Toad Hollow Winery Risque French Sparkling Wine, Langue Doc, France       $17

The white selection for the month is Toad Hollow’s Risqué French Sparkling Wine. While Toad Hollow is a California producer, they like adding wines not from California to their portfolio. This sparkling wine uses Mauzac grapes from Languedoc, France. It is made with the Methode Ancestrale style which is different from most sparkling wines since there is no second fermentation. The wine is bottled before the first fermentation is completed. This is a softer sparkling wine with less bubbles and just 6% alcohol. It is just slightly sweet with tastes of apricots and pears. Consider this an appetif or an after dinner sipper. Great packaging!

2012 Boneshaker Red Blend, Lodi, California          $17

The red selection is a new wine produced by California’s Hahn Family Wines under their Boneshaker label. 2012 Boneshaker Red Blend uses 43% Zinfandel for which they are known but adds 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% petite Sirah to give a rich blend of dark fruit with dark chocolate and espresso. This wine is smooth on the palate and may make you think of blackberry cobbler. As you settle into rich chili for the New Year football games, pull out this wine.