Join Rick Bowman for this delightful tasting of affordable wines geared for cooler weather and fall fare. Several new wines and a few old favorites with new vintages will be the main event as we continue to tempt you with outstanding values. We do live in the Golden Age of Wine but finding values like these is a challenge, because for every one of these high quality values we ferret out, there are literally hundreds of vapid, industrially produced wines vying to take your hard earned dollar. Bring a friend and join Rick at the AWM Tasting Bar this Saturday!

2008 Domaine de La Salette; VDP Côtes de Gascogne, France Another example of why this region is often singled out as being able to produce some of France's best dry white wine values. Made from 80% Colombard, 10% Ugni Blanc, and 10% Gros Manseng, this wine exhibits a nose that is fruit-filled and highlighted by ripe citrus nuances. The palate is refreshing and dry with a purity of fruit that is very satisfying. Tasty on its own yet equally at home with spicy dishes, seafood (particularly shrimp and white-meated fish dishes), this wine is a useful companion for everyday.
Regular Price $9.99 Tasting special $8.99/bottle or $7.99 by the case

2008 Milton Park Chardonnay; South Australia This delicious offering which is part of the Thorn-Clarke portfolio is a beauty. The 2008, which sees 30% French oak, but no malolactic, is a Mâconnais-styled white offering hints of lemon blossom, apples, melon and peach fruit flavors. This crisp, elegant, medium-bodied Chardonnay is filled with fruit as well as a natural lightness and vibrancy. Drink it over the next year with seafood, Asian cuisine, pasta and chicken.
Regular Price $11.99 Tasting special $10.79/bottle or $9.59 by the case.

2008 Maipe Bonarda; Mendoza, Argentina From 30 year old vineyards, this beautiful example of Bonarda is a serious bargain. Originally hailing from the Piemonte region of Italy, this grape arrived with the Italian immigrants and found its best natural home in the new world. Here is what the Wine Advocate had to say about it; "the purple-colored 2008 Bonarda offers an enticing bouquet of smoke, mineral, and blueberry. Round and ripe on the palate, it has surprising depth and length for its humble price. Drink this succulent wine over the next three years." Great with rich meat based pasta dishes, pizza and hard cheeses.
Regular Price $12.99 Tasting special $11.69/bottle or $10.39 by the case.

2008 Milton Park Shiraz: South Australia An outrageous value, the 5,000 case cuvee of 2008 Shiraz Milton Park is an opaque purple-colored effort displaying loads of peppery, licorice-infused blackberry and cassis fruit. It is a soft, round, fruit-driven, classic Australian red with enough pepper, garrigue, and kirsch characteristics to bring to mind a ripe Côtes-du-Rhône from France. It should be consumed over the next 1-2 years.
Regular Price $11.99 Tasting special $10.79/bottle or $9.59 by the case.

Special tasting prices: 10% off the bottle and 20% off by the case, mix or match