I like the fact that we’re #1 in Micropolitan Cities, however…
In this case I would usually say, “hey 2 out of 3 aint bad” but not this time….
Store Calendar
May 1 – 412 Day or Opening Day???
Our hours,
Monday – Saturday
10am to 6pm!
Wine News
To say the least we brought in some interesting wines this week, some of them we feel are soon to become warm weather favorites. We’re betting on them so much that they went right to the front cooler. Obviously sparkling is still on the top shelf but just below them are some grab and go cheap and cheerful whites that need to be consumed on your porch or patio soon! Once again we were able to get our hands on some great value reds that will be wonderful to accompany anything you’re throwing on the grill and maybe at least one new wine that just deserves some discussion before consuming. We’re always looking for something new and tasty and were excited to share these with you.
Dan’s Wine Feature
My feature this week is from the land of my people, the Jura region of France. I regularly bring in a white under this label just to keep at home, but this week we tasted Domaine Rolet’s Pere et Fils 2018 Arbois Rouge. I quickly agreed to bring in a few for my cellar and the girls objected because they wanted some for the store. This $19.99 light bodied red is a wine that will make a white wine drinker drink red and a red wine drinker …well drink this. Arbois Rouge is a “traditional light red which brings the complexity from the soils of the hills of Montigny and Arbois made of red marls and rich gravels. 40% Poulsard, 30% Trousseau, and 30% Pinot Noir. Varietals are fermented separately and blended after 18 months in large neutral barrels. This wine is a bottle that can accept a slight chill and will serve well at any barbecue or porch setting. Personally, I’m going to open one and take a block of Gruyere home to sit, drink and think about the beauty of the French Countryside.
Dan’s Pick
During the same testing session as my feature, we tried Pavette’s Sauvignon Blanc Chenin Blanc blend from the Columbia Valley. Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc have always been favorite white wines for me, but I don’t believe I have ever had a blend such as this. Comprised of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Chenin, this $15.99 quaffer is just what you need as a great warm weather white. “Pale straw in color with white flower, kaffir lime & thyme aromas. Melon flavors with a nectar texture and clean, zesty finish. Totally crushable”. Yup, I really like the “crushable” part and I think you will too…
Food News
Everything’s going up be it farm, fin or pasture. I’ve been given a long list of reasons with the lead being processors are scrambling for workers, fewer workers equal smaller production which obviously affects the price of these items. Additionally some prices just jump because of popularity, Kobe Ball Tips baseball cuts as an example, increased 40% this week and I decided to skip that re-order. I like being consistent in pricing and if it goes beyond a reasonable amount I’ll reconsider and possibly bring something else in. I’m always on the lookout for something new and who knows maybe even better…
Food Feature of the Week
Onglet anyone? Or maybe a nice cut of Teres Major?? Sometimes I just can’t help myself… While I perused all the different steak cuts last week, I stumbled upon a few mysterious cuts. The first being a hanging tenderloin. Apparently in the good old days this was called “the Butcher’s cut” or as the French named it the Onglet. Teres Major, described by all as the second most tender cut of beef, obviously to the tenderloin, isn’t something I’d ever seen. As with both cuts, they will want a hot grill and to be treated just like a piece of Beef Tenderloin and it’s also mentioned by some to marinate the hanger if you prefer. Hey, at $12.99lb for either cut it’s worth having fun trying out something new, different, and tasty!
*** New in this week***PROVISIONS…
Fresh Black Angus Prime Strip Steaks - $18.99lb
Fresh Certified Angus Beef hand cut Choice Ribeyes - $18.99lb
Dry Aged Prime Wagyu 32oz Bone in Ribeye - Market Price
Fresh 28oz Prime Porterhouse Steaks - $45.99 avg.
Fresh Wagyu Burgers 2pk - $7.99
**Fresh Kobe Beef Sirloin Baseball Cuts 8oz - $12.99 **
Only a few left at this price!
Hanger and Teres Major Steaks both $12.99lb***
Rinaldi Italian Sausage (our favorite) 4 links per pound - $6.99
Brazilian Sausage - $6.99
Frozen 4oz Beef Tenderloin Medallions - $24.99 2.5lb bag
Fresh & Frozen Butchers Preferred Center Cut 8oz Filets - $13.99
Fresh Heritage Kurobuta Berkshire Pork Chops - $12.99 per Chop
Glacier Bay BC Oysters (Just in Today!) $18.00 for a bakers dozen
Fresh Yellow Fin Tuna Loin - $21.99lb
Fresh Salmon Bay of Fundy Nova Scotia Fillets -$16.99lb
Frozen 1pound bags Lobster Claws - $15.99
Frozen 16/20 count Raw Shrimp peeled deveined 1lb - $15.99
Barramundi Asian Sea Bass Frozen 7-9oz fillet - $8.99 each
Saku Block Ahi Tuna AAA Sushi grade - $14.99 per block
U-10 Scallops frozen – $18.99lb
Tribeca Bakery Sourdough $4.99
Mike's Hot Honey $11.99***
New Wines/Cocktails
Reserve del Puech 2019 Cotes du Rhone France $10.99
Monsieur Touton 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Bordeaux, France $12.99
Cofrade 2019 Blanc Rioja Spain $10.99
La Pianure 2019 Pinot Grigio Veneto, Italy $10.99
Comte Royal 2019 Bordeaux France $10.99
Pavette 2019 Sauvignon Blanc/Chenin Washington $15.99
Chateau du Rouet 2020 Cuvee Reserve Rose France $17.99
Domaine Rolet Pere et Fils 2018 Arbois Rouge Jura, France $19.99
Merryvale Vineyards 2016 Napa Cabernet $69.99
New Beers
Troegs Field Study 6pk cans $10.99
Troegs Sunshine Pils 6pk cans $9.99
Alesmith Hazy .394 4pk 16oz cans $12.99
Urban Artifact Key Lime 6pk cans $11.99
Left Hand Peanut Butter Milk Stout 6pk cans $10.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel
North Coast Scrimshaw $109.99
Revolution Hazy Hero IPA $124.99
Bells Oberon $134.99
Final Thought
Over the past 13 months I’ve tried and done everything I can to keep the store open and to keep my ever-dwindling number of employees and their families safe. Now when I look at Hancock County’s numbers and our ranking in the state to say the least, I’m perplexed… Do we want to reopen? Absolutely. However, am I changing how I view safety and security? Not one bit. If our rating in the state and our numbers begin to decrease we’ll be ready, if not, then we’ll just be patient…
Cheers from all of us here at The Wine Merchant
Please bring a mask when you come visit us at the store.