We've Gone Gruner!

 

Going green is the phrase of the moment, and we've taken it a step further by bringing in a "green" Gruner Veltliner in a fetching Liter-sized bottle. Best of all, it's a total steal at only $13! It's one of several new Gruners from our beloved Terry Theise's collection. He just published his new catalogs on Austria, Germany and Champagne. Hilarious, philosophical and extremely opinionated, he's a far more entertaining read than Wine Spectator, and perhaps more informative.

 

2007 H. und M. Hofer Gruner Veltliner ($13 for 1 Liter; Auersthal, Austria)

 

We say: So fresh, so clean - in so many ways. It's certified organic by the Bio-Ernte of Austira, which has more strident standards than the E.U. for organics. Light (but supple) body, tangy acidity and dynamic herb and white pepper notes combine with lots of fresh-squeezed lime, floral and vegetal nuances. Have you noticed all those beers coming out now infused with "lime" flavor? With its fun bottle-cap closure and thirst-quenching character, this would be a better choice, and would be fabulous with homemade pico and chips. 

 

Terry says: "Auersthal is just barely beyond Vienna’s northern suburbs, in a dead-still little wine village. It’s rather odd to drive there and see lots of wee little oil derricks, but such little oil as Austria produces comes from these parts, deep below the loess. I had either forgotten or had never known the estate was organic; they belong to a group called Bio-Ernte which has standards above the EU guidelines. In speech, by the way, “bio” is pronounced to rhyme with “B.O.” which can lead to some drollery as you hear references to “B.O. wine” unless, unlike me, you have left behind your adolescence."

Also in Stock:

 

2007 Nigl Gruner Veltliner ($22; Freiheit, Austria) - You may remember this as one of our "idosyncratic visionary's" (aka Will's) picks in the Food & Wine feature. Well, the new vintage is in stock and it's stellar! Tons of apples (unusual for a Gruner) with the more typical notes of spicy mineral, sorrel and green bean. Sounds weird, tastes amazing.

 

2007 Nikolaihof Gruner Veltliner ($30; Wachau, Austria) - Nikolaihof is the oldest winery in the Wachau and the first Demeter certified winery in the world to produce their wines biodynamically.  They have farmed and made wines organically for over three decades. Terry says, "this is the sur-lie bottling that has become a Nikolaihof icon; never racked, and redolent of sweet lees and fresh oysters; this is slimmer of course than the ‘06, but it’s peony all the way; white lilac, less toasty, more winsome aromas — I like it best of any vintage I’ve had."

2007 Salomon Hochterrassen Gruner Veltliner ($19; Krems, Austria) - Terry says, " Since 1997 these are modern wines, more filigree than juicy (except perhaps the Riesling Pfaffenberg), and with delicate transparent textures. This is how they RENDER what are often highly expressive fruit-terroir statements, falling somewhere between the demure and the ostentatious."

 

New 6 for $60

 

We keep saying it, but it keeps being true: This Is The Best 6 For $60 Yet!! AND Tyler and his girlfriend Angie have silkscreened all the boxes by hand. They look awesome. Keep it as your standard wine-carrier, or bring it back and we'll reuse it.

 

It features:

 

Capastrano Montepulciano - like a bowl of cherries, this is juicy and delicious.

 

Kermit Lynch Vin de Pays de Vaucluse - a perfect example of the wine of the Southern Rhone: spicy and earthy yet still full of lush berry fruit.

 

Finca Luzon Verde - An organic wine from Spain with lots of bright purple fruit.

 

Boxhead Shiraz/Cabernet - From Australia, this wine has one of the coolest labels in the store.

 

Ken Forrester Petit Chenin - Chenin Blanc from South Africa that's the perfect easy-drinking dry white.

 

Emperador de Barros Macabeo - featured in our last email, this is a Spanish white that's both tangy and sumptuous.

 

The Beer Aisle with Homebrewmaster Jesse

 

Our new, beer-crazy colleague Jesse is loving the following:

 

Aventinus Weizen Dopplebock Ale, $4.5/500ml
Every year you keep coming back to the same summer fling: wheat beer! After all, it is exactly what you want in these sunny Tennessee climes: refreshing, tart, and still flavorful. Chances are, though, that you've probably not met this unique German Wheat Dopplebock yet. Added to the usual characteristics of wheat beers - the banana and clove aromas, the baked bread palate, the clean, tart finish - is a depth of flavor (and an alcoholic strength!) unique in the wheat beer world. So why don't you take one home, order a pizza, and get acquainted?

 

Urthel Hibernus Quentium 9 Tripel Ale, $13/750ml
This mischievous ale is one of our favorites of the Belgian Tripels for its great balance of spice and fruit. You get a lot of cotton candy and honey on the nose that is followed by a surprising balance of hops and malt that keeps this full-flavored beer refreshing, and not at all cloying. This lively, golden ale finishes dry with a slight hop prickle. Despite its substantial strength, this is a very refreshing brew that invites you to imbibe thoughtfully, preferably on a back porch with friends. Or with a gnome.

 

Panil Barriquee Oak-aged Sour Red Ale, $20/750ml

What do wine, beer, oak, and pixie sticks - the red ones - have in common?  Nothing, unless you're talking about Panil Barriquee!  This is a beer a 1920s French Surrealist would love - reddish-hued beer with an aroma redolent of red wine and fruit leads to a mouth-puckering, candy-like sourness that finishes with a tannic oakiness that leaves you marvelling at the wonderful world of beer.  This is an Italian take on the - sadly - disappearing Flanders Red Ale.  Although it is often hailed as one of the world's most thirst-quenching beers because of its lactic and acetic (vinegar) sourness, this is a beer with enough depth and dimensions to keep your palate busy for a long while.  Not sure if you want wine or beer tonight?  Try the Panil!

Spots Still Available for June 26 Beer Tasting at Marche!

 

Call 262-1111 to reserve your space! Only $10, and that gets you 6 summery beers with hors d'oeurves. What a deal! You can come any time between 5 and 7pm.

 

 

Don't Forget Dad

 

For Fathers Day we've got all the things that Dads love to drink: whiskey of the bourbon and "whisky" (Scotch) varieties, the real Champagne of Beers (Deus des Flanders), and of course, wine! We offer complimentary gift-wrapping, and have gift certificates in any denomination. We look forward to helping you pick something perfect for Pops!