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USA Today
08-08-2025
- Lifestyle
- USA Today
10 unconventional wines to drink now instead of your usual go-to
Wine bars like Little Thing in Seattle, Washington, are excellent for finding unconventional wines – Photo courtesy of Lesley Balla Staring down a wine list or a bottle shop shelf can feel like sensory overload. So many names, regions, and varietals — it's tempting to play it safe and stick with what you know. But here's a little secret: Stepping outside your comfort zone could land you a new favorite. The best wine bars and shops, such as Little Thing Wine in Seattle, Washington, highlight lesser-known regions and grapes, as well as unconventional wines that deserve to be discovered and savored. At Little Thing, if you say you love sauvignon blanc or chardonnay, owner Dylan Joffe might offer something similar (and usually better) if she doesn't have either on her shelf. Joffe was the wine buyer for another popular shop for years before opening her Beacon Hill outfit. Every month, she offers a new selection of wines for the shelves and through the wine club. Little Thing is precisely what the wine industry needs right now: A place that attracts a new generation of wine drinkers with alternative wine picks while also catering to palates more set in their ways. Advertisement Below, Joffe offers some alternative wines for moving beyond standard varietals, often pointing to domestic wines, emerging regions, and low-intervention wines with an eye towards sustainability. The best part: No matter where you buy them, these wines are usually super affordable, often priced under $40. If you like chardonnay Chenin blanc is a good alternative wine if you like chardonnay – Photo courtesy of SrdjanPav / iStock Via Getty Images 'Chenin blanc is the first one that comes to mind,' says Joffe. 'Chenin and chardonnay are chameleon grapes that can be anything the winemaker wants them to be. They can both take on things like oak, or they can shine in stainless steel. They can be sweet or dry, and they can both be used for sparkling wines.' Aligoté and roussanne are two other grapes she'll point to for chardonnay fans. 'Aligoté is like the black sheep of white grapes,' she adds. 'It's what Burgundy farmers drink after a long day of farming chardonnay. If you like Burgundy-style chardonnay, this is a much more price-focused option, and we're seeing small pockets in the U.S.' If you like sauvignon blanc Picpoul is a great alternative for sauvignon blanc drinkers – Photo courtesy of Reva Keller / Little Thing Wine 'Sauvignon blanc can be really different from many locations, but what most people like about it is the green, herbaceous, grassy quality. It's a bright, citrus, minerally, vibrant, easy-drinking wine,' says Joffe. 'I like to point people to things like Perdu Picpoul. Picpoul, a grape largely from Picpoul de Pinet in the Languedoc region of France, means 'lip stinger' in French. These wines can be super acidic and food-friendly,' she adds. Joffe also likes dry rieslings from Germany, Austria, or Alsace, even domestic ones, for sauv blanc fans. "And if you want to take a chance, high-acid rosés made with cabernet franc or sangiovese have some lovely herbaceous qualities to them." Advertisement If you like pinot noir Pinot noir lovers might like other light-bodied varietals like gamay – Photo courtesy of LordHenriVoton / E+ 'What makes pinot so adored is that it's lighter bodied in the world of red wine," says Joffe. "These wines have beautiful red fruit and earthiness, good acidity. It's hard to find all of that in one other varietal.' Alternatives she likes to offer are gamay, frappato, and pretty Washington state grenache that "feels pinot noir" to her. Advertisement 'Gamay, which is synonymous with Beaujolais, has similar qualities to pinot noir, albeit with a little crunchiness. Meaning it's like biting into juicy, ripe fruit," she adds. "Gamay is twinkly; pinot is more serious. We're seeing some fun gamay production coming from the U.S., specifically Oregon." Frappato is a red grape from Sicily, Italy, that Joffe feels is 'pinot-adjacent.' It has pretty red fruit, but instead of earthy, it leans towards spice and tobacco. 'In general, Sicilian reds are different than pinot noir, but this is an easy jump to make. It's very volcanic, so you get that mineral smokiness that can be intoxicating if that's your thing.' Pinot noir alternatives Gurrieri Frappato, Sicily, Italy Advertisement For many people, cabernet sauvignon is the only wine they know, so they gravitate towards it. It's an intro grape to wine, easy to remember, and easy to wrap your head around. 'People get attached to cab because it's an obvious grape in the best way possible,' says Joffe. 'Liking cab is code for liking full-bodied red wines.' Cabernet sauvignon is bottled and labeled as such in the U.S.; that's why we know it. In Bordeaux, however, it's blended with many other varietals. 'If someone comes into Little Thing looking for a cab, I'll lean towards different blends, like a lovely Spanish blend or one out of Lebanon or central Italy. Wines out of these regions are fuller-bodied with tons of tannin, acidity, and vibrancy.' Cabernet sauvignon alternatives Tenuta di Valgiano Palistorti Rosso, Tuscany, Italy
USA Today
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Discover Mexico's favorite aphrodisiac — and, no, it's not tequila
This beautiful elixir has a rep for sparking romance Solaz Resort's head mixologist Enrique Martinez Giles creates beautiful cocktails with damiana — Photo courtesy of Solaz Resort Advertisement If you've spent time in Cabo, you've probably had margaritas made with a golden-hued elixir said to have aphrodisiac properties: damiana. The herbal liqueur made from the leaves of a native plant is one of the hallmarks of the Baja Peninsula. You'll find it served as a digestif or in cocktails everywhere, from the crowded airport bars to beautiful oceanside resorts. The most famous producer's fertility-goddess bottle and herbal flavor are unmistakable. Enrique Martinez Giles, head mixologist at Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos, relies on local flavors and traditions of Baja California Sur for his cocktail programs. To him, using damiana represents native ingredients and history and reinforces the beachside resort's overall wellness philosophy. 'We incorporate damiana into cocktails that celebrate its ability to relax, revitalize, and enhance the dining experience,' he says. 'Damiana acts as a bridge between local culture and modern mixology.' But is it really an aphrodisiac? Whether it revs your engine or not, damiana is a wonderful liqueur that makes cocktails sing. Here's more about its history, lore, and best uses — including a couple of Solaz recipes that will make you feel like you're swinging in a sunset-colored hammock by the beach. What is damiana? Guaycura Distillery's damiana liqueur is famous for its voluptuous bottle and taste — Photo courtesy of Lesley Balla Damiana, Turnera diffusa, is a small shrub with pale green leaves and aromatic yellow flowers. It grows particularly well along the Baja peninsula, as well as in Central and South America, Texas, and parts of California. The leaves and stems are gathered, dried, and used for everything from tinctures to teas and liqueur. The use of the damiana plant goes back to the Mayans, but many seek out its healing and supposed libido-boosting properties today. Guaycura Distillery, named for Baja's original inhabitants of the southern tip of Baja, is one of the most popular damiana liqueur brands. You'll know it for the bottle shaped like a voluptuous fertility goddess, and its pretty yellow color and herbal taste. You'll see Guaycura damiana liqueur all over Mexico, but it's also widely available in the U.S. 'Damiana is a fascinating ingredient in mixology because it combines a cultural background with functional benefits,' says Giles. What does damiana do to the body? The flowering damiana plant is prized for its healing properties — Photo courtesy of Wirestock / iStock Via Getty Images Damiana has been sought after for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Often sold in leaf form to use as a tea, it's said to improve digestion and other stomach health issues, like reducing ulcers, fighting obesity and depression, and helping sexual dysfunction. Using it to stimulate your libido isn't scientifically proven, but that's been a main draw to people outside of the region ever since Spanish missionaries noticed Indigenous people making sweetened damiana tea to enhance sexual performance for men and women. With possible hallucinogenic properties, damiana is also a known additive for herbal cigarettes, but smoking it isn't recommended (possessing, growing, or distributing the herb is actually illegal in Louisiana). But adding damiana liqueur to cocktails is, if anything, a great selling point when you're looking for a bit of rest, relaxation, and romance, whether in Los Cabos or not. What does damiana liqueur taste like? Damiana pairs well with citrus in refreshing cocktails — Photo courtesy of yalcinsonat1 / iStock Via Getty Images Giles describes damiana's unique flavor profile as sweet with hints of chamomile, anise, and a slight woodsy bitterness. It's often used instead of triple sec in margaritas (some say it was integral to the first margarita), giving the drink a subtle herbal note. It's also a smooth sipper on the rocks. He recommends balancing the flavor with lemon, grapefruit, other citrus, and natural sweeteners like honey or agave nectar to enhance damiana's antioxidant properties. 'It also works wonderfully with botanical distillates such as gin or amaro, which complement its herbal essence,' he adds. 'In my creations, damiana brings an element that combines flavor with wellness, adding depth to both the taste and sensory experience.' If that experience turns you on, even better! Cocktails featuring damiana liqueur Giles likes how damiana's herbal notes add character and complexity to any cocktail he creates at Solaz. The fact that it supports digestive health and has relaxing properties ups the game. As far as the libido stuff goes? That's up to you to decide. Baja Sunset "This cocktail highlights the heritage of Baja California Sur, combining the antioxidant properties of damiana with the vibrant flavors of tropical fruits," says Giles. "It is an invitation to relax and enjoy the perfect balance of sweet and sour." Ingredients 1/2 ounce mezcal 1 ounce damiana liqueur 1 ounce orange juice 1 ounce passion fruit puree 1/2 ounce agave nectar 1 ounce prosecco Damiana sprig or edible flower (for garnish) Directions To a cocktail shaker filled 1/3 with ice, add the mezcal, damiana, orange juice, passion fruit puree, and agave nectar and shake vigorously. Strain the ingredients into an old-fashioned glass with a large ice cube. Top with prosecco and garnish with a sprig of damiana or edible flower. Diamond Gin "Inspired by digestive tonics, this cocktail is light and refreshing, perfect for relaxing after a meal," says Giles. "Damiana and rosemary work together to relieve tension and aid digestion." Ingredients 1 1/2 ounce gin 3/4 ounce damiana liqueur 1/2 ounce honey 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice Tonic water Grapefruit slice (for garnish) Rosemary sprig (for garnish) Directions To a cocktail shaker filled 1/3 with ice, add the gin, damiana liqueur, honey, and lemon juice. Shake well. Strain into a Collins or wine glass filled with ice. Top with tonic water and garnish with rosemary and a grapefruit crescent.
