Mercantile is my word for the week!
Store Calendar
March 11 & 12 – Lenten Special –Trofie Pasta with Pesto, Pecorino Romano and maybe a loaf of Tribeca Bakery’s Asiago Cheese .
-Brunch Bags – Rosemary Ham & Aged Gruyere Croissants with Fruit
Our hours,
Monday – Saturday 10am to 6pm!
WINE NEWS…
Back in the day crocuses were my indication that Spring had arrived and I’ve actually seen them beginning to appear. However, that was back in the day, my new indicator is of course, Rosé, when the new vintage appears…I know it’s Spring.
Dan’s Wine Feature
Cloudline 2020 Rose’ of Pinot Noir is my feature for this week. This property, along with others like Rose Rock in Oregon, are owned by the Drouhin family of French Burgundy fame and for being pioneers in Oregon Pinot Noir. Véronique Boss-Drouhin who runs the Drouhin family wines in Oregon has this to say about her new wine, “2020 is a year no one will ever forget. Even in idyllic Oregon, wildfires threatened the harvest, but in the end, the sun always rises. In the case of Cloudline, we discussed making a seriously delicious rosé, and once the idea was in the air, it seemed strange that we had never madeone before. All pinot noir was pressed immediately into tank using a special press usually found only in Champagne; the process is achingly slow, but more than worth it. After a short, glorious fermentation, the wine was bottled at the beginning of December for maximum freshness and pleasure. Tasting Notes: The 2020 Cloudline Rosé of Pinot Noir expresses a galaxy of fresh flavors on the nose and in the glass. A beautiful salmon color, the wine has the substance of Pinot Noir and the delight of Rosé. Flavors include bright fresh peaches, raspberry & red currant with a hint of white flowers”. Sometimes it’s best just to let others explain their wines, this new $19.99 Rosé is tried, tested and approved by all of us down here, this is a new 2020 that has earned a place in you refrigerator.
Dan’s Pick
My pick this week is from Charles Brotte. We tasted this last week and recognized what a great value this wine was. A French Syrah for $11.99 is rare and the quality of this wine makes it a perfect addition to our racks. This new addition exhibits intense aromas of red fruits, especially red currant and raspberry and while it’s a pleasant and easy drinking wine it also offers a nice complexity. While I’m content to just sit and sip this newcomer I would also enjoy this bottle with some great cheeses, grilled pork chops or a great cut of beef. Everybody loves a value and this bottle is certainly such. Stop in and grab a few of these great value bottles and find something here to toss on the grill and you’re set for a great experience.
Food News
Fresh Kobe Beef?? Well, yes please… Kobe Top Sirloin 8oz Baseball Cut for $12.99 per steak. I mean, I had to bring these in at this price point, right? This same cut is featured online at premier butcher shops for $23.99, for almost the same price you can try two of these unique cuts and beef. We’re always excited to share new items with you and here is another bargain coming your way.
Easter is less than a month and we’ve got a great box of food planned for you. Local Michigan 1.5 pound Sirloin of lamb, hand trimmed and seasoned to perfection with copious amounts of rosemary, thyme, garlic and of course olive oil. We roll and tie this luscious package and provide you with the simplest cooking instructions ever. You’ll have two sides to accompany, diced redskin potatoes seasoned once again with rosemary and haricot verts (our French green beans). Then to finish this dinner for two off, two home baked Carrot Cake Cupcakes for dessert…This is a preorder Dinner Kit for $49.99, we will take orders now through Monday March 29!
Food Feature of the Week
It’s the Saturday Bruch Bag of course, this month it’s ham and cheese croissants! These delicious Croissantwiches are hard to beat, we bring Italy, France and Switzerland all together for this great weekend brunch package and offer some fantastic libations to enjoy as well…
PROVISIONS…
Fresh Black Angus Prime Strip Steaks - $18.99lb
Fresh Certified Angus Beef hand cut Choice Ribeyes - $18.99lb
Dry Aged Prime Wagyu 32oz Bone in Ribeye - Market Price
Fresh Wagyu Burgers 2pk - $7.99
Fresh Kobe Beef Top Sirloin Baseball Cuts 8oz - $12.99
Frozen 4oz Beef Tenderloin Medallion’s - $24.99 2.5lb bag
Frozen Butchers Preferred Center Cut 8oz Tenderloin Filets - $12.99
Fresh Heritage Berkshire Pork Chops - $12.99 per Chop
Glacier Bay Oysters $18.00 for a bakers dozen
Fresh Alaskan Sablefish Filets - $20.99lb
Fresh Chilean Sea Bass Fillets - $21.99lb
Fresh Salmon Bay of Fundy Nova Scotia fillets -$16.99lb
Alaskan King Crab Legs and Claws Frozen - $34.99lb
Frozen 1pound bags Lobster Claws - $15.99
Frozen 16/20 count Raw Shrimp peeled deveined 1lb - $15.99
Barramundi Asian Sea Bass Frozen 7-9oz cryovac fillet - $8.99 each
Saku Block Ahi Tuna AAA Sushi grade - $14.99 per block
U-10 Scallops frozen – $18.99lb
New Wines/Cocktails
Cloudline 2020 Rosé of Pinot Noir $19.99
Mariana 2020 Rosé Portugal $13.99
Sant’ Elisa Prosecco Italy $10.99
La Maximus 2018 Coteaux Bourguignons Burgundy, France $11.99
Charles Brotte 2019 Grand Vallon Syrah Vaucluse, France $11.99
New Beer
New Planet Blonde Ale Gluten Free 6pack Cans $10.99
New Planet Pale Ale Gluten Free 6pack Cans $10.99
Weyerbacher Insanity 4pk Bottles $17.99
Bell’s Juicy Gossip 6pk Bottles $10.99
No Where In Particular Saddle Blankets Morning Stout 4pack Cans $13.99
Hi-Wire Lager 6pack Cans $9.99
Jackie O’s Fission Fusion 4pk Cans $11.99
Jackie O’s Under a Cloud 6pk Cans $11.99
Stone Dayfall 6pk Bottle $9.99
Stone Viking Space Probe 6pk Bottle $16.99
Urban Artifact Rose Brut Fruit Tart 4pk Cans $12.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel
North Coast Scrimshaw $109.99
Jackie O’s “Who Cooks For You” IPA $132.99
Final Thought
It’s now been a full year since we closed the bar and the restaurant and while I already shared with you that lunch will no longer be served, it’s time to go a little further into detail with our plans. Like many other bars and restaurants we’ve had our challenges this year, and like others we’ve adapted to a hybrid model. A mercantile model, that allows for us to share with you the best items that we can possibly procure. Our “Provisions” have done well for us and we definitely enjoy bringing in prime food items almost as much as we enjoy finding those prime wines and beers. So we’ll continue this approach and for sure add a few more specialty items and as always encourage special orders for anything you’re looking for. We like being “That Place” the place where it all comes together, a place to stop in and not only pick up great wines and beers but also something for dinner for that evening or sometime soon. Will the bar ever reopen? Yes. But more on that in next week’s newsletter, until then,
Pease bring a mask when you come visit us at the store.
Cheers from all of us here at The Wine Merchant