2014 MEYER-FONNE EDELZWICKER 1 LITER
In Alsace the term Edelzwicker is used for their everyday 'field blend' type wine generally built for splashing around at the weekday dinner table. Most consumers are used to seeing the name of the variety on the wines from here, so we often get asked if Edelzwicker is a grape unique to the region. The blend can be any of the nine approved grapes for the region (this one is made up of Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Chasselas, and Muscat) and is usually quite dry so it will work with a wide variety of dishes. Fresh white fruits and flowers on the nose with just a touch of orange zest from the Muscat, and a juicy energetic palate that shows no signs of sugary fruit but no harsh astringency either. A great bottle to have in the fridge to pull with friends at a moment's notice. Regular Price $17.99, $15.29/case 2014 CLOS DES FEES COTES DU ROUSSILLON ROSE 'LES SORCIERES' Many people decide they aren't supposed to drink Rose wines once the weather gets cooler, thinking they have faded and past their prime. While you won't see new releases this time of year the way you do in the Spring and Summer (not from the Northern Hemisphere anyway) the better more vibrant versions hold up quite well for 2-3 years or more past vintage, and do extremely well at the Thanksgiving and holiday dinner table.This sturdy example from the Roussillon has the vivid salmon orange color usually found in the wines from Provence and Bandol, and has the dry savory character to match as well. Big rose petals and red fruit skin aromas with a touch of Provencal herbs, with flavors that follow on a surprisingly fleshy and bright palate. This can hold up well to savory holiday meat dishes and still be refreshing. Regular Price $19.99, $16.99/case 2014 LA CAPPUCINA 'JULIET FROM VERONA' GARGANEGA/SAUVIGNON BLANC La Cappucina is a delightful producer from the Soave region near Verona, the setting for Shakespeare's famous play 'Romeo & Juliet'. From their organically farmed estate vineyards they make top quality DOC Soave, sparkling wines, and impressive reds. To create some 'everyday' value wines they created their Romeo and Juliet wines made from fruit purchased from organic growers around the region. 'Romeo From Venice' is a red many of you have seen in the store for a while, and now the counterpart white has joined us as well. Garganega is the primary grape for Soave and makes up the majority of this blend, with a healthy splash of Sauvignon Blanc added for acidity and crispness. Fresh and uncomplicated with lean apricot and white fruit aromas, quenching on the palate with no oak or sweetness, and most importantly for a wine of this price point, no under-ripe or off flavors from using cheap substandard grapes. This is a sign you don't have to sacrifice competence to get a value. Regular Price $7.99, $6.74/case 2014 FOLK MACHINE 'PARTS AND LABOR' RED Over the last few years the many projects of winemaker Kenny Likitprakong have been going from strength to strength, sourcing fruit from under-appreciated vineyards in some of California's cooler growing regions to craft high quality wines that purposely avoid the heavier textures and higher alcohol levels. Not a judgement call to the good or bad, but the image of Californian wines painted with a broad brush is to 'super-size' a lot of the character, and it's nice to see more wines made domestically that reach out to another part of the wine drinking population. A blend of mostly Rhone varieties Syrah, Carignan, and Grenache with a splash of Barbera into the mix, this showcases an earthy and gamey side of wine not usually seen in Cali. The other varieties kick in hints of their red fruits here and there, and the Syrah gives a bit of extra body, but the Carignan provides the majority of this wine's wild side. The use of native yeasts and aging in neutral large foudre barrels let the distinct character shine through, and the fan base for this style is growing vintage by vintage. It may not be everyone's cup of kombucha, but for others it will scratch an itch that's very hard to reach. Regular Price $17.99, $15.29/case NV CARRA-COVIELLO PROSECCO BRUT The holiday season almost requires having a bottle of something bubbly and festive on hand at all times, and the amount of quality Prosecco around for the money has never been better. More and more small importers are mining the region for quality artisan producers that can provide high quality fresh bottlings that far outshine the mass market productions for very similar prices. Another great offering from local importer and friend Diego DeCorte, this bottling has loads of fresh apple and flowery white fruit that is given extra crispness on the nose from the lively carbonation. as well as on the palate where this definitely hits on the drier side of Brut than most Proseccos dare to go. Do not waste this on a Mimosa, as it has so much flavor and pleasure it ddeserves to get shown on its own. Regular Price $15.99, $13.59/case 2014 VALLEVO MONTEPULCIANO d'ABRUZZO Several decades ago, about the only thing most people knew about the wines from Abruzzi was what came in gallon jugs or larger, as the region was dedicated to almost exclusively bulk production. Bulk is still a fairly large portion of their industry, but more and more small production wineries are starting to get noticed, and they deserve it as they still represent great value. The Montepulciano grape (not to be confused with the city in Tuscany) is favored here and makes wines that have a lot of similarity to those from Chianti and the Sangiovese grape, but tend to be softer on the acidity, a bit more straightforrward, and very approachable. Wines like this one are built to pop and pour even at this youthful stage, with lots of dark currant and dried spice aromas that seem more robust at first but get mellow and cocoa tinged as it opens up. The palate seems bigger at first but the tannins are very fine and soften fairly quickly and easily. If you want something a bit bigger than a Pinot Noir for the turkey and the more savory side dishes this holiday, this will do very nicely. Regular price $12.99, $11.04/case These wines regularly sell for $92.94 For Select Six November they are $79.99 You Save $12. 95! Select Six White (2 of each white) is $72.99 Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $86.99 Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off!
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Seasonal Picks at a Great PriceEach month we pick six fantastic wines and give them to you at an even better price when purchased together CategoriesArchives
September 2018
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