BeamBlog

Let’s take a trip down under this week for three affordable wines that embody the freshness and exuberance of Australia and New Zealand. And we’ll round out the list with a savory red from Spain and an accessible white burgundy from Chablis.

GREAT VALUE

Bulletin Place Shiraz 2018

South Eastern Australia, $10

Bright and juicy with blackberry and cherry flavors and maybe just a whiff of bacon, this light-bodied red is great for casual sipping or weeknight meals. Alcohol by volume: 14 percent.

Imported by Vineyard Brands; distributed by Bacchus: Available in the District at 1500 Market, Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Paul’s of Chevy Chase, Rodman’s, S&S Liquors. Available in Maryland at Ballenger Beer and Spirits, Orion Wine and Spirits, Riverside Liquors in Frederick; College Square Liquors in Westminster; Eddie’s of Roland Park, King’s Liquors, Spirits of Mt. Vernon in Baltimore; Kent Towne Liquors in Chester; Midway Discount Liquors in Joppa; Oakdale Fine Wine & Spirits in Catonsville; Wine World Beer & Spirits in Abingdon.

GREAT VALUE

Ponga Sauvignon Blanc 2020

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Marlborough, New Zealand, $12

Crisp, bright and simply refreshing with flavors of nectarine and citrus, this sauvignon blanc has a hint of the signature grassy, spicy character we’ve come to expect from New Zealand. ABV: 12.5 percent.

Imported and distributed by Winebow: Available in the District at Classy Corks, Manhattan Market, Morris Miller Wine & Liquors, Paul’s of Chevy Chase, Rodman’s, Sherry’s Wine & Spirits. Available in Maryland at Maple Lawn Wine & Spirits in Fulton; Montgomery County Liquor Store in Darnestown; Ronnie’s Beverage Warehouse in Forest Hill; Wine Cellars of Annapolis; Wine Works in Baltimore. Available in Virginia at Arrowine & Cheese in Arlington; Dominion Wine & Beer in Falls Church; Streets Market (Alexandria, Arlington); Unwined (Belleview, King Street) in Alexandria; Wine Outlet in Great Falls.

GREAT VALUE

Flavium Selección Mencía 2015

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Bierzo, Spain, $13

Mencía resembles cabernet franc in texture and flavor, so fans of red wines from the Loire Valley and Virginia should enjoy this. It’s light-bodied — a vintage character perhaps — but it’s charming and racy with flavors of white pepper, clove and tea. ABV: 13 percent.

Imported and distributed by M. Touton Selection: Available in the District at Ace Beverage, Cairo Wine & Liquor, Central Liquors, Cork & Fork, Open Door Market, Rodman’s, Wagshal’s Market. Available in Maryland at Absolutely Wine & Spirits, Columbia Palace Wine & Spirits, Dorsey Search Wine & Spirits in Columbia; Allview Liquors, Jason’s Liquors, Petite Cellars, Pine Orchard Liquors in Ellicott City; Apple Greene Wine & Spirits in Dunkirk; Bay Wine & Spirits in North Beach; Bethesda Co-Op in Cabin John; Choice Beer & Wine, Elbe’s Beer & Wine, Hillandale Beer & Wine in Silver Spring; Clarksville Liquors in Clarksville; Downtown Crown Wine and Beer in Gaithersburg; Federal Hill Liquors, Wine Source in Baltimore; Franklin’s Restaurant, Brewery and General Store in Hyattsville; Fulton Wine & Spirits, Maple Lawn Wine & Spirits in Fulton; Georgetown Square Wine and Beer in Bethesda; Greenbelt Co-Op in Greenbelt; Grosvenor Market, T&T Wine Shop in Rockville; Harvest Thyme Tavern in Davidsonville; Hunt Valley Wine & Spirits in Cockeysville; Mayo Liquors in Edgewater; Nick’s of Calvert in Prince Frederick; Nick’s of Clinton in Waldorf; Rodman’s in White Flint; Total Discount Liquors in Eldersburg; Wemyss Liquors in St. Leonard. Available in Virginia at Arrowine & Cheese in Arlington; Chain Bridge Cellars in McLean; Dominion Wine & Beer in Falls Church; Lee’s Market, Slater’s Market in Alexandria.

D'Arenberg The Hermit Crab 2020

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McLaren Vale, Australia, $19

This Rhône-style white blend of viognier and marsanne is rich and oily in texture, flowery in aroma with scents of jasmine and honeysuckle, and slightly spicy on the palate with ripe orchard fruit and a hint of ginger. ABV: 13.5 percent.

Imported by Old Bridge Cellars, distributed in the District and Maryland by Lanterna, in Virginia by Roanoke Valley Wine Co.: Available in the District at Millie’s, Paul’s of Chevy Chase. Available in Maryland 818 Market in Catonsville; Bushel and a Peck Kitchen & Bar in Clarksville; Friendship Wine & Liquor in Abingdon; Mt. Airy Liquors in Mt. Airy; Reds Wine Bar in Parkville; Wine Merchant in Lutherville. Available in Virginia at Arrowine & Cheese in Arlington; La Fromagerie in Alexandria; Total Wine & More in McLean.

Domaine Louis Moreau Petit Chablis 2019

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Burgundy, France, $26

Chablis is the northernmost part of Burgundy, famous for exceptional chardonnay with little or no oak influence (with exceptions, of course). Petit chablis designates wines from vineyard sites that are not considered prime for aging — in other words, ideal to drink young. This fine example from Louis Moreau is chock full of peach and apricot flavors and a savory, umami character that lingers in your mouth for several seconds after you swallow the wine. ABV: 12.5 percent.

Imported and distributed by Winebow: Available in the District at Cairo Wine & Liquor, Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Metro Wine & Spirits, Wide World of Wines. Available in Maryland at Mays Chapel Wine & Spirits in Timonium; Wine Cellars of Annapolis; Wine Source in Baltimore; Total Discount Beverage in Eldersburg. Available in Virginia at Cheesetique (Alexandria, Shirlington); Dominion Wine & Beer in Falls Church.

Availability information is based on distributor records. Wines might not be in stock at every listed store and might be sold at additional stores. Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.

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