Selecting wine can be intimidating. Fortunately, at Moon Wine & Spirits, the wine stewards are already in the store, ready to help you pick the perfect bottles to pair with food. Along with owners Eddie and Kathy Moon, Lew Price and Bryndon Rushing bring a wealth of experience about wine and spirits. Here are Bryndon’s picks for reds and whites, three of each on the low end, and three of each higher up. Cheers!
INEXPENSIVE: Whites
2017 Franco Serra Gavi, $12.99
A dry and light-bodied wine made from the cortese grape with pear and floral notes and a crisp, dry finish.
2016 Vignoble Gibault Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, $14.99
This white is crisp and clean with distinct notes of citrus and white flowers. Supple with excellent acidity and a long-lasting finish, it pairs with pan-seared scallops and fresh garden greens.
2017 Graville Lacoste, $21.99
An unfiltered white Bordeaux consisting of 60 percent semillion, 5 percent muscadelle and 35 percent sauvignon blanc. This creamy, robust white is a perfect pairing for anything from fish to poultry, from picnic fare to curries.
HIGH-END: Whites
2017 Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, $27.99
Vibrant and refreshing with a creaminess and fullness not typically associated with Italian pinot grigio. Pairs with a wide range of seafood and lighter savory dishes.
2016 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc, $31.99
Blended with semillion to add depth and complexity and aged in French oak and stainless steel, this Napa Valley sauvignon blanc offers refreshing acidity and tropical flavors combined with surprising silkiness.
2015 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, $49.99
This dense and rich chardonnay exhibits pineapple and green apple notes upon opening, evolving into a long-lasting smooth finish with classic apple and kiwi flavors.
INEXPENSIVE: Reds
2015 Gaia Domaine Bousquet, $19.99
An organic blend of 50 percent malbec, 45 percent syrah and 5 percent cabernet, this wine exhibits a dense purple color with aromas of blackberries and hints of cocoa. A full-bodied wine with a long finish, it pairs well with everything from red meats and red sauces to cheeses and chocolates.
2013 Jones Washington Cab Franc, $17.99
Notes of chocolate-covered cherries, black raspberry and dark plum precede aromas of violets and cigar box. An outstanding introduction into cab franc, a worthy wine rarely offered as a single varietal at this price.
2015 Groot Constantia Shiraz, $19.99
This richly intense South African will make one wonder why this grape isn't more widely planted there. Typical black pepper spiciness with aromas of violets and black currants.
HIGH-END: Reds
2015 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir, $37.99
A blend of Cristom's four single-vineyard pinot noirs with a mix of different terroirs and soil types. A lovely wine with a European aesthetic, you will find pretty cola notes along with raspberry fruit and subtle oak. Medium- to full-bodied with firm tannins and a long finish, this is an excellent representation of Oregon pinot.
2016 Saldo Zinfandel, $36.99
Indulgent flavors of plum and cherries followed by a finish of dried dark fruits, coffee bean and vanilla. Smooth and rich with its ABV of 15.9 percent well-hidden in warm, spicy closing notes.
2016 Palermo Cabernet, $49.99
A robust blend of cabernet, merlot and malbec, this Orin Swift introduction evolves aromas of ripe cassis and blackberry with hints of cocoa and new oak. A pronounced round and soft mouthfeel gives way to a prolonged finish.
6910 Moores Lane, Franklin, Tennessee, 615.472.1772, MoonWineAndSpirits.com
