COMMON CENTS WINE CLUB December 2020 | 6-bottle line up 2016 Alta Alella Cava Gran Reserva ‘Mirgin’ Grapes: Pansa Blanca (Xarel-lo), Macabeu, Parellada Region: Allela, Spain Retail: $18.99 We’re starting you out with a fresh, sparkling number to kick off your holiday celebrations this month. Hailing from right outside of Barcelona and a few steps from the Mediterranean, you can almost taste the salty ocean air in this Spanish Cava from the family-run Alta Alella winery. Cava is made with the exact same process as Champagne — although the grapes are different — which means you get excellent value without the hefty price tag. Drinking & pairing ideas*: Cava is a blissful snacking wine. Try it with some salty cheese, ​ olives, potato chips (trust us), smoked salmon, or serrano ham. Special unbroken case price is $185 (that’s $15.42 / bottle if you buy 12) 2003 C.H. Berres Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese Grape: 100% Riesling Region: Mosel, Germany Retail: $18.99 We tasted this [worthy of an enthusiastic expletive but we’ll resist] delightful 17-year-aged wine this summer, and thought it would be so perfect for December that we patiently waited to share it with you. We’re so glad it’s finally here because Riesling is a pretty misunderstood (for example, it’s not all sweet! You can find a range of bone dry to super sweet Riesling.), underappreciated wine. Markus Berres’ family has been working these vineyards since 1510(!), making him a 21st generation winemaker with some of the most coveted land in the Mosel Valley. That expertise and heart is apparent in this creamy, nutty wine that lingers long after your last sip. Drinking & pairing ideas: The classic pairing is spiced duck, but we’re also big fans of a cold ​ glass of Riesling with spicy Indian or Vietnamese food. But whether you’re enjoying it on a weeknight or as part of your holiday menu, we hope it brings a celebratory charm to your meal. Special unbroken case price is $185 (that’s $15.42 / bottle if you buy 12) 2016 Leone de Castris Salice Salentino Reserva ‘50th Anniversary’ Grapes: Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera di Lecce Region: Puglia, Italy Retail: $19.99 This winery has been running since 1665 when the Spanish Duke’s family fell so in love with the turquoise beach town of Puglia that they decided to pack up the whole crew and permanently relocate. They’re now the oldest and most respected winery in the area. Negroamaro, the main grape used here, roughly translates to “black bitter”, but it’s a misnomer. This wine is lush and dark and plummy, a result of the hot sunshine and centuries of experience that the family of winemakers brings to the table. Drinking & pairing ideas: Try it with spice-rubbed and roasted meats like beef or lamb, or a ​ hearty, wintry stew. Special unbroken case price is $193 (that’s $16.08 / bottle if you buy 12) 2011 Bodegas Ontañon Rioja Reserva Grapes: Tempranillo, Graciano Region: Rioja, Spain Retail: $18.99 After the year we’ve all had, some days we just need a bottle of wine that gives us a hug and tells us everything is going to be okay. Enter this bottle of Spanish goodness. Are you a fan of Grenache? Pinot Noir? Cabernet? Merlot? Delicious wine in general? This one's for you. Snuggled in Northern Spain close to Bilbao, the Rioja region hosts the annual Batalla del Vino (Wine Battle) to celebrate a few Catholic saints. The morning of the festival, everyone dons all-white clothing, goes to mass together, then hikes up a hill to cover each other in 500 liters of wine. The goal is to turn everyone’s attire purple before it’s time to continue the party with live music, dancing, food, and more wine. We’re telling you, these Spaniards know what’s up. Drinking & pairing ideas: Perfect when you got a little too ambitious (nay, joyous) in the cheese ​ aisle and now you’re wondering how you’re going to eat it all. This wine is also a valiant partner for fatty, herby pork or chorizo and roasted potatoes, if you’re looking for a holiday meal pairing. Special unbroken case price is $185 (that’s $15.42 / bottle if you buy 12) 2019 Bullets Before Cannonballs Ricca Terra Vintners Grapes: 35.5% Lagrein, 30% Nero d'Avola, 27.5% Montepulciano, 7% Tempranillo Region: Riverland, Australia Retail: $19.99 The name of this wine comes from the old, wise sailor practice of shooting small bullets to test their trajectory to make sure they could successfully hit the target before firing the cannonballs. Basically, measure twice, cut once. Slow and steady wins the race. Haste makes waste. You get it. Married couple Ashley and Holly Ratcliffe bought their vineyard in South Australia in 2003, determined to plant grapes that would thrive in the warm, dry climate. They start with a small plot of a grape to watch it over the seasons to see if it has the right type of grit and charisma — and of course, if it will make fantastic wine — before going all in with a larger plot. The Ratcliffes’ patience (and affinity for idioms) has paid off with this bright red blend of pure fun. Drinking & pairing ideas: If you’re looking for a weeknight pairing, try this with takeout from ​ your favorite Mexican restaurant. Or if you’re looking for a match for a richer holiday dish like beef brisket, this is your jam. Special unbroken case price is $193 (that’s $16.08 / bottle if you buy 12) 2016 Château Les Guizats Sauternes Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon Region: Bordeaux, France Retail: $17.99 Okay, we went back and forth on whether to include this wine this month, but we love it and really want you to try it. So please trust us. Sauternes is a very special full-bodied dessert wine made from rotted grapes. Yes, rotted grapes. While they’re still on the vine, the grapes are exposed to a naturally-occurring fungus called Noble Rot (or botrytis), which makes them shrivel up and get super concentrated and complex. This requires the perfect conditions (cool, damp mornings from the river fog and sunny, warm afternoons) so the grapes have the right amount of exposure to the fungus without just getting moldy and gross. The sweet, concentrated juice is then pressed from the grapes before going through the winemaking process. It’s liquid gold. Drinking & pairing ideas: Sauternes is a perfect after-dinner companion all on its own, but it’s ​ also FIRE when it comes to pairing. Try it with rich, savory dishes like terrine and blue cheese, or desserts like roasted pineapple, cheesecake, and fruit tart. Or, if it’s a Tuesday night, and someone just dropped off a plate of holiday cookies and you’re trying to figure out what to drink, we wholeheartedly recommend opening this bottle. It’s as much of a wine to drink in your pajamas as it is a black tie affair. Either way, serve it chilled. If you’re looking to tuck away some wine for future enjoyment, Sauternes will age for decades. Special unbroken case price is $177 (that’s $14.75 / bottle if you buy 12) *As always, our food suggestions are just starting points. Wine is nostalgic and we’re big fans of making what you like, drinking what you like, and not giving a damn if they “go” together. And a quick note This has been a pretty brutal year, and for most of us, the holidays are looking a lot different (and quieter) than usual. Knowing we’re all in this together has brought us levity in the darkest times, and we can’t quite articulate how special it’s been to get to share wine and stay connected with you through the club. Even with masks, even with 6 feet, even with the boatloads of hand sanitizer. Thank you so much for your support this year. We appreciate you down to our bones. Wishing you and your loved ones sweet, peaceful holidays with maybe one more glass of wine than you really should. We can’t wait to share the wines we have in store for you next year. Stay safe and stay strong. We’ll see you then. Jen & Natalie The Common Cents Team .