Rockridge Market Hall

1) Bubbles: We love to drink sparkling wines year-round, but there?s no question that holiday time inspires all of us to bring on the bubbles. Cava is a wallet-friendly Champagne alternative from Spain, and D?Abbatis Cava 2002 ($19) is the best Cava that we?ve tasted recently. Apparently many of our customers agree, because lots of you are reaching repeatedly for the distinctive, bowling-pin-shaped bottle.

2) Austrian grüner veltliner: When you want a crisp, citrus-y, no-oak white wine as aperitif or an accompaniment to just about any kind of white wine food, it?s hard to beat grüner veltliner, or ?GrüVe?, to its fans. Lately, we?ve been grüv-ing on Hiedler Grüner Veltliner ?Löss? 2006 ($17).

3) Piemontese nebbiolo: When we think of great Italian wine and food, we think first of Piemonte. And when we?re in Piemonte (and often in the Bay Area) we think first of nebbiolo. Cascina Bruciata Barbaresco 2003 ($30) is a supremely satisfying example of wine made from this noble variety. Braise some meat, pop the cork, and prepare to be seduced.

4) Bordeaux: Beef and Bordeaux?it doesn?t get a lot better than that. Château Falfas Côtes de Bourg 2004 ($18)?an outstanding Bordeaux from a pioneering biodynamic producer at an affordable price.

5) Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay: What a joy it is to find well-made and well-balanced Napa Valley wines at reasonable prices. Madigan (the second label of White Rock) does it every year, including this year: Madigan Napa Valley Chardonnay 2006 ($15) and Madigan Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 ($17).

plus) It?s not wine, but it?s a great gift. Emilio Lustau Vinagre al Pedro Ximenez ($17 / 375 ml) is a Sherry vinegar from a premier producer of Sherry wines. It?s amazing with olive oil and lemon for a salad dressing and in any other recipe that calls for a distinctive, assertive vinegar.

plus) And don?t forget, we give you 10% off when you buy a case of anything?or mix and match.