Newsletter
July 15, 2020 – August 14, 2020
Heat Wave Whites
Heading into the hottest time of the year, we are offering delicious, crisp, dry whites for summer salads, lobster rolls and all kinds of al fresco dining.
A Catalan Butterfly
2018 IGP Côtes Catalanes ‘L’Effet Blanc’
(Marjorie & Stéphane Gallet)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
This dry white from Roussillon is deep, full-flavored French Catalan wine. Grenache Blanc (90%) is the base and provides its peach and apricot fruit, while Macabeu gives it a lively, crisp finish. This will be a fine match with a fish chowder and a spicy corn salad.
Chardonnay Charmes
2016 Bourgogne Blanc ‘Les Charmes’ (Thibault Liger-Belair)
Sale Price $21.99 – $224.30 case of twelve
It’s refreshing to come across a white Burgundy made in an older style— by which we mean a golden-hued Chardonnay with weight, character and strength. Thibault Liger-Belair is a fairly new Burgundy producer with old roots. Located in Nuits-Saint-Georges and with holdings in several Grand Crus, they also have vineyards in the Beaujolais, Chalonnaise and Mâconnais. By blending some wine from Montagny and some from the Mâcon they achieve a thrilling balance of freshness and density. Given its texture, we were surprised to learn that it was aged solely in stainless steel vats. Its bigness and friskiness make this a fine match with a spicy stir fry.
Vinhas Velhas Vinho Verde
2019 Old Vines Alvarinho Vinho Verde (Foral de Melgaço)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
Even though this is Vinho Verde, we hesitate to market it as such. For us it’s a full-flavored, old vine Alvarinho with intense aromas and no spritz. The Monção e Melgaço region is on the Minho River bordering Spain. This is Alvarinho/Albariño country. The 2019 Foral rivals anything we have tasted from Galicia, and like so many Portuguese wines it is great value. A superb match with crab.
Briords
2018 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine ‘Briords’ (La Pépière)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
Marc Ollivier has been making this old vine cuvée since 1988 and we have carried it every year since it was made available to us. The Briords vineyard is mostly comprised of vines between 50 and 70 years of age, planted on granitic soil with a clay topsoil. The grapes are harvested later and the resulting wine is richer than most Muscadet and has the capacity to age and improve for a decade or more. As we reported in the last newsletter, when we featured another Pépière Muscadet, Marc retired after the 2019 harvest. There are a larger number of fine wines coming from Pépière now, but for us this will always be the wine that sparked the Muscadet revolution at the Wine Cask.
Legends of the Folle
2018 Folle Blanche/Gros Plant de Nantes (Domaine de la Fruitière)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
The grape variety called Folle Blanche or Gros Plant is legendary because of its productivity. It was traditionally a main component of Cognac and Armagnac, as its tart acidity makes it suitable for distillation. But it is also capable of producing a crisp, light and zesty white wine. La Fruitière, a fine producer of Muscadet, makes a small quantity of Folle Blanche, and at a lean 11% alcohol it is a lively match with shellfish and spicy shredded cabbage salads. The 2018 is salty and refreshing with a slight spritz.
Assyrtiko
2018 Assyrtiko (Alexakis)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Assyrtiko might just be the hottest white grape right now. Its popularity began with the fantastic stony, minerally whites from the island of Santorini. Prices went up accordingly, so now we seek out Assyrtiko wines from other parts of Greece. Alexakis, a winery in Crete, makes this earthy and dry Assyrtiko. The 2018 is gorgeously weighted and full-flavored. Perfect for grilled swordfish or striped bass.
Listed prices are honored through August 14th, 2020. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 44, No. 8
Pays d’Hérault
2019 ‘Guilhem’ Rosé (Moulin de Gassac)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
This rosé from the Languedoc trades on its fresh melon fruit and its delightfully crisp and dry finish. This will be a fine match with a squid salad tossed with arugula.
Nuns and Pebbles
2019 Costières de Nîmes ‘Galets Rosés’ (Château Mourgues du Grès)
Sale Price $12.99 – $132.50 case of twelve
The Château Mourgues du Grès is a former Ursuline convent where the Mourgues (nuns) toiled amongst the Grès (pebbles) in the rocky vineyard. This area outside Nîmes is one of the sunniest places in France and the Galets Rosés is a thoroughly dependable, darker than average rosé. 50% Grenache, this cuvée also relies on Syrah to yield a peppery wine more akin to a light red. Terrific with a couscous.
Muga Rioja
2019 Rioja Rosado (Muga)
Sale Price $15.99 – $163.10 case of twelve
Muga is a Rioja producer of unimpeachable quality. Their reds tend to be pricy because they begin at the Reserva level and only go up. They then offer pleasing value in their white and rosado, which undergo a traditional barrel fermentation. The rosado is a deep, food-friendly rosé with plum fruit and a lean, crisp, minerally finish. Great with grilled salmon and a summer tomato basil salad.
Tavel (no need to add Rosé)
2019 Tavel (Château de Trinquevedel)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
Tavel was established as a rosé only appellation in 1936, and it hasn’t changed much since. It has not been surpassed by the many newly minted rosés that surround it, nor have the prices skyrocketed. The 2019 Trinquevedel is a rich and complete rosé with deep color and gorgeous stony fruit. Have this with grilled slices of leg of lamb and a pile of spiced eggplant.
Historic Spätlese
2018 Niersteiner Hipping Riesling Spätlese (Schneider)
Sale Price $15.99 – $163.10 case of twelve
The wine world may have gone gaga over dry Riesling, but there is still appreciable demand for a classic off-dry Spätlese. And Schneider has nailed it in 2018. This is ripe and fruity, yet crisp and lively. Its balance of slight sweetness and zesty acidity makes it an historic Riesling that will never go out of style.
Summer in the Savoie
2018 Savoie Rouge (Maison Philippe Viallet)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 of twelve
Here’s a red wine that is near perfect for summer. This chillable, low alcohol blend of Gamay and Mondeuse has pleasing blueberry and raspberry fruit, and cool, dry, grippy tannins. Have this with an al fresco cheese and charcuterie board or just burgers off the grill.
Pelaverga
2019 Verduno Pelaverga (Ascheri)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
The Piedmont village of Verduno is responsible for the resurrection of the Pelaverga grape variety. We’re glad, because this spicy purple variety has a place at our table. It is light in weight but persistent in flavor. Ascheri’s version sells out every year so this year we made certain to grab all we could get. Give the 2019 a quick chill and serve it with grilled vegetables and risotto all summer long.
Willamette Pinot Noir
2018 Pinot Noir (Cooper Hill)
Sale Price $15.99 – $163.10 case of twelve
Our American Pinot Noir section is dominated by Oregon. To us the wines from Oregon are better balanced and are much better value. This month we have Cooper Hill’s organic entry level 2018. This has fine cherry fruit, a hint of peppery spice and a ripe, round finish. A great match with a grilled chicken along with spicy cauliflower.
Wine Cask Discount Policy
These are our EVERYDAY discounts:
15% off of a whole case.
10% off of a mixed case.
Wines of the Month (four on last page), sparkling and fortified wines (Port, Sherry and Vermouth) receive a maximum 10% discount.
Above discounts apply to all wines in the store except 1.5L and 3L sizes, and are reflected in the case prices listed in the newsletter.
Specialty Foods
“You Can’t Handle the Truf!”
Or can you? Come on in to find out.
All of our truffle cheese is on sale while supplies last.
They are all delicious and from Italy.
Truf Alta Langa $18.99 per lb
(Regular Price $21.99)
This pasteurized goat, sheep and cow blend is soft and creamy with a mild truffle flavor. Great on baguette slices.
Moliterno Al Tartufo $26.99 per lb
(Regular price $28.99)
Made from pasteurized sheep milk, this aromatic semi-soft cheese is a customer favorite. Rich truffle veins throughout the paste add to the velvety texture and sharp, earthy flavor.
Pecorino Al Tartufo $16.99 per lb
(Regular price $18.99)
A potent hard cheese created from raw sheep milk. It is fantastic grated on a simple pasta dish or popcorn if you’re feeling adventurous.
Wines of the Month — July 15, 2020 through August 14, 2020
2018 Touraine Sauvignon ‘Les Mazelles’ (Guy Allion)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
This Loire Valley Sauvignon has crisp citrus fruit, nice texture and a cool dry finish. Perfect for summer seafood.
2019 Pinot Grigio (Gorgo)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
Gorgo keeps churning out great value organic wines. Their fresh 2019 Pinot Grigio really captures the fruit and zesty nature of the grape. Nice for all kinds of beans and risotto.
2018 Bordeaux Rouge (Château les Grandes Versennes)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
Grandes Versennes is a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The 2018 has blackberry fruit and is quite dry. Great with grilled skewers.
2019 Pays d’Oc Rosé (Terre des Olivettes)
Sale Price $7.99 – $86.29 case of twelve
Terre des Olivettes is a delicate, pale, dry rosé with crisp peach and melon fruit with a touch of thyme and lavender. Try with cold noodle dishes and spicy eggplant.