🐷 Porchetta!!!

Porchetta (pronounced por-ketta) in Italian means “little pig”.

It refers to slow-roasted pork belly roll, pork loin, or whole pig, with the rind always included. Moreover, a classic porchetta recipe requires butterflying the pork, stuffing it with herbs, rolling and tightly securing it with butcher twine, and slow-roasting it to perfection.

We’re throwing ours on the rotisserie and serving 16 pounds of this Italian pork roast on an olive oil panino, slathering it in truffle mayo with a few arugula leaves, and adding some Italian Doratti tomatoes for this Saturday. Want an appetizer? Asiago Arancini will be offered as well. Arancini: rounded balls of cooked rice with savory fillings (such as asiago cheese) that are coated with bread crumbs and deep-fried. 😋

Hours of Operation

Monday – Saturday

10am to 6pm

Calendar 🗓

August 12 (Saturday) - There’s no better way to plan a trip than enjoying some great Italian fare. Arancini, Porchetta sandwiches and of course spending some time with Gianni. If you’re interested in a trip to Italy in 2024 come on down and talk to Gianni. Get all the answers to any questions you may have, or if you’re just hungry and thirsty we’re well equipped to take care of that as well.

September 8 (Friday) - Friday night Anniversary Tasting, 5-7pm. That’s right, Friday night wine tasting! Four wines, four different and delectable bites to enjoy with your wine, and a bar that’s open until 9pm serving some of your old favorites. It’s an anniversary after all (not however a statement on what’s to come).

September 9 (Saturday) - Second Saturday! Poutine it is. Crispy fries, cheese curds, and a great gravy to complete the dish. This is our Fall favorite, and while not technically Fall, we’re getting a jump on the season!

September 23 (Saturday) - It’s Oktoberfest Findlay! (SOLD OUT)

Store News 🏬

We’ve had a busy couple of weeks down here, and we’re not slowing down this weekend. It’s a great excuse to get out the rotisserie and to roast a Porchetta. It’s always great to welcome back Gianni, and it’s even better when you celebrate with this classic sandwich! And I finally gave in… Oktoberfest beers have arrived; I can’t continue to say no thanks. Seriously, Oktoberfest 2023 starts in like 37 days... September 16 to be exact, but hey... whatcha gonna do? Got to get it while you can.

Wine News🍷

Brought in some new white wines this week. Summer isn’t even close to being over! We have a couple of new German wines that have a bit of a spritz, making them perfect for a warm summer day. The others are just great everyday bottles that will please just about anyone. Additionally, while not new, I did buy the remaining inventory of a wine going away and a 2017 Cabernet that is exceptional and will show up next week. We’re always looking, and on a good day, we find a few, too.

Dan’s Feature ⭐️

I’ve featured this wine before, but this week's feature is more of a farewell. I’ve been enjoying a particular Pinot Noir for well into 13 or 14 years. I've enjoyed it under two different names, and have ordered it from two different distributors. Brecca, as it was originally known, and the Fel Pinot Noir has always been one of my go-to's and personal favorites, but not anymore. Today I met with the regional representative of Cliff Lede wines and was informed that this product would not be produced anymore. I bought everything that was left… a whopping 6 extra bottles. So my feature is a farewell to an exceptional Pinot Noir, a 94-point wine and Wine Enthusiast's “Editors Choice”. It goes for $39.99 and is worth every penny. The final vintage is their 2020, and that’s what we have in house. The winemaker's final notes have this to say: “this 2020 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is a reflection of the appellation’s excellent flavors, aromatics, and textures. First impressions of black cherry and rose petal on the nose open into mission fig and a citrus character. The palate is focused and delicately layered, with darker notes of clove and cola mingling with bright raspberry and currant. Anderson Valley’s spice shows in the finish, with a familiar cedar and sous-bois, lifted to the last moments by bergamot and the return of the beautiful rose character with which the wine opens”. Enough said. This is the last of these, so if you’re a fan or want to know what this soon to be gone bottle tastes like, stop in and pick one up. This is a Pinot lover's Pinot.

Dan’s Pick 🥂

We have a new Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough that I decided needed to be this week’s pick. Jules Taylor, the ex-winemaker for Kim Crawford wines, decided to make wine for herself. Thus Jules Taylor 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is my pick for this week. Described by the winemaker herself as being, “very pale yellow, on the nose fragrant notes of elderflower, guava and mint jump out of the glass, followed by hints of oregano and thyme layered with passionfruit and citrus. This in-your-face drop captures the essence of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.Concentrated citrusy notes of lime zest and tropical guava combine with a lick of wet stones. The palate is dry and gives way to a lip-smacking, mouth-watering finish”. This is a very well-priced wine at $18.99 and should satisfy anyone who likes Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. We have quite a few bottles like this, but every once in a while, we enjoy bringing in new labels of what has become one of our best selling varietals. I don’t think you can go wrong with this bottle. If it's a clean and crisp white with tropical notes you’re desiring, then this is just what you need.

Food News 🐟

Looking for a few new items to bring in. This week, I decided to try out Michigan Family Farms boneless skin-on chicken breasts. We already have a following for their thighs and wings, so why not try out their breasts? No GMOs and no antibiotics, these free range Amish chickens from Michigan taste like no other. We also decided to bring in Arnarlax Salmon from Iceland this week. Bakkafrost is always wonderful, but I've brought in Icelandic before, and everyone loved it. I just couldn’t keep the price down. This week the price dipped, and I decided to jump in. There’s rarely a day that goes by someone doesn’t ask for a specialty item. 20 pounds of fresh Ohio Lake Erie Perch? Not a problem. Long bone short ribs? You bet! We've even brought in a suckling pig. I don’t care what you’re looking for - look here first, and we’ll do our best to get it in.

Food Feature 🥩

Sometimes I just can’t help myself… Coming in tomorrow, 50 pounds of Prime Tomahawk Ribeyes!! Yeah, you remember these big, beautiful pieces of meat. The end of summer is drawing near, and you need one more grill extravaganza to cap off this season. I’ll hand cut these beasts for you. My best guess is that one bone will weigh out around 3.5lbs. Seeing how there’s 7 bones, it’s a pretty good guess. I’ve cooked a few of these, and I have never had a better cut. Priced out at $20 a pound makes these a bargain. A 40oz Tomahawk purchased at a restaurant came in at $140.00… I’m thinking ours should weigh in around 56oz and run you about $70.00 --- significantly larger and unbelievably lower in price. I have seven sold and seven left to sell. Stop in and ask for one of these big boys.

Oyster News 🦪

Summer Love from Prince Edward Island were the apparent favorites from last Saturday's celebration, so we brought more of them in to share with you. These oysters present a buttery, creamy meat that finishes with a perfect balance of salt and mineral notes. The suggested pairing with these are a golden ale. Personally, I think they’re wonderful with whatever you have in your glass. They’re the perfect size and go down way, way too easy. Stop in for a dozen... or more. It’s Oyster Day every day down here.

Market Items 🛒

*Fresh Tomahawk Ribeyes - $19.99/lb

*Fresh Wagyu Hanger Steaks, 2 Pack (1lb) - $29.99

*Fresh Wagyu Burgers 4pk - $16.99

*Fresh Oysters - $24 a dozen

*Fresh Icelandic Salmon - $18.99/lb

*Fresh Sashimi-Grade Ahi Tuna - $18.99/lb

*Fresh Michigan Family Farms Amish Free Range Chicken Boneless Skin-

on Breasts, 2.2lb - $18.99

*Fresh Duroc Double Bone-In Pork Chops - $12.99

Frozen Michigan Family Farms Amish Free Range Chicken Boneless Skin-

on Breasts, 2.2lb - $14.99

Frozen CAB Steak Burgers 4pk - $14.99

Frozen CAB Dry-Aged Ribeyes - $18.99/lb

Frozen Center Cut 8oz Beef Tenderloin Filets - $16.99

Frozen Choice Strip Steaks - $18.99/lb

Frozen Choice Ribeyes - $18.99/lb

Frozen Choice Sirloin Cap Strip Steaks, 8oz - $9.99

Frozen Lamb Sirloin Roast - $22.99/lb

Frozen Lamb Racks, 2lbs - $49.99

Frozen Spiral Cut Dearborn Hams, approx. 9lb - $27.99

Frozen Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin - $12.99

Frozen Pre-Cooked Frozen BBQ Ribs (approx. 3lb racks) - $23.99

Frozen Italian Sausages, 4 per pound - $8.99

Frozen Nueske Cheddar and Bacon Sausages 5 per pound - $9.99

Frozen Black Pepper Bacon - $14.99

Frozen Chilean Sea Bass, 6oz - $16.99

Frozen Buddy’s Detroit Style Pizzas (Cheese or Pepperoni) - $17.99

Frozen Ahi Saku Block Tuna AAA Sushi Grade, avg. 16oz - $19.99

Frozen U-16/20 Raw Shrimp deveined (1lb package) - $19.99

Frozen U-10 Scallops - $29.99/lb

Frozen Lobster Tails, 2pk - $35.99

Frozen Whole Petite Potatoes - $8.99

Frozen Oven-Roasted Potato Wedges - $8.99

Fresh/Frozen Bacchini Strozzapreti from Italy - $14.99/lb (serving for 2)

Fresh/Frozen Bacchini Lobster & Crab Tortelli from Italy - $16.99 1/2 lb

Fresh/Frozen Bacchini Pear & Cheese Fiocchi from Italy - $7.99 1/2 lb

Fresh/Frozen Drake’s Pasta Ravioli (Veal or Butternut Squash) - $12.99/

lb (serving for 2)

1932’s Pasta Sauce (Arrabbiata, Pomodorina with Fresh Basil,

Pomodorina with Barolo) - $7.99

Fusco Mezzi Rigatoni Dried Pasta from Italy - $6.99

Fusco Casarecce Dried Pasta from Italy - $5.99

Maurizio Spaghetti Chitarra Dried Pasta from Italy - $5.99

Maurizio Trofie Dried Pasta from Italy - $7.99

Tribeca Bakery Bread (Asiago or Rosemary) - $5.50

New Wine🍷

Fritz Müller NV Perlwein Rosa Trocken, Germany - $19.99

Fritz Müller NV Müller-Thurgau Trocken, Germany - $19.99

Bonny Doon 2021 Le Cigar Blanc Beeswax Vineyard, California - $15.99

Folk Machine 2022 White Light, Napa Valley - $16.99

Domaine De Fontsainte 2022 Gris de Gris Rosé, France - $19.99

Mirabeau en Provence 2022 Rosé, France - $19.99

New Beer 🍺

Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest Märzen, 6pk bottles - $10.99 Tröegs Oktoberfest Lager, 6pk bottles - $11.99

Schafly Oktoberfest, 6pk bottles - $10.99

Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier, 6pk bottles - $10.99

Paulaner Oktoberfest Märzen, 6pk bottles - $10.99

Great Lakes Oktoberfest, 6pk bottles - $10.99

Bell's Oktoberfest Beer, 6pk bottles - $11.99

Toppling Goliath Limited Edition Oktoberfest Lager, 6pk cans - $11.99

Fat Head's Hop JuJu Imperial IPA, 4pk cans - $12.99

Weihenstephaner Festbier, 6pk bottles - $12.99

Kegs - 1/6 Barrel 🛢

Schlafly Kölsch - $109.99

La Chouffe - $175.99

Outerbelt Oktoberfest - $131.99

Final Thoughts 💬

We didn’t quite hit our record for oysters last week. My best guess 900+. Either way, I think everyone had a great time. No blood was shed, and we’ve got more oysters in for those who may have missed the big day... fortunately or maybe unfortunately 🤔 Either way, we’re never at a loss for a Saturday special event. We’ll keep thinking and dreaming up new ways to have fun down here.

Cheers from all of us here at the Wine Merchant!

📞 419-424-0391

📧 findlaywinemerchant@gmail.com

💻 https://www.findlaywinemerchant.com