Champagne Perseval-Farge Terre de Sables Brut Premier Cru
★ ★ ★
Champagne, France, $62
This lovely champagne is a worthy splurge for a celebration, whether a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner or some other occasion. It’s excellent premier cru grower champagne, meaning the grapes are grown by the winery that makes the wine, a rarity in Champagne. Perseval-Farge produces several top-notch wines; all are worth seeking out. Alcohol by volume: 12 percent.
Wine Traditions: Available in the District at Arrowine and Spirits, Cork Market. Available in Virginia at La Fromagerie in Alexandria, Vienna Vintner.
Barone Pizzini Animante
★ ★
Franciacorta, Italy, $35
Franciacorta is Italy’s top sparkling wine, and the best examples offer champagne quality at relatively modest prices. The Barone Pizzini is crisp and delightfully refreshing, with red-fruit flavors that pair well with lighter dishes and salads. And it’s delicious by itself. ABV: 12 percent.
Winebow in the District, Country Vintner in Maryland and Virginia: Available in the District at A. Litteri, Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Rodman’s; on the list at Tartufo. Available in Maryland at Iron Bridge Wine Co. in Columbia. Available in Virginia at the Italian Store (Lyon Village, Westover); on the list at Assaggi Osteria in McLean.
Château Famaey Malbec 2011
★ ★
Cahors, France, $18
This wine exudes traditional Old World style, with its oak aging nicely and balanced by earthy, sophisticated flavors of mushrooms and wood spice, layered over dark fruits. I recommend decanting this for an hour or two before drinking to allow it to develop. ABV: 13.5 percent.
Siema: Available in the District at Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Cork & Fork; on the menu at Jack Rose Dining Saloon. Available in Maryland at Cork & Fork in Bethesda, Fenwick Beer & Wine in Silver Spring, Old Town Market in Kensington, Viniferous in Frederick; on the list at Petit Louis Bistro in Baltimore. Available in Virginia at Caboose Wine & Cheese in Ashland, Cork & Fork in Gainesville, D’Vine Wines in Winchester, Little Washington Winery and Tasting Room in Washington, Once Upon a Vine in Richmond (South), Planet Wine & Gourmet in Alexandria, Swiss Bakery (Springfield), Tastings of Charlottesville, Tides Inn Market in Colonial Beach; on the list at Bizou and Tavola in Charlottesville, Mele Bistro in Arlington, Palio in Leesburg, Requin in Fairfax.
Petit Jammes Malbec 2013
★ ★
Cahors, France, $13
A juicy, fun wine, it has enough earth and spice to keep it in balance and solidly in the Old World. Drink this beauty with casual meals, such as burgers or roast chicken. ABV: 13 percent.
Dionysus: Available in the District at Bell Wine & Spirits, Wagshal’s Deli. Available in Maryland at Beer, Wine & Co. in Bethesda, Iron Bridge Wine Co. in Columbia, Wine Cellars of Annapolis. Available in Virginia at Cork & Fork in Gainesville, Unwined (Alexandria, Belleview).
Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
★ ★
Colchagua Valley, Chile, $10
Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of familiar friends. Los Vascos is not a new or trendy winery. The Domaines Barons de Rothschild, the owners of Château Lafite Rothschild in Bordeaux, created Los Vascos in 1988, buying an existing estate that dated to the 1850s. Ever since, Los Vascos has produced some of the world’s best bargain cabernet sauvignons, and it just keeps getting better. It probably takes a top Bordeaux producer to combine high quality and volume at such a low price. This widely available wine is worth buying by the case. Like many of Chile’s best values, it should age well for many years, in case you forget some bottles in your cellar. ABV: 14 percent.
Southern in the District and Maryland, Select in Virginia: Widely available.
More from Food:
