skip to main content

Items filtered by date: November 2021

Monday, 26 February 2024 14:44

Wine Club @MetroWines

greyhound pirate

Why our wine club is better than the national clubs.  
Is it true? I’m sure you’ve seen the blitz ad campaigns in the Citizen Times, NYT and WSJ. In ¼ to full page ads, you’re offered something special. Something unique. A national wine club selling you something few can. Clean, quality, hard to find wines with no or little additives. And to ease you in, some will give you $100 to try them. I’m sorry to tell you that they’re not giving you the full story. To guide you through this thicket, we’ve devoted our entire newsletter to this one topic. By the end, I think you’ll see why the average member drops their national wine club after 1.5 to 2 years. But most of our club members have continued to stay with us over the last decade. Topic by topic here’s how our wine club compares to the national ones.

Better Value.  Right out of the gate, you’re saving about $3 a bottle at Metro. Wine bottles are heavy which makes them expensive to ship. When they tell you it’s free shipping, don’t believe them. You still pay that cost and it’s taken out of the quality of the wine.  Metro’s club is always priced at a discount so that the box price is competitive with the average Internet price. And you get further value when we find a great wine at a great price. When we do, you get wines that would normally cost you up to twice as much. Speaking of shipping, don’t forget an adult will need to be home for the day. You’ll have to wait there to sign for your shipment. At Metro, you can pick up at any time we’re open. And we’re open 7 days a week. 

Real Wineries! Many nationals tell you their wines are limited or exclusive. Wines you’ll never see in a shop like Metro. And they are partly right – you’ll never see these wines at Metro. That’s because many buy bulk wines. The clubs then slap on their own label. We encourage you - Google these wineries. Virtually none can be found on the Internet. And how exclusive are these wines if they are sold nationally to anyone who joins their club? Metro fills your club box with real wines made at real wineries. They tend to be small wineries, many from family operations that have tilled the land for generations. These are vintners who use no or little additives and take pride in the care of their wine and land. When you buy from Metro, you support these families. And don’t forget. If a national club is not selling you bulk wine, chances are that Metro can get their “exclusive” wine for you too.

Better selection. Besides low quality, the biggest complaint we hear about national clubs is the small selection. Once they’ve shipped you everything they offer, they begin the cycle again with the same wines. And with bulk wines, the nationals can change the labels. But it’s still the same bulk wine in the bottle. Our club offers you all the wines available to Metro from around the world. Importers are constantly adding new wines to their portfolios in a battle for quality. We in turn offer them to you in our club.

You choose the style of wine and price you pay. Metro is competitive with national clubs by offering you the style of wine you like. Just tell us if you prefer a smoother fruit-driven domestic style or a more savory, structured Euro style. That begins your adventure! We select the wines for you. You’ll try grapes you know and those you don’t all in the style you want. In our traditional clubs, you’ll also receive notes describing the wine and pairing suggestions.

Unlike the national clubs, Metro offers you a custom club. You design the club to receive a very specific type of wine as well as decide the number of bottles, the frequency, and the price. Let’s say you want three bottles of Italian Chardonnay each month at $70. Or perhaps a case of rose for $220. We’ll set that up for you. You get the same service as the traditional club except we do not include the notes and pairing suggestions.

Wine Club Details:  If you are interested in joining the club, please give us a call at 828-575-9525. Anyone can answer questions. Julie manages your club. She will sign you up and build your box each month. We’ll ask for your wine preferences, put your card information in our encrypted system. After that, your wine club box will be ready on the 1st or 15th of each month. Drop by at your convenience to pick it up. Here’s the details:

Tuesday Night Wine Club: Please tell us whether you want red or white wine in either domestic or Euro style. You will receive either 6 bottles of white or 6 reds. You can receive both white and red if you opt for 12 bottles, 6 bottles of each.  Your box will be ready on the 15th of each month (or the frequency you select).
6 bottles for $85 or 12 bottles for $170

Saturday Night Wine Club: Please tell us whether you want red or white wine in either domestic or Euro style. You will receive either 6 bottles of white or 6 reds. You can receive both white and red if you opt for 12 bottles, 6 bottles of each.  Your box will be ready on the 1st of each month (or the frequency you select).
6 bottles for $121 or 12 bottles for $242

Custom Club: You tell us the style, price and number of bottles. Your box will be ready on the 15th of each month (or frequency you select).

Call Julie at (828) 575-9525!

Saturday, 10 February 2024 14:34

French Wine 7 Dinner at Table!

glamorous blue
 
Thursday March 7, 2024, 6:30pm
Only 12 guests!
$145 per person, including tax and gratuity.  

Reservation: Text 984-312-5315
Further details including Cancelation Policy and Payment process, go here: https://contrasttours.com/dinners/
Wines will be available for purchase at great pricing from Metro Wines.

Please note:
* Given the farm to table nature of the restaurant, some minor changes may occur to the food menu.
* Chef inspired Vegetarian option available upon request. 

MENU: 
  * 6 NEW BRUNSWICK OYSTERS  Heidi's Bread, House Cultured Butter.

DENIS VERVIER POUILLY-FUISSÉ CLIMATE LAMURE, 2019
100% Chardonnay

CHATEAU FARLURET, BARSAC-SAUTERNES, 2016
90% Sémillon, 10% Sauvignon Blanc

Two rather upscale pairing with these oysters, the Pouilly Fuissé is a very delicate Burgundy wine from one of the finest plots in the appellation, in one of the top climates (appellation with particular merit within the appellation). A delicate minerality and notes of apricots. This Sauternes with oysters is one of my favorite pairings, marrying the saltiness of the oyster with the relative sweetness of the wine, they cancel each other, letting the palate enjoy a more flavorful oyster magnified with a firework of savors from the Sauternes. 

  * WOOD ROASTED PORK  Heirloom Grits, Early Spring Vegetables

DOMAINE RICHEAUME, TRADITION 2018, Red, Biodynamic
Syrah 47%, Grenache 43%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%

PATRICK GALANT, CAIRANNE OLD VINES 2016 and 2017
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah. 12 months in small oak casts

The Domaine Richeaume Tradition is a fleshy and fresh, wine from Provence, exhibiting definite savors of plum and black currant. The Cairanne Old Vines, has velvety tannins infused with violet savors, leather, garrigue spices. Both will enchant your palate with this dish.

  * BLACK FOREST CAKE Cocoa-Cherry Frosting, Amarena Cherries 

CORINNE DEPEYRE AMITIÉ 2015, Organic 
100% Late Harvest Grenache Rouge

This wine is amazingly unique, it evokes Banyuls, but in a substantially drier and fresher variation, loaded with cherry savors, a wine made for chocolate pairing, especially a Black Forest of this magnitude.
Friday, 09 February 2024 14:25

Cyprus Wine Tasting!

tsiakkas
News Release: Friday, February 9th, 2024
About: Cyprus Wine Tasting: Tsiakkas Winery
 
Step outside of your wine comfort zone and join us @MetroWines, 169 Charlotte Street in Asheville, on March 15th from 4-6 to taste wine from Cyprus! Josh Austin of Freedom Distribution will present wines from the Tsiakkas Winery including Xynisteri White, Mouklos Dry Red and Keo St. John Commandaria dessert wine. The tasting is "at the bar" and "on the house" with NO reservations necessary.
 
The Winery:
Pitsilia is a mountainous region of rocky land at the heart of Cyprus, covered with steep slopes and centuries-old stone terraces. Although remote, the community is rich in culture and history: distinct architecture and landscaping, Byzantine monuments, countless nature parks, a traditional cuisine and warm hospitality.

Dotted around the region are our nine vineyards, covering approximately 20 hectares of land; half privately-owned and half through dedicated partners. The core of the vineyards is situated around Pelendri and Agros between 700 and 1440 meters, where the temperate climate and demanding terrain have guided us in forming some spectacular landscapes.
 
The region boasts some of the highest altitude vineyards in all of Europe. It’s not just bragging rights though, the temperate climate of the region is key to the production of quality wine in Cyprus. We have an average of 7°C difference compared to the coast, as well as four distinct seasons rather than the infamous eight-month Cypriot summer. This allows for the slow ripening of grapes, providing expressive fruit aromas and bright acidity in the final wine.
 
While exploring the region, you can’t help but notice the stone terraces that score the landscape – even deep inside the pine forest. The slopes make conventional agriculture near impossible, but by carving out the land, locals have been able to make it accessible to farming, while respecting and promoting biodiversity. Still, the narrow paths forbid mechanical management so each and every vineyard is cared for and harvested by hand.
 
Our vineyards are located in the Troodos ophiolite, a layered geological structure raised through the ocean floor as a result of complex plate tectonic movements. The Troodos ophiolite is unique in the world for both its completeness, as well as its complete exposure at today’s surface. This means that the vines are growing on geology that is normally found kilometres deep under the Earth’s surface.
 
History of WineMaking in Cyprus from Wine Searcher:
The Cypriot wine industry was at its zenith during the Middle Ages and has seen a consistent, gradual decline over the intervening centuries. The island's location once made it a useful port of call on voyages from Greece and Italy to Egypt and the Levant. Cyprus was of great use to medieval merchants and traders. Not only did the island's wine find markets abroad, most notably in southern Europe, but the ships which exported the wines provided a market in their own right. 

The downside was that Cyprus was useful not just as a trading post. It was also desirable as a strategic military stronghold. Over the millennia Greeks, Romans, Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians and Venetians ruled the island. Later both the Ottoman and British empires added Cyprus to their conquered lands. Several hundred years later, Madeira served merchants and armies in the eastern Atlantic in a similar way.

Commandaria and Cyprus Sherry
When the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem arrived on Cyprus in the late 13th Century, fleeing defeat in the Holy Lands, Cyprus's vinicultural history began in earnest. The knights arranged their land ownership according to strict social hierarchies, the top level of which were the commanderies. The Grand Commandery was the collective property of the knights themselves, and this was where the majority of medieval Cypriot vineyards were located. From this tranche of history, Commandaria dessert wine derives its name.

The arrival of Islamic rule with the Ottoman invaders in the late 16th Century slowed Cyprus's wine production almost to a halt. This lasted until the British Empire took control of the island in the 1870s. The British began to replant the once-prolific vineyards to produce fortified wines known as Cyprus Sherry (sherry was not then a protected name of origin).

Phylloxera-free
The phylloxera louse which was decimating vineyards in mainland Europe at that time fortunately never made it to Cyprus. Even today the vines here grow on their own original rootstocks. The fear of inadvertently introducing phylloxera to the island delayed Cyprus's experimentation with the "international" varieties as they swept around the globe.
 
The world of wine is constantly expanding. Ancient grapes are coming into the market. Discover these treasures!
 
Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
Friday, 09 February 2024 13:48

Rise Over Run Wine Tasting

rise run
News Release: Friday, February 9, 2024
About: Wine Tasting with Rise Over Run
 
Please join us on Friday, February 23rd from 4-6 at MetroWines to taste four wines from Rise Over Run. Chris Thornbury will host the event and discuss the history, terroir and the final product that you are tasting! The event is "at the bar" and "on the house" with NO reservations required.
 
Chris will walk us through these wines:
White / Blanc et Fils Apremont Willy
White / Maison Yves Duport Bugey Blanc Chardonnay 2022
Rose / La Cave du Prieure Rosé 2022
Red / Domaine Rolet Arbois Trousseau 2020
 
Who is Rise over Run?
Even down to our name, the inception of Rise Over Run emanated from a passion and respect for distinct and often challenging viticultural microclimates. Many are viticultural marvels, and the finished wines are expressions that could not be recreated elsewhere. Our book is a compilation of these wines that have stories to tell, and we are excited to be the ones doing so.
 
About Owner Kate Stamps: Kate came to work with wine by happenstance. An hour short of college graduation, Kate signed up for the first study abroad program available to: NSW, Australia. Upon arriving, she realized she had accidentally been sent to the wrong school, a sister school focusing on wine-making. Weeks later, when the time came to relocate, she declined as she had fallen deeply in love with the vineyards and wine. Three years and a concurrent viticulture and enology degree later, Kate headed to NYC for a year of pallet training (WSET). She remained in NY for eleven years, earning multiple wine certifications and working on all tiers of the industry. In 2015, Kate relocated to Asheville, NC with the idea of starting her own wine import company. In 2017, that vision was realized when Rise Over Run was founded. In 2019, Kate bought out her business partners and investor to become the sole owner and director of the company.
 
And Rise Over Run is the only NC-based wine import and distribution company to be 100% owned by a female.
 
Who is Our Host Chris Thornbury?
Chris studied art before becoming obsessed with the subject of wine and its endless details. This gave rise to a career in the restaurant business spanning over twenty years. Originally from Detroit, he’s lived and worked in Savannah Georgia and Portland Oregon. Chris has spent his career advocating for small, family run wineries who practice low intervention viticulture and the people who make these places function. Chris lives in Canton North Carolina with his beautiful wife and three boys.
 
"Rise over Run" tastings with Chris Thornbury are always popular and wines sell out," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of Metro Wines. "Come early!"
Parking is free, close and easy.
******************************************************
Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Metro Wines Asheville
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
Tuesday, 06 February 2024 15:52

How And Why Time Enhances Wine Flavor

Gathering with friends over a glass of flavorful wine is a timeless and cherished social experience. The rich and nuanced taste of a well-selected wine adds depth to the conversation and enhances the overall enjoyment of the moment. 

DC wines
 
News Release: Friday, February 2nd, 2024
About: Santa Barbara Wine Tasting with Morgan Clendenen
 
Join us on Thursday, February 15th from 4 to 6pm to meet Winemaker Morgan Clendenen and taste Dalfonso-Curran Wines from Santa Barbara. Hosted by Tom Leiner, tasting includes
2022 Grenache Blanc, 2022 Grenache Gris (rose), 2019 Badge "Borderlands" Red Blend and 2021 Tempranillo. The event is "at the bar" and "on the house." No reservations necessary! 
 
Dalfonso-Curran wines is owned by Kris Curran and Brian d'Alfonso. The two have developed long-standing relationships with some of the best vineyards located in Santa Barbara County.  
 

Kris Curran undoubtedly ranks among California’s highest profiled winemakers, particularly for her gift for creating outstanding Pinot Noir. She’s voted as one of Wine Spectator’s Top Winemakers almost annually due to her pioneering station amid the industry’s forward-thinkers.
kris curran
Kris’s love for animals led her to Science, which led her, ultimately, to winemaking. She initially graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with an Animal Science Degree, followed by her second Bachelors, this time in Winemaking from Fresno State. From there Kris took up a position at Cambria as Assistant Winemaker and later became a founding member at Koehler. She progressed to Sea Smoke where she produced seven vintages but left when Foley Wines offered her the Winemaker position, where she made wines under the Foley, Lincourt and Two Sisters brands.

Today Kris continues to fulfill her innovative standing as the first Californian vintner to popularize Grenache Blanc which she started making in 2003. Her love for Spanish varietals prompted her to take up the challenge of mastering different production techniques: “I have come to appreciate the unique personality of each varietal with which I work. I combine this understanding with my scientific knowledge in pursuit of crafting the best wine possible.”

Bruno D'Alfonso: When one thinks Bruno D’Alfonso, one also thinks the best Pinot Noir-winemaker in the business. Bruno’s approach to winemaking is fueled by a talent for creating outstanding wines that alter traditional expectations, matched by his dedicated precision and attention to detail. He is the consummate perfectionist.
bruno
With a history of hunting and fishing in the wild and a love for open spaces, it was no surprise Bruno earned a Degree in Soil Science from Cal Poly. However, his Italian heritage compelled his inherent appreciation for wine, so his second Degree, this time in Winemaking, was earned at UC Davis.

Bruno’s early career is almost as fascinating as his current one. He started out with the now-late Richard Graff of Chalone at Edna Valley Vineyards and worked there for three vintages. Bruno later joined Richard Sanford to start Sanford Winery where he remained as Winemaker for twenty-three vintages.

Today, fans of Bruno’s Pinot Noir acquire his exceptional offerings under the BADGE and Di Bruno labels. “Over the years I have begun to understand the designing of wine. That has become my goal: to create wonderful, stable, long-lived, stylized wines.”

Bruno is an ardent foe of the practice of using harmful chemicals in the winemaking process. All D’Alfonso-Curran wines bode well with the imbiber’s health, in addition to their senses. Bruno’s purist approach to winemaking ensures uncontaminated, unpolluted wines that respect his customers’ health and wellbeing.
 
dc wine dogs
D'Alfonso- Curran Wines is also home to The Wine Dogs:
Website: Bruno & Kris are true lovers of animals, especially their dogs - Roland, Gunner, Breaker, and Badge. These magnificent Shepherds are quite the local attraction. Wherever the “Pack” goes - the winery, out to lunch, to the grocery store…Kris & Bruno are sure to follow!
 
Who is Morgan Clendenen: Morgan Clendenen is a close friend and collegaue of Kris and Bruno. She knows these wines well and, because, she lives here in North Carolina, she will be representing the selection and discussing the Santa Barbara Wine Region!
 Morgan2 e97da07e
Morgan says that her mission and goal as a winemaker is to illuminate and define Viognier, elevate its profile, and explore its potential through keen observation and copious tasting. She seeks to sound the depths of this enigmatic grape, to reveal its secrets, and to shine a bright light on the extraordinary fruit grown in the cool vineyards of the Santa Maria and Santa Ynez Valleys of California’s Central Coast.

Morgan started in the wine industry working for an Italian wine importer in her native North Carolina. Then she moved on to a boutique wine importer to optimize her learning curve. A move to a sales and marketing position at Robert Sinskey Vineyards, in Napa, led to her meeting Jim Clendenen, winemaker and owner at Au Bon Climat. They married, and she moved to Santa Barbara County. When Au Bon Climat, by chance, was offered a lot of Viognier grapes in 1996, Cold Heaven Cellars was born.

Morgan knew little about Viognier at the time and had only some practical knowledge of winemaking and no formal training. She learned winemaking “on the job” and also says that she had some amazing mentors, including Bruno D’Alfonso and her then-spouse.

After closing the Cold Heaven tasting room in 1998, Morgan joined Shokrian Vineyard in Los Alamos as one of its winemakers. She continues to produce Viognier, making up to five single-vineyard versions, and Syrah, and has added Pinot Noir to her portfolio.
 
MetroWines says: "This is a high profile tasting that you do not want to miss!"
*******************************************************
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
Wednesday, 31 January 2024 08:50

Judge Jay Wilkinson Returns for the Sequel ...

unnamed 3

Sicilian Love Stories

In case you missed author Jay Wilkinson's excellent presentation and book signing in November of last year, Ciao Asheville is pleased to announce that Jay will be back in mid July with a sequel presentation titled "Sicilian Love Stories", which tells the story of the four great Sicilian-culture-tinged romances in Jay's book "A Lie Will Suffice". Jay is a dynamic and engaging speaker so you won't want to miss this event. Stay tuned for more details.

unnamed

???? Film Showing ????

Roberto Benigni's

Life is Beautiful

Winner of 3 Academy Awards!

Sunday, March 3, 1pm

Metro Wines

169 Charlotte Street 

Join Ciao Asheville and Metro Wines for a showing of this 1997 comedy-drama film. There will be a group discussion of the film following the showing. Snacks provided "on the house" and wine will be available for purchase. This film is in Italian with English subtitles.

This event is *free* but registration is required. Seating is limited so call Metro Wines at 828-575-9525 to reserve your seat.

Tuesday, 23 January 2024 16:41

Basics of Burgundy

burgundy
 
News Release: January 23rd, 2024
About: "Basics of Burgundy" @MetroWines
 
Please join us for a class with Ayres Newsom, Proprietor of Vino Mondial, guiding us through the "Basics of Burgundy" and tasting 6 wines from the region, on February 11th @MetroWines on Charlotte Street from 2-4pm. 
 
"Burgundy is home to some of the world's most exclusive and sensuous wine!" says Ayres. "With all the romance of France in your glass, this is an exciting way to start your Valentine's Day Week."
 
Presentation includes three white Burgundies and three red Burgundies paired with charcuterie style small bites as well as:
* side by side comparisons of white and red burgundies
* the basics of the classification system in Burgundy
* the history of the region
* and why Burgundy might just be the best food wine in the world! 
 
What's Burgundy All About?

"When some people hear “burgundy wine,” they immediately think of red wine. “Burgundy” does not refer to the color of the wine, however, but to the region of France in which the wine is made. That region is called “La Bourgogne” in French, “Burgundy” in English.

Some of the world’s finest red and white wines are produced in this storied region. These sought-after red wines are made entirely from the Pinot Noir grape, and the world-famous white wines are made entirely from the Chardonnay grape.

While these wines are known throughout the world, few people realize that Burgundy is by far the smallest major wine-growing region in the world. In fact, the heart of Burgundy is only about 30 miles long by one mile wide – tiny by wine standards. Obviously, the villages are tiny, too, and are a mere kilometer or two apart.

Herein lies one of the most complicated aspects of Burgundy – namely, the terrain presents a compact arrangement of microclimates. These microclimates present a complex assortment of altitudes, slopes, exposures and soil types. Literally, two vineyards separated by a stone wall or a dirt road will produce grapes that make wines which can be very different in flavor as well as quality. It’s no wonder that Burgundy produces a greater variety of single-grape wines than any other region in the world and it’s also no wonder that Burgundy can be a minefield for the wine lover in the United States.

Wines made in Burgundy receive their quality classifications, called appellations, based on the region, village or individual vineyard in which the grapes are grown. In most cases, the more defined the growing area of the grapes, the more consistent the quality of the wine produced by those grapes. Oftentimes, the finest wines are produced by vineyards that are no more than a few football fields in size."

Event cost for the presentation and tasting is $55 (plus tax). Go here: https://metro-wines.shoplightspeed.com/february-11-burgundy-class-with-ayres.html

***************************************************************************************************

Contact for MetroWines: John Kerr

Metro Wines Asheville

Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing

"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"

(828) 575-9525
 
Sunday, 21 January 2024 15:45

Ms. Fancy

Monday, 15 January 2024 08:02

Tess

Sunday, 14 January 2024 15:44

5 Star Review on Sunday!

Dog with megaphone e1426543715309 300x225
"Extremely knowledgeable staff, welcoming vibe and fair pricing.
Helped me understand things as a total wine novice.
Varying price ranges so a little bit for anyone."
Wednesday, 10 January 2024 11:35

Wine Language: A Quick Glossary

Understanding the language of wine can be a journey, much like wine tasting itself. As rich and complex as the beverage it describes, wine terminology can feel elusive to many. Fear not, fellow wine enthusiasts, we're here to help.

Tuesday, 09 January 2024 11:26

August Briggs Wine Tasting

briggs
 
News Release: January 9th, 2024
About: August Briggs Wine Tasting @MetroWines
 
Please join us on Tuesday, January 30th from 4 to 6pm for a tasting of wines from August Briggs Winery, Calistoga, California. And meet the Owner of August Briggs, Matt Gasco! Gwen Bell will pour and discuss these well-made wines "at the bar" and "on the house" with no reservations necessary.
 
"We have chosen wines that represent the new grapes coming from Napa Valley," says John Kerr, co-owner of MetroWines.
 
On the Taste:
 
Pinot Blanc
Winery Notes: "This is our seventh release of Pinot Blanc and has now settled into the August Briggs portfolio as one of our favorites and definitely our customer’s favorite for the Spring and Summer. We once again purchased the Pinot Blanc grapes from the Dutton family and one of their oldest properties. This sustainable and dry-farmed vineyard has cool coastal air and moderate daytime temperatures which highlights the brightness of this European styled wine. The color is a light shade of straw with hints of green around the edges of the wine. This vintage is loaded with bright fruit flavors of grapefruit and pear and has a hint of minerals on the finish. It is a lovely and mouthwatering wine so be sure to order a bunch before summer is here!"
 
Pinot Meunier
Winery Notes: "Pinot Meunier is one of a few grapes that are more well-known for making sparkling wines than still ones. We have made a scintillating dry wine from these grapes for over 15 years and have found the wine to be grapes to be very aromatic much like pinot noir, as well as exuding an exotic spicy aroma as found in Rhone varieties. This wine makes a great porch quaffer, as well as, a perfect match with light to medium menu items.For the 2018 Pinot Meunier is an elegant vintage that shows the feminine side of this wonderful grape. The aromas and flavors are of cherry blossom, cranberry & orange peel. The palate has a satiny texture with nice balancing tannins that gives it a long and memorable finish. This is just great to drink and show off to friends.After hand sorting, the clusters were destemmed into a small open-top fermenter. After a two-day cold soak, the must was inoculated with Assmanhausen yeast. The cap was punched-down by hand, twice daily. Following primary fermentation the wine was inoculated for malolactic fermentation and barreled down to traditional burgundian barrels. The barrels used were 33% new French oak and 67% two year old French barrels. The wine was aged in barrel for 9 months."
 
Red Blend
Winery Notes; "Utilizing a “kitchen sink” approach we played with blending various amounts of Syrah, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Charbono from a mix of vineyards planted throughout the Napa Valley. The components of this wine change every year so be sure to sample this vintage and see if it hits your sweet spot! This wine has a deep saturated color of dark purple with rich aromas of blueberry, black fig, spice and pepper. The wine is medium in body which makes it accessible for drinking young and the fruit character is bold but balanced by bright acidity. The finish is lengthy across the palate with moderate fruit and oak tannins. This wine is a big bruiser if you want to match it with a porterhouse tonight or if you prefer it can be aged for additional complexity with another 3-5 years in bottle. The wine was aged in a variety of American and French oak barrels for 16 months then blended together for additional aging before bottling. Only 100 cases produced." 
 
About August Briggs:
   August Briggs Winery is an owner-managed craft producer of small lot and sustainably produced wines showcasing some of Napa and Sonoma’s premier vineyards focused on a restrained winemaking philosophy that highlights wines of provenance, not pretense. When you come visit us, it is likely you will meet with one of our welcoming owners, Matt and Colette, who live by their hands-on management style, ‘You get back what you put in’. 
 
********************************************************************************************
Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
 
Tuesday, 09 January 2024 09:23

5 Star Review from a Winemaker!

champagne toast
 
"Through a turn of fate and a leap of faith, I was fortunate to be a winemaker for 20 years. That worldly experience allows me to really appreciate this particular wine shop. They buy exceptional wines from extensive and surprising regions around the world. If you want a Condrieu, Pinotage, Priorat or Zweigelt you can find them here for example. You can also find great wines at a value price in the teens. I bought a Viognier for $15. A solid wine lightly oaked. Buy 6 wines get 10% off, 12 is 15% off. Over Christmas they tasted out a limited purchase of an Italian Frezzante (a semi sparkling wine less than 2 bars pressure). The wine was spectacular. Typically, you wouldn't find this particular wine outside of Italy but yet here it was in store. Amazing. They are rightly proud of what they buy, and you can rest assured that the bottles you purchase will be well made. I recently discovered them after living here five years. A distributor (Skyland) friend of mine told me to check them out over Thanksgiving. I've been twice and will happily drive the half hour to purchase wines. Prost, Salud, cin, cin! , sante! etc..."
Wednesday, 03 January 2024 15:17

Wine Tasting with Winemaker Michele D'Aprix

michele
News Release: January 3rd, 2024
About: Wine Tasting with Michele D'Aprix @MetroWines
 
Please join us on Friday, January 26th from 4-6pm @Metrowines to meet Winemaker Michele D'Aprix and taste 5 of her wines "at the bar" and "on the house" with no reservations necessary.
 
Michele D'aprix will be pouring to taste:
Maz Caz Blanc
Maz Caz Rosé
Maz Caz Rouge
Pierre Anglaire
Pentimento
 
In 2022, The Certified Wino said this of Michele D'Aprix: 
"I become more, and more enthralled by Michele every time I crack open a bottle from her or discover more of her story. She is the ONLY American female winemaker producing wine out of France. Michele got bit by the wine bug while bartending in Boston & attending UC Davis to obtain her degree in chemistry. She decided to use that background in chemistry to pursue a career in winemaking. Michele secured an internship in Burgundy where her days were spent with Pinot Noir, and the foundation for her passion as a winemaker was laid. She grew bored of playing with pinot & made her next move to the male-dominated Bordeaux. It was here that she was able to be experimentive & expressive with groups of varietals. She has become a Bordeaux crusader of sorts with her Pentimento red blend being a gorgeous & modern interpretation of Bordeaux wine. Michele also does some work out of the Rhone Valley with her other line-up, Maz Caz (meaning crazy in a good way)."
 
In Her Own Words:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=691859124973068
 
*******************************************************************************
Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi 
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
Wednesday, 03 January 2024 14:24

Winebow Italian Wine Tasting

winebow
 
News Release: January 3rd, 2024
About: Wine Tasting @MetroWines
Please join us for a wine tasting with Chris Curtis of Winebow on Thursday, January 18th from 4 to 6pm @MetroWines. The event is "at the bar" and "on the house" with no reservations necessary.
 
We will be tasting four Italian Wines from Northern Italy:
Lageder Terra Alpina Pinot Bianco 2021
Tiefenbrunner Chardonnay 2022
Lageder Schiava 2022
Tramin Lagrein 2022
 
Winebow was a big winner in the Wine Spectator 2023 Top 100 with 28 bottles in the Top 100 and 4 in the Top 10!
***************************************************************************
Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
 
Wednesday, 03 January 2024 09:24

Another, Another 5 Star Review!

Dog with megaphone e1426543715309 300x225
"Great atmosphere and good wine varieties. Service was very good."
Tuesday, 02 January 2024 17:06

Another 5 Star Review

scroll
"These people couldn't be better to work with! Prompt service, great prices, helpfulness and knowledge... they make the sometimes stressful process of event planning/organizing so smooth and easy. Metrowine has helped me plan several corporate and festive events and Kristen is wonderful, available, and prompt 100% of the time. Excellent selection of wine and very good service. We greatly enjoyed the wine education Andy gave us on the wines we were interested in." 
Tuesday, 02 January 2024 16:59

5 Star Review

iStock 000021891045XSmall
"The staff are so kind and always eager to help you find a delicious bottle in your price range. We loved this place so much that we even hired them for our wedding wines - which they did an incredible job with!!! Highly highly recommend! Even for a casual stop by, there's always something intriguing to taste open."
Sunday, 31 December 2023 16:32

Lucy

Sunday, 17 December 2023 18:21

Rex, Jessie, & Woody

Tuesday, 05 December 2023 09:44

Sparkling Wine Tasting December 29th

greyhound sparkling
 
News Release: December 5, 2023
About: Tasting Sparkling Wines @MetroWines
 
Please join us on Friday, December 29th from 2:30 to 5:30 to meet Gwen Bell, "The Queen of Bubbles," from 3Keys Distributors @MetroWines and taste four sparkling wines "at the bar" and "on the house." 
 
"This is a unique opportunity to taste wines of this quality "on the house! presented by a top-notch representative." says John Kerr, co-owner of MetroWines.
 
Who is 3Keys?
(From 3Keys Website): 3 Keys distributes new and old world wines from family-run properties focused on quality, conscious farming methods and tradition.

Through our relationships with world-class importers and domestic wineries we’ve been able to do just that. Every wine we sell is vetted by our team of wine professionals to ensure that the only wines we represent are those we love and care about. We are lucky enough to represent some iconic wineries as well as up and coming start-ups worth paying attention to.

Our small size allows us to provide our customers with a personal wine buying experience few others can provide. We look forward to getting to know each of our customers as friends and clients.
 
The Tasting Includes:
Babylonstoren Sparkling Pinot Noir 
Castellroig Brut Nature Corpinat 18’ 
Clotilde GC Blanc de Blanc Champagne
Paul Launoise Composition Champagne NV 
 
And parking @MetroWines is free,close and easy!
********************************************************************
Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
Monday, 04 December 2023 15:10

Aiko

Wednesday, 29 November 2023 07:56

Micro Winery Burgundy Tasting on December 7th

glamourous lips
 
Micro-Winery Burgundy Tasting
for holiday gifts and celebrations
"At the Bar" and "On the House"
Thursday, December 7th, 4-6pm
@MetroWines on Charlotte Street

Meet Distributor Ayres Newsom and taste 5 wines from the world’s most famous region for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Burgundy! These small-production wines appear at a few wine dinners around town each year, but almost never in wine shops – until now!

Ayres Newsom will pour five wines from the world’s most famous wine region and answer your questions and remove the mystery from these wines. Micro-producers produce so little of these wines, almost none of these wines ever make it to the United States. But because the importer and distributor are located in Asheville, we have great access to these fine wines.
 
Since a summer during college in Burgundy, the importer knows each vintner personally and has maintained not only a business relationship but a friendship with them all for 40 years. “It’s a tiny region where the best wines are made by mom-and-pop operations, not large corporations.”
As one winemaker says, “I put my heart in every bottle of wine.” Each family owns the vines and personally works in the vineyards, pruning the vines, hand-picking and sorting the grapes, and overseeing the winemaking process in its entirety.
 
Wines on The Taste:
Crémant - Jean-Luc Joillot Agnes
From Pommard, 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. In blind taste tests, people choose this Crémant over many famous Champagnes. Like a true Champagne at half the price!

Chablis – Francois Servin Vaillons 1er Cru Chablis 2022
Muscular, with a firm streak of minerality underlying the lemon cream fruit. Quite crisp on the finish in its youth. A good candidate for aging, and a wonderful wine for the dinner table.

Montrachet – Paul Jouard Chassagne-Montrachet 2021
The most revered Chardonnay region on the planet. This wine is produced from just one acre. Classic Montrachet with floral, white peach and smoky pear. Nicely integrated with a bit of minerality and oak mid-palate that lingers to the finish.

Givry – Chofflet Valdenaire Givry Heritage 2020
Grown in reddish limestone soil with a little bit of clay. Elegant with flavors of black currant, raspberry, and cherry. Some vegetal notes of bark, typical of village-level red wines from Givry.

Beaune – Claudie Jobard Beaune "Les Epenottes" 1er Cru 2019
Just four barrels produced each year. The vineyard is next to the famous Epenots Premier Cru vineyard in Pommard & just below the sought-after Clos des Mouches vineyard in Beaune. Expect subtlety, complexity and elegance, with layers of cherry, tobacco, spice and flowers. The texture is like silk.
 
Aside from quality, why choose these wines for gifts, holiday celbrations or your own table?
Because you will be supporting LOCAL 3 times over since the importer, distributor, and Metro are all located right here in Asheville!
Page 5 of 17