WINE

“Wine is the only artwork you can drink.”

Luis Fernando Olaverri

Whether you’re a wine amateur or expert, Stage Stop Liquors carries an amazing variety of wines that are perfect for any occasion or budget.

We’ve got you covered from your classics, like Cabernet and Chardonnay, to your trendy Rosés and Proseccos. Stop in and explore our beautiful wine section – our friendly staff is here to help you choose your perfect pairing!

Explore our Wine Guide:


Wine Stock Small

RED

PINOT NOIR
(pee-noh nwar)

  • Light- to medium-bodied and fruit-forward with high acidity and relatively light tannins
  • Not too dry, but not sweet with flavors of strawberry, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, plum, and baking spices such as cinnamon & clove
  • Pairings: Pairs well with large variety of foods
Glass of Pinot Noir (red in color)

VARIETALS SIMILAR TO PINOT NOIR

GAMAY
(gah-may)

  • Light-bodied and similar to Pinot Noir with high acidity and light tannins
  • Fruity, floral and earthy notes featuring cherry, raspberry, cranberry, blackberry, plum, black currants, banana, violets and potting soil
  • Pairings: Pairs well with large variety of foods

SCHIAVA
(ski-ah-vuh)

  • Light-bodied with low tannins and low acidity
  • Features notes of strawberry, sweet cherries, raspberries & red currants, violets & almond
  • Pairings: Pairs well with large variety of foods

ZINFANDEL
(zin-fuhn-del)

  • Light- to medium-bodied with medium to high tannins and high acidity
  • Features raspberry, blackberry, black cherry, plum and jam flavors with spice & black pepper
  • Pairings: Pairs well with large variety of foods
Glass of Zinfandel (red in color)

VARIETALS SIMILAR TO ZINFANDEL

GRENACHE
(gruh-nosh)

  • Medium-bodied with medium tannins & acidity
  • Fruity with flavors of strawberry, raspberry, black cherry and blood orange, with dried herbs, leather and notable cinnamon spice
  • Pairings: Roasted, grilled and stewed meats and vegetables, Asian seasonings

TEMPRANILLO /  SPANISH RIOJA
(tem-prah-nee-yoh / ree-oh-hah)

  • Medium-bodied with medium tannins and acidity; often aged in oak
  • Known for being savory and featuring cherry, plums, dried fig, dark and tart red fruits, red flowers, savory herbs, tobacco, cedar, leather, and earth
  • Pairings: Pairs well with large variety of foods

RHONE BLEND
(rohn)

  • Medium-bodied red blend of a combination of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Roussanne and Viognier grapes.
  • Rhone Blends made with Syrah tend to be bold with spice and tannins, while those made primarily with Grenache are more rounded with ripe fruit flavors and earthy/herbal notes
  • Pairings: Pairs well with large variety of foods

CARIGNAN
(care-in-yen)

  • Medium-bodied & fruit-forward, rich and smooth with medium tannins and medium-high acidity
  • Features red fruit, baking spices, earth, tobacco & cured meat flavors
  • Pairings: Rich poultry & duck, red meats, cinnamon-spiced dishes – great for fall & holiday meals

SYRAH / SHIRAZ
(sih-rah / shi-rahz)

  • Dark and full-bodied with medium tannins & acidity
  • Features dark fruits, blackberry, blueberry, jam, olives and spices (pepper, clove, & rosemary), tobacco, herbs and smoked meat with a peppery aftertaste
  • Pairings: Darker meats, game meats, barbecued & grilled meats, vegetables, hard cheeses, stews, Asian & Indian spiced foods
Glass of Syrah (dark red in color - ranging from deep ruby to red-purple)

VARIETALS SIMILAR TO SYRAH

MALBEC
(mahl-behk)

  • Full-bodied with medium tannins and acidity
  • Features dark fruit flavors such as black cherry, plum, raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry with a smoky finish; Other flavors can include cocoa, coffee, leather, black pepper and tobacco
  • Pairings: Lean red meats, poultry, smoked meats, barbecue, rich and creamy cheeses

PETITE SIRAH
(peh-teet sih-rah)

  • Full-bodied with medium acidity and high tannins
  • Features sugar plum, blueberry, dark chocolate, black pepper & spice
  • Pairings: Richer foods and fattier meats such as pork and beef; bold cheeses and spices

MONASTRELL / MOURVÈDRE
(mohn-ah-strehl / more-ved)

  • Full-bodied with high tannins & medium acidity
  • Features blueberry, blackberry, plum, black pepper, herbs, floral notes, and meaty & smoky flavors
  • Pairings: Hearty & meaty dishes

PINOTAGE
(pee-noh-tahj)

  • Bold, dark & full-bodied with high tannins and relatively low acidity
  • Features plum, blackberry, raspberry, red pepper, bacon, sweet tobacco, and barbecue with a sweet smoky finish and earthiness
  • Pairings: Roasted meats and vegetables, stews, barbecue

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

(kab-er-nay soh-vin-yohn)

  • One of the most famous red wines – dark, full-bodied with medium acidity, high tannins & savory flavors; aged in oak barrels
  • Features dark fruits such as black cherries, blackberries & black currants, green peppers, tobacco, vanilla, baking spices & herbs
  • Pairings: Rich & savory dishes, red meats, grilled meats, hearty vegetables
Glass of Cabernet Sauvignon (ruby in color)

VARIETALS SIMILAR TO CABERNET

MALBEC
(mahl-behk)

  • Full bodied with medium tannins and acidity
  • Features dark fruits such as black cherries, plums, raspberries, blackberries, & blueberries,  cocoa, coffee, leather, black pepper, tobacco, and mocha with a smoky finish
  • Pairings: Lean red meats, lamb, pork, chicken, rich cheeses, peppery dishes, cream sauces

MERLOT
(mur-loh)

  • Dry and full-bodied with medium-high tannins & medium acidity
  • Features fruit-forward flavors of plum & cherry along with chocolate and vanilla
  • Pairings: Pork, lamb, red meats, poultry, hearty dishes 

CABERNET FRANC
(kab-er-nay frahnk)

  • Dry and medium-bodied with medium-high tannins & acidity
  • Features strawberry, raspberry, bell pepper, chili peppers, violets & tobacco
  • Pairings: Pairs well with large variety of foods

CARMÉNÈRE
(kahr-meh-nehr)

  • Dry and medium-bodied with medium-high tannins & acidity
  • Savory with flavors of raspberries, cherries, blackberries, bell pepper, black plum, vanilla & spice
  • Pairings: Smoked, grilled or roasted meats, savory dishes & spices, hard cheeses

BORDEAUX BLEND
(boar-doh)

  • Full-bodied and very dry with high tannins & medium acidity
  • Features black currants, black cherry, chocolate & dried herbs
  • Pairings: Red meats, mushrooms, rich cheeses and light seasonings

WHITE

RIESLING
(reez-ling)

  • High acidity with wide range in body from light to full and sweet to dry
  • Features flavors of apple, apricots, peaches, pears, pineapple & citrus
  • Pairings: Pairs well with large variety of foods – especially spicy
Glass of Riesling (yellow in color)

VARIETALS SIMILAR TO RIESLING

MOSCATO
(mohs-kah-toh)

  • Light-bodied & semi-sweet to sweet
  • Features orange citrus, pear, peach, apricot, lemon & honeysuckle; can be lightly sparkling
  • Pairings: Pairs well with large variety of foods – especially spicy

GEWÜRZTRAMINER
(geh-vairtz-trah-mee-ner)

  • Medium-bodied and semi-sweet
  • Features grapefruit, tangerine, ginger and strong floral notes
  • Pairings: Pairs well with large variety of foods – especially spicy

TORRONTES
(tohr-ron-taze)

  • Off-dry and light- to medium-bodied with medium acidity
  • Features peach, citrus, and floral notes
  • Pairings: Spicy foods

CHENIN BLANC
(shen-in blahnk)

  • Off-dry and light- to medium-bodied with high acidity
  • Features pear, melon, pineapple, yellow or green apple, banana, honey and floral notes
  • Pairings: Pairs well with large variety of foods

PINOT GRIS / PINOT GRIGIO
(pee-noh gree / pee-noh gree-jho)

  • Light- to medium-bodied and dry with medium-high acidity
  • Features lemon, lime, nectarine, green apple, and pear with floral notes & sweet spices
  • Pairings: Pairs well with large variety of foods
Glass of Pinot Grigio (yellow in color)

VARIETALS SIMILAR TO PINOT GRIGIO

ALBARIÑO
(ahl-buh-reen-yoh)

  • Light-bodied & dry with high acidity
  • Features peach, pineapple, nectarine, melon, citrus, saline, and honeysuckle; can be slightly sparkling
  • Pairings: Seafood

SOAVE
(swah-vey)

  • Light- to medium-bodied and dry
  • Features melon, peach, orange zest, honey, marjoram, dried sage & saline; can be slightly sparkling
  • Pairings: Pairs well with large variety of foods

MELON / MUSCADET
(meh-loh / muss-kah-day)

  • Light-bodied and bone-dry with high acidity
  • Features lime, green apple, pear, saline, and yeast
  • Pairings: Seafood

SAUVIGNON BLANC
(soh-vin-yohn blahnk)

  • Light- to medium-bodied, dry & crisp with high acidity; sometimes oaked
  • Features melon, grapefruit, peach, gooseberry, passion fruit, herbs, fresh-cut grass
  • Pairings: Chicken, fish, oysters, herb-flavored dishes, Asian dishes, goat cheese, green vegetables
Glass of Sauvignon Blanc (yellow in color)

VARIETALS SIMILAR TO SAUVIGNON BLANC

VERMENTINO
(vair-men-tee-noh)

  • Light- to medium-bodied and dry with medium-high acidity; can be oaked
  • Features lime, green apple, grapefruit, pear, peach, pineapple, almond, salt flavors
  • Pairings: Light meats & hearty fish with herbs & richer sauces

VERDEJO
(vair-day-ho)

  • Light-bodied, crisp and dry with medium-high acidity
  • Features lime, melon, peach, fennel, herbs, nuts & honey
  • Pairings: Light meats & seafood, Mexican & Spanish cuisine

GRÜNER VELTLINER
(grew-ner velt-lee-ner)

  • Light- to medium-bodied and dry with high acidity
  • Features lemon, lime, grapefruit, starfruit, gooseberry, green beans, baking spice, white pepper
  • Pairings: Light meats & seafood

CHARDONNAY
(shahr-doh-nay)

  • One of the world’s most popular wines; Medium- to full-bodied and dry with medium acidity; often oaked
  • Features starfruit, apple, pineapple, pear, melon, vanilla & butter
  • Pairings: Heavy cream or butter-based dishes, poultry, pork, seafood
Glass of Chardonnay (yellow in color)

VARIETALS SIMILAR TO CHARDONNAY

SÉMILLON
(sey-mee-yohn)

  • Medium- to full-bodied and dry with medium acidity; often oaked
  • Features lemon, peach, nuts, honey, herbs, & saline
  • Pairings: Richer fish & white meats, heavy cream dishes & light herbs

VIOGNIER
(vee-own-yay)

  • Medium- to full-bodied and dry with medium-low acidity; often oaked
  • Features apricot, peach, mango, tangerine, honey, and herbal & floral notes
  • Pairings: Fish, light meats, root vegetables & fruit

ROSÉ

Glass of Rose (pink in color)

(roh-zay)

  • Light-bodied and dry with medium acidity – made by juicing red grapes but only soaking the skins in the juice for a short period of time (or pressing red grapes right after harvest)
  • Often a refreshing summer wine with flavors of strawberry, melon, raspberry, cherry and rose petals
  • Pairings: Light meals  such as fish, chicken, salads, light pastas, & fruit

DESSERT

Dessert wines are most often sweet (but some can be dry) and are meant to be drank in small quantities – often as dessert following a meal.

Glass of dessert wine (orange in color)

FORTIFIED

  • Made by adding spirits (commonly brandy) to the wine; examples include Sherry, Port & Madeira
  • Wines are aged, often sweet, fruity and/or nutty with notes of spice

LATE HARVEST

  • Richly sweet wines made from late-harvested grapes, which are very ripe and sweet

NOBLE ROT

  • Made with grapes that have been affected by a type of fungus called “Noble Rot” or Botrytis cinerea
  • Features flavors of honey, ginger, spice & exotic fruits

ICE WINE

  • A very sweet and fruity wine made from grapes that have frozen on the vine

DRIED GRAPE WINE

  • Made from grapes that are dried on the vine
  • Features flavors of candied or cooked fruits, spices & honey

 

SPARKLING

 

  • Wine that undergoes a second fermentation process that results in the release of carbon dioxide and, thus, bubbles
  • Ranges from light to full-bodied and sweet to dry
  • Flavors range from light, floral & fruity to rich & nutty
  • Four main types of sparkling wine:
      • Extra-Brut – dry
      • Brut – dry but a hint of sweetness
      • Extra Dry – dry but slightly sweet
      • Demi-sec – sweet
Bottle of sparkling wine with a champagne glass

CHAMPAGNE

  • True champagne comes from the Champagne region of France and meets certain regulations
  • Dry with high acidity and subtle sweetness with flavors of apple, citrus, bread, chalk, nuts and toast

PROSECCO

  • Light, dry and fresh Italian sparkling wine with flavors of citrus, melon & pears with floral notes

SPANISH CAVA

  • Light- to medium-bodied and dry to off-dry and creamy, with flavors of apple, citrus, almonds & bread
Tasting guide shows different types of foods that pair well with each type of wine

For more wine and food pairing recommendations, check out this great article by Food & Wine: “15 Rules for Great Wine and Food Pairings