We lost the plot with this one … we now present you with a delightful, even playful, dessert wine - or aperitif if you prefer!

Fragolino Rosso Frizzante from Bottega Bibano decants into the glass with bright cherry red and purple reflections. The bouquet is like no other: ripe, juicy strawberries, freshly made strawberry ice cream and hints of white chocolate.

Fragolino is a tribute to the Isabella vine. This resilient grape variety saved many winemakers after the phylloxera disaster. Nowadays, Isabella is rarely used for wine production in Italy, but Bottega wanted to create a monument to it: Fragolino Rosso, a wine-based drink (similar to spritzer or “tinto de verano” but better!) that perfectly captures the charm of the Fragolino of old.

We favor having it as a dessert all by itself. After spicy Mexican dishes, or Thai or Indian curries, Fragolino masterfully refreshes your palate.

"Significant tannins and rich blackberry velvet. Good." Primitivo is a fine grape from Italy. Pairs well with beef and pasta.

Expert wine reviewers such as Vivino proclaimed it to be "Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 41% more…"

So, in a nutshell this falls into our own invented category of "wines we like." In this way we signify that these are very good table wines, and affordable for drinking with your everyday meals. Note that we also carry another category called "wines we love," just to differentiate, as those are very special and yes, pricey, thus reserved for special occasions.

We love this Sauvignon Blanc especially on a hot day! New Zealand is famous for many things, including the spectacular scenery, but worldwide it’s Sauvignon Blancs are renowned for the intense fruity notes and a clean crisp finish. 

Marlborough is known as the Sauvignon Blanc capital. The region has been producing wines since the first winemakers recognized something special in the land and planted the first vineyards in the 1880s. It is a fabulous region to spend a few days visiting the boutique vineyards and cafes and of course sampling a glass or two. 

Alluvial soils, cool nights, and bright sunny days produce a Sauvignon Blanc of unparalleled intensity and aroma. It pairs beautifully with white meat, pasta, fresh fish, all your favorite seafood, and cheese, (don’t’ forget the chutney). Store in a cool, dry place. Best served chilled sitting by the Ocean.

Titulus is the perfect standard bearer of a Verdicchio Dei Castelli, by famed winemaker Fazi Battaglia. The grapes are harvested by hand and soft pressed ready for fermentation. Beautifully presented in a classic Italian amphora bottle, it speaks to the thousand-year-old traditions of Mediterranean winemaking.

The wine sparkles with a sunny bright color. It is fresh, with fruity and floral notes. The mouth is rich, tangy and mineral, and it has a pleasant, almondy finish.

Pairs wonderfully with appetizers, risottos, poultry, seafood or any dishes prepared with cream sauces and mushrooms.

Best served at 8 - 11°C (46 - 51°F)

This red wine blends two Italian regions, Abruzzo (the Schullo family’s fair hometown) and Puglia (okay, nice region too). These regions are home to five distinct grapes: Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Primitivo, Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera. Very elegant taste, smooth, full-bodied blend, think of cuvée as classed by the French.  

Connoisseurs mention that notes of coffee and cocoa ride over a brooding, dark core of blackberries on the nose. The palate is luscious yet structured, with a ripe blackberry coulis flavor featuring oak spices. Perhaps a fancy description of Edizione but, oh so very true. You will love it!

OK, so here’s another bottle with a label I liked, which is why I wanted to try this wine. We have been "trying" it ever since. The grapes are harvested manually and then hand selected for fermentation, yet again reminding me of New Zealand and its many boutique vineyards. With notes of plum and spices, this is a down-to-earth wine with a medium to full body that we love.

You recognize a great wine immediately. The aroma and taste arrest your attention and captivate your senses. Our experience is simply that we love good quality and know it when we see it. This is our recommendation to you - try our selection of wines and you will be equally captivated.

This wine is a 2014 Sangiovese that most wine critics say is the best in all of Italy. Brunello di Montalcino is made with a Tuscan type of Sangiovese grape referred to as Brunello or Sangiovese Grosso. It’s bold, fruity, and high in tannins, and we just loved it. “Feminine” is how one of our dear friends described this wine, and once we tried it, we knew what he meant. Perfumed, fruity and delicate, this wine is a must. This is a limited series, so all bottles have an individual serial number. 

You recognize a great wine immediately. The aroma and taste arrest your attention and captivate your senses. Our experience is simply that we love good quality and know it when we see it. This is our recommendation to you - try our selection of wines and you will be equally captivated.

For those of us who come from down under, Shiraz/Syrah is an absolute must on the dinner table. It took us a while to find a really good Syrah that we could get here in Ecuador, but this is one of the few! We love this award-winning Viña Maipo Syrah from the Central Valley of Chile. Most people notice the oak, chocolate and vanilla notes in this very drinkable Syrah. And with the luscious blackcurrant and spice, it is the perfect accompaniment for lamb, beef, venison and poultry. This is a limited series, so all bottles have an individual serial number. 

You recognize a great wine immediately. The aroma and taste arrest your attention and captivate your senses. Our experience is simply that we love good quality and know it when we see it. This is our recommendation to you - try our selection of wines and you will be equally captivated.

OK, so I liked the picture on the bottle of this one as well, which is why I wanted to try this wine. We have been "trying" it ever since. The grapes are harvested manually and then hand selected for fermentation. This reminds me of New Zealand with its many boutique vineyards. “It is an intense red with a purple hue. Aroma: It has ripe berries aromas reminiscent of raspberry and cranberry, as well as notes of Moka and black tea. Taste: It has great intensity, with black fruit and bitter chocolate flavors.” Don’t you just love the way this wine is described? That was courtesy of Corking Wines in the UK.

You recognize a great wine immediately. The aroma and taste arrest your attention and captivate your senses. Our experience is simply that we love good quality and know it when we see it. This is our recommendation to you - try our selection of wines and you will be equally captivated.

This wine is exceptional!

Deliciously fresh and aromatic with notes of strawberry and raspberry. With typical Italian flare and style, the bottle bespeaks elegance with a genuine Swarovski crystal embedded in the front of the bottle. Perfect served chilled on a hot summer afternoon. One of the most popular wines from Abruzzo, Italy (the home province of the Schullo family, not that we are biased or anything whatsoever!). Abruzzo is a stunning mountainous region (famous for its ski slopes) on the eastern coast of Italy, with winemaking traditions dating back to about 600 B.C.E.! Best served between 4-5°C (39-41°F), pairs really well with fish, pasta, salads, Asian and Mediterranean dishes.

We love this crisp, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. It is perfect on a hot day or for your “Happy Hour” as we do down under. The Valparaiso region of Chile is renowned for producing great wine. As you detect the first aromas upon opening the bottle, your mouth will water. Juicy citrus and tropical fruits abound with subtle notes of passion fruit. This white wine pairs really well with white meats, fish and lean red meats.

Luigi Bosca Gala 1 Malbec 2015 is an innovative Argentinian "big beefy red." We love this description by the Brits, and that is what struck us the first time we tried it with a great US ribeye steak. Its aroma is very subtle and balanced, with hints of berries and fresh spices, which gives it an intense flavor. Mendoza is world famous for producing spectacular wines and this one is no exception. It is a Malbec blend with Petit Verdot and Tannat. This is a limited series, so all bottles have an individual serial number. 

You recognize a great wine immediately. The aroma and taste arrest your attention and captivate your senses. Our experience is simply that we love good quality and know it when we see it. This is our recommendation to you - try our selection of wines and you will be equally captivated.