Cellar Notes on WYPR

( Over the years, these are the wines that Al has gravitated to every November.)   Price key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60 Quality key:  * = decent wine   ** = very good wine   *** = superb wine   ****= elite VALUE = exceptional quality for the money   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We re-visit the wines of Chile, for decades one of our favorite "exotic" locales for good deals in fine wine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Co-Host Al Spoler has a passionate love affair with Beaujolais which he says is such a likeable wine.  But these days, he finds himself gravitating to the higher end which is known as the Cru Beaujolais. And co-host Hugh Sisson says these red wines are actually terrific value these days. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Al and Hugh have commented once again that it’s time to go back to the old country.  Some of the greatest wines come from Italy come from the Veneto region of Italy, and the famous red that comes from there is Valpolicella. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Jewish Holidays continue between now and the end of the year, the Cellar Notes connoisseurs (Al Spoler & Hugh Sisson) have been sampling several Kosher wines and discuss their recommendations and how the number of Kosher wines producers have dramatically increased in the last 20-30 years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both Al and Hugh have had a long-standing love affair with the wines of Alsace, some the best wines in the world…with their friend Sipp Mack in the beautiful little village of Alsace. And Hugh is getting ready to return to Alsace in a few weeks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continuing the theme of last week, Al & Hugh continue to explore an under appreciated wine from Washington State. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington State Whites                              Price key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60 Quality key:  * = decent wine   ** = very good wine   *** = superb wine   ****= elite VALUE = exceptional quality for the money   All of these wines can be purchased at Kenilworth Wine and Spirits.  Click on the bottle for direct ordering and home delivery. See omnystudio.com/l...

California Red Blends   (Although California excels at single variety reds, there are many red blends that are tasty and very affordable.)   Price key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60 Quality key:  * = decent wine   ** = very good wine   *** = superb wine   ****= elite VALUE = exceptional quality for the money   Kalpela Provincial Red, Lot 15, Mendocino, NV *** $  WINE OF...

Spanish Reds (Al likes nothing more than staying in touch with some of his favorite red wines in the entire world, the tintas of Spain.) Price key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60 Quality key:  * = decent wine   ** = very good wine   *** = superb wine   ****= elite VALUE = exceptional quality for the money   Les Mines Priorat '17  *** $  WINE OF THE WEEK                (A...

Aside from Burgundy, the Loire, and Alsace, just about all French white wines are blends, and there are some very yummy choices out there. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Al revisits his old favorite and finds some very nice wines to write home about. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you like Italy's pinot grigio, you'll be fascinated by the pinot gris of the Pacific Northwest; same grape but with a different approach. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once lean and green and easy to pass up, Italian pinot grigio has changed its tune and has become a very user friendly wine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Importer Mary Taylor finds wines from important regions that taste the way they are supposed to, given the region. A fine guide for learning new wine territories See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Al tries out several new wines from southern central California including a highly unusual Italian white variety. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The distilling industry in Maryland is small but growing like crazy. Lyon Rum in St. Michaels is producing an outstanding line of quality sipping rum that Al loves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a long time travelers have been coming back from upstate New York bearing tales of the wonderful wines growing there. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes you just want that beer flavor with none of the alcohol. Al has found several very convincing beers that fill the bill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Al explores these intriguing wines from a forward looking Italian cooperative. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hugh takes a look at these delicious sauvignon blancs from the Loire Valley. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(New offerings from a Sierra Foothills winery that sources from premier vineyards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Light and refreshing, Portugal's Vinho Verde is easy to enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This popular red from Argentina is perfect for summer sipping and comes in a variety of styles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The late Jess Jackson found this mountain site for his dream vineyards See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.