Beer

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Delirium Tremens (750ml) $15.98

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One of the great golden ales of Belgium, Delirium Tremens is unique in that it is fermented with three different strains of yeast, adding complex flavors of fruit and spice to the pleasant slight hoppiness. It's quite strong, and its pleasant clean flavor and refreshing finish can trick one into thinknig it's lighter than it is, so be careful you may want to drink this a little bit faster than you should share it with less friends than you could.

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Rosé

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2015 Triennes Rosé, Provence $24.98

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This project was started in 1989 by three friends- Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac in Morey-St-Denis, Aubert de Villaine of Domaine Romanée Conti in Vosne-Romanée, and Michel Macaux, a Parisian.  If you are any kind of fan of Burgundy, you will recognise two of those names as some of the most famed, expensive, rare, and best producers in the whole of the country of France.  As a producer of wines with terroir, the focus of Domaine Triennes has always been in the vineyard.

Situated just thirty miles from the Mediterranean coast, the aim is purity with a classic expression of the soil and environment – simple winemaking without cosmetics. From the hillside vineyards south of Aix, the grapes are night harvested to retain freshness of fruit. The 2015 vintage is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Merlot, with a beautiful bouquet of strawberries, white flowers and a hint of vanilla. Light and nimble with a harmonious freshness, this wine has earned appreciation throughout the world of what the great rosés from Provence can be.

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White

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2015 Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner Kamptaler Terrassen, Austria $39.98

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Weingut Bründlmayer is one of Austria’s top wine producers. The natural approach taken both in the vineyard and in the cellar presents the Grüner Veltliner varietal with purity of fruit and sense of place that is rare. This Grüner Veltliner is a blend of wines sourced from different terraced vineyards. Under the green apple and white pepper, nuances of grapefruit, verbena and cheese rind will emerge; racy acidity will contribute to the finesse of this wine. 

2014 François Chidaine Montlouis sur Loire "Les Choisilles" $46.98

François Chidaine is one of the most talented young vignerons working in France today. He started in the family domaine in Montlouis-sur-Loire, on the south side of the Loire River from Vouvray. For years he made the wines of the Vouvray estate of Prince Poniatowski, and upon the retirement of the owner he was offered the chance to purchase the estate. He did so, and has been making spectacular, focused Chenin Blanc ever since on both sides of the river.

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Les Choisilles is not from a specific vineyard plot, but is, rather, an estate blend of bunches left to hang longer on the vine to attain higher levels of ripeness; that said, it's nonetheless always made dry.  Look for a floral nose of elderflower, followed by a palate of chalk, grilled citrus, peach, and crushed oyster shell. A bone dry Chenin Blanc with great complexity, lip smacking acidity, depth, and a long finish.

2015 Domaine Comte Abbatucci "Faustine" Blanc, Corsica $61.98

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In the colorful, picturesque city of Ajaccio, capital of Corsica, you can’t get very far without seeing the name Abbatucci. There are streets, monuments and plazas that carry the name, which is normal given that General Jean-Charles Abbatucci from Ajaccio was a hero of the French Revolution and comrade in arms of another local hero, Napoléon Bonaparte. Step into a wine bar or a restaurant there, chances are these days they’ll pour you a glass of Domaine Abbatucci. The domaine is run by Jean-Charles Abbatucci, a direct descendant of the General, who has now become a local hero of another kind—for providing the local populace with its most sought-after libation.

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The Faustine Blanc comes from 40 year old vines and is 100% Vermentinu grown on granitic soils.  The profile is clean and bright with flavors of white peach, apricot, and nectarine.  On the nose, there is a dash of herb and a whisper of sea salt from its proximity to the ocean.  This wine is a fantastic pairing with fresh summer produce!
 

 

Red

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2014 Grosjean Gamay Vallée d'Aoste, Italy $37.98

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The Valle d'Aosta is one of the northern most and highest altitude growing regions in Italy. Tucked up right against Switzerland, this is a area of supreme beauty, where grapes can only be grown on south facing hill sides. The family originally raised cattle and grew grapes to make wines for their own consumption. In 1969 the patriarch of the current generation of winemakers was encouraged to present his wines at a wine expo, and over night things changed. Recognized for the quality of the wine, the focus changed, and today the family grows grapes spread over seven hectares of vineyards. Sustainable farming techniques have been used since 1975, with usage of organic fertilizer, and without pesticides or herbicides. Indigenous yeasts are used for fermentation. This wine is 100% Gamay and undergoes 4-5 days of maceration before aging in stainless steel to preserve the aromatic intensity of the grape. A bright ruby color, on the nose look for red raspberry and cherry which continue to the palate to be joined by a brambly, herbal character and a touch of mineral. Low tannins give a silky mouth feel, while the colder growing region provides a fair amount of food friendly acidity.

2012 Forteto della Luja Monferrato Rosso 'Le Grive', Piedmont $45.98

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Giancarlo’s “Le Grive,” is a blend of 80% Barbera and 20% Pinot Nero from his vineyard at his micro-sized estate in the hills near Loazzolo, just south of the town of Canelli.  The name of the vineyard and wine derives from the Italian term “grive,” which is given to the bird known as a thrush in English.  The bird feeds on abundant juniper berries from rather old bushes which encircle the vineyard.  Initially, the wine begins its life in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, and then is transferred over to finish in standard barrels for some six to eight months.  Bottled directly from cask, it is held back to allow further development in glass.  The results speak for themselves.  Here you find fruit, not oak or alcohol, a “blend” that stands apart from the rest in this historic region.  Some 80 cases will make it to California.  You see volume, richness and a deep penetrating color that coats your glass.  The “cut” the Pinot Nero gives to the racy Barbera is a pleasure.

2011 Pradeaux Bandol, France $71.98

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The Château Pradeaux is situated on the outskirts of the town of Saint Cyr-sur-Mer that lies directly on the Mediterranean Ocean between Toulon and Marseilles. The estate has been in the hands of the Portalis family since before the French Revolution. In fact, Jean-Marie-Etienne Portalis, who inherited the estate in 1752, helped draft the Napoleonic Code and assisted at the negotiation of the Concordat under Napoleon the First. The estate was devastated during the French Revolution and suffered the effects of the phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century. Suzanne Portalis and her daughter, Arlette, retreated to the domaine during World War II and undertook to revive the domaine. The domaine is currently under the direction of Cyrille Portalis, the sole direct descendant of Suzanne and Arlette. He continues to maintain the great traditions of this estate and is assisted by his wife, Magali, and now his two sons, Etienne and Edouard.

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The vineyards are cultivated in as natural a manner as possible with reliance on organic methods. In fact, for many years during the spring months sheep grazed in the vineyards thereby eliminating any need to use herbicides and at the same time providing a natural compost. The wines of Pradeaux are brooding and difficult. Produced on the back of the noble Mourvèdre, Pradeaux in its youthful stages is tannic, backward and sometimes ornery. The wines are not destemmed; élevage in large oak foudres can last as long as four years; vines of less than 25 years of age are not used for the reds. The traditional Bandol wine is 95% Mourvedre, from vines that are 25 years and older. Traditionally vinified, it includes stems that will contribute to the powerful structure and savory herb notes. The wine spends four years in large barrel before bottling. Dense black fruit, ‘Herb de Provence’ and smoked meat- this wine needs hearty food.