If you’re looking for a less expensive alternative to the glorious blackberry funk of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Mark points you to the Southern Rhone Valley’s Gigondas and Vacqueyras.

Featured wines:
Guigal Gigondas 2007 ($24)
Domaine le Sang des Caillou Vacqueyras Cuvee Floureto 2004 ($22)

Other Riveting Rhones:
Andrieux & Fils Gigondas 2009 ($25)
Arnoux Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2007 ($15)
Cécile Chassagne Gigondas 2009 ($20)
Chateau de St.-Cosme Gigondas 2009 ($35)
Clefs des Murailles Vacqueyras 2007 ($16)
Domaine de Montvac Vacqueyras Arabesque ($17)
Domaine Le Colombier Vacqueyras Tradition 2009 ($17)
Vignerons de Caractère Vacqueyras 2010 ($20)

“Poosh It!”

Even a bird wants in on the action as Mark shows how hard cider is a quintessential autumn drink and the perfect soother after a San Francisco earthquake.

Featured cider:
Eric Bordelet Sidre Doux Tendre NV (France, $12)

Other compelling ciders:
Duche de Longueville “Antoinette” Dry Sparkling Cider (France, $11)
Etienne Dupont Cidre Bouché Brut de Normandie 2009 (France, $12)
Farnham Hill Extra-Dry Cider (New Hampshire, $12)
Original Sin Hard Cider (New York, $3 for 12-oz bottle)
Wild Washington Cider (from Tieton Cider Works, Washington State, $8)
Woodpecker English Cider (Vermont, $10 for six 12-oz bottles)

“Poosh It!”

Filming at a stately but spooky library somewhere in Massachusetts, Mark explains why Madeira is the ultimate wine for a supernatural occasion like a seance or Halloween. Its unique toffee-and-citrus taste is positively haunting.

Featured wine:
D’Oliveira Sercial Madeira 1969 (Portugal, $125)

Other marvelous Madeira:
Barbeito Bual Madeira 1863 ($545)
Barbeito Sercial Madeira 1978 ($125)
D’Oliveira Terrantez Madeira 1988 ($90)
Rare Wine Company Historic Series Boston Bual Madeira ($45)

Note: good vintage Madeira is in short supply, so remember to ask your favorite wine merchant. Also visit Madeira specialist Rare Wine Company here:
http://www.rarewineco.com

“Poosh It!”

En route to this year’s Emmy Awards, Mark breaks out a bottle that will “poosh it to 11”.

Featured wine:
Dom Pérignon 2002 Andy Warhol Tribute (France, $190)

Other Vinous Splurges:
Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 2008 (California, $400)
Chateau Margaux 2009 (France, $1000+)
Cheval Blanc 2009 (France, $1000+)
Dominio de Pingus Ribera del Duero 2006 (Spain, $700)
E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 2007 (France, $300)
J-L Chave Hermitage 2007 (France, $250)
K Vintners Syrah “Royal City” 2008 (Washington State, $100)
Krug Brut Rosé Champagne (France, $290)
Salon Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Le Mesnil 1997 (France, $500)
Sine Qua Non Grenache “In the Crosshairs” Eleven Confessions Vineyard 2007 (California, $220)
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Masseto 2007 (Italy, $400)

“Poosh It!”

 

 

In Montreal battling bottle hallucinations and an underpowered vessel, Mark explains the tangy, stony appeal of Sancerre. Mark calls this thirst-quenching, Loire Valley mainstay the “Grapefruit in a Glass”.

Featured Sancerre:
Henri Bourgeois Sancerre “Les Baronnes” 2010 ($18)

More Scintillating Sancerre:
Chateau de Sancerre Sancerre 2009 ($25)
Pascal Jolivet Sancerre 2010 ($22)
Picard Sancerre 2010 ($20)
Yves Martin Chavignol Sancerre 2010 ($16)
“Poosh It”