a time for family and friends—and serving more crowd- pleasing (read: affordable) beverages. Well, everyone’s gone home and it’s time to break out the good stuff that you kept hidden in a locked cabinet away from your Uncle Harry. For those eschewing Dry January, prepare to indulge in a little me time.

Roland Champion Zero Dosage Champagne Brut NV
($60, Kysela Pere et Fils)

We’re pretty sure you’ve had your fill of office party “champagne” and bland, mass-produced Champagne, because that’s what most people buy for New Year’s Eve. But there’s another echelon of Champagne producer above the big labels that buy juice and blend it to their own style—and that’s the Champagne estate producer. These are folks who grow their own grapes and make the wine themselves. Roland Champion is one such producer and this Zero Dosage bottling is just electric.

Zadie’s Lager
($17, 12 pack-cans, Legends)

This isn’t a splurge at all, so why include it here? Because holiday parties tend to offer American lager from the big two massive beer companies only. And that’s okay because that’s what masses of people want. But now that it’s just you, wouldn’t you rather crack open a clean, crisp refreshing, no-nonsense lager that actually tastes like beer? Enter Zadie’s. This lager is brewed here in The Land Of Pleasant Living by the folks at Union, so it’s fresh and sup- ports a great Baltimore business. It’s delicious with all manner of snacks, pre-game pizzas, or as a crushable reward for getting all the decorations put away before February 1.

J Rieger Kansas City Whiskey
($45, Winebow)

J. Rieger is a craft distillery in Kansas City, MO, that’s a reboot of an operation that existed before Prohibition. Today they make small-batch spirits, including this Kansas City Whiskey. It’s a blend of straight bourbon whiskey, light corn whiskey, and straight rye whiskey, all aged at least four years, plus a small amount of 15-year-old Oloroso sherry from the Williams & Humbert Bodega in Jerez. Bottled at 92-proof, this is strong enough to mix in your favorite whiskey cocktails, but can also be enjoyed on its own with ice.

The 2023 holiday season is in full swing. It’s time to celebrate all the December things, from Hanukkah to Christmas to New Year’s Eve—and everything in between. We know it’s a challenging time to savor the meaningful moments, so we’ve come up with three beverages you can have on hand to do many things at once—grab as a last-minute gift, throw on the table for a holiday dinner, or open all by yourself for a little “me” time.

Stolpman Vineyards Love You Bunches Orange 2022
($23, Winebow)
This exotic white wine blend—with an orange hue—comes to us from Pete Stolpman of Santa Barbara County, CA. The mix of Pinot Gris, Tokai Friulano, Gewurztraminer, and orange Muscat comes together seamlessly in this lively offering. There are stone fruit tones, orange notes, and floral aromas, all supported by the supplest hint of structure. It’s a perfect aperitif, but that structure suggests it plays great with food, too. Think medium soft cheeses, winter salads or a plate of leftovers.

Maison Antech Blanquette de Limoux Brut Nature
($23, Free Run Wine Merchant)
Located in the eastern foothills of the Pyrenees in southern France, the burg of Limoux is famous for sparkling wines. Here, in the mid- 1500s, sparkling wine was likely first invented, although the monk Dom Perignon often gets the credit in pop culture. Limoux is made from the Mauzac grape, and offers a crisp, refreshing alternative to Champagne. This example is electric on the finish. It’s a sophisticated bubbly to take to holiday gatherings without breaking your budget.

Pago de Carraovejas Ribera del Duero 2020
($55, Kysela Pere et Pils)
This one is just for you, or maybe to share with a special someone on a cold winter’s night. Ribera del Duero is located on the plateau that defines Spain’s northern geography. A winemaking tradition stretches back over 2,000 years in Ribera del Duero, but things really got going in the ’80s when it became famous for age-worthy reds made mostly from the Tempranillo grape. This example exudes notes of cherry, herbs, and traces of Asian spice. It’s drinking very well now but will certainly reward patience in the cellar.

Can we all agree that Thanksgiving is a perfect holiday? It’s weighted toward family and reflection, so it is spiritually uplifting regardless of faith. And of course, it all orbits the gravitational mass of the dinner table offerings. We understand if you’re ambivalent about turkey, but it’s the accompanying fare that makes the meal great. It also allows for fun wine pairings, so here are our picks for an eclectic approach to Thanksgiving fare.

G.D. Vajra NS Dalla Neve Rosé Extra Brut
($35, Winebow)

This sparkling rosé is unique in that it hails from the Piedmont region of Italy, an area known for long-lived red wine, not for sparkling wine production. G.D. Vajra enjoys a reputation for being among the top producers in the Barolo zone, home to the best Nebbiolo grapes. No surprise, this has made Nebbiolo blended with Pinot Noir a traditional component of Champagne. It offers electric notes of strawberry and a dash of apple. It’s juicy but not sweet, just a delicious sparkling wine that happily pairs with a range of flavors.

Le Vigne Eli Etna Bianco 2022
($30, Free Run Wine Merchants)

Mount Etna is an interesting place to work vineyards. But the rich volcanic soils yield some of Italy’s most captivating wines, so growers adapt to the occasional eruption to keep working. Le Vigne Eli is a passion project of legend- ary wine importer Marc di Grazia and named for his daughter Elena. The wine is made from the native Carricante grape and is bursting with ripe notes of pear, minerals, and citrus. It’s light enough to dance with simple flavors without getting in the way of more complex dishes.

Domaine de la Mordoree Lirac
“La Dame Rousse” 2019 ($30, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Red wine can be the trickier match this month. Generally speaking, you want something on the juicy side but not super tannic or heavy, since there are also some delicate tones on the plate. Pinot Noir is a safe bet, and the wines of Beaujolais work well, too. Roughly equal parts Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, this organically grown wine from Southern France also fits the bill. This lithely constructed wine neither dominates nor fatigues the palate. It will also go great with Friday’s sandwiches.

One small upside of the pandemic: COVID turbocharged consumption of alcohol, fueling an interest and demand for local products. As a result, there’s been an astonishing spread of Maryland wineries, breweries, and distilleries to choose from. We’ve plucked three suggestions for you to check out, but don’t hesitate to take a deeper dive into any of our regional producers; there’s never been a better time to go exploring.

Baltimore Spirits Company Epoch Reserve Maryland Rye Whiskey
($70, RNDC)

This early comer to Baltimore’s distilling renaissance has been around long enough to have aged some booze, and it’s time for us to rejoice. Not only have they resurrected the Maryland style of rye whiskey production, but they also now sell it in a reserve offering that’s over four years old. Cascading tones of baking spice and vanilla make for an engaging sipper, with that unmistakable spice signature of any good rye. Serve neat or with a bit of ice or, if you prefer to mix it, make the most amazing Manhattan ever.

Elder Pine Brewing Oak-Aged Marzen “Autumn Awaits”
($15 4-pack cans, Elder Pine)

Celebrate Oktoberfest with this amazing local offering. Gaithersburg newcomer Elder Pine has crafted a plush, malty gem of a lager with a slightly crisp undertone and aged it for three months in large oak vessels. The result is a silky, lushly textured brew with mellow malt character and a long, balanced finish. These folks are crafting beer at a very high level, and we can’t wait to hit the road and visit them at their gorgeous brewpub. The food is likely to be just as inviting as the brew.

Big Cork Cabernet Franc 2020
($25, Siema)

Western Maryland’s Big Cork Vineyards makes some of our state’s most attractive wines, and this Cabernet Franc is no exception. For this offering, they’ve collaborated with Six Wicket Vineyards and crafted a deeply flavorful Cabernet Franc with notes of cherry, prune, and tobacco. It’s a wine that prefers food, and its persistent earthy finish begs for a rich, savory, autumnal roast. Cabernet Franc has been a proven winner for many Virginia wineries, and if this bottle is any indication, it’s doing just fine in Maryland, too.

The first Friday of September has been declared National Chianti Day, giving us the opportunity to dive into this beloved wine zone. Chianti is located within the Italian region of Tuscany, famed for its cities of Siena and Florence. Here, the Sangiovese grape is known for yielding red wines of exceptional body and age worthiness. We’ve picked three Chianti wines to get you started on your own path to Tuscan food and wine heaven.

Badia a Coltibuono Chianti “Cetamura” 2021
($13, Winebow)

If you’re just beginning to experiment with red wine, this bottle is a great starting point. The Sangiovese grapes for this wine are sourced from all over the Chianti zone, so while it may lack some of the nuance of its more expensive brethren, it’s still a solid representation of the region. Bright red cherry and fresh blackberry tones are accompanied by hints of dried herbs. This is a medium-bodied offering that is lithe enough to pair with roasted veggie dishes yet structured enough to hang with grilled meats.

Ricudda Chianti Classico 2019
($25, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Chianti Classico represents the original demarcation of the Chianti zone and is home to some very old producers. Ricudda, located in the hamlet of Castellina-in-Chianti, has been making wine since the 1400s and has historical roots as a farm that go back 800 years. This wine is graceful and silky, inviting you to pair it with hearty cheeses or tomato-based pasta dishes. It is very happy to find itself in the presence of great extra-virgin olive oil, so make sure you have a nice bottle to drizzle on your dish before serving.

Istine Chianti Classico “Riserva Levigne” 2019
($60, Free Run Wine Merchant)

Riserva wines in Chianti are those that have been aged for at least 24 months in oak before being released. Istine is a relative newcomer to the Chianti wine scene but is making wine at a very high level. The additional oak aging really shows here, with additional layers of herbal complexity and a big bump up in structure, particularly on the finish. This is one that demands fatty fare to give the structure and acidity something to dance with. Florentine steak or bone-in pork chops would be divine.

As the calendar turns from July to August, we prepare to settle in for the steamy closing act of summer. The next few weeks are about soaking up the last bits of relaxation before schools are back in session, the days grow shorter, and vacation memories already begin to fade. No need for sadness to set in: We recommend three tempting drinks as you kick back and watch the sun set on the remaining dog days of summer.

Chateau de Segries Tavel 2022
($25, Kysela Pere et Fils)

The Rhône Valley is home to many of France’s vinous treasures—but one that is often overlooked is Tavel. This hamlet forgoes the production of red wine in favor of concentrating on rosé. The combination of grapes will be familiar to fans of red Rhône wine—Grenache and Syrah—but the outcome is unique. It’s a medium-bodied wine bursting with fresh strawberry, raspberry, and melon tones with a juicy finish. It’s astonishingly good. Pair it with anything you like to eat alfresco, or enjoy one of the best glasses of rosé you’re likely to taste all season.

Lagunitas Daytime IPA
($13 six 12-ounce cans, Legends)

Having a few icy cold brews is a dandy way to close out the season. Cookouts are still in full swing, replete with barbeque sauce, steamed crabs, and even a shrimp boil. But it sure is hard to stay in the game when your preferred IPA is clocking in with weighty alcohol levels. That’s why we recommend this svelte IPA from Lagunitas. You’ll enjoy the hop-forward character of a classic IPA here. It never gets out of balance, thanks to judicious use of lighter toned varieties like Citra and Centennial. And a trim 4-percent ABV makes for a crushable brew that plays nice with food, friends, and winding down without falling over.

Singani 63
($35 750 milliliters, Winebow)

Singani is an eau-de-vie distilled from the Muscat of Alexandria grape and produced in the mountains of Bolivia. Here, grapes that were originally planted by Spanish monastic orders are distilled into a subtly floral spirit that is technically a white brandy, since it’s made from grapes. It’s delicious neat or over ice, which is how most Bolivians consume it, but cocktail scenesters have found it’s great for riffing in mules, sours, and cocktails that normally call for white rum. So grab some mint from the backyard and give your house mojito a twist.

Our crab issue is always a unique opportunity to show off our state crustacean. Is there anywhere else in the country where a single creature is so revered, inspiring lavish praise but also argument about how best to prepare it? We endorse the most classic way to enjoy Maryland blue crab—that’s steamed with some variation of the Old Bay spice blend, though we love crab cakes, crab soup, crabby pretzels, et al.

When it comes to pairing the crab with a beverage, it’s tough to beat an ice-cold lager. But we’re going to try to broaden those horizons. Consider these three tasty treats to imbibe at your next crab feast.

Domaine Jean Vullien Roussette Altesse 2020
($20, Forager)

Where the Alps spill over into France on the far eastern border lies a wine-growing region called Savoie. It’s higher in elevation than most wine-growing regions in Europe and enjoys more moderate temperatures than the sometimes scorching Rhône Valley. White wines from this area are crisp and need time to mature. This 2020 vintage is just now hitting its stride, with hints of white flowers, peach, and nectarine, but also honey. It’s broad enough to stand up to spice, but really shines with fattier iterations of crab dip.

Oliver Brewing Co. Blue Crab Pale Ale
($13 six 12-ounce cans, Legends)

As the name suggests, this local beer is good to go with crabs. This Herring Run Park-based brew company has dialed the hops character down to early 1990s levels (is “vintage character” a thing in beer?) and skipped the usual Cascade hops for fruitier, milder Citra. The result is a beer that really excels at gastronomic versatility. It will handle steamed crab spice just fine and will also be quite happy alongside a crab cake or even some- thing as rich as
crab imperial.

St. James Winery Strawberry Citrus Wine
($15, Kysela Pere et Fils)

We’re giving fruit wine a shout-out here, mostly because of the pepper-based spice blends that coat hard shells. Sometimes sweet and fruity is just the ticket for peppery and hot. This Missouri-based fruit wine specialist starts with fermented strawberry wine before adding lime extract to give it a zing on the finish. The result is delicious, sporting authentic strawberry character, lime notes, and quite a bit of sweetness. This is not a food wine, but it tastes like summer. Serve it well-chilled.

Saturday June 10 is National Rosé Day, and we’re tickled pink. The weather is perfect for al-fresco sipping and eating, and although we’re big advocates for year-round rosé consumption, early summer demands something pink in the glass. We don’t want to limit you to wine, so we’ve come up with three rosy options for you to explore on this thinly veiled excuse to Drink Pink.

Wolffer Dry Rosé Cider “No. 139”
($15 four-pack bottles or cans, Legends)

New York’s apple orchards are famed for their eating and baking apples but are also notable for the number of cider varieties they grow. Not surprisingly, NY cider output has grown too, and Wolffer Estate is among the best producers in the area. No. 139 draws from both eating and juicing varieties to craft a cider with fruity sweetness as well as a dry finish. The color comes from a dash of organic extract (of what, they don’t say), so the flavors here are still purely apple. Nonetheless, we love this playful pink spin on an American cider, which plays well with a range of picnic and patio foods.

Hugl Zweigelt Rosé 2022
($18 1 liter bottle, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Austria has always been great at producing fleshy, racy white wines, but it’s only in the last century that climate change has warmed things up enough to deliver reliably ripe red wine grapes. Austrian red wine production exploded in that time, and along with it, rosé. Zweigelt is a hybrid grape with characteristics similar to Pinot Noir; it’s light, juicy, and acidic. The rosé made from it is similar, with a pleasing fleshy characteristic and a refreshing, zingy finish. An ideal patio wine, it also pairs well with grilled or fried seafood, pizza, and even crabs.

Mirabeau Dry Gin “Riviera”
($37, Winebow)

Southern France is a romantic and picturesque region famous for its rugged beauty, Mediterranean climate, herbs, and wine. Mirabeau produces an ocean of rosé from Provence. It’s perfectly fine, but what piqued our curiosity was their newly launched gin. It’s a classic flavor profile led by juniper berry but comple- mented by traditional herbs and aromatics of Southern France and, interestingly, a healthy dollop of rosé in the distillation process. The result is a classic dry gin that’s not quite London-style but retains a formal continental elegance. We dig the color too—it makes for a rosy riff on any classic gin cocktail.

We’re continuously in awe of the sheer diversity of the alcoholic beverage offerings available in 2023. From wine, spirits, beer, and even kombucha, it’s fun to check them all out. Looking for an excuse to step outside the box? May 6 is National Beverage Day, a day literally made for you to try anything you want. We’ve gathered three tasty offerings from all things alcoholic for you to consider if you’re looking to mix things up.

Le Fraghe Bardolino Chiaretto “Rodon” 2022
($20, Free Run Wine Merchants)

The Italian region of Veneto is famous for its juicy red wine called Valpolicella, and its more muscular sibling, Amarone. Bardolino is a growing area that is often overlooked by wine shops and consumers alike. Moreover, the rosé of Bardolino is even less well-known. As with most pink wines, it is made by bleeding off some of the juice from red wine production. In Bardolino, that means a blend of Corvina and Rondinella. The wine is a truly refreshing rosé that
deserves to be sought-after.

Three Floyds Brewing Co. Zombie Dust Undead Pale Ale
($15 6 12-ounce bottles, Legends)

We’re not going to lie—we’d pretty much written off pale ales. Often, we find that pleasure and drinkability gets sacrificed in the quest for hoppy bitter bragging rights. Make no mistake, this beer is hoppy, yet balanced. One enjoys the malt foundation of this ale’s flavor profile as much as the high-toned, floral hops signature it supports. It’s a refreshing—and frankly amazing—take on a category we assumed had been beaten to death by a bushel of Cascade pale ales. We recommend it with pub fare but love it simply for the fact that it exists, and aren’t afraid to pour one into a nice pint glass and just enjoy it for beer’s sake.

Luis XIV Vermut
($20, Kysela Pere et Fils)

We tasted this wine before we read up on it and were astonished at how delicious it is. When we did the research, we found that this beauty is made from 100-percent Monastrell. Seventy percent of its composition is proprietary, with Monastrell as a base wine. That is then blended with 30 percent of Monastrell that’s been aged like sherry. The resulting beverage is herbaceous, sweet, and unique. We love using it in lieu of sweet vermouth to change up classics like Negronis, but it’s best served neat with some ice. It’s also great with aged cheese, chocolate, or dried fruit.

When February delivered several days in the 60s and, as of press time, there’s less than an inch of recorded snowfall heading into March, it’s hard to complain about winter. For us, the warmer temps have accelerated the arrival of spring fever. Now that it’s April, we can officially say it’s time to get back outside. We’ve come up with three approaches to herald the arrival of spring, so grab a glass and a chair—and watch the crocuses bloom.

Jean Reverdy Sancerre Rosé 2022
($30, Kysela Pere et Fils)

The hilltop town of Sancerre is famous for producing some of the best Sauvignon Blancs in the world. With mineral notes and citrus flavors, Sancerre is the benchmark for great Sauvignon. But the region also grows some Pinot Noir for a tiny production of Sancerre Rouge. And where there’s a rouge, there’s Rosé. Made by bleeding juice from the red wine production while it’s still pink, this wine has all the attributes Sancerre is known for, but with a perfumed fruit character that’s delightful.

Cushwa Brewing Company “Kolschwa”
($12 6-pack, Legends)

The brisk spring breeze carries the promise of warm weather, but with an edge of wintery crispness to remind us summer isn’t here just yet. The Kolsch style of ale embodies this notion, but in beer form. Hagerstown brewery Cushwa offers an excellent example of this style. This is a clean beer, neither heavy with cereal tones nor overburdened with roasted malt notes. Classic German hops like Hallertau lend the beer a crisp, refreshing, almost electric edge without taking center stage as they would in an English-style ale. This is a great pairing with grilled sausages and brown mustard, homemade pizza, or lighter cheeses.

Plymouth Gin
($40, RNDC)

Black Friars Distillery has been crafting gin in Plymouth, England, since 1793 and the oldest building at the site dates to the 15th century. That’s a long time, and for the last 230 years the tightly guarded recipe for this gin has been passed down from one distiller to the next. And such a pleasant recipe it is. You can’t make gin without juni- per, and while this botanical has sufficient presence, it’s supported by coriander, orange peel, and cardamom. The result is a complex gin that’s great on its own but also mixable. Use it in your next martini or gin and tonic.

The days are getting longer and the allure of spring beckons. Warmer days, the first pale greening of the foliage, and the pastels of crocuses are achingly close, but not here yet. It’s March after all, and winter still has the capacity to frost our noses. On the plus side, there’s still time to enjoy the full-bodied, belly-warming beverages that pair so well with wintry meals. Enjoy these three delicious libations to send off Old Man Winter and welcome the return of warmer weather.

Sergio Zenato Lugana Riserva 2019
($45, Winebow)

Lake Garda is a body of placid blue located in the Veneto region of Italy and is surrounded by the winemaking areas of Valpolicella and Lugana. Lugana produces oustanding medium-bodied whites. Zenato is among the oldest producers there. And while they make a classic Lugana, the Riserva is noteworthy. The wine is made from the Trebbiano grape and undergoes malolactic fermentation, converting malic acid into creamy lactic acid. The result is a bewitching amalgam of stone fruit and floral notes.

Domenico Clerico Barolo 2018
($60, Free Run Wine Merchants)

Barolo is nestled among the rolling hills of Italy’s Piedmont region and today is home to some of the most sought-after red wines on the planet. But it wasn’t always that way. The wine was unknown outside of Italy until winemakers pursued the spotlight by following trends—beefing the wines up with new oak barrels. The shift sparked a debate. One of the producers influenced by this method was Domenico Clerico. The tempest has simmered down. See what all the fuss was about.

Perennial Brewing Company Abraxas Stout
($20 750 ml, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Saint Louis-based Perennial Brewery is known among beer aficionados for its boutique-style lagers and ales that rank among the best in the nation. Abraxas is their most coveted cold-weather brew. Perennial releases a batch of Abraxas every year in the late fall and it remains available into early spring. This is big beer, brewed with ancho chile pepper, cacao, vanilla, and cinnamon. Clocking in at a wine-like 11.5 percent ABV, it’s a lush stout brimming with sophisticated flavors and layered aromas.

Valentine’s Day has traditionally been a night out on the town for a romantic dinner or maybe a gathering of friends at a bar to laugh (or cry) over the year’s dating disasters. But it’s also wonderful to celebrate with the one you love at home. If you prefer cooking at home, here are three drinks to pair with three courses on the 14th.

Founders Rubaeus Raspberry Ale
($13, 6-pack bottles, Legends)

Let’s get this meal started with a hearty salad—baby spinach, pecans, a little goat cheese, some sliced strawberries, and a drizzle of fruit vinaigrette. You’ll need something to stand up to the intense acidity of dressing, while also supporting the delicate fruit notes. Enter Rubaeus, a delightfully fruity ale from Founders Brewing Co. in Michigan. It’s rich enough to handle the dressing, fruity enough to support the berries, and at 5.7 percent ABV, it won’t leave you wishing you were at the end of the meal rather than the beginning

San Valentino Lambrusco Amabile “Bruscus” NV
($16, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Next up is a fresh pizza, whether you’ve made the dough yourself—or rolled out a fresh ball from the gourmet grocer. Add a smear of tomato sauce, some spicy Italian sausage, fresh basil leaves, and enough mozzarella to get the cheese bubbling and the crust crunchy. Pesto pizza with a balsamic drizzle is another good way to go. Either way, Lambrusco has you covered. This frothy, fruity, delicious wine from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region is a utility player packed with fruit notes and a jovial demeanor that plays well with all these flavors.

Xila Licor de Agave
($40, Free Run Wine Merchants)

This is a slightly smoky, mezcal-based Mexican liqueur that marries the mezcal culture of the Oaxaca region with the chiles of Puebla. The result is a wildly tasty and left-of-center liqueur that includes flavors of caramelized pineapple, lavender, ancho chiles, hibiscus, clove, cinnamon, and black pepper. It’s exotic, yet enticing, and a great match for anything with chocolate, especially dark chocolate mousse, and a wonderful way to end your meal.

A rarely acknowledged fact of the holiday season—we don’t drink the good stuff. After all, holiday parties tend to break out the lowest-common-denominator booze as a cost-saving, no-fuss measure. Well, the extended family has gone, the caterers have packed up their jugs of vodka, and the coast is now clear for you to open some of the better libations. Let’s call it a new tradition: Top Shelf January. For those eschewing Dry January, we’ve assembled three tasty choices.

Roland Champion Zero Dosage Champagne Brut NV
($60, Kysela Pere et Fils)

We’re pretty sure you’ve had your fill of office party “champagne” and bland, mass-produced, overpriced big-brand Champagne, because frankly that’s what most people buy for New Year’s Eve. But there’s another echelon of boutique Champagne producer who buys juice and blends it to their own style. These are folks who grow their own grapes and make the wine themselves. Roland Champion is one such producer and this Zero Dosage bottling is just electric. Super dry, flavorful, and sophisticated, it’s the perfect match for a plate of oysters Rockefeller or fish finished with a rich, buttery sauce.

Zadie’s Lager
($17, 12-pack cans, Legends)

This isn’t a splurge, so why include it here? Because holiday parties tend to offer American lager from the big two beer companies only. That’s okay because that’s what most people want. But now that the guests are gone, wouldn’t you rather crack open a clean, crisp lager that tastes like beer? We recommend Zadie’s, which is brewed here in the Land Of Pleasant Living by the folks at Union.

J. Rieger Kansas City Whiskey
($45, Winebow)

J. Rieger is a craft distillery in Kansas City, Missouri, a reboot of an original operation that existed before Prohibition. Today, the distillery makes small-batch spirits, including this Kansas City whiskey. It’s a blend of straight bourbon, light corn whiskey, and straight rye, all aged at least four years, as well as a small amount of 15-year-old Oloroso sherry from the Williams & Humbert Bodega in Jerez. That dollop of Oloroso rounds out the palate and introduces sweetness. Bottled at 92-proof, this is strong enough to mix in your favorite whiskey cock- tails, but not so powerful that it can’t be enjoyed on its own.

It can be difficult to nail down what a dive bar is precisely, but from the outside, they don’t look like much. In an era when sophisticated marketing bombards us, the very concept of the dive bar means that there is nothing about it that is trying to lure you inside beyond its very existence. This refusal to succumb to marketing orthodoxy got us thinking about alcoholic beverage packaging. After all, many people shop for wine almost exclusively by the label. We went in search of three libations that taste great, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at them.

Lexicon Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2020
($30, Kysela Pere et Fils)

They say don’t judge a book by its cover, and that is exactly the case with this charming Cabernet from Napa Valley. We are mystified by the plain, unremarkable image of an open book on the label. At first glance, it’s hard to tell that it’s even a book. It doesn’t say anything about wine and looks generic for a $30 wine, too. It certainly won’t be wowing your friends or encouraging anyone to pick it off the shelf. But we promise that the reward is in the bottle. Anyone drinking it will enjoy the supple, richly textured Cabernet Sauvignon with plenty of cassis and dark berry notes. This is a Cabernet with a round yet structured finish that begs for hearty roasts or a premium burger.

Unibroue Blanche de Chambly
($12 six-pack bottles, Legends)

Sometimes branding sorely needs an update. And sometimes branding gets an update and doesn’t look any better than before. Such is the case with Unibroue of Quebec. The Bob Ross-style historic landscapes they first rocked in the early ’90s remain. We don’t know what it says, but it doesn’t say yummy. Luckily this Belgian-style wheat beer is.

Saison Pale Caribbean Rum
($20, Free Run Wine Merchant)

It’s not that the label is bad, it just doesn’t project much about what is in this bottle. It’s a bland, almost anonymous-looking package that contains an interesting spirit. French spirits house Tessendier has imported unaged rum from Trinidad, Barbados, and Jamaica to their aging facilities in France. Here, the rums are expertly blended to a house style, then aged for three months in mature oak barrels. The result is a delightful rum that’s lighter and more floral than dark rum, but more complex and a bit heavier than white rum. It’s fine enough to sip on the rocks, but we like it better in cocktails that would otherwise rely on white rum. Elevate your next daiquiri or mule with this affordable French curiosity.

Turkey is ubiquitous this time of year, but the sides are a free-for-all from family to family and region to region. Similarly, when it comes to beverage choices, anything goes. We’ve thrown caution to the wind with three picks certain to liven up your glass this holiday season no matter what you serve.

Ten to One White Rum
($30, Winebow)

Rum is not the most fashionable spirit at the moment, and we hope that changes because it is versatile. Dark rums are rich and satisfying cool weather sippers. Rhum Agricole, made from raw cane as opposed to molasses, ranks right up there with fine bourbon or Scotch for late-night contemplation. And white rum, once you get past the flavored ones and the pirates and parrots and such, is an unsung utility hero. A good white rum is lovely to drink neat—or even as a shot for the harried chef. It’s also a killer cocktail base and isn’t just for summer. This example is all grown up, with notes of sweetgrass, melon, and white flowers. Serve on the rocks or get cracking on your favorite rum cocktail as a pre-turkey aperitif.

RAR Lite Lager
($8.50 6-pack, Legends)

Why lie? The meal is going to be huge and you’re going to have three desserts. You’ll want a beer that is less filling but not any of those brewery offerings that fall under the “Lite” moniker. RAR Brewing in Cambridge is here to help, offering a Lite beer with a mildly hoppy finish familiar to anyone who has ever raised a red and white—or white and blue—can of American lager. It comes in at a modest 4.5 percent ABV, so feel free to grab a six pack to settle in between you and grandpa in the TV room.

Harney Lane Old Vine Zinfandel “Lizzy James Vineyard” 2018
($40, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Usually, we recommend a decent Riesling or softer red like Beaujolais for Thanksgiving—both wines play well with a lot of different flavors without overpowering anything. But we remember in decades past when Zinfandel, the uniquely American variety, was the way to go. With its high alcohol count, juicy and lush body, and brambly, smoky finish, it didn’t make a ton of sense—and eventually fell out of favor. But we think it’s time to bring it back, if for no other reason than it’s really delicious. This example from boutique producer Harney Lane is classic Zin, with an inky color, full-bodied texture, and that classic blackberry bramble finish.

German-speaking countries enjoy traditional regional parties known as volksfests. A bit like one of our state fairs, these celebrations include amusements and regional food and drink. The largest volksfest is in Munich from the end of September until the first Sunday in October and is famously called Oktoberfest. A celebration of summer’s end, and of all manner of German gastronomical traditions, Oktoberfest hosts six million guests every year. But air travel is a bear this season, so why not celebrate at home? We’ve found three tasty Teutonic treats to kiss summer good-bye and say “willkommen” to autumn.

Pür Spirits, Pür-likör Williams Pear Liqueur
($40, Craft Distributing)

The Munich Oktoberfest wouldn’t be Munich without plenty of things to eat and drink from Bavaria. It would be almost too easy to highlight a Bavarian beer, so we went a little deeper in search of a delicious spirit and found one in this riff on the classic pear liqueur. Crafted from Alpine pears and clocking in at around 25 percent ABV, this slightly sweet liqueur blooms with ripe Bartlett pear notes and hints of apple blossom. Try it neat of course, but don’t be afraid to mix with it. Keep it simple and add a drop of sparkling wine for an autumnal take on the Kir Royale.

Bitburger Festbier
($14 6-pack, Legends)

This venerable German brewery is best known for its pleasingly crisp Pils lager, and we were delighted to find that crisp demeanor in this festive seasonal release. Although not a Munich brewery, Bitburger still adorns this label with a color scheme that pays homage to the traditional blue and white Bavarian livery to let you know that this is meant for Oktoberfest. There’s enough malty body to carry its 6 percent alcohol, but it never gets too heavy or sweet. It’s a natural match for grilled brats, ribs, or fries sprinkled with Old Bay.

Erbacher Riesling Rheingau 2020
($15 1L, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Riesling is one of the world’s most versatile wines, not only because it pairs so well with a range of flavors, but also because the Riesling grape performs so well in so many places. From Oregon to Australia, Riesling delivers an amazing experience. Nonetheless, it is most often associated with its homeland, Germany. At the Winzer von Erbach cooperative, 32 families produce Riesling wines of the Rheingau region, and this winning bottle is the perfect example. Light citrus notes lead into a surprisingly crisp and electric finish, making it an ideal patio sipper to welcome fall foliage.

Even if the thermometer doesn’t yet agree, the first day of autumn is here, meaning it’s time for back-to-school—and fall flavors. When we think about fall, one of the first flavors we associate with it is apple. Apple ciders, apple pie, apple fritters——it all tastes like autumn. So, while we may not recommend plunking one of these offerings down on a teacher’s desk, we wholeheartedly endorse getting into the fall groove with these delicious apple drinks.

Catoctin Creek Distilling Quarter Branch Apple Brandy
($30, Prestige Ladroit Distributing)

Virginia has a history of making not only apple ciders, but also brandy. Both beverages rely on the same varieties of apples, which are rarely good for eating. For its brandy, whiskey maker Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. sources cider made with apples from a local cider producer. The fermented cider is distilled, then aged for two years in white oak casks. This brandy shows off floral apple notes along with hints of spice and vanilla. This is a fine digestif on its own, but also elevates autumn cocktails like apple brandy’s less sophisticated cousin, applejack.

Graft Farm Flor Cider
($12, four-pack cans, Legends)

There was a time when hard cider was limited to dry artisanal ciders from Europe and sparkling ciders from the U.S. As interest grew, so did the expressions of cider. There are now offerings from several states. Styles range from dry to sticky sweet, and this one from Graft Cidery in New York is definitely dry. Paying homage to the traditional ciders of France’s Normandy region and Spain’s Basque country, this barrel-aged cider is tart, rustic, and funky. Serve with cheese, bread, and dry sausage.

Morin Pommeau de Normandie
($23, 750 ml, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Established in the late 19th century, the family-owned Morin is known for producing Normandy’s signature apple brandy, Calvados. But equally of note is their Pommeau, which few distillers make anymore. This enchanting drink is made with two parts unfermented Normandy cider married to one part one-year-old Calvados brandy. This mixture is transferred to oak casks, where it rests for 30 months before bottling. Apple and prune notes swirl with tones of honey, cocoa, and caramel. Serve neat as a digestif or pair with dessert crepes, apple scented crème brûlée, or apple galette

The sultriest, stickiest slice of Baltimore summer is upon us, as temperature and relative humidity conspire to melt our enthusiasm for any outdoor activities. Being outside is a good thing though, so we’re searching for the best ways to beat the heat. There’s something to be said for turning on the misting fan and dunking your feet in that plastic kiddie pool. Any way you decide to handle it, you’re going to need a nice cool drink. Here are our picks for Baltimore’s best libations to beat the summer heat.

Peak Organic “Happy Hour” Pilsner
($12, six 16-ounce cans, Legends)

As our collective beer palates grow weary of overly hopped Pale Ales and high-octane specialty brews, more restrained styles of beer are getting attention. Pilsner is a riff on classic German lager favored by Czechs and born in the city for which it is named—Pils. Brewed in Portland, Maine, Peak’s iteration makes a strong case for Pilsner’s resurgence, with satisfying body and a crisp hop finish. As with all of Peak’s offerings, Happy Hour Pilsner is certified organic. And at 4.7-percent alcohol, it’s a backyard party beer that’s a fine match for crab picking, BBQ finger licking, or just sitting in a deck chair with a cold towel around your neck.

Sorbara Lambrusco “Emma” NV
($16, Free Run Wine Merchants)

The region that surrounds the Italian city of Modena is home to some of that country’s finest culinary treasures. Among the most popular ways to kick off a feast is with the sparkling red wine called Lambrusco. Loads of ripe cherry and pomegranate notes burst out of the glass with the same enthusiasm as its bubbles. Sweet but balanced by acidity, this low-alcohol delight is perfect plunged into a cooler full of ice and served nicely chilled.

Dry Fly “On The Fly” Gin and Tonic
($12, 4-pack cans, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Washington state’s Dry Fly Distillery is best known for artisanal whiskies and classic American gin. They’ve taken their love for the latter spirit and fashioned their own riff on that summery cocktail staple, the Gin and Tonic. Notably, Dry Fly employs Washington state apples as part of the botanical mix in their gin and it shows here—a delightfully floral apple note ties together traditional tones of juniper and quinine. A 12-ounce can clocks in at about 7-percent alcohol, about the same as your average IPA these days. So, if you’re in the mood to crack open a cold one but aren’t hankering for a beer, this is your drink.

As this month’s cover story makes clear, Marylanders love their crabs, and there is no other seafood more strongly associated with our state. But just as there isn’t one way to eat crabs, there isn’t one drink that best accompanies them. Here are three crab pairings, depending on how they’re being served. And, since it can be an investment to dine on real Maryland blues, we chose libations to complement your feast without breaking the bank.

Baron Ermengaud Faugeres Rosé 2021
($20, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Faugeres is a small wine-making territory of Southern France nestled in the heart of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It is best known for hearty red wines crafted from traditional Rhône grape varieties, but it also produces a small amount of beautiful rosé wines. This iteration is made up of Grenache and Carignan and is the epitome of dry rosé. Pale salmon in color, this wine offers an engaging mix of floral notes on the nose and crisp, delicate flavors of Alpine strawberry on the palate. If you’re contemplating a fried or broiled soft-shell meal, this is your wine.

Chesapeake Cider Co. Original Crisp
($12 six 12-oz cans, Legends)

We know a light American lager is the go-to beer choice for all manner of crabby feasts, and if it were us, we’d go a little more complex with a pilsner. But we love the underdog pairing that is this Maryland-made cider with the pastime of cracking crabs. It offers the same deft crispness as a lighter lager beer would, but the hint of sweetness and the tang of tart apple offsets the black pepper notes of the most popular steaming spice blends. It also pairs well with milder crab preparations. And there’s yet another bonus—they donate a portion of the profit from every six-pack sold toward Chesapeake Bay preservation and restoration.

Nishira Shochu “Kana”
($65, Winebow)

Shochu is an often-overlooked Japanese spirit that offers the complexity and diversity of sake but isn’t limited solely to rice as its fermentation base. Shochu can be crafted from sugar, beets, yams, and even barley. It’s also boozier than sake, so it takes very well to cocktail riffs. Nishira Distillery is in the Amami Islands just north of Okinawa and is run by one of the only female shochu masters. This shochu uses black sugar as its base. It is rich and full-flavored, more than able to stand up to the decadence of crab imperial, and a great match for spicier crab cakes. Pairs with hard salami, firm cheeses, and tomato salad.

Fun Fact: Shochu is a specialized Japanese spirit distilled mostly in and around Okinawa. It is a distilled spirit similar to vodka. Shochu can be made from rice, like sake, but also from sweet potato, barley, and even the exotic Okinawan black sugar.

June 18th is International Picnic Day, and after two years of COVID-19 restrictions, a meal outside sounds like a fine idea. If you only have an hour or so, pack your lunch, grab some tumblers, and enjoy some rays at the park. If you have the day, go all out—cold chicken, maybe charcuterie, fruit and salads, lawn chairs, and a trio of libations to slake your thirst and complement picnic fare without getting too fancy.

Miguel Torres Sparkling Rosé “Estelado”
Brut 2018 ($20, Elite Wine Merchants)

Long before noble grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot traveled from Europe to Chile, the humble Pais grape made the trip to satisfy the basic winemaking needs of missionaries and explorers. Miguel Torres’ Chilean operation has breathed new life into this nearly forgotten variety by crafting a delightful sparkling wine from it. Light flavors of citrus, currant, and red berries dance on the effervescent palate and linger into the easygoing finish. This wine is a fine aperitif or can be paired with a cheese plate, a hunk of country bread, and some fresh fruit.

June Shine Hard Kombucha “Mango Daydream”
($15 six 12-ounce cans, Legends)

Why bother working to limit the alcoholic outcome of brewing organic kombucha for the grocery store market when you can let it go a bit and make a hard spritzer without the dubious flavorings, sweeteners, and bulk grain alcohol? That’s what the good folks at June Shine started doing in 2018 for a group of friends and family in San Diego—and now they’re going national. Mango Daydream tastes like ripe mangoes. There’s a twist though, as notes of pineapple and citrus bring some acidity to the experience and a dash of cayenne keeps it all lively. Heck, it even has “June” in the name! Chill a six-pack and pair it with cold peanut sesame noodles

Manoir du Carra Fleurie “Vers le Mont” 2018
($22, Kysela Pere et Fils)

The villages of France’s Beaujolais district are often overlooked as one of that country’s best sources of delicious, silky red wines without breaking the bank. The Gamay grape rules here, and although it shares some characteristics with its cousin Pinot Noir, it real- ly is its own thing. This example bursts with exuberant flavors of wild strawberry, black raspberry, and cherry with a lush yet fresh finish. It gets even better with a light chill on it—no need to be fussy with a cooler, just stick it in the freezer for 45 minutes before you head out and it will be perfect. Pairs with hard salami, firm cheeses, and tomato salad.

FUN FACT: Most folks think “Nouveau” when it comes to Beaujolais. Instead, con- sider exploring one of its “cru” villages—Brouilly, Chénas, Fleurie, Juliénas. Each represents a different facet of Beaujolais.

Forgotten recipes and regional specialties are in constant danger of going extinct in the crush of timesaving “life hacks” and fast-changing consumer tastes. We’d like to draw your attention to three throwback bottles of booze that represent the preservation of old traditions—and also happen to be delicious.

Field Recordings “Freddo” 2021
($25, Free Run Wine Merchants)

At a time when the industrialization of winemaking means that cases by the millions can be shipped halfway around the world and stacked in Walmart, the idea of one guy knocking around California to find forgotten old vineyards seems almost laughable, but that’s what Field Recordings founder Andrew Jones does. Freddo is 100 percent Sangiovese, fermented with almost no intervention via carbonic maceration. It’s bottled with a label that turns blue when the wine is chilled enough to serve. This low-alcohol, slightly fizzy delight is even better out of the ice chest, so make sure to cool a couple down for a weekend cookout.

FUN FACT: Carbonic maceration is a technique in which grapes are sealed whole in a fermenting tank. This forces the yeasts to convert grape sugar to alcohol from the inside of the berries out. Resulting wines have a fruity nature.

Two Roads Persian Lime Gose
($15 4–16-ounce cans, Legends)

Gose is a very old and obscure style of German beer with a high wheat content and a sour yet salty character. It was on the verge of extinction before the American craft beer scene revived it. Here in the USA, it’s common to introduce a fruit element to act as a foil for the sourness. Two Roads Brewery in Connecticut uses fresh Persian lime juice to this end and the result is a fascinating balancing act among the juicy lime notes, the subtle salinity, and the inherent sourness of the style. It’s attractively refreshing and just the ticket for spring patio hangouts.

Michel Couvreur Single Cask Whisky “Spirale”
($750, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Did that price get your attention? It should, because if you are a whiskey afficionado this should be on your radar. Distiller Michel Couvreur grew up in Belgium, learned his craft in Scotland, and built his still in France’s Burgundy region. “Spirale” is an amazing tale—distilled in cellars he dug himself, then aged for 13 years in fino sherry casks, and then aged five years more in casks that held an obscure regional sweet wine called “spirale,” made from dried grapes that almost no one ferments any longer. The nectar that emerged after this 18-year-long saga yielded 430 bottles. It’s a heady elixir redolent of quince, almonds, and oranges.

The days are growing longer, the crocus flowers are poking up through the ground, and the birds have come back to roost. Yes, the telltale signs of Spring are all around. While we know some don’t relish the idea of setting the clocks ahead an hour, we’re excited for another sign of spring’s return: the stacks of rosé proliferating at local wine shops. The fresh bounty of last year’s harvest is arriving, and we can’t wait to have a glass outside on the patio. Here are three suggestions coming soon to a wine shop near you.

Carol Shelton “Wild Thing Rendezvous” Rosé 2021
($20, Artisans and Vines)

California Zinfandel specialist Carol Shelton diverts some of the juice from her initial red wine ferments to this wine, meant to be a catalyst for convivial gatherings and good conversations. This wine is not trying to pose as anything other than a full-throated expression of some very flavorful grape varieties—Zinfandel, Carignan, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Light cranberry hues attest to its broad-shouldered nature, as it offers up bright strawberry, pomegranate, and citrus tones. It’s delicious on its own, and even better with light cheeses and snacks.

Mas Redonne Bandol Rosé 2021
($30, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Those who know rosé know that the Provençal hamlet of Bandol is home to the most elegant expressions of rosé in France, if not the world. Like all Bandol Rosé, Mas Redonne’s offering is mostly Mourvèdre and is typically salmon in color. It’s a sleek wine with pink grapefruit and hints of white peach and minerals. A slightly saline tone on the finish attests to the area’s proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. It’s truly delightful as an aperitif and pairs well with seafood.

THINK PINK: Some rosé production is a byproduct of red wine making; a percentage of juice is bled off after the fruit is crushed but not before it picks up color from the red grape skins that make it pink.

Marques de Caceres Rioja Rosado 2021
($15, Bacchus Importers, Ltd)

The Spanish region of Rioja is famous for its red wines—dry, finely structured wines that range from young and fruity to generously oaked. The Tempranillo grape dominates, so it’s no surprise that this rosado (Spanish for rosé) is made almost entirely from it. The result is a limpid wine with delightful strawberry notes and a clean finish. It’s the perfect way to kick off a night of tapas or simply as a patio sipper at the end of the day. If you’re planning to serve it with food, be mindful of its relatively light body and stick to cheeses, grilled shrimp, and other delicate fare.

Here we are folks, the two-year anniversary of lockdown, and while we aren’t cooped up anymore, we aren’t anywhere close to normal either. It’s against this backdrop that we discovered, thanks to a Google rabbit hole that made our screen time monitor weep, that March 3 is National I Want You To Be Happy Day. In that spirit, we picked three drinks that are straight-up delicious. They made us happy when we tried them and
we hope they make you happy too.

Toza Monastrell 2019
($12, Kysela Pere et Fils)
Monastrell is the Spanish iteration of Mourvédre, a grape that is the backbone of red wine in France. Toza hails from the Jumilla district of Southeastern Spain and carries all the hallmarks of Monastrell done right—juicy raspberry and blackberry, a sprinkle of roasted herbs, and a base of ripe but sturdy tannins. We’ve tasted a couple of overpriced and over-oaked abominations made from Monastrell recently, and we are so happy to recommend this honest, affordable alternative.

The Bruery Frucht Cucumber
($16 four-16 oz. cans, Legends)
You know what makes us smile? Knowing that cask-aged Berliner Weisse beer brewed in California exists. Better still, that it comes from one of our favorite West Coast breweries. And this offering from The Bruery is wild. As a Berlin-styled wheat beer, it displays citrus and coriander tones, plus the funk from Brettanomyces bacteria, and a cucumber freshness. If you’re into well-made beer from out of left field, this will make you very happy indeed.

FUN FACT: Brettanomyces is a form of yeast that shows up in wine and beer. Low levels of “brett” in wine manifests as a leathery note. The longer a wine infected with brett sits, the more prominent these notes. Beer is rarely stored for years and brewers and brett’s influence on beer fermentation adds complexity and character.

La Maison and Velier Clairin Sajous
($45, Prestige Ladroit)
The romantic lure of mezcal is the fact that the best stuff comes from micro-distilleries that are often primitive and about as far from industrial tequila production as one can get. Clairin is the rum analogue of that, produced in Haiti by small distillers from local sugarcane. La Maison and Velier imports three expressions, each named for the gent doing the distilling. The Sajous comes from a mountainous village and displays wonderfully sweet aromas of summer corn with a glassy finish. We recommend it neat, but it plays nicely in a daiquiri, provided you stick to fresh lime juice and simple syrup.

It has been two years since COVID disrupted, among other things, one’s ability to find a date. The bar scene was completely wiped out, restaurants faced all manner of hurdles, and even flirting became nearly impossible. Although we encourage couples to make the most of a Valentine’s night out, we recognize that not everyone is coupled up right now. If that’s the case, we’ve corralled three delicious things to drink that you wouldn’t want to share with anyone anyway. So, grab a glass, the remote, and settle in at home.

Domaine des Mailloches Bourgueil 2019
($18, Free Run Wine Merchants)

Since there’s no one around to impress, you won’t even have to worry about not being able to pronounce this one. All you must know is that it’s delicious. Hailing from the Loire region of France, this Cabernet Franc exudes freshness, offering up appealing notes of cherry and strawberry, and some very interesting floral tones akin to violets. Treat yourself to a filet mignon at home and you will be rewarded with the pairing. Another great option? Pull some cheese out of the fridge along with a hunk of good bread and go to town.

FUN FACT: The Loire Valley is home to France’s most amazing wine regions. Vouvray is known for wine made from Chenin Blanc, and Sancerre is the gold standard for Sauvignon Blanc. The town of Bourgueil is all about Cabernet Franc. It’s considered one of the most famous sources for wines made from this grape.

Maine Beer Co. Lunch IPA
($10, 16.9 oz bottle, Legends)

If you’re as tired of over-hopped IPAs as you are of diamond ring ads, we have the beer for you. The super cool folks at Maine Beer Company have crafted a masterpiece—initial hop bitterness bows to delightful, bright, citrus tones, a smooth and fruity mid-palate, and a crisp, slightly spicy finish. “Why is it called lunch?” you might ask? Well, that’s an homage to Lunch the whale, so named because he has been visiting the coast of Maine around lunchtime off and on since 1982.

Dry Fly Distilling Triticale Whiskey
($45, Kysela Pere et Fils)

Washington State’s Dry Fly Distilling first made a name for itself with a gin that leaned into the London Dry tradition even though it’s American. From there, the distillery built a whiskey program that includes bourbon, wheated whiskies, and vodka. This offering may be the most curious, though. Triticale is a grain developed in Scotland in the late 1800s and is a cross between rye and wheat. As the base for a whiskey, it possesses the spicy sweetness of rye but also the smooth refinement of wheat. It’s tasty and unique, and there’s no real need to share it unless you want to.

For some people, the holiday season is over. For us, the best holiday is yet to come. We are referring, of course, to National Hot and Spicy Food Day on the 16th! From jalapeño-inflected Central American food to piquant Korean fare and everything in between, there’s nothing quite like a hearty bowl of chili or steamy banh mi to liven up the winter blues. What to drink though? Consider these boozy complements to your next heat-seeking culinary adventure.

J&P Matheus Riesling Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Kabinett 2020
($20, Kysela Pere et Fils)

That title is such a mouthful you may not have room for that jalapeño cheese bratwurst, but if you do, this wine is the perfect match. The Riesling grape is tremendously versatile, and this example offers up notes of pear and apple. It has a sunny disposition that plays well with both fatty and spicy food, not least because it’s a bit sweet toward the finish, which helps put out the fire. The wine’s acidic backbone, masked at first by the residual sugar, steps out on the finish to clean things up in a lip-smacking way that primes your palate for the next forkful.

Fun fact: Germany’s Mosel River Valley is home to some of the nest Riesling vineyards. Here, on the steep banks of the river, growers must tend the vineyards manually or risk tumbling a tractor into the river. The town of Piesport anchors the famous Goldtröpfchen (“drops of gold”) vineyard.

Hotel Tango Lemoncello
($35, Winebow)

For the same reasons Riesling works, so does this limoncello from combat veteran-owned Hotel Tango Distillery. Made with actual lemons, this is limoncello ready for sophisticated cocktails. But we aren’t here for sophisticated cocktails, we’re here with a batch of steak fries smothered in Old Bay, which needs something simpler and more direct. Grab a glass, throw in a shot, a squeeze of lemon, some simple syrup and top it with club soda. You’re welcome.

Ommegang Brewery Hennepin Ale
($13 4-pack bottles, Legends)

Most beer lovers reach for India Pale Ale when presented with spicy fare; the high-toned spiciness and bitterness can really dance with hot food. On the other hand, IPAs have been getting hoppier and more bitter and we think there’s a point past which all the hops clash with and maybe even enflame spicy flavors. Ommegang’s classic American saison-style ale still brings the hops, but they’re dialed back a bit to let other notes like clove and citrus have their say. It’s an immensely satisfying brew that elevates food rather than obliterating it but is bold enough not to get pushed around by heat.

Packed with holidays festivities and weighed down with nostalgia and sentiment, December is a month like no other. There are dinners to host, parties to attend, and resolutions to weigh. It can be a wee bit exhausting to keep track of what you need to have on hand, so we’ve taken the guesswork out of it and assembled three potable selections that you can keep at the ready in case you need backup for dinner, a host gift for a party, or simply something to treat yourself at the end of a busy day.

Domaine Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhône “Les Champauvins” 2019
($25, Kysela Pere et Fils)

The Southern Rhône region offers some of the world’s most coveted wines, typically dominated by the Grenache grape. Fans of prestigious bottlings from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and Vacqueyras have watched with dejection as prices have risen in lock step with popularity. Wines that were once treats are now splurges. And while $25 isn’t exactly cheap, this Grenache-based beauty offers the spirit of those wines at a third the price. Ripe cherries, ground peppers, and a hint of cedar are hallmarks of a great Rhône wine, and this example clearly delivers.

Fun fact: “Les Champauvins” represents a murky category of French wines governed by the relationship between quality and place. The more site-specific the wine, the higher the quality. A “lieu dit” wine is recognized as special, but doesn’t enjoy recognition under French law. That said, this wine is a great value.

DC Brau Full Transparency Orange Crush Hard Seltzer
($20 12-pack cans, Legends)

All right, we get it. They’re easy to drink, and inoffensive, and if you’d rather not ruin your workout by having a drink, a low-calorie hard seltzer is here for you. We also understand that if you are going to throw a party, there is a good chance that someone is going to be looking for hard seltzer. Skip the big national brands and claw your way to a local alternative. DC Brau’s Orange Crush is refreshing and will surely please anyone looking for one of these spirited beverages.

Brovo London Dry Gin 1 Liter
($20, Winebow)

Trust us, you’re going to need a bigger bottle. Whether you’re slinging Negronis for a party or mixing yourself a soothing G&T during a moment of solitude, this is the month to consider a slightly larger format. Washington State-based Brovo Spirits has crafted a no-nonsense London Dry gin here, with plenty of honest juniper character without a lot of complicated aromatics to lead it astray from the path of classical old-school gin. The packaging isn’t fancy, but neither is the price, and that makes it a perfect addition to your December liquor lineup.

This month, many of us will be able to bring family together for Thanksgiving in a way that was largely impossible in 2020. For that, we indeed give thanks. As usual, the palates of your guests will be as diverse as their personalities. But no matter who’s sitting at your table—a wine geek, a beer snob, or a person who couldn’t care less and just wants something delicious to sip on—we’ve got you covered!

Fun Fact: Every family has its traditions on Thanksgiving and not all of them are wine-friendly. All the rules about pairings need to relax a little on this holiday. Mix it up—and open things like Riesling, Lambrusco, cheap lagers, and Belgian Lambics. And if White Claw is your thing, we won’t judge.

Giovanni Almondo Roero Arneis “Bricco delle Ciliegie” 2020
($25, Passion Wines)

White wine might seem like an easy call with turkey, but heavier, oaky Chardonnays don’t always play well with mild flavors, and light, simpler wines like Pinot Grigio can get beaten down by thick gravies and sweetish side dishes. This beautifully taut wine hails from Italy’s Piemonte region and offers up plenty of pretty, perfumed notes of white flowers and a touch of green tea that will float above such things without trouncing the bird. A racier finish displays notes of pear and lemon to wash it all down and prepare you for the next forkful.

Erdinger Dunkel
($13 six-pack bottles, Legends)

Here’s a brew that seems perfectly crafted for Thanksgiving fare. Dunkel is brewed as a wheat beer but with darker, chocolatey malts to give it its distinctive color and richer texture. It was first made in 1989 as a present to the brewery’s owner from the brewing staff. He was so impressed with it, he ordered it into production, and it became available to the public in 1990. It’s rich and a little spicy, able to support roasted fowl and hearty vegetables. It’s also elegant and smooth, not interrupting the flow of the meal.

Black Tot Caribbean Rum
($55, Winebow)

Whiskey of some iteration tends to be the high-test sipper of choice as the weather gets cooler, but may we suggest a good rum? After all, for centuries, the British Navy supplied its sailors with a daily ration of rum to steel their nerves against the rigors of Navy life. This came to be known as the daily “tot” until 1970, when the practice was eliminated. Black Tot Rum pays homage to that day and brings together the flavors of Barbados, Guyana, and Jamaica in a rum that offers spicy tropical notes along with coffee and chocolate. It’s a layered and complex offering that will please the single malt Scotch crowd and is also rich, which will surely suit the Bourbon brigade.