Bring on those May flowers

I could make a Mayflower joke, but I won't... the last weekend of April is upon us, and the weather finally seems to have taken a turn.

Hours of Operation

Monday - Tuesday, 10am to 6pm

Wednesday - Saturday, 10am to 8pm

Calendar 🗓

May 2 (Friday) - Spring Art Walk. Wine Tasting in the store 5-7pm; bar open until 9pm.

May 3 (Saturday) - El Tres de Mayo! Our celebration of Cinco de Mayo, a couple days early. Details TBD.

May 24 (Saturday) - 12-2p, Rosé in May. Reservations required.

News 🗞

Before you ask, no -- no specials this weekend. We doubled up the entire month of April, so this weekend we're taking a much-needed break. Look on the bright side, it will give you a chance to try our delicious menu staples and rediscover an old favorite. We're gearing ourselves up for NEXT weekend, which is both the Art Walk on Friday and our Tres de Mayo (Cinco de Mayo two days early) celebration on Saturday. We also have lots of 2024 Rosés in house, and even more on the way, so come check out the fresh selection and grab a bottle or two for your porch or patio. The 2024 Rosé in May tasting is officially on the calendar and open for reservations, if you haven't seen it yet. You know the drill... a lunchtime tasting, 6 rosés, and food to pair, with everything available by the glass or bottle as well. Last year this was a really good time, so you won't want to miss it if you like rosés. Yes, it's Memorial Day weekend... that was an accident... but hopefully many of you are in town to be able to come and enjoy with us.

Wine Feature ⭐️

I think many of you will like this one... any NPR fans out there? Grounded Wine Co. 2022 Public Radio Red Wine. This $32.99 red blend comes to us from Paso Robles, which is turning out more truly good (and good value) wines year after year. The winemaker is none other than Napa native Josh Phelps. He has been making wine for a while, and to be honest, I never liked his wines and never sold them in the store. However, with his new Grounded label, he has changed my mind. Grounded sources from high-quality, sustainable vineyards in California and Washington with the goal of making a wine to truly represent each location accurately and well. This blend is 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah... have you tried Paso Robles Grenache before? Not sure I have either. "Visually inviting with its bright garnet color, the 2022 Public Radio shows super fresh aromas of Bing cherry, strawberry and raspberry, with very subtle hints of violet and allspice. On the palate, the wine is seamless and has perfect balance. Fresh acidity, supple tannins and red fruit flavors create a synergy that is absolutely captivating and expressive of the very best that a Grenache-based wine can possibly offer, including a very long fragrant finish."

Wine Pick 🥂

This week I am picking Boedecker Cellars NV Summer Solace Pinot Gris from Willamette Valley, $21.99 a bottle. I said I wasn't going to bring another Pinot Gris into the store as we already have two or three, yet here we are. Boedecker specializes in Pinot Noir, so I was a bit surprised to see this Pinot Gris come available. I can't even find it on their website anywhere... and you know I like an exclusive. Wine Enthusiast says of it, "An aromatic explosion of nasturtiums, marigolds, honey and yuzu citrus is joined by a quantum of petrol. The Solace's citrus and starch flavors are like a heady mix of lemon drops and corn tortillas. This summery treat would be a fine match for fish tacos." Add to that mix apple, pear, stone fruit like peach and apricot... it's a hefty white wine full of flavor and complexity. I actually almost liken it more to a Riesling than a Pinot Gris. Maybe a mix of the two, or even Oregon's version of a Vouvray. Try one and find out.

Oyster(s) of the Week 🦪

Great Whites from Cape Cod and Pink Moons from PEI this week. Two staples here at the Wine Merchant. The former sweet and salty with melon notes, various sizes from the nutrient-rich waters of Barnstable Harbor; the latter small and perfectly balanced flavor from New London, PEI.

But wait, that's not all! We also have Princetowns (medium size, salty seaweed) from Thunder Cove, PEI and Duxburys (bigger, buttery sweet and crisp) from Massachussets. That's right, four oysters to choose from.

Market Items 🛒 

*Fresh Lamb Racks - $19.99/lb

*Fresh North Atlantic Salmon - $18.99/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 Lump Crab, 1lb - $26.99

Premium CAB Bone-In Ribeyes - $18.99/lb

Frozen Wagyu Baseball Steaks, 6oz - $10.99

Frozen 6oz Filet Mignon, 2pk - $18.99

Frozen Center Cut Beef Tenderloin Filets, 8oz - $16.99

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 (out of stock)

Frozen Cooked Heritage Pork Osso Bucco, 16oz - $9.99

Frozen Weisswurst Veal Sausage - $8.99/lb

Frozen Rinaldi Italian Sausage, 5pk - $8.99

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 - $29.99/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, 2pk - $5.99

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)

Fresh/Frozen Italian Grantortellone with Porcini Mushrooms - $15.99/lb (serving for 2)

Tribeca Oven Bread (Rosemary) - $5.99

Bake House Artisan Multi-Grain Bread - $4.99

Brioche Hot Dog Buns - $3.99

Miner's Demi Glace - $9.99

Wholesome Farms Salted Butter, 1lb - $4.99

New Wine🍷

Jax Vineyards 2024 Y3 Rosé, Sonoma - $19.99

Lioci 2023 Chardonnay, Sonoma - $26.99

Public Radio 2023 Red Wine, Paso Robles - $32.99

Cipresso 43 2021 Bianco, Tuscany - $15.99

Brucato Amaro, California - $39.99

Devil's Corner 2022 Chardonnay, Tasmania - $24.99 (arriving Friday)

Devil's Corner 2022 Pinot Noir, Tasmania - $24.99 (arriving Friday)

Pierre-Marie Chermette 2023 Les Griottes Beaujolais, France - $22.99 (arriving Friday)

Leeuwin Estate 2021 Art Series Margaret River Shiraz, Australia - $39.99 (arriving Friday)

John Duval 2022 Entity Barossa Valley Shiraz, Australia - $39.99 (arriving Friday)

Honoro Vera 2024 Rosé, Spain - $11.99 (arriving Friday)

Bodegas Breca 2024 Rosé, Spain - $17.99 (arriving Friday)

2024 Le Petit Cochon Rosé, Spain - $19.99 (arriving Friday)

New Beer & More 🍺

No new beer this week, but several things back in stock, and we have started carrying Soju! Arriving Friday, Moonlight Soju from South Korea, available in Original, Blueberry, Lychee, Peach, Strawberry, and Watermelon, $5.99 per 500mL bottle.

Kegs - 1/6 Barrel 🛢 

Fat Head's Jungle Juice IPA - $134.99

Juniper Early Morning Mexican Lager - $109.99

Toppling Goliath Cyber Sue Pale Ale - $175.99

Maplewood Pulaski Pilsner - $141.99

Final Thoughts 💬

For those of you who celebrated, I hope you had a nice Easter. If you had vacation or spring break, I hope you enjoyed your time off. Let's take advantage of the next couple of weeks of relative peace and quiet before graduations and summer break sneak up on us.

Cheers from all of us here at the Wine Merchant!

📞 419-424-0391

📧 findlaywinemerchant@gmail.com

💻 https://www.findlaywinemerchant.com