Crush Course

Class is in session and the homework is delicious

By Marisa Finetti

These wines were chosen to showcase interesting grapes, wine styles, and classic revisits in a way that’s easy to understand and enjoyable.

Folk Machine Charbono, Suisun Valley AVA, 2023
Jipata
@jipatavegas

Could Charbono be California’s cult secret? Moody, inky and often misunderstood, it originated in France and now thrives in pockets of the Golden State, including this one from Suisun Valley AVA. Expect brambles of berries, violet and a whisper of smoke, wrapped in acidity. Rustic yet refined, it’s an old soul in a leather jacket—brooding, intriguing, yet food-friendly. $48. Pair with Pork Shoulder Panang.

Tenuta Regaleali Rosso del Conte, Contea di Sclafani DOC, 2016
Monzú Italian Oven + Bar
monzulv.com

Imagine a vineyard with assorted grape varieties harvested at once to make wine. This is a field blend. In this bottle are two native Sicilian grapes—Perricone and Nero d’Avola—from Regaleali’s historic Santa Lucio vineyard in Sicily’s interior. The grapes grow and ripen together, shaped by the same conditions from start to finish, producing harmony. The Prince of Salina in The Leopard would love this, and so will you. $140. Pair with Mafaldine al Ragu di Capretto (Braised Goat Ragu).

Joaquin Rebolledo Godello, Valdeorras DO, 2024
Main Street Provisions
mainstprovisions.com

This wine is pure Galician gold—crisp, citrusy and kissed with minerality. A pioneer in Valdeorras, Rebolledo bottled Godello before it was cool. Today, this wine’s zippy elegance and freshness make it a must-sip. Think white peach, lemon zest and a stony streak. A seafood soulmate—or just your new porch-pounder. A hidden gem, but now you know. Glass $15/Bottle $60. Pair with Crudo Yellowtail sashimi, charred citrus miso broth, pickled plums, plum gel and cantaloupe microgreens.

Ronchi di Cialla, RiNera Rosso Schioppettino di Prepotto, Friuli Colli Orientali DOC, 2022
Ada’s Food + Wine
adaslv.com

Named for its “little gunshot” of flavor, Schioppettino is a peppery rebel from Italy’s Friuli region. Once nearly extinct, it was revived thanks to Ronchi di Cialla and the Rapuzzi family, who saved 60 surviving vines. This Northern Italian red fires off notes of blackberries, violets and a crack of black pepper. Sleek yet wild, it carries tension, intrigue and just the right amount of bang. $70. Pair with Lamb ribs + Red Wine and Cola.

Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, 2019
La Strega
lastregalv.com

Brunello di Montalcino, made from 100% Sangiovese, offers depth and drama in equal measure: cherry, leather, kirsch, wild herbs and the echo of old oak barrels. Elegant yet gutsy, dry but lingering, it is built to age in silence—preferably in a dark, cool cellar. Castello Romitorio’s Brunello hails from Montalcino’s wild northwest, where Sandro Chia transformed a ruined castle into a wine masterpiece. Structured and soulful, it’s a bottle built for time, stories and serious meals. $210. Pair with 18 oz Bone In Ribeye with Lillie’s Sauce.

Stéphane Coquillette ‘L’Entrecoeur’ Brut, Chouilly, NV
Garagiste Wine Room + Merchant
garagistelv.com

Look for “RM” on the label. This stands for récoltant manipulant, meaning the Champagne producer farmed their own vineyards, harvested their own grapes and produced the wine themselves. Unlike large houses that blend across multiple vineyards, these artisanal bubbles reflect terroir, vintage and village. Only a small percentage reach U.S. shelves, making them an insider’s fizz and proudly so. $132/$66 retail. Pair with Garagiste’s #5 Plate.