Haskell's wine sale: Best bets

Buying wine can be confusing so I am going to take the guess work out of the equation with five stellar selections from Haskell's Nickel Sale. These selections will please a wide range of palates.

Haskell's

Haskell's Nickel Sale through May 1

To better understand a wine label I have a helpful list below using the Pine Ridge wine example.

1. Vintage is always first (2008)
2. The Producer/Winery is next (Pine Ridge)
3. I list the Appellation after the producer (Italicized/ California)
4. Grape variety (chenin blanc & viognier) or type of wine last

Some bottles will just list the region, but I will explain the grapes within the wine.

2008 Pine Ridge California Chenin Blanc/Viognier $9.95
81% chenin blanc and 19% viognier
A perfect summer wine to sip on the patio. This wine features spices, grapefruit, pear, floral, and honey suckles. Medium finish. 88 points
Facts: Chenin blanc became famous in the Loire Region in France. Many of you are familiar with Vouvray, which is an appellation within the Loire region and features wines with 100 percent chenin blanc. Viognier is a noble grape from the northern Rhone of France.
Food pairings: Chicken and fish.

2007 Pio Cesare Barbera d'Alba $16.95
100% barbera
This is a rustic wine with earth, minerals, leather, and raspberries on the nose and palate. This is a food wine. 89 points
Fact: Barbera is the most planted grape variety in the Piedmont wine region in Italy.
Food pairings: Grilled chicken, pork roast

2008 Atteca Old Vines Calatayud Garnacha $11.95
Classic garnacha nose of spice, raspberries, smoke, and blackberries. Concentrated wine that comes from 100-year-old vines. 90 points
Fact: Garnacha is a native grape from Spain and later became famous as the main grape of the southern Rhone, which is called Grenache.
Food pairings: Wild game and mushroom dishes

2007 Chappellet Napa Valley Mountain Cuvee $19.95
51% cabernet sauvignon, 46% merlot, 1% malbec, 1% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot
A grilling wine with cherry, plum, spices, and oak. Medium finish and drinking well right now without heavy tannins. 90 points
Fact: This wine combines the five red grapes of Bordeaux.
Food pairings: Burgers and steaks, please

2008 Achaval-Ferrer Mendoza Malbec $19.99
A beautiful wine with floral, raspberries, cranberries, and spices. Easy drinking, to enjoy with or without food. 91 points
Fact: Malbec is one of five original Bordeaux red grapes but made its mark in Argentina.
Food pairings: Ribs, lamb chops and steaks