Newsletter
April 18, 2024 – May 14, 2024
The Color of Chiaretto
2023 Chiaretto di Bardolino (Gorgo)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Wild Strawberries
2023 Savoie Rosé (Viallet)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
Houchart Tops the Chart
2023 Côtes de Provence Rosé
(Domaine Houchart)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Ventoux
2023 Ventoux Rosé (Domaine de Fondrèche)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
Galets Rosés
2023 Costières de Nîmes Rosé ‘Galets Rosés’ (Château Mourgues du Grès)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
Mourgues du Grès’ vineyards are in the sun-soaked Gard region to the west of the Rhône river. Their Galets Rosés cuvée is a darkly colored, full-flavored rosé that is perfect for a healthy platter of couscous, harissa, and grilled fare.
Sainte-Croix
2023 Côtes de Provence Rosé (Château Sainte-Croix)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
Listed prices are honored through May 14th, 2024. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 48, No. 5
Just a decade ago the vermouth market was dominated by a few enormous brands. Today artisan vermouths from all over have been resurrected and improved, and the cocktail-loving world is paying attention. In Catalan Spain, the village of Reus has long been a center of vermouth production. The newly re-launched Timbal captures the golden age of Catalan Vermouth. Their Extra Dry is truly dry, with savory Mediterranean herbs and a salty, briny finish. Fantastic in a Martini and excellent chilled on its own with a slice of lemon. The Timbal Sweet Red is well balanced with light spicy notes and moderate sweetness. It makes a terrific Negroni and is also fine as a tall drink with seltzer and a slice of orange. 
It’s easy to say that Bordeaux prices are outrageous, but if you take a step back there is a category of wines called Cru Bourgeois that offer age-worthiness and value. Excellent producers like Sénéjac have ample supply to release wines of different ages into the marketplace. Our current favorite is their 2015. It is a beautifully balanced Cabernet Sauvignon-based red with blackberry fruit and an earthy, graphite-like minerality. Great with lamb chops and blue cheeses. 
While Vinho Verde tends to dominate perceptions of Portuguese white wine, nearby DOCs of Dão and Barraida produce quality whites of their own. Barraida, located on the Atlantic coast south of Porto, is home to the talented Pato clan, who are often credited with establishing its modern reputation. Luis Pato’s Vinhas Velhas Branco blends Portuguese varieties Bical, Cercial, and Sercialinho into an intensely minerally and deep dry white with flavors of apple, citrus, herbs, and almonds. We recommended checking out our new tinned fish selection and grabbing a tin or two and a baguette for a simple and satisfying dinner. 
Marsala is both Sicily’s most famous wine and its most maligned. For a time it was considered the equal of other fortified wines like Port, Sherry, and Madeira, but it lost its quality slice of the market when it became known only as a cooking wine. Now we have a quality producer that is wonderful to drink as well as something that is not too expensive to use in the kitchen. They start with organically grown late-harvested grapes that age and reduce in a Sherry-like solera system. With minimal fortification the finished wines are delicate and balanced. The Secco would be excellent with a tapas-like spread of prosciutto, tinned fish, and olives, but will also contribute to a fine chicken, veal, and mushroom Marsala. The Dolce is a delightful match with ripe melon and gorgonzola, or it can be included in a recipe for tiramisu or zabaglione. An opened bottle of either will last six months. 
The category of chillable red is one we have championed for years now. Merayo’s Bierzo is a Spanish red that blossoms with a slight chill. Unoaked wines made from the Mencía grape bear a resemblance to Loire Valley Cabernet Francs with their freshness and ripe tannins. Try this bargain 2022 with a roast chicken or a grilled salmon. 
The Solitude has returned. This 2022 Côtes du Rhône returns to the quality and value that we appreciated in the 2020 vintage. Its ripe, plummy fruit along with herbs and olives make this a great match with everyday fare like burgers and burritos. 
Sfera is a project from an Italo-centric importer to find and market organic value-oriented wines from all over Italy and release them in Liter bottles. We like the concept and especially like this Bianco which comes from the terrific Friuli producer I Clivi. Made from Ribolla Gialla, it’s bone dry, lean, and crisp with apricot fruit and striking minerality. Have this delightful wine with an oven-roasted branzino stuffed with fennel. 
One of our favorite rosé producers also makes lovely reds and whites. The 2022 Galets Dorés from Mourgues du Grès is an ambrosial white blend of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Marsanne, and Viognier. It’s a full-bodied, low-acid white that will stand up to a garlic-laced seafood stew and a gratin of artichokes. 
