We’re celebrating Philly Mag’s Wine Week, and toasting to all things grapey and fermented. Check back daily for updates. On to today’s selections:

Make It: Tinto

The space is boss, the crowd is cool, and Jose drives the bus. Garces’ most wine-focused outpost is a natural fit for the festivities.

Tinto is handling wine week a little differently. They are offering their usual $55 tasting which includes 9 tapas plates, but reducing their featured wines to $6 per glass, or $18 for all three. I don’t need to go over how deep and ingenious Garces’ tasting menus are, so lets move on to the potables.

Bar manager Paul Rodriguez is responsible for designing many of Philly’s best wine lists, including Amada and Fork, which gives him enough vinocred to last a lifetime. He made some calls and got some very interesting stuff to celebrate wine week, and we’re all quite lucky. Even if you don’t do the food tasting, drink the flights and take a weird journey. He’s spilling a white Rueda, soft and full bodied juice that is often blended with Macabeo or Sauv Blanc to add a little acidity to the finished product. A Distinto is also making the list, which directly translates to ‘different’. Most Spanish wines spend a good amount of time in oak, but Distinto only spends about 4 months swimming in the woodiness which brings a much more powerful and concentrated experience. Lastly, a Terra Alta blend rounds out the trio, bringing the versatility of Garnacha and the power of Tempranillo together as a team. Big price break for very unique wines you won’t find anywhere else, and you know Paul likes a full pour.  

Forget It: The Prime Rib

$75 would be alright if the wine/menu was a little more creative and the place wasn’t crawling with schmucks who can’t afford The Palm. I’m staring down the barrel of more Cutrer Chard, lowball Sonoma Cab, and ‘Organically grown Syrah‘ which is almost as useless as putting ‘Reserve’ on a bottle of Yellowtail. It don’t mean Jack Shiat. Menu consists of Feta Salad, Prime Rib, Chicken, and Crab. $75 bucks this ain’t.

BYOB Pick: Chloe

Another superfly spot that time forgot. A longtime favorite nestled into Old City’s Suburb (also known as 2nd and Arch St.) has a few stunning dishes I get weak-kneed for. The Edamame and Mascapone Ravioli and Moroccan Lamb Skewers are faves that will go really well with the Chairman’s current selection of Chateauneuf Du Pape, the Perrin et Fils Les Sinards ’04. Give this one some time to breathe before you drink, or it will be a mouthful of iron. The PLCB code is 19544.