Classic Membership - Red

There's just something unmistakable about Sangiovese from Tuscany, and the Rosso from Caprandole is like seeing an old friend. With a nose that veers between dark chocolate but also balsamic, and even a bit of oregano, it makes you want to dive right into the glass. The palate is bold, full-flavored, and tannic, a welcome wine for all Italian wine lovers.

There's nothing wrong with going super classic here: a ragu over fresh papardelle, a grilled Steak Fiorentina, or just salty cold cuts and cheese. Live out your Tuscan fantasies with this one!

Malbec may have found a new home in Argentina, but it's birthplace is actually Bordeaux! In Roman times, wines from the region of Cahors were called "black wine," for their deep purple hue, and their rustic intensity. This Cahors is a new breed though, elegant, aromatic, and full-fruited, it opens with a touch of balsamic with dried herbs, and dark flowers, while the palate is long, and subtle, with dark fruits.

It's hard to beat meat and Malbec, and this wine will go excellently beside anything that comes off the barbecue, protein and vegetable alike. Turn to pork and beef for proteins, or darker, substantial veg like beets or eggplant.

With a heritage of low intervention winemaking, and bright, fruit-forward reds from the Gamay grape, the wines of Beaujolais are joyful while retaining seriousness. This example from Domaine du Penlois begins with a nose that's at once earthy, fruity, and floral, followed by a rich palate with lots of food-friendly acidity, and plenty of layers to unravel as the wine evolves in the glass.

There are few wines better-suited for a fall dinner table than a Beaujolais. Enjoy this beside roast turkey, a bright beet salad, mashed potatoes, or a grilled steak with chimichurri.

This bottle, from Le Fief Noir, features the two partners behind this state looking out at their own new, "land of plenty." Made from one of the Loire's least-understood grapes, Grolleau, it opens with distinctly earthen, almost burnt-match elements while the palate is rich with fruit, and vibrant with acidity. A great introduction to natural wine for the uninitiated.

Grilled Beef and Veal sausages, Roasted Wild Mushrooms, Grilled Eggplant

One of our favorite cuvées year after year, 2022 is a wholly unique expression for the Frey Pinot Noir. Beginining with faint notes of ripe cherry, and more pronounced strawberry notes, the palate is assertive yet bright, with lush red fruit, and a delicate mineral finish.

A cool-climate Pinot like this is going to be hard to beat next to a plate of sausage and sauerkraut, although it will shine beside more delicate preparations like Chicken à la Blanquette, or even a fish dish like Cod with Parsley sauce.