Saturday, December 28th from 10am to 7pm @MetroWines and, as always, on the house!
Forbes Magazine Says: "Step up to sparklers. You get the same advantages, since these wines are served chilled, and in many cases they pair even better with food, rosé champagnes are one of the world’s great food wines. Well, when it comes to celebrating, there is no more time-honored beverage choice than sparkling wine. Best of all, you don’t have to stop when summer ends, as sparkling wines are well suited for many other occasions, holidays, brunches, and year-round enjoyment."
Kristen Calloway is the Weddings & Events Coordinator @MetroWines in Asheville. Wines, Kristen says,
are becoming more and more important to the wedding and creating lasting memories. Kristen works with couples
to pair the best wines for the best price with the menu, select wines that almost everyone can love,
and the perfect sparkling for that special toast!
Kristen is also the co-owner of Doll Box Beauty where she offers her services as a make-up artist. Kristen's work
in make up began in department store management. In 2005, her customer service skills, commitment to getting the job done and creativity convinced the Cosmetic Department Manager to recruit her to oversee and work a brand counter. Kristen says she instantly fell in love with the world of make up and has been making women beautiful ever since that day!
In 2008, Kristen worked her first wedding party. She realized that makeup has the power to make a woman feel her best, to make her feel great, to give her the best day of her life! Those who have worked with Kristen say she listens, really listens, and works closely with you to bring your vision to life. "Kristen puts her heart into it."
Kristen's goal @MetroWines is to be as big a part of the wedding or event as the customer needs, to do whatever she can to help the customer tamp down the stress and enjoy to occasion from selecting just the right wines and beers in just the right amounts to just the right make up to make you feel confident and beautiful.
Call Kristen at (828) 575-9525 @MetroWines for wine, beer and sparkling.
First published in 1931, the 9th edition of "Joy of Cooking" will be out on November 12th. Much has changed in available ingredients, cooking techniques, and international influences on our tables. Wine pairing have changed as well. With access to nearly every wine producing region in the world, varietals and styles that were not even in our dreams in 1931 on our the shelves. Pick a recipe and shop a "revised" wine partner @MetroWines! https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-ultimate -thanksgiving-guide-revisited-11572448769
Your "Peruse it With" Wine: Lumos 2016 Oregon Pinot Noir
* Double Gold at the Oregon Wine Awards * * 91 points from Prince of Pinot*
"A blend of fruit from Wren and Temperance Hill vineyards, this is showing its oak at present in a salted-caramel scent and in a smooth, firm edge of tannins that finishes the wine. In between, a splash of red cherry saturates the flavors. Give it time to knit." 90 Points from Wine & Spirits
John Kerr of The Asheville School of Wine says: "This wine comes from the highly regarded Five Blocks Vineyard and, to be honest, the shelf price is less, way less, than it is worth!"
This masterpiece of Chinese porcelain is an important example of early blue-and-white ware from the imperially sponsored kilns of Jingdezhen. Four energetic fish—mackerel, whitefish, carp, and freshwater perch—are depicted swimming along the hips of the vessel; their Chinese names form a rebus for the phrase qingbai lianjie, meaning “honest and incorruptible.” The twisting leaves and stems of the eelgrass, blossoming lotuses, and other flora elegantly frame the fish and re-create the teeming pulse of a lush aquarium. The visual wordplay suggests that the jar may have been made for an elite clientele who, it was hoped, would be inspired by the rebus’s message of rectitude while drinking their wine.
So this wine is 100% Cinsault. You know this grape. Yes you do! Cinsualt is the foundation for most Rose' from Provence. But you rarely see a bottle of 100% Cinsualt Red. The truth is that much like Tannat and Cabernet Franc, when you produce a bottle that has only one varietal, you better be right because you can go so very wrong. HOMS gets it right. Again, the entire staff tasted this bottle and love it. A lighter red, this bottle would sit well on your Thanksgiving table. Flavorful yet versatile, a wine that will complement and not overwhelm food flavors.
Teaching Moment: From Jancis Robinson: Also spelled as Cinsaut. Widely planted throughout southern France and Corsica. With its lighter skins and soft perfume it is particularly suitable for rosés and fruity, early-drinking reds, although low yields are needed to eke out much flavour. It has the advantage over Grenache of being easy to pick by machine. Cinsault is used to add perfume and fruit to wines such as Minervois and Corbières. The variety withstands drought well and has been important in North Africa, Lebanon, Israel and South Africa where it is most famous as a parent of Pinotage. In southern Italy it is known as Ottavianello.
But Where Can I find it? Vivino says again: "Vivino doesn’t sell this wine. Also, we searched other online shops, but couldn’t find it for sale anywhere."
(Vivino is looking for love in all the wrong places!) $18.99 and on the shelf @MetroWines!
This wine is all over Europe and hugely popular but very HARD to find, if you even can, in USA.
"Vivino doesn’t sell this wine. Also, we searched other online shops, but couldn’t find it for sale anywhere."
Because of Euro domination, notes and reviews are in foreign languages! Ce Chardonnay est un vin séducteur qui distille de subtils arômes minéraux et floraux. La bouche est gourmande, tendre et justement équilibrée. Sa finale, d’une belle fraîcheur, s’achève sur une agréable sensation de légèreté.
OK. I don't know what that says. But what I do know is that the entire staff tasted this wine and we though it was lovely. We thought HOMS Chardonnay would please palates that prefer heavy oak to no oak at all. All this for $16.99 @MetroWines
All great suggestions, but WSJ forgot the Big One!
**** Sparkling ****
But wait, YOU are still frugal. You want Champagne but, despite your lucky break, you want value. We get that. Easy. Cremant!
Agnes Cuvee Cremant, Joillot, Hard to find: $39.
Sparkling Wine from Burgundy. Produced with traditional grapes (70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay) used to make true Champagnes. And made in the traditional Methode Campenoise. Aged at least 18 months on lees, more than most entry-level Champagnes! In fact, in blind taste tests, people choose this Cremant over many famous Champagnes. It’s like a true Champagne at half the cost!
Tasting Notes: Nice pinpoint bubbles. Big creamy mousse, with bright citrus and apple fruit. Clean and refreshing. Terrific value!
This is the time of year when we look to wineries that *** Give Back *** That said, our BIG RED this week is Purple Cowboy! Every year, Purple Cowboy does a Paso Robles Blend to battle breast cancer and support research.
"A rich, full-bodied wine with aromas of crushed red berries and cherries, notes of cola and cinnamon, and a hint of earthiness. Berry flavors explode in the mouth with cinnamon and cassis in the mid-palate leading to slight cocoa powder tannins on the finish."
$12.99 at Vivino. $13.99 at wine.com. $14.97 at Wine Chateau. *** $11.99 @MetroWines *** So, now it's math. Could be that the "portion of the proceeds" at a higher price will outweigh the take from quantity sales. But logic and experience says shoppers will choose the lower price and buy more.
Dark red with hints of purple. Aromas of ripe plum, cherry and cassis are accented with cola and vanilla. Tastes Like: Dark red with hints of purple. Aromas of ripe plum, cherry and cassis are accented with cola and vanilla. Again, $13.99 at wine.com. $11.99 @MetroWines!
Purple Cowboy creator and Wine Sisterhood founder, Terry Wheatley, is a breast cancer survivor and the Purple Cowboy wines she created have long given back to Tough Enough To Wear Pink. Terry co-founded Tough Enough To Wear Pink in 2004 with the idea that cowboys would wear pink at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on one night of the competition to raise awareness. The idea took off and Tough Enough To Wear Pink is celebrating its 14th anniversary in 2018. To date, $26 million has been raised at rodeos and western events to support families facing breast cancer, early detection and research. The goal is $50 million by the 20th anniversary. A portion of the sale of each bottle goes to Tough Enough To Wear Pink.
OK. We really don't need another job to do @MetroWines BUT, this weekend we settled two disputes over wine. So, it's out there. Don't fight. Bring the debate to us. Let us take the heat. We will pick the wine! ** Our Counselors are standing by! **
The DYI Suggestion: Be prepared a bottle of a wine that is very difficult to find objectionable and Lettie Teague of The Wall Street Journal recommended! Winemaker Says: This wine is no exception to Angeline's dedication in over-delivering quality in every wine they bottle. Their Pinot Noir is a wealth of aromas such as fresh cranberries, dark cherry cordial, and balanced by fresh tart raspberry. Underlying savory notes of Mulberry, baking spices and a touch of eucalyptus round out the palate, with a juicy with lively acidity, and a touch of sweet, toasty oak on the finish.
James Suckling Says 90 Points and... Fresh and clean with strawberries and hints of orange peel. Medium body. Crisp and vivid. Low impact and lovely delicacy here.
Wine.com says $13.99 and unavailable. MetroWines says: $11.99 and on the shelf!
You do not want to miss this event, We have pottery, candles, greeting cards, jewelry, paintings, wine bottle art, pet toys, wine accessories and quilts. Shop while you taste wines perfect for the Holidays.
Join us on Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 from 10am to 7pm for a tasting of Rose' Wines perfect for your Thanksgiving Table.
"With all the flavors that come together on a Thanksgiving Table, you need wines that are versatile and pair with most flavor profiles," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of MetroWines. "We are introducing Rose' wines a little heavier in body that can not only handle bolder flavors but cooler weather!"
The event is "on the house" and all wines poured will be offered at an event price.
About: First Annual Thanksgiving Tasting and Customer2Customer Arts and Crafts Show
Please join us on Saturday, November 9th from Noon to 5pm for The First Annual Thanksgiving Tasting and Customer2Customer Arts and Crafts Show @MetroWines.
"Customers of MetroWines will present their arts and crafts for sale to all of our customers as well as all of Asheville!" says Gina Trippi, co-owner of MetroWines. "This is an opportunity to select holiday gifts that are unique or something special and "one of a kind" for yourself."
Customers will be presenting pottery, pet tugs, candles, greeting cards, wine bottle art, wine art including clothing and accessories, paintings, jewelry and quilts.
Shoppers can enjoy versatile wines that would be perfect for the Thanksgiving holidays while strolling the store and meeting the artists.
NYT reports that "natural" is THE word in the wine world meaning wines that are produced with minimal intervention like chemical additives or commercial yeast. Check out our shelf of "Natural Wines" @MetroWines from around the world including this one:
Unfined. Unfiltered. Biodynamic. From Foradori, Tuscany, $26 Different Mediterranean grape varieties are fermented together and blended to produce this wine. The grapes are sourced in the older vineyards of the Mediterranean varieties, in Ampeleia di Mezzo, where the Mediterranean scrub dominates the landscape permeating the air with its fragrances. Kepos means garden in Greek.
Chiaretto is the local word for rosé on the eastern shores of Lake Gard, a land where the sun shines, the wine flows, and the prosciutto-slicer slices year-round. At Corte Gardoni, the Piccoli family specializes in making light, refreshing wines that don’t cost much. Their Chiaretto—made from grape varieties you’ll find only in the Veneto—is incredibly bright in flavor, with citrus and nectarine leading the way to the crispest of finishes. This wine exudes pure joy.
Documents show the Piccoli family has owned vineyards in Veneto since 1600. Many generations tended vines, but after phylloxera, the ravaged estate couldn’t support all 5 brothers. One left to become a fruit grower. Having grown up in vineyards, Gianni Piccoli had wine in his blood. He bought a vineyard estate in 1971. For several years Corte Gardoni grapes were sold to cooperatives, but Gianni felt their wines lacked soul and in 1980 he broke those ties and crafted his own wine.
Today Gianni is a well-known and highly respected figure in the region and a leader in the fight against homogenization of local wine. While local cooperatives push for laws that would force producers to plant only French grapes like Chardonnay and Merlot, Corte Gardoni is reserved for local varietals including Garganega, Corvina, Rondinella, and others. $16.99
Please join us on Saturday, October 5th for The Great Rose Tasting from 10am to 7pm @MetroWines. Four bottles of Rose from around the world that will stand up to the slightly cooler temperatures will be "on the taste" and "on the house."
"Rose works all year and, sometimes, Rose is the only wine that works" says Gina Trippi, co-owner of MetroWines. "The versatility of Rose, the celebratory atmosphere Rose can create, and the sheer pleasure of sipping a glass of Rose while reading a good book, puts it on the call list any time of year!"
Rose selections for the tasting will be offered at an event price all day.
** Saturday, September 7th from 10am to 7pm @MetroWines ** The selections this month are from Winebow! and Chris Curtis of Winebow will join us from 2 to 5pm.
14-18h, Greece Mont Gravet, France Regaleali, Italy Barnard Griffin, California "on the taste" and "on the house"
15+ Asheville wedding venues from farms to dance floors
So, you just got engaged. Or maybe you’re planning on popping the question, or you enjoy daydreaming of the perfect wedding. (Or, you’re just reliving your own wedding. Or, you’re not interested in weddings in which case just skip below.)
Asheville is definitely a destination location thanks to the scenery. But even for locals, one of the most daunting questions can be “where?”
So, to start of the start of “wedding season,” we’re starting a wedding series – from venues, planners, photographers, bakers + more – you will be served the full wedding 411 in mini-features throughout the summer. To kick if off, we’re featuring 16 unique venues in Asheville – for the small gathering to the giant party.
If open pastures + mountain views is your dream “I do” location, then check out this 500 acre working farm.This venue is about 15 minutes from downtown AVL which means total convenience for you, your guests, caters, etc.
Alright, Biltmore is a dream location – even I will admit to that.Best part: Biltmore offers 10 venue locations on the estate. Now the question is do you exchange vows at Diana, the Antler Hill Barn, or Cedric’s Garden??
Choose between indoor + outdoor locations in this elegant resort. Whether your wedding is small + intimate or full of guests, this venue can accommodate accordingly. Bonus:Mountain and the city views from the Mountain View Terrace.
This modern event space is lit – literally, with string lights + the whole shabang!! Perfect for a slightly smaller wedding, Asheville Social Hall is in the center of downtownAsheville.
Once home to a prominent doctor, this historic manor can house a wedding of about 150 guests. Located on one of the most special streets in Asheville, Homewood provides an eclectic + charming experience.
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way | Asheville | Garden
Imagine nothing but lush garden scenery. At The Arboretum, you and your guests can enjoy the ceremony + cocktails on the lawn, the Blue Ridge Court or even the Heritage Garden.
Old Edwards Inn screams “charming + enchanting woodlands theme.” While being surrounded by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, your wedding will feel straight out of a fairytale.
There is something wonderful about celebrating your big day downtown, and The Venue makes your special moment even better. This French cottage setting in the heart of downtown with a balcony overlooking the mountains will make even your guests swoon in awe.
Calling all in favor of southern charm + rustic elegance. This family-owned property in the mountains of Asheville provide the perfect touch of country magic to your wedding day.
Now a beloved wedding destination, this family-owned farm has produced cattle, sorghum, tobacco + abundance for over 100 years. With mountain roots + southern authenticity, this venue will create the picture perfect day.
From riverfront spots to rustic farm locations, the Olivette provides the picturesque WNC scene. Experience your first glance among the trees or say your vows by the riverside, you can’t go wrong with the outdoor experience.
Mostly used as the perfect retreat center, OM Sanctuary can host a gorgeous wedding. With public venues such as the Serenity Garden + Outdoor Patio, this outdoor spot creates the lushest outdoor wedding.
10 Broadway (9th Floor) | Asheville | Hotel Restaurant
Looking for the perfect spot for your reception, rehearsal dinner, or bridal party? Capella on 9 has been named on of the best rooftop bars in the world by U.S. News and World Report. Your MOH or Best Man giving a toast while looking at AVL’s skyline? Yes. Please.
Located in one of Asheville’s most historic venues, this historic + elegant space is includes a dining room, foyer, theatre + auxiliary room creating the perfect vintage aesthetic.
41 North Merrimon Ave. #107 | Asheville | Event Space
Engaged Asheville is the perfect spot for smaller wedding after parties, or for your pre/post wedding photo shoot.
Currently, planning a wedding isn’t in my near future. All the single ladies, now put your hands up!
Despite how much I enjoy attending weddings, being a bridesmaid + writing about weddings, I don’t care to have a giant wedding myself. Who knows, that could change – I see you OM Sanctuary.
Pro-tip: Most of the venues are open to the public, like The Arboretum + Homewood, so plan a day to enjoy the scenery solo or with friends.
