
Lauren Lamacchia
Fine Wine Manager
Athens Distributing Company
Sparkling
1. Roederer Estate Brut
Anderson Valley, California
Establishing itself as one of California’s premier sparklers, the Roederer Estate Brut builds on the 200-year-old winemaking tradition begun by their French counterpart, Champagne Louis Roederer – makers of the famed Cristal. This wine is crisp and elegant with complex pear, spice, and hazelnut flavors, and it’s fresh and lightly fruity with elegant bubbles that roll across your palate. This is a perfect bottle to pop open for a date night or celebrate a great achievement, but don’t forget that the Roederer Estate Brut is not just for toasting! It’s also wonderful for brunches, sushi, and my all-time favorite: fried chicken.
White
2. Gundlach Bundschu Dry Gewürztraminer
Sonoma Coast, California
“GunBun” for short, Gundlach Bundschu is California’s oldest continuously family-owned winery to date. All of their wines are exquisite, but their Gewürztraminer is one that stands out. Full-bodied and bone-dry, the bright finish offers lingering lemon-lime flavors, a hint of nuttiness, and classic varietal spice. Enjoy this wine with a wide array of foods, including anything with some spice, and don’t forget a bottle for Thanksgiving. This wine is a sure crowd-pleaser.
Red
3. Girard Artistry Red Blend
Napa Valley, California
Napa Valley-based Girard could easily have the motto “high-quality wines at affordable prices.” For over four decades, Girard has produced a red blend from their best barrel lots using the five primary Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. It is in the blending process of this wine that they feel “Artistry” finds its best representation. This wine is fresh and focused with aromas of red fruit on the nose, while blackberry, cherry, and notes of coffee on the palate lead to a long and velvety finish. This wine makes a great pairing for fattier cuts of meat, such as ribeye or braised short ribs.
Rosé
4. Mont Gravet Rosé
Languedoc, France
Mont Gravet Rosé is made from a grape called Cinsault that is sourced from Languedoc, which is located in Southern France. It is a wonderfully fresh and fruit-forward dry rosé with lovely aromas and notes of raspberry and blackberry on the nose and palate that will leave you wanting more after every sip. It is a wonderful “anytime” wine and a delicious aperitif. It’s a great pair with salads, fish, and even barbecue. This wine is affordable and delicious, which is my all-time favorite pairing.