Big Bodied Reds For Winter

By Al Spoler,

Published January 20, 2021 at 5:14 PM EST

Glass of red wine in a glass on a wooded surface with sunlight shining in the background

Full flavored, hearty midwinter dinners require the same in wines. Here is a trio of affordable big reds to make any dinner a special occasion.

The Wines

Price key: $=less than $20 $$= $20-40 $$$=$40-60 $$$$=above $60

Quality key: * = decent wine ** = very good wine *** = superb wine ****= elite

VALUE = exceptional quality for the money

Rockland Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Hames Valley, Monterey '18 ** $

Very good everyday cab at a great price.

Abelius Lui Toro, Crianza '16 **1/2 $$

Chocolate in a glass, with deep powerful flavors, very food-friendly.

Zinfinity Zinfandel, Sonoma County '17 *** $ SUPER VALUE

Big powerful zin, loaded with spice, complex flavors and body.

All of these wines can be purchased at Kenilworth Wine and Spirits.

Click on the links for direct ordering and home delivery.

Tags

Al Spoler

Al Spoler, well known to WYPR listeners as the wine-loving co-host of "Cellar Notes" has had a long-standing parallel interest in cooking as well. Al has said, the moment he started getting serious about Sunday night dinners was the same moment he started getting serious about wine. Over the years, he has benefited greatly from being a member of the Cork and Fork Society of Baltimore, a gentlemen's dining club that serves black tie meals cooked by the members themselves who are some of Baltimore's most accomplished amateur cooks.

See stories by Al Spoler

Hugh Sisson

As General Partner of Clipper City Brewing Company, L.P., Hugh J. Sisson is among Baltimore's premier authorities on craft brewing and a former manager of the state's first pub brewery, Sissons, located in Federal Hill. A fifth generation Baltimorean, Hugh has been involved in all aspects of craft brewing.

See stories by Hugh Sisson