Ah, May! Finally – the month of showers and flowers; of honoring our mothers and getting out the putters; of entertaining while we’re venerating our graduates, our veterans… and the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. May, we’re so glad you’re here! And in honor of all that May brings to us, we’re bringing to you an action-packed Pick 24 selection. This month our focus is on wines perfect for parties and entertaining as you kick-off your outdoor season with graduations, picnics, concerts, family gatherings, the 500 and of course, the annual Ode to Mom.

To start, we’ve three beautifully traditional Sauvignon Blancs that are fantastic aperitifs, can be drunk alone, and are perfect regardless of what time the activities start. One of our favorites is the refreshing Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc, which is mouth-watering and explodes with delicious flavors of fresh lemon. The Honig and Steven Vincent Sauv Blancs also deliver incredible juicy fruit coupled with the perfect balance of acidity. We’ve also gone to great lengths to assemble a collection of reds that are full, complex and interesting, yet easy drinking for this time year.  The Goyette Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, is an Editor’s Choice from Wine Enthusiast, and we love the layers of dark fruit, the good tannic structure and the very smooth lingering finish. Deloach Hook & Ladder Red Blend will knock your nickers off with its rich plum flavors, licorice and leather. Organic, and from Washington State, Milbrandt Merlot 2009 is one of our best-selling Merlots and is a steal at this month’s price.

For the thrill-seekers in the crowd, we’ve brought in some maverick wines that we’re really revved up about. The first being Peter Franus Zinfandel 2009, which is the result of Peter Franus taking the Cabernet Appellation of Mt. Veeder and ripping out all of the Cab vines and planting the Zinfandel grape instead. He steadfastly believes this one-of-a-kind mountain-by-the-bay appellation is better suited for creating incredible Zins than it is Cabs. One sip of this and we’re not arguing.  The Sattler St. Laurent 2009 is also shaking it up as the St. Laurent is a new varietal from Austria. It has the characteristics of a Pinot Noir, but with a twist of minerality and acid. We give two-thumbs up for the new guy on the block.

Another registering high on the excite-o-meter is the Trentadue La Storia 2010. This wine is showing a new face to a very popular award-winning vineyard. Our customers absolutely love the Trentadue Chocolate Amore Port that comes from the Geyserville vineyard and now the producer is offering you more to love with its introduction of the winery’s first ever line of reserve wines using only the Estate lots from each harvest.

So stop by anytime this month for the perfect wine to cap off your May activity. And, for the love of mom, don’t forget the Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato 2011; it will smooth over any inevitable family faux pas.