“It’s that time of year again — staring down the shelves at your local wine merchant, thinking that perhaps you’d like to spend a little more than usual, or at least break out of your wine rut. But what to buy? My advice is always to find a shop or a clerk with a palate that matches yours, and trust them. But if you haven’t done that yet, here are some picks sure to please.

“For Italian wine lovers: Castello di Volpaia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG “Coltassala” – 2013
Volpaia is among the highest situated vineyards in Tuscany’s Chianti region. Greater elevation in Tuscany leads to wines that tend toward bright red fruits (lower elevations display more blue fruit flavors). Long one of my favorite chiantis, from the days I started traveling to Italy, this vintage of Volpaia has black cherry on the nose and is lush and mouth-filling as you drink it. It’s vibrant with bright acid into the finish. It’s a sexy wine and one I could drink every day, if I had deeper pockets.”

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