Tag Archives: Staff Pick

Wines of the Day: Dolin Vermouth de Chambery NV 5-10-2016

Dolin Vermouth de Chambery Dry, Savoie, France ($17.95) Buy Now: $14 special

Dolin Vermouth de Chambery Blanc, Savoie, France ($17.95) Buy Now: $14 special

Dolin Vermouth de Chambery Rouge, Savoie, France ($17.95) Buy Now: $14 special

“Dolin is a respected producer of AOC French-style vermouths from Chambery, France in the Alps. The vermouths are produced using an herbal recipe from 1821 and wormwood as their bitter agent. The neutral base wines are left to macerate with local herbs and plants for several months before being sweetened and fortified. The Dry makes a superb mixer for dry martinis or to spice up ginger ale. It has delicate herbal notes from the Alpine botanicals infused in the wine. The Dry is sweetened to 30g/L and both the Blanc and Rouge are sweetened to 130g/L.” … Read the rest

Wines of the Day: Lillet Aperitif Blanc and Rose NV 5-9-2016

Lillet Rose Aperitif ($21.95) Buy Now: $18.90 special

Lillet Blanc Aperitif ($23.95) Buy Now: $19.90 special

“The two Lillet aperitifs come from the Bordeaux region of France using regional grapes. The base wine is matured in oak and flavored with sweet and bitter oranges. The aperitifs are less bitter in flavor than most with a gentle sweetness that is not cloying. The Rose incorporates some of the Rouge for color and has a pretty strawberry and lemon aroma. The Blanc has a more focused citrus aroma. I enjoy both over ice with a spritz of lemon and seltzer.” -Suzanne

Winery note “The main grape variety in Lillet Blanc is Sémillon, which gives it a full, fleshy structure and a smooth, fruity taste with aromas of candied oranges, honey, pine resin and exotic fruits.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Byrrh Grand Quinquina NV 5-8-2016

Byrrh Grand Quinquina, Languedoc-Roussillon NV ($23.95) Buy Now: $19 special

“The Byrrh is a rarity in many ways. It is a quinquina (which uses chinchona bark for the bittering agent) that is red-wine based, whereas many red aperitifs are colored with caramel. Despite wide popularity before Prohibition, it is not typically imported into the US anymore, so we are excited to present it. It was originally created in 1866 in the Roussillon from Carignan and Grenache grapes. It shows rich notes of dried plums and cinnamon and has a full body and lush sweetness.” -Suzanne

Importer note: “Byrrh Grand Quinquina is made to the original late 19th century recipe that earned fame both in France and overseas. Its long legacy is also documented by a half century of magnificent poster art.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Domaine de l’Ecu La Divina Brut NV 5-7-2016

Guy Bossard Domaine de l’Ecu La Divina Brut, Loire NV 750ML ($24.95) Buy Now: $19.90 special

“Domaine de l’Ecu has been organic for 40 years and biodynamic for 25 years. The land is worked by plowing and vines and grape harvest is completely by hand. The Divina sparkling wine is made in the traditional method, with the second fermentation in bottle. It is a blend of Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Melon de Bourgogne and a touch of Folle Blanche. It has subtle notes of red berries and pineapple with a chalky undertone. In the mouth, it is tart and dry with a note of lemon curd. Enjoy this fantastic wine with spring vegetables, goat cheeses and light salads.” -Suzanne

Importer note “This sparkling wine is a blend of Chardonnay, Melon de Bourgogne, and Folle Blanche, with some Cabernet Franc to add complexity and structure.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Antoniolo ‘Osso San Grato’, Gattinara DOCG 2008 5-5-16

Antoniolo ‘Osso San Grato’, Gattinara DOCG 2008 750ML ($79.95) Buy Now: $69 special

Why we love it: An all-around goldmine. Aromas, flavor, body, the whole bit. Such pretty, surprising fruit with an enduring freshness. The ‘08s from Gattinara are in a really wonderful place right now. Please buy all of these so that I don’t have to! – Tyler

Antonio Galloni 94 points “Another wine that has developed beautifully over the last year, the 2008 Gattinara Osso San Grato impresses for its layered, inviting personality. Sweet tobacco, herbs, menthol, coffee and plums meld together nicely in the glass. This is a surprisingly textured, voluptuous Osso San Grato with terrific potential for the future, although it is quite beautiful, even today. The aromatics and tannins show some elements of development, but the wine is still a bit fresher on the palate.”… Read the rest