Fried appetizers

Scarpetta's Prosecco Brut brings a touch more sophistication to Italy's favorite sparkling wine – made in a properly dry style that lets the fruit shine without relying on residual sugar for character. From the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, this Prosecco is crafted using the Charmat method, where the secondary fermentation happens in pressurized tanks rather than in the bottle. The name 'Scarpetta' refers to the Italian tradition of using bread to soak up the last bit of sauce on your plate – essentially 'making a little shoe' to capture every last delicious drop. Created by a Master Sommelier and chef team, these wines are designed specifically with food pairing in mind. This Prosecco strikes the perfect balance between crowd-pleasing accessibility and genuine character – ideal for everything from celebratory toasts to brunch beverages to the classic Aperol Spritz. It's the sparkling wine for people who want something more interesting than the supermarket standard but aren't looking to take out a second mortgage for Champagne.

Not all French sparkling wine comes from Champagne – and this bottle from Baron de Breban proves that's a very good thing for both your palate and your wallet. Made in the traditional method (the same as Champagne) but from the sun-kissed vineyards of Provence, this Brut offers serious quality and pleasure without the premium price tag. Baron de Breban has been crafting wines in Provence since 1952, bringing generations of expertise to their sparkling production. The result is a wine with the elegance and refinement you expect from French bubbles, but with a touch of Mediterranean warmth and generosity. It's perfect for celebrations, of course, but priced reasonably enough that Wednesday night can become a celebration. Why wait for a special occasion when the wine itself can be the special occasion? Keep a bottle in the fridge for impromptu toasts or moments that deserve a little extra sparkle.

Dr. Konstantin Frank isn't just a winery – it's a piece of American wine history. The eponymous Dr. Frank was a Ukrainian viticulturist who revolutionized winemaking in the eastern United States by proving that European vinifera grapes could thrive in the cold climate of the Finger Lakes region. This Grüner Veltliner continues his legacy of innovation. While Austria may be Grüner's spiritual home, this New York version shows that terroir matters more than tradition. The cool climate of the Finger Lakes provides the perfect conditions for this variety to develop its characteristic pepper and citrus notes while maintaining mouthwatering acidity. What makes this bottle special is how it combines Old World structure with New World fruit expression – it's like the wine equivalent of an exchange student who brings the best of both cultures. Perfect for those looking to expand their white wine horizons beyond the usual suspects.

Lapis Luna's Chardonnay strikes that elusive balance between California richness and restraint – it's like finding the perfect middle seat on the Chardonnay spectrum. No butter bomb here, but not austere either – just right for both Chardonnay lovers and those who claim to be 'anything but Chardonnay' drinkers. The North Coast fruit gives this wine a beautiful purity, while judicious oak treatment adds complexity without overwhelming. The vintage-inspired label with its celestial imagery might catch your eye first, but it's what's in the bottle that will keep you coming back. This is the kind of versatile white that solves the 'what to bring to dinner' dilemma – it plays nicely with a wide range of foods and won't break the bank when you inevitably need to buy a second bottle.

South Africa might not be the first place that comes to mind for Grenache, but this bottle from Arendsig makes a compelling case that perhaps it should be. Part of winemaker Lourens van der Westhuizen's 'Inspirational Batch' series, this small-production wine represents his creative experiments beyond the winery's core range – and the inspiration clearly struck gold here. This Grenache captures the variety's inherent charm – that perfect balance of fruity and savory that makes it so food-friendly – while adding a distinctly South African accent. There's a brightness and purity to the fruit that speaks of the country's abundant sunshine, tempered by an earthy complexity that keeps things grounded. Made with minimal intervention from single-vineyard fruit, it's a wonderful example of the exciting wines emerging from South Africa's dynamic wine scene. For fans of Pinot Noir or Cru Beaujolais looking to expand their horizons, this bottle offers familiar pleasure with a new perspective.