Shopping in one of those upscale resale shops, that plays nothing but Alterna-40 music, heard a song called Valpolicella? In that jingly jangly alt-pop vein that thinks it is sooo cool, when it’s only really badly recycled Iggy Pop. Guessing the name of the band I’d say it had 2 words, starting with "the."

   Will someone make cool wine accessories? Just a cool wine rack would be great. Something along the lines of the Blue Dot metal perf desk accessories. I’m giving away this idea! Seriously, some of us are too solvent to still shop at IKEA, but can’t see plopping down on a 500$ wine-a-dair. BTW, any mini dorm fridge will do(just put on lowest setting) for a dozen or so special bottles, even though it doesn’t look as cool.

   Good wine today:

McCrea Rose of Mourvedre
           The nicest winery operation in Washington state. Doug McCrea was hot on Rhone varieties before Americans started creaming themselves over Aussie wines. Mourvedre is, like, only my 2nd favorite grape ever. Think Syrah, only no red fruit flavors, just everything purple. It’s got a killer bod, and makes the best rose in the world (get atlas, flip to France, locate Bandol…as in Bain de Soleil). This WA version is no slouch–light salmon color, bone dry, and flirty fruit/mineral character. I’m buying a bottle for every Sunday from now until September. I am too.
    Vega Sindoa Cabernet/Tempranillo
           From Jorge Ordonez, who’s done so much for the Spanish wine industry they should make him the flipping king, just look for his name on a wine-you should be fine. This one is $7 to $9 depending on your market, none of that cinnamon toast crunch over-oak chipped cheap wine thing happening. It’s textured, structured, and the fruit is extremely varietally correct. Throw a party, or stock the wine rack in the kitchen.
           Why does most cheap red wine smell like circus peanuts and taste like smuckers and stale bread? …to be continued…
Chateau Bonnet Bordeaux Blanc
         Proving you can’t be all indie, all the time…from Willy Deutsch, one of the best in the $10 to $13 category–soft, complex aroma, crisp and fresh–like a perfect green apple. Spring requires you find a favorite white Bordeaux to go with all the favas, peas, and other fresh veggies you’ll be eating. These wines have all the vibrancy and snap of a Sauv Blanc–but less herby/grassy, and not as aggressively grapefruity as some of the Kiwi SBs.