22 baguettes, 25 pounds of Beef Bourguignon, 8 pounds of French Brie, enough Pissaladière to go around the store twice… and oh yeah, almost forgot…
11 different labels or 336 bottles of
2023 Beaujolais Nouveau!
Hours of Operation
Monday - Tuesday, 10am to 6pm
Wednesday - Saturday, 10am to 8pm
Calendar 🗓
November 16 (TODAY) - It's that time of year again... Beaujolais Nouveau! As usual, to celebrate the new release, we will have French fare all day long, so make sure to stop down. We have three different flights to choose from, plus Beef Bourguignon, Pissaladière, and Baked Brie with Baguette. Wine, food, and fun!
December 9 (Saturday) - Our annual Champagne Tasting, 6-8pm. Reservations required. Call soon because this one fills up fast… (SOLD OUT)
Store News 🏬
Where've you been??? That’s what the girls have been asking. Wednesday through Saturday, we are now open until 8pm, but we haven't seen very many of you. Tell your friends, make some plans, and come on down after work. We’re here, ready and waiting, stop in and see us! We're trying to hold up our end of the bargain...
Wine News🍷
Beaujolais Nouveau 2023 is finally here! I know there are those who believe that it’s not real wine; however, I humbly disagree. Beaujolais is the southernmost region of Burgundy. The vineyards of Beaujolais stretch from north to south across 34 miles of hillsides, bordered to the west by the foothills of the Massif Central and to the east by the Saone River. The grape they grow in this region is Gamay. What makes it special? Well, here we go… The wine itself is fun and simple – a fruity red wine made from handpicked Gamay grapes grown in the region of Beaujolais (and the subregion of Beaujolais-Villages). It's made using the process of carbonic maceration. This method produces a wine that is very low in tannin with high acidity. (Carbonic maceration is also used in the production of a couple of the store's favorite Pinots from Oregon.) Beaujolais Nouveau is known as the "world's fastest wine," as it is bottled a mere 6-8 weeks after harvest, and an incredible 35 million bottles are shipped worldwide. Produced by only 55 appellations in the Beaujolais region, this red wine must come from the area to be given a special AOC status, and gee, we only brought in… 336 bottles! This is the wine that you had sitting in a French café, that came to you in a carafe and that you still remember to this day. I’ve always said there are wines that you love to sit, sip, and ponder, but that’s not what these are, no discussion needed there. This is a wine you simply drink and enjoy. Beaujolais Nouveau is great with a variety of cheeses and meats, a baguette, or like today, with Beef Bourguignon. Stop in, try a flight, have a bite, and see for yourself why this wine is so celebrated at this time of the year. It's truly something to experience.
Dan’s Feature ⭐️
Yamhill 2014 Reserve Pinot Noir is my feature for this week. “Yamhill Valley Vineyards is the oldest winery in the McMinnville AVA; their first vintage was 1983. They grow, produce and bottle their own grapes at their estate located on 150 acres in the rolling foothills of Oregon’s Coast Range Mountains, one hour southwest of Portland in the Willamette Valley. They grow and make Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling.” We occasionally had on hand their Estate bottle, and it sold very well, but this week, we were offered a deal I couldn’t say no to… their 2014 Reserve for the unbelievable price of $29.99. When searching to see if this was in fact a deal price, I saw prices from $40-60, so when I could buy it for $29.99, I jumped at the chance. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting to purchase and cellar this... it is a drink now deal! Thanksgiving is absolutely a great time to share this exquisite Pinot with its soft tannins and “distinctive notes of dark cherry, cigar box, vanilla, light oak on the nose; cherry, clove, cranberry, plum, oak spice on the palate.” I only have a handful of these, with the promise of the next time these guys come through town, they’re bringing me the last case in inventory.
Dan’s Pick 🥂
All the 2023 Beaujolais Nouveau!!! All is right… 11 different labels equaling 336 bottles, without counting the 6 Magnums. Did I overdo it? Nah, we sold out of all Nouveau last year within a week. This order, which may be the largest in our history, should in theory last us to Christmas. Beaujolais Nouveau displays itself with a light garnet color giving way to violet reflections. It is an immediate delight on the nose, with aromas of small red fruits, red currant and cranberry. It is refreshing, fruity and supple on the palate, and this vintage is a perfect expression of Beaujolais Nouveau. It is ideal for all occasions, from aperitif to cheese, and pairs with almost anything. This wine has always been on our Thanksgiving table and is one that deserves to be on yours as well. Cheap and cheerful, bright and expressive, it’s a wine that everyone will enjoy. To say we have a few is an understatement, so stop in tonight and try them out to see if you can choose a favorite for your holiday table.
Food News 🦃
Fresh Salmon, fresh Cod, and wild Oysters... need I say more? The best and the freshest seafood in town. We also have some fresh and unbelievably priced whole, cleaned tenderloins in this week. Turkeys will be all the talk next week; this week, however, it’s still surf and turf down here… see you soon.
Oyster News 🦪
Salutation Cove Oysters from Five Star Shellfish are our oysters for this week. Something to note is that these are not cultured Oysters; these are wild. Harvested after 3 to 4 years, their average size is 3.25 inches, and they’re only available April through February. Described as briny and buttery and having a clean, salty finish, these PEI Oysters are clean out of the box, easily shuckable, and delicious baked or on the half shell. Stop in and try a dozen and see if you can taste a difference…
Market Items 🛒
*Whole Cleaned Tenderloins - $18.99/lb
*Fresh Prime Strip Steaks, 12oz - $15.99
*Fresh Wagyu Hanger Steaks, 2 Pack (1lb) - $29.99
*Fresh Wagyu Burgers 4pk - $16.99
*Fresh 16oz Berkshire boneless loin chops - $21.99
*Fresh Oysters - $24 a dozen
*Fresh North Atlantic Salmon - $18.99/lb
*Fresh Cod - $19.99/lb
Frozen Duroc Dry Aged Bone-In Pork Chops, 14oz - $15.99
Frozen Whole BMS 6/7 Wagyu Tenderloin - $39.99/lb (1 remaining)
Frozen CAB Steak Burgers 4pk - $14.99
Frozen CAB Dry-Aged Ribeyes - $18.99/lb
Frozen Center Cut 8oz Beef Tenderloin Filets - $16.99
Frozen Choice Sirloin Cap Strip Steaks, 8oz - $9.99
Frozen Lamb Sirloin Roast - $22.99/lb
Frozen Lamb Racks, 2lbs - $49.99
Frozen Spiral Cut Dearborn Hams, approx. 9lb - $27.99
Frozen Pre-Cooked Frozen BBQ Ribs (approx. 3lb racks) - $23.99
Frozen Bratwurst, 5pk - $8.99
Frozen Italian Sausages, 4 per pound - $8.99
Frozen Dearborn Knockwurst, 5pk - $8.99
Frozen Black Pepper Bacon - $14.99
Frozen Chilean Sea Bass, 6oz - $16.99
Frozen Buddy’s Detroit Style Pizzas (Cheese or Pepperoni) - $17.99
Frozen Ahi Saku Block Tuna AAA Sushi Grade, avg. 16oz - $19.99
Frozen U-16/20 Raw Shrimp deveined (1lb package) - $19.99
Frozen U-10 Scallops - $29.99/lb
Frozen Lobster Tails, 2pk - $35.99
Frozen Whole Petite Potatoes - $8.99
Frozen Oven-Roasted Potato Wedges - $8.99
Frozen Arrezzio Basil Pesto, 16oz - $18.99
Fresh/Frozen Drake’s Pasta Ravioli (Veal) - $12.99/lb (serving for 2)
1932’s Pasta Sauce (Arrabbiata, Pomodorina with Fresh Basil, Pomodorina with Barolo) - $7.99
Fusco Mezzi Rigatoni Dried Pasta from Italy - $6.99
Fusco Casarecce Dried Pasta from Italy - $5.99
Maurizio Spaghetti Chitarra Dried Pasta from Italy - $5.99
Maurizio Trofie Dried Pasta from Italy - $7.99
Tribeca Bakery Bread (Rosemary or Asiago) - $5.50
New Wine🍷
Domaine de la Madone 2023 Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau, France - $15.99
Paul Durdilly 2023 Les Grandes Coasses Beaujolais Nouveau, France - $14.99
Domaine des Marrans 2023 Beaujolais Nouveau, France - $19.99
Domaine du Clos du Fief 2023 La Roche Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau, France - $17.99
Domaine Manoir du Carra 2023 Beaujolais Villages Nouveau, France - $17.99
Domaine Manoir du Carra 2023 Beaujolais Nouveau, France - $17.99
Domaine des 3 Vallons 2023 Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau, France - $20.99
Chateau d’Ouilly 2023 Beaujolais Nouveau, France - $19.99
Georges Dubœuf 2023 Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau, France - $16.99
Georges Dubœuf 2023 Beaujolais Nouveau, France - $14.99
Georges Dubœuf 2023 Beaujolais Rosé Nouveau, France - $16.99
Georges Dubœuf 2023 Beaujolais Nouveau 1.5L, France - $29.99
Raen 2021 Sonoma Coast Royal St. Robert Pinot Noir, California - $77.99 (#4 wine of 2023)
Yamhill 2014 Reserve Pinot Noir, Oregon - $29.99
Mátyás 2016 sa_ra_do_ra Orange Wine, Slovakia - $20.99
Dunn 2019 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, California - $229.99 (#6 wine of 2023)
Louis Roederer 2015 Cristal Champagne Gift Box, France - $450.99
Duckhorn 2020 Three Palms Merlot, California - $135.99
Marietta 2019 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon, California - $43.99
Marietta 2019 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L, California - $79.99
Graham's 10 Year Tawny Port, Portugal - $42.99
Graham's 20 Year Tawny Port, Portugal - $72.99
Graham's Late Bottle Vintage Tawny Port, Portugal - $29.99
Luca 2019 Malbec, Argentina - $34.99 (arriving Friday)
Hedges 2020 CMS Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington - $17.99 (arriving Friday)
Glunz Vin Glögg, California - $15.99 (arriving Friday)
Weingut Leitz Non-Alcoholic Pinot Noir, Germany - $19.99 (arriving Friday)
New Beer 🍺 Abita Christmas Ale, 6pk bottles - $10.99
Ellicottville Sugar Cookie, 4pk cans - $14.99
R. Shea Christmas Ale, 4pk cans - $11.99
Fat Head's Imperial Head Hunter, 4pk cans - $12.99
Fat Head's Holly Jolly Christmas Ale, 6pk cans - $12.99
Jackie O's Deck the Hills English Holiday Ale, 6pk cans - $11.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel 🛢
Maine Little Whale Boat - $189.99
Wiedemann's Amber - $109.99
Stone Xocoveva - $209.99
Maplewood Pulaski Pils - $141.99
Final Thoughts 💬
I know we’ve only been in business for 16 years, but this is our 17th year for hosting and celebrating events such as Beaujolais Nouveau. I remember our first year vividly, terrified that maybe we bought too much and wondering how we were going to market it, but somehow we figured it all out. When so many in the profession dropped their Nouveau tastings, we kept it going because we kinda figured it out. Fast forward to 2020 when we had to keep everyone 6 feet apart during the tasting, and somehow we figured that out as well. So when everyone says “what did you do?” and “why did you buy so much?”, my best answer is quite simple: we’ll figure it out. Obviously I’m a huge fan of these wines; for many, myself included, it’s the memories of when you started drinking finer wine. For others, it is just what it has always been: a cheap and cheerful glass of wine. For those who believe their palates deserve better, we have plenty of other options to choose from -- especially considering the new wine list this week. This day, however, is for those that like to remember simpler times and simpler wines. Stop in anytime today for a full-fledged tasting and some great French fare. We’d love to see you.
Santé from all of us here at the Wine Merchant!
📞 419-424-0391