I remember years ago a father bringing his brand new 21 year old son in for his first legal beer, a Hopslam. After the first, he looked at his proud father and myself and said “is it O.K. to have another?” Well, of course, we answered. 2 led to 3 and 3 had the young one officially HOPSLAMMED!
Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday
10am to 6pm!
Calendar
Jan. 15th - Hop Slam Saturday! Special foods will be available to enjoy with this once a year release. The keg is on now…
February 14th - Our annual Valentines Day Dinner. SOLD OUT
March 1st - Fat Tuesday! Laissez les bons temps rouler! SOLD OUT
Store News…
Last week our quarterly calendar came out and the events we listed are already sold out. We really enjoy that but we really don’t like saying “sorry we’re sold out”. What we’re contemplating is beginning to host small (12 or less) private dining experiences. Of course, there would be set menus to choose from, wines to consider and anything else we could do to make this a great experience. This is something that we have done on occasion and are considering putting it out there as an option to privately enjoy and evening here at the Wine Merchant. We’ll keep you informed…
Wine News
Free wine this week!!! Well, not really but darn near… Ruffino is offering a 3 bottle gift pack for $49.99. This group of wines will please anyone who enjoys Italian wine. I’m not sure why they did this, all I know is that I would have loved to have had this during the holiday season and I wish I had purchased more of them.
Dan’s Feature
Well, of course, it’s the Ruffino 3-pack! For $49.99 you get 3 bottles of great Italian wines that list out collectively for over $90! Ruffino has been a trusted Tuscan wine since…well, from the first time I saw it on Tony Soprano’s Sunday dinner table. Seriously, as the story goes “In 1877 cousins Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino embraced their passion for winemaking by establishing a small winery in the town of Pontassieve near Florence, the region already had a centuries-old tradition of growing exceptional wine grapes”. Guess what? They’re still at it and these three bottles are fantastic examples of what they do best, a 2017 Reserva Ducale Chianti Classico, a 2015 Reserva Ducale Pro Gran Selezione and a 2017 Modus Super Tuscan. I’m not sure why they’ve chosen to give these bottles away but I’m glad we joined in on bringing this bargain to you!
Dan’s Pick
WHAT??? That’s right it’s a beer… I mean after all Bells Brewery only puts out Hopslam once a year and we’ve got plenty down here to share with you. Seeing as how I’m tasting this beauty right now, I feel like it has a wee bit less of honey and maybe a smidgin more malt. I’ll probably have to have another to confirm my first suspicions… Cases, 6 packs and drafts are my pick for this week! On my second Hopslam I think I’m still spot on this years flavor profile…
Food News
I’m a patient man (not really), dreaming each week that prices will drop on beef and premium seafood but here we are still waiting…In the meantime it’s gotten a wee bit cold and my grill sits waiting for a warmer day. That said, pasta dishes begin to beckon to me. A few weeks back we featured our grab and go pasta choices. We just want to remind you that we always have a selection of great pasta dishes down here to share with you and on top of that we always have some great Italian wines to accompany them. Stay in, stay warm and have a nice Italian style meal tonight, we can help make the happen.
Food Feature of the Week
I’ve never made this much chili in my life! This Saturday, in true Hopslam spirit, we’ll be serving up Hopslam Chili, Smoked Sausage Chili Dogs and truffled and cheese dusted Tater Tots to accompany our favorite 10% beer. We’re looking forward to a fun filled Saturday down here. We’ve got plenty to eat and drink, so stop on by and have a pint or two with us!
Market Items…
Fresh Dry Aged 12oz Prime Ribeyes - $35.99
Fresh Dry Aged 12oz Prime Strip Steaks - $37.99
Fresh Wagyu Burgers 4pk- $17.99
Fresh Whole CAB Choice Tenderloins $21.99lb
Fresh Heritage 12 oz long bone Berkshire Chops $14.99 a chop Fresh Certified Angus Burgers 4pk- $11.99
Frozen 1.2lb. CAB Beef Tenderloin Tails -$20.99 per package
Nueske Applewood Smoked Bratwurst 5 links per pound - $9.99
Dearborn Smoked Brats 5 links per pound- $7.99
Dearborn Knockwurst 5 links per pound- $7.99
Kuhne Sauerkraut 28oz jars $5.99
Oysters “Glacier Bay” PEI - $24 a dozen
Oysters “Malpeque” PEI - $24 a dozen
Fresh Halibut- $39.99lb
Fresh Loch Duart Scottish Salmon -$16.99lb
Frozen Bakkafrost Salmon Burgers with Spinach & Feta 2pk - $10.99
Buddy’s Detroit Style 8 Pizzas Original Pepperoni or Cheese - $17.99
Au Gratin potatoes 2 pack $5.99
Truffle Au Gratin potatoes 2 pack $7.99
Frozen Snow Crab Clusters 8oz and up $25.99lb
Frozen Lobster Tails $12.99 each
Frozen U-16/20 Raw Shrimp deveined (1lb package) - $19.99lb
Frozen U-10 Scallops – $29.99lb
1932’s Arrabbiata Pasta Sauce- $6.99
1932’s Pomodorina with Fresh Basil Pasta Sauce- $6.99
Cacio e Pepe Crema Sauce- $7.99
Fusco Mezzi Rigatoni Dried Pasta from Italy - $6.99
Fusco Casarecce Dried Pasta from Italy - $5.99
Maurizio Trofie Artisan Pasta from Italy - $5.99
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
Ruffino Toscano 3-packs $49.99
Bacio- Semisweet Red- Italy- $9.99
Beers
Bells Hopslam 6 pack cans $17.99
Heart State Cold IPA 6pk cans $10.99
AleSmith Party Tricks West Coast IPA 6pk cans $13.99
Outerbelt Cloverleaf Irish Stout 6pk cans $11.99
Stone Sublimely Self Righteous 6 pk cans $16.99
Urban Artifact Pinwheel Orange Fruit Tart 6pk cans $11.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel
Rebel Mettle Lager $109.99
Troegs Nugget Nectar $142.99
Maine Lunch $169.99
Final Thoughts
The days may be getting longer but they’re not getting any easier, it appears I was correct on what would happen to wine prices at the beginning of this year. This morning I was handed a stack of price increases from just one of our distributors. Many times distributors don’t share these and just wait until one of us catches the increase. Either way we’re focused on getting in the best wines that we can at the best available prices. Sure prices will go up on some wines but then there’s always a real bargain just around the corner that we’ll get our hands on to share with you! Keep reading and coming in and we’ll keep finding just the right wines for you!
Cheers from all of us here at The Wine Merchant!
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