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Items filtered by date: October 2023

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!
Monday, 27 November 2023 17:13

Trione Family Vineyards Tasting

trione logo new
News Release: November 27, 2023
About: Metro Wines Official Holiday Wine Tasting
 
Please join us on Friday, December 15th from 4 to 6pm @Metro Wines on Charlotte Street for our Official Holiday Wine Tasting with Trione Family Winery, Sonoma, California. Tasting four wines including Chardonnay, Syrah, Henry's Blend and Block 21 Cabernet Sauvignon. The event is "at the bar" and "on the house."
 
Chardonnay
Rich, inviting nose with an elegantly firm structure and a smooth lingering finish. This wine draws you in with its bright aromas of lemon zest, butterscotch cream, and hints of tart Granny Smith apple and caramel. Its youthful body is soft and silky on the palate. Pair this wine with grilled chicken or salmon with fresh herbs or sip on this without food! This wine will age gracefully for years to come.
 
Syrah
The 2016 Syrah is a Pinot lover’s Syrah; rich and inviting on the nose and palate.  A charcuterie of sweet, smoked meats comes to mind. The seductive aromas of peaty, wet earth with hints of plum, blueberry and wild blackberry preserves are ever present. This wine is rich and decadent with the body, balance and structure to age beautifully for the next 5-7 years. Enjoy this Syrah with almost any cuisine. 
 
Henry's Blend
The first impression of the 2018 Henry’s Blend is a rich, supple, aromatic mix of red fruits and fall spices. Silky smooth on the palate, this wine has a lingering finish that is seemingly endless. While fantastic now, the 2018 Henry’s Blend has the structure to age for many years to come. 
 
Block 21 Cabernet
This wine is a classic Bordeaux-style blend. It is composed of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 8% Merlot and 2% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. We hand-harvested and fermented each variety separately, then moved the wines to the barrel, where it aged for twelve months. Once we determined our blend, we returned the wine to the barrel for an additional twelve months, to ‘marry’ the varietals. We used tight grained French oak barrels exclusively for this wine. 
 
The 2018 Block 21 Cabernet Sauvignon is more Left Bank in style, reminiscent of the Medoc. While Pauillac in character, this wine is vibrant with hints of black currant, raspberry, and blackberry on the nose. It is rich, with a silky-fine tannin structure and mid-palate with a long lingering finish that foretells a long cellar life. Enjoy now and for the next 5-10 years. 
 
About the Winery
"Three generations, decades of farming, five ranches — our family is deeply rooted in the Sonoma County wine industry. Dedicated farmers for over fifty years, brothers Mark and Vic Trione own and cultivate close to 600 vineyard acres in three prime Sonoma County appellations: Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Sonoma Coast.

The Trione Family has a rich history of grape growing and winemaking in Sonoma County which is best told from the beginning with the family’s patriarch, Henry Trione. Raised in Fortuna, CA by Italian immigrant parents, Henry has always been described as a true entrepreneur with great foresight."
 
More About Trione Family Winery: https://trionewinery.com/about/
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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
Sunday, 26 November 2023 13:18

Baby Girl

Sunday, 26 November 2023 08:58

Rioja Wine Tasting Wednesday: Bodega Lanzaga

lanzaga
 
*** Wednesday, November 29th ***
4-6 pm @MetroWines
"on the house" and "at the bar"

Featuring:
Bodegas Lanzaga Corriente 
Bodegas Lanzaga LZ 
Bodegas Lanzaga Estate 
Bodegas Lanzaga Tabuerniga 
Bodegas Lanzaga Las Beatas 
 

   Telmo Rodriguez is one of Spain’s brightest winemaking talents. He established Compañia de Vinos Telmo Rodriguez in 1994 to highlight notable vineyards throughout Spain planted with native grape varieties. In 1998, while working at his family winery, he started to buy old vineyards around the town of Lanciego. This was the catalyst for Bodega Lanzaga.

   The aim is to rediscover the ‘true’ historic taste of Rioja that he believes can only be achieved from the best sites. “We respect the capacity of generations of vine growers who observed these places and recognised their value”. Telmo is a vocal advocate for the potential of Spanish wine, believing it should sit at table with best of Burgundy and Bordeaux.

   Time spent working in France led him to question Rioja’s reluctance to acknowledge a wine’s origin, vineyard or village, on the label. “Our wines are not made by winemakers, they’re made by grape growers... Once you understand your place, you know how to work.” These are pure terroir wines, representing historical vineyards in the most transparent way possible.

Wednesday, 22 November 2023 13:28

Soji and Yoko

Wednesday, 22 November 2023 13:08

Holiday Wine Tasting with Bodega Lanzaga!

lanzaga

With Juniper Cooper and Bodega Lanzaga Luxury Brand Ambassador
*** Wednesday, November 29th * 4-6 pm @MetroWines

Featuring:
Bodegas Lanzaga Corriente, Bodegas Lanzaga LZ 
Bodegas Lanzaga Estate, Bodegas Lanzaga Tabuerniga 
and Bodegas Lanzaga Las Beatas
 

   Telmo Rodriguez is one of Spain’s brightest winemaking talents. He established Compañia de Vinos Telmo Rodriguez in 1994 to highlight notable vineyards throughout Spain planted with native grape varieties. In 1998, while working at his family winery, he started to buy old vineyards around the town of Lanciego. This was the catalyst for Bodega Lanzaga.

   The aim is to rediscover the ‘true’ historic taste of Rioja that he believes can only be achieved from the best sites. “We respect the capacity of generations of vine growers who observed these places and recognized their value”. Telmo is a vocal advocate for the potential of Spanish wine, believing it should sit at table with best of Burgundy and Bordeaux.

   Time spent working in France led him to question Rioja’s reluctance to acknowledge a wine’s origin, vineyard or village, on the label. “Our wines are not made by winemakers, they’re made by grape growers... Once you understand your place, you know how to work.” These are pure terroir wines, representing historical vineyards in the most transparent way possible.

Saturday, 18 November 2023 12:22

CinCin Recipes by Cat Lavezzo of MetroWines

marcello2
These recipes were created by MetroWines Buyer, Cat Lavezzo,
for an event sponsored by Ciao Asheville titled "CinCin" featuring Cocktails and Mocktails!
 

NA Bicicletta: lozGhiaNAAperitif
2oz Giesen NA Pinot Grigio 20z Soda Water

In a rocks glass, add the aperitif and wine, stir. Fill with ice 3/4 of the way and top with soda water. Garnish with an orange peel and oil if you wish!

NA Cabernet Cobbler:
4oz Ariel NA Cabernet Sauvignon (chilled) 1tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
1tsp Superfine Sugar
2oz NA Freixenet Sparkling Wine

In a large wine glass, dissolve the sugar into the lemon juice. Add ice and pour in the chilled Cabernet Sauvignon. Stir gently and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with lemon oil and peel if you wish.

Cocchi Spritz:
30z Prosecco
2oz Cocchi Americano
2 dashes of peach bitters 1oz Soda Water
Orange oil and peel garnish

In a cocktail glass, add Cocchi Americano and bitters with ice, add Prosecco and top with soda water. Rim the peel around the glass and express the oils, toss in the peel.

Coffee Infused Cocchi Torino Vermouth: 360z of Cocchi Torino Vermouth
12tsp of Lavazzo Espresso ground coffee

Use the vermouth instead of water and brew! Serve warm or iced.

Thursday, 16 November 2023 15:02

New to Metro Wines: Bridget Kelly

IMG 4810
Bridget in Ireland
 
MetroWines continues to expand and embolden our woman power! Meet Bridget Kelly, our new Sales Consultant. Bridget and I both took the road less traveled and, in the end, as the Robert Frost poem says, it made all the difference.
 
From Sioux City, Iowa, Bridget rolled on to Kansas City, Missouri, where she studied at Kansas City Art Institute, to Sonoma, California where she lived in a 1967 Yellow Stone Cavalier Trailer amongst vineyards with her husband and 3 dogs, to Truckee California and Lake Tahoe, then 5 weeks traveling around the US, 5 weeks in Ireland, Scotland and France, and finally settling in Asheville. Bridget has a wide cultural and geographic outlook!
 
Along the road, Bridget started with a paper route at 12, later owned a  floral design business, worked in the Fremont Diner, a well known roadside stop where she was photographed at the register for "O" The Oprah Magazine,  and Uncorked Wine Bar in Sonoma. Bridget was also a blacksmith and a welder, with an anvil tattoo to prove it, a private chef, with a chef's knife tattoo to prove it, ran spotlights for a theater, did her share of office cubicle work and had a shirt with her name on it at an auto shop.  All that adds up to a broad professional perspective as well.
 
Bridget has two other tattoos that define her, a mason jar representing her father's characterization that she had "champagne taste on a mason jar budget" and a shamrock behind her ear because she is Irish and because the tattoo guarantees she is always wearing something green on St. Patrick's Day!
 
Bridget says her desert island movie is "Stardust" because it is a funny, magical romance story. And to pair with it, Bridget's desert island wine is Bernard Gaucher Champagne because the wine is rich but lively and "reminds you of the fine things in life" (that would be before she ended up on the desert island!)
 
All of this brings us to the heart of the matter, why did Bridget, with her varied career, settle on wine?  She says "because wine tells an ancient story to which everyone can relate and, wine, all through time, has tied science and art together. But, mostly, the right wine makes your day just that much better." Gina
Wednesday, 15 November 2023 15:50

Remy

Saturday, 11 November 2023 09:08

5 Star Review for Andy!

andy new
We greatly enjoyed the wine education Andy gave us on the wines we were interested in. And we got some excellent tastes of a few wines from France. Great staff; very friendly folks with an excellent selection from vintners worldwide. Highly recommended. JB
vessels of merriment asheville nc

Vessels of Merriment is back for another round at Grovewood Gallery! Celebrating its 5th run, this invitational exhibition will feature handcrafted drinking vessels by 15 studio potters from around the country. All artwork will be for sale, making this exhibition the perfect opportunity for holiday gift buying. Many types of vessels will be featured in the exhibition, including flasks, goblets, whiskey cups, wine cups, and tumblers.

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, November 11 from 2-5pm, where several participating artists will be in attendance. Vessels of Merriment will remain on view through December 31, 2023.

MetroWines will be pouring wines at the Reception on Saturday, November 11th from 2 to 5. Join us!

Saturday, 04 November 2023 14:15

"Bringing Home to Thanksgiving" Wine Tasting

thanksgiving
News Release: Saturday, November 4th,2023
About: Wine Tasting Hosted by Advintage Distribution @MetroWines
 
Please join us on Tuesday, November 21st from 4 to 6 @MetroWines on Charlotte Street for our "Bringing Home to Thanksgiving" Wine Tasting. The Tasting, hosted by Advintage Distribution, is "on the house" and "at the bar" with no reservations necessary.
 
These wines are a collaborative effort between Carolinian winemaker, Jamey Whetston, who was an accomplished winemaker at Turley, and Carolinian artist, John Duckworth, whose work is represented at the Asheville restuarant, Plant. Both believe that wine, much like art, is a product of time and place.
 
The wines come from California’s central coastline and are all fresh and delicious yet also soulful and complex. The labels are all watercolors of scenes set throughout the South Carolinian low-country at certain "times’ and ‘places".
 
Add all this local lore to the MetroWines Philosophy that wine is about food, family, friends and community and you have "Bringing Home to Thanksgiving." Elegant wines, beautiful labels, a local connection, a storied history and perfect to accompany that upcoming Thanksgiving feast.
 
What more could you ask?
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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
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 Wine in Billions 1
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
Read More about Empire Estate here: http://www.empireestatewine.com
 
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!!
Les

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!
                      
****************************************************
Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
  
Thursday, 02 November 2023 08:07

Orsini "Around the World Holiday Wine Tasting"

orsini wines
News Release: Thursday, November 2, 2023
About: Orsini Wines Presents "Around the World Holiday Tasting"

Join us on Saturday, November 11th from 4-6 @MetroWines on Charlotte Street for an "Around the World Holiday  Wine Tasting" presented by Sara Ciofoletti from Orsini Wines. The event is "at the bar" and "on the house" and no reservations are necessary.
 
Bring friends to discover great wines for prices that won't break the holiday bank! 
Hermann Moser, Green Eyes Grüner Veltliner (2022 Liter) Austria 
Lindquist Family Wines Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley (2022) California
Rodaro Friuli Colli Orientali Schioppettino (2017) Italy
Château de la Font du Loup, Côtes du Rhône Signature (2021) France
 
Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525