A Perfect Case
Twelve bottles of wine that can turn any occasion, no matter how ordinary, into a celebration
JEFFREY LINDENMUTH; PHOTO BY JONATHAN KANTOR
FOR A PARTY Ercavio Roble La Mancha 2005, Spain, $11 “Deciding what to take to a party is hard—a big-ticket wine can be lost in the fray, and low-budget stuff seems tacky,” says Vaynerchuk. This bold Tempranillo is a great middle ground. “It’s from an up-and-coming Spanish region that offers outrageous value. It tastes like a $30 bottle,” he says.
TO ELEVATE PIZZA NIGHT Urban Ribera 2004, Spain, $15 “This wine actually tastes better with pizza than by itself,” says Vaynerchuk. Made from 100 percent Tempranillo grapes, it’s a fruit bomb, backed with a generous acid content and enough tannins to tackle even the heartiest meat-lover toppings. It’ll turn take-out pizza into a satisfying and romantic meal.
TO CAP A BAD DAY Frank Family Zinfandel 2005, California, $35 This Napa Valley zin oozes jammy fruit flavors as well as floral and spicy notes. It also boasts a 15 percent alcohol punch, which will take the edge off any stressful situation. “This wine is delicious,” says Vaynerchuk.
FOR A JULY 4 PICNIC Bacchus Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, California, $15 “It’s hard to find a good American cab at a fair price,” says Vaynerchuk, “but this wine is solid.” A glug of merlot boosts tannin levels, which makes for an easy-sipping red that won’t stifle your tastebuds in the heat, but will stand up nicely to barbecued and grilled meats.
FOR A BYO DINNER Domaine La Garrigue Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Romaine 2005, France, $13 The best BYO wines work with almost any main course, from fish to steak, and don’t require a lot of decanting or special handling. “This wine is affordable and very flexible. You can just open it and drink it,” says Vaynerchuk. He loves the cherry-cola flavor with hints of white pepper and curry on the finish.
TO IMPRESS THE IN-LAWS Château La Fleur de Boüard 2004, France, $40 This deep, powerful red will impress newcomers and wine snobs alike, says Vaynerchuk. It’s perfect for cellaring, which shows that you appreciate maturity, but also tastes great now. “It’ll do more for your appearance than fancy clothes,” he says.
