That’s right, 169 months ago was the beginning of the current era of the Wine Merchant. Trust me, I’m celebrating in Italy, and just maybe we’ll do a little celebrating when I get back!
Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday
10am to 6pm
Calendar 🗓
Sept. 17 - Mortadella Pizzas and Sandwiches with Truffle Mayo all day long, celebrating my return!
Sept. 24 - Oktoberfest Dinner (reservations required) — Party on Main St. all day and dine here that evening. There are only 2 spots remaining, so call today to snag the opening.
Store News 🏬 This week's news is I'M IN ITALY! I'm sampling the best this country has to offer... truffles, meat, spritz, and repeat. While we try to recreate this experience for you and do a damn fine job of it, if I do say so myself, there's nothing like the original.
Wine News 🍾
We had several distributors stop in recently with some new wines for us to consider. We're happy to see things inching closer to normal, and we hope to soon find some new favorites for all of you.
Dan’s Feature ⭐️
Yeah, it’s Italian because that’s where I am… My feature this week is Tiganello from Antinori Family Vineyards. The Antinori family of Florence, one of the world's oldest and most distinguished wine producers, has lived in Tuscany since the 14th century and celebrated its 625th anniversary as winemakers in 2010. The current company president, Marchese Piero Antinori, believes in the tradition that the primary role of wine is to accompany food and enhance the dining experience. In Florence, the Antinori family has led a "Renaissance" in Italian wine making by combining long traditions, a love of authenticity and a dynamic innovative spirit. Their 2018 Tiganello is a very highly rated Tuscan Red Blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc, making this a true Super Tuscan, and we have been lucky to get in some more of this spectacular wine. Tignanello 2019 is a deeply intense ruby red color. On the nose, it’s remarkably complex with notes of ripe red fruit, black cherries, and sour cherries that merge with sweet hints of vanilla, mint, and delicate sensations of white pepper and myrtle. Its palate is rich and well balanced: supple velvety tannins are sustained by exceptional freshness that give the wine length, elegance, and persistence of flavors. I’ve already downed a few of these in Italy so as not to deplete the store’s stock (since last time I drank the last bottle we had in here). This bottle will be great with anything off the grill and/or any pasta dish you wish. While not cheap at $157.99, it’s worth the investment. This Parker 96-point wine can be opened and enjoyed tonight or cellared for the next 20 years. Believe me, this one's well worth the investment.
Dan’s Pick 🥂
This week’s pick is from Bodegas Muga because their 2020 Rioja Blanco tasted great when brought to us. I’m not always a fan of white Riojas, but this one spoke to me. “This wine has a lovely straw-yellow color. It is intense and complex on the nose with floral aromas (white blossom, jasmine), stone (peaches) and citrus (grapefruit, lemon) fruit, pears, apples, and banana. Very fine and elegant. On the palate, the attack is very smooth and balanced. You can sense the freshness and minerality in the mouth, with very well-integrated acidity, giving the wine length and a very long finish with reminders of vanilla and citrus fruit.” I pretty much agree with everything the above review says, and like I’ve said many times before, it’s fun to try different/new wines, and this unique $19.99 Spanish blend is no exception. This is definitely a wine that I’ll put in my collection.
Food News 📰
I am currently eating my way across Italy, but the girls are doing their best to stock up for all of you. We’ve got Wagyu Burgers, Sausages, Steaks, and anything else you might need to grill out in this beautiful weather. We’re also still serving our tasting board menu, so if you need a little break before picking up those kids from school, stop on by for a snack and a crisp beer or tasty glass of vino.
Food Feature 📣
This week, we were able to get in fresh Halibut. At $27.99/lb, it’s a little pricier than our other options, but this exceptional fish is worth the price tag. You can bake it, pan-sear it, or even grill this hearty fish for the perfect respite from all that fried fair food. We also saw the return of our tried and true, Summer Love Oysters, and we're happy to have them back in for you at $24/dozen, or on the half shell or Rockefeller at the bar.
Market Items 🍤
*Fresh Hand Cut to Order Demkota Strip Steaks - $18.99/lb
*Fresh Choice Hand Cut Ribeyes - $18.99/lb
*Fresh Dry Aged Prime Creekstone Farms 12oz Ribeyes - $36.99
*Fresh Dry Aged Prime Creekstone Farms 12oz Strips - $39.99
*Fresh Wagyu Burgers 2pk - $8.99
*Fresh Double Cut Pork Chops - $12.99 per chop
Frozen Prime Whole Beef Tenderloins - $23.99/lb
Frozen Center Cut 8oz Filets - $16.99
Frozen Pre-cooked frozen BBQ Ribs - approx. 3lb racks $29.99
Frozen 8oz Pork Ribeyes - $8.99
Frozen Bacon Wrapped 5oz Pork Filets - $5.99 per filet
Frozen Merguez Lamb and Beef Sausage 4-pack - $9.99
Frozen Rinaldi Italian Sausage 4 per pound - $6.99
Frozen Beef Brisket Sausages 5 per pound - $15.99
Frozen Nueske Cheddar and Bacon Sausages 5 per pound - $9.99
*Fresh Summer Love Oysters PEI - $24 a dozen
*Fresh Arnarlax Icelandic Salmon - $17.99/lb
*Fresh Wild Caught Canadian Halibut - $27.99/lb
Frozen Bakkafrost Salmon Burgers Chipotle Lime 2pk - $10.99
Frozen Bakkafrost Salmon Burgers Spinach and Feta 2pk - $10.99
Buddy’s Detroit Style Pizzas Original Pepperoni or Cheese - $17.99
Au Gratin potatoes 4-pack - $9.99
Frozen Chilean Sea Bass 6oz - $16.99
Frozen Ahi Saku Block Tuna AAA Sushi Grade avg. 14oz - $29.99
Frozen Lobster Tails - $12.99 each
Frozen Snow Crab - $22.99/lb
Frozen U-16/20 Raw Shrimp deveined (1lb package) - $19.99/lb
Frozen U-10 Scallops - $29.99/lb
Frozen Fontinini Fully Cooked Meatballs - 6 2oz balls for $8.99
Fresh/Frozen Bacchini Paparedelle from Italy - $9.99/lb (serving for 2)
Fresh/Frozen Bacchini Strozzapreti from Italy - $9.99/lb (serving for 2)
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
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
Drakes Jumbo Ravioli with Veal 1lb - $12.99
Drakes Jumbo Butternut Squash Ravioli 1lb - $12.99
Tribeca Bakery Asiago or Sourdough Bread - $5.50
New Wines 🍷
No new wines this week, but we are restocked on all of your favorites!
New Beers 🍺
Oktoberfest Variety Pack $16.99
Pumpkin Variety Pack $18.99
Ciderboys Blackberry Wild 6pk bottles $10.99
Left Hand Brewing Oktoberfest 6pk cans $12.99
Ommegang All Hallows Treat 4pk cans $14.99
Prairie Key Lime Pie 4pk cans $11.99
Tona Cerveza 6pk cans $10.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel 🛢
Schlafly Oktoberfest $109.99
Duck Rabbit Milk Stout $109.99
North High Lager $109.99
Final Thoughts 💬
I considered throwing in the towel after the Argyle fire in 2013. Obviously I changed my mind. What’s kept this business going… well, Chelsea for one, and the most obvious is all of you. Sure, I’m getting old and tired, but I still enjoy coming in here every day, and I still enjoy continuing to share the treasures that this store has to offer. So, I’ll make you a deal. You keep coming in to talk and purchase our goods, and I’ll keep coming in to make sure everything is good.
Cheers from all of us here at the Wine Merchant!
📞 419-424-0391