The List...
Okay Lusch fans, here is a starter list which includes great wines for everyday drinking. In fact, many of these are house wines at The Luscher house. I would like to point out that ALL of these wines are available at fabulous local wine shops around Dallas. I encourage you to support local and small businesses whenever possible. Check them out and let me know what you think!
Vilarnau Cava, Penedes, Spain
Profile: crisp and refreshing with notes of fresh bread, apples, citrus with a mineral finish
Pair: caesar salad with grilled shrimp or your favorite take-out Pad Thai
Purchase: Le Caveau $18
Cieto Chiarli Lambrusco di Sorbara Vecchia Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Profile: dry frizzante, vibrant red berry fruit, violet, tangy acidity
Pair: plate of salumi & hard cheese, tortellini pasta, sausage pizza
Purchase: Jimmy's $13
Chateau Ducasse Blanc, Graves, Bordeaux, France
Profile: tropical fruit, pear, citrus, mineral, dry, clean acidity
Pair: baked white fish with buerre blanc, garlicky shrimp, veal chop with tarragon cream
Purchase: Pogo's $20
Pedernales Viognier, High Plains, Texas
Profile: full bodied, lush ripe stone fruit, vanilla, spice, will please the Chardonnay drinker
Pair: fish tacos, parmesan crusted chicken, thanksgiving fare
Purchase: Pogo's $17
Amici Olema Rose, Provence, France
Profile: fresh strawberry, peach, citrus, dry, mineral notes, refreshing acidity
Pair: almost anything...salad nicoise, goat cheese, ratatouille, bbq, a juicy burger
Purchase: Veritas $15
Dila-O Rkatsiteli- Mtsvane, Kakheti, Georgia (amber wine, a.k.a. orange wine)
Profile: honeyed notes, dried apricot, peach, baking spices
Pair: spiced lamb kabobs, hummus & baba ghanoush, feta, manchego, grilled halloumi cheese
Purchase: Bar & Garden $13
Vietti Barbera d'Asti Tre Vigne, Piedmont, Italy
Profile: bright and juicy berry, red cherry, spice, good acidity, soft tannins
Pair: sausage pizza or pasta bolognese as barbera loves garlic, tomato, olives
Purchase: Le Caveau $14
Famille Perrin Vinsobres Les Cornuds, Rhone Valley, France
Profile: Grenache/Syrah; rich berry, cherry, floral, pepper, good acidity, supple tannins
Pair: roasted leg of lamb with olives, roasted chicken with herbs, slow braise of beef with 'shrooms
Purchase: Veritas $20
Angulo Innocenti Nonni Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
Profle: blackberry, red currant, earthy undertones, ripe finish with soft tannins
Pair: mushroom swiss burger, pork with roasted peppers, simple grilled steak & potatoes
Purchase: Veritas $10
Bar & Garden Dallas www.barandgardendallas.com
Jimmy's Food Store www.jimmysfoodstore.com
Le Caveau Vinotheque www.lecaveaudallas.com
Pogo's Wine & Spirits www.pogoswine.com
Veritas Wine Room www.dallaswinemarket.com