We may not be able to travel to visit wineries at this time, but we certainly stay at home and enjoy a bottle of wine in the comfort of our houses. Many wineries are offering special deals and free shipping. Our local wine shops will allow curbside pickup and in California, the ABC relaxed the law allowing us to buy wine to go from our favorite restaurants. We can sip a nice bottle of wine with family. Who better to share a bottle of wine than your spouse, significant other or whomever you live with. Here is a list of wines I have enjoyed recently that you might want to consider while you stay at home.

Stay At Home White Wines

Peju 2018 Sauvignon Blanc: I found a bright, clean, and crisp wine with aromas of grapefruit and lime and flavors of tropical fruit. The grapes for this wine are picked in three stages allowing for different stages and levels of ripeness. A very some percentage of the wine aged in French oak.

La Forge Estate Chardonnay: Created in the Burgundian style of winemaking this wine from Jean-Claude Mas is all about citrus. The nose displays citrus while a citrusy lemon, lime, and pineapple permeate the palate.

St. Urbans-Hof Bockstein Kabinett 2018 Grand Cru Riesling: If you are looking for a semi-dry wine I recommend this Riesling. The Riesling comes from the Mosel region’s Saar Valley. For Riesling lovers the Bockstein VDP Grosse Lage, “great ages” is considered one of the most historic sites for this grape and the equivalent of a French Grand Cru. With a viscous texture, the aromas exude white flowers and citrus. These aromas carry over to the palate with some apple and pear flavors to accentuate the wine. The wine finishes with hints of spice. Overall the wine displays a nice minerality and acidity with a hint of sweetness although not overwhelming.

Stay At Home Rosé

Hess Select California Rosé 2019: With its blush color this wine is very fruity and bright. Very drinkable and refreshing I found lots of red berries especially strawberry and some stone fruit on the palate. This wine is very reasonably priced. Hess is offering $1.00 ground shipping on every order of 6 bottles or more during this time.

Stay At Home California Red Wines:

Peju 2015 The Farm: The wine blends predominately Cabernet Sauvignon with Sangiovese. The grapes for this wine come from the Persephone Estate in Pope Valley, located in the northeastern Napa Valley. On the nose, one smells the Cabernet with its leather aromas, but in the mouth, you taste the Sangiovese. On the palate, the wine satiates you with sweet and savory spices along with the flavors of cherry and black pepper on the finish.

Peju 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon: Combining Cabernet Sauvignon with small portions of Petit Verdot and Merlot, this wine confronts you with big and rich textures. The wine delivers a smooth and seamless balance with aromas of tobacco and mocha. I found flavors of blueberry with a lovely sweet finish.

Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2017: This wine showcases a cooler climate Cabernet that consists of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Merlot, and Syrah. This is a lighter yet very drinkable Cabernet Sauvignon. Both on the nose and palate the wine delivers mocha and cherry flavors accentuated by a sweetness that permeates the wine.

Stay At Home Red Wines from Abroad

Two Hands Angel’s Share Shiraz 2018: Angel’s Share is a term that refers to the small amount of wine that evaporates from oak barrels during maturation. In the medieval days, winemaking lore claims angels watch over the wines.  While watching they took a small share of wine. The name two hands reference the personal touch taken with the fruit. From Australia’s McLaren Vale this full-bodied wine boasts an earthiness with woody aromas.  The wine exhibits dark fruit flavors and black pepper on the finish.

Domaine Bousquet Gaia Red Blend 2018: Coming from Argentina’s Valle de Uco and near the foothills of the Andes this winery attributes its success in winemaking to organic farming practices. Blending Malbec, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon to deliver a big wine with a smooth rich velvety texture and dark fruit on the palate.

Esporão Colheita Red 2017: This wine from Alentejo blends Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Aragonez together to form a very together wine. The wine displays dark rich fruit. Aging takes place in concrete tanks for six months delivering a smoothly balanced wine with rich and velvety textures. I found a spice on the finish. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape flavors really come through.

Quinta Dos Murcas Minas Red 2017: Another wine from Alentejo. The wine combines Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, and Tinta Francisco. Because this wine ages in concrete vats and used French oak casks, I found a softness, I attribute to the concrete. The wine although not as heavy as expected from this region seems like a full yet light-bodied wine. Dark fruit dominates the wine.

As we stay at home and enjoy our wines, please stay safe. Also, remember to follow the guidelines put forth from your city and state politicians to ensure your safety.