Sicily is a large, complex island set squarely in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, and for much of its history it has been less a quiet outpost and more a strategic prize.
This begs the question: When, after you have invaded and then integrated your culture into, or maybe on top of another culture, can you then call that region your home? When does that happen? Not sure?
On Monday, December 15th, City Vino was awarded a plaque recognizing us as one of the Top 10 retail shops for SHABO wine sales in the United States. I am completely floored. Yes, SHABO was part of our Wine Cru back in June, and yes, some bottles sold then. But what surprised me most was what happened afterward. The continued interest. The questions. The repeat purchases. The genuine curiosity. The demand came directly from you. As always, we aim to serve our community, and Fredericksburg embraced Ukrainian wine with enthusiasm. That kind of openness and trust is never assumed and never taken lightly.
The holidays bring more than just festive decorations, they bring a surge of curiosity about wines that suit celebrations, special dinners, and gift-giving. Wine enthusiasts and casual sippers alike are searching for wines that offer excitement, approachability, and a sense of occasion. This year, searches spike for bubbly wines, crisp whites, aromatic orange wines, chillable reds, and approachable alternatives to Cabernet. Each category resonates with a different kind of holiday moment, and the wines chosen perfectly answer that demand.
Rioja, Spain: not exactly the most obscure wine region on the planet when it comes to producing gorgeous, internationally recognized wine. In fact, it was just a few days ago, on October 30th, 2025, that James Suckling announced the Top 100 Most Prestigious Wines of Spain. After evaluating 3,500 wines this past year, Rioja was crowned the best wine region in Spain for the third year in a row.
