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Items filtered by date: June 2024

Wednesday, 31 July 2024 12:24

Materra Dinner at Quench!

materra right
 
News Release:  Wednesday, July  31st, 2024
About: Quench! Evolved Dinner Series: Materra/Cunat Family Vineyards
 
Join us for our first in series "Quench! Evolved Dinner" with Materra/Cunat Family Vineyards on Thursday, August 29th at 6pm at Quench!, 60 North Merrimon, Suite 105 in Reynolds Village, Woodfin. Dishes will be prepared by Quench! award winning, in-house Chef Sam Etheridge to perfectly pair with Materra Wines. 
 
The evening starts with Materra Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and continues with a course presenting a side by side comparison of Materra Left and Right Bank Bordeaux Blends, and concluding with John's "2023 Wine of the Year," Materra Midnight!
 
There will be 20 seats only for this intimate dinner with Brian Noshay, National Sales Manager for Materra, Gwen Bell of Three Keys Distribution and Chef Sam! The evening is $85 (plus tax) and parking is free, close and easy.
 
Reserve your seats NOW by calling (828) 575-9525
 
About Materra Wines:
From his days, owner Brian Cunat, worked on a Midwest farm, developing an interest and respect for agriculture and farming that became his life’s passion. In 2007, Brian and his brother John purchased a 50-acre property in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley as an investment. Brian decided to blend his passion with an expert team of vineyard managers and winemakers.  In 2014 they completed construction of a state-of-the-art winery capable of producing 150,000 gallons and a beautiful tasting room. Each Materra wine is a perfect expression of the land, the grapes, the passion the Cunat family has invested in each bottle and the unyielding quality delivered consistently by the growing conditions and terroir of the Napa Valley. 
 
About Chelsea Barrett, Director of Winemaking
Chelsea Barrett grew up in Calistoga and began working in vineyards and wineries from a young age. She attended UC Davis and graduated in 2010 with a degree in Viticulture and Enology. After college, Chelsea interned at Mayer am Pfarplaz in Austria, Two Hands in Barossa Valley, then returned home to Napa Valley, spending a harvest at Opus One. She then worked at Joel Gott Wines for seven years with projects all over California, as well as Oregon and Washington. During this time, She also began collaboration with her mother Heidi Barrett making wines for Amuse Bouche and Aviatrix. Chelsea joined the Materra team as Winemaker in 2019. She lives in Calistoga with her husband, three daughters, and a husky-german shepherd mix. 
 
Quench website still in progress but you can join in progress at QuenchAVL.com
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Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
Saturday, 20 July 2024 10:01

Wine Tasting: Austria

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News Release: Saturday, July 20, 2024
About: Orsini Wines Presents Austria!
 
Join us on Wednesday, August 21st from 4-6pm as Tom Leiner of Orsini Wines presents Austria! at Quench! located at 60 North Merrimon, Suite 105 in Reynolds Village, Woodfin. As always, the tasting is "at the bar" and "on the house" with no reservations required.
 
Austria has been making wine a long, long time. Wiki says: There is archaeological evidence of grape growing in Traisental 4000 years ago. Grape seeds have been found in urns dating back to 700 BC in Zagersdorf, while bronze wine flagons of the Celtic La Tène culture dating to the 5th century BC have been found at Dürrnberg in Salzburg state. Viticulture thrived under the Romans, once Marcus Aurelius Probus (Roman emperor 276–282) had overturned the ban on growing grapes north of the Alps. Both Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling appear to have been grown around the Danube since Roman times.
 
"Austrian wines have a reputation for being lighter and most are compared to the California style but Austrian wines are also structurally solid and pack a flavorful punch," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of MetroWines. "And many of the reds are chillable for the warmer months."
 
Go Here for a complete history of Austrian Wine:
 https://www.austrianwine.com/our-wine-/history
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Contact for Quench!: Gina Trippi
Quench! website coming soon!
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
Friday, 12 July 2024 13:02

Sake Class

dila
News Release: Friday, July 12, 2024 
About: Sake Class with Dila Lee of Kome Collective and Vine Connections
sake sushi
 
Join us on Wednesday, August 14th from 5:30 to 6:30 at Quench! for a presentation and tasting of Sake with Dila Lee of Kome Collective and Vine Connections. Quench! is located at 60 North Merrimon, Suite 105, in Reynolds Village, Woodfin. Taste Sake as Dila Lee presents the production, purpose and pairings of each style together with Dim Sum by Quest! in-house Chef Sam Etheridge.
 
Who is Dila Lee?
Sake & Spirits Sales Manager, Kome Collective
  Born and raised in Turkey, Dila moved to the United States after receiving her master’s degree in Japanese. Since moving to the US, she has worked in some of the most prestigious Japanese restaurants across the country (Ozumo, Alexander’s, Katana) and most recently worked as the Beverage Director for TAO in Chicago. Dila’s passion for sake & Japanese culture is contagious and she brings an extensive knowledge of sake, spirits & Japanese cuisine to the Vine Connections team. Dila is currently based in the Chicago area and manages the VC sake & spirits portfolio in IL, FL, MA, GA, and NC. In her spare time you can find Dila cooking for friends or blasting music in her car & singing along with her son. 
 
What is Kome Collective?
"We are a collection of traditional and cutting edge thought leaders, producers, and brands with a commitment to the culture of Japan. We have the most comprehensive and diverse sake portfolio in the US and our Japanese spirits are both unique & inspirational."
 
This amazing evening is $65 (plus tax). You can reserve your seat by calling (828) 575-9525 or online here:  https://metro-wines.shoplightspeed.com/events/
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Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
Tuesday, 09 July 2024 16:54

Tasting: Wines from Portugal

portugal wine map
News Release: Tuesday, July 9th, 2024
About: Tasting Wines from Portugal with Joseph Schwabauer
 
Join us on Tuesday, July 30th from 4-6 @Metrowines on Charlotte Street to meet James Schwabauer, learn about the grapes of Portugal and taste wines made in Portugal. The event is "at the bar" and "on the house."
 
Why Joseph Schwabauer? 
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. 
 
Why Portuguese wines?
From Wine Folly: "Because Portugal’s wine culture developed in relative isolation, many grape varieties do not grow anywhere else in the world. If you don’t recognize the grape variety on a Portuguese wine label, it’s a good thing. There are over 250 indigenous varieties and a few imports (including Alicante Bouschet) that have adapted well to the Portuguese landscape (i.e., they are delicious). To many wine experts, Portugal is the last frontier of wine in Western Europe; there is still so much to be tasted and explored. With all the excitement Portugal offers, let’s look at the major wines and regions."
 
"To put it succinctly, Portuguese Wines are the next big thing," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of MetroWines. "This is a great opportunity to expand your wine world."
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Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
 
greyhound sad
 
Hi Friends of Metro:
Avenue M is set to close for good after service tonight. This HURTS and is bad news for North Asheville for sure.
John and I will be there to buy a bottle of expensive wine and say goodbye at 6pm!
 
This is what Avenue M said on FaceBook:
 
"Tonight will be our final last call at Avenue M. It is time for us to write a new chapter. We are forever grateful for all of the support we have received from this amazing community and we genuinely cherish so many of the moments we have shared. It has been our pleasure to celebrate your special moments, share your lives, and to honor our friends we have lost along the way. Please come & raise a glass with, and to, our incredible staff tonight. All we can say, as many local folks have this past year, is to remember to continue to support our local 828 business community. It's been a difficult year for so many and your support means everything to them.
Be kind to one another and take care of each other."
Love, Ralph & Tony
 
Please forward to Friends. Let's Clear Out the Cellar at M!
Gina
 
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
Thursday, 04 July 2024 09:52

French Libation Tasting

News Release: Thursday, July 4th, 2024
About: French Wine Tasting
 
Join us on Wednesday, July 24th from 4-6pm @MetroWines on Charlotte Street to meet Global Brand Representative, Thibault Petiet, of French Libation, and taste his collection of stellar wines including Metro Wines customer favorite Vetriccie from Corsica! The event is "at the bar" and "on the house" with no reservations necessary. Amenez vos amis!
 
thibault
French Libation
"Our company is the link between French producers and the American market specializing in hand-crafted wines, ciders and spirits. We strive to select qualitative and affordable libations that express their terroir perfectly. Above all, we work with producers we believe in. We focus on regional US distribution with partners in over 40 states. Our goal is to build long-term relationships through fine product selections, right prices and high-quality service."
 
Vetriccie
"Located in the town of Aghione, on the Costa Serena, the Vetriccie estate bought by the Barcelo family in 1966 expresses all the attributes of a premium Corsican wine. It spreads over 120 hectares in the heart of the appellation AOP Vin de Corse. The well-orientated soils are located between sea and mountain. The harmonious blend of continental and native varietals on this recognized terroir give elegant and flavoured wines with strong potential."
 
"What we like about French Libation is the amazingly high quality to price ratio," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of Metro Wines. "This is not only a tasting of great wines but a learning experience."
 
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Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
 

Enjoying a fine glass of wine is a sensory experience that engages and delights the senses. The sight of a well-poured glass, with its rich color and clarity, is the first hint of the pleasure to come. Swirling the wine gently in the glass releases its aromas, inviting you to savor the bouquet with deep inhalations. The complex interplay of scents—from fruity to floral, earthy to spicy—prepares your palate for the first sip. 

Tuesday, 02 July 2024 08:33

WSET "Live" Classes

wset
 

News Release: Tuesday, July, 2nd, 2024
About: WSET "Live" Classes

Metro wines is again collaborating with Melanie Webber, Certified Wine Instructor, to present WSET classes at Quench!, our new Wine Bistro and location for The Asheville School of Wine in Reynolds Village, Woodfin.

Melanie Webber is a certified wine instructor, sommelier, writer and communications expert who helps wine industry professionals achieve their wine certifications and wine lovers deepen their appreciation and understanding of wine. At the core of everything Melanie does is her passion to make it fun to learn how to taste, assess and enjoy wine.  She holds the globally-recognized Diploma in Wine & Spirits from WSET as well as the French Wine Scholar and Spanish Wine Scholar certifications from the Wine Scholar Guild and is certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust to teach WSET Level 1, 2 and 3 Awards in Wine. 

Melanie’s MWWine School is an approved program provider of WSET and Spanish/French Wine Scholar courses in Asheville, North Carolina and SLO County, California. She has taught WSET courses since 2018, helping hundreds of industry professionals and wine lovers achieve their certifications. She is also an adjunct wine studies professor at College of the Canyons.  Melanie has traveled extensively to wine regions around the world gathering material for classes as well for her articles for her blog, BottlePoet, and for a variety of other outlets.  Melanie’s article “The Wine Student” was shortlisted in the 2023 Jancis Robinson Wine Writing competition and is published at JancisRobinson.com.

"I am excited to offer a VIP discount for Hospitality and Wine Industry Trade and MWWS Alumni for all courses this summer in Asheville. Use code ASHEVIP to receive 10% off all course registrations. We are also pleased to offer payment options through Afterpay," says Melanie Webber.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Asheville Course Schedule at a Glance:

* WSET Level 1 Award in Wines                  August 4
                                                                  One day class & exam

A beginner level introduction to wine, all in one day,  suitable for those starting a wine career or pursuing an interest in wine. You’ll explore the main types and styles of wine through sight, smell, and taste, while also gaining the skills to describe wines accurately, and make food and wine pairings, as well as learning wine service and etiquette. Tasting of 10 wines from around the world.

 

* WSET Level 2 Award in Wines                  August 5, 6 & 12
                                                                  Three day class & exam

For individuals seeking a core understanding of a wide range of wines, this qualification explores the major grape varieties of the world and the regions in which they are grown. Through a combination of tasting and theory, you’ll explore the factors that impact style and quality and learn how to describe these wines with confidence. The course includes tastings of over 35 wines.

 

WSET 3 Fall - Note from Melanie Webber:

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is one of the industry's most respected credentials, and, as such, it is a serious and challenging course that demands commitment – over 50 hours of private study is recommended. Please be sure to review the candidate specification before registering. Your work outside class hours is as important, if not more so, than your time in class. Successful candidates in my previous classes have formed tasting and study groups and practiced writing answers for the theory portion of the exam.  The exam consists of a blind tasting exam and a theory exam consisting of multiple-choice questions and essay questions. The good news is that everything you need to know for the theory part is in your book, so if you know your book and are able to apply knowledge you should be fine. Students tend to be the most nervous about the blind tasting exam, but most students pass that, it is the theory exam that provides the biggest challenges. "I make sure to space classes out so you have ample study time between sessions, provide homework with sample exam questions, and we taste all wines blind and I put you through many mock blind tasting exams." 

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* WSG Spanish Wine Essentials                 August 11 & 13
                                                                  Two day class & exam

WINE SCHOLAR GUILD SPANISH WINE ESSENTIALS
Fast-track your understanding into the intricate world of Spanish wine!
 
Whether a wine professional, inquisitive wine enthusiast or energetic epicurean looking to enhance your experiences through food and wine; WSG Essentials provide students with a solid foundation on the wines of Spain. In addition to 14 hours of classroom instruction and tasting of over 25 Spanish wines, the course includes a detailed and comprehensive 95-page course book rich with photographs, maps, illustrations and infographics to optimize learning and one-year access to WSG’s e-learning platform including online support modules and interactive activities related to your course
 
Not just an introductory course, WSG Essentials are a launchpad to the highly respected WSG Wine Scholar® certifications, the vibrant WSG Community and the first step towards wine mastery. Essentials are the perfect course to ignite a lifetime of learning and passion for wine.  
 
Class Dates: Sun/Tues, August 11th/13th, 2024
 Time: 9:30am - 5:00pm
Exam Date: Tuesday, August 13th
Deadline to register: July 28th, 2024
Location: Asheville School of Wines Reynolds Village
Educator: Melanie Webber, DipWSET, FWS, SWS 
Cost: $595
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Register for All Classes HERE: 
https://www.melaniewebberwine.com/coursebooking
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Stand by for More Classes:
Stay tuned for dates in the fall for WSET L3 and French Wine Essentials!  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Contact for Metro Wines: Kristen Calloway
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525