Before we get into this week's specials, we want to issue one last invitation for you to join us at our Piedmont Wine Dinner this Monday at City House restaurant in Germantown.

 

We neglected to mention that in addition to wonderful, traditional Piedmont cuisine, paired with wonderful, traditional Piedmont wines, one of our favorite representatives from one of our favorite importers will be on hand.

 

The man is Mr. Daniel Hubbard, who some of you may remember from our Italian wine tasting at Marche a few months ago. Young, energetic and pretty much a walking encyclopedia (but who couches his knowledge in an approachable, friendly and humble manner), we always learn something from him while simultaneously having a great time. Needless to say, we're very happy to have him on hand Monday night. 

 

Daniel works for the importer providing the wine, Domaine Select, and they have a truly admirable portfolio. Focusing on Italy and Austria, the majority of the wineries they work with are small, authentic family operations who make wine that has something so much of the mass-produced grape juice often passing for wine doesn't: personality and a sense of place.

 

These are the kind of wine dinners we would want to go to: you get more than just food with some wine; wine dinners should be an out-of-the-ordinary cultural experience. Monday may be the closest you can get to dining in Piedmont without paying insane exchange rates. Honestly, we weren't that psyched about the idea of doing wine dinners when we opened. They can be expensive, and too often you don't get much more than what you would from an ordinary dinner out. Our first dinner at City House satisfied us that when done right, wine dinners are one of the best nights out possible! We can't wait for Monday, and hope to see you there.

 

Piedmont Wine Dinner
at City House
Monday March 3
6:30pm
$71

 

Call City House to reserve your place (615-736-5838). 

 

Speaking of Domaine Select Imports . . .

 

We are offering one of our favorite Italian whites imported by Domaine Select at a special price. It's not from Piedmont, but from the Marche, which is on the upper calf of the boot, so to speak.

 

Sartarelli

Verdicchio Classico

was $16; SALE $14

 

 Verdicchio is a really cool grape: it makes rich, silky wines with more than a hint of nutty (specifically, almond) qualities. Food & Wine magazine wrote that "Wines from Sartarelli are stellar at every price tier. This finely tailored Verdicchio is bursting with flavors of juicy citrus, cherry, toasted nuts and subtle stone." An amazing pairing with shellfish, and we also love it with Asian food (especially dishes with a nutty sauce) or roasted chicken.

 

*did we mention it's also organic?

 

 

$8 Wines You Won't Be Ashamed to Serve

 

When we find unique, enjoyable wines we can sell for only $8, the sky becomes bluer, birds sing: we've landed a victory over the mass-marketed brands that fail to deliver any character or charm. These small victories keep us going.

 

Punta Pays Viognier (Mendoza, Argentina)

Was $10; SALE $8

 

Very pretty with floral and mineral aspects present. Peaches, melon, pineapple and cantaloupe provide rich fruits and texture on the palate, with slightly more tart, tangy fruits on the finish. A great (and more affordable) alternative to all those other "alternative whites" (Evolution, Conundrum, et al). PS - Viognier ("vee-ohn-yay") is the grape here, and its ancestral home is the Rhone valley of France.

 

Grao Vasco Red Blend (Dao, Portugal)

$8

 

This is one of those wines that has the power to really transport you to the place it came from. It's definitely a table wine, but that's not necessarily derogatory: table wines are so evocative of real people in distant places sitting down to dinner on an ordinary day and pouring a wine like this. Earthy with some very bright cherry occasionally poking its head through, with a bit of non-sweet chocolate on the finish. A great value. In case you're curious, the grapes comprising this blend are all native to Portugal, and are fun to attempt saying: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro Preto, and Jaen Dao. Yeah!

 

 

Best In Show

 

Each week, lots of bright-eyed, bushy-tailed wines vie for a spot on our shelves. Here's this week's winners circle:

 

Boxhead

Shiraz/Cab

Australia

$12

 

Bitch, Mollydooker, Yard Dog . . . all Australian wines bearing labels as memorable as the juice underneath. Add to that list Boxhead Shiraz/Cab (and if you have a wine you need marketed, contact the excellent Adelaide-based graphic design firm Mash Design). An impressively perfumed bouquet runs from strawberry to plum. Fresh, sweet cherry and dark berry flavors offer much more depth than one expects from a $12 wine. There's a brisk, energetic quality to the finish. Stylish all-around, from the label to the last sip.

 

 

Chateau Malbat

Cab Franc / Merlot

Bordeaux, France

$12

 

Just when we'd almost given up hope of finding a decent Bordeaux under $20 . . . Chateau Malbat to the rescue. It's not a powerhouse, but it's not supposed to be: this is all about the essence of Bordeaux's elegance and terroir. The body's medium-to-light, there's distinctive earthy notes, subtle fruit and, most importantly, everything is very well balanced.

 

 

We still have some 6-for-$60 boxes left! It's the easiest way to restock: someone came in to get one today, and they were literally in and out of the store in about 2 minutes. Get yours while they last!