Khalkhal-Pamies Plaisir de Lys Minervois, 2011

Now this is a wine that matches up well with the pizza. The wine makes the pizza taste better; the pizza makes the wine taste better. That doesn't mean this is less of a wine than the Marsannay; in many ways, it is superior. But it has the bold aromas and flavors needed to stand up to the tomato/onion/artichoke pizza.

The color is deep, dark and purplish. It's a blend of Carignan (50%) plus Grenache and Syrah made traditionally without new oak contact. The aromas at this stage are very primary--blue plums and spice, youthful and bold. I taste lots of crunchy black pepper along with the dark fruits. A country wine with dramatic flavors. Also a lot of depth. I like it. A Jon Rimmerman (Garagiste.com) selection that sells for about $16 a bottle.

The Right Wine with the Right Food

It should go without saying: the best wine is the one that is most suited to the meal that you're having. I opened the Louis Latour Marsannay to go with the Henrietta Hills rainbow trout, and it was a great match. What was left in the bottle we had the next night with pizza, and it was only ordinary.

We have vegetable oriented dishes most nights of the week, and I choose the wine based on the type of vegetables that are in the dish.When we are having roast lamb (mostly for special occasions), I hunger for a Chateauneuf du Pape or Gigondas. Cairanne is a good match for roast pork.

If you have a fine wine that you're anxious to try, wait until you have a meal that will highlight the subtle flavors of the wine or at least provide a neutral backdrop. Otherwise, you're wasting your money, and you will never really appreciate the wine.

Louis Latour Marsannay, 2006

Marsannay is the northernmost appellation of Burgundy, bordering on the suburbs of Dijon. Although it may be close in terms of distance to the greatest Pinot Noir appellations, it is not close at all in terms of reputation or price. Louis Latour's Marsannay usually sells for about $20, and when you can find it discounted for $16 or so, it is a very good value.

Very light in color, but that's not necessarily a bad sign for a Pinot. The aromas and flavors move toward strawberry on the spectrum. Delicate and ripe. Well worth exploring every nook and cranny. Lacey fruit flavors, a beautiful match for the delicate flavors and texture of rainbow trout. Compared to Anderson Valley and Russian River Pinots that I have been exploring recently, this wine is less complex, without the cranberry/red cherry tones, but has similar lively acidity. I like it and will come back for more.

Gran Passione Salice Salentino Riserva, 2010

There are several wines with the deep brown Gran Passione label now on the market. I tried the Rosso (which has some Merlot in the blend) previously and liked it very much; this Salice Salentino I like even more. Made with 100% Negroamaro grapes from Puglia, in the bootheel of Italy, it's a bold, dramatic wine that goes well with full flavored foods.

Deep, dark ruby color. Dark cherries, spice, licorice and flowers. Has plenty of power. Warm, black and peppery on the palate. Ripe red and blue plums. Full bodied and powerful, like an Italian Gigondas but with a rich, velvety texture. Everything about this wine is dark but also high toned with good acid and bright flavors on the finish. Very good--Salice Salentino, where have you been all my life?

Domaine Sainte Anne Cotes du Rhone, 2005

This 2005 appears to be maturing faster than most vintages of Domaine Sainte Anne Cotes du Rhone, but it's certainly drinking beautifully right now.

The color has turned a bit, and the bouquet is lovely--violets, spice and ripe red berries. I could sit and sniff for hours. In the mouth, there is more of the same; it's bursting with red berries, ripe but not overdone. Laid back and lovely. Lots of sediment at the bottom but not at all bitter. Seems more mature right now than the 2001 or even 1999 or 1998.

1749 Pierre Chainier Sauvignon Blanc, 2013

This is one of several Sauvignon Blancs made by respected Loire producers now on the market for under $10 a bottle. They don't really measure up to Sancerre, but then it's hard to find Sancerre for under $20.

Medium light color. Very pretty--mint, grapefruit, leaning toward passion fruit. Sweet and lively Sauvignon Blanc fruit on the tongue. Lots of appeal, especially for $8.

Macon-Lugny Les Charmes Chardonnay, 2010

Les Charmes is the name of an old and respected vineyard in the Macon area of Burgundy. It is also an appropriate name for this charming Chardonnay. The current vintage (still available for $10.99 at World Market) is 2013; this bottle is three years further along in its development and, for my taste, that development is positive.

Medium deep yellow. Spiced apple smells. Apple and nutmeg. Not really Granny Smith apples but fuller and deeper like Red Delicious. Unadorned Chardonnay scents--what Macon is all about. Both the aroma and flavors get deeper and deeper, better and better. Not a vibrant wine as it was a couple of years ago, but a charming accompaniment to a vegetable centered meal. I'll go back and get some of the 2013 vintage.