INSIDER'S PICK: 2014 Bodegas Riojanas Rioja Blanco 'Vina Albina' $15.99

In our Select Six from July we featured another white Rioja and spoke of the wine's parallel to white Bordeaux. That version featured a blend of Viura and Malvasia with some barrel aging that shows off the richer, fleshier, more 'serious' elements of the region. This bottling, an entry level wine from one of our favorite Spanish producers over the last year, captured everything that is fun and fresh about Rioja. Made from 100% tank aged Viura, the aromas are all about juiciness, loaded with pears and melons and just a hint of cooling minty spice and melon rind way in the background. The palate is also juicy in texture, but the flavors are much drier and zestier than the aromas, almost shockingly so. The melon rind and grapeskin tannin bring the flavors of the whole fruit into play, not just the sweeter juice and pulp the aromas promised. They also help this wine stand up much better to fleshier dishes where something with just fruit and nothing else would fall flat. Break this out with pork or poultry, and don't be afraid of matching it with something that has a bit of spice.