Splendid value wines

2007 Sielo Blu Pinot Grigio
Alto Adige is an Italian province near the Austrian border and home to this delicious white wine. The wineries of northern Italy turn out some of the best white wines taking advantage of mountain air and soils.  This wine delivers a crisp and fruit-filled aroma (think peaches and green apples). It sees no oak when being made allowing the natural vibrancy to remain.  It has a lush juicy texture that you rarely find in wines at this price.  It would be a terrific match with sea food or pastas with a cream or cheese sauce. At 12.5 percent alcohol, it would work great on its own or with some cheeses too. I purchased it on sale at Heinen’s for $10. 

2005 Mosen Cleto
The region of Campo de Borja in Spain is home to some great wine values. This unusual bottle is covered with rough particles, so it shouldn’t slip out of your hand when pouring, but the wine inside is velvety smooth. This lovely wine has a beautiful purple color, attractive nose of vanilla and raspberries and a sweet raspberry and cocoa taste. Available at Heinen’s and Zagara’s for $10. The grapes come from old vines, some over 100 years old, which gives it backbone and complexity.  This is a wine that can be sipped on its own or enjoyed with hearty winter dishes this time of year. 

Loren Sonkin lives in Cleveland Heights, where he is a an attorney and contributor to Intowine.com
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Volume 2, Issue 2, Posted 10:41 AM, 01.21.2009