Swirl: A Pantry, To Raise the Spirits

If you find yourself in times of trouble, as we all have, of late, consider building a pantry — no, not that kind of pantry. A pantry of wine go-tos, bottles that you can pull out in a pinch, anytime wines, every time wines. Here are some everyday picks that some of our local East End retailers have available right now. All of these selections are priced under $30 per bottle. Get them while they’re hot.

Please note: The three retailers mentioned herein — Domaine Franey, Park Place Wines & Liquor, and Wainscott Main Wine & Spirits — all provide home delivery or curbside pickup, as does Wölffer Estate Vineyard, our friends at the Sag Harbor Liquor Store, Churchill Wines & Spirits in Bridgehampton and Herbert and Rist in Southampton.

Sparkling

Mas de Daumas Gassac, Rosé Frizzant, 2017, $28, Wainscott Main Wine & Spirits, Wainscott

Made from Cabernet Sauvignon in the south of France (the Languedoc-Roussillon region, to be specific), this sparkler comes from a very important winemaker that is known, largely, for its still reds. In that sense, it’s nice to have a different perspective, and this rosé offers a tender, delicate look at this powerhouse winemaker’s wines. Perfect for early spring weather, when food still tends toward the heavier, this is a robust style of sparkler that still has finesse—and that won’t break the bank.

Barbolini, Lambrusco, Grasparossa di Castel Vetro, NV, $15.99 Domaine Franey, East Hampton

Many consider sparkling wine to be more of an occasion wine, but Lambrusco is more of an everyday sparkler. This red-to-purple wine, with fat, luscious bubbles, goes with everything from your standard cheese platter to an entrée of rich meats. It’s great with barbecue, but it can play well with more delicate food, too. I love it with grilled chicken, or more substantial fish, like tuna. Kept ruthlessly cold, it’s the perfect winter-into-spring-into-summer everyday sparkler that you might want to keep on hand for when you’re not sure what you want to drink. And, at this price point, you can certainly afford to do so.

Rosé

Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Summer in a Bottle and Estate Rosé, 2019, $26 and $18 respectively, local delivery

No one does rosé quite like Wölffer Estate Vineyard, and you can stock up on the pink stuff without leaving home. The winery offers same-day local delivery from Montauk to Southampton for orders over $50, meaning you can stock your wine cellar with Summer in a Bottle and the 2019 Estate Rosé without leaving your house.

White

Joseph Mellot, Sancerre, Le Montarlet, 2018, $21.95, Park Place Wines & Liquor, East Hampton

Classically elegant, mineral, and refined, this Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc at its peak. A flexible wine that pairs well with most light and medium fare, you’ll find this to be an essential item for your wine larder, in the event that you’re building one (and you probably should be).

Balnea, Rueda, Verdejo, 2016, $16, Wainscott Main Wine & Spirits, Wainscott

This richer style of white wine is actually great for the Chardonnay lover who wants something a little less ordinary. You probably won’t find fantastic oaked Chardonnay anywhere for $16 a bottle, but this Verdejo, from Spain, will blow you away at the price point.

Red

Andrew Will, Columbia Valley, Involuntary Commitment Red, 2017, $24.99, Domaine Franey, East Hampton

Black- and blue-fruited on the palate with durability and length, this wine is a veritable steal, at under $25 a bottle. It’s not a hit-you-over-the-head type of Cabernet, but that’s part of the appeal here. This is a great investment if you’re looking for an everyday red that is at an approachable price point. Unlike Cabernet from Napa, Columbia Valley Cab is pretty tame and low in alcohol. This is an assertive wine that won’t knock you—or your food—over.

Leeuwin Estate Siblings, Margaret River, Shiraz, 2017, $22.95, Park Place Wine & Liquors, East Hampton

A spicy, decidedly New World style of wine, this is wine is full of coffee, chocolate, and ripe, bright fruit. As the season moves from roasts to barbecue, keep this wine in mind, since the tannins and black pepper are the ideal complement to the char of that smoky grill. With a bit of a chill, Shiraz is actually a wine that’s well suited for warmer weather, despite its relatively high alcohol.