The new essentials: bread, milk, merlot

The sommelier recommends pairing a full-bodied red wine with today's special, which is a fresh coat of snow, served with a side of sleet gelée and a freezing rain reduction.

On Friday, area wine merchants were peddling their spirits as the essential winter storm purchase.

"You need wine, not bread, eggs and milk," said Seth Hoffman, manager of Seaboard Wine and Tasting Bar in Raleigh, who added that wine goes better by the fire than French toast.

Seaboard and The Wine Merchant in Raleigh's Ridgewood Shopping Center both had snow storm sales Friday. Everything was 15 percent off at The Wine Merchant, while Seaboard offered 15 percent off mixed cases - because who knows how long we'll be housebound.

Hoffman recommended full-bodied reds because of their versatility. They go well with hearty foods for those with power, he said, as well as cold, uncooked meals, for those without.

Specifically, he likes the 2008 Casa Marguery Malbec from Argentina and the 2007 André Brunel Cuvée Sabrine from the Rhone Valley. Port is also a good choice, Hoffman said. It makes you warm all over.

Wine Merchant manager John Lambrakis also suggested the 2007 Rhone Valley reds.

For fans of white varietals, he recommended an oaky, buttery chardonnay from California's Mount Eden Vineyards or Wolff Vineyards.

Mike Smith, manager of the Chapel Hill Wine Co., said snow drinkers shouldn't ignore the Tuscan reds for a wintry day.

And Jake Jacobs, co-owner of Apex Beverage Company, recommends drinking champagne with snow.

If it's snowing today, Jacobs said, he'll be drinking the bubbly in his hot tub. If it's freezing rain, he'll be inside drinking Jeff Runquist's Petite Sirah.

"Part of the public is buying milk and bread," Jacobs said. "But the real heroes are coming in for wine and beer."

Speaking of beer, Jacobs' business partner, Eric Stokes, recommended the robust German brew EKU 28 to go with the wintry mix.

At Trader Joe's in Raleigh, wine sales were higher than normal Thursday and Friday, according to store manager Ken Marks. The store is known for its vin de table, Charles Shaw, nicknamed Two Buck Chuck. "There's always a run on wine, but this has been pretty crazy," said Marks, a Chicago native who didn't understand the hype over a few inches of snow.

Any recommendations?

"Just an extra bottle," Marks said. "That's all you need."