Cellar Notes on WYPR

Everybody appreciates a good buy when you’re shopping for the Fourth, so here are a trio of excellent wines that should get the job done.

When Argentina decided to up its game a few decades ago, their first important female wine maker was at the head of the movement. Hugh checks out the latest offerings from Susan Balbo. 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 Susan Balbo Crios Malbec, Mend...

Founded by an immigrant Frenchman in 1990, the original intent was to produce Malbecs with high quality and finesse. Fabre-Montmayou continues to turn out some of the best Argentine reds at affordable prices, including superb cabernet sauvignon. Check out this week's recommended wines on WYPR.org.

Not quite as well known as its neighbor Rioja, Ribera del Duero nevertheless is one of Spain’s most esteemed appellations. Big powerful reds with considerable complexity, these wines deserve a much bigger audience.

It’s taken a while for South African Pinotage to catch on, but they’ve really made some impressive strides lately. Hugh gives us an update on this intriguing red wine.

If you’ve spent any time in Barcelona, you would have discovered their passion for the fortified wine called Vermouth. Produced both as a red and white, they hold a unique and important position in the world of wine. It’s the “botanical” flavors that matter.

Piedmont may be the home of Barolo and Barbaresco, but it’s also home to a number of super tasty whites. Hugh conducts a survey course of these tantalizing wines.

Carrying on last week’s theme of lighter reds, Hugh talks about the King of them all, the super popular Valpolicello Ripassos from the Veneto.

With the winter-time in the rear-view mirror, we can be forgiven for wanting to lighten up our red wine selections. Al looks at a group of light reds from Italy.

It’s never the wrong season for rosé wine, as its year-round popularity attests. Al takes a look at three superb examples produced in different styles.

Once terribly obscure, Albariño has become a staple in our white wine arsenal. This Spanish Superstar has found a dedicated following here in the States.

If you can’t manage a Mediterranean cruise, you probably can manage to pick up a bottle or two of white wine from Mediterranean shores. Al looks at three winners.

With Passover just around the corner, we thought it would be a good idea to see what kind of Kosher wines are available these days. As Hugh points out, quality has gotten quite high.

One of the most popular wines from Italy is the famous Chianti Classico, a legendary red that comes from the heart of Tuscany. Hugh reviews three wines.

Say Australia and people automatically think “Shiraz”, but as Al points out, there are lots of other red wines worthy of consideration.

Everyone knows about Malbec from Argentina, but it’s not the only red made there. Al takes a look at Cabernet Franc from the land of the gauchos.

Martin Ray Winery in the Russian River Valley is a pioneer in Sonoma County. In recent years they have been producing an outstanding line of wines under the Angeline label.

Wines from Portugal are no longer an oddity, but a frequent guest on Cellar Notes. Al takes a look at three reds from Alentejo, a wine region we’ve become quite familiar with.

It’s that time again when we look at one of our favorite themes: strange wines from strange places! And Hugh has just what we’re looking for.

We’re always on the lookout for new wines from new places, and recently Sardinia has popped up on our radar screen. Al samples some of the best from a leading Sardinian winery.

The lively and flavorful wines of the Cotes du Rhone are often a bargain hunter’s paradise. Hugh takes a look at a few CDR’s that are worthy of your attention.

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most revered red wines… and don’t they know it. Prices frequently reach three figures, but Al has found three excellent Pinots that are affordable.

At a time of the year when every dollar counts, it’s good to get some advice on bargain wines. Al takes a look at a collection of whites that won’t strain your budget.

After the expenses of the holidays, it’s good to have some very reasonably priced wine options. Fortunately, Hugh has done some searching and has come up with some good bets.

Often overlooked in favor of cabernet sauvignon, merlot is actually its quality peer and a great choice for holiday dinners. Al focuses on three likely candidates.