Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should drink.
2020 Domaine Thillardon, 'Les Carrieres', Chenas - $33.99
It's November and that means it is officially Beaujolais season! I will drink Bojo any time of year but I especially love it leading up to my favorite food holiday, Thanksgiving. We at the shop have decided to take a pass on Beaujolais Nouveau this year since there are so many better options in Cru Beaujolais. Domaine Thillardon is situated in the smallest of the Crus, Chenas, and was founded by Paul-Henri Thillardon who was later joined by his brother Charles. Their Gamay is farmed organically and is perfect with a slight chill. Crushed strawberry, raspberry and a hint of spice makes this a crushable holiday pairing!
-Angie
2020 Pascal Janvier Coteaux du Loir Blanc - $24.99
The Coteaux du Loir is a small appellation in the Loire Valley that can produce exceptional Chenin Blanc. Pascal Janvier's version reminds me of a cross between Savennieres and a dry Vouvray. Unlike a young Savennieres, however, this Chenin Blanc is ready to drink now. The wine jumps out of the glass with aromas of tropical fruits and baking spices. The palate is rich and round and shows ripe pear and apple with honeyed almonds. This wine would pair well with goat cheese salad, garlic chicken, or river trout with lemon and capers.
-Rob
2018 Symington Family Estate, 'Altano' Tinto, Douro, Portugal - $12.99
The Scottish-Portuguese Symington family is legendary in the Douro Valley and the history of Port production. The family business began in 1882 by Andrew James Symington after he left his native Scotland for Portugal. Five generations later, the family is the single largest owners of vineyards in the Douro and own many of the great labels of Port. Adding to this heritage they began making vintage table wine in 1999. Their Altano red is a blend of indigenous grapes sourced from a wide swath of the family's vineyards. Fermentation is in stainless steel, and aging is in French oak. Aromas of graphite, smoke, leather, and pine waft from the swirling of my glass and are met with flavors of ripe hedonistic red fruit wrapped in silky but spicy tannins balanced with bright acidity. The finish is long and satisfying. For a great food pairing, look up the recipe for Francesinha. It is a crazily rich Portuguese hot ham and cheese sandwich covered with a thick spiced tomato sauce. I still dream about the one I had in Guimarães, about an hour north of Porto.
-Patrick
Some input from the beer side:
With the prospect of snow in our very near future (could be hours from now or may already be happening) we are here for your winter beer needs. We have a variety of dark lagers, porters, and stouts to get you through those cold, snowy evenings. We've got Fulton Snow Emergency Stout ($11.99 4 pack 16 ounce cans), a new release from them featuring classic American stout notes of dark chocolate. If you are more of a porter fan we have a small amount of Bauhaus Winterloper Baltic Porter ($10.99 4 pack 12 ounce cans) still available. Or you can enjoy a six pack Zywiec Porter from Poland ($10.99 6 pack 11.2 ounce bottles). If that is still too dark for you I highly recommend Indeed Loretta's Dark Lager ($10.99 6 pack 12 ounce cans). Even if you aren't yet in the mood for a dark beer please stop in and check out our growing beer selection in our newly expanded space.
-Todd
LA Cetto, Sparkling Brut, Baja Mexico - $17.99
This delightful bubbling brut hails from Baja California, Mexico. As you may expect, the fruit quality is delightfully ripe and tropical. There is a nice weighty body to this dry sparkling wine, making it a perfect option for autumnal cocktails! I enjoyed Cetto last night in a Champagne Cocktail riff: 1oz Condrieu, 1 tsp raw agave, cherry bitters, and Cetto poured over a large ice cube and topped with blackened sage. It was positively heavenly!
-Katrina
