Little helps to pass the winter of my discontent like wine-assisted travel.

I've been to Sardinia--that sun-washed island off the coast of Italy--exactly zero times by plane, yet am a regular by glass.

Its red, Cannonau (a.k.a. Grenache), comes in varying shades of lusty, plummy earth.

This one, though far from monumental, is a perfectly serviceable example given its $12.99 price tag.

Drink it with cacio e pepe--spaghetti topped with an indecent amount of olive oil, cracked black pepper, and Pecorino Sardo.

You'll spend some of what you saved on airfare on the cheese, but dreary days call for deluxe measures.