Values Beyond Price
by Dustin Soiseth
Prosecco Superiore Brut
Italy | Veneto
I view sparkling wine as an essential pantry item. Quality sea salt, fresh spices, and good olive oil can turn a quotidian dish into something a bit more gourmand, and the same is true for a cold glass of Sommariva’s convivial Prosecco. Its lively bead and soft, stone-fruit notes add an epicurean sheen to any meal, and it certainly costs less than a fancy bottle of olive oil these days.
2024 Bourgueil “Cuvée Alouettes”
France | Loire
At the risk of repeating what you may already know about this wine, and using too many “B’s” in the process: The Boucard family’s Bourgueils are bistro wines! Especially their Cuvée Alouettes, which is meant for youthful enjoyment. What is a bistro wine, exactly? This one is zippy, yet velvety, beaming with blackberry and cassis, and packs an earthy bite—qualities that come in handy alongside foods like steak au poivre, soupe à l’oignon, quenelles de poisson, and moules frites.
More from the February 2026 Newsletter
