Pittsburgh now has a wine to celebrate its 250th birthday.

Palate Partners and Dreadnought Wines in the Strip District have entered into an exclusive arrangement with Sylvester Winery in California to produce Pittsburgh 250 Wine. The wines will be sold with the oh-so-fun names "Redd Up Red," a cabernet sauvignon, and "Point Blanc," a chardonnay.

Deb Mortillaro and Mike Gonze are co-owners of the businesses. Ms. Mortillaro tells how this project got started. "We felt that this would be a great time to release a wine to celebrate the city. We're not locals, but we've been here more than 20 years and just love it here."

The wines are crafted to be liked by all, featuring a bouquet that highlights the fruit, tempered with aromas of oak characteristic of fine wines made in the New World style.

The great names came from customer input. "They give us the best ideas. We heard it all, from the risque to the ready-and-usable. 'Redd up Red' just stuck. Our label designer, Guiseppe Francone of Bravo Designs, solidified the 'Point Blanc' idea."

The wine is $8.99 a bottle and will be available until the end of the year. It can be purchased through a $50 minimum order (6 bottles, any combo) and must be ordered 2 business days ahead (PLCB rules). Customers can call ahead and orders can be picked up or shipped to most of the continental United States.

Another fun option is custom gift baskets. For around $50, you can ship the wine coupled with other Pittsburgh-themed goodies, such as locally made Toffee Taboo and biscotti. It's the perfect way to send a slice of home to friends and family.

Palate Partners is at 2013 Penn Ave. in the Strip District.

Call 1-800-565-2816 or online at www.palatepartners.com.