by Brandi Savitt – June 14, 2010

Refreshing Hidden Gems for Under $15 a Bottle!

Looking for a refreshing summer sip to satisfy your love of wine AND your budget? Get inspired by these affordable and amazing off-the-beaten path picks from our FAVORITE Brooklyn boutique wine shop- Donna da Vine!

Owner and wine expert Aylssa Becker specializes in finding and selling wines that are not mass produced, but rather are considered hidden gems from all over the world!  Her Fab & Fru summer faves for under $15 picks will not disappoint.  And don’t worry if you can’t find them in a store near you, you can order them directly from the Donna da Vine site or call them up and place an order by phone 718-643-2250. *Order a mixed case and get a gracious discount on all bottles of wine!

Favorite Summer Sparkling Wine

U mes U fan Tres (1+1=3)-Spain-$14.99 per bottle

Produced from estate-grown, hand-harvested grapes, this light, bubbly Cava Brut features a burst of racy lemon-lime flavors and finishes clean.  Simply refreshing!

Favorite Summer Whites

Jelu Torrontes- Argentina- $13.99 per bottle

With hints of honeysuckle, this crisp wine is slightly creamier than a Sauvignon Blanc and has a fresh, clean finish.  -The vineyard practices sustainable farming methods.

Berger Gruner Veltliner-Austria- $14.99 per bottle

This light, minerally white has a pleasant acidity and burst of citrus and stone fruits.  Extra bonus- this liter sized bottle will pour you about an extra 1 1/2 glasses of vino!

Favorite Summer Reds

Vinos Piñol Ludovicus-Spain-$14.99 per bottle

This complex full to medium body red is a delicious MUST to pair with anything off the grill!  Known at Donna da Vine as the ‘Sid Vicious’, its blend of Grenache, Syrah, Tempranillo, & Cabernet Sauvignon creates a along finish of lingering bright fruit flavors.

Chapoeira Tinto-Portugal- $11.99 per bottle

To best bring out the beautiful combination of the dark black fruit and hint of herbal eucalyptus found in this Cabarnet Sauvignon/Castelao blend,  serve it slightly CHILLED!

Favorite Summer Rosés

Charles & Charles-Washington State/Provence- $14.99 per bottle

100% Syrah, Aylssa says this delectable, clean, dry rosé is like diving into a big bowl of fresh picked strawberries.  This wine is a collaboration between American producer Charles Smith & French producer Charles Bieler.  It is made in Wala Wala but in the style of Provence!

Swindle Rig-Sonoma Valley-$20.99 (but totally worth the splurge!)

Aylssa swears that this MUST TRY hidden gem is worth the few extra bucks and then some.  Only 60 cases TOTAL were made of this Grenache rosé! Fresh and vibrant with an electric pale strawberry color, followed by a hint of ruby grapefruit, dried rose petals & crushed wet rocks, this wine struts its fruit and crunchy acidity harmoniously.  It’s bone dry, with a punch of juicy fruit to fill in the middle.  Aylssa says it’s so good it’s GULPABLE, and if you serve it with a goat cheese & leek tart- you’ll think you’re in heaven! –Bonus- the bottles are liter size so you will off set the price a bit by getting an extra 1 1/2 pours out of the deal!

Enjoy our Fab & Fru summer wine picks from our friends at Donna da Vine!

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