In honor of 365 new days of wine-sipping, we picked the brain of a popular local sommelier, Nectar’s Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) Scott Zoccolillo. He knows and loves wine and is willing to share. Read on to discover your new go-to varietal.
Chardonnay
Yes, it’s still in vogue in part because it pairs well with so many foods. Breaking out the fancy seafood for dinner? Whipping up a creamy risotto? Check and check. Plus it’s a great companion to chicken and white-sauced Italian dishes. “Truth be told, Chardonnay is one of the most versatile grapes out there,” Scott added. “There is always a Chardonnay for every occasion.”
Under $15: Look for great deals from California’s Mendocino County or central coast. It’s unlikely you’ll find a great Napa chard at this price, but take a peek at Chile or South Africa to find wine that delivers, like Cono Sur, Colchagua, Chile, $11.99.
$15–$30: One of Scott’s favorite wineries is in Oregon. “Everyone knows that Oregon makes great Pinot Noir, but for the same reason that Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are grown together in Burgundy, Oregon is making great Chardonnay. These wines have common ancestry and thrive in the same conditions.” He likes Bethel Heights Vineyards, Chardonnay Estate Grown, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $25.99.
$30 +: At this price, Napa, Sonoma or France are in your budget. A crowd pleaser and one of Scott’s (and this writer’s) personal favorites: Cakebread Cellars, Napa, California, $35.99.
BONUS: Worth the drive local options. Scott says take your pick, as Chardonnay is growing well in southeastern Pennsylvania at these wineries: Grace Winery in Glen Mills, Tolino Vineyards in Bangor, Penns Woods Winery in Chadds Ford, Blair Vineyards in Kutztown, Vynecrest in Breinigsville and Waltz Vineyards in Manheim.
Aromatic Whites
Ok, we hear you: you’d like something other than Chardonnay. Then tiptoe into the aromatic category of light, crisp and floral. Scott confirms these are equally food-friendly because they cover the full range, from a Gruner Veltliner that’s got the minerality and acidity to tango with shellfish and sushi to a Riesling that’s sweet enough to tame Asian and spicy foods. Others in this category include Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc and Viognier.
Under $15: “This wine is a great example of bright and crisp,” Scott noted. “And you’ll probably be the only person at the party to bring it, so you’ll get great guest points.” Try Winzer Krems Gruner Veltliner, $12.99.
$15–$30: Sweet doesn’t mean syrupy, and certainly not with a quality Riesling. Help repair sweet’s bad rap with Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben Müller-Burggraef) Bernkasteler Graben Riesling Spatlese, Mosel, Germany, $27.
$30 +: Chenin Blanc is a shape-shifter of sorts, and can be produced as a sweet dessert wine, a crisp sparkling or a dry varietal. Try this complex, layered bottle: Ken Forrester, The FMC Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa, $63.99.
Pinot Blanc
“I love Pinot Blanc,” Scott gushed. “It’s a great food pairing wine and it’s perfect for when the weather starts getting warmer.” He directs us to Oregon, France, Germany and Austria for the best pinot blancs—full-bodied, some dry, some sweet—that won’t break the bank. And guess what? You can get a really good Pinot Blanc for under $30. Now that’s reason to celebrate.
Under $15: Regional microclimate makes this one consistent, elegant and balanced: Domaine Sparr, Alsace, France $14.99.
$15–$30: This bottle is fresh and dry, with honey and floral aromas with hints of lemon: Elk Cove Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $18.99.
Sauvignon Blanc
Serving a few courses for the big meal? Call on the bold and balanced Sauvignon Blanc to take on salads, cheese courses, veggie fare and even spring rolls. The name means “wild white” and it won’t disappoint.
Under $15: Look for bold, tart grapefruit in this country’s offerings: Walnut Block Wines, The Collectables, Marlborough, New Zealand, $10.99.
$15–$30: You’ll find slate minerality with tangerine, lime and citrus from this country’s sauv blanc: Pascal Jolivet, Sancerre Blanc, Loire, France, $24.99.
$30+: Stateside varietals are a mix of fruit and stone minerality: Merry Edwards Winery, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California $41.99.
Cabernets and Blends
“Everyone tends to gravitate to Napa for its cab options due to the reputation for quality—which is high—but the intense heat, tight tannins and heaving oaking mean these wines can take more than a decade to really come into their own,” Scott explained. Instead, he directed us to cooler regions that have early maturing grapes blended to help make the cab more approachable at a young age. Fear not; they still pair with meat, game—anything with fat.
Under $15: “South African cabs, in my opinion, are one of the most underrated wines in the wine world. South Africa is delivering great wines and modest prices that bring dark, jammy fruit, moderate oak, approachable tannins and a touch of herbaciousness,” Scott added. Sample Warwick Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosh, South Africa $13.99.
$15–$30: This one opens very quickly to a purple flower nose, blueberry and macerate blackberry palate, plus some smoke and leather: Mollydooker Wines, The Maitre D’, McLaren Vale, Australia, $27.99.
$30+: “No one does blends quite like the French,” Scott said. Check out this right bank Bordeaux, Merlot-based wine with organic earth undertones, blue and black ripe fruit and silky smooth tannins: Chateau Bel-Air, St-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France $54.99.
Merlot
Scott is firm on this: Merlot is good. Really good. Even great. It offers red fruits, easy tannins and a soft finish and can be earthy or fruit-forward. Plus it pairs well with burgers, steaks and Italian food.
Under $15: “Washington makes great Merlot; it’s really one of its best varietals. And this one is the type of Merlot that will make you want to drink Merlot again,” Scott promised. Try Charles Smith Wine, The Velvet Devil, Washington State, $12.99.
$15–$30: Get darker fruit, more oak and a bigger wine than you’d expect with L’Ecole No. 41, Columbia Valley, Washington, $23.99.
$30+: Medium- to full-bodied from the land of the big reds, this Merlot is jammy, tannic and complex. Rombauer Vineyards, Carneros, California, $32.99.
BONUS: Worth the drive local options. Scott says these can hold their own: Black Walnut Winery in Coatesville, Karamoor Estate in Fort Washington and Crossing Vineyards in Washington Crossing.
Malbec and Zinfandel
These two have similar flavor profiles. They’re fruit forward, easy drinking wines that have a tendency to become tannic and dark with the right growing conditions and winemaker techniques. Scott likes to pair them with meat, burgers, barbeque and game.
Under $15: Soft, sweet tannins produce flavors of raspberry jam with a hint of smoky oak: Septum Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, $12.99.
$15–30: This wine preserves the balance between fruit and wood, with young aromas: Achaval-Ferrer Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, $29.99.
$30+: Rich with fruit, spices and notes of caramel and vanilla, this zin drinks well now or can be cellared for several years: Robert Biale Vineyards, Black Chicken Zinfandel, Napa Valley, California $44.99.
Pinot Noir
Scott calls this the perfect red wine for the “I don’t like red wine” people. It’s also a nice compromise for a table of cab and chard drinkers. Pinot Noir, one of the most versatile reds you can find, stands up to rich duck and veal and also complements chicken dishes.
Under $15: Light-bodied with ample fruit, spice and earthiness, this pick is an easy drinker: The Crusher, Clarksburg, California, $12.99.
$15–30: A bit bolder, this pinot is elegant, with polished tannins and distinct red aromas: Adelsheim, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $28.99.
$30+: Enjoy a complex wine, including flavors of strawberry, cherry and cranberry with just a hint of orange-cinnamon spice: Duckhorn Vineyards’ Migration, Russian River Valley, California, $32.99.
Dessert Options
Sweet and sweet pair very nicely, and the sweeter the wine, the better. There are many options for dessert wines—Port, Sherry, Sauternes, Muscat—and each has its place on the dessert table.
- To pair with chocolate, choose a Ruby Port like the rich, fruity, full-bodied and tannic Fonseco Porto, Bin 27, Douro Valley, Portugal, $21.99.
- Pick a Tawny Port to pair with cheese. This gem is seasoned in oak casks with a complex mellow flavor and nutty aromas: Taylor’s Fladgate 20 Year, Oporto, Portugal, $45.99.
- When you’re in the mood for fruity desserts, go with a Sauternes. This sip has fine dry notes of apricot and honey and light floral notes: La Fleur Renaissance, Sauternes, France $17.99 (half bottle).
- Dreaming for something creamy or savory? Reach for an intense Ice Wine that explodes with fresh peach and apricot flavors, like J. Maki Winery, Vidal Ice Wine, Elverson, Pennsylvania, $39.99.
Champagne and Sparkling Wines
Got to have the bubbles? It’s OK; Scott confirms just opening a bottle of champagne can be a reason to celebrate. “Champagne and sparkling are wines really worth spending way more money than you usually would on an occasion.” But there are some pocketbook-friendly options too.
Under $15: You probably won’t find a true Champagne at this price, but rather a Cremant—sparkling wine from France not made in the Champagne region. Stick with Prosecco or Cava, instead, like this good everyday drinking Prosecco: Elmo Pio, Veneto, Italy $12.99.
$15–$30: “California sparklings shine in this price point,” Scott raved. Pick up Roederer Estate, Brut Rose, Anderson Valley, California, $27.99.
$30+: For the light, floral and fruity crowd, select Champagne Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut, Champagne, France, $47.99. For the full bodied, with mild toast, brioche and nutty notes crowd, delight with Piper-Heidsieck, Brut, Champagne, France, $42.99.
BONUS: Worth the drive local option: J. Maki Winery, Blanc de Blanc, Elverson, Pennsylvania, $49.
We trust you have at least one new wine to try—probably several. Grab your wallet, jump in the car and head on over to your local Wine & Spirits store. From all of us at Dish, have a tasty New Year!
- Photography: Nina Lea Photography
