I hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day, I personally know 40 people who had a wonderful time!
Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday
10am to 6pm!
Calendar
March 1 - Fat Tuesday! $49.99 per person Laissez les bons temps rouler! SOLD OUT
March 5 - For this first Saturday of Lent, we’ll be serving Fresh Strozzapreti Pasta from Italy with your choice of Red or Green Pesto on Saturday from12-6pm. A bowl of pasta, a hearty slice of Italian bread and a glass of Italian Red or White for $15.99!
March 26 - Lamb O’ Rama Dinner, details coming soon…
Store News
We’re very pleased with how are new events are playing out and hope to keep this practice going. Our grilled cheese and tomato soup proved to be a hit and our upcoming fresh pasta Saturday to kick off Lent should prove to be the same. We enjoy bringing back a few of our old favorites and we’re always looking for something new to share as well. Let us know if you’d like to see a particular Saturday special we’ll be more than happy to consider some new ideas.
Wine News
Besides prices going up we are still seeing difficulties in inventory management. Distributors are ordering on very tight margins, demand is up and quantity seems to be limited making this time period a bit of a challenge. Northwest Ohio is not the epicenter for the state in regards to distribution, we’re kind of like that odd cousin in the state and receive that which is left over. Occasionally I have to kick and scream and bring attention to what Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati consider the waste land and on a good day it pays off. You want something the larger markets are getting we’ll go to bat for you and make a case that might just pay off. Keep telling us what you want and we’ll do our best to bring it in.
Dan’s Feature
This week’s feature is Bookers Vineyards Harvey and Harriet. This red blend from San Luis Obispo is a great deal at $34.99. This wine is a blend of: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot and 10% Malbec and drinks just as described by other reviewers, “the 2019 Harvey and Harriet can be thought of as the more approachable, lush red in the lineup, and it always seems more black fruit-driven than the straight Cabernet Sauvignon. Blackberries, sweet tobacco, cedar and some floral violet nuances define the nose, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a beautiful texture and silky tannins. It’s a smoking value, and while it has plenty of up-front charm, it certainly has a decade or more of overall longevity”. This hearty and rich Central Coast bottle is perfect for sitting and enjoying a great glass of wine. Sure, you can pair it with a delicious meal but it’s a superb bottle for enjoying that end of the day glass or two.
Dans Pick
My pick for this week is Antinori’s 2019 Il Bruciato Tenuta Guado Al Tasso from the Bolgheri region of Italy. We served this wine on Monday night for our Valentine’s Day dinner and people really enjoyed it, so it’s due time to share it with all of you. Antinori does this Super Tuscan up right, the blend is comprised of Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah. This almost Bordeaux-style Italian red is a wine that will pair with anything; sure, it would love a steak or pasta dish with a nice red sauce but it’s just as enjoyable with a plate of charcuterie and cheese. Super Tuscans were born in this region and after tasting this wine you’ll understand why this region fought so hard for their Denomination Di Origin Controllata. Once open, this 2019 Il Bruciato is “intensely ruby red in color. Its nose expresses notes of small dark fruit, sweet spices and tobacco. Its well-structured palate is harmonious and very pleasant to drink. Fresh fruity notes dominate the finish giving the wine a lush, sweet character”. This is a wine that I feel pretty sure all will enjoy. Take it out for a taste and see for yourself why this is my pick for the week.
Food News
Apparently, we have some warm weather coming our way… sure, we’ll have a 2 day cold snap but come Sunday watch out, it’s time to dust off the grill! Believe it or not, we’ve got some pretty tasty items down here for you to toss on that grill. I’m not able to get in the same deal I had last week, however, I do have a great deal on USDA Choice Angus Chairmans Reserve Premium Strips for this week.
Food Feature of the Week
These may not be new items but I found a great way to finish either our Scottish Salmon or our Halibut and wanted to pass it along. Having prepared both of these fish in a variety of ways, I decided to try something a little different… cooking either fish skin side down on the stove top for 5 to 7 minutes. I coated the fish with one of my preferred Asian sauces, in this case it was Hoisin. After brushing the fish with a good heavy coat of sauce, I placed the pan in a 375 degree oven until finished (another 5 to 7 minutes). Served alongside some of our new Parisian Carrots and you’ve got dinner on the table.
Market Items…
Fresh Hand Cut Chairmans Reserve Choice Angus Strip Steaks $17.99lb
Fresh Dry Aged 12oz Prime Ribeyes - $35.99
Fresh Dry Aged 12oz Prime Strip Steaks - $39.99
Fresh Wagyu Burgers 2pk- $8.99
Fresh Cut Heritage long bone Berkshire Chops $14.99lb
Double Bone In Frenched Pork Chops $14.99lb Frozen Certified Angus Burgers 4pk- $11.99
Rinaldi Italian Sausage 4 links per pound- $6.99
Oysters “Raspberry Point Oysters PEI” - $24 a dozen
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 4 pack $9.99
Truffle Au Gratin potatoes 2 pack $7.99
Frozen Ahi Saku Block Tuna AAA Sushi Grade avg.14oz $29.99
Frozen Lobster Tails $12.99 each
Frozen U-16/20 Raw Shrimp deveined (1lb package) - $19.99lb
Frozen U-10 Scallops – $29.99lb
Frozen Fontinini Fully Cooked Meatballs 6-2oz balls for $8.99
Fresh/Frozen Bacchini Paparedelle from Italy - $9.99 (serving for 2)
Fresh/Frozen Bacchini Strozzapreti from Italy - $9.99lb
1932’s Arrabbiata Pasta Sauce- $7.99
1932’s Pomodorina with Fresh Basil Pasta Sauce- $7.99
1932’s Pomodorina with Barolo Pasta Sauce- $7.99
Mezzetta Parmigiano Reggiano Marinara Sauce- $7.99
Cacio e Pepe Crema Sauce- $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
Maurizio Trofie Artisan Pasta from Italy - $5.99
Drakes Jumbo Ravioli with Veal 1lb $12.99
Drakes “Parla” Spinach Florentine Ravioli- 16 count- $11.99
Drakes Eggplant Parmesan- $13.99
Tribeca Bakery Sourdough, Asiago Cheese and Pane’d’casa Bread $5.50
New Wines
Antinori 2018 Tiganello Italy $145.99
Harvey and Harriet Red Blend San Luis Obispo Ca. $34.99
Casali 1900 Malvasia Dolce NV Italy $13.99
New Beers
Toppling Goliath Dorothy's New World Lager 4pk cans $17.99
Jackie O’s Numerous Ways 4pk cans $11.99
OEC Pils 4pk cans16oz - $12.99
Fat Head’s Hop JUJU 4pk cans 16oz - $15.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel
Maine Lunch IPA $169.99
Ale Smith Nut Brown Ale $129.99
North Coast Scrimshaw $119.99
Final Thoughts
This past Monday was something that we enjoy doing, we’re a wine shop that enjoys, obviously wine…people (all of you), great food and of course sharing. Valentines Day was the holiday, as well as Joyces birthday, but for us it’s always a thank you to those we enjoy seeing on a regular basis and who we consider as friends. Thanks to all for coming to our place for dinner and of course we hope to see you soon.
Cheers from all of us here at The Wine Merchant!
Thanks all for the invitation to the Fat Tuesday dinner. I'm sorry we won't be able to attend? I so sure will delicious. Thanks for asking us to join you!! Do we need reservations for Saturday March 5th??