In the Wine Aisle

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

2003 El Coto Rioja Crianza

Spain, $13

Flavors: earthy red fruitiness balanced by tannin and a hint of smoke

Alcohol: 13 percent

Pair with: bacon cheeseburger, chicken, grilled meats, pork, veal, venison

Where to find it: Beltway Fine Wine, Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits, Corridor Wine & Spirits, MacArthur Beverages, Rodman's (District), Total Wine & More, Wine Specialist

2005 or 2006 Etude Carneros Pinot Noir Rosé

California, $20

Flavors: crisp and elegant strawberries, raspberries and a touch of cranberries

Alcohol: 13.9 percent

Pair with: beef, tuna, turkey (with mustard and ketchup) and veggie burgers

Where to find it: Ace Beverage, Corridor

2005 Les Jamelles Vins de Pays d'Oc Pinot Noir

France, $10

Flavors: black cherries and blackberries beautifully balanced by light tannins

Alcohol: 13 percent

Pair with: bacon cheeseburger, salmon burger, tuna burger, veggie burger

Where to find it: Calvert Woodley, Schneider's of Capitol Hill, Wine Specialist

2005 or 2006 Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages

France, $11

Flavors: chilling shows off bright, ripe red berries and crisp acidity

Alcohol: 12.5 percent

Pair with: red pepper-, tomato- and cheese-dominated veggie burgers

Where to find it: Ace, Beltway, Calvert Woodley, Chevy Chase, Circle Wine & Liquor, Corridor, Rodman's, Total Wine, Wine Specialist

2005 Wild Horse Central Coast Chardonnay

California, $17

Flavors: pear fruitiness balanced by notes of vanilla and toasty oak

Alcohol: 13.9 percent

Pair with: turkey burger with mayo, veggie burger, chicken, creamy pastas, seafood

Where to find it: Beltway, Corridor, Rodman's, Total Wine, Wine Specialist

Note: Prices are approximate. Contact stores to verify availability. List does not include every store that carries each wine. Other resources for finding wines include http://www.wineaccess.com and http://www.winesearcher.com.

Retailers: Ace Beverage, 3301 New Mexico Ave. NW, 202-966-4444; Beltway Fine Wine, 8727 Loch Raven Blvd., Towson, Md., 410-668-8884; Calvert Woodley, 4339 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-966-0445; Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits, 5544 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-363-4000; Circle Wine & Liquor, 5501 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-966-0600; Corridor Wine & Spirits, 3321 Corridor Marketplace, Laurel, 301-617-8507; MacArthur Beverages, 4877 MacArthur Blvd. NW, 202-338-1433; Rodman's, 5100 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-363-3466; Schneider's of Capitol Hill, 300 Massachusetts Ave. NE, 202-543-9300; Total Wine & More, multiple locations,http://www.totalwine.com; Wine Specialist, 2115 M St. NW, 202-833-0707.