★ ★ ★Exceptional ★ ★Excellent ★Very Good
Availability information is based on distributor records. Wines might not be in stock at every listed store and might be sold at additional stores. Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.
Here are four super wines to help you through the late winter chill.
★ ★ ★
Pic Saint Loup, Languedoc, France, $20
Winebow: Available in the District at Arrowine and Spirits, Connecticut Avenue Wine & Liquor, P&C Market, Pearson’s; on the list at Red Hen.
★ ★ ★
Sonoma County, Calif. $16
Republic National: Available in the District at 1 W Dupont Circle Wine & Liquors, Ace Beverage, Burka’s Wine & Liquor, Cairo Wine & Liquor, Calvert Woodley, Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits, Harris Teeter (various locations), MacArthur Beverages, Morris Miller Wine & Liquor, Pearson’s, Safeway (various locations), Trader Joe’s (various locations), Whole Foods Market (various locations).
★ ★
Priorat, Spain, $20
Priorat, near Barcelona, became fashionable for its brooding, brawny wines with high alcohol that resemble a furnace, a style I don’t particularly care for. The Lo Petit is made from this winery’s younger vines, so it emphasizes more fruit flavors than Priorat tends to display. The alcohol is not shy by any means, but it is well-balanced. This wine is a nice partner to hearty meat dishes. ABV: 14.5 percent.
The Spanish Wine Importers: Available in the District at Ace Beverage, Cordial Fine Wine & Spirits; on the list at Bodega, Estadio. Available online from www.tienda.com. Available in Virginia at Arrowine and Cheese and Twisted Vines Bottleshop in Arlington; Cheesetique (Alexandria, Arlington); Classic Wines in Great Falls; Clifton Wine Shop; Grapevine in Warrenton; Market Street Wineshop and Wine Warehouse in Charlottesville; Planet Wine & Gourmet in Alexandria; Swirl & Sip in Fairfax; Union Market in Richmond; the Vineyard in McLean; the Wine Outlet in Vienna; WineStyles (Montclair).
★ ★ ★
Lodi, Calif., $12
Quintessential: Available in the District at Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits, Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Pearson’s, Rodman’s. Available in Maryland at Ronnie’s Fine Wine & Spirits in Forest Hill; Weaver’s Discount Liquors in Elkton. Available in Virginia at Ballston Place Gourmet and International Wine & Beverage in Arlington.