Bernie smiled, tapping a finger against his temple. "Good taste. It’s a crowd-pleaser—notes of peach and orange blossom, but with enough acidity that it doesn’t sit heavy. You won't find it tucked away in a dusty cellar, though. Forza is a modern classic."
"It moves fast," Bernie agreed. "If you ever can't find it here, you can usually order it through or check Wine.com for delivery. But there’s nothing like walking out with it in your hand, is there?"
"You’re in luck," Bernie said, sliding the bottle into a paper bag. "Most people head to the massive big-box liquor stores for this, or even the upscale grocery chains like or Safeway across California. But I keep a case in the back because it’s the best thing to pair with a spicy Thai takeout or a celebratory cake."
Her sister’s engagement party was in three hours. While everyone else was bringing complex Cabernets or trendy IPAs, her sister had made one request: "That crisp, sweet California Moscato with the blue label. The one that tastes like a summer afternoon."
"I’m looking for Forza Moscato," Elena said, her eyes scanning the 'California' section. "The one from the Central Valley."
Elena pushed open the heavy oak door. The bell chimed, and a man with silver hair and a vest that looked older than the shop looked up from a ledger. "Help you find a vintage?" he asked.
Elena thanked him and stepped back out into the cool evening air. The bottle felt cool against her palm, a little piece of California sunshine ready for the party. To help you find a bottle in the real world, Check availability for your zip code? Find pricing comparisons between major liquor stores?
Elena tapped her card against the reader, a weight lifting off her shoulders. "I tried three places before this. I was worried it was sold out."
