Thursday June 10, 2021
.. another "if you know, you know" new arrival. Rare & delicious. Get 'em while you can.
This Week: More of this relentless heat wave = more need for crisp whites and refreshing rosés! And cold beer, G&T's, rum punch.. just day dreaming and making ourselves thirsty here. Our AC is working hard but we're working harder to keep everyone refreshed and hydrated. Some great news..

We missed it last year. Cause, COVID. But Rosé Fest is back and better than ever. Hosted by our friends at Solo Vino in St. Paul, Rosé Fest is happening on Sunday, June 20. Article here from MSP Mag that'll get you stoked. And then.. information and link to tix below. The best part? Show us your Rosé Fest ticket stub at our shop to get 20% off of your wine purchase. We'll honor the stub discount through August 31. So, if you lose that tiny little ticket stub and find it mid-July - come by for the sweet discount!

On the agenda: another Friday tasting! Featuring wines from Emily Anderson of Libation Project. Emily is a familiar face as a former employee and tasting bar veteran, so stop by and say hi. Taste, enjoy and get 10% off your purchase of any wines on the tasting table. Of course, don't forget to ask about that Secret Sipper.

Masks are off! We couldn't be more excited to not be sweating in this heat with those things on our face. All the same, stay safe and wash those hands.

Cheers,
The Team at NL Wine & Spirits
ROSÉ FEST IS BACK!
Shoutout to a favorite event hosted by our wine friends in St. Paul.

WHEN: Sunday, June 20, 2021
Tickets available for 2:00, 4:00, 6:00PM sessions.

WHERE: KELLOGG MALL PARK, ST. PAUL, MN

WHAT: 90-minute tasting sessions will feature 8 samples of rosé and a catered snack from Revival Smoked Meats. The Wine Company Spritzer Station and Rosé Garden will feature full sized pours of the rosés offered at the festival plus a variety of delicious canned seltzers, spritzes, and other fun libations like Hoxie Spritzer, St. Agrestis Spritz, and Greenhook Ginsmiths Gin & Tonic. (No ticket necessary to visit the Spritzer Station and Rosé Garden.) Local producer and DJ André Mariette will be spinning chill vibes from his Somber Summer EP throughout the day.

Tickets:

And now.. a brushup on your rosé knowledge so you can show up to Rosé Fest all prepared, like the very smart wine student we know you are.

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Rosé 101: Not your Grandma's Pink Drink
We aren't talking about white zin here. A little education from ______.
With an extreme heat looming, I can think of no better way to cool down than pounding a bottle of ice cold rosé while kicking back in my daughter's kiddy pool. Some of you may still think that rosé is sweet, BUT that is just a common misconception. We aren't pointing fingers, but.. we can place some of the blame on Beringer and their white zin glory days. You may also think that rosé is only a seasonal wine since the new release drops just before the summer months; however, there's so much more. Rosé has been a year round beverage in my household because of its versatility for food pairings (Spicy Al Pastor Tacos & Sparkling Rose = Many Yummies) and it should be in yours too!

  Rosé can be made anywhere in the world, from any grape imaginable. It can be light, heavy, sweet, bone dry, bubbly... it can basically be anything you want it to depending on how its made. There are three main ways rosé wine is produced.

   Maceration Method:
The maceration method is when red wine grapes are let to rest, or macerate, in the juice for a short period of time depending on the desired color and flavor they want to extract from the skins. This is most commonly seen in Provence or the Rhone Valley.

Saignée or “Bled” Method:
The Saignée (“San-yay”) method is when during the first few hours of making a red wine, some of the juice is bled off and put into a new vat to make rosé. The purpose of bleeding off the juice not only produces a lovely rosé but it also concentrates the red wines’ intensity.

Blending Method: 
Producing a wide range of light to heavier wines, the blending method is when a little bit of red wine is added to a vat of white wine to make rosé. It doesn’t take much red wine to color a white wine pink, so usually these wines will have up to 5% or so, of a red wine added. This is most common in champagne. We also happen to have the best rosé selection in the Twin Cities by a looooong margin (in our totally biased opinion).. so be sure to come by and find your next favorite summer treat!
Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should drink.

2017 Madson, Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, California - $34.99
Very rarely do I get obsessive over a wine, or buy a case of a single bottle. I'm the type to keep trying the shiny new thing, but this Pinot Noir... whoo it's something special! Madson Wines were created in the spring of 2018 by Cole Thomas, who is both the founder and winemaker, and partners/viticulturists Ken Swegles and Abbey Crystal. They lease the vineyard sites they work with so they can ensure they are being properly farmed using organic practices with a focus on environmental sustainability. This Pinot Noir is made from a blend of the small vineyard sites they work with all over the Santa Cruz Mountains. This wine is a delicate garnet color that has an almost neon vibrancy. Showing aromas and flavors of black cherry, pepper, dried herbs , and baking spices. This is an elegant pinot with a light-body, silky tannins and a fresh, crunchy finish. Only 75 cases of this wine are produced a year and only a fraction comes to the state, we're lucky enough to have grabbed what we can and thrilled to be able to share it!
-Nick Z.

2020 Josef Ehmoser, Grüner Veltliner, Wagram Austria - $19.99
Austria's national white wine grape, Grüner Veltliner, loves to grow in the windblown loess soils of the Wagram in Lower Austria! The vineyards of Josef and Martina Ehmoser are planted and organically grown on such soil, as deep as 20 metres. They hand harvest their grapes, gently press them and age them on the lees in stainless steel tanks. The result is a wine of delicate spice, citrus fruit, juniper berries, and granny smith apples. The finish is one of refreshing acidity and white pepper. This will match well with pan sauteed lake trout with lemon and fresh herbs, joined by red potatoes and green beans. Enjoy!
-Patrick

Veuve Fourny & Fils, Brut Grande Réserve - $56.99
Not to be confused with Veuve Clicquot, Veuve Fourny & Fils displays one of the greatest values in all of Champagne. Hailing from the infamous Cote des Blancs in the village Vertus, brothers Charles-Henry and Emmanuel Fourny sustainably farm sought-after chalky soils. As a new addition to the classic Kermit Lynch Wine Portfolio, Veuve Fourny should occupy a space in everybody's fridge this Summer!  
 -Samuel

2019 McKinlay, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley - $24.99
While searching for suitable Summer reds, keep the classics in mind. Mckinlay's entry level Pinot Noir is light and bright with good structure. It handles a chill nicely and has a zesty finish. The nose and palate are dominated with crisp cherry, cassis with classic Pinot spiciness. The overall package is very refreshing and will not seem like a chore to drink in a sweltering patio situation.
-David

Ancient Peaks Zinfandel 2018 Santa Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles $21.99
It's peak grilling season and while I can usually be found quaffing rosé during the warmer months, sometimes a red is needed for grillables. Zinfandel from California is not usually my go-to but I have to admit that this one impressed the heck out of me. Santa Margarita Ranch AVA is the most southerly vineyards in Paso Robles, a mere 14 miles from the ocean and is one of the region's coolest growing environments. The cool climate lends itself to Zinfandel with lovely acidity and structure making it the perfect match for barbecued chicken, grilled sausage or burgers. This Zin offers bright, brambly flavors of red raspberries, boysenberry and black cherry with aromas of cedar wood, vanilla and black tea. Spicy black pepper notes and punchy acidity bring a beautifully balanced finish. This is not a big, boozy, jammy punch-in-the-face Zin and I am here for it!
-Angie

Mizu 'Lemongrass' Shochu - $37.99
Inspired by the lemongrass fields in the town of Takeo, Japan, Mizu's Lemongrass Shochu is a great way to enjoy summer. Master distillers Shinji Wada and Hirofumi Okoba are the first distillers to add lemongrass to the production process, which results in a uniquely refreshing shochu. At 70 proof, it is stronger than typical shochu. However, the lemongrass adds a distinctness to the drink that both seasoned shochu drinkers and those new to the spirit should definitely try. Delicate and delicious, a nose of lemongrass and sake-like aromas combine with a silky, lightly sweet palate to create an extremely enjoyable experience. Have it on the rocks or mixed with citrusy soft drinks to round out a wonderful summer day. And be sure to keep an eye out for Mizu's other seasonally-inspired shochu later in the year!
-Andre
VERY IMPORTANT: Cute Dog Visitors!
Dog pics are an excellent way to spread cheer, we hear.
Cheers everyone!
-The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits