Newsletter

April 18, 2024 – May 14, 2024

Ready for Rosé?

Whether the weather thinks it’s rosé season or not, here we go! This month we have the latest arrivals from six perennial favorites.

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The Color of Chiaretto
Gorgo Chiaretto di Bardolino2023 Chiaretto di Bardolino (Gorgo)
Sale Price $11.99 – $122.30 case of twelve
Chiaretto is a wildly successful pale and dry rosé produced on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. Gorgo’s version is peach-scented and lively with a subtle leafy tea flavor. Serve with a plate of favas and asparagus.

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Viallet Savoie Rosé

Wild Strawberries
2023 Savoie Rosé (Viallet)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
From the foothills of the French Alps, Viallet’s rosé of Gamay smells amazingly of strawberries. An excellent match with broiled arctic char and fingerling potatoes.

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Domaine Houchart Côtes de Provence Rosé

Houchart Tops the Chart
2023 Côtes de Provence Rosé
(Domaine Houchart)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Houchart always delivers a classic
Provençal rosé. The 2023 edition has subtle berry fruit to go with its firm, dry finish. A fine match for poached salmon with peas.

Ventoux
Domaine de Fondrèche Ventoux Rosé2023 Ventoux Rosé (Domaine de Fondrèche)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
Fondrèche’s organic vineyards are located at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Their 2023 rosé is lightly colored but long and subtle with berry fruit and a delicious minerally finish, and will be great served alongside a fish stew.

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Galets Rosés
2023 Costières de Nîmes Rosé ‘Galets Rosés’ (Château Mourgues du Grès)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
Château Mourgues du Grès Costières de Nîmes Rosé Galets RosésMourgues 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.

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Château Sainte-Croix Côtes de Provence Rosé

Sainte-Croix
2023 Côtes de Provence Rosé (Château Sainte-Croix)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
Sainte-Croix’ 2023 Provence rosé is lean, crisp, and minerally. Perfect for grilled swordfish, green beans, and aioli.

 

Listed prices are honored through May 14th, 2024. We will not honor mistyped prices. Vol. 48, No. 5

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Catalan Style Vermouth
Vermouth Extra Dry (Timbal)
Vermouth Sweet Red (Timbal)
Sale Price $13.99 per 500ml
Timbal Vermouth Extra DryJust 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.

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Haut-Médoc
2015 Haut-Médoc (Château Sénéjac)
Sale Price $27.99 – $285.50 case of twelve
Château Sénéjac Haut-MédocIt’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.

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Pato Vinhas Velhas
2022 Bairrada Branco (Luis Pato)
Sale Price $19.99 – $203.90 case of twelve
Luis Pato Bairrada BrancoWhile 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 in a New Light
Marsala Fine Ambra Secco (Ostinato)
Marsala Fine Ambra Dolce (Ostinato)
Sale Price $11.99 per 500ml
Ostinato Marsala Fine Ambra SeccoMarsala 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.

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Glendalough Irish Gin

Wild Foraged Irish Gin
Irish Gin (Glendalough)
Sale Price $29.99 per 750ml
Glendalough Gin is made with wild herbs, roots, and berries foraged in the Wicklow Mountains south of Dublin. The gin is finished in small batches with the botanicals added fresh to the base spirit. Give this a try with your next Martini or Negroni along with our new Catalan Vermouths.

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Bierzo
2022 Bierzo (Merayo)
Sale Price $13.99 – $142.70 case of twelve
Merayo BierzoThe 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.

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A Slice of Solitude
2022 Côtes du Rhône (Domaine de la Solitude)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Domaine de la Solitude Côtes du RhôneThe 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.

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Follow the Liter
Vino Bianco (Sfera)
Sale Price $21.99 per Liter – $224.30 case of twelve
Sfera Vino BiancoSfera 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.

Galets of Gold
2022 Costières de Nîmes ‘Galets Dorés’ (Mourgues du Grès)
Sale Price $14.99 – $152.90 case of twelve
Mourgues du Grès Costières de Nîmes Galets DorésOne 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.


Specialty Foods

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An Expression of Versatility: The Case for Table Cheese

The phrase “table cheese” can be somewhat vague, and may even come with a slight whiff of condescension, especially when used in contrast with artisan-produced specialty cheeses. While it’s true that table cheeses may not necessarily steal the show, they are extremely versatile and pair with a wide variety of beverages and accoutrements. Most importantly for us, a solid table cheese should also come at a price that reflects its casual nature.

Kefalograviera PDO (Epirus, Greece)
Everyday Price $18 per lb.

Kefalograviera PDO cheese from Epirus, GreeceThis semi-firm sheep’s milk cheese from Greece is fruity and mild. It’s very versatile and can be compared to Italian Pecorino. Serve with a drizzle of honey and a glass of orange wine or up the ante and grill it to make a classic Greek saganaki.

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Prairie Breeze Cheddar cheese – Milton Creamery from Milton, IowaPrairie Breeze Cheddar – Milton Creamery
(Milton, Iowa)
Sale Price $18 per lb. (Regular Price $20 per lb.)

Prairie Breeze cheddar has been one of our top “desert island” picks and a fixture in our cheese fridge for at least 10 years. Its creamy and fruity paste is richly studded with crunchy tyrosine crystals and has a jaw-tingling, sharp finish that will keep you craving more.

Gallus Grand Cru – Hardegger
(St. Gallen, Switzerland)
Everyday Price $18 per lb.

Gallus Grand Cru cheese – Hardegger, from Sankt Gallen, SwitzerlandGallus is a robust and brothy alpine cheese typical of the eastern Swiss style. Named for the famous cheese-producing canton of St. Gallen, this semi-firm cheese is perfect for a casual snack alongside some pickles and a dark German Ale. If you’re like us and a year-round fondue fan, this will surely make a nice addition to the mix.

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Stokâlde Fryske cheese – De Fryske Co-op from Friesland, The NetherlandsStokâlde Fryske – De Fryske Co-op
(Friesland, The Netherlands)
Sale Price $18 per lb. (Regular Price $24 per lb.)

This wonderful aged Gouda checks all the boxes for us! A sweet butterscotch flavor, a firm-yet-creamy texture, and ample crunchy tyrosine crystals make this a great pick at a great price. Aged for 2 years, this cheese has balanced complexity and is perfect for casual snacking.


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Wines of the Month — April 18, 2024 through May 14, 2024

Château Haut-Bicou Bordeaux Rouge

2020 Bordeaux Rouge (Château Haut-Bicou)
Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
Made mostly from organically grown Merlot, the 2020 Haut-Bicou is a smooth, rich, and dry Bordeaux. Excellent with a grilled rib eye.

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Le Petit Balthazar Pays d’Oc Rosé

2023 Pays d’Oc Rosé (Le Petit Balthazar)
Sale Price $8.99 – $97.09 case of twelve
This 2023 Cinsault rosé is incredibly fresh and light. Great with asparagus.

Gorgo Pinot Grigio

2023 Pinot Grigio (Gorgo)
Sale Price $11.99 – $129.49 case of twelve
The organically grown Gorgo Pinot Grigio is back. The 2023 is a full-flavored and fruity white that is perfect for risotto.

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Domaine Sauger Cheverny Blanc

2020 Cheverny Blanc (Domaine Sauger) Sale Price $9.99 – $107.89 case of twelve
A sunny vintage in the Loire Valley yields full-bodied and rich wines. The 2020 Cheverny from Domaine Sauger is an aromatic blend of Sauvignon Blanc (80%) and Chardonnay. Great with any and all seafood.

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