Good Morning,

Happy Monday! I received an email last week asking me if I ever get bored drinking the same wines. The answer is Yes if I drank the same thing all the time, I’d get bored. But I rarely drink the same wine over and over. I thought I would share some wine varietals with you , and you can pick a few to try. They are easy to find and maybe will provide a new taste you will enjoy and snap you out of the taste bud boredom!

Here are 4 whites to try if you have not already..I have kept this list easy and you will not have to break the bank, everyone of these could be found for under $12 a bottle.

Albarino – is a white grape from Spain and this wine is dry, light-bodied, stainless-steel aged, fruit-forward wines especially in the region of Rias Baivas. (The grape is called Alvarinho in Portugal…look for that to try as well).

Gewurztraminer – This is a German wine and it’s name means “spicy” but not like hot and zesty, like very fragrant, it smells like the lychee fruit I ate every morning when I was in Hawaii. It also has the aroma of rose pedals and white pepper. This wine can be either dry or slightly sweet. I love this wine with Thai and or spicy Indian or Asian foods.

Gruner Veltliner – This wine is from Austria and might be the best pairing wine with salads. This wine is perfect with greens and it has an almost lime zest and white pepper and it is light and low alcohol, that way the salad and the wine do not fight to be the dominate flavor profile.

Prosecco – This northern Italy grown white grape is used to make some of the most fun and delicious sparkling wines ever! Pop the cork and enjoy the fun!

Here are 4 red grape varietals that might be fun for you to try to shake off the taste buds from drinking the same Cabernet Sauvignon.

Barbera – This Italian grape is has great balance and acidity with a medium body and nice tannin structure, in the mouth, it might feel like a Merlot. It is a rustic and beautiful wine, try with a dish that might have a heavier sauce, like lasagna or a beef stew.

Carmenere – I fell in LOVE with this wine and grape while I was in Chile and I can not drink enough of this beautiful wine. This wine is dark, fruity and earthy…I love this wine with grilled meats and with really creamy cheeses, like brie.

Gamay – This grape variety from France is grown in Beaujolais. This is a light bodied red and it tastes like a very young Pinot Noir. This wine is really the deal with Thanksgiving…seriously anything that works with turkey, dressing, cranberries, sweet potatoes etc….this is a fun lighter red wine to try.

Petite Sirah – is also known as Durif (but very few people call it that unless they are geeking out on wine terms). This wine is inky dark and powerful tannin structure and rustic. his is a big wine much like a big California red on the mouth feel. This one might turn your teeth purple!

I hope you will hunt down some of these wines and let me know what you think of them!

Much LOVE and wine,

Tammi