Thursday December 02, 2021
It's that magical time of year again!
This Week: We dusted off our Santa's Elf costumes, rolled up our sleeves, and churned out the finest array of interractive Somm Kits - full of holiday cheer(s)!

Each 3pk comes with links/QR codes that will connect you to wonderfully entertaining and educational videos provided by Jason Kallsen of The Wine Workshop. These kits are grab-n-go ready and perfect for gifting!

Fabulous French - $76
Barraud Macon Chaintre 'Les Pierres Polies'
Georgire Hoppenot Fleurie
Darnaud Crozes Hermitage Mise En Bouche

Incredible Italian - $75
Andrea Felice Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi
Ca'del Baio Langhe Nebbiolo
Tenuta De Fessina 'Erse' Etna Rosso

Portugal Perfection - $65
Vinha da Coutada Velha Vinho Branco, Alentejo
Ribeiro Santo 'Automatico' Tinto, Dao
Pinto Barbosa 'In Culto' Reserva, Douro

Pinot Noir Party - $99
Lingua Franca Avni
David Duband Bourgogne
Brea

Beautiful Bubbly - $85
Voirin-Jumel Tradition Brut
Baumard Cremant
Chiarli Brut Rosato

Cellar Collection - $155
Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
St Innocent Temperance Pinot Noir
Domaine Eden Cabernet Sauvignon

Spectacular Spain - $80
R Lopez De Heredia 'Vina Cubillo' Crianza
Alvaro Palacios Camins De Priorat
OS Dunares Rias Baixas Albarino

Dare To Be Different - $68
Empire Estate Dry Riesling
Matchbook 'Pillars of Hercules'
Prieler Blaufrankisch Johanehohe

Outstanding Oregon - $78
Evening Land Seven Springs 'De Mures' Pinot Noir
Leah Jorgenson 'Tour Rain' Cabernet Franc/Gamay Blend
Paetra Pinot Bianco

Dessert Done Right - $70
LaFleur Mallet Sauternes
Elio Perrone 'Bigaro' Brachetto+Moscato
Smith Woodhouse Lodge Reserve Port

Cheers,
The Team at NL Wine & Spirits
Quinn's Cocktai of the Week:
Winter Tequila Toddy
As we dive into the Winter spirit(s)-scape, rest assured that your tequila will not gather dust. Delicious cocktails for freezing cold nights can indeed be made from libations under the 45th parallel! Let's dive in!

Tequila Toddy
2 oz Blanco Tequila (I used Cimarron Blanco)
3/4 oz Tres Agave Nectar 
3/4 oz lime juice
4 oz boiling water 
1 cinnamon stick or a pinch of ground cinnamon
small pinch of salt
(optional) half a jalapeno if you like a lil heat


INSTRUCTIONS
1) Pour boiling water into a mug and let sit a minute or two to heat the mug up then dump out. Or just microwave the mug until warm.

2) Add cinnamon, agave nectar, jalapeno, and water into the mug and stir. Let steep for thirty seconds to a full minute.

3) Add tequila and lime juice.

4) Stir. 

5) Enjoy!


Cheers,
Quinn

Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should drink.

2019 Heidi Schrock Ried Kulm Blaufrankisch, Burgenland, Austria - $28.99
Heidi Schröck took over her family winery in 1983, in the historic village of Rust situated in the province of Burgenland about 5 miles from the Hungarian border.The Kulm vineyard grows in the heart of the Ruster hill and has the oldest Blaufränkisch vines. These were planted in 1955 by the great grand aunts of Heidi and grow small and concentrated berries every single year. Heidi’s ‘Ried Kulm’ Blaufränkisch is a benchmark example of Burgenland’s signature variety. Ruby red in colour, with aromas of red forest berries and black pepper, ‘Ried Kulm’ has a vibrant and lively palate, with fine-grained tannins and a long finishand is ultra food-friendly! Pair with smoked sausage, hard cheeses and borscht!
-Angie

Barrell Bourbon North Loop Store Pick - $109.99
I am hoping everyone saw the announcement on Monday that our Barrell Pick has landed. It is a bottle every wine fan or whiskey fan needs on their shelf. This whiskey is finished in G.D. Vajra Barolo barrels and is bottled at 131.8 proof. The Barolo barrels tame the whiskey so much, if I was forced to taste it blind I would have guessed it was 110 proof at most. This bourbon highlights the traditional notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel while adding a truly unique note from the Barolo barrels. I'm very proud that the team picked this selection from Barrell Craft Spirits. We are excited to share it with you.
-Todd

La Gritona Reposado Tequila - $42.99
A subtle yet distinctive 100% blue agave tequila distilled with care and intention by Melly Barajas. Barajas is one of few female tequila distillers and employs a team of local women to make La Gritona from start to finish under one roof at her small distillery in the highlands of Jalisco. La Gritona is 100% blue agave, naturally fermented, twice distilled and rested in reused American whiskey barrels (Jack Daniel's to be specific) for eight months. La Gritona bottles are uniquely designed with recycled hand blown glass in Guadalajara. Heck, even the agave scraps are given to local farmers for cow feed!  La Gritona is not too sweet, no vanilla, chocolate, or pepper. Just refreshing and tropical agave. The finish is extremely round with no burn, making this reposado a perfect simple sipper, an incredible gimlet or a killer margarita!  Like my Uncle Jack always says, "support female distillers!".
-Caitlin

2018 à la carte, Pinot Noir, North Coast - $17.99
From cool climate vineyards on California's north coast, this is a perfect choice for the "light red" selection of any upcoming holiday party. This easy drinking Pinot Noir offers enticing aromas of sweet baking spices that lead to a palate of light juicy cherry and raspberry fruit lifted by bright acidity.
Enjoy as a reception wine alone, with appetizers, or matched with light pasta, chicken or salmon dishes for dinner.
Cheers!
-Patrick

2019 Pascal Jousselin 'Rin du Bois' Gamay - $13.99
Pascal Jousselin family's Domaine is in Touraine in the Loire Valley in France. Rin du Bois is the local dialect for "edge of the woods" as the estate is at the edge of a wooded hunting ground. Notes of smoky dark berry fruit burst from the glass. The palate shows dark blackberry fruit, plum, and mineral. This is a great everyday table wine that goes with a wide variety of food. Try this crushable Gamay with beef stroganoff or a hanger steak with chimichirri.
-Rob

2018 Saint Gregory Pinot Meunier - $19.99
The Graziano family has been tending to vineyards in Mendocino County since 1918; during prohibition, the family quickly pivoted into bootlegging to support their family. The 4th generation future of the Graziano estate is Alexandra Graziano, a grapegrower, winemaker and alumn of the UC Davis Viticulture and Etimology program. The Saint Gregory line of wines are from cooler vineyard sites and are made with traditional Burgundian winemaking methods: long fermentations in french barrel. The Saint Gregory Pinot Munier is a complex and acid driven, light bodied red wine - with ample minerality and soft yet sturdy tannins. You'd be hard pressed to find a similarly esoteric Pinot Noir for $20 - so don't miss out on this juicy gem!
-Katrina

VERY IMPORTANT: Furry Friends That Visited This Week
Cheers everyone!
-The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits