This list will continue to change as I try new wines. Come back by to see what gets added!
Dry Reds
Hands down my favorite wines are dry red wines. I’m middle-of-the-road for dries since I don’t enjoy the intense flavor or Shiraz or Syrah but I’m also not a fan of super sweet wines. These are my favorite reds!
Primitivo – Messina Hof
This wine is incredible and my all time favorite. It’s a smooth red and pairs well with lots of different meals. It’s also just a great sipping wine.
Messina Hof Primitivo is a full-bodied red wine with jammy dark fruit flavors that pirouette on the palate. Barrel aging in oak bring out rustic cedar aromas with hints of espresso. A perfectly balanced wine that complements steak or Italian dishes with thick red sauces.
I enjoy this with:
- steak au poivre
- grilled steak
- pasta pomodoro
- cheese tray
- cheese dips
- toast
- sipping by itself
- fetuccine alfredo
- Cacio e pepe
Barolo – Rivata
This wine is amazing. A little pricier but worth it. Smooth, complex, divine! We grab this for date night or anniversary.
This wine is explosive on the nose with very warm aromas of roses, tar, cinnamon, and chocolate. The palate is equally impressive, with a potent extract, superior length and continuity, significant mineral and lush, sweet fruit.
I enjoy this with:
- sipping by itself
- hard cheeses
- pot roast
- grilled steak
- grilled chicken
- Greek lemon chicken
Malbec – Alamos
This wine is very versatile and pretty cheap! It’s a great partner to spicy foods. It’s very berry forward, medium bodied and intense. That’s how it holds up next to stronger flavors.
The nose offers bright black cherry aromas with light floral notes and a touch of toast. The mouthfeel is full and rich, with ripe, concentrated cassis and black raspberry fruit flavors interwoven with a touch of chocolate and sweet spice from light oak aging.
I enjoy this with:
- grilled steak
- grilled lamb
- spicy asian dishes
- sipping by itself
- coconut chicken
- toast
Pinot Noir – Harry & David’s
I like nearly every Pinot Noir I’ve tried. Mark West is a great, affordable option. The Decoy version is very nice as well. The nicest one I have ever had was a gift bottle of Harry & David’s. It’s incredibly smooth!!
This complex, rich red wine is crafted in the Pacific Northwest and has been aged longer in fine oak barrels than standard varietals for an incredible tasting experience. It recently won Double Gold in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
I enjoy this with:
- beef
- spicy shrimp
- pork chops
- grilled chicken
- mustard based sauces
- charcuterie boards
Whites
White wines are a fantastic option when the weather gets hot. Most of them are served chilled unless cooking with them. I always keep cheap bottle of Pinot Grigio on hand for cooking.
Pinot Grigio
This is my go-to wine for dry cooking wine. It’s cheap and sweet and light. My all time favorite is Cul De Sac brand but it’s no longer sold near me. Super sad. I like finding one that has pear or apple notes in it.
Crisp and refreshing, this extremely popular brand offers light apple and citrus flavors that make this a perfect wine for relaxing after a long day or pairing with lighter fare.
I enjoy this with:
- shrimp scampi
- cod
- eggs Benedict
- lemon garlic shrimp penne
- cooking
- soft cheeses
- creamy mushroom speltsoto
- sipping by itself
- classic egg salad
- Cacio e pepe
Chardonnay
This wine is amazing. A little pricier but worth it. Smooth, complex, divine! If you want to get something for date night, go for the Duckhorn label’s Chardonnay.
Enticing aromatics of sweet citrus, Fuji apple, and peach mingle with lovely notes of custard and vanilla in this energetic and alluring Chardonnay. On the palate, bright acidity leads to beautiful layers of citrus, baking spices, and hints of vanilla, carrying the wine to a lengthy finish.
I enjoy this with:
- shellfish
- chicken
- grilled chicken
With Bubbles
I have to be very careful with bubbles in my wine. They tend to hit me a lot harder than normal ones, for whatever reason.
Pink Moscato
This pink moscato is amazing!!! It’s my celebration wine. My sisters love it so much, I bring them several bottles each when I’m home for a visit and can cart wine along with me.
Prima Mazzo Moscato d’Asti has vibrant, flavors and aromas of ripe peaches, tangerines, and orange-blossom honey. The uniqueness of this Moscato di Asti is its ability to have beautiful aromas that are enhanced by the slight fizzyness in the mouth balanced by crisp acidity and flavor enhancing sweetness while maintaining a creamy mouth feel.
I enjoy this one all by itself. I don’t pair this with anything since it’s a treat all by itself. If you’re in Texas, go grab this from HEB. If you aren’t in Texas, sorry, happy hunting 😉
Sparkling Almond
This sparkling wine is incredible!!
Our Sparkling Almond is a demi-sec sparkling wine enhanced by a toasted almond flavor layered over impressions of caramel-covered green apple. This wine pairs well with seafood or textured desserts.
This new release of Messina Hof’s Sparkling Almond is made from 100% Texas grown grapes. The sweetest of our Texas sparkling wines, this bubbly is a celebratory wine for all occasions
I enjoy this with:
- grilled steak
- grilled lamb
- spicy asian dishes
- sipping by itself
- coconut chicken
- toast
Sweet Wines
Hands down my favorite wines are dryer red wines. I’m sorry, I ‘m just not a huge fan of sweet wines. I think the Pink Moscato is the only sweet wine I drink.
Pink Moscato
This pink moscato is amazing!!! It’s my celebration wine. My sisters love it so much, I bring them several bottles each when I’m home for a visit and can cart wine along with me.
Prima Mazzo Moscato d’Asti has vibrant, flavors and aromas of ripe peaches, tangerines, and orange-blossom honey. The uniqueness of this Moscato di Asti is its ability to have beautiful aromas that are enhanced by the slight fizzyness in the mouth balanced by crisp acidity and flavor enhancing sweetness while maintaining a creamy mouth feel.
I enjoy this one all by itself. I don’t pair this with anything since it’s a treat all by itself. If you’re in Texas, go grab this from HEB. If you aren’t in Texas, sorry, happy hunting 😉