"Isle Be Waiting"
5 Mediterranean Islands that offer fabulous food and lodging
but are not so well known making these locations a perfect escape.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/5-mediterranean-islands-
the-tourist-mobs-havent-invaded-yet-11562331771

Let's add history to the escape. One of the suggestions is Mazzorbo.
There you will find the a wine villa owned by the Bisol Family making wine
for centuries. And you know their work well. Bisol makes Belstar!

A unique sparkler created by one of Prosecco's top producers,
the Cuvee Rose is a blend of Merlot, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. 
Fresh, juicy, somewhat soft and sweet with citrus, licorice, melon and ripe strawberries. Clean, easy style with light, creamy mousse.

The history of Bisol dates back to 1542, when the Bisol family first began cultivating grapes. Today, Gianluca Bisol has assumed the role of president and CEO while his brother, Desiderio, holds the position of chief enologist and technical director.
With 500 years of winemaking tradition, Bisol produces a range of organically farmed and internationally recognized Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG crus. 

And speaking of history...UNESCO has just last week declared
Valdobbiadene Superiore  DOCG a World Heritage Site. check it out:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/unesco-world-heritage-list-additions-2019-1594954



That's a LOT of History for $12.99
$14.99 at wine.com and, not surprisingly, unavailable.

MWC Pinot Noir 2017, Victoria, Australia


Sourced from vineyards in the premium wine regions of Victoria, this medium bodied wine
has intensive aromas of plum, cherry and strawberry fruit with hints of spicy oak.
The fresh fruit momentum continues on the palate with vibrant plum and dark stone fruits
finishing with some firm acid, beautiful tannins and integrated oak.

Andy Hale, Director of The Asheville School of Wine, says he was prepared to dislike it. 
"I was ready to go full on Simon Cowell on it. 
I really did not think it was possible to get a decent Pinot Noir under $15.00.
By decent, I mean somewhat varietally correct without being secretly doped up with Petit Sirah.
MWC has good tart cherry cola and violets.  MWC has done well in blind tastings." 
(Lettie, you would love this one!)

Not widely distributed in the U.S. $17.99 at Vivino

*** $14.99 @MetroWines ***

A Different Rose !
Brumant Cotes de Gascogne France
50% Tannat, 30% Syrah and 20% Merlot, $13.99


The Gascogne is an exceptional reserve of micro-terroirs offering a wide variety
of quality wines. This original and bright pink includes 3 main grape varieties that complement each other perfectly: Tannat that brings energy and liveliness,
Syrah with the mixture of fruity flavors of raspberry and currant and Merlot
which gives this wine its velvety satin side. 
Vineyards located at the top of the hills, each parcel being separated by a forest,
this in order to avoid contamination from one vineyard to another. Alain uses only natural spring water taken from his timbered hills, not polluted thanks to the ideal
and privileged environment of Gascony

2018 ZOE, Greece
Zoe=Life=Happiness

A blend of Aghiorghitiko 70%, Moscofilero 30%, Zoe is fermented in stainless steel vats.
Short maceration, no malolactic fermentation and short aging over fine lees. Screw cap.
DRY. Ripe cherries, raspberries, rose petals, full and complex palate.

$12.99 @MetroWines
$14.99 at wine.com
Skeptical? Click on the photo!

Ciao Asheville Presents

Aperitivi !
Italian Rose' Wine Tasting

Hosted at a lovely covered pavilion at a private home in Asheville,
you will taste 4 bottles of Rose' paired with Italian Finger Foods
including cheese, melon, prosciutto and bruschetta.
The event is hosted by Ciao Asheville and Mike Tiano of Haw River Wine Man
$20 includes wine, food, fun and tax!
Ciao Asheville events sell out so please shop now:
https://metrowinesasheville.com/wine-blogs/blog/entry/aperitivi-italian-rose-tasting

Follow ALL Ciao Asheville Events Here:
http:// https://www.facebook.com/CiaoAsheville/

Agriverde Piane di Maggio
2017 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 

100% Trebbiano grown in clay, sand and iron.
Straw-yellow  with greenish highlights in the glass.
The nose is delicately scented with flower and fruit aromas
And the palate is dry, crisp and well balanced
it recalls fresh fruit and flowers with citrus hints.​

Camillo di Carlo founded Agriverde winery in 1830. Two centuries have passed
and the property has expanded to become an organic farming business.
AGRIVERDE mission is to produce superior wines preserving what we inherited from Nature,
in order to hand it down to future generations.
AGRIVERDE philosophy is centered on the respect of Nature and Man himself. 
That is why the property is all organic farming and biodynamic.
The tree in the center is the symbol of our commitment
and it is transparent like us because there is nothing to hide at Agriverde!!!

2018 ZOE, Greece
Zoe=Life=Happiness

A blend of Aghiorghitiko 70%, Moscofilero 30%, Zoe is fermented in stainless steel vats.
Short maceration, no malolactic fermentation and short aging over fine lees. Screw cap.
DRY. Ripe cherries, raspberries, rose petals, full and complex palate.

$12.99 @MetroWines
$14.99 at wine.com
Skeptical? Click on the photo!

2017 Golden Pinot Noir,
Monterey County, from Folktale, $16.99

Pale Ruby in color, ripe cherries, strawberry preserves, floral notes of roses, earthiness,
and a touch of oak round out this wonderful Monterey Pinot. The palate shows a great balance
of fruit and oak on the palate which resembles cherry pie. A light, refreshing whip 
of watermelon on the finish. Richness mid-palate enhanced by floral notes indicative of Monterey.
The smooth finish and bright acid begs to be enjoyed with food. and, oh yeah, "Big Little Lies."

Domaine de Chateaumar, $15.99
A blend of 90%Grenache and 10%Mourvedre


Chateaumar dates back to Roman Times. With a Rose Petal Color,
the nose is strawberries, raspberries, and peaches. Soft and round
on the palate with an elegant sweetness from the fruit. 30 year old vines.
Sustainably farmed. Steel Tank.

Domaine de Couron Rose' Ardèche, 2018


Domaine de Couron is a true family winery. Their marketing department is said to be
the kitchen table. A small Grenache vintage, the 2018 was hand harvested from 
reds planted exclusively for Rosé. This 95% Grenache (5% Carignan) is de-stemmed,
cold-soaked 4 hours for color before pressing, then cool-temperature, stainless-fermented.
Made without oak. A bountiful bouquet of fresh strawberries, watermelon and citrus zest
leads to a fresh full-flavored, but light-bodied mélange featuring light raspberry,
watermelon, strawberry and a lingering finish.

Domaine de Couron is sited in The Ardèche which has been inhabited by humans at least
since theUpper Paleolithic as attested by the famous cave paintings at Chauvet Pon d'Arc. 

About The Ardèche: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardèche
About the Winery: http://couron.ardeche.com

*** $11.99 @MetroWines** Believe it!

** French Wine **

French Rhone Blanc. Affordable. Lovely.



This bright, pale-golden wine opens to aromas of white fruits and flowers.
On the palate, it is nicely balanced with freshness provided by the Clairette
while the Grenache gives it body and a gentle softness.

Teaching Moment: Clairette?  Clairette is one of the oldest grapes used for wine in France,
dating back to the mid 1500’s.Clairette is used not only in the production of white wine,
it is also used to produce Vermouth. Typical flavors in the grape are green apple, lime, peach, licorice,
white peach and floral characteristics. Clairette is one of the few white wine grapes also used as part
of the blend from time to time in the production of red Chateauneuf du Pape wine.

$12.99 @MetroWines

MUGA 2018



James Suckling 90 Points: This is a superb rosé with aromas of white strawberries and watermelon,
as well as a hint of pink grapefruit. The palate is packed with bright acidity
and zesty, flavorsome pink berries. So good! A blend of viura with some grenache.

Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points: Bright, peppy aromas of tangerine and nectarine.
A healthy palate braced by proper acidity offers flavors of cantaloupe and peach,
while this is a steady and fresh on the finish.
$15.99 on shelf @MetoWines. Limited Distribution but Muga is HERE!
($18.99 at wine.com and that is for 2017 Muga. The 2018 not available.)

Also for Summer: Hopler Wines from Austria
Gruner Veltliner and DRY Riesling
on Shelf @MetroWines NOW!



Christof Hopler, Winemaker and Owner, was at the shop on Tuesday.
Customers LOVED his wines. And the stories! 
https://metrowinesasheville.com/wine-blogs/blog/entry/hopler-a-hit

WINNER: June Great Rose Tasting
Le Quattro Terre, Barbera, Piemonte Rosato, $14.99

The soil is calcareous-clay and silt with south exposure. Manual harvest. Direct pressing of grapes. 
Static cold decantation, fermentation in stainless steel tanks on fine lees for 3 months at controlled temperature. 
Brilliant rosé with light purple hues. Delicate but intense. Pleasant, with light hints of wild strawberry and sour cherry. 
Medium body, good acidity and minerality. Provencal in style with Italian Grapes!

"Quattro Terre" Piemonte Rosato is Gianpiero's is an iconic rosé made of 100% Barbera grape,
This wine represents the Piemonte Region, specifically the Monferrato terroir.
The rosé is also made with grapes from four different types of soil at La Meridiana Estate;
hence the name, "QUATTRO TERRE" or "FOUR SOILS." Clay, sand, limestone, and iron. 
The blend presents  complexity and minerality. Elegant body and harmonious acidity. 

And Le Quattro Terre Red will be "on the taste at Foucs Group on Wednesday!

News Release: Monday, June 17th, 2019

News Release: Monday, June 10th, 2019

Wine Pairing Dinner at Celine and Company
on Broadway in Asheville

"Asian Fusion with a French Kiss"

Wednesday, June 12th, 6:30
$75 (including tax and gratuity)
https://carolinaepicurean.com/2019/05/wine-dinner-
at-celine-and-company-asian-fusion-with-french-twist/
Call (828) 254-9902

 Badenhorst Curator is organic, sustainably farmed and part of the bio diversity project.


A blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon from Swartland in South Africa.
On the nose, find beeswax, lemon zest, lime and fresh peach. The palate is peach with hints of honey,
yellow apple, and citrus peel. Full fruit but still DRY with a peach, lemon-lime finish.
Excellent value selected Washington Post #2 best bargain wine of 2018!

2018 Curator is $9.99 @MetroWines!

*** This Just In and Coming Up ***

*** Christof Hopler ***
Owner and Lead Winemaker for Hopler
Hopler is a family winery in Bergenland Germany
that is winery to some of the biggest names in food including
Jamie Oliver, Thomas Keller of French Laundry and Gordon Ramsey!


Tuesday, June 4th 
from 5-6:30 @MetroWines
"on the house" @ and ONLY @MetroWines!