THURSDAY DECEMBER 17, 2020
.. well, also because.. 2020.
This Week: The Holidays (whichever one you celebrate - or don't celebrate) are closing in. If you're busy making your list and checking it twice, good for you.. that means you won't be stressing on the morning of Christmas Eve. But if you aren't.. mind that we'll have limited hours [8am to 6pm] on Christmas Eve so if you need to pick something up or have it delivered, keep that in mind.

Can you ever go wrong gifting booze or wine? Probably not. Even if the person isn't partial to the bottle you picked.. you just gave them a solid re-gifting option for another friend's birthday or special occasion. Win, win.

Continuing our mission this month to help with the gift giving ideas - see below for tips on gifting by personality type. Just ideas :) And. In case you missed it, Somm Gift kits still available through the end of the month! Give the gift of wine + wine education to friends and family - or yourself. See below for more information.

The weekly COVID PSA: hooray. Vaccine news! But, still far from over. So, keep that mask on. It helps keep your face warm anyways. Sanitize. Use our curbside and delivery options. Stay safe.

Cheers,
The Team at NL Wine & Spirits
Something For Everyone: Gifting Strategies
(for if you have no idea what to buy!)

"I'm not sure what they like" - those famous last words as you stare blankly at the shelves. What to do? Don't overthink it.

Strategy #1: Go for the unknown. Life begins outside of the comfort zone, right? So, if this is a person that's normally like "I hate Chardonnay" then stun them with a grape they are completely unfamiliar with. Have you ever heard anyone say "I hate Verdicchio?" Probably not. Our favorite off-the beaten path crowd pleasers.

2018 Chateau l'Oesliniere de la Ramee Muscadet - $17.99
It might be hard to pronounce, but its a killer "safe bet" bottle to give for just under $20. A racy, mineral driven white from the Atlantic Coast. Not oaky, not buttery. Not too much of anything! A "just right" white that almost anyone can agree on.

2015 Argiolas 'Senes" Cannonau di Sardegna - $32.99
Gift them some sunshine from Sardinia! This Cannonau, aka Grenache, is brimming with red fruits, earthy minerality all wrapped up in gentle tannin and a bright finish.

2018 Forte do Cego Syrah Blend Lisboa - $10.99
Cheap and easy! Gifting to a group of coworkers you maybe like but don't know that well? Don't break the bank. This Syrah is a people pleaser - ripe dark fruits and a bit of pepper. Hard not to like and hard to beat the price!
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Strategy #2: Help them stock their home bar! Sure, even if they aren't "big drinkers" - everyone can always use a few bottles to have on hand for themselves or when guests come over.

Doctor Bird Jamaican Rum - $28.99
Step aside, Captain Morgan. If you want your friend to mix you a better Rum n Coke the next time you're over, this is the right one to gift.

Cimarron Reposado Tequila (1L) - $25.99
A long time fav we swear by at the shop! If you've ever asked for a bargain tequila selection, chances are we pointed you in this direction.

Martin Miller's Gin - $29.99
A classic London Dry is always nice to have on hand - who doesn't love a good G&T? Martin Miller is something a little different than the usual Hendrick's or Bombay - it'll suggest you gave the selection some thought!
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Strategy #3: Just go for the "old standby's"! Napa Cab, Pinot Noir from literally anywhere, Burgundy, Bordeaux - you get it.

2007 Lopez de Heredia Bosconia Reserva Rioja - $38.99
An iconic winery, a very iconic and wonderful wine. Has some age on it (impressive). Great label (looks fancy). Nice, but not expensive. Yes yes yes.

2014 Produttori del Barbaresco Pora Barbaresco - $82.99
Barolo's less famous but still very appreciated neighbor. An age worthy bottling anyone could enjoy now or down the road!

2015 Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Willamette Valley 1.5L - $183.99
Magnums show you care! And a magnum of one of Willamette Valley's finest Pinot Noirs (owned by some Minnesotans!) - can't go wrong.
SOMM GIFT KITS: Holiday Shopping Made Easy.
Brought to you by the Wine Workshop + NLWS

Gift giving made easy - Jason Kallsen of the Wine Workshop has partnered up with us here at the shop to offer thoughtfully curated (and presented) wine gift sets. Each set comes packaged and ready to be gifted, complete with a card inside on how to access the accompanying educational content. Contact us for shipping or delivery options!

Each kit contains three hand-selected wines, with six themes to choose from: Beautiful Bubbly, Incredible Italian, Fabulous French, Outstanding Organic, Spectacular Spain, and Pinot Perfection.

A great gift for all of the wine people in your life! Stop in to purchase - we will have the kits on hand and ready to go through the month! Or, call or email to have held, arrange pickup, or arrange shipping/delivery.
GOOD THINGS WE'VE BEEN DRINKING
Ideas & Suggestions.

2015 Paitin Ca Veja Nebbiolo D'Alba - $27.99
I tend to think of my holidays by the wines that accompany them. That's a MP not a YP but 'why Nebbiolo?' you ask. For me Christmas (or perhaps Hanuka or a pre NYE diner) is a little cozier, completive and mature then festive, raucous Thanksgiving dinner. Ca Veja, to me, represents the grown-up side of Nebbiolo. One is compelled to sip and contemplate by the firm but fine-grained tannins. However, the wine is not austere. Swirling in your glass are the flavors of slightly dried red fruits, tar, leather, truffle and rose pedal. Think of it as a portal to a multi sensual experience that will engage your intellect while it soothes your reptilian brain to sleep. Happy Holidays.
-David M.

2018 Rutherford Ranch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - $23.99
This crowd-pleasing Cabernet Sauvignon is a great example that not all Napa Valley Cabs have to be high priced. This vintage is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon (sourced mainly from the estate's Heide Ranch vineyard), with the balance being Merlot and a dash of Petit Sirah and Malbec. The wine is aged for 12 months in French and American oak. The result is aromas of black cherry, currant, plum, and an inviting waft of caramel. It opens up on the palate with flavors of blackberry, fig, and a hint of clove. The tannins are supple and silky. You can certainly age this in your cellar for a few more years, but with a proper decant the wine will open up nicely and be great with braised shotr tribs in front of a winter fire. This really is a great value for a Napa Valley Cab Sauv. Cheers!
-Patrick D.

2016 Clos Castelot Saint Emilion - $24.99
This lushes Bordeaux comes from the appellation of Saint Emilion Controlee on the right bank. This region produces some of the greatest expressions of the Merlot grape in the world. The vines grow out of sandy/loamy soils producing some consistently delicious wines year after year. It truly is the Holiday season, and there is no better time to invest in some wines from Bordeaux!  
  -Samuel P.

2013 Continuum 'Sage Mountain Vyd' Napa Valley - $269.99
The grapes for this wine come from the legendary 'Pritchard Hill.' For Napa Valley wine aficionados this might be the Holy Grail of Mountain Cuvees. Often described as Oakville on a mountain, this special place is situated in between Oakville, Howell Mountain and Stags Leap District. So what does all this jargon mean? In Napa, Mountain fruit is known for its ripeness and its tannic power. The best of both worlds! Superbly ripe fruit. The tannins (the mouth drying effect) are extremely powerful. The berries in the mountain vineyards are also smaller, which means more juice to skin ratio. The comparison to Oakville is apt as Oakville sits in the middle of the valley floor. This is the perfect splurge-worthy bottle to gift to any Napa afficionado.. or yourself!
-Mary K.

Banhez Pechuga de Pavo - $99.99
As we approach the coming weeks of celebration (in whatever form we responsibly can), it only seems fitting to be drinking truly celebratory spirits. This pechuga from the Banhez mezcal cooperative perfectly fits the bill. Pechuga is a style of mezcal not easily found in the United States since its recipes vary from village to village, palenque to palenque, and they are really only distilled to celebrate a village's religious celebrations, weddings, or whatever other special occasion the maestro mezcalero sees fit. Furthermore, the fact that it requires redistillation of an already limited batch of mezcal - limiting the maestro's yield even further - really amps up the rarity of this style. This expression from maestro Juan Osorio at Banhez takes an already beautiful distillate of the espadin agave produced via a 6-day natural fermentation and redistills it with fresh, seasonal fruits indigenous to San Vincente Coatlan & a turkey breast hung in the still. These additions bring an extra salinity & minerality to the slightly smoky but mostly bright blue fruit-driven base mezcal. As a solo sipper, it shines as it develops major complexity & depth while opening up in the glass. This expression also pairs excellently with roasted meats, hearty soups, and chile-based sauces such as mole negro.
-Nick S.
ALSO VERY IMPORTANT...
Just some good dogs that visited us recently.
(We hear dog photos are a great way to spread cheer)
Cheers everyone!
-The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits