Category Archives: Learn About Wine

Top 10 Easter Wines Under $20

Top 10 Easter Wine picks

We love feasting holidays, and the arrival of spring also means Easter is on its way. Pairing wines for Easter is a treat for us, because rather than the heavier and richer wines that you’d have on Thanksgiving, wines that pair with a traditional Easter dinner are lighter and fresher. We’ve hand selected ten of our favorite wines that will pair with glazed ham, roasted lamb, fresh veggies and everything on the table.  Come in and look for more wines marked with orange flower tags, or ask any of our knowledgeable staff for assistance. We are here to help!

PRINTABLE EASTER WINE LIST >

easter wines

Botter Moscato
A little sweet, a little fizzy – great by itself or with light salads.  A perfect way to start off the day during Easter brunch.

Ca’ Furlan Prosecco
Our favorite inexpensive sparkling wine! This makes a mean Mimosa or Bellini, but it’s also great on its own.

Feudi di San Gregorio Lacryma Christi
This virile and powerful red from Campania translates to “Tears of Christ”.  We can’t think of a more appropriate wine for Easter, and it pairs really well with Lamb!

Mulderbosch Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon
Deeply colored, boldly flavored and mighty delicious, we really recommend this rosé as one of the best pairings with ham.

The Immortal Zinfandel
A really great Zin from vines that were planted in the 1880’s.  Big bold fruit with a bit of strawberry and cocoa.

Dr. Loosen Riesling
Perfect with ham and lighter dishes.  Not too sweet, but loaded with ripe peach and grapefruit.  Sophisticated and delicious!

Château de Segries Côtes du Rhone
A very well made, very elegant wine that will please any red wine drinker.  Pair with lamb or anything roasted.

Château Magneau Graves
A stunning Bordeaux that has both beautiful fruit flavors but also a pronounced mineral element that makes it the best pick for pairing with Lamb

Toad Hollow Chardonnay
Perfect for those that want to serve a Chardonnay but doesn’t want loads of oak and butter.  Crisp, clean and drinks just like an expensive French Burgundy.

Tintero ‘Grangia’
A tiny bit fizzy and very delicious.  Aromas and flavors of white flowers and ripe stone fruit.  Springtime in a bottle – pair with Easter Egg Hunts and anything you’d eat for lunch.

Cheers!
Eric Taylor
Bottles General Manager

 

Our Top 9 Spring Wines

Top Spring Wines

For us, spring is the real beginning of the year.  So many exciting wines start to arrive, the most notable being rosé from all over the world. When thinking about springtime foods, they mirror the season very well – fresh, light and with vibrant flavors and colors.  To make a comparison, we think of Grüner Veltliner, Albariño and Cabernet Franc to be the Ramps, Fiddlehead Ferns and Asparagus of the wine world.

PRINTABLE WINE LIST >

 

Spring Wines

Look for our in-store display of spring wines, hand-selected to be perfect with almost any fresh and vibrantly flavored springtime dish.

Braised Lamb Shanks recipe // Wine Pairing Ideas

Stout-Braised Lamb Recipe >

2012 Château D’Oupia ‘Les Hérétiques’, Languedoc, France, $11.99 
2010 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, France, $14.99
2009 Frederic Mabileau ‘Les Rouilleres’, Loire Valley, France, $17.99

Roasted Chicken Wine Pairing ideas

Herb-Roasted Spring Chicken Recipe >

2012 Matua Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand, $12.99
2012 William Hill Chardonnay, North Coast, California, $14.99
2012 K Vintners Viognier, Columbia Valley, Washington, $24.99

Garlic, Ramp, and Mushroom Flatbread recipe

Veggie Flatbread Recipe >

2011 Burgáns Albariño, Galicia, Spain, $12.99
2012 Château Les Valentines ‘La Caprice de Clementine’, Provence, France, $14.99
2013 Anton Bauer ‘Gmörk’ Grüner Veltliner, Wagram, Austria, $15.99

Cheers!
– Eric Taylor
Bottles General Manager

 

Great Kosher Wines for Passover

kosherwines_header_vertical-1

Happy Passover from Bottles! We’re excited to feature a great selection of new wines that also happen to be Kosher. Swing on by and shop our newly expanded Kosher wine display for a huge array of great choices from Israel and around the world. Keep reading for a few of our favorites out of the many Kosher wines we carry in store!

alfi_gabrielchardonnay

Arfi Winery’s ‘Gabriel’ Chardonnay has a fantastic balance of acidity and fruit, to create a complex and stunning Chardonnay.

chateaujaumard_bordeaux

Château Jaumard is a classic Bordeaux with firm tannins and a slightly spicy finish.

hai_noahmerlot

Hai’s ‘Noah’ Merlot is a wonderful example of a full and lush merlot with notes of plum and blackberry.

tabor_mttaborshiraz

Last but not least, Tabor’s ‘Mt. Tabor’ Shiraz will complement a roast with a light body but bright notes of raspberries and blackberries.

Happy Passover!

Our educated staff is more than happy to help with all your wine pairing and holiday planning needs. Visit us at 141 Pitman Street, Providence, Rhode Island

New Year, New Wines! The Bottles Noble Grape Wine Challenge

Bottles is challenging you to drink wine. Sounds awesome, right? If your hand gravitates toward the same bottle of wine each time you shop, well, here’s a chance to try something new. To help you out, the wine pros at Bottles have created of list of under $20 wines at our shop, representing the major types of wines, the Noble Grapes. Make it through this list and you’ll learn how each major varietal tastes, and try wines you might have never considered before.

What is a noble grape? It is an international grape variety that you’ll find in almost all major wine producing regions. Inspired by Wine Folly’s 18 Noble Grapes Wine Challenge, we’ve chosen a great value, quality wine for each major grape. Wine Folly is a website and blog dedicated to helping you learn about wine. Check out their article, “The 18 Noble Grapes Wine Challenge,” to more read about the characteristics of each noble grape.

DOWNLOAD & PRINT
WINE CHALLENGE CHECKLIST

Now, go exploring!

REDS
WHITES
 
Stop by our store to shop all of these wines!
Bottles – 141 Pitman St., Providence, RI
www.bottlesfinewine.com
 
 

9 Winter Wine Picks Under $20

winter wine list

Winter is the time to enjoy hearty beef stews, tuck into your favorite spaghetti recipe, or savor a pork shoulder roast. We’ve paired these classic winter foods with complementary red and white wines. Keep reading for our list of under $20 wines, and stop by our store to shop our winter wine display.

Visit our store and shop these wines & much more! 141 Pitman Street, Providence, RI

Looking for delicious beef, pasta, or pork recipe ideas? Our friends at Edible Rhody Magazine have a dazzling variety of dishes to choose from. We’ve selected three of our favorites: Braised Aquidneck Farm Beef Short Ribs, Linguine and Clams, and Pan-Seared Pork Chops Over Cheese Grits & Pickled Cranberry. CLICK HERE to download and print the recipe card for each, and visit the Edible Rhody website at www.ediblerhody.com.

BEEF

La Flor de Pulenta Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

La Flor de Pulenta Wines Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza, Argentina, 2008

From Argentina, where Malbec is King, this engaging Cabernet has spicy plum and dark cherry notes but also lots of interesting graphite and savory herb flavors and aromas. $18.99

Chateau Fage, Graves de Vayres

Chateau Fage, Graves de Vayres
France, 2010

This beautiful Cabernet/Merlot red blend has a solid core of plum and black cherry fruit flavors, but what really makes it special are the delicious vanilla and mineral elements lurking in the background.  A great choice with rich beef dishes. $11.99

Bousquet Malbec

Bousquet Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina, 2011

Grown at an altitude of 4000 feet, one of the highest in Argentina, this smashing Malbec is 100% organic and delicious.  Dark and intense in color with aromas and has flavors of blackberry, black currant and plum.  Very well made with an excellent balance of powerful fruit and elegant structure. $13.99

PASTA

Palazzone Orvietto

Palazzone Orvietto
Umbria, Italy, 2012

Made from a blend of obscure grapes that are indigenous to Italy, this dry and zippy white is perfect to add a splash to the pan to brighten up a pasta sauce, but even better to drink! $12.99

Zeni Ripasso Valpolicella

Zeni Ripasso Valpolicella
Italy, 2011

Ripasso are often called baby Amarone because they have many of the same flavors and aromas, but at a fraction of the price.  This beautiful example has flavors and aromas of chocolate, mocha, fig, raison and other dried fruits.  Enjoy with rich, meaty, pasta entrees. $17.99

A solid, well built, no nonsense Chianti that’s very dry and a bit rustic – just like inexpensive Chianti should be.  Look for bright and vibrant aromas of black cherry, cinnamon and red flowers.  A perfect match with any red sauce pasta dish. $11.99

 

PORK

Firesteed Pinot

Firesteed Pinot Noir
Oregon, 2011

A delicious lighter style Pinot Noir from the beautiful Willamette (rhymes with Dammit) Valley, Oregon.  Medium bodied red wine with exuberant wild blueberry and ripe raspberry flavors with hints of cocoa powder and espresso.  A really great match with pork dishes, especially ones with rich and flavorful sauces. $14.99

Willm Riesling

Willm Riesling
Alsace, France – 2012

Rieslings are not always sweet – see my video!  This stunning gem is super dry with crackling bright acidity that can cut through the richest of pork dishes.  Loaded with personality, look for flavors of green apple, peach, blood orange and anise.  Lip smacking delicious! $13.99

Chateau Pesquie 'Terrasses'

Chateau Pesquie ‘Terrasses’
Cotes du Ventoux, France, 2011

In Latin, Terrasses means “Lump of Earth” and refers to gravelly vineyard soil, rich in iron and clay.  A blend of Grenache and Syrah, look for an intense aroma of black pepper and red berries followed by yummy flavors of plum, cherry and red currants. A match made in heaven with roast pork dishes, especially with lots of garlic and black pepper. $16.99

 

Learn about Dessert Wines

dessert wine guide

Dessert wine? If you’re not familiar with them, and are curious to learn more, then watch this video guide! Eric Taylor, the Bottles wine expert, talks about different dessert wine styles, and gives you an example of a few of his favorite brands in the shop. Great for the holidays!

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more wine guide videos:  http://www.youtube.com/bottlesprovidence

Cheers!

Learn about Wine: Pinot Noir

Learn about Pinot Noir WineEver want to learn more about Pinot Noir and its different variations, styles, and flavors? Or how to choose the right Pinot Noir for you? What food pairs have with this particular type of wine? Eric Taylor, the Bottles wine pro, can answer all of your questions. Watch the video below and learn about Pinot Noir from the Old and New Worlds and some of Eric’s favorite Pinot Noirs in the store.

Want to learn more wine basics? Subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/bottlesprovidence

Cheers!

Top 10 Thanksgiving Wines Under $20

Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday! We believe that wine transforms a dinner into a feast, and is the thread that binds your family and friends together. After tasting thousands of wines throughout the year (a tough job), this Top 10 Thanksgiving Wine List is hand-selected to complement your Thanksgiving feast, all without breaking the bank. We hope that you enjoy these wines in both good health and company this season.
 
top 10 thanksgiving wines
Top Ten Thanksgiving Wines under $20
1. Lander Jenkins Chardonnay $13.99 – Beautifully made Chardonnay with a kiss of oak and buttery richness, but not overdone. Great by itself or with lighter/first course dishes.
2. Valckenberg Gewurztraminer $14.99 – A classic Thanksgiving pairing! Dry style wine loaded with tropical fruit flavors that will stand up to anything on the table.
3. A to Z Riesling $14.99 – A beautiful wine in a beautiful bottle. Delicious, dry and refreshing studded with peak of summer fruit flavors and loads of zippy lemon.
4. Grandial Brut $9.99 – Our new favorite sparkling wine! A tremendous value, this dry style Brut loves to party!
5. Belleruche Rhone White $13.99 – Rich, savory and a great alternative to Chardonnay. A perfect pairing with squash dishes, sweet potatoes and yes, Turkey!
6. Laetitia Pinot Noir $19.99 – Unapologetically smooth and rich. This has been a year-round favorite and is sure to please everyone at the table.
7. Nicolas Pinot Noir $9.99 – An overachiever, light and elegant. Classic French style Pinot Noir with bright fruit flavors and a light engaging personality.
8. Antigal Uno Malbec $17.99 – A full bodied alternative to Cabernet. A big boastful wine with blackberry, mocha and vanilla flavors make you and your guests take notice.
9. Pesquie Terrasses Rouge $16.99 – Earthy and smooth, this Rhone Red is an excellent choice for those that like dry spicy wines. Pair with anything you’d put gravy on.
10. Foretal Beaujolais Village $14.99 – A traditional Thanksgiving pairing! Light and bright wine with tart cherry and cranberry flavors with hints of cinnamon and clove.
Cheers & Happy Thanksgiving!
General Manager
Bottles Fine Wine
141 Pitman St., Providence, RI
(401) 372-2030
info@blog.bottlesfinewine.com

Learn All About Riesling Wine

Introducing a new Bottles video series: Learn about Wine with Eric Taylor! Eric is our wine store manager, a wine rockstar and a professional libation enthusiast. Watch the video below to learn all about Riesling wine, one of his favorite varietals. Eric also visited Birch, a new restaurant in Providence, to talk with chef/owner Ben Sukle about pairing Riesling with food.

LEARN ABOUT WINE
Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Elk Cove Riesling Wine
Kungfu Girl Riesling Wine

A Visit to Westport Rivers Winery

Did you know award-winning sparkling wine is made here in New England? Nick, our Wine Director, recently visited Westport Rivers Vineyards and Winery where winemaker/owner Bill Russell showed him around the vineyards, bottling line, and more. Watch this video of the tour!

Visit Westport Rivers Vineyards and Winery, which is located in the beautiful South Coast of Massachusetts.

Looking to buy Westport wines? Visit our Providence wine store for a great selection of local wines.

westport rivers vineyards and winery
westport vineyards sparkling wine and champagne
bill russell of westport rivers
westport rivers wine
Westport Rivers Sparkling Wine - Brut Cuvee RJR
Westport Champagne
westport rivers winery and vineyards
westport rivers winery and vineyards

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to explore and learn more about wine!