Staff Picks - What to Drink this Week
Try these special, staff-selected libations!
2022 Phillippe Girard Sancerre - $34.99
The Girard family is on its sixth generation of wine growers and is situated in Verdigny, one of the most renowned villages in Sancerre. They own and farm 16 acres of vines, mostly Sauvignon Blanc with some Pinot Noir. In the glass it's full of bright acidity, peaches, white flowers and that flinty mineral finish due to the Silex soil Sancerre is famous for. Sauvignon Blanc and Summer go hand in hand and this beauty will pair perfectly with goat cheese, summer salads and fish dishes.
-Angie
2021 La Raia Gavi - $24.99
The La Raia winery is located in Gavi, southeast of Piedmont, Italy. There they organically farm the Cortese grape and make some of the most vibrant examples we have tasted. This entry level bottling is a perfect refreshing white for a hot summer day, drawing comparisons to Chablis or Albarino. The nose shows aromas of green apple and white flowers while the medium bodied palate offers peach fruit, salinity and minerality. Try this lovely white as an aperitif or pair it with some grilled lemon butter trout.
-Rob
Tiberio Cerasuolo D'Abruzzo - $26.99
I'm a peasant when it comes to wine. I can tell you whether or not I enjoy a particular bottle of wine, but am often unable to explain why I enjoy it. The most recent bottle I enjoyed came from the recommendation of a couple of coworkers (thanks Rob and Angie!), and it was delightful. Tiberio Cerasuolo is a rosé, but has a deep red tint. As far as the taste is concerned, this translates to a richer, bolder flavor than most of the rosés I've tried. At the same time, the wine does stay much lighter than a full-on red. It was the perfect pair for Italian dishes with white sauces (I did one-pan creamy gnocchi). For the price point, this is a great pick to either drink on its own (especially chilled) or with some tasty food.
-Nick N
2022 Union Sacre, Edelzwicker, Central Coast, California - $27.99
Winemaker Xavier Arnaudin, originally from Alsace, and Philip Muzzy, originally from Michigan, met years ago working in California wine country. They created Union Sacre together as both an homage to Alsace and a desire to bring fresh and vibrant natural wines to the tables of friends that are elegant and fun and ready for dinner, tonight.
One of their creations is this 2022 Edelzwicker. It is a blend consisting primarily of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sylvaner, and Gewurztraminer, "Noble" white grapes of France's Alsace. All is organically farmed with Biodynamic principles practiced, native yeasts used in fermentation, skins left in contact with the wine, and no sulfites added.
The result is a wine full of young bright life. Aromas of melon and blood orange lead to a crisp palate of tart fruit, minerals, zesty citrus, and lifted acidity. Perfect for a summer picnic.
Cheers!
-Patrick
2020 Domaine des Lises ‘Equinox’ Croze Hermitage - $31.99
Maxime Graillot, son of the late Alain Graillot, has taken over the mantle at his father’s namesake property and the take over, started a few years before his father’s passing, has been absolutely seamless. In addition he continues to run his own property Domaine des Lises. This should come as a great joy to Syrah lovers. Certainly not all generational changes in wine have run this smoothly. The particular wine in question is quintessential Syrah goodness given its unique texture and crunchy acidity.
-Dave
