Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should drink.
Borgo Savaian di Bastiani Stefano 'Aransat' Vino Bianco (NV) - $21.99
Produced from Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, the key to this wine's style is the 'Aransat' name. Aransat is a local shorthand for 'orange', as in white wine made in contact with the skins. In addition to their seasonally appropriate color, orange wines typically offer subtle spice and and nuttiness to their typical fruit aromas that makes them at home in the early Fall (take that pumpkin spiced latte). Borgo Savaian's entry has a plump texture with ripe tree fruit and plenty of baking spice and enough lift to make it a refreshing food companion. Pairings for this wine are wide ranging but good canidates include chicken or pork dishes with savory spices and roasted vegetable dishes.
-David
2019 Tetramythos, Agiorgitiko, Peloponnese, Greece - $14.99
From vineyards high up the slopes of massive Mt. Aroania, some 9 miles south of the Gulf of Corinth, this local family-owned winery is committed to organic viniculture. Their passion is especially focused on working with grapes native to the Peloponnese. Here is their Agiorgitiko. This red has intense aromas of violet and cherry and the palate is big and full of spiced plum, prune, and black cherry. Aided by full malolactic fermentation, the tannins are smooth and velvety, welcoming a long and pleasing finish. To enjoy this great organic expression of a particular place, matching it to Greek lamb stew is a natural choice. Whenever possible, I always follow the old adage, "What grows together, goes together." Yamas!
- Patrick
2018 Pecina Cosecha Rioja - $15.99
This is a delicious Tempranillo made in the typical Joven style of Rioja - no oak, by the hand of the former head winemaker from the famous estate of La Rioja Alta. It is fresh and shows ripe blackberry fruit on a medium-bodied, well balanced palate. Great to enjoy by itself or as a very versatile food wine.Try it with burgers off the grill, roast chicken, or lamb chops.
-Rob
2018 Caravaglio Nero du Munti Corinto Nero, Salina IT - $24.99
Who doesn't love checking a nearly extinct grape off their bucket list? Grown on the Sicilian satellite island of Salina and featuring an indigenous grape variety called Corinto Nero, this is a wine that gets to the heart of volcanic soil when we speak about "terroir". Corinto Nero was likely brought to the Aeolian Islands by the ancient Greeks and is possibly related to Sangiovese. These organically farmed vines are over 150 years old and produce a distinctive "island red" that is suffused with snappy red cherry, cola, sandalwood, cassis and raspberry jam. Pairs perfectly with backyard fires and cool Autumn nights.
-Angie
2017 CRUESS Fiano Russian River Valley - $28.99
Let me introduce you to Cruess, a small winery in Healdsburg, Sonoma County CA. The origin story of this operation is one of romance and adventure. Alissa and Anthony met in 2001 and after only a short year quit their tech jobs, moved to New Zealand to study winemaking. By 2013 they founded Cruess with the intention of "reflecting the beauty of Sonoma County and our passion for the art of winemaking itself". Fiano is native to Southern Italy and parts of Sicily so it's no surprise that when grown domestically it exudes powerful aromatics (floral notes on the nose, and a hint of smokiness!) and robust flavors of balanced citrus and minerality. Additionally they macerated the grapes for ten days before pressing. This wine begs for food- anything from shrimp scampi to grilled pork chop.
-Caitlin
2020 Luigi Giordano Langhe Rosso - $19.99
ATTENTION lovers of Pinot Noir & Gamay: Italy's Piedmont is bottling some of the best valued 'juicy juice' in the world! Barolo's and Barbaresco's can be huge tannic wines that require years of aging to be approachable, but many Langhe Nebbiolo and Rosso's are delicate and delicious in their youth. My go-to affordable selection is the Luigi Giordano Rosso made up of 10% Arneis (a white grape varietal, which provides a refreshing 'lift') and 90% Nebbiolo, co-fermented. This red wine is bursting with notes of cherry, tart plum skin, smoke, and roses - with a mouthwatering acidity and softened tannic structure. You can enjoy this bottle room temperature or with a slight chill. Pairing seamlessly with all your favorite treats (pizza, burgers, charcuterie), you can't go wrong with this delightful wine!
-Katrina
Glenmorangie 14 Year "Quinta Ruban" - $64.99
Glenmorangie began functioning as a distillery in 1843, using pure water from Tarlogie Springs. That limestone and sandstone filtered water source feeds their stills to this day. Their stills are the stuff of legend as well, they are the tallest stills in Scotland. Approximately the height of a giraffe, these tall stills produce a delightfully fruity and delicate spirit. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old is a great example of a Highland whisky. This whisky is aged for at least 14 years in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels and ex-port barrels. Dark mint chocolate and sandalwood dominate the aromas on this whisky with just a touch of orange and a bit of spicy pepper. The taste continues to feature dark mint chocolate adding a hint of walnuts. The finish is long and silky with the mint chocolate notes continuing to carry through. I recommend enjoying this dram neat or with a couple drops of water. It also makes a delicious Hot Toddy.
-Todd
