One of the questions I get asked most often is, “What is your favorite wine?” The answer is both simple and ever evolving. I naturally gravitate toward aromatic, complex white wines and lighter to medium-bodied, terroir-driven reds that clearly express where they come from and pair seamlessly with the wide range of foods we cook at home, from fish and burgers to boldly spiced Indian dishes.
Below are some examples of wines that I gravitate to, and they just happen to be current stock items at 56 Degree Wine at the moment. These are wines I reach for personally, share with friends and family, and feel confident recommending to anyone looking for character, balance, and a true sense of place.
My Favorite White Wine Varietal: Chenin Blanc
If I had to name a “go to” white, it would be Chenin Blanc. I love it because it truly offers the best of all worlds. It can be bone dry and laser focused or more textured and generous, yet always carries a vibrant line of acidity that makes it endlessly food friendly. From oysters and seafood to roast chicken, creamy cheeses, or spicy dishes, Chenin Blanc adapts beautifully while still remaining intellectually complex and expressive.
Two bottles currently on our shelves that I absolutely love:
Laurent Kraft Vouvray Sec 2023 – Dry yet juicy and generous, with notes of ripe pear, orange peel, ginger, and a subtle fennel lift. Wildly refreshing now, with the structure to age through 2028. $25
Arnaud Lambert Saumur Blanc “Midi” 2023 – 100% Chenin from organic vineyards over limestone. Taut citrus, spice, and a hint of woolly texture. Dry, layered, and made for the table. $31 – go to the archives to read my blog post from 8 years ago!
**I’m also especially excited about some of the beautiful Chablis we currently have from Moreau Naudet, which offer that perfect combination of mineral tension, purity, and elegance that Chardonnay lovers should not miss.**
Favorite Reds: Lighter, Terroir Driven, and Versatile
While it’s hard for me to choose a single favorite red, I do have a core group of standby bottles that I return to again and again for their versatility, sense of place, and consistent quality. These are wines that work as easily with a simple weeknight meal as they do with something more elaborate.
Nebbiolo is always a go to for me. I love how this grape expresses itself differently across northern Italy, structured and powerful in the Langhe, more lifted and mineral driven in Alto Piemonte, and delicate and perfumed in Lombardia’s Valtellina.
Current favorites in the shop:
Luigi Oddero Convento Rosso 2023 – This is a blend, but it’s a beautiful expression of traditional Piedmont with lifted aromatics, fine tannins, and classic Nebbiolo tension that makes it endlessly food-friendly. $24
Donnas Rosso 2020 – From the alpine Valle d’Aosta, this is a lighter, more ethereal Nebbiolo with mountain freshness, subtle spice, and elegance that shines with a wide range of dishes. $30
Luigi Giordano Barbaresco Cavanna 2022 – This estate was my first stop when I visited Piedmont in 2024! 40+ year old vines from the heart of Barbaresco. Great length a superb style to enjoy now or age for 7-8 years. $54
(Not Nebbiolo but Love this right now too) – Agostino Pieri Rosso di Montalcino – A vibrant, polished Sangiovese with bright fruit and energy that makes it both comforting and refined. Delicious and so easy to drink. $30
I also gravitate toward beautifully made Pinot Noir. The Holloran Pinot Noir 2023 from Oregon’s Willamette Valley offers savory depth, bright red fruit, and graceful texture that reflects cool climate purity ($30). Hanzell’s Sebella Pinot Noir 2022 from Sonoma is another benchmark, blending old world restraint with California generosity, showing silky fruit, gentle oak, and remarkable balance ($44). And when I want a classic Burgundian expression, Domaine Gérard Seguin’s Bourgogne Rouge Cuvée Chantal 2023 delivers purity of fruit, earthy nuance, and unmistakable finesse ($40).
Cru Beaujolais is another constant love of mine, especially Chavannes Brouilly 2023, which bursts with crunchy red fruit, floral lift, and mineral energy that make it both joyful and serious at once ($32).
For something a bit more esoteric, I adore Ca’n Verdura Negre 2024 from Mallorca, made from indigenous varieties like Montonegro. The wine is soulful and expressive, but the story behind the revival of these native grapes is truly half the enjoyment of opening the bottle and sharing it with others ($29).
When the Conversation Turns to Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t usually my first reach, particularly the more commercial, opulent styles. Throughout my career and wine journey, I’ve gravitated toward small, thoughtfully driven producers, and I generally prefer Cabernets that show restraint, elegance, and a clearer sense of place.
For a beautifully balanced Napa option, I love Robert Sinskey Vineyards’ POV (Point of View), a polished Bordeaux-style blend that offers depth, structure, and everyday drinkability at around $65 per bottle.
A great Cab that expresses a bit more refinement than some others from the region, Turning Tide Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 from Paso Robles is a favorite. Made by a talented woman winemaker, it takes a finesse-driven approach to Cabernet, highlighting supple dark fruit, freshness, and polish rather than sheer weight. That harmony of power and elegance is exactly why it resonates with me, especially at $22.50 per bottle.
A Final Thought
These wines represent my personal palate in a very real way: expressive whites with energy and complexity, and reds that are balanced, terroir driven, and incredibly versatile at the table.
If any of these bottles speak to you, feel free to reach out to me, and I’ll gladly guide you toward the ones that best match your taste and your table