Perhaps the best part of the Mediterranean diet is its daily red wine allowance — one glass for women, one to two for men.
“If you drink the right wine with the right cuisine, it’s pure magic,” says Lorena Ascencios, wine buyer at Astor Wines & Spirits in the East Village. Here, some suggestions for bottles from the Mediterranean to buy:
Orgosolo’s cannonau di Sardegna “Urulu,” 2013
Thie richness of this red from the Orgosolo winery in Sardinia makes for a good match with gamey meats such as lamb chops and grilled vegetables, Ascencios says. “What I love about this wine is its fullness on the palate,” Ascencios says. $29.66 at Astor Wines & Spirits, 399 Lafayette St.; (212) 674-7500
Il Nuraghe Cantina Mogoro “Nero” Sardo cannonau, 2014
Another favorite from Sardinia, this wine made with grenache grapes is smooth and full-bodied with aromas of fresh berries. “Some say Sardinian wine is one of the reasons that people on the isle live to be a ripe old age,” said Nick DiMinno, owner of Park Slope’s Sip Fine Wine. $16.99 at Sip Fine Wine, 67 Fifth Ave., Park Slope; (718) 638-6105.
Yves Leccia “YL,” 2013
“This is the epitome of the Mediterranean,” Ascencios says of this red from the Greek island of Corsica made from mostly grenache grapes, along with a nielluccio varietal. “What I adore about this wine is the aromas. Full of herbs, flowers and spices.” $24.96 at Astor Wines & Spirits, 399 Lafayette St.; (212) 674-7500
Trossos del Priorat Lo Petit de la Casa, 2014
This Spanish wine, a DiMinno recommendation, is made entirely with grenache grapes. It’s a full-bodied red with aromas of sweet spice, ripe black fruit with notes of wild herbs. $22.99 at Sip Fine Wine, 67 Fifth Ave., Park Slope; (718) 638-6105
Tempier Bandol rouge, 2013
DiMinno says this vineyard dating back to the 1700s is “one of the most iconic properties in Bandol . . . This blend of mourvèdre, grenache, cinsault and carignan grapes makes for a full-bodied, dry wine with aromas of dark fruit and intense, smooth tannins.” $56.99 at Sip Fine Wine, 67 Fifth Ave., Park Slope; (718) 638-6105
Through Thursday, The Post is a publishing a special series on the Mediterranean Diet.