HRD Smokin' Grill, Buddy's Bites and Brews, Metro Lafayette: Check, Please! Bay Area reviews

My name is Leslie Sbrocco and I'm the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I will be sharing my tasting notes about the wine the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. I will also share some wine tips with each episode.

2011 Maximin Grunhauser Riesling, Mosel, Germany ($20) -- This legendary producer in Germany’s Mosel region, creates Rieslings of ethereal lightness. Aromas of peaches and flowers jump from the glass and taking a sip of the refreshingly zesty, off-dry white is like taking a quick holiday for your palate – it transports you to a happy place. My choice is to drink with spicy fare or light salads and fish dishes. It’s a wine that pleases all who drink it (and with lower alcohol, I can drink a whole bottle of it myself!)

2010 Dry Creek Vineyard “Heritage” Zinfandel, Sonoma County, California ($19) -- As one of California’s classic Zin producers, Dry Creek’s wines seamlessly blend concentration of flavors without sacrificing elegance. Bright berry notes are layered with a peppery kick in a red that makes you keep coming back for more. It’s a beauty and ranks among my favorite Zinfandels.

2012 LangeTwins Sangiovese Rose, Lodi, California -- A hearty pink made from sustainably-grown grapes in Lodi. The Lange family have been grape growers for decades and opened their winery in 2006 crafting a variety of styles. Serve this one with everything from barbeque to burritos.