This Week: Keep California in your thoughts as parts of the state head into wildfire season early. Rare lightning strikes caused fires, some small and some massive, in all counties of the Bay Area and through parts of the Central Coast. Raise a glass of your fav Cali wine and pray, knock on wood, or keep your fingers crossed for everyone's safety.

For all who thought all in 2020 was lost, as least we can help you save a few $$ off the cost of drinking your feelings. The wine sale is going strong for a few more days. You have until next Tuesday to get some sweet deals on maybe some wishlist items or to bulk up the stash of things you normally drink. Including all of those new, rare, and allocated things we're always going on about.

20% off any purchase of 2 bottles or more. 25% off of 12 bottles of more. Mix & match away. But, do so at a distance of 6 ft from our employees and other guests. Bonus points for not touching the bottles more than you need to. Double bonus points for waiting outside for people to exit if the shop is looking crowded.

Cheers,

The Team at NL Wine & Spirits

Grenache two different ways: Camino de Navaherreros's 2018 garnacha is the tiny production result of 80+ year old vines in a historic and slightly overlooked growing area outside of Madrid. Only a bit of this wine makes it to the US - count ourselves lucky. A returning favorite: A Tribute To Grace's Santa Barbara Cty grenache is a blend of carefully sourced, old vines from New Zealander Angela Osbourne. She literally specializes in grenache. And it shows. Her wines are ethereal and well balanced, floral and full of elegant red fruit.

Feeling Italian? Avignonesi's 2017 'Cantoloro' Toscana bottling is well priced and the perfect pick for your next pizza night. Predominately Sangiovese with a balance of Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Merlot, this is in essence a classic Super Tuscan style but made for everyday occasions. Tommasi's 2017 'Rafael' Valpolicella brings loads of tart red cherry fruit in a very concise and drinkable package. Highly recommended with some carbonara. Conterno's 'Nervi' Gattinara bottling is a divine, high elevation expression of Nebbiolo and at a much more affordable price than their highly sought after Barolo's.

Affordable gems from the northern, cooler reaches of California's wine country. Where there's more flannel than Chanel spottings in the tasting rooms. Kalpela Vineyard's Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel are all in stock and brand new to the shelf.

Last but not least, from another of our perennial favorites: The Teutonic Wine Company. These are among the most interesting and thoughtful of wines coming from the Pacific NW these days and we also get excited to see any of their numerous bottlings and vineyards hit the shelves. Just in from the Pear Blossom Vineyard - a Gruner Veltliner, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling. All 2019, fresh and ready to make your day better. Teutonic's Crab Tomalley White Blend is a NV blend of literally almost every single variety this tiny winery makes - a real smorgasbord. Rich and creamy in texture, the label certainly suggests this but we suspect it would be a dynamite pairing with crab or lobster.

Let's start at the beginning: What is Riesling? A secret go-to for sommeliers, Riesling is an extremely versatile white wine. Made in styles from bone dry to sweet, this aromatic white wine has the ability to complement a myriad of dishes. I absolutely adore dry Riesling! If you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc (Pouilly-Fume or Sancerre), Chenin Blanc (Vouvray or Saumur) or Gruner Veltliner, I highly recommend giving dry riesling a sip.A few to consider. First up: 2016 Dreissigacker, Rheinhessen, Riesling Trocken ($21.99). All the fruit for this wine is from certified organic vineyards. This wine has a beautiful complexity to it showcasing exotic tropical fruit notes and bright stone fruit. Next up.. 2017 Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River, Australia, Art Series Riesling ($21.99). This is one of my all time favorite Rieslings from Australia. Lime blossoms, Kaffir lime zest, lime candy. But, make no mistake this wine is bone dry! Last but not least: 2013 Von Buhl Deidesheimer Herrgottsacker, Riesling, Pfalz ($29.99). A mouthful of a name but don't let that scare you. Tart orchard fruit with an underlying earthy note adding a beautiful complexity! Lemon, lime green apple and slate.

First up: 2019 I. Brand & Family Pinot Gris Eden Rift Vineyard, Cienga Valley ($37.99).

Sourced from one of the oldest continuously operating vineyards in California, the Pinot Gris is Fermented partially on it's skins and aged sur lie in neutral oak for a lush and hardy experience. Next... 2018 I. Brand & Family Mourvedre Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley ($55.99) Wine from very old vines. It's dense and expressive with flourishes of dark fruits, cracked pepper and rose petal. The finish is full of savory hibiscus and wild raspberry framed by lively acidity. Last but not least: 2019 I. Brand & Family Grenache Besson Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley ($52.99) Also wine from very old vines. The 2016 is showing gobs of ripe red fruit with subtle hints of spice and earth. This is a benchmark of domestic Grenache

Call in your order: Give us a ring or send an email.. tell us what you'd like, and pay over the phone. Call as you're pulling up and just let us know front door or back door and we'll wash our hands and drop your goods in the trunk or the backseat. Easy, just like that.

Don't know what you want? Ask for help, take our recommendations. Tell us what you like, what you're interested in, and your budget. We'll put something good together for you. Pull up and pick up. Again, easy, safe and sanitary.

Call for delivery: The most responsible thing you can do is stay home and let us leave your goods outside your door. Call in your order and have us deliver. Delivery is free for orders over $25 (pre-tax) for anyone within a 5 mile radius. We will deliver outside of this radius for a small surcharge. Of course, with higher volume of delivery demand, we need your patience and understanding that your order's ETA may be longer than usual. Don't forget to tip your driver.. they are going out so you don't have to.

For delivery and curbside.. email northloopwine@gmail.com or call 612-338-5393.

Cheers everyone!

-The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits