The best wines for your Memorial Day BBQ

Ancona's is your Memorial Day BBQ headquarters! Whether you are looking for warm weather spirits, Craft Beer in cans, or BBQ friendly whites and reds -- we have all of your party needs covered. Don't forget, Ancona's offers FREE wine tastings every day from 12-8pm. Stop by Ancona's Wines in Ridgefield or Wilton and taste your way through a wonderful assortment of white, rosé, and red wine -- who knows, you may discover a new favorite!

Ancona's Wines is open regular hours Friday May 23 (8:30am-8pm), Saturday May 24 (8:30am-8pm), and Sunday May 25 (10am-5pm). On Memorial Day, Monday May 26 Ancona's is open 9am-5pm.

2012 Mandolin Pinot Noir is an outstanding value wine that has balance, finesse and distinct Pinot character. This cool-climate Pinot Noir has full, forward cherry and raspberry fruit flavors with ideal acidity. It is a smooth, sensual and mouth-filling delight for a moderate price. A true bargain for the quality!

2009 Fat Cat 420 is made from Carignan, a sometimes under appreciated varietal that produces brilliant dark-fruited reds. Jamie Peterson, the winemaker has certainly adapted his fathers old school/Old World style of wine making and it  shows through in this bottling.

2011 Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel is a delicious wine exhibiting a bright bouquet of wild strawberry and Satsuma plum, intermingled with cedar shavings. Filling the palate with flavors of black cherry and vanilla, supple tannins support good structure. The finish is smooth and long.

2012 Benziger Family Winery Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and enduring, providing a good, but not heavy, volume. This Sauvignon Blanc offers subtle minerality and notes of grapefruit and lemon. The wine's acid is both balanced and integrated, giving it an elegant softness.

2012 Flora Springs Chardonnay has forward fruit that marries beautifully with new French oak, which imparts a wonderful vanilla flavor to the wine. It has wonderful balance and length of flavors, including apple and peach, with the creamy after tones of oak. a wine with superb direction and character.

2013 Torii Mor Pinot Gris has a rich, forward aroma, with a mix of peaches, ripe pears and smoky-floral notes. The flavors show a nice, refreshing acidity, followed by a sweetness and richness framing the same peach-pear fruity notes. The texture is rich and mouth-filling followed by a long, rich and bold finish.

2013 Chacewater Rosé is a dry, elegant rose that starts off with bright, red cherry, ripe strawberry and dried rosebuds. Soft and round on the edges with a rich, fruity core that yields to a long and complex finish of wild berries, spice and dried cranberry.

2013 Pomar Junction Rosé is a serious, broad shouldered rosé. Red berries and mild citrus unite in a flavor profile that suggests just a hint of jamminess but is still refereshing a crisp.

2013 The Withers Sierra Foothills Rosé has a beautiful rose color, penetrating, but light flavors, and a lingering finish. This is a European-style Rose, focused on over-delivering for the price and producing something with evocative flavors and a sense of place.

Foolproof Brewing Backyahd IPA is the ultimate suburban brew, Backyahd is an aggressively hopped American IPA with a tantalizing hop aroma. The beer's bitterness pairs perfectly with spicy foods coming straight off the grill. Enjoy it with friends, family, or whomever you choose.

Two Roads No Limits Hefeweizen is a version of the classic Bavarian wheat brew that is perfect for the warm weather enjoyment. Beautifully cloudy with a generous head of foam, it has a wonderful fruit aroma and a nice, dry finish. This Hefeweizen is a refreshing version of the original.

DC Brau the Public Pale Ale is brewed in the classic American Pale Ale style. Assertive bitterness backed by C-60 and Vienna malts which lend notes of rich, yet semi-dry caramel. Then followed up with a nice white grapefruit and citrus aroma that begs for a follow up sip.

It is Huckleberry Lemonade season! Enjoy the tartness of fresh lemonade and the deep, rich tangy flavors of 44 North Huckleberry Vodka this Memorial Day weekend. Combine 4oz 44° North Vodka (Huckleberry) and 6oz lemonade in cocktail shaker. Shake and serve over ice.

Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin is a true testament to artisan spirits. Distilled in a custom-made copper pot still, Greenhook has a delicate fresh, fruity nose with notes of juniper and elderflower. On the palate flavors of juniper and citrus are followed by hints of cinnamon and camomile. Everything about this Gin is oh-so-right; mix with Q-Tonic for the ultimate gin & tonic.

A Portonic is a great way to enjoy Port wine during the warm Spring and Summer months. Portonics are perfect for parties, Memorial Day BBQ's or sunny afternoons with friends. In a highball glass filled with ice combine 1 part Dow's Fine White Port and 2 parts Tonic. If you are feeling adventurous add a splash of pomegranate juice for a special twist.

Wine Review: 2008 Niner Wine Estates Sauvignon Blanc

Niner Sauvignon Blanc has a clean nose with crisp citrus notes. It is rich and creamy with a smooth, oaky profile. Best described as a soft and less acidic than your typical Sauvignon Blanc, it is Chadonnay-esque in style. This Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing option for those who want to try something new.

Wine Review: 2010 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc

Fresh and lively, this New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is true to its roots. Dog Point showcases a crisp, clean nose with hints of grass and citrus. The herbaceous, vegetal flavors on the palate are accompanied by a refreshing acidity. It has great concentration and a nice minerality on the finish. I really enjoyed this bottle!

Weekly Round Up: 2009 Camino de Navaherreros, 2009 Iona Sauvignon Blanc, 2009 Meurger Pinot Noir and 2009 Discovery Sauvignon Blanc

2009 Camino de Navaherreros

I have only four words for this bottle: I love this wine! 2009 Camino de Navaherreros is silky and smooth with a luscious, medium body. It is a total fruit-bomb, with sweet fruit on the nose and succulent, juicy flavors on the palate. A touch of spice enhances these flavors leading to a beautifully focused finish. 5 Stars!

2009 Iona Sauvignon Blanc

This South African Sauvignon Blanc has a crisp, medium body. The nose is clean with notes of tropical fruit and a touch of grass. Bright acidity complements pronounced citrus flavors. Iona Sauvignon Blanc was not what I was expecting it to be at all, but sometimes that’s a good thing. If you’re into crisp, zippy Sauvignon Blanc Iona is worth trying. I was pleasantly surprised and will definitely revisit this bottle again.

2009 Meurger Pinot Noir

The 2009 Le Meurger Pinot Noir is very dry, with low acidity. On the nose notes of red berry and dark fruit are accompanied by a distinct vegetal aroma. Its lighter body presents soft, muted flavors of dark red fruit as well as a generous amount of earth and spice. I wouldn't say I loved this bottle but I also can't say that I didn't not like it either. This is a nice Pinot Noir from Burgundy, not the best, but an accurate representation of the varietal and region.

2009 Discovery Sauvignon Blanc

This is a light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. It has citrusy, slightly herbaceous notes on the nose. On the palate it has a good amount of citrus and tropical fruit. These flavors are rounded out by a soft acidity. I wasn’t really feeling the Discovery, it just is not my style. But that's not to say it isn't a good bottle. It's light body and soft acidity make it a refreshing choice in this heat.

Cheers to Chilé

All 33 of the Chilean mine workers who were trapped for 69 days have been rescued from what could perhaps be considered one of the worst mine disasters in history. The miners were trapped back in August a half mile below the Earth's surface. This rescue is truly an amazing example of human ingenuity and perseverance.

With Chile in the global spot light this week is as good as any to try some of our fantastic Chilean wines. Chile offers up some wonderful wines at exceptional values. One of my personal favorites is the 2008 Ritual Pinot Noir. On sale for $15.99, Ritual’s palate is soft and elegant with aromas of black cherries, raspberries and plum. Black currant and blueberry notes are followed by supple tannins and lead to a soft, luxurious finish. This wine would pair well alongside braised beef with mushrooms served with sweet vegetables or smoked sausage with caramelized onions and bell peppers.

A few of our other favorite Chilean wines include:

2008 Veranda Pinot Noir
90 Points - Stephen Tanzer's I.W.C.
"Bright red. Red berries, rose, minerals and underbrush on the nose. Light-bodied raspberry and bitter cherry flavors are nicely concentrated and sappy, with bracing minerality adding spine. The finish is gently sweet and refreshingly brisk, and repeats the mineral and floral notes. A graceful, low-fat style of pinot that nods more toward the Old World than New in texture, weight and flavors. Burgundy winemaker Pascal Marchand is deeply involved in this project." ~(ST)
Reg. $17.99
On Sale: $15.99

2009 Terra Noble Sauvignon Blanc
88 Points - Stephen Tanzer's I.W.C.
"Pale, bright yellow. Pungently spicy aromas of pink grapefruit, pear, sea spray and spicy herbs. Juicy, penetrating and brisk, with very good density of citrus fruits framed by bracing minerality. Finishes with orange zest and grapefruit notes and a lingering white pepper element." ~(ST)
Reg. $12.99
On Sale: $11.99

2007 Vina Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Medalla Real Reserva Especial
88 Points - Stephen Tanzer's I.W.C.
"Inky ruby. Dark berry and cherry-cola aromas are complemented by licorice and a hint of bonfire. Juicy cassis and cherry flavors are firmed by dusty tannins, which gain strength with air. There's plenty of fruit here but I'd have liked more give. The finish is firm and focused, leaving bitter cherry and tobacco notes behind." ~(ST)
Our Price: $17.99
* mixed case price: $16.19/bottle