A trip to the liquor store can be overwhelming. Red? White? Dry? Sweet? It’s great to have choices, but really, how does one navigate the myriad of bottles? Perhaps the interesting label design draws sufficient attention to warrant the victory trip to the register. Bill Princeton, of Princeton’s Liquors, can help. He’s picked six wines based on the three questions he is most often asked by wine shoppers. His input is bound to make your next wine run a bit less chaotic.
“What is really popular these days?”
Tavo Pinot Grigio
“Pinot Grigios are always popular,” says Princeton. “I am not even a pinot grigio fan, but I really enjoy this one. It is a very fruity wine; lots of melon and pear, and good acidity. In the industry, we call this one a ‘patio pounder,’ meaning an inexpensive wine to be drunk heartily with friends on the patio, boat, deck—anywhere outside.” ($9.99)
Runaway Red Pinot Noir
“Not only are pinot noir popular, but pinot noirs from Willamette Valley are crushing it these days. Runaway Red is hands down one of my favorites. With aromas of cinnamon, bright flavors of tart raspberry and cherry, this wine has a light-bodied acidity and clarity and virtually no tannins.” ($19.99)
Adelante Malbec
“Now, here is the granddaddy of what’s hot: malbecs. This varietal is on fire. I am guessing its surge is because it pairs so well with beef. That, and you can find a great one for a decent price. The blueberry/blackberry character and spice notes are exactly what you expect in a malbec.” ($14.99)
“Do you have anything unique?”
Boundary Breaks Riesling Ovid Line North
“Wait, what is so unique about a Riesling? Well, this one comes from New York where they make some of the best Rieslings. This one starts off with flavors of juicy strawberry and mango and finishes with pineapple and grapefruit. Most people are used to Rieslings being sweet. This one is a drier-style. So ‘I don’t like sweet wines’ does not work with this one.” ($17.99)
Field Recordings Sauvignon Blanc
“On the front of the bottle it says sauvignon blanc, but this one is a blend of 86 percent sauvignon blanc and 14 percent semillon. However, that is not what makes it unique. This wine is fermented mostly in used French oak barrels with small parts in concrete. When you taste it, you can tell. Still really bright and crisp, but the barrel aging adds a thickness and roundness not often associated with this style.” ($15.99)
“What are your favorites?”
Josef Ehmoser Zweigelt Rosé
“We are suckers for rosé here at Princeton’s. Unfortunately, this part of the country does not share the passion we do...yet. Once I get someone to try a rosé I notice how often I have to restock them. This specific rosé is put on a ‘wow’ list because it is from Austria, and the varietal is a Zweigelt (made from an Austrian red-wine grape). Chill it down and you have bright berries and cherries in a glass.” ($16.99)
