The penguin rookery is a little bigger these days. I’ve recommended Little Penguin wines before because of the quality-to-price ratio built into their product line. With the introduction some months ago of a Pinot Noir, the brand is now also filling a void in an exploding category. The demand for Pinot Noir is outstripping supply everywhere, thanks in part to the popularity of the movie “Sideways,” and Pinot Noir in most every price category is doing well whether it tastes good or not. The timing of this label’s appearance in the marketplace couldn’t be better, as it has the added benefit of being delicious at 10 beans a bottle.

Cavit is the master of Trentino, Italy: some 70 percent of the growers in the region, or 5,000 separate farms, belong to this mammoth cooperative. The wine is made in 14 different cellars sprinkled throughout the area, where it’s also culled, blended and bottled. The sheer logistical challenge to craft a year’s worth of work from 5,000 farms and make it into tasty wine over a six- to eight-week harvest is mind boggling. From 5,000 farms, to 14 cellars, into five or six products, then shipped to 20 different countries … and oh, by the way, they make it all taste really good. Wow.

The Loon has done it again: great juice in the bottle for relatively little money. Don Sebastiani and Sons’ Smoking Loon label is showing up everywhere in our market with no fewer than seven varietals featured under this label. The marketing is tailored to an individualist type personality, but I must say that the wines are crafted in a way that is appealing to everyone.

Folks driving or strolling in and around Market Square recently may have noticed a couple of restaurant name changes. On Feb 21, Tequilla Jack’s, located at 54 Daniel St., became TJ’s, and on Feb. 22, Sakura, located at 40 Pleasant Street, became Sakurabana.