$15 & Under / Domestic / Champagne & Sparkling / Collectibles / French /

Germany & Austria / Italian / Rose / Port, Sherry & Madeira /

Sake / Slovenia & Croatia / Southern Hemisphere / Spain & Portugal

Parovel "Vigna Barda" Vitovska Carso 2009

Vitovska is a grape that needs to get on the radar. It grows in Friuli and Slovenia and probably some other adjacent regions. Upon opening the bottle the wine is very dry, precise and linear. I think this should be aerated for a while and drunk a bit warmer than refrigerator temperature, because when I tasted it the next day it was really much more complex. Peaches and apricots were apparent in the nose and in the mouth, but the texture, although still dry, was richer and the finish more supple. This is extraordinary! - George

$22.00

Ronco Severo Pinot Grigio Venezia Giulia 2009

Here is something for the "orange wine" enthusiast. Pinot Grigio, with extended skin contact, will produce a wine of a copper/rose/ or, if you will, orange color. Sort of a Bizarro World rose. If one drank this from a black glass, I be live there is a good chance it would be perceived as a red wine for it's essence of red berries and scents of dry wood and spices. On the palate it's creamy with stone fruit flavors and subtle tannins. Really, you ought to try this, regardless of the color. -George

$27.00

Tami "Grillo" Sicily 2010

Wine project of Arianna Occhipinti (maker of SP68 a smashingly good red wine from Sicily) which has been a SLW mainstay for many moons. She and her boyfriend, also own a wine shop in the town of Siracusa, in Italy, not to be confused with Syracuse, in New York. Their new white wine made of Grillo, which is the grape, and is the main variety behind most of the intensely interesting white wines from Sicily. Two Italian people trying to make the wine world a better tasting place.

-- Randy

$17.00

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Calderara Sottana Etna Roso 2009

High on the slopes of Mt. Etna, there is a growing number of dedicated producers that are showing the world what can be done with Sicily's indigenous Nerello Mascalese and, in this case, a splash of Nerello Cappuccio. Terre Nere produces several variations from different vineyards, all of which demonstrate a degree of subtlety not commonly expected from the island. -George

$53.00

Fattoria di Lucignano Colli Fiorentini Tuscany 2008

Good, straight up Chianti. The style is fairly traditional, featuring Sangiovese and a bit of Canaiolo. Here you will find the classic flavors of sour cherries and herbs. A fine choice with grilled lamb chops or a hearty pasta dish. -George

$18.50

Occipinti "SP68" IGT Sicilia 2010

What to say about this wine? Except, of course, the obvious... drink this wine! SP68 is the name of the road that runs past the winemaker Arianna Occipinti’s house. She is very young but very accomplished. The SP68 is a blend of Nero d’Avola and Frappato. It is not particularly heavy but shows depth and concentration that is intriguing and alluring. The same could be said about Arianna Occipinti. - Kyle

$24.50

Bellotti Semplicemente Rosso Piedmonte 2010

Dolcetto and Barbera treated ever so gently. In the words of Stefano Bellotti: "We don't make wine, we accompany it." As you might guess, this is natural wine to the max. Bellotti is actually Demeter certified. Round fruit and a little earthy funk make this wine a joy to drink. - George

$16.75

G.D. Vajra Freisa "Kye" Langhe 2008

This is, perhaps, the most serious Freisa in existence. Often relegated to light, aperitif wines or slightly sparkling ones, the grape rarely sees the care that raises this wine to a higher level. The aromas are high toned and expressive. Rich on the palate with dark,boysenberry-like flavors and moderate tannin. The aromas are high toned and expressive. This vintage is a bit more accessible in its youth than some previous ones. A truly unique wine. - George

$44.25