Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should consider trying!
2021 Lioco Rose of Carignan, Mendocino County - $28.99
Lioco is a small, boutique winery run by husband and wife duo Matt and Sara Licklider and they are making some of the most exciting wine coming out of Mendocino. Their focus is on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and the sleeper grape, Carignan. Perfect for your backyard barbeque, this rose brings aromas of rose hips, watermelon and basil with a burst of pink guava, strawberry and rhubarb on the palate. It's a summertime crusher!
-Angie
Jean Bourdy Cremant du Jura N/V - $27.99
To be fair, I've probably written about every Bourdy wine we carry. I may have even written about the cremant before. I can't quite recall but it bears repeating. Domaine Bourdy has been family run since the 1400's, they're on their 15th generation winemaker and have wines in their cellar going back to the beginning of the 20th century (the end of the 19th century in the case of 'Chateau Grillet' ). The cremant is absolutely classic in style. It comes from 30-40 year old Chardonnay vines and has richness, depth and length. Classic orchard fruit flavors abound with a distinct yeasty toast component. Usually this time of year presents many opportunities to pop some bubbly: Graduations, weddings and housewarmings. I include brunch and Wednesday on that list.
-Dave
2018 Red Car Syrah, Sonoma Coast - $41.99
Red Car is a Sonoma winery best known for being one of the foremost "Rhone Rangers" in California; they focus on restrained wines from cool-climate sites producing elegantly high acid, perfumed Syrah reminiscent of the Northern Rhone. Today, Red Car also makes delectable Chardonnay & Pinot Noir — but Syrah was their first passion and you can taste the love that goes into this 100% estate grown wine. This complex wine takes your palate for a walk. You'll find pretty violet and lavendar florality, warming peppery spice, fresh berry fruitiness, and a delightful 'game' character that makes this ideal for a 4th Of July BBQ. For me, this Sonoma Coast Syrah is a perfect example of what American wines can be. God bless the Sonoma Coast, etc.
-Katrina
2021 Division-Villages Beton Red - $27.99
Tom Monroe and Kate Norris founded the Portland based Division Wine Company in 2010 sourcing fruit from Oregon and Washington. The Beton is their parisian bistro Loire inspired red wine which blends Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Gamay, and Pinot Noir. The Cabernet Franc really takes the lead in this wine, showing violet floral notes, graphite, pepper, and berry notes. The palate shows ripe raspberry fruit with minerality and notes of bell pepper. This wine always reminds me of a great Loire red but with more fruit and less austerity. Try this red with a chill on its own or with a flank steak off the grill.
-Rob
2020 Sergio Mottura 'Tragugnano' Orvieto - $19.99
Since the 1930s the Mottura family has been making their wine from their own estate vineyards in the rolling hills of the Orvieto region, a beautifully rural corner of Italy rich in volcanic soils. Their 'Tragugnano' Orvieto is a blend of organically farmed native white grape varietals, Procanico, Verdello, Grechetto, and Rupeccio. Only the best grapes of the season are used and harvested by hand. Cold fermentation in stainless steel retains freshness and lifted acidity. The wine is then left to rest on the lees long enough to add weight and complexity. Aromas of wild mustard flowers and vanilla preface a dry but round palate of pear and honeydew with hints of citrus. This Orvieto will match nicely with tomato basil bruschetta or risotto tossed with sautéed asparagus.
Yum!
-Patrick
Brunori ‘Le Gemme’ Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi - $16.99
This is a literal gem. “Le Gemme” means “the gems” in Italian, but also refers to the first springtime buds when the vine begins to flower. With 100% Verdicchio, these noble white grapes are farmed organically by the Brunori family in clay, calcareous and slightly sandy soil found on the gentle hills near the town of Jesi, about 250 meters above sea level. The resulting vino is clean, dry and complex, with balanced yet intense herbaceous aromatics and a gorgeous, persistent finish. It’s good with fresh seafood – ceviche for example - and undoubtedly better if you could catch and eat said seafood on the Marche Adriatic coast of Italy.
-Karen
