Halloween is in the rear view and the countdown to Thanksgiving is on (21 days!). Around here, we're already thinking bout our Thanksgiving wines. The pairing opportunities, the "more affordable" bottles to stock for your less discerning relatives, pinot grigio for Aunt Karen, and those baller bottles you hide in a corner for yourself and that one cool cousin that might actually appreciate it. Look to us for brilliant ideas and suggestions all season long.
In other news: we just want to say that the pre-made bottled cocktail selections have never been better.
Currently stocking Manhattans from High West and Jefferson's, Old Fashioneds from Crooked Water and Tattersall, and a very nice Negroni from Crooked Water as well.
Our other favorite drink of the moment: Beaujolais is delightful year round but early winter is certainly the best time to enjoy. Nouveau Day is just around the corner - whether you're drinking the fresh stuff or the crus, we're keeping it stocked up. See below for the weekly educational tidbit, this time all about Bojo.
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BEAUJOLAIS ALL DAY: The Best Fall Wine There Ever Was
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The French always find the best reasons to throw a party. Every third Thursday in November, it's to celebrate the new vintage of Beaujolais - a day more simply known as "Nouveau Day". Its popularity might have peaked a few years back, but we still appreciate the day as a reminder to talk about one of our favorite wine regions.
Where is Beaujolais? Politically part of Burgundy - just an hour's drive south of the Cote d'Or and often grouped together in books and articles. However, this is definitely a region of its own. There's a few less Mercedes, a few more old tractors, a much more dramatic landscape, and probably the absolute best rustic French country cooking to be found anywhere.
What grows here?
If you see a bottle of Beaujolais Rouge, it will be close to or entirely Gamay. If you come across a bottle of less common Beaujolais Blanc.. its 100% Chardonnay.
So what's the deal with Nouveau Day?
Beaujolais has always had a harvest party, but a handful of growers decided to capitalize on the thrill of being the first to try the new vintage, attracting press and making a marketing spectacle of it. Soon, the party was worldwide and now you can find Beaujolais parties in just about every major city where crowds gather to drink the newly fermented, fresh and fruity juice. Sure, its not as exciting as it was maybe 10 or 20 years ago. The release of the wine itself has taken a very commercial turn, but we still appreciate the lighthearted celebration. Any excuse to open some good Beaujolais, Nouveau or not!!
Why we love Beaujolais so much:
Its delicious. From the simple, everyday Beaujolais Villages to the more serious Cru expressions, its a dream to pair with such a range of cuisine and flavors. Its supremely drinkable - with bright red fruits and soft tannins, there's a reason why this was the cafe wine mainstay in Paris for so long. Look to the Crus for something a bit more terroir-driven, structured, and possibly ageworthy. The best bottles from the high end can mostly be acquired for $100 or less (one hell of a bargain). Lastly, we love the producers! Some of the most respectable negociants to be found are here and the vast majority of what's on our shelf come from tiny family run operations.
We have (more to come, cause tis' the season).... Georges Descombes, Foillard, Chateau Thivin, Dutraive, Clos de la Brosse, Lebeaupin, Domaine des Chers, Ruet, Domaine de la Madone, among others.
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We deliver! The Holidays are busy enough - have us drop off your order, any purchase large or small. (Or, at least over $25 before tax.) We happily deliver anywhere in the downtown area for free and anywhere else for a reasonable fee.
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TWO ROCKSTARS ON THE TASTING TABLE THIS WEEKEND!
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Friday's Wine Tasting
with Amanda Rodriguez from Rootstock Wine Company: 4PM UNTIL 8PM
Rayas Rueda Cuarenta Vendimias
Chateau La Rame Bordeaux Blanc
Michel Alois Caiati White
Domaine Benjamin Taillandier Minervois Viti Vini Bibi
Umathum St. Laurent
Chateau du Roc Bordeaux
Martha Stouman Nero D'Avola
Saturday's Wine Tasting
with Alexei Volochin of Lompian Wines: 3PM UNTIL 7PM
This is Alexei's first time pouring on our back table come in and say hi!
Johannishof charta riesling
Apolloni Pinot Gris
Louis Max PN
Domaine Marbernaud Bandol
Thurson Wolfe Cabernet Sauvignon
Lenotti Amarone
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Mary's Pick
2018 Collestefano, Verdicchio di Matelica, Marche - $18.99
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The Verdicchio grape is known for making delicious dry white wines with notes of citrus and almonds. The Matelica region in particular is influenced by the Apennine Mountains (located within the Marche region near Umbria). A cooler growing region than its counterpart Verdicchio di Castelli Jesi. Wines from the Matelica region are bright and crisp with beautiful floral notes. Collestefano is certified organic, no oak on this wine to accentuate the fresh citrus and floral notes. This wine will suit many different types of wine lovers. However, if you're a crisp chardonnay, pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc drinker and are looking for something new and different this is one to not miss.
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Dave's Pick
2014 Feudi San Gregorio 'Rubrato' Aglianico Campania
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Here's another curveball to reinvigorate your palate. For the uninitiated, Alglianico is a hearty red that is featured in the age-able reds of Campania and southern Italy. This friendly version trades some of its grip and longevity for fresh berry fruit but, make no mistake, there are still plenty of pleasant surprises to be found. The freshness of the fruit is framed and enhanced by hints of deep dark spice (think anise and clove). There is also a recurring hint of earthiness that creeps in from time to time hinting at the grapes potential. Fun for a week day.
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Patrick's Pick
2014 Crocus L'Atelier Malbec de Cahors - $19.99
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After more than 30 years focusing on growing malbec in Argentina, legendary California winemaker Paul Hobbs (he was on the wine making team of Opus One) is making wine in Malbec's birthplace, Cahors, France. Working with Bertrand Vigououx (4th generation of a family growing and making wine in Cahors since 1887), their Crocus L'Atelier is true to the traditional expression of Malbec from this French region. Fruit sourced from primarily the limestone, clay, and alluvial soils of the 3rd and 4th terraces above the Lot river, the wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and not aged in oak. This lets the fruit and earth speak for the wine. Morello cherry, black plum, and leather aromas lead to a full rustic palate of fig, raspberry, and red current, held together by earthy tannins. All set to enjoy with a hearty and rich Toulouse-style cassoulet.
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Doug's Pick
2018 Domaine Goisot, Bourgogne Aligote - $23.99
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Aligote is often overshadowed by its more popular Burgundian counterpart Chardonnay but this cuvee from Goisot will challenge the reasoning behind this fact. With incredible minerality, elegance, and an expression of somewhereness rarely available at this price point, this wine will wow any lover of dry French whites.
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Madison's Pick
2015 Costers del Priorat 'Petit Pissarres' Priorat - $23.99
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Priorat has taken a step back from the heavy oak and high point style it developed a reputation for - this is a great "entry level" way to get into the new Priorat, in a what's old is new again sense. Mostly Garnacha with a nice balance of Samso (Carignan), it has energy and perfume with a pleasant balance of lively red and black fruits. This is from winemaker Jose Mas Barbera - a guy already well known and one to look out for. This is wine made for roasted meats and hearty Minnesota winter meals.
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On Tuesdays, we open some of our new releases and old favorites.
All beers sampled will be 10% off!
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