Wine

Crafted from Monastrell vines (same grape as the French Mourvèdre) that range from 40-75 years old, this exceptional value from Spain brings some serious black fruit, svelte tannin, stellar spice, and a medium to fuller body profile.

Downright delicious from start to well-honed finish, the Bodegas Volver "Tarima Hill" is perfect for pairing with a variety of grilled favorites, lamb shawarma, or meat empanadas.

One week away from Mother's Day and there are plenty of wine-themed delights for celebrating Mom with savvy sparkling wines or fruity wine-infused cocktails and mimosas.  While most people's mental mimosa is technically a "Buck's Fizz" - this Champagne-based cocktail has been a top contributor to Mother's Day celebrations for decades.

These spring season openers are easy to make, easy to drink, and add a festive flare to virtually any favorite fruit juice, not just orange juice.  If you are looking for some simple, yet elegant mimosa and wine cocktail recipes, then we've got you covered, check them out here.

Image Courtesy of Getty Images/FoodPix.

Always a hit for it's sweet apple fruit appeal and dainty bubbles, this tasty sparkling wine from southern France's Languedoc-Roussillon region is picture perfect from the super snazzy flip-top bottle closure to the highly aromatic 100% Mauzac Blanc grapes (a white wine grape indigenous to southwest France) forming the wine's foundation.

Crafted by running the wine through primary fermentation and then capping the bottles before fermentation finishes up to capture the bubbles and keep alcohol levels on the lower side (6%), Toad Hollow's Risque sparkler promises to perk up appetites as a delicate aperitif or wrap up a meal alongside a fruit-themed pie or custard-based dessert.

Risque is a top pick for Mother's Day brunch celebrations!

The 2010 Bridlewood Cabernet Sauvignon out of Paso Robles offers solid quality and dense, dark berry fruit.  There's plenty of blackberry jam and a wisp of smoky oak on the nose.

The palate profile echoes ripe blackberry fruit and plum with well woven tannins, good balance, and top notch food pairing versatility.  Give this Cab a go with grilled brats, burgers, and marinated steak.

Disclosure: A sample was provided for review. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

Sangria is a traditional fruit-themed, wine-infused Spanish cocktail.  Perfect for spring and well suited to ramp up the flavors of traditional Cinco de May0 dishes.

Super simple to make, delicious to drink and capable of taming the fiery flames of spicy salsas, hot tamales and seasonal soups, the fresh flavors of sangria promise to bring festive fruit with a splash of wine to any Cinco de Mayo gathering.

Looking for more Cinco de Mayo tips? Check out About.com's Mexican Food site or the History of Cinco de Mayo.

Consistent Classic Napa Valley Cabernet. Robert Mondavi's legend lives on in this delicious rendition of Napa-sourced Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, primarily from Stag's Leap and Oakville AVAs along with almost a third of the grapes coming from the prestigious To Kalon vineyard.

Exuding the fresh, inviting aromas of blackberry, blueberry, and chocolate nuances with an oaky-vanilla swirl, dense textures, tamed tannins, and ripe balance, Mondavi's 2010 Napa Valley Cab is a terrific "go-to" red for a variety of food pairings.  Stick to your favorite cuts of beef, game, and hearty grilled fare and you won't be disappointed.

The California wine scene has been in the works for centuries, but it's only been in the last 40 years that the region has been recognized as a world class player on the international wine stage.  With over 115 recognized wine growing areas (AVAs- American Viticultural Areas) and close to 3,500 wineries, California dominates the U.S. wine market carrying 90% of the domestic wine production.

Vision, leadership, an entrepreneurial spirit and the courage to go after top grapes planted in the right soil structures to produce wines that could rival the best in the world have made California wine what it is today, and will be tomorrow.  Learn more about California's wine history, wine regions, and grapes, along with gaining top tips for visiting California's heralded wine country here.

Image Courtesy of Simi Winery - Landslide Vineyards

Bordeaux brings the beauty of the blend to virtually every regional bottle at all price points, from the first growths to the everyday reds, yet many new wine enthusiasts shy away from the perceived complexity of buying Bordeaux. Hearing a bit about banks, Right Bank or Left Bank, and feeling more comfortable with labels that place the name of the grape front and center instead of the place itself, there's a quiet comfort in the familiar.

Yet for those willing to venture out into unfamiliar territory, Bordeaux rewards with undeniable passion, purpose, and depth. Welcoming with wines that speak of the land and the people, the culture and the cuisine, its history and the future, Bordeaux's red wines are typically based on blends that integrate the distinct characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, and Merlot.

Caught the Bordeaux bug, but not sure what to do about it?  Then check out our Bordeaux Basics here.

Bordeaux continues to ride the wave of enthusiasm for the 2009 vintage, and with releases like Chateau de Macard's Bordeaux Superieur still swirling around the market the interest continues. Expectations for the classified growths both in terms of quality and price were extraordinarily optimistic, but those with smaller budgets wondered if the exceptional quality would trickle down into the everyday wine price categories, and wines like de Macard's Bordeaux Superieur assure savvy Francophiles that there's still plenty to pursue from the '09 vintage on the shelves.

Chateau de Macard's Bordeaux Superieur rocks with a full 50% Cab Franc, followed by 30% Merlot, and 20% Cab, bringing well-ripened dark fruit themes and a delicious density to the table.  Expect black cherry, earthy undertones, and subtle spice to take shape with well integrated structure and Old World elegance.  Perfect for pairing with rosemary lambchops, beef stew, and roasted game, this everyday Bordeaux red is a keeper.

Many are familiar with Napa's presitigious PlumpJack winery in Oakville, and since the launch of CADE Estate on Howell Mountain - there's been plenty of excitement surrounding their power-packed Cabs. The 2009 Howell Mountain Cab is no exception, with grapes sourced from five high-end Howell Mountain growers and enjoying lofty layers of fruit and spice.

Expect dark fruit character, blackberry and black currant, with a heady mix of mint, dark chocolate, vanilla, and black licorice rounding out the palate profile.  Finesse, strength, elegance, and balance play on the intrigue factor and keep this heavy-hitting red in top form.