Verona-Venice
2015 Pinot Grigio (Gorgo)
Sale Price $9.99 – $101.90 case of twelve
There really is not much new to say about Pinot Grigio, but because of steady demand we are always looking for a better Pinot Grigio at a more attractive price. Grown in the glacial marl on the southern shore of Lake Garda, the 2015 from Gorgo exceeds expectations with its ripe fruit profile and juicy dry finish.

Bologna
2015 Pignoletto ‘Curèna’ (Trerè)
Sale Price $9.99 – $101.90 case of twelve
In Bologna there are several must-try food and wine combinations. One is a frizzante Pignoletto served with a generous amount of the celebrated cured meats from Emilia-Romagna. The crisp, fizzy Curèna from Trerè is excellent with prosciutto and mortadella. Or one could add a few drops of an Amaro to make a fun spritz.

Ancona
2015 Andrea Felici Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore (Andrea Felici)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Grapes from Andrea Felici’s Verdicchio vineyards in the hills of the Jesi region of Le Marche possess powerful aromatic green plum and herbal qualities along with salty minerals. Fresh and lively throughout, this 2015 is perfect for a whole roasted Branzino with blistered cherry tomatoes. This is a truly impressive Verdicchio.

Rimini
2015 Bianchello del Metauro (Crespaia)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Here we have something entirely new to our store. Bianchello del Metauro is a denominazione in the northern Marche. Crespaia’s label states that they are ‘suspended between earth and sea,’ but we would aim for the beach at Rimini to enjoy this very dry white with a pasta sauced with fish and clams. Crisp, fresh, and concentrated herb and citrus flavors plus a pleasingly bitter finish make Bianchello our new favorite Italian white.

Orvieto-Perugia
2015 Orvieto Classico Superiore ‘Terre Vineate’ (Palazzone)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve

2013 Orvieto Classico Superiore ‘Campo del Guardiano’
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve

The wines of Palazzone are among the best whites of Umbria. In a side-by-side tasting we experienced the ripe and fresh 2015 Terre Vineate and the deep and powerful 2013 Campo del Guardino. Terre Vineate is perfect for the fresh vegetables of late summer, while the older, richer Campo del Guardino is a wine to have with grilled swordfish and an artichoke and bean salad. Both of these are a field blend of five white indigenous grapes of Umbria.

Le Petit Chambord
2015 Cheverny (Le Petit Chambord/Francois Cazin)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 of twelve
We’ll drink any vintage of Francois Cazin’s Cheverny, but hereby proclaim that the last two have been exceptional. This Loire Valley blend of mostly Sauvignon Blanc and (gasp!) Chardonnay is crisp and lively, with orange peel aromas and flinty minerals. Have this superb dry white with broiled salmon sprinkled with chives.

Umbria Rosso
2015 Umbria Rosso (Perticaia)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Once again Perticaia delivers a great value entry-level wine from Umbria. The 2015 is its usual blend of Sangiovese, Colorino, and Merlot, but the warm, dry 2015 vintage gave it an extra dose of concentration. This wonderful, versatile red will be great with all kinds of late summer dishes packed with farmers’ market vegetables tossed into pasta.

St. Vinnie
2015 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine ‘St. Vincent’ (Delhommeau)
Sale Price $9.99 – $101.90 case of twelve
After the Domaine de la Pépière our best-selling Muscadet is from Delhommeau. Their organic, crisp, minerally, dry St. Vincent cuvée is a favorite for lovers of fish and shellfish. At times we have been in mock battle for inventory of this Muscadet with some of the popular oyster joints across the river in Bahston, but this year we have a good supply of this very good vintage.

Cab Franc
2015 Chinon ‘Les Granges’ (Bernard Baudry)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50case of twelve
Les Granges may be Baudry’s entry into their fabulous portfolio of Chinon, but what a Cabernet Franc gateway it is. The 2015 is fully ripe, with elegant tannins, dark spicy fruit, and a charming finish. It’s hard to believe that this plummy, mouth-filling red weighs in with only 12% alcohol. As we have said before, Cabernet Franc is a terrific red for fish and equally good with beef and lamb.

Specialty Foods

Quicke’s Mature Clothbound Cheddar
$18.99 per lb.
(Regular price $20.99)
From a 14th generation dairy farm in Devon England, here’s a handcrafted cloth-bound cheddar with a party trick! Aged for 12 to 15 months, complex and creamy. As you approach the rind there is an unexpected flavor. Come in for a taste to find out what it is!

Barely Buzzed
$19.99 per lb.
(Regular price $22.99)
This unique espresso and lavender hand-rubbed cheese made with Jersey cow’s milk is full bodied and smooth with a creamy texture. Produced by the  Beehive Cheese Company in Northern Utah.

Zamorano $16.99 per lb.
(Regular price $18.99)
Akin to Manchego, but a little drier and more nutty, La Fariza Zamorano DO is made by the Santos de Pedro family with sheep’s milk from their herd of 500 churro sheep, who roam the protected Parque Natural Arribes del Duero in western Castilla y Leon.

Nettle Meadow Kunik Minis $7.99 a piece.
(Regular price $9.99)
This white mold-ripened goat’s and Jersey cow’s milk triple cream is now available in a smaller 4 oz. format. Made at Nettle Meadow Farm in Thurman, New York, it’s a perfect union of the richness of triple cream and the tanginess of goat’s milk.