A glimmer of hope for the wine industry
- Dan Matheny
- 15 hours ago
- 5 min read
All is not lost... even with many factors negatively impacting wine right now, there is some good news.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Tuesday, 10am to 6pm
Wednesday - Saturday, 10am to 8pm
Calendar 🗓
June 14 (Saturday) - Second Saturday is Huhn in June, our annual chicken dinner event, served all day 10-8 while supplies last. No reservations required.
June 15 (Sunday) - We're not open on Sundays, obviously, but it's Father's Day... don't forget!
June 20 (Friday) - First day of Summer ☀️
July 4 (Friday) - Closed for Independence Day.
News 🗞
The weather certainly warmed up this week, fast and furious. Now a rain forecast just in time for the weekend... what else is new? But Saturday is looking pretty good, so stop by for some patio time and maybe a Caprese and a Spritz. Following that, I want you to start thinking about next weekend so you can make your plans. Our annual Huhn in June event is on Saturday, June 14, which is Second Saturday in Downtown Findlay. We'll be serving a chicken dinner -- Brined & Grilled Chicken, Orzo Salad, and Cornbread -- all day 10a-8p while supplies last. It also happens to be National Rosé Day, and you know we're always fully prepared to celebrate that... We're still getting new 2024 rosés in weekly. And Sunday, June 15 is the most important day of the year... for some of us, at least, Father's Day. As I mentioned last week, we do have a couple of special items in to celebrate, the first being 22oz Porterhouse Steaks for $21.99 a piece. These are frozen, so you can pick some up ahead of time, and we may thaw some out for last-minute shoppers next week (if there are any left). Second, a very special bottle of wine: Mt. Brave 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley's prestigious Mt. Veeder, $124.99. I know it's not cheap, but it's a special bottle for a special occasion, and honestly could there be a better name for a wine for Dad?
Wine Feature ⭐️
We love Sancerre. We love rosé. How about a rosé from Sancerre? Domaine Gueneau 2024 Chavignolet Sancerre Rosé, $29.99. This is a family-owned winery in the Loire Valley, and the Gueneau family has been there since before written records were even kept. I googled this -- the first census in France took place in 1791. So just a measly 230+ years of farming there. I'd say that gives them some experience? While most wine production around the village of Sancerre does focus on Sauvignon Blanc, there are some smaller plots of other grapes like Cabernet Franc and in this case, Pinot Noir. This bottle is 100% Pinot Noir from sustainably farmed vines in limestone soil, the soil being what makes Sancerre so special. "Elisa Gueneau’s very limited production rosé is a standout in Sancerre for the way it so clearly reflects both the terroir and the more delicate qualities of Pinot Noir. Rose petal, strawberry, and citrus aromas carry over to the soft palate, enhanced by a nervy zip and a crack of chalky soil on their way to a notably long finish redolent of red fruit and sweet flowers." I'm honestly not sure a rosé could get much better than this.
Wine Pick 🥂
We're excited to have gotten a couple of cases of this week's pick in because it was one of the Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines last year. And at just $9.99, it's a no brainer: José Maria da Fonseca 2022 Anticiclone Red Blend. José Maria da Fonseca is another family-owned winery with a long history, making wine in Portugal since 1834. It's actually the oldest table wine producer (so excluding Port) in Portugal. This wine is comprised of two grapes, Castelão and Aragonez (known in Spain as Tempranillo). "Balanced and medium-bodied, this fresh red frames flavors of chopped black cherry, blackberry paste, espresso, tobacco, anise and graphite with light, fine tannins. Drink now through 2029." It's fresh, it's spiced, it's dry, and a tremendous value that would make a great addition to any table this summer.
Oyster(s) of the Week 🦪
Oysters this week are North Shore Golds. These are wild oysters, hand-harvested off of Prince Edward Island, around 3 inches in size. "With a meaty, juicy texture and a distinct seafoam finish that packs a punch, these oysters will leave you wanting more."
Market Items 🛒
*Fresh Hand-Cut Ribeyes - $20.99/lb
*Fresh Faroe Islands Salmon - $18.99/lb (a few pieces of Scottish left at $24.99/lb)
*Fresh Short Rib Burgers, 4pk - $13.99
*Fresh Oysters - $24/dozen
*Fresh Medusa White Anchovies - $12.99
*Fresh Block & Barrel Applewood Smoked Ham - $8.99/lb Sea Wings Canned Crab Claw Meat, 1lb - $26.99
Chicken of the Sea Canned Lump Crab, 1lb - $26.99
Frozen Porterhouse Steaks, 22oz - $21.99ea
Frozen Wagyu Baseball Steaks, 6oz - $10.99
Frozen 6oz Filet Mignon, 2pk - $18.99
Frozen Center Cut Beef Tenderloin Filets, 8oz - $16.99
Frozen Whole Beef Tenderloin, Single or Double - $18.99/lb
Frozen Chuck Prime Burgers, 5pk - $14.99
Frozen Dearborn Spiral Honey Glazed Ham - $5.99/lb
Frozen Pre-Cooked St. Louis Ribs - $29.99
Frozen Skin-Off Pork Belly - $3.99/lb
Frozen Berkshire Pork Tenderloins, ~1lb - $12.99
Frozen Duroc Dry Aged Bone-In Pork Chops, 14oz - $16.99
Frozen Cooked Heritage Pork Osso Bucco, 16oz - $9.99
Frozen Weisswurst Veal Sausage - $8.99/lb
Frozen Greco Italian Sausage, 4pk - $9.99
Frozen Wagyu Hot Dogs, 5pk - $13.99
Frozen Rack of Lamb - $23.99/lb
Frozen Saku Block Sashimi Grade Ahi Tuna, 8-10oz - $14.99
Frozen U-13/15 Raw Jumbo Shrimp Deveined (2lb package) - $39.99
Frozen U-10 Scallops - $31.99/lb
Frozen Lobster Tails (4oz), 2pk - $25.99
Frozen Massa Sicilian Style Pizza (Italian Sausage, Pepperoni, or Roasted Vegetable) - $14.99
Frozen Oven-Roasted Potato Wedges - $8.99
Frozen Au Gratin Potatoes, 4pk - $9.99
Fresh/Frozen Cheese Ravioli, 1lb - $9.99
Fresh/Frozen Spinach & Cheese Ravioli, 1lb - $10.99
Fresh/Frozen Drake’s Pasta Ravioli (Butternut Squash or Veal) - $12.99/lb (serving for 2)
Frozen Tribeca Oven Bread (Rosemary) - $5.99
Frozen Bake House Artisan Multi-Grain Bread - $4.99
Frozen Brioche Hot Dog Buns - $3.99
Frozen Miner's Demi Glace - $9.99
Frozen French Macarons, 12pk - $9.99
New Wine🍷
Domaine Gueneau 2024 Chavignolet Sancerre Rosé, France - $29.99
Gönc 2024 Anna Rosé, Slovenia - $17.99
Folk Machine 2023 Parts & Labor Red Wine, California - $21.99
Folk Machine 2024 White Light White Wine, California - $16.99
Kouros 2023 Assyrtiko, Greece - $13.99 (it's back!)
New Beer & More 🍺
Tröegs Graffiti Highway IPA, 6pk cans - $11.99
Urban Artifact Gigglemug, 4pk cans - $12.99
Ohmine 3grain Saké, 750mL - $39.99
Kuheij 2023 Sauvage Saké, 750mL - $44.99
Four Fires Meadery Slow Jamz Blackberry Mead, 375mL - $29.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel 🛢
Masthead IPA - $109.99
New Holland Full Circle Kölsch - $109.99
Heart State Break Hazy IPA - $121.99
Hi-Wire Leisure Time Lager - $109.99
Final Thoughts 💬
Tariffs, climate change, severe weather, inflation, worker shortages, changes in trends... there are many things that the wine industry is facing right now. It's easy to feel discouraged, but a recent report actually provides some hope. Even though volume of sales is down overall, the overall value of the industry is growing. That means people are drinking less but opting for higher quality choices. Around 70% of wineries are actually expecting a modest amount of growth over the next few years. It's hard to say if that will actually pan out... it could all change tomorrow. But for now, we can breathe a small sigh of relief.
Cheers from all of us here at the Wine Merchant!
📞 419-424-0391