INSIDER'S PICK: 2014 ARGIOLAS VERMENTINO DI SARDEGNA 'COSTAMOLINO' (Vinous 89points) $15.99

​Going into Memorial Day it can be hard to find a good 'all purpose' wine that can encompass a broader number of tastes and warm weather dishes. While the option of 'Bring More Wine!' is never a bad one, it may not always be the most prudent. And we ALWAYS want you to put more thought behind the wines you bring than the prettiness of the label or the fact it was on the end of the aisle and on sale somewhere. So we thought about the needs for the holidays, eliminated some of the way too easy options to look a bit deeper, and came up with this favorite. As one of the best modern producers from Sardinia, Argiolas provides many great examples of  both reds and whites, and this value version of the workhorse Vermentino grape is consistently looked at as THE introduction to white wines of the island.
From the first pour the aromas of the wine are pure Mediterranean sunshine, all citrus, flowers and white melons, so those that like a prettier wine will have lots of enjoyment just sniffing the glass. The texture on the palate is round and lush but not sugary, thanks to a partial malolactic fermentation that gives the Chardonnay drinkers enough of that smoothness without becoming buttery or detract from the pretty natural flavors of the grape. And even with the warm fruit and roundness through the first part of the wine, there is still plenty of freshness and bright acidity across the finish (especially with a good chill on it) to make all but the most stringent acidity freaks happy. And it's a great value as well, so you won't feel like you are overspending for the crowd. This wine will stun people paired with some light and herby Summertime seafood dishes.

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