Côté Mas Crémant de Limoux  (Regular Bag)
France

60% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc, 10% Pinot Noir, 10% Mauzac

After primary fermentation, the “Liqueur de Tirage,” a blend of sugar and yeast, is added to the juice a few hours before bottling.

After one year of ageing, the lees are expelled and the “Liqueur de Dosage” is added and aged an additional twelve months

An intense and refined nose of honey, acacia and crystallized lemon lead way to a harmonious palate of citrus fruits and balanced acidity. An excellent aperitif that pairs well with all styles of cuisine.


Emile Paris Champagne (Holiday Bag) 
France

50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay

Nose: red fruits and toast flavors.
Mouth: Floral tastes first, then spicy, and final with citrus and almonds.
Fine and elegant cuvee made in the perfect respect of Champagne’s traditions. It gives to this Champagne authenticity and style.


Château Guilhem Chardonnay 2020
France

Completely de-stemmed grapes macerate at low temperature, to keep the maximum flavor. Aging 4 months on the lees. No oak aging.

 Golden, light yellow color. Aromas of white flowers and tropical fruits. Flavors of ripe white fruits. A fresh aftertaste, resulting in a blend of toasted brioche


Anthill Farms North Coast Pinot Noir (Holiday Bag) NEW
California

100% Pinot Noir
Vintage Makeup 45% 2019 ~ 25% 2020 ~ 30% 2021
Native Yeast fermentation. Aged in 25% new French oak

Moderately saturated ruby color leads into aromas of red cherry, black plum, apple skin and cinnamon. Lithe and textured, and a pure pleasure to drink.
Refined tannins and acids keep this gulpable blend balanced and inviting. Utterly delicious.


Cepas de Familia Malbec 2019 NEW
Argentina

100% Malbec aged 3 months in stainless steel

This wine has a good balance, with strong fruity aromas highlighting notes of plum and spice. Medium bodied with round, so tannins and a long, velvety finish. It pairs well with grilled red meat, stews and pastas.


Charles & Charles Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Regular Bag) NEW
Washington

The Cabernet Sauvignon was de-stemmed and then fermented with native yeast, followed by the wine being on its skins for 35 days (fermentation being about half that time). We had access to some beautiful Goose Mountain Syrah that we thought would add complexity and spice. We fermented the Syrah with native yeast and whole cluster and blended it together with the Cabernet Sauvignon right before we blended and moved all the wine to old barrels. In the barrels, we were looking to soften and concentrate, not to add toast and vanilla thus the choice of used neutral barrels. The resulting wine has intense black currant, espresso, black olive, and dusty herbs with broad shouldered structure.


L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah 2018
Mexico

100% Petite Sirah
Appearance: Plum red of great intensity, clean, bright and with a violet rim.
Aroma: Freshly cut red fruits and an herbal touch of aromatic intensity; when the temperature rises, aromas of chocolate and vanilla appear.
Taste: Very pleasant to the palate, intense, fruity, complex and balanced.

Matches very well with Mexican gastronomy, red meats, and medium cheeses.


En Enemigo Cabernet Franc 2019 NEW
Argentina

90% Cabernet Franc 10% Malbec
Vinification: Wild yeast, with 28 days of maceration. 5 different harvest times (5 weeks between the first and the last one).
Aging : 15 months in 100-year-old foudre.

 Soft, rich, elegant, with dark fruit tones.

​Silver Thread Pétillant Naturel 2021 ($22.99)
Seneca Lake, New York

"GRAPES: Various grape varieties were hand harvested and co-fermented. The blend includes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc and Riesling.  
 
FERMENTATION: Fruit was pressed into neutral oak barriques where spontaneous fermentation took hold. Several different lots, including five barrels of early season fruit and one larger lot of later-picked Riesling, were blended before bottling.

TASTING: Alluring aromas of fresh fruit, yeast and earth. Broad, creamy mid-palate with a touch of grip. Pure, unadulterated and alive with moderate fizz… a lively sensory experience."


Erica Orr Wines Chardonnay 2019 ($34.99)
Columbia Gorge, Washington

"The Columbia Gorge is the best climate in Washington for the style of
chardonnay I like – mineral driven and fresh with that tension between
bright, clean and acidic and round, rich and savory.

I helped hand pick this fruit early in the morning and then we whole cluster
pressed the grapes when we got back to the winery later that afternoon. We
settled the juice in tank overnight and then filled five old French oak barrels
for native fermentation.

After a couple months of batonnage, I stopped stirring the lees and let the
wine clear by gravity. After a year in barrel, we moved the wine into
stainless steel drums which is a technique I had read about but never done
before the 2018 vintage of this wine. This is how it is said that Dominique
Lafon makes his white Burgundy, apparently Roulot follows this protocol as
well, shifting the wine from the oxidative environment of the barrels into an
anoxic reductive world of stainless steel for a couple months for the wine to
“drop the baby fat”, “chisel the cheekbones” and tighten it up a bit.

I felt strongly that the mouthfeel I’d been building for 16 nerve-wracking
months would be destroyed by filtration and I was ok with the clarity of the
wine as it is. So we went to bottle without fining or filtering in February of
2021."


Schola Sarmenti Negroamaro 2019 ($17.99)
Puglia, Italy

"Variety: Negroamaro 100%  
Aging: At checked temperature in stainless steel tanks.  
Bouquet: A singular olfactory register interwoven with notes of spices, tobacco and leather in a well-marked fruit finish.  
Taste: The enterprising sip intoxicates the palate with a softness and a velvety structure softened by a fine tannin that leaves a pleasantly bitter trail."


Sablettes Sauternes 2016 ($22.99)
Bordeaux, France

"Sablettes is a second label of sauternes from Chateau Doisy Vedrines in Barsac, a commune that is said to have “noble soils.” The relationship between the the soil, the climate and the vines is complicit in its ability to give botrytis an opportunity to work its magic. Once ready, grapes are hand
harvested and sorted up to 9 times over the course of 6-8 weeks.

This sauternes features nose of citrus, marmalade, honey and ripe pineapple with a hint of white peppercorn. Sweet on the tip of the tongue with refreshing acidity yielding to an elegant finish."

​Dignitat Brut Cava (Regular Bag)
Spain

Organic sparkling wine from the Penedès.
Xarel·lo 34%, Macabeo 33%, Parellada 33%
Straw yellow color with green tones. Fine persistent bubbles. Bright appearance. Soft aging aroma with signs of flower and citrus. Vivacious in mouth compensated with elegance and equilibrium. Fresh, with low acidity, pleasant, balanced and a fine bubbling structure.
Drink as an aperitif or with appetizers.


Perrachon Cremant de Bourgogne (Holiday Bag) NEW
France

Traditional method sparkling 100% Chardonnay from Burgundy.
Bold, fresh nose, subtle palate with flowery notes, slightly lemony.
Drink as an aperitif or with appetizers.


Domaine Campu Vecchiu Rosé (Regular Bag)
France

Rosé from Corsica: 40% Sciaccarellu 30% Niellucciu 30% Grenache
Rich and round with a touch of acidity that brings freshness to the finish. To be enjoyed well chilled with white  meat or grilled fish.


Château Barbebelle Rosé (Holiday Bag)
France

This very Provençal rosé wine distinguishes itself by a good length on the palate, a strong fruity and floral, freshness and everything in sharpness.
Grenache 50 % Syrah 25 % Cinsault 25 %
Nose: Expressive, floral notes, rose, honeysuckle. Mouth: Nice length, raspberry, redcurrant, white fruits. 
Enoy as an aperitif, with salads, or with poultry.


Tsiakkas Xynisteri NEW
Cyprus

Our vines continue to be planted ungrafted, propagated from the cuttings of exceptional old vines coming from our own vineyards. Although the vineyards look less uniform and yields aren’t as efficient as they could be, this traditional practice offers a more sincere reflection of terroir and promotes healthier diversity among the plantation.
Aromas:   Nectarine, lime, grapefruit, honey
Pairing:   Green vegetables, poultry, seafood
This is a great wine for Sauvignon Blanc drinkers!


Albastrele Blanc de Cabernet
Moldova

Our Blanc de Cabernet, a white wine made from gently pressed red Cabernet Sauvignon, is a pale gold with green hints. The nose and palate display lively passionfruit, ripe peach and apricot aromas and flavors, with delicate citrus and sweet spice notes. We enjoy this wine chilled, served as an aperitif  and with a variety of dishes, such as roast chicken, grilled fish, and creamy risottos. 


Domaine du Clos du Fief Beaujolais-Villages
France

Traditional semi-carbonic winemaking of
whole berries with temperature control. Charming bright red color, with red berries aroma, tannic and structured, honest in the mouth, ending with a mineral note. It can be called a Beaujolais-Villages fit for ageing. To drink within 3 years. This is a character-rich, expressive Gamay from just outside of Beaujolais’ band of “cru” villages. Certainly one of the finest values for serious quality anywhere; floral, aromatic and full of intensely layered red fruits. Pinot Noir lovers should love this.


Beaumirail Vacqueyras NEW
France

From the southern Rhône Valley, this is a robust and full-bodied wine.
63% Grenache 24% Syrah 13% Mourvedre and Cinsault
Maturation in steel tank
A magnificent red color with deep purple accents. Notes of blackberries, blackcurrant and black cherries. Delicate and integrated tannins. Its aromatic finale starts with spicy noted of nutmeg and clove, then develops a subtle perfume of violets.
Pair with stews, meats, and slightly spicy dishes.

​Cleto Chiarli Dry Lambrusco ($18.99)
Modena, Italy

100% Lambrusco di Sorbara
Deep rosé colour, with clear fragrances of strawberry and brushwood. Its taste is fresh, pervasive, mineral, and at the same time velvety and surprisingly pleasant. Dynamic.

A light aperitif or to enjoy with poultry, ham, or roasted vegetables.


Forge Cellars "Classique" Dry Riesling ($19.99)
Seneca Lake, NY

Each of the 16 vineyards that we work with contribute to the blend that make up our Classique wines. These wines showcase the beauty of Seneca Lake: to be able to consolidate the various elements of each site into a perfectly balanced wine. Very few regions in the world provide in a natural way this perfect combination.

Throughout the years, we have characterized the vintages based on Mother Nature’s contributions and the shared disposition of wines in the cellar during their year of development and maturity.  In our 10th vintage sharing the voice of the land, we have affectionately referred to 2020 as “the vintage of the sun.”  While the world was shrouded in uncertainty  amidst  a rising pandemic, nature delivered sun drenched days that helped us maintain our focus and optimism, and nurtured the vines with unyielding promise.

If you've never had dry Riesling, this is the one you must try.

Domaine Reverdy-Ducroux Sancerre Rouge ($23.99)
Loire Valley, France

-Originates from clay-limestone slopes situated at an altitude of 240m in the highlands of Verdigny.

-100% developed from pinot noir, this Sancerre red is known for its freshness and fruity flavor.

Tasting notes
Ruby-red colour, bouquet of red fruits: cherry, raspberry, cranberry. Well-balanced on the palate, lively and refined; nice freshness to finish.

Serving suggestion
Serve chilled at 14°C with meat or charcuterie, Loire salmon, or to accompany a red fruit salad or caramelized pears.


Tenute Sant'Antonio Monti Garbi Valpolicella Ripasso ($20.99)
Verona, Italy

Grapes:
Corvina and Corvinone 70% - Rondinella 20% - Croatina and Oseleta 10%

​Color: ruby red. Aroma: red fruit and cherry.
Flavor: soft, caressing, fresh, savory and fairly tannic with a spicy aftertaste.

Pairing:
Pasta entrées with meat ragout and Italian sauces, grilled, roast or stewed white meats, hard medium-ripe cheeses.

Aging Potential:
10 years.

​Rene Marie Catel Blanc de Noirs Champagne ($34.99)
Champagne, France

Varieties : Pinot Noir 100%
Viticulture: Sustainable
Aging in Bottle: 24-months
Tasting notes:
Radiant nose, revealing white-fleshed fruits (apple, pear, peach white), citrus (lemon) and floral nuances. Ample in the mouth, combining generosity and subtlety. Full, fresh and crisp.
​
Coming from families who have been growing grapes in Champagne since 1710, René and Marie-Noelle Dautel started producing their own champagne in 1971. Sylvain Dautel, their son, is now in charge of the vineyard located in Loches-Sur-Ource, a small village in the heart of Côte des Bars. Sylvain is perpetuating the tradition of his ancestors, using environmental friendly practices to create the most delicate, yet intense Champagnes. Cuvée René-Marie Catel is a rare Brut Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Noir), aged for two years on lees before disgorgement.

Domaine Raissac Viognier "Les Cres" ($14.99)
Pays d'Oc, France

Sustainable viticulture. Regular bâtonnage (stirring up the lees). Ageing on the lees. Straw yellow color, pale, silver highlights. 
Nose: Aromatic, flowers aromas, subtle apricot aromas.
Palate: Elegant, intense, round, passion fruit hints, subtle spice hints, subtle toasted almonds hints, good intensity.
Wine and food pairing: White meats, poultry, soft-ripened cheeses, for the aperitif, fish dishes.

Château Barbebelle Rosé ($17.99)
Provence, France

This very Provençal rosé wine distinguishes itself by a good length on the palate, a strong fruity and floral, freshness and everything in sharpness.
Grenache 50 % Syrah 25 % Cinsault 25 %
Nose: Expressive, floral notes, rose, honeysuckle. Mouth: Nice length, raspberry, redcurrant, white fruits. 
Enoy as an aperitif, with salads, or with poultry.

Husch Pinot Noir ($37.99)
Anderson Valley, California

Expressive and inviting, our Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is happiness in a bottle. As soon as you pull the cork aromas of pomegranate, sweet cherry, currant, rose petal, forest floor, blood orange, and wild herbs grace your nose. On the palate the wine expresses flavors matching the aromatics and is held together with sustained richness and bright acidity. Lovely on its own and will pair exceptionally with meals such as coq au vin, pork tenderloin, mushroom pasta, or creamy cheeses.

Château d'Or et de Gueules "Les Cimels" ($17.99) 
Costières de Nîmes, France

Varietals : Syrah (60%), Carignan macération carbonique (30%), Grenache (10%)
Deep colored, spicy and concentrated mouth with a very good length. There is a complex nose of dark fruits, freshly cracked black pepper and herbs de Provence. The palate is full bodied with rich, juicy fruit filling the mouth. This wine is really ample and marked by elegance.

Elephant Sloe Gin ($44.99)
Germany

We were inspired to create Elephant Gin following our own adventures in Africa.

With a vision to conserve the wildlife we feel so passionately for, we decided to launch a product that would help conservation trusts. We strongly believe that this generation has a responsibility to support African wildlife today, so others can continue to enjoy it in the future. 

With every bottle sold, we contribute 15% of bottle profits to elephant conservation projects. 

Richly rounded, lightly sweet and exquisitely fruity bouquet as well as a typical warm red color. The deliberately discreet addition of sugar triggers a perfect balance between tart and sweet notes.

October 2022:

Bodega DiamAndes Rosado
Uco Valley, Argentina
You don't see many 100% Malbec rosés in the market, so this is a novel wine. It has strawberry and mild citrus notes and quite a bit of structure on the palate; this is a rosé to pair with food, rather than to be enjoyed merely as an aperitif. It has enough character to stand up to BBQ, red meats, or fattier vegetarian dishes. Vegan-friendly wine.

Domaine de Stricou Incipio Carignan Blanc NEW
Languedoc, France
Incipio displays notes of verbena and jasmine on the nose followed by perfectly ripe white peach notes.
On the palate the wine is rich yet fresh and vibrant with nice salinity, ocean spray and a
touch of mint. 

Farina Lugana NEW 
Verona, Italy
Straw yellow with greenish shades. Elegant and fresh, it reminds of wild flowers, mini mum flowers and linden, which evolve in apricot and white flesh fruits, delicate, smooth, sapid and very harmonic. Ideal with fish, white meats and soft cheeses. An excellent aperitif.

Salcheto Chianti "Biskero" NEW
Tuscany, Italy
An easy drinking, everyday wine composed of Sangiovese (85%),
Canaiolo, Mammolo and Merlot. Part of this wine is matured in 300-liter American oak “tonneaux." Vintage 2021 has been characterized, once again, by intense climatic phenomenon such as frost and drought. Its wines are proposing a robust and intense experience.
Pair with fatty or cheesy dishes.

Undurraga Carmenere
Rapel Valley, Chile
This wine shows an attractive bright violet color. In its aroma ripe plums and confit figs mingle with a touch of mocha and tobacco. It is a fresh, tasty and juicy wine, full of soft and sweet tannins. It is a modern wine with perfect balance between fruit and wood, which brings complexity and elegance. Great choice to accompany spicy pasta and meat, soft cheeses and stews. Ideal with gratin eggplants.

Mad Fish Cabernet Sauvignon
Western Australia
The color is a rich deep ruby and leads you to an enticing nose brimming with succulent dark berry fruits supported by hints of raspberry, mocha, savory spice and rosemary. The palate offers great vibrancy and depth of flavor – black and blue berries, redcurrants, plum compote and roasted chestnuts mingle with alluring coffee and cocoa and a minty earthiness. Supple tannins allow this wide array of flavors to enliven and excite the mid palate and then linger on the finish.

​Domaine Cauhaupe L'Eclipse ($16.99)
Jurançon​, France

From the producer:
"Cauhapé’s wines express the specificity of Jurançon grape varieties. Petit Manseng is our main grape variety. It is a vine with small bunches of grapes under the leaves. The thick skin is a great asset. It allows us to push the harvest very far and to obtain a very high level of maturity. Gros manseng and Courbu bring finesse and fruity aromas. For several years, Cauhapé has also been exploring the forgotten grape varieties Camaralet and Lauzet, which have ennobled the dry Jurançons, producing wines that are more authentic and expressive than ever.

Aware that the earth is not enough to produce great wines, that it also needs 'breath and spirit,' Henri Ramonteu has succeeded in bringing together earth and sky. The wine coalesces the character of a climate, the influence of a land, the expressions of a grape variety, and the man’s hand and instinct. In other words, the vineyard expresses a soil through a history, a way of life, a culture, and a grape variety. This is the true definition of a 'wine of terroir.'

With a  beautiful intensity, the nose reveals aromas of white fleshed fruits and delightful notes of citrus and spice. In the mouth, the round and supple attack develops a magnificent palate of fruity and exotic flavours. A wine of conviviality and pleasure to be appreciated as an aperitif or at the beginning of a meal. Tapas, Sushi, Brunch."

Husch Pinot Noir 2019 ($37.99)
Anderson Valley, California

From the producer:
"​Husch Vineyards is a small, family owned and operated winery. When Husch started growing grapes in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley, little was known about the growing prospects for this remote region. The climate of the Anderson Valley feels a strong cooling influence from the nearby Pacific Ocean. 

In the world of winemaking, the keys to success are the grapes and people that you work with. Thus the land, climate, and farming input are the most important factors for making high quality wines. Some of our fields are farmed organically. Most of our fields have a permanent cover crop. All of our fields are certified "Fish Friendly." And we take pride that our farming practices, as a whole, require a minimum use of diesel fuel for each acre we farm.

Expressive and inviting, our Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is happiness in a bottle. As soon as you pull the cork aromas of pomegranate, sweet cherry, currant, rose petal, forest floor, blood orange, and wild herbs grace your nose. On the palate the wine expresses flavors matching the aromatics and is held together with sustained richness and bright acidity. Lovely on its own and will pair exceptionally with meals such as coq au vin, pork tenderloin, mushroom pasta, or creamy cheeses."

Bodegas DiamAndes Perlita Red ($13.99)
Mendoza, Argentina

From the producer:
"In 2005, the Bonnie family, owner of the renowned Château Malartic-Lagravière (Grand Cru Classé de Graves) and of the Château Gazin Rocquencourt (Pessac-Léognan), decided to leave France in search for new horizons in the world of wine. It all began with the acquisition, along with their partners, of a single 130-hectares (321 acres) block of land in the heart of the Uco Valley, to the south of the city of Mendoza.

By the Andes Mountains, at 1100 masl, Bodega DiamAndes boasts an ideal terroir: temperate climate due to the altitude and that together with its sandy-clay soils with large amounts of rock, allow Malbec, Argentina’s king varietal, to fully express itself. Vine care is based on sustainable farming for a global environment care. It is respectful of the soils which are ploughed. Several measures are environment-friendly: use of natural fertilizers, biodegradation of pests with rational use of chemical products. 

80% Malbec - 20% Syrah. 8 months in French oak barrels, of one use at least.
Attractive and bright violet color, with aromas of plum and dark berries. In the palate is fruity, silky and velvety, medium-bodied with refined tannins and a flavorful finish."

Mas Becha Classique 2018 ($18.99)
​Roussillon, France

From the producer:
"A bit of a winemaker, a bit of an artist, a bit of a boss and high standards. Charles Perez is a jack of all trades whose career and wines, elegant and modern, denote an assertive character worthy of a local child. Since 2008, he has led the 25 hectares of MAS BECHA according to the principles of organic farming, concerned with preserving and one day passing on this exceptional vineyard. Respect for the terroir and the search for wines of pleasure, here we awaken the senses and the conscience.

Charles has also been able to take advantage of the limestone subsoils and arid lands of the Aspres terroir to bring together vines, olive trees, almond trees and cork oaks. And it is here, in the heart of this protected bio-diversity and this typically Mediterranean climate, that our neo-winemaker produces Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre in a modern style and surprisingly fresh.

60% Syrah, 20% Grenache Noir, 20% Mourvèdre"

Rozelieures Single Malt Whisky ($54.99)
France

From the producer:
"Rozelieures is the slightly crazy story of a visionary family who transformed the family business into the spearhead of French whisky. Better than that, today it is one of the few whisky brands in the world that owns and controls 100% of its production. Grain, malting, brewing, distillation and ageing, everything is done in-house – energy autonomy included – in a rare and unique model of vertical integration.

All Rozelieures whiskies are single malt, and we are the first distillery in France to work with peated malts. In keeping with the ancestral tradition, we double distil all our whiskies. This process offers greater finesse and an unrivalled aromatic intensity. After distillation, we age our whisky in oak casks from our local forests but also in casks that have contained wines and spirits from Kentucky, Sherry, Burgundy, the Rhone Valley and the South West.

This Rare Collection whisky, produced in limited quantities, is distilled from a finely peated malt. It has been aged in oak casks containing wines from the South West of France. These casks give the whisky roundness, fruitiness, mellowness and notes of ripe fruit on a sherry background."

​Bodegas Menade Verdejo  ($15.99)
Rueda, Spain

From the producer:
"At Menade we use no chemical treatments opting instead for a natural approach consisting for example of plant-based infusions (nettles, cinnamon…) or whey, which are kinder on the soil, plants and naturally occurring yeasts

In a similar way, the insect population that teams in our soils far from being our enemies are trusted allies that help us ward off pests. When a problem arises therefore – let us take the example of ladybirds and red spiders – we attract the latter by spraying the problem area diluted vanilla, and once they have feasted and done their job we re-spray with a diluted vinegar infusion which persuades them home to chill out in their ‘hotels’: a series of pollination gardens consisting of a profusion of aromatic plants where both insects and lizards co-exist in harmony.
 
All these measures play an important part in our wines, for not only do they taste good but they make you feel good and they are both allergen and histamine free.

100% Verdejo
Aromas of fresh herbs, fennel, anis and aromatic plants like lavender and thyme. Hints of citrus (green orange peel), lemon pie, grapefruit and chamomile flowers.
Harmonious on the palate, with a rich mouth filling texture. The long lingering flavours of grapefruit, lemon peel and mandarin are enhanced by a well balanced acidity."

From me:
This wine hits all of the notes I look for: excellent farming practices, natural yeast, indigenous grape variety, and beautiful flavor. I often sell this to Sauvignon Blanc drinkers who appreciate the citrus tones.

Famille Lieubeau "La Fruitiere" Folle Blanche  ($15.99)
Loire Valley, France

From the producer:
"With our team, and in harmony with nature, we care for the vines all year long, as the different seasons require. The desire to achieve the very best quality of fruit dictates our work, which includes short pruning, tilling, cover planting, trellising, leaf removal and sorting at harvest.

Our organic certification (AB) and sustainable farming certification (Terra Vitis) illustrate our commitment to biodiversity. Our daily actions are guided by observation. The weather station and vineyard mapping solution, which we have developed ourselves, give us a finer understanding of the terroirs and vintages, and allow us to adapt our winegrowing methods to each plot.

As a tribute to Joseph Gregoire, the first Lieubeau, who was left abandoned as an orphan in the porch of the hospital in Nantes in 1816, our emblem is a child wearing a hat, a symbol of family history and nature. The Folle Blanche variety is historic to the Nantes region. Planted near the Atlantic, it produces a lemony, saline and mineral wine that is ideal with oysters."

From me:
This wine comes from the mouth of the Loire River, just near the Atlantic coast. Its salty minerality and fresh citrus notes evoke the ocean breeze that blows through the vines. Unusual, fresh, and delicious!

Atance Bobal  ($13.99)
Valencia, Spain

From the producer:
"Atance is a venture from Bodegas Mustiguillo as they step outside of their small Vino de Pago of El Terrerazo and into the broader DO of Valencia. The commitment to quality remains the same as Bodegas Mustiguillo, offering remarkable value. In the late 1990’s, Toni Sarrion began a one man crusade to save the indigenous variety Bobal and coax it from obscurity and rusticity to the forefront of truly world class wines. Ever evolving and pushing the quality level forward, Toni and Bodegas Mustiguillo have been widely recognized as one of Spain’s best wineries, including Wine & Spirits Top 100 Wineries of 2012.

100% Bobal 
Organic viticulture and hand picked grapes from bush vines in Requena, specifically the Casa Segura estate vineyards with well drained, sandy soils. Vinification in stainless steel tanks and elevage in French oak foudre. 

PRESS | 91+ WA 'The 2020 ATANCE, pure Bobal from vines planted in 1975, fermented in 10,000-liter stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts at controlled temperature for a week and had a short maceration. The wine matured in 8,000-liter French oak vats for three months. This feels really harmonious, serious, nuanced and elegant, with subtle aromas and great balance and length.' - Luis Gutierrez"

From me: 
I'm always interested in the revival of forgotten grapes. This Bobal is delicate, lighter in body, with elegant notes of red fruits. A great option for Pinot Noir drinkers.

Amaro dell'Etna  ($34.99)
Sicily, Italy

From the producer:
"Our Amaro dell’Etna has its roots on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily where more than twenty-six herbs and aromatic plants grow. Its special recipe embodies the volcanic nature of Sicilian soil and even after over one hundred years still conveys an authentic and traditional taste.

From its origins in 1901 to the present day our digestif has been enjoyed by lovers of good liqueurs and has been appreciated for its delicious spiced taste. Its authentic character is the result of the careful selection of unique ingredients based on a particular mixture of herbs and aromatic plants.

It excels as an after-dinner digestif or can be served as an aperitif with ice, soda and a slice of orange."

From me:
This is a bold and rich style of Amaro that is versatile; aside from the suggestions above, I like to use it in a Manhattan instead of sweet vermouth.

H. Blin Champagne Brut Tradition ($43.99)
Champagne, France

From the producer:

"Champagne H. BLIN is a union of vintner (Vincelles Cooperative) founded in 1947 by Henri BLIN and 28 other growers.

Located in Vincelles in Marne Valley (25 minutes west of Epernay and Reims), Champagne H. BLIN is known for its cuvees with a strong identity, crafted to express their unique character. These wines are based around the historic local grape variety, Pinot Meunier.

Our 110 hectares of vines, planted around Vincelles, are predominantly Pinot Meunier (70%), but we also grow Chardonnay (16%) and Pinot Noir (14%).

The Blend : 70% Meunier – 20% Chardonnay – 10% Pinot Noir

Ageing : 24 months minimum

Visual : A golden colour. Fine bubbles.

On the nose : Aromas of peach and apricot.

On the palate: : Rich and generous, the stone fruit aromas persist with freshness and balance."

Poderi Vaiot Arneis "Franco" ($17.99)
Piedmont, Italy

From the producer:

"Typical Piedmontese white wine, highly structured and pronounced.

Appearance: deep straw yellow with green hues.

Nose: fresh, delicate and tempting with a well-balanced fragrance of chamomile and white flesh fruit, an indelible remembrance of this kind of grape.

Palate: smooth and pronounced, slightly sharp for a fresh and lingering wine.

Gastronomic matching: it is excellent with the typical Piedmontese starters, cooked with white meat too. However, it also accompanies fish and first dishes, prepared with vegetable sauces, very well.

Our vineyards are proof of the environmental commitment that my brother Walter and I have at heart: here the grapes grow luxuriantly, among healthy rows surrounded by the wild herbs of the Roero.

Savory, Tansy, Chicory … many plants that grow on our lands, witnesses to the health and well-being of the soil.

All the treatments carried out in the vineyard are followed with the utmost care and attention. Most of the work is done manually in order to preserve the natural biodiversity of these lands."

Casale del Giglio Petit Verdot ($24.99)
Lazio, Italy

From the producer:
"As a child and young teenager the fields and lanes of the family estate, Casale del Giglio, were nothing more to Antonio Santarelli than a place where he could spend carefree weekends and indulge his budding passion for motorbike riding; but all that changed when he joined his father Dino in the family business. By then, a shrewd twenty-five year old, he knew instinctively that their unconventional land in the Agro Pontino valley, some 50 kms south of Rome, offered a unique opportunity to attempt something no one had ever attempted before.
 
The total lack of any vine growing tradition in the area meant that Antonio and his father could give free rein to their pioneering ideas. Some of the most famous ampelographers and university researchers of the day were convinced by these ideas and were inspired to join them in a research project which was launched in 1985 with the planting of close to 60 different experimental vines in Casale del Giglio’s soil.

100% very ripe Petit Verdot grapes.
During vinification both the ‘submerged cap’ technique and that of ‘punching down’ are adopted; the first is aimed principally at extracting the grape’s softer tannins, the second, its strong colour. Submerged cap fermentation extends over 15 days at a temperature which ranges from 26-28°C. This is followed by ‘délestage’ (rack and return) to further soften the tannins and stabilize the colour. After the new wine has been racked, a part of it undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, another part in wood. Once blended, the new wine spends from 8-12 months ‘in barrique’ and a further 6 in the bottle before leaving the winery.

This deep crimson wine displays an intense, lingering aroma of red berry fruit, cherry, myrtle and juniper. Elegant and full-bodied, with rich velvety tannins, the wine presents a spicy, white peppery finish."

Cotswolds Dry Gin ($42.99)
England

From the producer:
"Our award-winning Cotswolds Dry Gin is a delectable blend of nine carefully-considered botanicals, including local lavender from the Cotswolds and freshly peeled pink grapefruit and lime zest. Due to the unusually high volume of botanicals we use, our gin causes a beautiful pearlescent cloud to appear when ice or tonic is added. A juniper-led gin with fresh citrusy notes and a hint of lavender."

Gin Mare Mediterranean Gin ($37.99)
Spain

From the producer:
"Each bottle of Gin Mare is made at our distillery, a thirteenth century chapel located in an ancient fishing village between the Costa Brava and the Costa Dorada.

A wholehearted Mediterranean gin.

Every bottle of Gin Mare is unique. The acidity levels of our star ingredient, the arbequina olive, change every year. This means each and every distillation is a unique culinary work of art."

Botanicals: arbequina olive, rosemary, thyme, basil, juniper, orange, coriander, lemon, green cardamom

Wandering Bartender "Ghosted" White Negroni ($4.99)
New York

From the producer:
"Handcrafted cocktails--bottled. We combine our own bitters, syrups, and infusions with quality spirits to create original cocktails. Brooklyn-bred, industry-proven. We are bartenders, waiters, managers--and now owners--with decades of experience serving New York City. Every cocktail is handcrafted at our lab in Brooklyn.

Ghosted White Negroni: Our Bianco Amaro and Bianco Vermouth are crafted in house and paired beautifully with a crisp London dry gin."

123 Organic "Tres" Tequila Anejo ($68.99)
Mexico

From the producer:
"123 Organic Tequila represent Founder and Tequilero David Ravandi’s devotion to creating agave spirits that express terroir, complexity, and delicate floral aromas. From the moment the agave matures at the USDA and EU certified organic estates, 123 Organic Tequila rely on local master artisans and Ravandi’s acute attention to detail during every stage of production.

Ravandi’s pursuit of quality and commitment to sustainability extends to the packaging of 123 Organic Tequila Blanco (Uno), Reposado (Dos), Añejo (Tres), Extra Añejo (Diablito), all of which are bottled in hand- blown recycled glass and labeled with soy ink-printed, recycled paper labels depicting the spirits’ Mexican heritage.

On a morning when three brilliant roosters (tototl) greet the dawn with hopeful songs of renewal, mature agave plants at the hacienda are ready to be hand harvested and Organic Blanco tequila awakens from an eighteen-month slumber in white oak barrels to be reborn as Añejo (Tres) Tequila. Just as the rooster has long been a symbol of virility and power in Mexican folklore, the complex aromatic bouquet and deep golden hue of Añejo (Tres) Tequila are signs of its superior quality and lengthy aging."

Craneo Mezcal ($61.99)
Mexico

From the producer:
"INSPIRED BY THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE, Cráneo Organic Mezcal is a single estate artisanal mezcal handcrafted by local maestro mezcaleros and agave aficionado David Ravandi in the heartland of Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca. Honoring century old Mexican traditions, the sacred skull depicted on our label was inspired by the Aztec Goddess Mictecacihuatl 'Meek-teka-see-wahdl', the guardian of the bones, which symbolizes strength and influence. In turn, our artisanal mezcal derives its strength and character from agave espadin.

Classically structured on the nose with sweet barbecue smoke and hints of citrus, Cráneo is light and silky in body with flavors of orange and grapefruit peel, green banana, and spun sugar that punctuate a modestly-sweet smokiness. Cráneo Organic Mezcal begins with hand selecting 100% organic agave grown at 5,600 ft. Harvested when fully matured, charred pit oven roasted piñas are then crushed by a massive stone tahona to extract their sweet juice. Once natural fermentation occurs, small batches of Cráneo Organic Mezcal are distilled twice in copper pot stills capturing bold, complex flavors of agave, rich fermentation notes and smoke.

Dedicated to the preservation of ancient Oaxaca methods of artisanal distillation while sustaining the highest quality of production, founder David Ravandi combines the experience and respect of those who have produced the finest mezcal for generations with his own vision and passion."

Few American Whiskey ($45.99)
Illinois

From the producer:
"We start by hand-selecting a diverse and strong backcone of our award winning bourbon and rye whiskey. We then incorporate unexpected notes from a rich yet balanced malt whiskey that has been imbued with cherrywood smoke.

Approahable entry with graham cracker/honey on top and a savory rye spice below. Some tart cherry in the middle. A wisp of smoke rounds out the texture. Subtle white pepper and honey finish."