Thursday September 24, 2020
.. feeling like those polar vortexes are going to be extra nasty this year.
This Week: Well, 'tis officially fall so get out there and enjoy the warmth and sunlight while we still have it. The days are getting shorter and the wine pours are getting longer - always something we can get behind.

This week, we have a full list of great recommendations from the staff as well an awesome tequila recommendation + cocktail suggestion from Nick. We're also taking a look at some of our favorite off-the-beaten path Italians on the shelf (which also happen to pair very well with cool fall nights).

We'll keep the COVID reminders to a minimum - but per usual, thank to everyone for helping us stay so safe. We appreciate you all. Now get outside and enjoy this fall weather!

Cheers,
The Team at NL Wine & Spirits
Off-The Beaten Path in Italy
One of the most exciting (and confusing) things about Italy is the vast amount of indigenous grapes, wines, and traditions. It is almost like each of the 27 provinces is a country of its own - and often with variation even within! A headache to study but an exciting place to find something new, delicious, and intriguing. Today, we're calling out a few of the hidden gems on our shelf.

Starting in the far northwest, high up in the Dolomites - 2018 Weingut Niklas Schiava Alto Adige ($21.99) is a light, bright cherry toned red with just the right amount of earth and spice in a supremely drinkable package. We like to think this would be the perfect wine to enjoy after a long hike in the mountains.. or, if confined to MN, at least in the park with some sunshine on a Sunday afternoon.
To the region more known for the great Nebbiolo's - Barolo and Barbaresco - the 2019 La Miraja Freisa d'Asti ($21.99) is a wonderfully floral, medium-bodied gem that pairs perfectly with salami and mild, semi-soft cheese. Freisa is one of those grapes you're unlikely to find anywhere else in the world, truly belonging to Piedmont.

Heading south, to Puglia where this state of the class winery has been working tirelessly to improve quality, bring back indigenous grapes from the verge of extinction, and raise the profile of the reputation overall - 2018 Masseria Liveli 'Passamente' Salice Salentino ($23.99) is Negroamaro.. a grape worth getting to know. The wine is named after a tall pine tree forest known for "lover's adventures" - hence the name "to pass by".

Last but not least.. what is often called the "Barolo of the South" - Aglianico thrives on volcanic soils and makes some seriously dense, structured, earthy wines that are known for age worthiness and their affinity for roasted meat & heavy pasta pairings. The 2015 Stefanio Barbo "Ion" Aglianico from Campania ($29.99) is a modern, polished take on this grape.. brimming with red and black fruits, some pepper, and an earthy spice. Cheers to many more adventures through Italy via wine!
Siembra Valles Single Estate Tequila (Blanco) - $51.99
You can always find a good reason to enjoy a great tequila if you believe in yourself and try hard enough. A review of a favorite from our in-house spirits expert and bartender extraordinaire, Nick.

The lowland expression from importer David Suro's Siembra Spirits line, this blanco tequila is a result of decades of collaboration between Suro and the Rosales family, proprietors of the renowned Cascahuin distillery in El Arenal, Jalisco (NOM 1123). Suro's dedication to transparency in an industry rife with smoke & mirrors is evident with the highly detailed information on every bottle's label, from the name of the jimador who harvested the agaves to technical information on the stills used for distillation. The tequila Cascahuin distills for Siembra Valles is produced from a single estate's agaves cooked in brick ovens, fermented in open stainless steel tanks, and distilled to low proof via copper pot stills. Expect a clean, complex, full-bodied expression, with lots of citrus & florals present on the nose & an agave-driven palate with grassy, mineral undertones. This tequila is perfect sipped on its own, but also works exceptionally well in a classic Rosita cocktail:

1 1/2 oz tequila (blanco or reposado)
1/2 oz dry vermouth
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 oz Campari
1 dash aromatic bitters

Mix all ingredients together in a mixing glass. Add ice, stir until chilled, and strain over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.
-Nick Smith
STAFF PICKS
Things our staff "taste tested" this week. Tough job, but someone's gotta do it.

2017 City Limits “Where the Sidewalk Ends” Red Wine, WA - $20.99
54% Zinfandel, 35% Primitivo, 11% Petite Verdot 
Crafted by Morgan Lee (winemaker of Two Vintners fame) this big, sassy and unapologetic Zinfandel based blend is his attempt to bring a delicious and affordable red blend to the public. Exotic woods on nose, followed by dense and rich (almost stewed) dark fruit on palate, silky tannins and a long peppery finish. His trick is to let the wine to reach intensity and depth by aging it in French oak barrels for nearly 2 years. Any food that requires big bold red wine will pairs well!
-Alexei V.

2017 Domaine Vaudoisey Bourgogne Pinot Noir - $29.99
Jean Vaudoisey is a 6th generation winemaker who, like many young Burgundian wine makers, employs a light touch. The fruit is all destemed, gently pressed and there's a judicious use of new wood. Sourced from the communes of Volnay and Pommard the basic red is a very complete wine.Seamless and silky throughout, it has plenty of classic Pinot characteristics. The nose and palate show ample dark cherry partnered with floral and tobacco overtones and hints of oak spice. The lushness of the mid palate and the length of the finish really stand out among it's peers. This is definitely a contender for top of the heap in the somewhat crowded and uneven Bourgogne rouge category. 
-David Mathiason


2019 Matthiasson Village Chardonnnay Napa Valley - $23.99
Is your enjoyment of "natty hipster wines" breaking your budget? Do I have just the wine for you, Cool Kid! Matthiasson's Village Chardonnay is a biodynamic bombshell for under $25! This "table Chardonnay" is made from fruit harvested from multiple Matthiasson vineyards, and is also harvested at multiple points of ripeness - to balance the acidity and fruit characteristics perfectly. The end product is a lively chardonnay with refreshing notes of green apple and meyer lemon with a touch of minerality - light and bright! 
-Katrina Bowers

2018 Vigna del Lauro Friuli Isonzo DOP Cabernet Franc - $17.99
With the good weather remaining, there is still time to chill some great red wine! The Italians may frown upon their brethren growing French varietals within their borders, but I'm sure Americans won't! This Cabernet Franc begins with some delicious red fruit characteristics and finishes with great earthy and herbaceous highlights. Enjoy this wine slightly chilled before we are hit with a long-lasting Winter!
  -Samuel Phillips  


2018 Domaine Nebout, Red, Saint Poucain - $18.99
There is a small ancient wine producing region in France virtually unknown to most Americans. It is Saint Poucain. Situated in the very center of France it is however a beautiful little wine island between Sancerre and the Loire Valley and Burgundy. Here we have juicy fresh Gamay, blended with the more sophisticated and elegant Pinot Noir. This is a similar tradition, but reversed in blend percentage, to the popular Passetoutgrain (literally meaning, "toss it all in.") in Burgundy. Domaine Nebout is a third generation family honoring the ancient wine making past of this region with their organic, approachable, berry rich, but structured blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. This would be a rich and delicious match with Coq au Vin.
Enjoy something new and different!
-Patrick Dennison

2016 Francois Villard, 'Les Contours de Deponcins,' Viognier - $31.99
For those unfamiliar with the exotic viognier grape I highly recommend this lovely offering from Francois Villard. What is Viognier? If Chardonnay had an exotic cousin, viognier would be that cousin. Lush mouth feel with a heady bouquet of flowers and stone fruit. Dare I say curvaceous? Viognier's spiritual home is in Northern Rhone from the tiny appellation of Condrieu. Although the wine is classified as Vin De France, the grapes themselves are sourced from a declassified vineyard directly adjacent to the famous 'De Poncin Vineyard.' A true hidden gem!
Sweetness: This wine is dry
Body: This is a full bodied, luscious white wine.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy exotic bouquets and a plush mouthfeel.
-Mary K.

.. and now, the weekly wine haiku from Heidi.
2017 Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Reserve - $
Dark fruit, limestone, spice.
Grenache, syrah, mourvedre.
Pairs with 4-leggeds. 
-Heidi K.

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