With our consultation, your home will have a stash of wines ready for any occasion.
Wines you like to drink at a comfortable price. You’ll save in several ways.
First, you’ll be buying your favorite wines at a price below the average Internet price. And you’ll receive even better pricing with large cellar purchases. Or John will recommend lesser-known wines that meet the same quality and style of your preferences. But, because these wines have not been heavily marketed, their price only reflects the quality of the wine in the bottle.
Second, you’ll save by not overbuying for your cellar. Overbuying is the most common mistake made by wine lovers. Overbought means overaged wines. And overaged wines mean you’ll be drinking wines that are past their prime. Or you’ll be adding them to your next Beef Bourguignon. Instead, know you’ll always have a ready supply of wine at its peak.
Third, you’ll avoid expensive cellars. Custom cellars are beautiful and are great at storing your wine. But you can store your wine at a fraction of the cost, or at no cost at all. John will help you find the right place in your home and show you how to set it up for convenient, proper storage and security.
Fourth, there is no consulting fee. The price of the wine you’re already buying covers the consultation.
So feel free to book a no-obligation conversation with John.
We think you’ll be glad you did.
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By Gina Trippi
When you hear “wine from Switzerland,” you probably think little bottles of some white blend for tourists. But why shouldn’t Switzerland have great grapes? The country is nestled amidst Italy, which has 500 varietals; France, hosting 200 varietals; and Austria, Spain and Germany. In fact, Switzerland grows 252 different varietals used for wine.
Chasselas, known as Fendant, the national name of the grape in Switzerland, is the most important and widely planted grape in Switzerland. It is most often grown in the Lake Geneva region and Vaud, the second largest wine region sited in the French-speaking southwest of the country.
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Like many grapes, the origin of Chasselas is widely debated. It was historically believed that the grape was indigenous to the Middle East or Egypt. But many hold to the theory that the location bearing the most forms of a varietal is probably the point of origin. And recently, DNA research supports this time-honored theory, suggesting Chasselas was home-grown on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Most versions of Chasselas are dry, rich and complex with good acidity, giving the wine, like Riesling, the ability to age in the bottle in cellar conditions. As Chasselas ages, expect more honeyed and nutty flavors and a deep golden hue in the glass.
L’Alpage Chasselas is a custom cuvée selected by North Carolina importer Eric Solomon. The vines, grown in very specific soils of clay, limestone and schist along the upper Rhône River, make for a pure, friendly style. L’Alpage refers to the mountain meadows, as the winemaker says, not unlike the opening scene from The Sound of Music.
Because of local demand, together with international trade policies, Swiss wine is not widely available outside of Switzerland. Only about 1 percent of Swiss wine produced is exported. Provins, the winery that makes L’Alpage Chasselas, is a cooperative that produces sustainably grown, hand-harvested wines. The grapes in this bottle were fermented in stainless steel.
As you might suspect, Chasselas pairs best with traditional Swiss cuisine, including fondue, raclette, mushroom pastry and grilled fish. Because Chasselas has good acidity, it can serve as a refreshing contrast to a spicy dish and even pairs seamlessly with the earthy flavors of asparagus.
How did such an appealing grape go unnoticed? Well, the grape ripens early, needing the cool Alpine slopes of Switzerland. And the vine can be over-productive, leading to bottles that lack distinction. Chasselas is planted throughout Europe, particularly in France, Germany and Austria, as well as parts of North Africa, where the varietal is just not taken seriously. The serious expressions of Chasselas, such as L’Alpage, are difficult to find stateside. And that’s why you shop at Metro Wines!
Gina Trippi is the co-owner of Metro Wines, 169 Charlotte Street in Asheville. Committed to the community, Metro Wines offers big-shop selection with small-shop service. Gina can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.575.9525.
Why consult John about your cellar?
If you do, your home will have a stash of wines ready for any occasion. Wines you like to drink at a price you love. You’ll save in several ways.
First, you’ll be buying your favorite wines at a price below the average Internet price. And you’ll receive even better pricing with large cellar purchases. Or John will recommend less-known wines that meet the same quality and style of your favorite wines. But because these wines are not famous, their price only reflects the quality of the wine in the bottle.
Second, you’ll be ahead of the game (or “you’ll save”) by not overbuying for your cellar. Overbuying is the most common mistake made by wine lovers. Overbought means overaged wines. And overaged wines mean you’ll be drinking wines that are past their prime. Or you’ll be adding them to your next Beef Bourguignon. Instead, know you’ll always have a ready supply of wine at its peak.
Third, you’ll avoid expensive cellars if you want to. Custom cellars are beautiful and are great at storing your wine. But you can store your wine at a fraction of the cost, or at no cost at all. John will help you find the right place in your home and show you how to set it up for convenient storage.
Fourth, there is no consulting fee. The price of the wine you’re already buying covers the consultation.
So feel free to book a no-obligation conversation with John. We think you’ll be glad you did.
CALL (828) 200-6504
The wine world is experiencing a revolution in sustainable and mindful winemaking practices. As consumers become increasingly conscious about what they consume and its environmental impact, terms like "organic," "natural," and "dry farmed" appear more frequently on wine labels and in conversations. Yet these terms often create confusion rather than clarity, leaving wine lovers uncertain about what they actually mean and why they should care.
At Metro Wines in Asheville, we regularly help customers navigate these sustainable wine categories. The growing interest in environmentally conscious winemaking reflects broader cultural shifts toward sustainability, health awareness, and authenticity. Understanding these different approaches helps you make informed choices that align with your values while discovering some truly exceptional wines.
The pop of a cork, the cascade of bubbles, the celebratory toast – few things in the wine world capture joy quite like sparkling wine. Yet beyond the festive moments, there's a fascinating world of craftsmanship, tradition, and variety that many wine lovers never fully explore. Whether you're planning a special celebration or simply want to elevate your everyday wine knowledge, understanding sparkling wine opens doors to some of the most elegant and food-friendly wines available.
Ordering wine should be as enjoyable as sipping it. Whether you’re at an upscale restaurant, a cozy bistro, or browsing the shelves at Metro Wines, knowing proper wine etiquette elevates your experience—and shows respect for the craft, the server, and your fellow guests. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every stage of the wine-ordering journey: from reading the wine list to pouring that first delightful sip. By mastering these nuances, you’ll order with confidence, discover new favorites, and make every glass count.
Ordering wine should be as enjoyable as sipping it. Whether you’re at an upscale restaurant, a cozy bistro, or browsing the shelves at Metro Wines, knowing proper wine etiquette elevates your experience—and shows respect for the craft, the server, and your fellow guests. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every stage of the wine-ordering journey: from reading the wine list to pouring that first delightful sip. By mastering these nuances, you’ll order with confidence, discover new favorites, and make every glass count.
Avocado is back on the table and on the walls! The all white kitchen is yielding to the resurgence of the celebrated 1960’s color and the avocado itself is showing up with everything from toast to dessert. The color palette is your call but we can help with the avocado, the fruit, palate pairing.
The relatively mild avocado, indigenous to Central America, with its creamy texture started as an aphrodisiac! By 1871, the avocado had found its way to California. Hass and Fuerte are the two most easily accessible varieties. While Hass has more oil content and Fuerte more fiber, the two are similar in taste and interchangeable for recipes and for our purpose of pairing.
Got a great recipe and the wine ready but the avocado is not yet ripe? Put no more than a few avocados in a paper bag with an apple at room temperature. The apple emits ethylene gas, a ripening agent. And to stop the avocado from turning brown, a teaspoon of lemon or lime juice helps the fruit retain its lovely green color.
Most of us think of the avocado as uniquely suited to Mexican dishes but this versatile fruit is holding its own in many other cuisines. You have no doubt encountered western style sushi known as the California Roll. So, now the avocado is surround by cucumbers instead of black beans and salsa! And the avocado is a welcomed addition to any dish with the heat turned up as the natural fat tempers the heat and calms the spices. Avocados are now in ice cream, sweet drinks and vinaigrette.
But for all its virtues, the Avocado has a bad reputation for wine pairing. Natalie MacLean, author of Red, White, and Drunk All Over says: “I put them in a category I call ‘Green Wine Stalkers’ because their natural compounds don’t marry well with many wine styles.”
Look for a white wine with high acidity to cut through the sweetness and fat in the fruit. A New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc such as Kim Crawford or Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige would be good matches. If you prefer red, avoid tannic wines and opt for Domaine Depueble Beaujolais or California Pinot Noir such as Bodan Roan.
Depending on the heat level of the recipe, the pairing may require a demi-sec Vouvray such as La Vigne Des Sablons or a domestic sparkling like Roederer Brut. And in case of doubt, call for backup! A middle of the road Rosé works with almost anything almost anytime!
Finally, many fear the avocado for its fat content. But rejoice! It is, as they say, the good fat. Avocado is loaded with heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, the kind that doctors say can lower the bad LDL cholesterol and maintain levels of the good HDL cholesterol.
Pick up avocados and let us pair a wine to your recipe @MetroWines. Painting the walls is up to you!
Every bottle of wine has a story—a narrative of craftsmanship, science, and time. One of the most intriguing chapters in this story is aging. But why does aging improve wine? The answer lies in the intricate interplay of fermentation, chemical reactions, and the influence of oak barrels. In this post, we explore the science and art behind wine aging, focusing on the fermentation process and the role oak barrels play in shaping a wine’s character.
By Gina Trippi
Bourgueil? Before we turn to specifics of Bourgueil, let’s learn to pronounce this French wine! Phonetically, the word sounds something like this: boor-gay.
Now, what is this Bourgueil? Bourgueil is the appellation for red wines from the commune of the same name, and six others surrounding it, in the central Loire Valley, between the towns of Tours and Angers. Like Chinon, the better-known Cabernet Franc from Loire, Bourgueil claims its own territory in the valley.
Bourgueil wines are usually made solely from Cabernet Franc. To carry the highly regarded Bourgueil label, the wine must be made of at least 90 percent Cabernet Franc. Appellation law does allow up to 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.
Why the name Bourgueil? A monk is given credit for bringing Cabernet Franc to popularity in the 17th century. Abbot Breton, of Bourgueil Abbey, planted and tended his Cabernet Franc vines with such care that local vine-growers followed his lead and began producing what became the Loire Valley’s signature style of red wine.
The Cabernet Franc varietal thrives in this area because it is suited to this mild, maritime-influenced climate and free-draining soils. Bourgueil wines range from light-bodied, Beaujolais-like, fruit-driven styles to silky, mid-bodied wines with complex notes of undergrowth, spice and ripe berry fruit.
Two main types of soil are part of the Bourgueil terroir that make for excellent versions of Cabernet Franc. The gravelly, alluvial soils close to the banks of the Loire River generate lighter styles with aromas of red berries and licorice. The second type of soil—rich in the local tuffeau jaune, a yellowish, porous, sedimentary rock made of sand and fossils—results in richer, spicier wines with earthy aromas including leather and fur.
Formed during the Tortonian era 90 million years ago, tuffeau soil qualities draw excess water away from vine roots and hold reserves that stop the vines from shutting down entirely during drier periods.
One of the customer-favorite versions of Bourgeuil at Metro Wines is from Lamé-Delisle-Boucard. The 2021 Bourgueil is pure Cabernet Franc exclusively from vines more than 40 years of age. This undergoes fermentation in oak casks made from trees in the surrounding Tronçais forest. Invitingly ripe on the nose and tinged with earth, the wine is silky on the palate, gradually revealing its underlying minerality, and finishes with gentle and elegant tannins.
Founded in 1869, the winery has seen five generations of winegrowers. The family first bottled their wine for sale in 1947, something quite rare outside of the greatest estates in Burgundy and Bordeaux. Made in the traditional style, Boucard is suitable for aging.
Boucard shows a dense red and purple color in the glass. Concentrated floral aromas are surrounded by ripe, black raspberry with earth and citrus, characteristic of Bourgueil. The palate is dense, but balanced with deep black raspberry and cassis fruit, with chalky minerals in the finish. A distinctive style of Cabernet Franc, only Bourgueil is Bourgueil!
Gina Trippi is the co-owner of Metro Wines, 169 Charlotte Street in Asheville. Committed to the community, Metro Wines offers big-shop selection with small-shop service. Gina can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.575.9525.
History:
Patrick's birth name was Maewyn. He was born in Roman Britain. He was kidnapped into slavery and brought to Ireland.
He escaped to a monastery in Gaul (France) and converted to Christianity. He went back to Ireland in 432 as a missionary. While Christianity had already taken hold in the country, tradition has it that Patrick confronted the Druids at Tara and abolished their pagan rites, making Christianity more widespread.
Patrick became a bishop and after his death was named Ireland's patron saint. Celebrations in Ireland were understated though. When the Irish emigrated to the U.S., they created the bigger celebrations and parades known today.
Eighteenth century Irish soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War held the first St. Patrick Day parades. The celebrations became a way for the Irish to connect with their roots after they moved to America.
Folk Facts:
The shamrock: According to legend St. Patrick used the three leaf clover (or shamrock) to explain the Trinity.
Dyeing the river green: The practice of dyeing the river green started in Chicago in 1962, when city officials decided to dye a portion of the Chicago River green.
Corn beef and cabbage: This is an Irish American dish. Irish Americans were so poor they could not afford certain meals. On St. Patrick's Day, the best meal they could afford was beef and cabbage. It became a staple for the holiday.
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Grovewood Gallery Calendar of Events 2025
Our collaboration with The Grovewood Gallery continues into 2025. MetroWines is pleased
to pour wines for Gallery customers to taste while they take in the art of every kind at The Gallery!
SAVE the DATES
February 21 - 23 Arts & Crafts Conference
March 20` First day of spring
April 4 - 5 Spring Sip & Shop – 10% Off, Metro Wines (2 days, 11 AM to 5 PM)
Demo Artists: Christopher Mello - florals and ceramic acorns,
Andrea Kulish - Pysanky Eggs, and Jenna Kesgen - botanical paintings
April 12 – 20 Passover
April 20 Easter
May 11 Mother’s Day
May 26 Memorial Day
May 31 and 6/1 Bi-Annual Grovewood Village Studio Tour- 10% Off,
Metro Wines (2 days, 11 AM to 5 PM)
June 14 – Sept 21 Enchanted Garden Outdoor Sculpture Show
Artists: Bob Doster, J. Aaron Alderman, Jonathan Bowling, Josh Cote,
Lyman Whitaker, Roger Martin, Todd Frahm, and Zachary Smith-Johnson
June 14 Opening Reception in the Garden (2pm - 5pm)
Metro Wines. Roger Martin Demo
July 4 Fourth of July
July 12 – Aug 10 Into the Wild – Ceramic Sculpture by Tina Curry
Opening Reception (2pm to 5pm) Metro Wines
August 16-Sept 30 Feature Wall (center room) Paintings by Pam Kirby
Aug 16 Opening Reception (2pm to 5pm) Metro Wines
September 1-30 Arts for Life Charity – 1% of Sales – GG and GOM
September 1 Labor Day
September 13, 14 Grovewood Village Studio Tour - 10% Off, Metro Wines (2 days, 11 AM to 5 PM)
October 18-Dec 31 Artful Living: The Spirit of the Craftsman Style – Group Exhibition
Shawn Kreuger, Leslie Green Guilbault, Tim Livingston, and Paul Garrett
Oct 18 Opening Reception (2pm to 5pm) Metro Wines
November 15- Dec 31 Vessels of Merriment
November 15 Opening Reception (2pm to 5pm) Metro Wines
Thanksgiving November 27
December 5-6 Holiday Sip and Shop – 10% Off, Metro Wines
December 14 – 22 Hanukkah
December 25 Christmas Day
In the heart of Asheville, on the way to the Grove Park Inn at 169 Charlotte Street, sits a wine shop that has redefined what personalized service means in the world of wine retail. Metro Wines, founded by John Kerr and Gina Trippi in April 2013, has become a cornerstone of the Asheville wine scene – voted the number one wine shop in Asheville for seven consecutive years, quoted in The Wall Street Journal five times, and featured in Wine Enthusiast magazine.
But what sets Metro Wines apart isn't just our accolades or our extensive selection – it's our commitment to creating a wine shopping experience that feels both educational and personal.
Shaw & Smith SB (Adelaide Hills)
Pikes Clare Valley Dry Riesling
Howard Park Miamup Cab (Margaret River)
Paxton MV Shiraz (McLaren Vale)
When wine enthusiasts relocate to Asheville from regions known for their vineyards, they often worry about losing their cherished winery memberships and that direct connection to favorite vintners. Yet after discovering Metro Wines, many find themselves happily canceling their last remaining winery club subscriptions.