Beer

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Brasserie Dupont 'Forêt' Organic Saison (750ml Bottle) $16

Brewed by Brasserie Dupont (one of the oldest breweries in Belgium), the Foret Saison was the first 100% certified organic beer to be produced in Belgium. The beer is crafted with organically cultivated hops and barley as well as filtered artisan well water, providing the beer with a distinct and unique mineral quality. A light bodied, refreshingly smooth beer with a bold malt flavor, Foret Saison has distinct aromas of bread, clove and pepper, finishing with a dry herbal note and complex fresh citrus flavor.

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Bubbly

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La Collina 'Quaresimo' Lambrusco Sparkling Red Wine, Emilia-Romagna, Italy $28

Lambrusco is one of those wines that gets a really bad rap. In its basic form it can be painfully sweet, fizzy, and generally uninteresting. However, in its best form, Lambrusco can be the perfect food wines; with the richness and structure to stand up to heavy meat dishes but the carbonation to keep it light and refreshing for appetizers. Although Emilia-Romagna may not have the wine prestige that other areas have, such as Chianti and Piedmont have, their food is considered some of the best in Italy, home to prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano, Balsamico di Modena, and some of the biggest, most beautiful black truffles. So to the people of Emilia-Romagna wine exists to enhance and compliment food, not to overshadow. And from that idea comes La Collina's 'Quaresimo' Lambrusco. Made biodynamically with organic grapes, this is a wine made to bring people together over a meal, showing beautiful ripe red fruit flavors with a hint of dusty minerals.

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Rosé

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2017 Il Poggione, 'Brancato’ Rosato, Tuscany, Italy $26

One of the original three Italian wine producers of Brunello di Montalcino, Tenuta Il Poggione was founded in the late 1800’s by Lavinio Franceschi, a man whose dedication to the land and the Sangiovese grape is still admired today.  One of Montalcino’s largest wineries, Tenuta Il Poggione covers an area of 600 hectares, 125 planted under vine, 70 planted to olive trees and the rest open space and woods. ‘Brancato’ Rosato (Rosé in Italian) is one of the newest wines from Il Poggione crafted from 100% Sangiovese. It is crisp and fresh on the palate with a pleasant roundness that pairs perfectly with fresh produce.  A delicate floral and red berry bouquet brings you to a palate full of red cherry, citrus, raspberry, strawberry and spice.

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White

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2016 Arndorfer 'Vorgeschmack' White, Niederösterreich, Austria $32

Martin Arndorfer comes from a long line of winemakers, and he grew up in the vineyards and cellar of his parent’s estate. Anna Stieninger is the daughter of Karl Steininger, one of the most respected winemakers in Austria. They are a wine power couple. Both born with a genetic love and a nurtured appreciation for for Riesling and Grüner Veltliner grapes. Arndorfer Estate is located in the northern reaches where wine can grow, only 15 kilometers south it is considered too cold, and the land is dedicated to grain. This cool weather is important for the distinctive style of Arndorfer and soil and climate help the grapes develop a unique regional expression. "Vorgeschmack" is German for "appetizer", and for Martin and Anna this is what they call their "welcome wine". A blend of 80% Grüner Veltliner and 20% Riesling, this is a deliciously fruity wine meant to bring people together and go with salads and light dishes.

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2016 Tire Bouchon Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy, France $39

It's rare to find a wine from Burgundy that is called by a nickname rather than strictly by appellation, but the Tire Bouchon white Burgundy stands up as a serious example of French Chardonnay. Made by a well-established Burgundian winemaker who prefers to remain anonymous on this project, "Tire Bouchon" translates to "corkscrew" in English. Even though the winemaker is a mystery, the quality of this wine is abundantly clear. Rocky, mineral-driven, and well-balanced, it doesn't get much better than this for entry-level Burgundy. Coming from vineyard sites in Meursault and Savigny-les-Beaunes, it is lighter in style with firm acidity and brightness. It still maintains a fruit-forward palate and is incredibly food-friendly: you can pair it with anything from seafood to richer meats and creamy pasta dishes.
 

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Red

 

2016 Vietti, Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne, Piemonte, Italy $29

Like many European wineries, Vietti traces its roots back to the 19th century, but it was only at the beginning of the 20th century that Vietti began offering its own wines in bottle.  Over the years the Vietti winery grew to be one of the most prestigious in Piedmont, a region in northwestern Italy, and was one of the first to export to the U.S. Since 1974, each of the Vietti bottlings have been adorned with specially designed works of art to represent the wine of the respective vintage. Outwardly a beautiful presentation, but more importantly, Vietti produces wines of incredible depth and finesse.

Barbera, while not deemed to be the noble grape of Piedmont (that title is reserved for Nebbiolo the workhorse of Barolo and Barbaresco), is still an exceptional wine with a beautiful balance of fruit, body, tannin and acidity. Rife with lavender, dried strawberries, and dried herbs on the nose, with cherry, licorice, plum, and tobacco on the palate, this wine pairs nicely with delicate and savory cuisine.

2015 Petrussa, 'Rosso Petrussa' Merlot, Friuli, Italy $55

Gianni and Paolo Petrussa, 4th generation of the Petrussa family,  both had the opportunity to work jobs with salaried positions upon coming of age.  Throwing caution to the wind, the brothers declined these jobs and instead followed in their parents’ footsteps. A decision initially not supported by their parents as they remembered the hard life spent in the fields and the economic difficulties they faced, the brothers set out to prove to their parents that they too had perseverance.   With passion, determination and investment, the brothers updated the winery equipment, replanted the vineyards and added the use of French oak barrels.  Today Petrussa is a leading producer in Friuli.  

Merlot has been cultivated in Prepotto, Friuli for many years, and exhibits an exceptional adaptability in this valley. Considered indigenous to the territory, Merlot, perhaps more than any other, conveys the peculiar characteristics of the land. Merlot of Prepotto is not only full bodied, but also rich in spices. Its intense aroma and delicate palate of red apple skin, black cherry, plum, and graphite reflects the uniqueness of the terroir. 

2014 Enfield Wine Co. Cabernet Sauvignon, Waterhorse Ridge, Fort Ross-Seaview, California $95

Enfield Wine Co. is the family project of John Lockwood and Amy Seese, with a focus on producing wines of personality. Driven by soil first and foremost, Enfield Wine Co. seeks out vineyards that possess a distinct and powerful sense of place – across region, grape variety, and vine age. Working only with small vineyards and independent growers, every step of the process is guided by the intent to maximize this character of terroir. Grapes are harvested for balance and the wines are all given the chance to ferment naturally.

The most exciting wine out of their portfolio is without a doubt the Cabernet Sauvignon from the Waterhorse Ridge. Fort Ross-Seaview is a little known area pressed right up against the Pacific Ocean. The climate is so cold, and at times down-right extreme, that you’ll likely only find Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown here because they can handle these conditions. But planted amongst them is a small patch of Cabernet Sauvignon which produces something totally different from the “California style”. The SF Chronicle describes it best: "The aromas here are seductive and big, expressing juicy red fruit; graphite, tobacco and Christmas spices fill the palate. Although it’s a delicate Cabernet by California standards, the wine is full and present, with a firm core of tannins, carried by fruit."