February brings some exciting events but mostly Girl Scout cookies! Our resident girl scout will be set up outside the store on February 10, 17 and March 3 from 4pm to 6pm. Stock up your freezer so you have cookies all year!
For wines this month I almost had an entirely French line up but the incredible South African Chenin Blanc ruined everything. At least it’s a French grape I suppose! I have French wines from all across the country from Burgundy to Corsica so try one of everything and enjoy the tasting tour of France.
Deetlefs
Stonecross Chenin Blanc 2020
Reg. Price $12.99
Sale Price: $8.99
White Wine of the Month
Three French Hens
Mourvèdre/Merlot 2018
Reg. Price $12.99
Sale Price: $9.99
Red Wine of the Month
This month for the red of the month I am doing a delightful French blend from our friends at Boutinot, a wine cooperative. This blend may be making you suspicious but there’s no reason to worry! Despite what pop culture has had you believing since Sideways came out, Merlot is a classic grape that makes extraordinary wines. Merlot is the queen of Bordeaux and gets a whole bank of the river to itself! Most Bordeaux under $30 is also Merlot dominant blends which goes to show you that maybe ignorance is bliss. Mourvèdre is one of my favorite grapes that you hardly ever get to see. It grows all over southern France and is used as a blending grape although Bandol has to be at least 75% Mourvèdre. Three French Hens red is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Mourvèdre that is aged and fermented in stainless steel. While the wine has a fruity side it is balanced and earthy with a medium body. This is a very drinkable wine with notes of raspberry, cherry and dried herbs. Enjoy this with charcuterie, roasted poultry with herbs, pizza or whatever you’re having for dinner tonight.
VRAC
Macon Village 2021
Reg. Price $24.99
Sale Price: $18.99
Get used to seeing the VRAC label around the store because the more of their wines I taste the more in love I am! I just tasted a red blend from southern France that will be gracing the newsletter in the next couple of months but right now let’s talk about this Chard! “VRAC” or “en vrac” means “bring your own bottle” and refers to how locals in France will go to a local winery and fill up a jug of wine to bring home. VRAC is a label created by Village Wine Imports, the same importer that does Maz Caz, Pierre Angulaire and more in my French section. They teamed up with local growers that they have had long standing relationships with to get you some incredible values on well made wine from all over France! The Mâconnais is the southern most region of Burgundy and while it was overlooked in the past, it is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Like white Burgundy typically is, the VRAC Macon Chardonnay is 100% Chardonnay that is farmed sustainably on chalk and limestone soils. Fermentation takes place with natural yeasts in stainless steel and the Chardonnay never sees any oak. Enjoy this crisp, mineral driven white with seafood, charcuterie, salads, salmon or more.
Clos Fornelli
La Robe d’Ange Sciaccarellu 2020
Reg. Price $23.99
Sale Price: $17.99
I taste a lot of wine in a week, and I mean a lot! There are some days that I taste 30-40 different wines and decide if it will make the cut or not. I knew as soon as I tasted this one that I wanted to feature it as a chillable red and that was only reinforced when I couldn’t stop thinking about this wine. Clos Fornelli is located on the eastern side of Corsica just above the Tyrrhenian Sea and owners Josée Vanucci and her husband Fabrice Couloumère organically farm 18 hectares of vines. They are focused on making low intervention wines where all the work is done in the vineyard with well cared for fruit! They grow classic Corsican varietals like Vermentinu, Sciaccarellu, and Niellucciu and the average vine age is 25 although they do have some pushing 35. The grapes previously went to a cooperative but in 2005 Josée Vanucci decided to start bottling it herself. The red is 100% Sciaccarellu (shock-a-rel-u) that is fermented using native yeasts and is aged in concrete vats for 7 to 10 months. The finished wine is light on its feet with notes of sour cherry, dried herbs, leather and spices. It’s a smidge lighter than Pinot Noir and it is delicious after being in the fridge for 20-25 minutes.
Domaine Gassier
Viognier 2020
Reg. Price $18.99
Sale Price: $14.99
I have been getting more and more creative with Sauvignon Blanc since prices from New Zealand keep rising. I am bringing in more South American, South African and others but Bordeaux has been there since the beginning and has consistently delivered on quality. Sauvignon Blanc from France has those classic citrus notes but is like someone turned down the volume compared to New Zealand styles. Pierre Angulaire Bordeaux Blanc is made by rock star winemaker Michele D’Aprix who makes the Maz Caz wines. She is American born and went to UC Davis for enology and began making wine in France in 2008. While a lot of white Bordeaux has Semillon blended in for texture, the 2021 vintage of Pierre Angulaire is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is organic and is fermented in stainless steel with native yeasts. The finished wine still is citrusy and bright enough for fish, salads and seafood but it can also play nicely with roasted chicken and more savory dishes. Notes of lime zest, melon, green apple and zippy acidity make this incredibly drinkable!
Maz Caz
Red Blend 2019
Reg. Price $23.99
Sale Price: $17.99
If you have been a long time shopper here I imagine that you are well acquainted with the Maz Caz wines. They are some of my favorite southern French blends made by American winemaker Michele D’Aprix. Today she splits her time between her home in New York and Bordeaux and she is the only American born woman wine maker in Bordeaux. Michele now has many different projects in Bordeaux, Spain and the Costières de Nîmes in southern France. Maz Caz is her Costières de Nîmes project since she wanted to see a Mediterranean influence on the grape varietals that she got used to working with in Spain. The Maz Caz red is a blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah that is organically farmed, hand harvested and made with natural yeasts. Only 500 cases are produced a year and Michele takes the liberty of a pairing suggestion on the label. Well balanced with notes of wild berries, dark cherry and subtle earthiness make this a perfect all purpose wine.
I can’t wait to explore these wines and more with you!
Pop into the store for all of your beverage needs and don’t forget about our in store tastings!
Beer Tasting Thursday 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Wine Tasting Friday 4 pm to 7 pm
