Succés La Cuca de Llum

Catalonia (on the northeastern edge of the Iberian Peninsula) is perhaps best known for Cava. This wine, Succés La Cuca de Llum, also uses the Trepat grape found in Cava, but here it results in a bright red. It’s fresh, and a little funky (or “dusty”) and delightfully mineral-y. That said, it’s not a watery, weak red—it’s vibrant. Bonus: it’s a natural wine, organically farmed …

2012 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

Sourced from grapes growing in the moderate temps of California’s Santa Rita Hills, Municipal Winemakers’ pinot noir is a low alcohol variety offering notes of cherry and raspberry. The grapes are hand-picked at night with only 200 cases bottled in September of 2013.