(3) Earthy red wines

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: earthy and smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

I got this wine to go with the spaghetti I made tonight, and I was reminded how much I love a Ripasso. This one was good, not great, and with my tomato dish, the strong acid and dense red fruit was a nice companion. The earthy nose was better than the sharp mouth, but more complex tannins and a slightly softer taste would have pushed this wine a few notches higher for me. But for $13, it wasn’t a bad buy, and I’d get it again – unless there was another Ripasso for the same price I hadn’t yet tried. ($13)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: earthy
• Look for at: wine.com

This Chilean wine was decent, though a bit over-priced for what was in the bottle. An earthy Pinot Noir, there were notes of earth, barnyard, cedar, and a bit of red fruit. With light-medium body, light tannins, and food-friendly acid, this wine would pair well with chicken. However, for what you get, I’d pass it over for something a little cheaper. ($13)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: fruity and earthy
• Look for at: wine.com

Our first fruity and earthy wine, you can tell this wine from the south of France was made for the American market, because it lists the varietal on the label. You can also tell by the taste profile. This Pinot is about as fruit-forward as a French winemaker can go. The unripe red fruit struggle against a little eggplant in the nose, but this passes with a little air time. Unripe red fruit, supported by soft tannins, give the ’06 a nice and drinkable character. The wine has plenty of acid to pair with red meat or pork. ($11-13)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: earthy
• Look for at: wine.com

This modestly priced Burgundy Pinot Noir has a nice color of dark garnet. With red fruit and earthy notes in the nose, it follows through in the mouth with plenty of food-loving acid and relatively soft tannins (for a Burgundy). Pretty good alone, but I imagine this wine would really shine with roast chicken or a good winter dish. ($18-20)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: earthy
• Look for at: wine.com

Domain Albert Grivault is one of three producers in Clos Blanc. The 10.3 acre premier vineyard is the southernmost of the premier cru vineyards in Pommard. I have had the ’02 in the cellar since I got it at release, and this is the first taste that I have had of it. The nose is classic Pommard — barnyard, forest floor, and bit of red fruit. For sure, the wine still has lots of fine tannin, but it is balanced, approachable, and a great drink. I wish I had lots more bottles of this vintage from Grivault just to see how far this wine will go. ($?, $50 @ release)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: earthy
• Look for at: wine.com

Robert Kacher is one of my favorite importers. He finds wines that exhibit character and sells them at reasonable prices. His 2006 is one of our house wines. It is dark ruby/purple in color. The nose offers up dark fruit, barnyard, earth and burnt paper. With flavors of plums and sweet fruit, this wine paired well with smothered pork chops and the first round of the NCAA Championship. ($9-12)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: earthy
• Look for at: wine.com

This Tinto from Herencia Remondo is one of my favorite go-to wines. Made from Tempranillo, Grenache, and Graciano, this medium bodied smooth wine offers a nose of smoke, cherries, and spice. In the mouth, the wine shows rich flavors of cherry, and the silky tannins support a long, pleasant finish. I think this wine would make a perfect Saturday night at home. ($19-22)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: earthy
• Look for at: wine.com

Aromas of dark fruit and earth fill the nose of this blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah. In the mouth, the wine tastes of dark fruit and traces of licorice. The soft tannins are balanced by enough acid to make this a very food friendly wine. This is the house Cotes du Rhone at my house.

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: earthy
• Look for at: wine.com

Made in Tasmania, this Pinot Noir offers plenty of plums and cherries. Devil’s Corner is a light-medium bodied wine that is balanced with plenty of food friendly acid. Try a bottle with roast chicken.