2022 Clos la Coutale - Malbec Cahors

Brimming with honeysuckle, lychee, and citrus, this Bordeaux blend is reliably harmonious with Eastern cuisine—sushi, dumplings, Szechuan dishes, light curries, and vermicelli bowls all jive. I sampled a glass or two with saag paneer, butter chicken, and naan and found the Graves’ acidity a refreshing foil to the meal’s garam-masala-scented richness.

In an increasingly complex and ever-changing wine world, I have a soft spot for those who just keep things steady and simple. The Bottex family is literally the only vigneron family I know who make one single wine, have always made only one single wine, have no plans to expand, and make their one single wine ridiculously, deliciously well. No changes to the label nor to what’s inside the bottle, in at least the few decades I’ve been drinking it. No need to chase any fads when you’ve got something impeccable you can be proud of. This is a universally loved pink bubbly delight of candied strawberries and roses, always true and always exquisite. Icing on the cake is that it’s affordable, too.