News Release: Friday, November 3rd, 2023
About: Official MetroWines 2023 Thanksgiving Wines
Join us for a two-day tasting of The Official MetroWines Thanksgiving Wines! Joseph Schwabauer, CSW, FSW, of Kellogg Selections, will be our host. Joseph is a 12 year veteran of the wine business, doing it all from wine retail, restaurant wine lists and working with some of the best producers and importers on the supplier side.
The first event, Friday, November 17th from 4 to 6pm @MetroWines will feature wines from Empire Estate. The next day, Saturday, November 18th from 3 to 6pm, National Sales manager for Terre Rouge & Easton Wines, Les Doss, will pour five wines to taste. And you can taste wines with small bites that present all the Thanksgiving Flavors. Both tastings are "on the house" and "at the bar" with no reservations necessary.
Empire Estate:
"If you watched Billions, you saw Paul Giamotti with a bottle of Empire Estate Wine," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of MetroWines. "This time he likes the wine!"
Empire Estate sits in The Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. The region has a long history of grape-growing and winemaking, but its sparkling wine production in the late-1800s is what initially put the area on the world’s wine map. With vineyards planted on mineral-rich soils, on slopes that hug the glacially-carved lakes, and a cool climate similar to many of the finest Old World wine regions, the Finger Lakes is an ideal terroir for making world-class sparkling wines.
Empire Estate, Blanc de Blanc NV
A shimmering silver-yellow color with a persistent mousse, on the nose this sparkling wine displays fruit tones of green apple, golden peach & baked lemon, notes of toasted brioche, and racy mineral aromas of gravel & limestone. Refined bubbles and a brisk acidity hit the palate, followed by flavors of lemon cream, orange blossom & stone fruit, all leading to a long, mineral finish.
Empire Estate, Brut Rose NV
A vibrant rose-pink color with a persistent mousse, on the nose this sparkling wine displays fruit tones of red cherry, raspberry, & baked lemon, notes of toasted brioche, and racy mineral aromas of gravel & limestone. Refined bubbles and a brisk acidity hit the palate, followed by flavors of strawberry & lemon cream, orange blossom & stone fruit, all leading to a long, mineral finish.
Empire Estate, Dry Riesling 2019
"Empire Estate was created to showcase an incredible winemaking region that we New Yorkers have right in our own backyard: The Finger Lakes. We crafted this wine to express the dry style of this dynamic grape - Riesling doesn't always have to be sweet!"
Meet the Founder of Empire Estate, Thomas Pastuszak, formerly Wine Director at NoMad Hotel in New York, via video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbA410A3vi0
Terre Rouge & Easton
"Wine Enthusiast says Terre Rouge is one of the top 100 wineries in the World," says Gina Trippi. "The 2016 Ascent Syrah from Terre Rouge, winemaker Bill Easton, received 100 points from Wine Enthusiast!"
Five wines will be presented by Les Dos, National Sales Manager for Terre Rouge & Easton Wines, Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3, Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), Certified Sommelier (CS). He is a 25 year veteran of the restaurant industry. His titles include General Manager, Wine Director & Sommelier. He owned and operated his own restaurant for over a decade. Before joining Terre Rouge & Easton Wines he worked for several other wineries in Napa and Sonoma. But those of you who have been around Asheville for a while know Les as the former owner of "Usual Suspects" the present Avenue M on Merrimon!!
Terre Rouge, Viognier Fiddletown 2021
Viognier is organically-grown on our Fiddletown estate in granitic soils. Zesty fresh, floral, and spicy aromatics with fruit notes that suggest classic white peach and apricot flavors. This will be a perfect glass pour wine with its lively flavors. Bottled with a screw-cap closure for easy accessibility.
Easton, Zinfandel Amador County 2016
This hand-crafted wine is made from grapes harvested in California's famous Amador County, long renowned as one of the best places in the world for distinctive Zinfandel because of its old head-pruned vines, mountain soils, languid blue sky days, and cool summer nights. This Amador County bottling is luscious, fruity, and tinted for current enjoyment both at home and at your favorite restaurant.
Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points
Smooth and creamy yet firm enough for good grip, this is a big but well-balanced wine that offers plenty of ripe berries and plums along with hints of black pepper and sage. Moderate tannins seem to build on the palate and add a good bite to the finish.
Wine Spectator, 90 Points
Vibrant and sleekly focused, with a lively core of acidity and tannins, layered with raspberry, stony mineral and white pepper flavors. Drink now through 2025.
Terre Rouge, Garrigue 2014
Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points
This blend of two-thirds Syrah and one-third Cabernet Sauvignon is earthy, smoky and black peppery in a very good way, as it reveals funky nuances from the potent aromas through flavors that are also ripe and full of black-fruit notes, to the lingering spicy finish. There aren't many pure Syrahs from the Foothills as good as this blend.
Terre Rouge, Syrah, 'Les Côtes de l'Ouest' 2017
This 2017 vintage has beautiful color with rich, silky, wild raspberry fruit flavors laced with pepper, sage, tar, and olive/herb tones. Aromas are raspberry, smoky, wild gamey, peppery, and cinnamon. The wine has a clean purity of Syrah fruit that is reminiscent of many St. Joseph’s and other Northern Rhone's. It has forward fruit flavors and great acid balance. It is very smooth and savory in the mouth.
Terre Rouge, Grenache, "L'Autre" 2014
This 2014 is very elegant, complex, and lively. It shows Grenache savory plum and black cherry flavors, coupled with Mourvèdre’s smoky gaminess, and a bit of richness and punch from the Syrah component. This is a dead ringer for a top Southern Rhône,; say a Châteauneuf-du-Pape or Gigondas.
Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points
A slightly tawny color and extra spicy, meaty aromas make this appetizing blend of 75% Grenache, 17% Mourvèdre and 8% Syrah interesting to taste. It's medium-bodied, peppery and savory and is backed by moderate berry flavors.
Join us and set a memorable table, host a happy party and greet friends with good taste!
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Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
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