Cellar Notes on WYPR

Hugh and Al on their new favorites from Sardinia and Sicily.

It's time to break out the bubbly! Al and Hugh give their picks for what you should be sipping on as you ring in the new year.

Al and Hugh's picks for the best wines to give.

Cellar Notes brings you a range of rioja wines.

Part II of Cellar Notes' rundown on the best Italian wines.

Price key: $=less than $20 $$= $20-40 $$$=$40-60 $$$$=above $60 Quality key: * = decent wine ** = very good wine *** = superb wine **** = elite Helfrich Gewurtztraminer, Alsace '13 ** $ (At $15, this is a real VALUE, classic T'giving wine) Chat. de la Chaize Brouilly (Beaujolais) Vielle Vignes '12 **1/2 $$ (A cru Beaujolais, mature and ready to enjoy) Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages '15 ** $ (A classic producer smooth and easy drinking Beaujolais) Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi **1/2 $

Price key: $=less than $20 $$= $20-40 $$$=$40-60 $$$$=above $60 Quality key: * = decent wine ** = very good wine *** = superb wine **** = elite Giuseppe Lonardi Valpolicella Classico Superioire Ripasso '15 **1/2 $$ (Terrific, bright, tart, dried fruit flavors) La Quercia Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ** $ (Well-rounded Italian red, with direct fruit flavors) Edi Simcic Duet (red blend) Slovenia '13 *** $$ (Fabulous Bordeaux blend from an unusual source) Edi Simcic Chardonnay Riserva, Slovenia '13 ** $

Price key: $=less than $20 $$= $20-40 $$$=$40-60 $$$$=above $60 Quality key: * = decent wine ** = very good wine *** = superb wine **** = elite Broglio Gavi "La Meircena" '15 **1/2 $$ (This wine could have been poured at an Italian feast, like in a painting) Terradora DiPaolo Falanghina, Irpinia '13 **1/2 $ (Totally refreshing,, food-friendly, calls out for seafood, delicious, VALUE) Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina del Sannio '14 *1/2 $ (From a weaker vintage, but still a lean, flavorful wine)

Price key: $=less than $20 $$= $20-40 $$$=$40-60 $$$$=above $60 Quality key: * = decent wine ** = very good wine *** = superb wine **** = elite Michael David of Lodi (Look for the wacky lables) Michael David Chardonnay, Lodi '15 *1/2 $ (Decent value in California chardonnay) Michael David Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi '13 ** $$ (Big fruity cab, bold and well-mannered) Michael David Petite Petit (Petite Syrah) Lodi '14 (Big, smooth, well rounded, lots of fun) Michael David Earthquake

Price key: $=less than $20 $$= $20-40 $$$=$40-60 $$$$=above $60 Quality key: * = decent wine ** = very good wine *** = superb wine **** = elite Boordy Vineyards wins the 2016 Maryland Governor's Cup with its 2015 Albariño from its South Mountain vineyard. Many of these fine wines can be purchased at Reds Wine and Spirits .