It was an easy pickup for the fabulous recycling guys this week. I've been out and about hosting and pouring wine tastings for a new wine store downtown, so my bin was light. But those I tasted at home are worth writing about, so I did. And those that I am pouring are worth tasting so if you're interested in knowing what, where and when, send an email to the Gazette and I'll let you know.

2005 Grgich Hills Napa Valley Estate Bottled Chardonnay - Delicious, voluptuous, Burgundian style dry white with aromatic nose of soft smoke and vanilla. Rich, silky, full bodied flavors of d'anjou pear, vanilla, bacon. Lush, lingering fruit-forward finish. Made with biodynamic practices so consumers taste the true expression of the terroir.

2005 Pietra Santa Chardonnay, Monterrey California - Another lovely expression of the Chardonnay grape by a mindful winemaker who pays more attention to the fruit than consumers demand. Fresh nose of apples and soft vanilla. Creamy, dry flavors of Gravenstein apples and chimoya. Great with grilled halibut or tilapia. Nice pairing with roast chicken with garlic, pork tenderloin, roast turkey.

2006 Pietra Santa Rosato, Monterrey, California - Bright, full, crisp, DRY pink wine made from Sangiovese (the grape in Chianti wines) offers enticing aromas and flavors of tart cherries, strawberries and ginger. Lingering fruit with clean, dry finish. Serve slightly chilled as an aperitif with antipasto platter of marinated red peppers, soppressata, asiago and taleggio. Enjoy with Indian curries, Bazbeaux Garden pizza, or grilled cold pasta.

Two Brothers Big Tattoo Syrah, Chile - Another winner from the brothers Bartholomaus. Alex is the wine guy, Erik the tattoo artist. They combined their talents and love for their late mother Lily, who died of breast cancer, to create wines that give both instant and long term pleasure for consumers.

The Syrah is lush, full, with plenty of blackberry, plum, mulberry and soft white pepper. The perfect wine for grilled burgers, steaks, or sweet 'n spicy sauced BBQ ribs with sweet potato fries.

Fifty cents from each bottle sold goes to support LOCAL breast cancer research. So, Indianapolis sales of Two Brothers Big Tattoo wines go to Indianapolis area breast cancer research and support centers. Need any more reasons to give this under $15 wine a try?