I have one word for you...
- Dan Matheny
- Aug 7
- 5 min read
OYSTERSOYSTERSOYSTERSOYSTERSOYSTERSOYSTERSOYSTERSOYSTERS
Hours of Operation
Monday - Tuesday, 10am to 6pm
Wednesday - Saturday, 10am to 8pm
Calendar 🗓
August 9 (Saturday) - Second Saturday and our celebration of National Oyster Day!
August 13 (Wednesday) - Bar closed from 4:30 to 8pm for a private event; retail will remain open.
September 1 (Monday) - Closed for Labor Day.
September 5 (Friday) - Anniversary Wine Tasting, 5-7pm, benefiting Christian Clearing House.
September 27 (Saturday) - Findlay Oktoberfest Dinner, 6-8pm. Reservations required.
News 🗞
It's finally here!!! Oyster Day at the Wine Merchant, coming to you this Saturday, August 9. This will be our celebration of National Oyster Day, which actually took place on Tuesday... but who wants to do something like this on a Tuesday? We will once again be bringing in 1000 oysters for you to enjoy, and we'll of course have some special options and prices on the menu for the day. We're bringing in three varieties: Year 1620s from Massachussets, Alaskan Gems from -- you guessed it, Alaska, and of course the perennial favorite, Pink Moons from PEI. On the half shell, you can order any of the three varieties by the dozen, or you can try some of each each with a Sampler. As for the specials, you can go a couple of directions... first, our version of the Italian Oysters Mosca, a baked oyster with prosciutto, shallot, red wine vinegar, and parmesan. A salty, savory little treat. And then on the other end of the spectrum, Bloody Mary Oyster Shooters. A little shot of Bloody Mary with a raw oyster and some lemon. Classic, fun, and way too easy to put down. We'll have some drink specials to pair with everything as well. It will be first come, first serve, and we will be here at 10am with oyster knives in hand...
Wine Feature ⭐️
If you didn't happen to notice, we got in six new Chilean wines last week... we bought pretty much everything we tasted with a vendor. And with the #1 wine of last year being Don Melchor, Chile is hot right now. So of course I have to feature one: Escudo Rojo 2022 Gran Reserva. Escudo Rojo is the Chilean outpost of Baron Philippe de Rothschild. "Escudo Rojo is the Spanish translation of the German 'Rote Schild' meaning Red Shield. In 1999, the encounter between Chilean soil and Bordeaux expertise gave rise to Escudo Rojo, a branded wine worthy of the Baron Philippe de Rothschild name, synonymous with the high standards of a great winemaking tradition." Seriously, all of their wines are exceptional. Grown and meticulously crafted in Chile's Maipo Valley, this is a blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Carignan, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Syrah. You'll find notes of rich red and black fruit, delicate spice, and roasted coffee beans, with refined tannins and a long and elegant finish. Ready to drink now or age in your cellar, $27.99 a bottle.
Wine Pick 🥂
You know I love a good Gascogne blend... I have recommended our Mary Taylor Côtes de Gascogne to just about everybody. Imagine my elation when I learned about another one we could get in for you at just $10.99? Plaimont 2024 Elia Liberty Côtes de Gascogne White Blend. Don't worry, I tried it immediately... it holds up. This one is a blend of just two grapes, 60% Colombard and 40% Sauvignon Blanc, sustainably grown in the Gascogne in Southwest France. Light, crisp, zesty, incredibly easy to drink, and only 9% alcohol, so you can keep on drinking it. A tiny touch of sweetness with ample fruit and acidity and an herbal minerality to balance it out. "A balanced, soft, and round white wine that's equally delightful with or without food. Its low alcohol content makes it the perfect companion for a relaxing evening. The harmonious balance of citrus and passionfruit pairs wonderfully with lighter dishes and salads." And listen, I don't think this has much of a presence in the States... I had to translate that from German.
Oysters 🦪
Pink Moons are always our favorite and perfect on the half shell. They are on on the smaller side, 2.5-3 inches, but packed full of flavor. From Prince Edward Island, they are just beautiful little oysters and consistently good. Salty and creamy with a kick of minerality. Year 1620s are from where other than Plymouth, Massachussets. They are around the same size as Pink Moons, if a little bit larger, with a nori-flavored brine and a strong vegetal richness. Alaskan Gems are from Prince of Wales Islands in Southeast Alaska and are deep-cupped and meaty, featuring a strong sweet note and medium salinity. With all that in mind, which ones will you pick this weekend?
Market Items 🛒
*Fresh Faroe Islands Salmon - $18.99/lb
*Fresh Center-Cut Pork Loin - $8.99/lb
*Fresh Short Rib Burgers, 4pk - $13.99
*Fresh Oysters - $24/dozen
*Fresh Kynthos Halloumi Cheese, 8.8oz - $6.99
*Fresh Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog American Goat Cheese, 16oz - $49.99
*Fresh Cypress Grove Purple Haze Lavender Fennel Pollen Goat Cheese, 4oz - $7.99 Sea Wings Canned Crab Claw Meat, 1lb - $26.99
Frozen American Wagyu Baseball Steaks - 6oz $10.99 or 8oz $12.99
Frozen Center Cut Beef Tenderloin Filets - 6oz $10.99 or 8oz $16.99
Frozen Little Town Jerky Cooked (to Rare) Beef Tri-Tip - $15.99/lb
Frozen Whole Beef Tenderloin, Double - $18.99/lb
Frozen Black Rock Filet Mignon 2pk, 12oz (6oz each) - $18.99
Frozen Short Rib Burgers, 4pk - $13.99
Frozen Pounded Veal Leg Cutlets, 1lb (4 per pack) - $18.99
Frozen Cooked Veal Osso Bucco - $26.99/lb
Frozen Ground Veal, 2lb - $21.99
Frozen Skin-On Boneless Chicken Leg & Thigh, 2pk and 4pk - $4.99/lb
Frozen Lamb Rack - $20.99
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 Tender Belly Cherry Wood Smoked & Dry Rubbed Uncured Bacon, 2.5lb - $19.99
Frozen Weisswurst Veal Sausage - $8.99/lb
Frozen Greco Italian Sausage, 4pk - $9.99
Frozen Fairway Imperial Wagyu Frankfurters, 5pk - $14.99
Frozen Uncured Piedmontese Hot Dogs, 4pk - $10.99
Frozen Saku Block Sashimi Grade Ahi Tuna, 8-10oz - $19.99
Frozen Portico Peeled & Deveined Jumbo Shrimp - $18.99/lb
Frozen Portico Bikini Shrimp, 2lb - $21.99
Frozen U-10 Scallops - $32.99/lb
Frozen Lobster Tails (4oz), 2pk - $25.99
Frozen Massa Sicilian Style Pizza (Pepperoni, Roasted Veggie, Italian Sausage) - $15.99
Frozen Seasoned Oven-Roasted Potato Wedges - $8.99
Frozen Au Gratin Potatoes, 4pk - $9.99
Fresh/Frozen Spinach & Cheese Ravioli, 1lb - $10.99
Fresh/Frozen Drake’s Pasta Ravioli (Veal) - $12.99/lb (serving for 2)
Frozen Tribeca Oven Bread (Rosemary) - $5.99
Frozen Bake House Artisan Multi-Grain Bread - $4.99
Frozen Miner's Demi Glace - $9.99
Frozen French Macarons, 12pk - $9.99
Frozen Brittany Blend Vegetable Mix, 2lb - $8.99
New Wine🍷
Collefrisio 2019 In & Out Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Italy - $44.99
New Beer & More 🍺
3 Floyds Beast of 1000 Bodies DIPA, 4pk cans - $16.99
Distillerie Buiese Aperitivo 1L, Italy - $25.99
Distillerie Lussurgesi Feminas de Judu Limoncello 500mL, Italy - $19.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel 🛢
Wiedemann's Royal Amber Ale - $109.99
Three Floyds Zombie Dust Pale Ale - $148.99
Tröegs Sunshine Pilsner - $109.99
Northern Row Butcher Pilsner - $109.99
Maine Brewing Woods & Waters IPA - $189.99
Final Thoughts 💬
Hard to believe it's August and most kids will be starting school in... a week??? How can that be? I'm sure many of you are more than ready for that day to get here, but my teacher friends... my thoughts are with you. We are here if you want to come celebrate your last days of freedom with us.
Cheers from all of us here at the Wine Merchant!
📞 419-424-0391