Thursday August 19, 2021
Leaving this here, as a reminder.
This Week: MASKS ON! You know the drill. It's been awhile since we bragged about our new finds and returning favorites, so please observe that rundown below. We're always on the hunt for the goods. Obviously these are all taste tested, so shop with confidence - and ask for suggestions!

We have some special guests pouring wines tomorrow night (Friday) from 4pm to 8pm! Nate from Maverick will be behind the table alongside a very special guest.. MN resident & California winemaker, Michael Bouchard. He'll be presenting wines from his personal label, Bouchard Wines. A great opportunity to ask all of the geeky questions you've been harboring about how wine is made! As always, selections on the tasting table are offered at a 10% discount.

The tasting will be *outside* in the open clean air. But, masks will still be expected when you're not tasting, if you're in proximity to other guests.

Again, masks on and over the nose!

Cheers,
The Team at NL Wine & Spirits
Hi! We have new stuff.
And some returning things.
To start, observe all this cool stuff from (mostly) California and (a little) from Oregon and Washington. These aren't your average finds - all small production, sustainable/natural/organic/biodynamically minded.
Les Lunes, Elvies Block Carignane, Venturi Vineyard. Mendocino
Pax, Dazed & Carbonic Sangiovese/Viognier/Trousseau Gris, CA
Cruse Wine Co, Alder Springs Tannat, Mendocino
Cruse Wine Co, Valdiguie, North Coast CA
Cruse Wine Co, St Laurent Ricci Vineyard, Pet Nat, Carneros CA
Ruth Lewandowski, Sangiovese, Stone Fox Hill Vineyard, Mendocino
Two Shepherds, Vermentino, Windmill Vineyards, Yolo County
Two Shepherds, Old Vine Carignane, Mendocino
3 Otters, Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley
Kita, T'aya White Blend, Santa Ynez Valley (indigenous owned)
Kita - Spe'y Red Blend, Santa Ynez Valley (indigenous owned)
Sandhi, Chardonnay, Central Coast CA
Madson, Toyon Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains
Madson, Arey Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains
Teutonic , Bergspitze Black Label Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
Kiona, Riesling, Columbia Valley WA

Some French Stuff:
Les Deux Moulin, Pinot Noir, Loire Valley
Les Deux Moulin, Pinot Noir Rosé, Loire Valley
Campet Ste Marie, Pinot Noir, Pays d'Oc
Campet Ste Marie, Pinot Noir Rosé, Pays d'Oc
Gris Marin, Rosé, Sable de Carmargue
Figuriere, Magali, Rosé de Provence
La Bargemone, Rosé de Provence
Dom De Montcy, Cheverny Rouge, Loire Valley
Chateau Soucherie, Anjou Blanc, Loire Valley
Lamothe-Vincent Bordeaux Blanc

From the Iberian Peninsula:
Os Dunares, Albarino, Rias Baixas
Campelo Vale De Este, Vinho Verde, Portugal
Campelo Vale De Este, Vinho Verde Rosé, Portugal
Reccua, 10yr Tawny Port, Portugal

From the birthplace of wine. Hey, ya know.. the oldest discovered evidence of winemaking dates back 6000ish years, found in Armenia. The grape DNA found there? Areni! Now that's a heritage variety.
Shofer Am Rosé of Areni, Armenia

Some natty stuff from the volcanic slopes of Mt. Etna. Can you imagine making wine on the side of an active volcano? Right. Well, Sicilians have been doing it for centuries, with great respect to Etna who they refer to as "the Old Lady" and consider it good luck when she erupts.
Susucaru, Rosato, Mt. Etna Sicily
Munjebel, Bianco, Mt. Etna Sicily
*also, these are some of those "if you know.... you know". Allocated & scarce.

One from Italy - a returning favorite!
Montenidoli, Il Garrulo, Chianti Colli Senesi

Annnnnd some bubbs:
Villa Loren Prosecco
Huet, Brut Petillant, Vouvray Loire Valley
Ruelle-Pertois, Cuvee De Reserve Brut, Champagne
Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should drink.

2020 Lagar de Cevera, Albarino, Rias Baixas - $23.99
Best grown in the cool and wet maritime climate of Rias Baixas, in the autonomous Spanish region of Galicia, Albarino is the perfect white grape to match with fresh seafood, especially the bounty from the Atlantic Ocean only a stone's throw from these vineyards. This Albarino offering from Lagar de Cevera is a bit riper than others due to their estate vineyards being in the southern end of Rias Baixas, where warmer weather means early ripening. Hand harvested and fermented in stainless steel, this wine has intense aromas of white flowers, pear, quince, and lemon peel. It has a weighty yet fresh palate of green apple and honeydew melon. Tied up with bracing acidity it enjoys a long finish. It is great served with sea bass sauteed with fresh herbs!
-Patrick

Kamoizumi "Summer Snow" Nigori Ginjo - $29.99
As a lifelong Minnesota resident, I've always loved the seasons. I spend my summers dreaming of winter and my winters dreaming of summer. Being someone that doesn't do well in the heat, anything that reminds me of the winter is more than welcome. Kamoizumi's "Summer Snow" does just that—combining the best flavors of summer in a way that recalls the comfort and relief of the first snowfall. Brewed in Saijo, one of the top three brewing areas in Japan, this nigori ginjo offers a pleasing drinking experience. Mildly sweet, robust flavors of grape, summer melon and cotton candy settles into a dry and subtle ending. A perfect introduction into both nigori sake and sake in general, "Summer Snow" pairs well with Thai, Vietnamese, Cuban or just about any other tasty food. Be sure to chill before drinking to accentuate the fruity notes and remind yourself of the cooler times.
-André

Keepsake Cider Aged on Wood - $9.99
Here in Minnesota, we're just starting to get into apple season. While many, myself included, associate apples with the fall season, the end of the summer is the perfect time to start drinking cider. Keepsake's cider aged on wood is a wonderful beverage to transition from summer to fall. Aged for over a year, partially on oak, this cider has a delicious balance of dry, crisp apple and smooth wood notes. While it goes great with any food, it especially shines with barbecue. I would definitely recommend Keepsake's cider as the beverage for your final barbecues of the season.
-one more from André

Ida Graves Gin - $30.99 (750ml)
Ida Graves Gin is produced in Alexandria, Minnesota by people that pride themselves on sourcing their ingredients from the local area as much as they possibly can. This gin uses a blend of just five botanicals, demonstrating that simple doesn't necessarily mean boring. Juniper, coriander, and citrus really shine in this gin. Great in cocktails, but I prefer it most in a gin and soda.
-Todd

2020 Domaine des Homs L'Amandier Cinsault, Vin de France - $17.99
While we move to that stretch of time between the Dog Days of Summer and the Great Minnesota Get Together I have decided to make the move away from whites and rosés because frankly, I am ready for fall and the Domaine des Homs L'Amandier is just the ticket! It's almost time to dig out that cute Italian leather jacket that you can only wear for two weeks and sip on some lightly chilled reds. This 100% Cinsault from organically farmed vines in the Minervois in Southern France is the perfect transitional wine that pairs with just about anything. Lovely aromas of cherry, berry blossoms and fresh strawberries with a mouthwatering palate of cassis, blueberries and white pepper make for a captivating quaffer. L'Amandier, named after the almond tree blossoms that surround the property, is the ultimate easy-drinking, everyday red. 
-Angie
VERY IMPORTANT: A few of our favorite furry visitors.
Last, but not least.
Cheers everyone!
-The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits