Thanks to everyone for making last night's Alternative Wine Dinner the success that it was. We’re pretty certain a good time was had by all!
Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday
10am to 6pm!
Calendar
Thursday, November 18 – 6-8pm 2021 Beaujolais Nouveau Tasting and Dinner.
SOLD OUT!
Saturday, December 4-- 6-8pm will be our Premier Champagne Tasting
SOLD OUT!
Wine News
For this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau release we have no idea how many to expect. We originally ordered more than maybe we ever have, kind of knowing that some would be lost in the supply chain quagmire and… you guessed it, we were right. All we can guarantee is that we will be celebrating like it’s… well…2021.
Dan’s Feature
Chuck Wagner of Caymus has been producing this week’s feature wine for some time and while not as well known as his heralded Cabernet, this little cousin deserves some attention so that’s why this week I’m featuring Caymus 2018 Grand Durif. So what the hell is Durif??? Durif just happens to be Petite Syrah and this one comes to the Caymus family from the Suisun Valley, an area that has been producing wine since 1862. The 2018 is “a regal maroon rimmed with purple, this vintage features rich, enveloping scents of French plums and German chocolate cake. A hint of pomace, vanilla, and floral potpourri adds freshness to the nose, while the wood on this wine cradles but never defines the fruit. On the palate, dark berry flavors mingle with tannins, each expanding again and again to match the other. An initial softness builds, evolving on the finish to the texture of blackberry preserves or the filling of a fig bar, creamy and luxurious.
Dan’s Pick
My pick for this week is Enfant Terrible from Laudun Chusclan Vignerons from the Rhone Valley of France. Only after researching the name of this 2018 white blend did I understand their ridiculous label.
Noun, plural en·fants ter·ri·bles [ahn-fahn te-ree-bluh]. French.
1 - an incorrigible child, as one whose behavior is embarrassing.
2 - an outrageously outspoken or bold person who says and does indiscreet or irresponsible things.
3 - a person whose work, thought, or lifestyle is so unconventional or avant-garde as to appear revolutionary or shocking.
“Enfant Terrible embodies the rebellious spirit of a new wave of passionate winegrowers from the Rhône Valley. While some have already left to harvest, a group of Enfants Terribles winegrowers are keeping their feet up to await the full maturity of this selection of Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier and Roussanne. The aromas of flowers and white fruits blend perfectly with the liveliness and freshness of this beautiful pale gold-colored cuvée”. I bought it because I liked it and it was at a great price. Plus, besides being a bargain, I felt it would go wonderfully with Thanksgiving fare. These rambunctious wine makers work out of a co-op in this Rhone Valley community and apparently like doing things just a bit differently. Do I understand this mind set…you bet and at $10.99 I understand it even better.
Food News
Availability and price has become the concern, with our dinner this past Tuesday I found my self shopping at our big box groceries and became acutely aware of two things, (1) shelves were light, very light. Either goods aren’t making it in or the store can’t keep up to fill the shelves and (2) prices on everything are up and continuing to move in that direction. Whereas we cannot be a full service grocery, we can be that specialty food provider with a guaranteed price. We won’t be crowded, there will be no self checkout lines or single clerks ringing you out. We can most likely get what you want and help you avoid some of the current pitfalls of grocery shopping during this season, please come see us.
Food Feature of the Week
Halibut. Why Halibut? Well, it’s not just for the helluvit…Prices for this fresh fish have been astronomic, mid $40s per pound, ridiculous!!! So when we found that one of our purveyors was going to bring this fresh catch in direct and make it available at $25.99, we took the bait so to speak. These North Atlantic fillets are fresh caught, never frozen pieces of decadent white fish flesh. Whether blackened, lemon and butter, teriyaki or miso, this fish will not disappoint. Texture and taste will make any fish lover very happy with this week’s food feature.
Market Items…
Fresh Whole Beef Tenderloins $19.99lb
Fresh Whole Beef Tenderloins (broken down) $23.99lb
Fresh 14oz Dry Aged American Imperial Wagyu Ribeyes Market Price
Fresh “Niman Ranch” Prime Teres Major Steaks - $18.99lb
Fresh 8oz Beef Tenderloin - $16.99 each
Fresh Wagyu Burgers 2pk - $8.99 Certified Angus Burgers 4pk- $11.99
Frozen Trimmed Choice Hanger Steaks - $13.99 each
Rinaldi Italian Sausages 4 links per pound - $6.99
Dearborn Smoked Brats 5 links per pound- $7.99
Cheshire Chops $12.99lb
Oysters “Gold Label” PEI - $18.00 a dozen
Fresh Loch Duart Scottish Salmon -$16.99lb
Fresh Halibut Fillets - $25.99lb
Frozen Large Langostines - $15.99lb
Frozen U-13/15 Raw Shrimp deveined (1lb package) - $17.99lb
Frozen U-10 Scallops – $29.99lb
Drakes “Parla” Lobster Ravioli- 32 count- $18.99
Drakes “Parla” Spinach Florentine Ravioli- 16 count- $11.99
Drakes Eggplant Parmesan- $13.99
Tastee Choice Risotto Di Mare (from Italy!) $12.99
Tribeca Bakery Sourdough, Rustic Olive, Rosemary and Asiago Cheese Bread $5.50
New Wines
Primary Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 California $12.99
Caymus-Suisun Grand Durif 2018 California $49.99
Pine Ridge Sparkling Chenin Blanc and Viognier California $18.99
Enfant Terrible White Rhone 2018 France $10.99
Beers
New Holland Cabin Fever 6pk cans $10.99
Outerbelt Brewing Schneepflug 6pk cans $11.99
Masthead Sleigh all Day 6pk cans $10.99
Stone Xocoveza Tres Leche 6pk cans $16.99
Revolution Fistmas 6pk cans $10.99
Brew Dog Hoppy Christmas 6pk cans $9.99
Madtree Holly Days 6pk cans $10.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel
St. Bernardus Tripel Belgian Abbey Ale - $209.99
Maine Lunch IPA- $174.99
Alesmith IPA- $121.99
Final Thought
Two weeks until Nouveau means its three weeks til Thanksgiving…Well, let’s be honest we’re 8 weeks out of 2022 and for whatever reason that’s kind of frightening. I know, I know my mother was right, the older you get the faster time goes but it seems rather ridiculous that 2022 is right around the corner. I can handle change. I can handle the passing of time but what I have difficulty in handling is not remembering significant blocks of the past 21 months… We are all hoping for a different and for me a more memorable holiday season and obviously we’re here to help make it just that for both of us.
Cheers from all of us here at The Wine Merchant