SHARK 🦈 WEEK 🦈 2023

What do sharks like best? Tuna, of course… and we’re celebrating this Saturday with Ahi Tuna Tacos. On another note, it’s pretty damn hot outside, so come on down and enjoy the A/C and, of course, a cool beverage or two…

Hours of Operation

Monday – Saturday

10am to 6pm

Calendar 🗓

July 29 (Saturday) - In honor of Shark Week, we’ll be serving Ahi Tuna Tacos all day long! If you haven’t tried our Sashimi Grade Tuna yet, here’s your opportunity. Ahi Tuna, Mango-Pineapple Salsa, Slaw, and Flour Tortillas… yes, please!!

August 5 (Saturday) - Its National Oyster Day, so you know we’ll be celebrating by opening 1,000 oysters in a single day. That’s 83 dozen! I’m getting nervous and keeping my fingers crossed that Car Tunes doesn’t dissuade you from enjoying a couple dozen with us. Mark your calendars; it’s coming soon!

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 23 (Saturday) - It’s Oktoberfest Findlay! Come downtown and enjoy the day, then have dinner with us. If you’re interested in a spot, call now -- we’re down to a handful (one hand!) of spaces left.

Store News 🏬

We’re heading into the Dog Days of summer. Very few new wines were brought to us this week, and thus there are very few new wines for the store. However, we’re well-stocked on our summer whites and our rosés, so nothing to worry about. We’re a regular rehydration station. And believe it or not with this weather... the Oktoberfest beers have begun.

Wine News🍷

With weather like this, we’re headed back to crisp whites and rosés. Sure, I’m opening some nice reds still, but I’m inside in the air conditioning. None of this weather is good for the growing season... the winter and spring rains were great for the vineyards, but the heat may itself speed up harvest to where fruit will need to be picked earlier. While the perfect growing season has not been around for awhile, if cooler temperatures come soon, and with the winter and spring rains offering the water they desperately needed, there’s a chance that the 2023 vintage just might be a great one.

Dan’s Feature ⭐️

I’m a big fan of Australian reds, so this week’s feature is one of my old standard favorites, Torbreck 2021 Woodcutter’s Shiraz from the Barossa Valley. This wine reflects the up and coming Shiraz vineyards of the Barossa, rather than the battle-hardened old vines that make up the core of our other cuvées. But like all Torbreck wines, Woodcutter’s Shiraz receives the very best viticultural and winemaking treatment. Although this wine is constantly praised for its succulence and richness, there is also a complexity and texture which is rarely found at this price. Tasting notes go on to describe it as, “full of freshness and bright youthful fruits, the 2019 vintage brings an opulence and class to the wines. Aromatic plum and raspberries with freshness and balance, the wine has a round central core of red fruit that gives way to a complex mid-palate full of cassis, dark cherry, spice and vanilla. While offering immense pleasure in its youth, the 2019 Woodcutter’s Shiraz will certainly develop into an impressive wine with a few more years in the cellar. A fantastic introduction to the Torbreck range.” Pairing this wine with beef or pork coming off the grill is unbelievably satisfying. The depth of wines such as this bottle are exceptional. Fruit from the Barossa is rich and concentrated, and when you put this juice in front of a talented winemaker, this bottle exhibits what this region is known best for. Maybe you’ve skipped over Australian Shiraz in the past, but if you want to try something big, tasty, and delicious, grab a bottle of this $25.99 wine and see for yourself what I'm talking about.

Dan’s Pick 🥂

Domaine de la Villaudière 2022 Sancerre is my pick for this week. I think it’s time for a quick lesson here: all white Sancerres [sahn-SEHR] are Sauvignon Blancs, but not all Sauvignon Blancs are Sancerres. Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine grape, and Sancerre is the name of a region in the Loire Valley of France. The white wines produced there are all made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. French and Italians simply expect us to know what grapes are grown in these regions. Sancerre is, in my opinion, possibly the most perfect environment for production of this wine. Sure, you like the Marlborough region of New Zealand where many of the Sauvignon Blancs that you’re familiar with are grown and produced; Sancerre, however, is quite different. New Zealand offers tropical fruit, grapefruit, and green and grassy notes, while Sancerre on the other hand offers up a mineral-driven Sauvignon Blanc that is flinty, bright, and definitely less acidic. This is a clear example of tasting characteristics that come from different environments. Why did we bring this particular bottle in besides the fact that it’s great? The price! We hadn’t been able to purchase a Sancerre for under $30 in a long time, and low and behold, Domaine de la Villaudière is that new bottle at the price point of $29.99. (Bottle arrives on Friday.)

Food News 🐠

It’s all about the seafood. Be it either of the Salmon we have in, the Cod, or the Tuna, simply put -- we have the best fish in town. That’s one of the reasons we’re showcasing the Sashimi Tuna this weekend, but also because… well, it’s Shark Week!!! As with everything else, we enjoy bringing in the very best to share with you: scallops, shrimp, fresh oysters, and anything else that we think you might enjoy.

Food Feature 🐟

Line-caught Icelandic Cod is in today! This beautiful piece of fish is oh so good in so many different ways. You can’t beat this delicious and versatile fish. Be it baked, broiled, grilled, or however you want to treat it, it is tremendous. Cod is that fish that marries nicely with any flavoring or sauce desired... teriyaki, hoisin, tomato sauce, butter and garlic... yes, yes, yes, and yes! Fresh, never frozen, cut to size at $18.99/lb. Stop in and pick some up.

Oyster News 🦪

Acadian Pearls for this weekend! Always one of our favorites, and we still have some Duxberry Oysters the size of my hand that we obviously love to bake. Either way you like your oysters, we’ve got you covered.

Market Items 🛒

*Fresh Demkota High Choice Strip Steaks - $16.99/lb

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

*Fresh Wagyu Burgers 4pk - $16.99

*Fresh Oysters - $24 a dozen

*Fresh Copper River Salmon - $23.99/lb

*Fresh Atlantic Salmon - $18.99/lb

*Fresh Icelandic Cod - $18.99/lb

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

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

Frozen Michigan Family Farms Amish Free Range Chicken Boneless Skin-On Thighs, 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🍷

La Playa 2019 Reserva Pinot Noir, Casablanca Valley, Chile - $15.99

Buck Summit 2019 Zinfandel, Lodi, CA - $16.99

New Beer 🍺

North High Brewing Co. Mister Fahrenheit Hazy IPA, 6pk cans - $13.99

Fat Head's Oktoberfest, 6pk cans - $12.99

Kegs - 1/6 Barrel 🛢

Juniper Mexican Style Lager - $121.99

Stone IPA - $114.99

Schlafly Kölsch - $109.99

Masthead Belgian-Style Wit - $109.99

Final Thoughts 💬

Ahi Tuna Tacos this weekend, 1,000 Oysters next weekend, and the following weekend it’s a welcome back to Gianni with Porchetta Sandwiches and Arancini on the menu. One simple weekend off begets three big weekends in a row. We just hope you have all these events penciled in so as to enjoy each and every one of these happenings. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon.

Cheers from all of us here at the Wine Merchant!

📞 419-424-0391

📧 findlaywinemerchant@gmail.com

💻 https://www.findlaywinemerchant.com