Check out our monthly “Staff Picks” wines, where we choose 12 of our current favorite wines, specially chosen to pair well with seasonal dishes and that present good value for the price. Save 10% on any purchases, or put together a mixed-or-matched case of 12 bottles for a 20% discount.

 

May Staff Picks

Bresolin Bio Prosecco “Benny” Extra Brut, Italy (Aron)

This bubbly is a drier version of Prosecco made from the Glera grape in the Veneto region of Italy.  Made by three Bresolin brothers, they named this wine “Benny” for their father Beniamino, who imbued in them a love and respect of not only the land they farm but also the woods close to the vineyards filled with roe deer, wild boar and birds. This respect is why they chose to farm organically in the hills of Asolo.  This is bright, energetic and refreshing with notes of fresh crunchy green apple, zippy grapefruit and tangy pineapple yet finishes dry on the palate. This would be lovely paired with grilled fish, cheese and salumi, or as a celebratory aperitif. Saluti!

$24.99

Mills Club: $22.49

Case Price: $19.99                                                     ORGANIC                  

 

Josef Bauer 2021 Riesling Feuersbrunn, Niederosterreich, Austria (Pat)

Josef and Christine Bauer and their children are the fourth and fifth generation of the family managing this small ten-hectare estate just northeast of Vienna, an area replete with “loess” soils.  Loess is a German term meaning “loose”, referring to the easily crumbling soil that’s filled with minerals and easy to drain, making it ideal for wine cultivation. Here the Bauer family grows primarily Gruner Veltliner and Riesling, practicing organic farming. This dry (less than 7 g/L sugar) Riesling features generous aromas and flavors of ripe pears, white peaches, and zippy lemon zest which follow through to a fresh, juicy finish with lots of acidity and a touch of white pepper. This wine will elevate sushi or fish or chicken dishes with spicy elements.

$17.99

Mills Club $16.19

Case Price $14.39                                                                                                                                                                 

Elton Bay 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Coastal Region, South Africa (David)

Elton Bay wines are a nod to the beautiful, ruggedly mountainous South African coastline, largely undeveloped. Lime blossom, passion fruit, green mango and white pepper aromatics and a lightly minerally palate with brisk acidity are satisfying in this simple South African white wine. We enjoy this great value wine with fish tacos or Greek salad, or on the grill with prawns or squid.

$10.00

Mills Club: $9.00

Case Price: $8.00                                                                                          

 

Casa d’Ambra 2021 Forastera, Campania, Italy (Tim)

The unique volcanic isle of Ischia lies in the Tyrhennian Sea off the southwest coast of Italy as part of the Campania wine region.  Ischia is a quirky fishermen’s domain that was recently featured on Stanley Tucci’s “Searching for Italy” program. Food and wine are of course an integral part of the local culture! This dry white wine is made from the Forastera grape which thrives on the island. Vibrant and boldly textured, this wine delights with fresh notes of apricot, pear, almond, and hint of Mediterranean scrub. Rabbit stew is a staple on the island, but this wine will better pair with our local freshly prepared seafood alongside tomatoes, artichokes, and broccoli as is typical in Ischia.

$29.99

Mills Club: $26.99

Case Price: $23.99                                                    

                                   

Chronos 2021 Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, Canada (Jen & Jerry)

A far cry from the simple yet enjoyable Pinot Grigio table wines, this rich and elegant Pinot Gris serves up layers of flavor notes and textural components.  This is our first wine from the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia in Canada, an area compared to France and Germany in viticultural capability with rich silt, sand and gravel over 10,000 year old glacial deposits. Featuring Granny Smith apple and stony minerality followed by layers of citrus, melon, peach and lemon notes, the finish is very long in the mouth. Enjoy this wine with a special meal of grilled salmon, raw oysters, steamed mussels, or chicken piccata.

$34.99

Mills Club: $31.49

Case Price: $27.99                                                                            

 

Rubus 2021 Private Selection Rueda, Spain (Andres)

“Rubus” translates to “raspberry” in Latin; it’s a name given to the genus of flowering plants in the rose family. But to us, it stands for great value wines created by and imported by importer/distributor Kysela Pere et Fils. This example of the brand is a 100% Verdejo from the Rueda region of Northern Spain. Featuring a round texture and bright citrus, apricot and jasmine notes, this would be a great pairing with bacon wrapped scallops, mussels, or clams. Dave McIntyre of the Washington Post declared this wine 2.5 stars and a “great value” at $15 recommended retail!

$11.99

SALE $9.59                                                                                                                           

 

CVNE Cune 2021 Rosado, Spain (David)

CVNE (Compañia Vinicola del Norte de España) was established by two brothers in 1879 and has grown to become a very large company with wineries throughout Rioja representing different quality levels and terroir. Their Cune line of wines represent great value for the price, and are still made in the original winery located near the train station in Haro. Pioneers in technological advances, Cune was the first Spanish winery to adopt gravity-led processes, increasing their sustainability. Made from Tempranillo grapes in the Rioja region of Spain, this dry Rosè is a dark pink hue, showing notes of strawberry, hibiscus and tart cranberry notes.  Medium-bodied, this can pair perfectly with grilled chicken, pork chops or pizza with spicy pepperoni.

$14.99

SALE $11.99

 

Domaine Lèon Boesch 2020 “Les Jardins”, Alsace, France (Andres)

On the heels of a long line of winemakers dating back to 1640, Matthieu and Marie Boesch are the 11^th generation in charge of the Domaine. Most of their production is focused on white wine, but this red comes from a small plot of Pinot Noir vines planted to limestone soils. The vines are farmed biodynamically and organically, and the wine is aged in used French oak barrels. Upon sampling this wine, we were indeed transported by the freshly picked ripe raspberry aromas to “les jardins”; bright cherry fruit notes and light damp earth tones confirmed the garden vibe. This would be a beautiful pairing with salmon, a charcuterie platter, or as suggested by the Boesch family, with “Boudin a la pomme”, a traditional French dish featuring blood sausage and apples.

$31.99

Mills Club $28.79

Case $25.59                                                                BIODYNAMIC                                               

Iuzzolini 2021 Cirò Rosso Classico, Calabria, Italy (Tim)

From Calabria, Italy’s “toe of the boot”, this is a lighter weight red made from the relatively obscure Gaglioppo grape, known to be an offspring of Sangiovese. The town of Cirò is located on the Ionian Sea’s central coast, a hub of wine production for at least 3000 years. In fact, wine from Cirò was offered to victors of the ancient Olympics! Featuring notes of cherry, strawberry, earth and leather, this is a fantastic pairing for cured meats. This is the red to chill down and tuck in your picnic basket to enjoy with friends with a platter of cheeses and charcuterie or fried chicken.

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price: $15.99                                                    

                                               

Coster Olivers 2018 Priorat, Spain (Jen & Jerry)

60% Carignan, 30% Garnacha, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon figure into the blend in this Priorat wine from vines planted to typical slate soils. Aged 12 months in Hungarian and American oak, this is a bright and juicy styled red by Eric Solomon. Red and black fruit, graphite, and leather notes mark this full-bodied wine. We found this to be a fresh and relatively affordable representation of Priorat. Pair with grilled or smoked meats or find a quality aged Manchego cheese to enjoy with this bottling.

$24.99

Mills Club: $22.49

Case Price: $19.99

 

FitaPreta Vinhos a Touriga Va Nua 2020 Touriga Nacional, Portugal (Aron)

In addition to making wonderful wines, the Alentejo region of Portugal is responsible for over half of the world’s cork production.  This example of Alentejo red is made from Touriga Nacional, a grape often compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. Featuring loads of brooding blueberry, blackberry and plum notes, this unoaked red is lush but also light on its feet, making it a great warm weather red. Enjoy with beef or pork tenderloin, or cheeseburgers.

$10.00

Mills Club: $9.00

Case Price: $8.00                                                                              

 

Obsidian Ridge 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Hills Lake County, California (Pat)

This bold red comes from the Red Hills Lake County appellation of California, high on the Mayacamas Mountain Range, comprised of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 1% each Petite Sirah and Syrah. The wine is aged for 18 months in Hungarian oak, 40% new.  Featuring notes of plums, cassis, cloves, and mineral, the structure and tannins call for a great grilled steak. Rated 93pts Wine Enthusiast.

$39.99

Mills Club: $35.99

Case Price: $31.99