try something new

Handley Cellars Pinot Noir ($30) California

One of the most enjoyable things about wine is getting other people excited about it. Mother’s Day, whether for a gift or at dinner or brunch, presents a wonderful opportunity to do just that. Does Mom like sweet wine, but is tired of what she usually drinks? Does she like red wine, but is feeling adventurous and ready for something new?

Using these the guidelines — helping Mom branch out, but not foisting something on her she may not like — here are three wines that fit those criteria:

Gascon white wines like this deliver tremendous value. Look for some citrus fruit and less grapey-ness than similar wines from this part of France. It’s the kind of wine to keep around the house for the summer.

Moscato, a sweet white wine, is all the rage these days, but a lot of the wines aren’t much more than sweet and don’t taste much like moscato. The LangeTwins, though, is clean and fresh, with orange blossoms and lime.

This is among the best California pinot noirs I’ve tasted in years — authentic, peppery and not too much fruit or vanilla flavor from too much oak. A fine gift (even for Dad, next month).

—Jeff Siegel

JEFF SIEGEL’S WEEKLY WINE REVIEWS appear every Wednesday on lakehighlands.advocatemag.com

Ask the wine guy

What are legs on a wine glass?

a re the streams of wine that run n the inside o f the glass a f ter you it. It’s not so much an indication a lity, which was once thought, as l cohol content of the wine — the noticea bl e t h e l egs, t h e h ig h er t h e e nt

ASK THE WINE GUY taste@advocatemag.com

Jeff Siegel