September 2010 Newsletter

Affordable at 90+ Points

Pioneer Wine Company's list of over 50 wines with 90+ points at under $25.00 SRP

With the holidays fast approaching, everyone is going to start thinking about gifts very soon.  Not just the typical holiday gifts to family, but housewarming gifts, gifts to coworkers and friends, and all the other many reasons a person needs to bring along a little something to a gathering to thank the host.  It’s no secret that a bottle of wine is a great way to do this.
 
Here at Pioneer, we’ve got over 50 wines rated at 90+ points with an SRP falling under $25.00.  The list includes many prestigious winemakers, such as Susanna Balbo of Argentina.  In a profession dominated by men, Susanna stands out not only because of her gender, but because of her great skill and experience.  In addition to being Argentina’s first widely coveted female winemaker, she was also the first Argentinean winemaker to be hired as a consultant outside of her native Argentina.   Dubbed “The Queen of Torrontes,” Susanna’s Crios line, with wines of 90 points or more, is an excellent value.  The Crios Malbec and the varietal she is famous for, the Torrontes, both have an SRP of $15.99. 
 
You can download a PDF of the list of our 90 point wines at under $25.00 SRP by clicking here.  Your sales rep can answer any questions about availability and pricing.

Great Labels for Halloween

Halloween is certainly not a kid's holiday anymore.  After the trick-or-treating is over, Halloween parties are some of October's biggest and most sought-after activities.  It's a great time of the year to look at new wines with eye-catching and graphically daring labels.  
 
The label for the 2006 Sanguis release "As The Crow Flies," has a distinct Gothic feel, and the wine inside more than lives up to the clever packaging.  Perfectly ripe grapes from five of the best vineyards from the Santa Ynez Valley in Napa combine to produce a wine much greater than the sum of its parts.  Who knows how that works?  We sure don't, but the wine definitely speaks for itself.  Below are more examples of wines that will catch a couple of eyes, and palettes, this Halloween.

THE VELVET DEVIL MERLOT
A great release from Charles Smith, think smoke and spice.  In his own words "Why the Velvet Devil?  It makes merlot sound sexy... because it is!"

MONSTERS, MONSTERS ATTACK! 08 RIESLING
A bright nose of mineral and citrus fruit is as cool and inviting as the great comic book label.  

MISFITS WINE COMPANY 07 BRUJERIA
Labeled with a rabid cannibal, Brujeria is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache & Tempranillo.  Dark ruby in color, it gives hits of spice and blueberry.

SHINAS ESTATE "THE VERDICT"
With it's erie Grim Reaper vibe, Shinas Estate's 06 Cabernet Sauvignon "The Verdict" is a fruit forward wine with a deep crimson color.  The full line also exhibits the creepy Victorian vibe on their labels.

MAPEMA SAUVIGNON BLANC
The Mapema Sauvignon Blanc is labeled bright pumpkin orange and is perfect if Halloween is still warm, as it often is in Texas.  intense and fruity, it has notes of pink grapefruit and a touch of grass.

Ask your sales representative about any of these wines, or for more suggestions on eye-catching labels for Halloween.