Thursday July 22, 2020
.. brainstorming ideas for another weekend in quarantine.
This week: The dog days of summer are upon us. We're taking a mental vacation to Provence, dreaming of pissaladiere along the sea with a nice glass of rosé, thanks to some notes of the place from Mary. As long we're going nowhere.. we might as well dream big. See below for some of our fav Provence wines.

We're still filled with dread at the prospect of the tariffs on European wine. The 25% tariffs on wine are bad enough. It is about to possibly get much, much worse. This is your reminder to please write or call somebody - keep European wine affordable. Keep many importers, distributors, and stores in business. Help the industry keep people employed. COVID has been bad enough for this year. Let's try not to make it worse. The Public Input Period ends THIS SUNDAY - find more information here.

For our weekly COVID talk... A polite reminder to MASK UP if you're coming into the store. It is required by city mandate since May 26. "I forgot" is not a good excuse. It isn't about you, it is about the people all around you. Keep everyone safe. Help keep this store open and tending to your beverage needs. Curbside and delivery orders are still encouraged.

Cheers,
The Team at NL
In A Provencal State of Mind
(Since we can't go this year, this will have to do)
Blame it on the rosé. This week's vacation inspiration brought us to the South of France. It is almost impossible to think of Provence without thinking of rosé - this is the place that made rosé famous. Domaine Tempier's Bandol Rosé is the stuff of legends and what our summertime dreams are made of. Unsurprisingly, France bottles more rosé than any other country in the world.

Some of my favorite rosé comes from Southern France. The environment here is perfect for growing Grenache. Grenache loves the mediterranean climate. It needs sunshine and breezes for optimum growing potential. Grenache is (usually) the main grape here. But, rosé from Provence is more typically a blend than not, so grenache gets a little help from its friends Cinsaut, Carignan, Rolle, and Tibouren. A few of our favorites...

Figuiere, Le Saint Andre, IGP Mediterranée - $16.99
From vineyards just a few hundred meters from the sea, this is a true coastal rosé. Peach, orange peel and a refreshing saltiness (think, ocean breeze) makes this the perfect picnic wine. Enjoy with crudo or a fresh, simple garden salad dressed in olive oil.

2019 Commanderie de la Bargemone, Rose, Coteaux d'Aix-en Provence. $21.99
This is a benchmark producer in Aix and has been a mainstay on our shelf for years. A higher proportion of cabernet sauvignon in the blend lends lovely structure balanced by that brightness and freshness that can only be Provence.

Chateau L'Ermitage, Auzan, Costieres de Nimes - $13.99
Ok ok, so Nimes is actually now part of the Rhone and previously belonged to the Languedoc. Technicalities. The setting here is still Provencal and this is a killer rosé for the price. Red berries, orange zest and a bit more spice than some of its paler brethren. Excellent with some saucisson and a bowl of marinated olives.

Domaine de Terrebrune, Bandol Rosé - $39.99
It is hard to talk Provence without thinking of Bandol. A tiny area along the coast, about 20 minutes from Marseille and home to some truly singular rosé and some seriously long lived reds (a discussion for another day). Made from a larger proportion of mourvèdre with some help from grenache and cinsault, this one stands out in the crowd for its depth of character. Drink with fresh grilled sardines marinated in olive oil and fennel - or, if you're feeling ambitious, bouillabaisse.

Now, grab a bottle of something crisp and Provencal, some olives and saucisson - then pour and enjoy. Cheers!
SOMM SURVIVAL KITS: Brought to You by Twin Cities Wine Education

A little PSA: if you don't know, Jason Kallsen of Twin Cities Wine Education is putting together some *amazing* Somm Survival Kits. Basically, a well curated selection of wines from a particular place or theme - that come with detailed tasting notes and an educational video telling ya all about what you are tasting. Wine tastes better when you know all about it, right?

This is really a shameless plug to commend the hard work of our friend Jason, who many of you know from our basement class events. Since the pandemic, Jason and Angela have worked tirelessly to find new ways to delivery wine education, offering slightly buzzed enlightenment to all. This week's new kits? Rhoning Around the World and Southwestern France. For the kits explained, see here and for his current offerings, see here. Purchase on his site, pickup here at the shop (or call for delivery).
STAFF PICKS
Things our staff "taste tested" this week. Tough job, but someone's gotta do it.

2016 Robert Denogent, 'Les Sardines', Macon-Villages - $32.99
If you've spent much time in the shop, you've probably realized we're Chardonnay freaks. Granted, overzealous California producers in the 80's and 90's produced legions of ABC (anything but Chardonnay) drinkers. We lost a whole generation of potential Chardonnay fans, however, those in the know know that this seemingly humble grape can yield incredible depth, richness and the heights of sophistication. Starting in 1988, Robert Denogent began producing such wines in the formerly overlooked and overcropped area of Pouilly Fuisse creating wines of distinction and ageability. He's recently added this charming expression of Macon Village that's bright, fresh and slightly saline. The vine age here is 40 years. A judicious amount of oak is used leaving the wine highly satisfying and, dare I say, refreshing. Bring on the future of chard love.
-Dave M.

Bernard & Marjorie Rondeau, Methode Ancestrale, Bugey-Cerdon - France - $21.99
This is a Frenchman's answer to a wine cooler but more refined and, definitely, more sophisticated.Coming from the beautiful southern Jura Mountain region of Bugey, this French sparkler is made from Gamay and Poulard in the very old "Methode Ancestrale" (Pet Nat, to you and I in the states.) style of single fermentation. The result is a lighter style of bubbles. And, with only 8% alcohol, it is sweeter but delicately so, with creamy strawberry and raspberry notes held together by a dash of lemon zest.It is a perfect match with a bright, refreshing summer berry and fruit salad!
-Patrick

2019 Whispering Angel, Rosé, Cotes de Provence - $33.99
Some of my favorite rose' comes from Southern France. The environment here is perfect for growing Grenache. Grenache loves the mediterranean climate. It needs sunshine and breezes for optimum growing potential. Rose' made from grenache will typically exhibit notes of ripe strawberry, orange, hibiscus and a hint of spice. This lovely summer sipper shows notes of just ripe orchard fruit and blood orange. Medium-plus in body, dry in style. Classic Provence.
-Mary K.
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