Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should drink!
2021 Le Marie Barbera Pinerolese DOC - $21.99
Just to the west of Asti in Piedmont lies the relatively unknown DOC of Pinerolese at the foot of the Alps, just on the other side of the French border. Le Marie is a small, family-run farm and winery in Barge, which sits at the base of Monte Viso and Monte Bracco and the steep, terraced vineyards sit between 400-450M above sea level, some of which were planted in the 1930s and survived WWII. The newest generation of the Raviolo family is taking the helm and we couldn't be more pleased to represent the wines here. The Barbera is new to the shop and full of bright red berry fruit and lush, velvety tannins with just enough acidity to leave you wanting another sip. Alpine wine at its finest!
-Angie
2020 Leah Jorgensen Cabernet Franc, Southern Oregon - $33.99
When Leah Jorgensen began making her own wine in 2011, she set out to celebrate Loire Valley styled wines in southern Oregon. The lynch pin grape in this endeavor is the oft ignored Cabernet Franc grape. I would argue that, while she is honoring her passion for French wine, she has created a wholly unique expression of her favorite grape that manages to avoid the vegetal greenness present in some Loire examples and also avoid the overripeness often apparent in Napa examples that strip Cab Franc of its earthier side.
The result is a sturdy, dependable wine with a rich, silky character. In addition to its balanced profile and general stylistic accessibility, this bottle shows well on its own and plays
well with a number of different foods. Try with grilled meats and meaty vegetarian dishes, especially eggplant.
-Dave
2021 Azul y Garanza Naturaleza Salvaje Clarete - $35.99
This delicious organically farmed wine is a blend of 50% Garnacha and 50% Garnacha Blanca from Bardenas Reales, a desert region in Navarra, Spain. The grapes undergo wild yeast fermentation in concrete tanks followed by six months aging in amphora preserving the purity of the wine. It looks like a dark rose in the glass but the palate delivers a medium bodied wine. Aromatically it has pretty notes of hibiscus and pomegranate and the palate shows wild strawberry fruit and rose petal with notes of mineral. This unique nuanced Spanish Garnacha would be a great pairing with grilled pork sausages or pan seared salmon but it is very quaffable on its own. A must try for the Grenache lover who is looking for a new take on one of the greatest red varietals.
-Rob
Utepils Minnator (4-pack) - $12.99
Bold and brawny like the mythical creature it's named for, Minnator from Utepils is a doppelbock that's ready to get you through the winter. The full-bodied malt makes for a smooth, roasty ride. This beer is a great example of Utepils doing what they do best: making European beer styles well. If you're tired of overhopped IPAs, not ready for sours yet, and want to stay a bit lighter than a stout, Minnator is a great option that supports an excellent local brewery.
-Nick
