Kermit’s Best Bargains
Kermit’s Best Bargains
“I was puzzled when someone called me a curmudgeon. Strange, I always thought that I go around smiling way too much. However, Kermit the Kurmudgeon does have a nice ring to it. Still, I’d rather be called demanding. We sell expensive wines, and I like to believe that talent such as Coche-Dury, Raveneau, Chevillon, Tempier, and Vieux Télégraphe deserve their prices. If I had my way, I’d also be known for my bargain selections. It’s not slumming. I take them home for dinner often, and not because I’m a cheapskate.” –Kermit Lynch, May 2012 Newsletter
For five decades, Kermit has sought out France and Italy’s highest-quality selections at all price levels, so we can imbibe thoughtfully crafted wines without breaking the bank. Budget-friendly yet reliably delicious. Below is a collection of two dozen vins de plaisir that provide a whole lot of bang for their buck.
Wines In The Collection
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
Black olive, fig, and rosemary abound in this easy-to-love, soulful southern Rhône red.
Tenuta La Pergola Italy | Piedmont
A laid-back Barbera-based rosso with soft fruit and gentle tannins to enjoy with anything, not just Italian food, from spicy dishes with a bit of heat to funky, fermented fare.
Colleleva Italy | Le Marche
A crisp, linear white with subtle aromas of flowers and herbs, this is an all-purpose bargain sipper made for aperitivo, salads, and seafood.
Colleleva Italy | Le Marche
Its dark fruit is boldly mouth-filling, yet smooth and juicy, even crunchy when served fresh out of the cooler. One of the shop’s top pizza and BBQ bottles.
Clos La Coutale France | Southwest
Today, the 2023 is a robust, tightly coiled rouge balanced by notes of dark fruit, plum, earth, and eucalyptus.
Corte Gardoni Italy | Veneto
This ultralight rosso is best served slightly chilled to amplify its punchy cranberry notes, subtle kiss of black pepper, and tongue-tingling tannin.
Château Fontanès France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Genuinely reflecting the down-home, country soulfulness we love about the Languedoc.
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
Brambly, rustic, savory, and joyous, this is as perfect a house red from the Rhône as you’ll find.
I Pástini Italy | Puglia
Open this alongside a bowl of fennel taralli, the donut-shaped Puglian cracker that has become my go-to aperitivo snack.
Sommariva Italy | Veneto
With its light and elegant notes of citrus and orchard fruit, this is one of the stand-out, exquisitely crafted wines of this region.
Château Ducasse France | Bordeaux
This refreshing, food-friendly white walks the line between racy and voluptuous. Excellent with sushi, or anything else from the sea.
Domaine Dupeuble France | Beaujolais
Tangy, thirst-quenching Gamay from a family that has been making Beaujolais for over 500 years.
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire
Lime blossoms delivered via a lightning bolt of minerally refreshment.
André & Michel Quenard France | Savoie, Bugey, Hautes-Alpes
The epitome of an Alpine white—a brisk mineral lick of Jacquère, crackling with freshness and crystalline purity.
André & Michel Quenard France | Savoie, Bugey, Hautes-Alpes
The epitome of an Alpine white—a brisk mineral lick of Jacquère, crackling with freshness and crystalline purity.
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
Dry, with tart green apple, pear, and a classic hint of petrol on the nose. The firm, zesty palate has enough substance for endless delicious pairings.
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
A fragrant blend of mostly Riesling and Muscat, Félix Meyer’s organically grown Gentil is crisp and lean and works like a reset button for your palate.
Italy | Piedmont
Finding a wine as tasty and versatile at this price is not an easy task.
France | Southern Rhône
Black olive, fig, and rosemary abound in this easy-to-love, soulful southern Rhône red.
Italy | Piedmont
A laid-back Barbera-based rosso with soft fruit and gentle tannins to enjoy with anything, not just Italian food, from spicy dishes with a bit of heat to funky, fermented fare.
Italy | Le Marche
A crisp, linear white with subtle aromas of flowers and herbs, this is an all-purpose bargain sipper made for aperitivo, salads, and seafood.
Italy | Le Marche
Its dark fruit is boldly mouth-filling, yet smooth and juicy, even crunchy when served fresh out of the cooler. One of the shop’s top pizza and BBQ bottles.
France | Southwest
Today, the 2023 is a robust, tightly coiled rouge balanced by notes of dark fruit, plum, earth, and eucalyptus.
Italy | Veneto
This ultralight rosso is best served slightly chilled to amplify its punchy cranberry notes, subtle kiss of black pepper, and tongue-tingling tannin.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Genuinely reflecting the down-home, country soulfulness we love about the Languedoc.
France | Southern Rhône
Brambly, rustic, savory, and joyous, this is as perfect a house red from the Rhône as you’ll find.
Italy | Puglia
Open this alongside a bowl of fennel taralli, the donut-shaped Puglian cracker that has become my go-to aperitivo snack.
Italy | Veneto
With its light and elegant notes of citrus and orchard fruit, this is one of the stand-out, exquisitely crafted wines of this region.
France | Bordeaux
Sémillon makes up about 70 percent of this blend and provides weight and texture, along with gentler floral and stone-fruit aromatics. It is wonderfully complemented by Sauvignon Blanc, and together the two varieties produce a refreshing, food-friendly white that walks the line between racy and voluptuous.
France | Beaujolais
Tangy, thirst-quenching Gamay from a family that has been making Beaujolais for over 500 years.
France | Loire
Lime blossoms delivered via a lightning bolt of minerally refreshment.
France | Savoie, Bugey, Hautes-Alpes
The epitome of an Alpine white—a brisk mineral lick of Jacquère, crackling with freshness and crystalline purity.
France | Savoie, Bugey, Hautes-Alpes
The epitome of an Alpine white—a brisk mineral lick of Jacquère, crackling with freshness and crystalline purity.
France | Alsace
Dry, with tart green apple, pear, and a classic hint of petrol on the nose. The firm, zesty palate has enough substance for endless delicious pairings.
France | Alsace
A fragrant blend of mostly Riesling and Muscat, Félix Meyer’s organically grown Gentil is crisp and lean and works like a reset button for your palate.
More Collections
Snowed in, Tuscan Style
On a Friday afternoon last month, as a winter storm closed in on my mountain town, I made a few last-minute stops to stock up on provisions for what promised to be a snowed-in weekend. The final stop on my checklist was my local butcher, to pick up a cut of pork I’d never considered preparing before Chez Panisse chef Gary Podesto created a recipe he called “Coppa à la Matignon” for our Adventures Club last winter…
Closing Ceremony in Verona
From the volcanic Garganegas of Davide Vignato to the lively whites and reds of Corte Gardoni to the majestic reds of Quintarelli, all of these wines would be right at home among the dazzling fireworks and spectacle of the closing ceremony in nearby Verona...
Preserving and Enhancing Aeolian Winemaking Traditions
The magnificent Aeolian Islands are a string of volcanic islands north of Sicily that include Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli (an active volcano), Filicudi, and Alicudi. Capers are a primary local export, particularly from Salina and Lipari—the two largest and most populous of the islands— but Antonino “Nino” Caravaglio is at once the caper champion of the region and its wine maestro. He has built what is unquestionably the most qualitative collection of vineyards and wines in this little slice of Italy…
New Arrivals
Here is a collection of recent arrivals. Every week, we’ll be adding a dozen or more new arrivals, so check back often for your favorite classics or new discoveries!
The Carpe Vinum Collection
An ever-changing offering of wines that are just about to sell out; one last opportunity to seize a range of selections before they disappear from our shelves forever.
50th Anniversary Merchandise
When the esteemed French wine artist Michel Tolmer created beautiful artwork for our 50th anniversary, we knew right away that we had to feature it on a few select items of merch. After spending maybe a little too much time researching the options, we landed on a classy, leather-strap cap, a comfortable t-shirt made from 100% cotton, and a tote made with incredibly sturdy, fair-trade, and organic cotton by a certified B corp that invests in the livelihoods of women and farmers of India, featuring three wine sleeves and two other compartments for all of your other needs!
Recent Wine Club Selections
Our five wine clubs feature our best values from France and Italy as well as complex and cellar-worthy wines.