Wines -- DO NOT USE -- THIS IS JUST A HOLDING SPOT FOR WOWs. -- rene lynch

Except for the color, a deep rose, the 2012 A Côté Rosé is reminiscent of a Bandol rosé.

‘Le Cupole’ is unmistakably Tuscan — intense and concentrated, with a seductive tonal palate. Pair it with barbecue.

I could drink a bottle of this Morgon “Côte du Py” from Jean Foillard every week with the greatest of pleasure.

I opened this bottle, poured out a glass of the deep garnet Syrah and got a whiff of sun-baked hillside, dark berries and wild herbs.

The 2004 Viña Arana has a beautiful balance and grace, and it pairs well with grilled meats, roast lamb or pork and suckling pig.

Pale salmon pink, it is crisp and dry, with soft, beautiful fruit and a silken texture.

David Hirsch of Hirsch Vineyards has produced some renowned Pinot Noirs from his sprawling Sonoma Coast estate.

I’m a longtime fan of wines from the Alsace estate Zind-Humbrecht, which can trace its wine growing history back to the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century.

OK, score one for California Chardonnay.

This fresh, fruity red is from rising star Arianna Occhipinti, who released her first wine in 2004, when she was 21.

This is not your rustic Barbera but a wonderfully elegant example from the renowned Barbaresco producer Giovanni Pasquero-Elia.

Syrah doesn’t exactly leap to mind when thinking about Oregon reds.

Here’s an interesting white wine from Puglia, the region that forms the “heel” of Italy’s “boot.”

This is an alluring Pinot Noir from Talbott Vineyards’ “Sleepy Hollow Vineyard” in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

It’s winter, or as wintry as it gets in these parts.