Thursday July 9, 2020
Dogs doing an excellent job distancing.
This week: Heading into the dog days of summer and definitely not complaining about the heat or anything weather related. Winter wasn't that long ago and yet isn't that far away. Stick with the happy thoughts.

This week, Mary is talking Arneis and some other white Italian grapes you should get on your radar. Why? Sheer deliciousness, immense refreshment, and extremely favorable quality to price ratio. The world of Italian whites is large and largely under appreciated - and truly something for everyone to be found in it.

Other highlights this week: Piedmont fans - we have an incredible deal on La Spinetta's Langhe Nebbiolo ($21.99). Get it while you can.

Stay distanced and stay safe. Keep using our curbside and delivery options. Wear your mask if you're in the store. This isn't about you, it is about the safety of the people you're around.

Cheers,
The Team at NL
BRINGING BACK ARNEIS
What's Old is New Again.

Italian whites have had their moments in history - it was a glass of Orvieto wine that toasted to the first successful nuclear reaction of the Manhattan Project. The whites of Soave had a moment of fame. Pinot grigio is the 3rd most consumed wine in the USA, thanks to a little brand called Santa Margherita who popularized the variety.

Today we're looking beyond pinot grigio, however. Specifically, to Arneis - an indigenous grape variety from the Piedmont region of Italy.. making medium-bodied dry white wines. Most commonly found in the hills of the Roero, this wine is typically fresh and bright, exhibiting just ripe orchard fruit notes, citrus and almond. Despite a centuries long history in the Piedmont, Arneis had almost faded into oblivion before Vietti and Bruno Giacosa took an interest in reviving the variety in the 1970s. We're certainly glad they did. These wines are a treat. Recommended Arneis here:

1.Matteo Corregia, Roero Arneis, 2018 - $19.99
Lovely floral and citrus orchard bouquet while notes of melon, tart apple and citrus dance over the palate. Stainless steel fermentation, gives this wine a youthful freshness.
Dry, medium bodied white wine.

2. Paitin, 'Elisa,' Roero Arneis, 2018 - $20.99
This wine spends extra time on its lees (lees are spent yeast cells). Ultimately this Arneis will have a bit more richness to it. As well as being the most full bodied of the three listed here. If you like a fuller bodied chardonnay this is the one for you.
Dry, full bodied white wine.
   
3. Cordero di Montezemolo, Langhe Arneis - $21.99
Stainless steel fermented to retain freshness. Notes of apricot, pear and spice.
Dry, medium bodied white wine.

Getting out of the box once in awhile can be pretty rewarding :)
STAFF PICKS
Things our staff "taste tested" this week. Tough job, but someone's gotta do it.

2018 Triennes 'Sainte Fleur' Viognier, Mediiterranee - $21.99
Made entirely from Organically farmed Viognier, this small vineyard of limestone and clay soils is 1200 foot south-facing elevation, just above the sunny French Mediterranean coast.
Naturally low in acid yet soft, perfumed and minerally, this is a great choice to enjoy on your back patio all summer long, alone or with grilled chicken or swordfish. A votre sante!
-Patrick D.
2018 Cantina Santa Maria la Palma, Aragosta, Vermentino di Sardegna - $13.99
The most famous white wine on the beautiful Italian island of Sardinia is Vermentino. And this is a classic expression! Bright acidity, herbal aromatics, crisp apple on the palate, with a light almond nutty finish. Perfect enjoying shellfish, especially langostines!
-another one from Patrick D

2018 Scaia Garganega/Chardonnay, Trevenezie IGT - $15.99
A great combination of full bodied Chardonnay and clean citrus from Garganega. This wine is redolent of jasmine, grapefruit, apple, and mango. It is a dry and refreshing blend from the Veneto region of Italy and is perfect by itself, nicely chilled on the back patio, or paired with an entree of Chicken Piccata! 
-last one from Patrick

2018 Domaine Ricard, 'Le Petiot', Touraine - $17.99
This wine is one of the clearest and most stunning values i've come across in a long time. In addition to out performing it's somewhat humble Touraine A.O.C. I argue that it out performs many of it's more prestigious and more expensive brethren in Sancerre and Pouilly Fume.
The Petiot is made from hand harvested Sauvignon Blanc from 30 year old, organically grown vines. The juice is slow fermented at low temperatures to preserve aroma and freshness then aged on the fine lees. The hardiest 20% of the juice is aged in neutral oak, further enhancing the texture. The resulting wine has a riot of well defined fruit notes, a through line of bright citrus finishing with a fresh acidity that never becomes dominant or harsh. The over all package is highlighted with herbal and mineral notes for an extremely satisfying Summer wine experience for under $20.
-David M
ALSO VERY IMPORTANT...
Just some good dogs that visited us recently.
(We hear dog photos are a great way to spread cheer)
CALL AHEAD FOR CURBSIDE PICKUP,
SOCIAL DISTANCE WITH DELIVERY.
... remember to have faith that it won't be long before we can take this message outta here :)

Call in your order: Give us a ring or send an email .. tell us what you'd like, and pay over the phone. Call as you're pulling up and just let us know front door or back door and we'll wash our hands and drop your goods in the trunk or the backseat. Easy, just like that.

Don't know what you want? Ask for help, take our recommendations. Tell us what you like, what you're interested in, and your budget. We'll put something good together for you. Pull up and pick up. Again, easy, safe and sanitary.

Call for delivery: The most responsible thing you can do is stay home and let us leave your goods outside your door. C all in your order and have us deliver. Delivery is free for orders over $25 (pre-tax) for anyone within a 5 mile radius. We will deliver outside of this radius for a small surcharge. Of course, with higher volume of delivery demand, we need your patience and understanding that your order's ETA may be longer than usual. Don't forget to tip your driver.. they are going out so you don't have to.

For delivery and curbside.. email northloopwine@gmail.com or call 612-338-5393.
Cheers everyone!
-The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits