Staff Picks - What to Drink This Week
Try these special, staff-selected libations!
2022 Borell Diehl Saint Laurent Rose - $21.99
My favorite Liter bottle rose is back for 2022 and it's just in time for the (slightly) warmer weather. Borell-Diehl is a husband and wife duo that combined their families' wineries in Pfalz, Germany. Their son recently took over the family biz, stopped using chemicals in the vineyards and converted to organic farming practices. This is some real bang for your buck juice! Saint Laurent is a dark-skinned Austrian grape used mostly in red wine production but when made into a rose it throws a lot of color and looks dark pink in the glass, but don't be fooled by the color. Fresh and lively with flavors of strawberries, raspberries, citrus and crispy acidity with a dry finish- your new, go-to "house rose"!
-Angie
2018 Tikal 'Patriota' Malbec-Bonarda, La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Mendoza - $23.99
Affectionately called The Wine Poet, Ernesto Catena has a passion for caressing grapes from his family's organic vineyards into expressions of drinkable poetry of a native place and history. You needn't raise an eyebrow over such high minded flights of hyperbole, because
his results are truly delicious. In addition to the mission and passion he puts into his own
Tikal label, Catena has wine in his blood. His family is often considered the first family of
wine in Argentina and his sister, Laura, is currently leading the family's flagship Catena label with their father. Along side winemaker, Luis Reginato, Ernesto practices organic
and holistic earth friendly Biodynamic viniculture with all his wines at Tikal. This 2018
Patriota is a blend consisting of 60% Bonarda and 40% Malbec from cool climate
vineyards in Mendoza's Uco Valley with average vine ages of 76 years. Aromas of
lavender, blackberry, and dried herbs lead to flavors of cherry and mocha touched with
baking spices. Dusty fine tannins and lifted acidity offer a long and satisfying finish. Enjoy
this with smoked meats or seared rib-eye steak.
-Patrick
2020 Caruso & Minini Perricone Naturalmente - $26.99
The Curuso family has been making wine since the 1800s in northeastern Sicily near the town of Marsala vinifying, you guessed it, the fortified dessert wine Marsala. In 2004 Stefano Caruso with the help of Lombardy producer Mario Minini modernized the winery by planting indigenous varietals and practicing organic and biodynamic viticulture. One of the indigenous red varietals that they produce is Perricone. Their base bottling Perricone shows aromas of black cherry fruit and violet and the medium bodied palate explodes with raspberry fruit and mineral with soft tannin. This wine is delicious on its own and would be excellent with a slight chill. This wine would pair well with lamb arancini or a Sicilian style grilled tuna steak.
-Rob
2020 Ridge 'Three Valleys' Sonoma County - $39.99
Way back in my wine loving infancy (when dinosaurs roamed the Earth) we had a saying that went roughly like this: "when in doubt, choose one of the 4 "R's". Well lots of time has elapsed and only one of the "R's" is still viable, and thank goodness it is, because Ridge Vineyards is a vinous gem - and one that you should not overlook. Since 1962, Ridge and visionary in chief, Paul Draper has created wines of all colors and stripes. All of the highest quality and most, extremely age-worthy. From their legendary Monte Bello Cabernet, to the Geyserville and Lytton Springs reds, Ridge wines are immediately and with good reason recognized the world over. Their Three Valleys Sonoma County is one percentage point (75% is minimum threshold to carry varietal name) from being called a Zinfandel but with the inclusion of Petite Sirah, Carignane and some Alicante Bouschet (a red grape INSIDE and out) we find ourselves with a red blend of the highest order. Long practitioners of minimal intervention, this wine uses native yeasts, hand harvested grapes and very small amounts of SO2. The wine is rich but not "over the top" with the alcohol in line with the acids and the ample black fruits. A pleasant spiciness with a long, melodic finish. The wine begs for BBQ fare or hard cheeses. Do not miss Ridge wines and their over 60 year track record of excellence!
-Bill
Bell's Oberon - $12.99
IT'S BACK! Arguably the brewing industry's poster child for summer, Bell's Oberon is a
citrus wheat ale that might possibly be more refreshing than water. A hint of citrus and a
touch of hoppiness offset the banana/clove notes often present in wheat beers,
resulting in a brew that is pleasantly light without skimping on flavor. While best enjoyed on
a hot summer day, Oberon is still a killer beer even as Minnesotans are still waiting for
spring. This is my absolute favorite beer of all time. If you've never tried it, do yourself a
favor and grab a 6-pack today.
-Nick N
