The Pink and the Blue Danube
We all know of the great white wines produced in Austria, but the reds have shown incredible improvement. Interesting grapes like Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch are leading the way.
2022 Rosé (Landhaus Mayer)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Landhaus Mayer is a leading Viennese wine maker, but the grapes for their delicious Zweigelt rosé come from lower Austria. The fresh strawberry aromas and crisp dryness make this delicious for a cool dinner of salad, cheese, and charcuterie.

2019 Burgenland ‘zb*’ (Gesellmann)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
The Burgenland in eastern Austria has a fine climate for red grapes. Gesellmann’s zb* is a deep, dark blend of Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, and Pinot Noir. Herbs, cherries, and plums dominate the palate alongside a gently tannic finish. A fine red for BBQ and grilled meats.

2021 Blaufränkisch ‘Heideboden’ (Paul Achs)
Sale Price $24.99 – $254.90 case of twelve
Paul Achs’ Blaufränkisch reminds us of French red Burgundy. The Heideboden is charming with its splendid raspberry aromas and earthy forest floor flavors. It’s also organic, biodynamic, and vegan friendly. Give it a slight chill and it will match well with a poached salmon and potato salad.

God of Fire and Red Sauce
2021 Vino Rosso ‘Sabbia Vulcanica’ (Agnanum)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
The Agnanum winery in western Naples is nestled inside a volcanic crater. There are several other craters in the area; one of these, the Solfatara, is the mythological home to Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. Which is something the Napa Valley cannot claim. The old Piedirosso vines at Agnanum grow in sabbia vulcanica (volcanic sand). Though usually blended with Aglianico, Piedirosso can stand on its own as a ready to drink varietal. This 2021 is soft and fragrant with bright plummy fruit and an earthy, dry finish. Have this with peak of summer tomatoes and pasta.

Sangiovese Classico Organico
2019 Chianti Classico (Ormanni)
Sale Price $17.99 – $183.50 case of twelve
The Ormanni estate has been in existence since the 13th century. The Brini family has been holding down the fort since 1818. Today they are producers of excellent organic Chianti Classico made purely from Sangiovese. The 2019 is a ripe cherry-fruited delight with crisp tannins and a long bright finish. An excellent match with summer’s bounty of tomatoes and zucchini.

Châteauneuf-du-Lirac
2020 Lirac ‘Charles Ier’ (Usseglio)
Sale Price $27.99 – $285.50 case of twelve
For a long time Châteauneuf-du-Pape was our favorite Southern Rhône red. Then it became too expensive and, frankly, too heavy. We began to look to other appellations to replace it, and have found that Cairanne and Lirac do the job well. Usseglio continues to make excellent age-worthy Châteauneuf, but it is their Charles Ier Lirac that we want to drink. The 2020, made from organic old vine Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, is deep and dark but retains fresh fruit and herbal flavors. Perfect with grilled lamb chops.

Specialty Foods

Maxorata PDO — $22.99 per lb
Queso Majorero – Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
Spain’s Canary Islands are an archipelago located off the coast of northwestern Africa. Maxorata PDO is produced from the milk of the Majorero breed of goats which are unique to these volcanic islands. The cheese is creamy and tangy with a lightly grassy flavor. With its mild flavor and well-balanced acidity, this versatile and easy-eating cheese is perfect for snacking solo or entertaining.

Ameribella — $29.99 per lb
Jacobs and Brichford – Connersville, IN
Ameribella is a raw-milk, washed-rind cheese inspired by cheeses of northern Italy (such as Taleggio) and which features a striking golden and buttery paste. The incredible color and zesty, complex flavors are the result of the grasses and wildflowers on which their single herd of cows graze. This is the first batch of the 2023 milking season!

L’Etivaz AOP Alpage, aged 12 months — $24.99 per lb   (Regular Price $29.99)
Gourmino Cooperative – Switzerland
In 1932 a small group of Gruyère makers broke off from the herd. Disaffected by modernization efforts pushed by ‘Big Gruyère’ these cheesemakers doubled down on traditional production methods. Each batch of fresh summer milk is hand-stirred in copper kettles over a wood fire before being pressed and aged at an altitude of over 2000 meters. Sure, Gruyère is great, but L’Etivaz is for lovers.

Foxglove (8 oz piece) — $14.99 each
Tulip Tree – Indianapolis, IN
Hailing from Indianapolis, Tulip Tree Creamery has been making delicious and award-winning cheeses since 2014. Foxglove is a beer-washed soft cheese. The delightfully funky (and pungent!) exterior combined with the rich double cream body provides a beautiful bite for the slightly more adventurous cheese enthusiast.