Wine Recommendations

Along the French border with Germany lies the region of Alsace (all-SAHss). The region’s customs are a combination of both the French and German culture, a result of the political turmoil this region has long experienced. Alsace has changed ownership four times in the past few hundred years. Since World War I, this area has belonged to France. The wines, however, bear as much resemblance to the wines of Germany as they do to the wines of France. To be more precise, the wines of Alsace are a hybrid of the two, yet distinct from either.

IntoWine.com asked our panel of wine experts their recommendation for one Chilean wine worth seeking out (but which won't break the bank): Occasionally, a wine region reveals a level of promise that speaks to every kind of wine consumer. Today, that wine region is Chile. Forged from several mountainous valleys along the southwest coast of South America, Chile has seen a renaissance in its agricultural heritage with wine. Several producers are harnessing the unique climate and dramatic terroir (mountains, valleys, proximity to the ocean) to make world class wines. One of the most impressive varieties to date has been Syrah. A noted survivor in extreme conditions, Syrah has found a home, if not a palace, in Chile. Find Montes Alpha Series Syrahs One wine in particular worth trying is the 2006 Montes Alpha Series Syrah . Harvested from a low yield vineyard on the Apalta Valley slopes, this Syrah comes with added punch. A 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Viognier addition in the final blend establishes this wine’s firm tannins with elegance, supported by waves of blueberries, cassis, flowers, and leather. Made for drinking young, this wine could also age well over the next few years. (About $20) – Ben Spencer is a diploma student with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and an IntoWine Featured Writer.

IntoWine.com asked our panel of wine experts their recommendation for one Barolo wine worth seeking out (but which won't break the bank): Old Barolos are my favorite dry reds in the world . The Nebbiolo grape--grown in this particular region with its special soils, climate, elevations and exposures, and made in the traditional style, with long aging in large neutral oak vessels--produces a wine that ages into something ethereal, haunting and very, very special. They also require at least 15-20 years of bottle age before the tannins sufficiently soften and the tertiary flavors really begin to develop so that all of the beauty locked up in these big, complex wines can start to be glimpsed. The Rare Wine Co. is the best source of older Barolo in the U.S., at very fair prices, and they use my scores for the Barolos I’ve tasted that they have in inventory at any given time. Expect to pay north of $200, and generally in the $300-450 range, for a sufficiently aged beauty that will give you a real taste of what old Barolo has to offer. If money was no object, I’d personally pick up a few more bottles of one of my two all-time favorites, the 1958 Giacomo Borgogno or 1964 Giacomo Conterno. If you’re a younger collector who has the time to acquire newer vintages on release and store them the requisite 15-20 years until they are worthy of being opened, my recommendations are to go with the great traditional producers that have the strongest track records: Bartolo Mascarello, Bruno Giacosa, Giuseppe Rinaldi, Giacomo Borgogno, Giacomo Conterno or Oddero. - Richard Jennings, IntoWine.com Featured Contributor and the Founder RJonWine.com

Near the Austrian border in northern Italy, from the region of Alto Adige comes an excellent red wine called Lagrein (pronounced la-GRINE) that really hits the spot on a winters night dinner table. Lagrein is also the name of the grape from which it is made. As was discussed here , the area of Alto Adige is very close to the Austrian border and has a shared history with both Italy and Austria. Hence, the German language is spoken frequently and either or both languages may appear on a wine label. You can find it made as both a red wine, often called Dunkel in German and Scuro in Italian, or a Rosè, called Kretzer in German or Rosato in Italian.

In this episode of IntoWineTV, host Lisa Kolenda and wine experts Loren Sonkin, Mulan Chan, and Edward Ruiz convene at one of San Francisco's finest restaurants, Incanto, to taste and discuss great port wines. Subscribe to the IntoWineTV Podcast on iTunes