Maison Belliac Chardonnay

Love Sonoma Cutrer? Try Maison Belliac Chardonnay! When the French decided to build the Canal du Midi, they unsurprisingly chose a portion of the Pays d’Oc that is flatter and less mountainous than much of the regional landscape. The climate is different, needless to say, but not so very different from sunny California, and the wine has some of that same buttery character that West Coast Chardonnay exemplifies.

Maison de Flottes Brut

When you ferment grape juice into wine, you get carbon dioxide. With most wines, you let the CO2 drift up into the air. With sparkling wine, you just keep the container of fermenting grapes sealed and you bottle the wine with the bubbles in it as well. It can be more complicated, of course, but that’s roughly how The Florensac Vignerons have made this Picpoul and Terret blend. Consider it racy, lively and perfect for a sunny summer.

Maison De Rue 37

Aside from sounding like Dustin Hoffman’s character in Midnight Cowboy, Rasteau is one of the genuine values in red wine. More or less baby Chateauneuf, Rasteau these days mimics the blend that has evolved in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and now extends to other critical areas of the Southern Rhone: 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 5% other (in this case, Cinsault).

Malluso Pinot Grigio

Malluso Rosso

Meiomi Chardonnay

Back in 2015, Joe Wagner, whose father owns Caymus, sold the Meiomi brand to Constellation Brands for $315 million. Let that sink in for a second. Constellation, one of the largest wine companies in the world bought only the brand for crazy money; no vineyards, no winery, nothing but some wine with labels on it. Now, what does that say about Meiomi and its style of wine? Somebody bet really, really big on it and, so far, the bet has worked out.

Meiomi Pinot Noir

This is what we like to call Pinot for Cab drinkers. Large and in charge this is the Pinot packs more punch than many Pinot's that are twice as expensive. Don't worry about the screw cap...these people know what they are doing.

Mer Soleil SLH Chardonnay

Chuck Wagner, son of the founder of Napa Valley's famed Caymus Winery, originated this rich Chardonnay and since 2011 son Charlie III has fashioned the wines into one of California's most extravagant Chardonnays.

Meyer Family Spitfire Cabernet

Minairo

The fame of Priorat is both recent and ancient; the beautiful Escaladei (Steps of God) mountain formation frames the monastery of Santa Maria of Escaladei; it was founded in the 12th century by Alfonso the Chaste (poor guy). And over the last few decades, the slate and quartz soils called llicorella generate super low yields and super concentrated wines. Grenache and Carignan dominate but this blend includes small amounts of Syrah and Merlot; six months in French oak barrels offers a wine that is powerful but still framed by useful acidity.