Zupan's wine man

Dropped into Zupan's Market Sunday in Raleigh Hills to pick up some things for dinner and ran into "the wine man." I'm admitting that I don't know his name, but he runs the wine department there and knows everything. He's also so in touch with what I like. I would trust him to basically recommend anything.

I was surprised to see that he had some Cape Mentelle Margaret River Shiraz. We found this in London at the Wine Society and fell in love with it. When I picked up one bottle, he said he could make me a good deal on six or more. So for a 25% discount, I picked up six. It's juicy plum and blueberry fruit play against savory pepper, smoke and clove notes. If you can get this around $20 a bottle, that's a good deal. Makes a great winter warmer and a wonderful gift.

He told me that Stag Hallow is the best pinot noir in Oregon. He's also a big fan of Abacela's Tempranillo Reserve (only made in years when they deem the grapes worthy).

I intend to make another trip back to see the wine guy and participate in some of Zupan's Thursday night tastings. This is the kind of guy that you can just give a budget to, describe what you like and have him go at it. You could do a lot worse joining some of these goofy wine clubs. I'm intending to have him make up a case sampler and will report back.