As a Sommelier, I have a couple of main objectives when recommending wines. First and foremost, the issue of quality is at the head of the list. No matter what price point you're looking for, the wine has to be made well. Some people think they must sacrifice quality for the right price, but the good news is you don't have to! There are well-made, high-quality wines at ALL price levels. And here at Sokolin, we excel in finding the very best wines that taste in quality like bottles that are double in price. We taste through many wines on a weekly basis to narrow our selections down to only the wines we ourselves would be happy and excited to drink.
Secondly, I always like to push people out of their "comfort zone" of wine. We all have our go-to bottles which is a good thing, but getting stuck in a rut is not fun. And after all, wine should be fun. So, how do you keep from drinking the same old thing over and over? TRY SOMETHING NEW!! That's right. Here, we have put together a small selection of eclectic whites for this season that you will love?
- All different price levels
- All high-quality
- All high-scoring
- All delicious and fun to drink
There are two different samplers for you to try. This way, you get to experience a few different wines without overly committing to the "unknown", and then when you figure out which ones you truly love, you can re-order more.
Sampler One:
2007 Lagar de Costa Albarino (91 RP) - amazingly rich Spanish white
2007 Lucie et Auguste Lignier Bourgogne Aligote (91 DS) - must-have with oysters
2008 Domaine Mardon Quincy Cuvee Tres Vieilles Vignes (90 ST) - crisp Sauvignon
2008 Gobelsburg Gruner Veltliner (90 ST) - refreshingly smooth and great with spicy food
2008 Hirsch Gruner Veltliner Kammerner Heiligenstein (91 ST) - Juicy pear upfront with great finish
2009 Delhommeau Muscadet Cuvee Harmonie (91 ST) - perfect companion for shellfish
2 bottles of each - A 12-bottle sampler: $199 (Call 800-946-3947 for this special sampler price)
Sampler Two:
2006 Domaine Matassa Vins de Pays Blanc (92 RP) - great complexity and depth with nice acidity
2006 L'Oustal Blanc Naick Blanc 6 (94 RP) - tropical fruit and crisp acidity
2006 Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet Hermitage Blanc (92 WS) - incredible Rhone white
2007 Daniel Barraud Pouilly Fuisse La Verchere VV (91 BH) - delicious Chardonnay
2007 K Vintners Viognier (91 RP) - grilled salmon anyone?
2008 Schiopetto Blanc de Rosis (91 RP) - outstanding blend from N. Italy, must try!
2 bottles of each - A 12-bottle sampler: $379 (Call 800-946-3947 for this special sampler price)
Lastly (for now), it's important to know the setting for the wine. Are you having food with this or just sipping it with friends at the beach? Are you going to a BBQ or a formal sit-down dinner? There are many questions that can be asked to hone in on what would be an ideal wine for the occasion. These samplers have been chosen specifically for the summer season and what goes with typical fare for this time of year.
As always, we're here and ready to help you with all your wine questions and exact needs for any occasion. We look forward to hearing from you very soon and hope you will take advantage of this great opportunity to try something new. Enjoy!