Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should drink.
2019 Sanctum 'Lisica' Pinot Noir, Slovenia - $22.99
If the adorable fox on the label doesn't steal your heart, the juice inside most certainly will. Pinot Noir has been cultivated on the hills of Lipoglav, Lower Styria since the French Monks planted this grape in the 12th Century. These vines are grown on steep hills with good southern exposure. Everything is harvested by hand and spontaneously fermented. Aged for a year in used French oak, this Pinot Noir is complex and shows bright cranberry and cherry, white pepper, and herbs like basil. Pairs best with hearty stews, roasted veggies and peppery sausages.
-Angie
2020 Teutonic, 'Sea Sponge' Gruner Veltliner, Oregon- $33.99
Barnaby Tuttle is a long time favorite Oregon winemaker of ours; he focuses on cool climate grape varietals approached with a 'Wild West' playfulness. Sea Sponge is a late harvest Gruner Veltliner, meaning the grapes were left on the vine to accumulate extra sugar as they ripened. This Gruner has benchmark, albeit subtle, notes of nectarine, white pepper and green beans - but the structure is where the magic lies. This wine is surprisingly lighter in body considering the residual sugar, with a food-friendly acidity. Because it's not a fruit bomb, this wine lends itself perfectly to sushi and wasabi heat without overwhelming more delicate cuisine.
-Katrina
2018 Graci, Etna Rosso 2018 - $32.99
This wine is 100% Nerello Mascalese from the volcanic soils of Mount Etna in Sicily. It is one of the great entry points into the Nerello Mascelese grape and it's beauty and depth. If you are a fan of high toned red Burgundy, this is a great grape and region to explore. Aromatics of rose and red berries jump out of the glass. The light to medium bodied palate shows mineral and acid that is balanced by rich strawberry fruit. This is the best Graci Etna Rosso I have had in recent years and is drinking great right now. Try this wine with pork dishes or oily fish like tuna.
-Rob
Philipponnat Royale Reserve Brut Champagne - $79.99
If you haven't heard yet, massive bubble supplier, Veuve Cliquot has come to the realization that they don't have enough reserve juice to keep the celebrating world supplied with their iconic orange-labeled libation. The solution: heavily allocate their products for the next FIVE YEARS. While this may not effect my drinking habits, it will be an adjustment for many. Philipponnat is a giant in it's own right and I'm not trying to directly compare the two but this wine has plenty of presence and just might leave your old love 'out of sight, out of mind'. The primary features of the Philipponnat style are high quality ripe fruit, a predominance of Pinot Noir and solera style fractional blending of the reserve wines. The result is a rich, opulent and forceful Champagne that meets you where you live. A tad more elegant and seamless than that other one with a bit less overt spice. I promise you won't be disappointed. Let the good times roll.
-David
2020 Domaine Gregoire Hoppenot, Fleurie 'Origines' - $21.99
This is an intoxicating Gamay from 2 of Gregoire Hoppenot's vineyards in Fleurie (one of the 10 Crus of Beaujolais). The young east-facing vines of his Les Roches vineyard bring bright fruit to the cuvee, while the much older southern facing vines of his Les Garants vineyard bring structure and substance.
Organic farming is adhered to strictly and only native yeasts from the vineyards are used in fermentation. Fermentation and aging are in concret vats to retain freshness while softening the wine to a luscious silkiness. In the glass the bright garnet color swirls around and opens up enticing floral aromas of violets and rose petals, while the mouthwatering flavors of juicy red berry fruit on the palate are held in check by light and easy earthy undertones. Although I couldn't muster up the energy or, indeed, even possess enough culinary talent to make Coq au Vin, I'd certainly welcome a chance to enjoy that succulent Burgundian dish with a talented Chef while I bring over a bottle of this lovely Fleurie for the occasion.
-Patrick
β
β
β