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.
April Staff Picks
Les Allies Non-Vintage Brut Sparkling, France (Avery)
Made from 100% Chardonnay, this cheap and cheerful dry Sparkling wine from France shows bright citrus notes, and is the perfect component in a Mimosa, Champagne punch, or it could be served as an aperitif.
$10.00
Mills Club $9.00
Case Price $8.00
Sokos 2022 Savvatiano, Greece (Jen & Jerry)
Made from 100% Savvatiano (one of the most cultivated grapes in Greece), this full-bodied, fruity wine gives off aromas of banana and pear with medium acidity and surprising freshness. Enjoy with grilled fish, shellfish, calamari or Greek salad.
$14.99
Mills Club: $13.49
Case Price: $11.99
Alain Geoffroy 2022 Petit Chablis, France (Pat)
This 100% Chardonnay from the Chablis region of Burgundy shows those characteristic flavors of apple, pear, citrus, and stony minerality from the limestone Kimmeridgian soils. And while the vineyards of Petit Chablis are sometimes considered less prestigious than other Chablis vineyards, it doesn’t mean the wines are not worth serious consideration. Well-made wines from Petit Chablis can provide tremendous value and are often better than their Chablis AOC counterparts. Try this version with oysters, sushi, grilled fish, or roasted chicken.
$24.99
Mills Club $22.49
Case Price $19.99
Vincent Paris 2022 Granit Blanc, Rhone, France (Aron)
We were delighted after tasting this wine from one of our favorite Cornas producers, Vincent Paris. Made from Viognier and Roussanne grapes planted to granite-rich soils, this sees only stainless steel in production, and like many of Vincent’s wines, display an interesting combination of power and freshness. Peach, apricot and minerally notes are delightful in this dry yet exuberant white, excellent to pair with many cheeses and cured meats, chicken satay with peanut sauce, or baked ham with roasted root vegetables.
$30.99
Mills Club: $27.89
Case Price: $24.79 ORGANIC
Lion and Dove 2023 Chardonnay, Curico Valley, Chile (Tim)
Soft and round, this Chardonnay features flavors of peach, pear with buttery notes and just a hint of oak. Pair with some crusty bread and steamed mussels, or some creamy pasta. Dave McIntyre of Washington Post recently rated this wine two stars/excellent.
$10.00
Mills Club: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00
Casal Thaulero Miravigna Blanco, Italy (Aron)
The Abruzzo region of Italy is known for the production of truffles, olive oil, wild cherries and porcini mushrooms, but also tasty, inexpensive table wines made from the Montepulciano and Trebbiano grapes. This white wine from the region is dry with pleasant but subtle floral aromatics, great to pair with a simple meal of fresh fish or pasta drizzled with olive oil, pepper and some shavings of Pecorino cheese.
$10.00
Mills Club: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00
G.D. Vajra 2023 “Rosabella” Vino Rosato, Italy (Pat)
Spring hails the arrival of the fresh 2023 Rosè releases, like this version from Piedmont producer Vajra. Made primarily from Nebbiolo, this dry Rosè reveals notes of jasmine, roses, raspberries along with a lush savoriness that is all but irresistible. This is a saignee method rosato, made by “bleeding off” a portion of red must from fermentation before full color extraction takes place. This would make a brilliant aperitif, or pair wonderfully with seafood or cheeses.
$19.99
Mills Club $17.99
Case $15.99
Dame a l’Oiseau 2020 Cotes du Rhone, France (Avery)
As depicted on the label, the wine is aptly named Dame a l’Oiseau, translating to “lady with a bird”. Back in stock after a lengthy pause, this cooperative-made Cotes du Rhone is made primarily from Grenache and Syrah. The wine sees only stainless steel, making for a bright, fresh expressive red showing raspberry and ripe strawberry fruit notes, and a background of olives and wild herbs. This affordable red would be an excellent match for a roast chicken with lemons and Mediterranean herbs, or pan seared pork chops.
$12.99
Mills Club $11.69
Case $10.39
Estampa 2020 Reserva Malbec/Syrah, Colchagua Valley, Chile (Andres)
The Colchagua Valley of Chile, nestled between the Andes and the Coastal Mountain ranges, is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate with cooling maritime breezes of the Pacific Ocean. This fresh and fruity blend of Malbec and Syrah is vinified in stainless steel then aged in French oak barrels for 6-8 months. This would pair well with barbecued ribs or grilled burgers.
$13.99
Mills Club: $12.59
Case Price: $11.19
Ricudda 2020 Chianti Classico DOCG, Italy (Jen & Jerry)
This pretty version of Tuscan Sangiovese from the Chianti region comes from an elbow-shaped property (the name Ricudda derives from the French word for elbow “Recoude”) that has been producing wine since the 15th century. The wine ages in small Tuscan oak barrels for 12 months, as is the requirement for wines labeled “Chianti Classico”. Intense cherry fruit notes with slight hints of oak mark this structured wine with subtle spiciness on the finish. Chianti’s signature acidity makes this a natural pairing for meals with a tomato-based sauce, such as lasagna or spaghetti and meatballs, but will also match salumi with fennel and pecorino cheese.
$19.99
Mills Club: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99 ORGANIC
Edge 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, California (Tim)
Named for pioneer Cyrus Alexander in the 1800s, Alexander Valley was prized farmland for cattle and wheat before succumbing to vine. By the 1960-70s, Alexander Valley established itself as a premier growing area for Cabernet Sauvignon. This example is made from 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petite Sirah is aged 16 months in 40% new French oak, showing notes of cherries, black currants, baking spice, and earthy tobacco leaf. This would be idea with a grilled or pan seared steak.
$29.99
Mills Club: $26.99
Case Price: $23.99
Saintayme 2020 St.-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France (Andres)
This 100% Merlot is made by Denis Durantou, the winemaker behind the more well-known (and far more expensive!) Chateau l’Eglise-Clinet. Medium-full in body and boasting great blackberry and black cherry fruit notes, with a touch of minerally saline on the creamy, polished, long finish. Rated (90-92)pts by The Wine Advocate. This would make a wonderful pairing with brie cheese, shepherd’s pie, or Korean Beef Bulgogi.
$29.99
Mills Club: $26.99
Case Price: $23.99