Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should consider trying!
2021 Mas de Valeriole Ve Rose IGP Mediterranee - $19.99
Mas de Valeriole is located in the Camargue Regional Nature Park in Provence, France and has been farmed organically for three generations and became certified in 2006. This Provence rosé is a delightful blend of Caladoc (a crossing of Grenache and Malbec), Merlot, and Marselan (a crossing of Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon). Dry and zippy with flavors of raspberries and white plum, and refreshing acidity, it's a perfect sipper on a breezy spring evening, and an easy companion for cheeses, cured meats, pesto pasta, or even egg dishes such as quiche or omelettes- brunch rose, anyone?
Fun fact: “Vé” is a local Provençal expression meaning “Look at that!”. I hope you'll take a look at - and a taste - of Vé!
-Angie
2020 Champalou Vouvray - $31.99
Chenin Blanc runs the gamut stylistically — from lean & aromatic acid bombs to the rich dessert wines of Quarts De Chaume. The 2020 Champalou Vouvray is a rounder, riper wine than its 2019 predecessor, with a weight and slight perceivable sweetness that makes it a perfect sidekick to chili spice (go ahead and order that Thai food extra hot). Honey dipped flowers with stone fruits and fresh ginger spice will illuminate your taste buds like a golden sunshining day. Grown sustainably in clay/limestone soils, this Chenin also presents iconic Loire Valley minerality. If you need to pull a cork on something undeniably delicious, grab yourself a bottle of Champalou!
-Katrina
2020 Venica Friulano - $33.99
This gorgeous expression of Friulano hails from Collio in Northeastern Italy near the Slovenian border. As one of the most well respected producers in the region, the Venica family makes highly textural white wines with very little use of wood, which is traditional to the region. This wine shows aromatics of honeyed apple and almond with a palate demonstrating a rich texture, pear and apple fruit balanced with terrific acidity. Try this wine with grilled sausages or challenging vegetable pairings, like brussel sprouts and asparagus.
-Rob
2019 Tascante 'Ghiaia Nera' Etna Rosso DOC - $24.99
Part of the noble Italian Tasca family's small portfolio of terroir driven wines, this is a youthful expression of the beautiful Nerello Mascalese grape. Often compared in expression to Pinot Noir, Nerello Mascalese is grown only on the slopes Mt. Etna. All the elements, here, come together for this grape to flourish. The southern European latitude means intense ripening sun, the high elevation of the vineyards up the slopes of Etna means cool nights so the grapes can rest and retain bright acidity, and the rich volcanic soils help give the wine a wonderful tension of minerality to the fruit. The Tasca family's Nerello Mascalese vines are near Randazzo, on the north side of Etna. Only 20 percent of the harvest went through Malo-lactic Fermentation in barrel while the rest was fermented in stainless steel. The wine was aged a full 2 years in Slovonian Oak and another year in the bottle before release. The result is a wine full of young red fruit aromas and Mediterranean scrub. The palate is full of crunchy wild strawberry, tart pomegranate touched with orange zest, and a clean flinty minerality wrapped in soft tannins. It is all lifted by mouthwatering acidity. If you enjoy Pinot Noir but feel like trying something new, yet similar, Nerello Mascalese is a great option. Enjoy this with herb-rubbed grilled chicken in a tangy tomato based sauce.
-Patrick
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