Each week, Mark Tarbell for The Arizona Republic suggests a few reasonably priced wines. This week, wines for you valentine.

Key: $ $7-$15 $$ $15-$20 $$$ $20-$25

2005 Marchetti Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico, Italy ($12-$15) The color is golden straw yellow with a silver hue. The aroma is soft citrus and a hint of orange zest. The taste has crisp structure, nice minerality and soft fruit concentration to tie it together.

Mionetto Rosato del Veneto, Italy ($13-$15) This is not a Prosecco but a vino Frizzante from west of Venice in northern Italy, The color is a bright clean rosé. The aroma has pleasant red fruit and a certain cushy quality. The taste is lightly sparkling, really quaffable and simple. The good news is that all you need is a beer-bottle opener and you’re in!

2006 Lambrusco “Gasparossa di Castelvetro,” Pezzuoli, Italy ($13-$15) Long before sparkling shiraz became popular, there was Lambrusco. They’re not all the same, and there are some lesser known producers who make tasty wines like this one. The color is deep, dark and bright cherry. The aroma is focused, hard sour candy. The taste is slightly fizzy, dry and freshvery much like a good Beaujolais in character.

2004 Di Arie “Rose di Arie,” Sierra Foothills, Calif. ($11-$14) The color is a muted onion peel, a classic look of wines from France’s southern Rhone region, with a shot of light cherry tones. The aroma is spicy and warm. The taste is lush and full with a hint of spice and a creamy finish.

2006 Siduri Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Ore. ($17-$20) A rich, dark pinot with a purple hue and cherry in the core, this wine’s aroma is fruit-forward with blackberry and spice. The taste is consistent with the nose: good berry flavor up front and baking spice in the long finish.

1997 Argyle “Extended Tirage,” Willamette Valley, Ore. ($34-$44) On the high end of the price scale, this first-class American sparkler is a great value amid the skyrocketing prices of Champagne. It appears fine and delicate, with slow-moving mousse. The color is full, with golden hues. The aroma is creamy and toasty with focused soft green apple. The taste is rich and supple with great balance, toast and a long finish.

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SPECIALTY SHOPS

Any beer, wine or spirit available in Arizona, but not on the shelves at your liquor or grocery store, can be special ordered. See store for details.
Here are details on the Tucson liquor stores that stock specialty wines, beers and liquors.

Taste Plus

AJ’S FINE FOODS 2805 E. Skyline Drive, 232-6340

ARMITAGE WINE LOUNGE & CAFE 2905 E. Skyline Drive, 299-1728

THE BEVERAGE HOUSE • 6250 N. Oracle Road, 219-6424, • 4231 E. 22nd Street, Suite 141, 323-6566, and • 8660 E. Broadway, 296-9933

CATA VINOS WINE SHOP 3063 N. Alvernon Way

58 DEGREES & HOLDING CO. • 5340 E. Broadway, 747-5858 and • 4280 N. Campbell Ave., 529-2020

MAGEE ROAD LIQUORS 7980 N. Oracle Road, 297-9113

PASTICHE WINE SHOP 3025 N. Campbell Ave., 325-3333 pasticheme.com

PLAZA LIQUORS AND FINE WINES 2642 N. Campbell Ave., 327-0452

RUMRUNNER WINE & CHEESE CO. 3131 E. First St., 326-0121

WILKO 943 E. University Blvd., 792-6684

VINO 100 10110 N Oracle Road, 575-8466 vino100.com

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