Beer

 

Brasserie La Choulette 'Les Sans Culottes' French Blonde Ale (750ml Bottle) $13

This beer, the brewery’s masterpiece, proudly pays homage to Les Sans Culottes – the “trouserless” craftsmen who could not afford uniforms but unflinchingly did the handiwork of the French Revolution. A number of brewers were included in their ranks.  It is a golden brew, much esteemed for its rich, enticing champagne-like bouquet, and its rewarding flavor is slightly fruity and delicate, yet deep and fully satisfying. 

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Sherry

 

La Cigarrera Manzanilla Sherry, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain (375ml Bottle) $26

The key to the quality of La Cigarrera is the exceptional raw materials and the location of the winery. La Cigarrera Manzanilla is produced exclusively from vineyards in the Jerez Superior Denomination of Origin. Only wines aged in Sanlúcar de Barrameda are labeled as D.O. Manzanilla. The unique microclimate of Sanlúcar de Barrameda creates a very special “flor”, or yeast, that grows year round on the wines, protecting them from the atmosphere. Hence, the wine goes through what is termed a “biological aging,” with the wine aging and breathing through this layer of yeast. This growth is actually affected by subtle differences in location within the town. Vibrant and fresh with aromas of yeasts and salinity, the wine on the palate is rich and substantial with a long finish.
 

Rosé

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2017 Loimer, Rose, Niederosterreich, Austria $32

Fred Loimer’s wines are among the very best examples of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling in Austria. He began practicing biodynamics in 2006 and is a founding member of Respekt, a certifying body for biodynamic viticulture. His estate near the village of Langenlois in the Kamptal region includes several prestigious single-vineyards and his winery is a model of modern efficiency. Loimer rosé comes from biodynamically-farmed vineyards near the village of Langenlois in the Kamptal region. Whole clusters of Zweigelt and Pinot Noir are macerated on their skins for up to 48 hours, then fermented dry with indigenous yeasts and aged in stainless-steel tanks for four months before bottling.

Zweigelt gives this rosé a soft and fruity character with aromas and flavors of red cherries, plums, and Red Delicious apples. Pinot Noir contributes to the wine’s aromatics, lending floral and herbal aromas in addition to refreshing acidity.

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White

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2017 Ferdinand Albarino Luna Vista Vineyard, Borden Ranch AVA, Lodi, California (375ml can) $12

Ferdinand Albarino is sourced solely from the the Vista Luna Vineyard, owned by Markus Bokisch.  Markus, probably the foremost authority on growing Spanish varieties in California, decided to plant the vineyard after beginning his career carefully farming some of the best vines in Napa. Markus, whose family is from Spain, looked to those roots when he decided to plant Albariño, Tempranillo, Garnacha Blanca, Verdelho, and Graciano (he even smuggled in a special massale selection of Albariño from its native Galicia, Spain.) Vista Luna's site, far to the north-east of Lodi, is in the rolling bench-land at the edge of the Sierra foothills. What makes it really unique is its cobbled, rocky soil and the cooling breezes which blow from the Delta to the Sierras.

A light gold color, balanced and attractively fragrant, this wine is savory and floral with orange peel, lime zest, lemongrass, quince and grapefruit aromas and flavors. Lees aging in neutral oak gives the wine finesse, sophistication, and a hint of nuttiness – a pleasing complement to the variety’s balance of natural acidity, slight bitterness, and salty finish. The 375ml can is perfect to split between two people and will be one of the best wines you've ever tasted coming out of a can. 

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 Smockshop Band Chardonnay, Moonhill Farm, Hood River, Oregon $97

From our good friend and one of the founders of Meadow Lark Farm Dinners, Nate Ready, comes another gem out of Oregon. Just as Meadow Lark connects food and wine to people and place, pulling all of these aspects closer together, Nate has an amazing ability to impart and sense of location, climate, and even people into his wine like very few can. The grapes are farmed without irrigation before being harvested by hand, crushed by foot, and allowed to gently release their juices for twelve hours directly into barrel. The wine is then left to natural ferment and age for fourteen months. The resulting wine is dense and concentrated, brimming with fruit and minerality. Aromas begin with charred hazelnuts, gunflint, lemon custard, and yellow plum before traveling to the ephemeral notes of smoke and white flowers. Nearly as good and traveling to Oregon and running your fingers through the soil. 

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Red

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2017 Scar of the Sea Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, California $43

Scar of the Sea was started by Mikey Giugni and Michael Brughelli, two friends that met while studying winemaking at Cal Poly. They had a shared interest in making wines with a sense of place, with the sea being the central focus. As winemakers the sea is important in Santa Barbara  because it provides the fog that moderates the temperature and allows the area to be perfect for wine grapes. As Central Californians the sea is a central part of their lives, and everyone's life, providing the background for all of life's activities. So when Mikey was was studying winemaking in Tasmania and saw an old church sign that said "Scar of the Sea" he knew he had found the perfect name for his winery. Nevermind the sign actually said "Star of the Sea", a brand was born, and they have been making phenomenal wines ever since. It also doesn't hurt that they are two of the nicest guys in the wine industry. And although they regularly are awarded huge scores in all the major wine publications, they remain humble and gracious. Just good people making good wines. This wine is a blend from a few different vineyards in the Santa Barbara area and shows beautiful flavors of cherry, mint, rose petals and spice. 

2016 Comando-G 'Rozas 1er Cru' Garnacha, Madrid, Spain $63

A short distance from Madrid, the rugged, weathered peaks of the Sierra de Gredos serve as a refreshingly cool retreat from the heat and the bustle of the capital. Ancient hilltop towns and cottages dot the tortured landscape of alpine meadows, tumbled boulders and thick scrub brush. Clustered around this rocky spine are several DOs which are best known for producing reliably inexpensive and simple country wines to slake the thirst of the capital. But for those willing to search deeper, remote vineyards can be found in trechorious areas that produce wines unlike their neighbors. Daniel Landi and Fernando Garcia did just that. In 2008 they opened Comando-G and began redefining what was previously viewed as a workhorse variety, Garnacha, into something that can rival the elegance and finesse of Pinot in Burgundy or Syrah in Hermitage. From ancient vines, this Garnacha shows deep minerality and firm tannins, similar to Burgundy, with beautiful notes of dried strawberries, mushrooms, maraschino cherries, and dried flowers. 

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