Happy New Year to everyone, and here’s hoping it won’t be the last (So what did those Mayans know that we don’t, eh?). In the event, however, it just makes it that much easier to drink more wine and beer before the party end...

With this in mind, I just stacked out our latest find from Italy, the Pace (pronounced patch-ay) 2010 Roero Arneis. The vines are grown in sandy soils on low hills northwest of Alba in Piemonte. The Arneis grape almost disappeared in the 1970’s, being bottled at that time only by the Vietti and Bruno Giacosa estates. Since then its popularity has increased somewhat and in 1989 achieved DOC status followed in 2006 by DOCG classification. The Pace 2010 Roero Arneis exhibits lemony notes in the perfume and is mineral driven in the middle with almond and lemon nuances and a pretty finish. Superb everyday wine at $12.49/750ml.

Susanna Balbo Crios 2011 Torrontes. Green-gold in the glass, spicy lemongrass and ginger perfume with crisp fruit and tangy acidity. Very nice length on the end with luscious fruit throughout. $12.99/750ml. Jay Miller gave this 90pts in the December Wine Advocate.

New from Kermit Lynch imports:

Domaine du Salvard 2010 Unique Pinot Noir, 1.2 ha. of 10-20 year old vines rooted in sand and clay. Vinified in stainless steel and aged on fine lees before bottling unfiltered. $15.99/750ml.

Brunier Le Pigeoulet en Provence Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2010, this blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Carignan comes from the family that gives us Vieux Télégraphe. . Grapes are hand harvested and come from the Côtes du Rhone and Côtes du Ventoux, destemmed and pressed with a pneumatic press, then vinified in temperature controlled cement vats for 10-15 days. $18.99/750ml.

Domaine August Clape 2010 Le Vin des Amis, is made entirely from Syrah hand harvested from 40year old vines planted among the characteristic round river stones in the northern Rhone valley. Whole grape clusters are fermented in open cement vats using naturally occurring yeasts for 12 days with manual punch down or pump over. The wine is then aged for 6 months in cement and 6 months in foudres. $25.99/750ml.

New from Oregon:
Cameron 2009 Abbey Ridge Pinot Noir, $51.99/750ml.
Cameron 2009 Clos Electrique Pinot Noir, $51.99/750ml.
J. Christopher Le Pavillon Vineyard 2009 Pinot Noir, $46.99/750ml.
Biggio Hamina 2009 Cougar’s Mark Vyd. Pinot Gris, $13.99/750ml.

Back in stock:
Yalumba Shiraz-Viognier 2007, $17.99/750ml.
Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz, 2009, $17.99/750ml.
Mitolo Jester Shiraz, 2009, $17.99/750ml

Our tasting schedule this week:
• Friday, Jan. 6, Pace Roero Arneis 2010 and La Cisso 2008 Vin de pays, 2-4 pm.
• Saturday, Jan 7, Laurelwood Portland Roast Espresso Stout and HUB Cascadia Secession Dark Ale, 2-4 pm.
• Friday, Jan. 13, Spanish Wines from Castile-Leon, 4:3-7:30 pm.