You gotta be kidding me…..
A little reminder for all:
24 Days till Christmas
30 Days till the end of 2022!!!
Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday
10am to 6pm
Calendar 🗓
Dec 3 (Sat) - Our annual Champagne Tasting (Sold Out)
Dec 25 - Christmas Day (Closed)
And with that, we’re calling it a year…
Store News 🏬
Just like you and everyone else, we’re slipping into holiday mode. The holiday bottles, be they beer or wine, are filling the window ledge. Stray boxes full of favorites sit at the end of the racks, and I’m trying my best not to be spending all day searching on my computer for different wines and specialty foods, but that is what I do… We’re ready to help with anything you need this month: wines, beers, charcuterie boards, specialty meats and cheeses, or big fat juicy steaks and chops. You simply have to let us know, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Wine News🍷
I think I told you last week that I most likely would not be bringing in any new wines, and then I shared a long list with you… Well, that’s not going to happen this week! Inventory is a difficult thing to judge, and whereas i’m pretty good these days on projecting my needs, apparently many distributors are not. We’re struggling to get wines in that (1) we need and (2) are special orders from you. It appears a railway strike may have been averted (for now), fuel prices are down at least a bit, so what’s the problem on getting in inventory??? I’m out of answers.
Dan’s Feature ⭐️
Terrazas de los Andes 2017 High Altitude Grand Malbec -- for those that may remember, I’ll only buy this bottle when it comes down to its current price ($39.99). This bottle regularly comes in anywhere between $59.99-$69.99, and to be quite honest, I don’t like Malbec, but this one is different. If there’s a better Malbec, it’s probably kept in Argentina. Tasting notes describe this wine as "intense red with black hues. It displays an attractive and complex bouquet that combines aromas of dark fruit with balsamic and aromatic herbs notes. It shows delicate aromas of mocha and dark chocolate towards the end. Smooth, bold and fresh in the mouth. Its outstanding acidity and round, firm tannins guarantee a long ageing potential.” Age, schmage -- drink this 95pt bottle this weekend since it’s here, the price is right, and I’m sure you’re thirsty.
Dan’s Pick 🥂
Le Pietre Aldegheri 2017 Santambrogio Veronese is my pick for this week. This $22.99 Northern Italian Red has a lot to offer. This wine is a simple blend of Cabernet, Corvina, and Rondinella. The last two varietals are among those used to make Valpolicella, but by adding Cabernet rather than Molinara, you get a wonderful full-bodied Italian Red with something to think and talk about. Their tasting notes aptly describe this wine as “a big red wine, produced from hillside vineyards characterised by dry rocky soil, conditions which make the Corvina and Cabernet grapes unique. In order to obtain an excellent wine, the production quality is kept under control, the grapes are picked at an advanced state of ripeness, and the vinification process is monitored very carefully. The complexity of the bouquet, slightly herbaceous with hints of dried juniper, makes a first pleasant impression, followed by the perception of perfect harmony and full, robust body.” The first week we brought this wine in, it didn’t last long on the shelf, so rather than keeping it a secret, I decided to not only bring it back in but to share with all of you.
Food News 🦃
Prime-Prime Rib not quite for a song, but… I’ve squirreled away approximately 80 pounds of PRIME Prime Rib, some bone-in and some boneless. I bought this beef when I saw it at a great price and because I wanted to be able to offer it up for you for Christmas Dinners. I’m in the position to sell it to you for $23.99. I can’t even buy wholesale PRIME for that price, and I know it’s not coming down anytime soon. Choice will be available for $16.99 a pound. Just let me know by bones or by weight if you’d be interested in the either of these roasts, and I’ll put it aside. The other bargains that I have found are the Bone-In Mortons 12oz Beef Tenderloin cuts for $16.99 and the Short Loin that I broke down last week, (Porterhouse) Prime cuts that are approximately 3 pounds each. I’m ready to help you check off one more item on your list, so please let us know how we can help.
Food Feature 🐟
Bone-In 12oz Mortons Steak House Beef Tenderloin -- OK, so I have a problem… I made an offer they couldn’t refuse🐴. I made the offer thinking no way it would be accepted, and surprise, they took it. I cooked these steaks for two different events down here recently and was amazed at how they turned out. I now understand why Mortons wants these steaks. We have plentyyyyy, and at $16.99 per steak, this is what I’m serving Christmas Day. If you’re looking for an exciting cut and one that’s as tender as butter, hop in on this great deal. I’m aways willing to share.
Market Items 🐄
*Fresh Hand Cut Demkota Beef Ribeyes - $18.99
*Fresh Hand Cut Demkota Strip Steaks - $18.99
*Fresh Wagyu Burgers 2pk - $8.99
*Fresh Double Cut Duroc Pork Chops - $12.99 per chop
Frozen Center Cut 8oz Beef Tenderloin Filets - $16.99
Frozen Mortons Choice 12oz Bone-In Beef Tenderloin Filets - $16.99
Frozen Pre-Cooked Frozen BBQ Ribs - approx. 3lb racks $29.99
Rinaldi Italian Sausage 4 per pound - $6.99
Frozen Nueske Cheddar and Bacon Sausages 5 per pound - $9.99
*Fresh Oysters (Royal Canadian, Fortune, or Riptide) - $24 a dozen
*Fresh Faroe Island Salmon - $17.99/lb
*Fresh Icelandic Cod - $17.99/lb
Frozen Chilean Sea Bass 6oz - $16.99
Frozen Barramundi - $8.99
Frozen Bakkafrost Salmon Burgers Spinach and Feta 2pk - $10.99
Buddy’s Detroit Style Pizzas (Vegetable or Cheese) - $17.99
Au Gratin Potatoes 4-pack - $9.99
Frozen Ahi Saku Block Tuna AAA Sushi Grade avg. 14oz - $29.99
Frozen Lobster Tails - $9.99 each
Frozen U-16/20 Raw Shrimp deveined (1lb package) - $19.99/lb
Frozen U-10 Scallops - $29.99/lb
Fresh/Frozen Bacchini Paparedelle from Italy - $9.99/lb (serving for 2)
Fresh/Frozen Bacchini Strozzapreti from Italy - $9.99/lb (serving for 2)
Fresh/Frozen Bacchini Pear & Cheese Fiocchi from Italy - $7.99 1/2 lb
Fresh/Frozen Drake’s Pasta Ravioli (Butternut or Veal) - $12.99/lb (serving for 2)
Frozen Surgital Gnocchi from Italy- $15.99/2.2lbs
1932’s Pasta Sauce (Arrabbiata, Pomodorina Basil, or Pomodorina Barolo) - $7.99
Fusco Mezzi Rigatoni Dried Pasta from Italy - $6.99
Maurizio Spaghetti Chitarra Dried Pasta from Italy - $5.99
Fusco Casarecce Dried Pasta from Italy - $5.99
Tribeca Bakery Bread (Asiago, Sourdough, or Rosemary) - $5.50
New Wines🍷
No new wines - simply focused on maintaining inventory!
New Beers🍺
Nothing new here either, but there are a couple that we forgot to share with you last week:
Goose Island Bourbon County Original Stout, 4pk bottles - $39.99
Short's Pure Michigan Winter Pils, 6pk cans - $11.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel🛢
Great Lake Brewing Christmas Ale - $116.99
Wiedemann's Bohemian Pilsner - $80.99
3 Floyds Zombie Dust - $155.99
Final Thoughts 💬
30 days from today and 2022 will be in the book. It doesn’t seem real that another year has passed by. To be honest, I can’t remember who I started with as staff at the beginning of this year, but I do know who I’m ending it with. I’m blessed with the employees that I’ve had, and I appreciate each and every one of them, as I’m sure you do too. It’s difficult to find people who have a passion for great foods and fine wines -- no, no, I take that back... those people are readily available, but those who want to understand, learn, and share with others is a bit more difficult. Thanks for indulging me with a little of what I’m still thankful for from last week.
Cheers from all of us here at The Wine Merchant!
📞 419-424-0391