Items filtered by date: September 2024

Sunday, 15 September 2024 16:42

Tasting Wines made by Women Winemakers

News Release: Sunday, September 15th, 2024

About: Tasting Wines by Women Winemakers

Join us at Quench! in Reynolds Village on September 25th from 3-6pm. Juniper Cooper hosts a wine tasting of wines by women winemakers to celebrate Mother Daughter Day. The event is "at the Quench Bar" and "on the house." Expect a few snacks from Quench! in house Chef, Sam Etheridge.

Wine Enthusiast says: "For centuries, winemaking was a male-dominated field. Today, women across the globe are changing that narrative and shaking up the industry, adding ever-more names to history’s list of important women in wine. Even in the face of obstacles that have some women in wine struggling to stay afloat, female change makers are fighting to make the fruit of the vine more inclusive for future generations."

"Come for the tasting," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of Quench!. "And stay for dinner!"

Quench! is located at 60 North Merrimon, Ste 105, in Reynolds Village, Woodfin. For more information about Quench!, go to QuenchAVL.com

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Contact: Gina Trippi

Metro Wines Asheville

Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!

"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"

(828) 575-9525

Saturday, 14 September 2024 11:07

5 Star Review for Quench!

5 star Review for Quench!

This has become my favorite little lunch and dinner spot in town. The food is fresh and it is made with heart and soul. They have gone out of their way when I requested wine pairings for my dishes. They also have the accoutrements if you’re planning a nice little party; wine and beer by the bottle, good cheese, olives etc.

Also their cassoulet was divine.

One more thing, they have a grilled cheese special that changes periodically, the last one that I had for lunch today had a bit of a salty fried crispy ham contrasted with a bit of spicy, zazzy green hatch chili and a generous melt of manchego.

My taste buds are happy!

Food: 5/5Service: 5/5Atmosphere: 5/5
Recommended dishes
Cassoulet Bowl

Wednesday, 04 September 2024 16:36

Exclusive Mary Taylor Wine Tasting

News Release: September 4th, 2024

About: Mary Taylor, Wine Importer, in Asheville

Please join us at Metro Wines on Charlotte Street on Thursday, October 17th from 4:30 to 5:30 for an exclusive Meet, Greet and Taste with Mary Taylor! The tasting is "at the bar" and "on the house."

"This is a unique opportunity to meet a young woman wine importer who has been featured in numerous publications including The Pour by Eric Asimov in the New York Times," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of Metro Wines. "For more information, read our article for The Laurel of Asheville here: https://thelaurelofasheville.com/lifestyle/the-grapevine-mary-taylor-helps-consumers-make-informed-wine-choices/."

About Mary Taylor:

Having worked with European wine for over two decades, I’ve come to love the nuance and diversity of Europe’s extraordinary wine regions, from the tiny villages of France and Italy, to the countryside vineyards of Portugal and Spain. As a result, I also love the European system of “place name” or “appellation,” which designates the geographical origin not just of wine, but cheese, olives, and butter as well.

To me, it’s the beautiful complexity of European wines that makes them so enjoyable. Even after all these years, I’m still endlessly fascinated by the way each village’s expression reflects its own unique “terroir,” or sense of place. That said, I’m also well aware that the European model can be confusing for most Americans. With all those hard-to-pronounce names and unfamiliar regions, it’s no wonder that so many of us look for a cartoon critter or a familiar grape on the label to guide us!

I created Mary Taylor Wine because I don’t think you should have to be a serious wine expert to experience the kind of honest, authentic wines that the Europeans have been enjoying for centuries.

Our simple White Label series is here to serve as your guide through the rural backroads and winding country lanes of the European wine route. Whenever you open one of our bottles, you’ll know you’re getting more than just another commercial brand or standard Chardonnay or Merlot. That’s because every Mary Taylor Wine is a genuine “wine of place,” sourced from some of Europe’s most classic regions and, best of all, priced according to the “Old World” view of wine as an accessible everyday luxury. Cheers! Mary

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Metro Wines Asheville

Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!

"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"

(828) 575-9525

Tuesday, 20 August 2024 19:26

MountainX Tells the Quench! Story

Story by Kay West for MountainX

The inspiration for Quench! Wine Bistro and Provisions, which will open Wednesday, Aug. 21 in Woodfin, began with a conversation about soup.

Earlier this year, Gina Trippi, co-owner with John Kerr of Metro Wines, and chef Sam Etheridge were winding down after one of the wine dinners they frequently partner on. “We have a fantasy football league at Metro, and the season had ended,” Trippi recalls. “We were looking for something simple to do, and the idea of soup to go came up. Sam said soups were easy. But really, it started as a joke!”

Etheridge owned Ambrozia Bar and Bistro on Merrimon Avenue from 2013 until he sold it in 2019 intending to trade life as a restaurateur for the private chef and events business. The soup joke, he says, gradually became more serious and the concept more complex.

“It kept expanding,” he says with a laugh. “It was like, well, if we do soup, we need bread. If we have bread, we should have cheese. If we have bread and cheese, we can do grilled cheese. And we need wine for all that.”

Conveniently, Trippi and Kerr — who have operated their busy but compact retail store on Charlotte Street since 2013 — had an underutilized storefront in Reynolds Village. They had been using the space in the commercial section of the mixed-used development for storage and to meet with wedding clients.

“It was big for just those two things,” Trippi explains. “At first, we thought we’d just do takeout. Then we thought, maybe four tables, then it was eight tables, then 12 tables and two bars.”

They built a wall to separate front of house from back and added a simple but efficient kitchen. A large bar with a half-dozen stools faces a chalkboard built into the wall to list daily wines by the glass and other specials. A smaller bar set against the window looks out on the sidewalk; between the two are about a half-dozen tables for four.

Free-standing shelving on one wall stocks specialty food items and bottles of wine. A cold case will hold cheeses and other perishables.

Quench’s menu leads with snacks, such as smoked olives, Sam’s deviled eggs, pimento beer cheese with Blunt pretzels, fresh burrata and beef tartare. There are also five types of grilled cheese sandwiches; several boards featuring cheeses, charcuterie, seafood and crudités; a couple of salads and, of course, soups — seasonal options as well as entrée soups like gumbo. A quartet of sweets compose the dessert menu, and there is a large selection of wines by the glass and bottle plus some beer and nonalcoholic drink options.

“We really feel like we’re filling a need here,” Trippi says. “Between Asheville and Weaverville, it’s kind of a restaurant desert, and John has been working with the Woodfin [Town] Council and mayor to support business in this area while also being thoughtful about growth.”

Etheridge shakes his head when asked about his return to the restaurant industry. “When I closed Ambrozia, I said I was done with the restaurant business,” he says. “I have kids and needed the independence to make my own schedule with private events. But this was the right opportunity with the right schedule, and I don’t have to haul around my own kitchen anymore.”

Wednesday, 31 July 2024 12:24

Materra Dinner at Quench!

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

or online here: https://metro-wines.shoplightspeed.com/august-29th-evolved-dinner-series-materra.html

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

Metro Wines Asheville

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

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!

Metro Wines Asheville

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

News Release: Friday, July 12, 2024

About: Sake Class with Dila Lee of Kome Collective and Vine Connections

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

Metro Wines Asheville

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

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

Metro Wines Asheville

Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!

"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"

(828) 575-9525

Saturday, 06 July 2024 11:00

Avenue M on Merrimon to Close Tonight Permanently

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

Metro Wines Asheville

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!

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

Metro Wines Asheville

Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!

"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"

(828) 575-9525

Wednesday, 03 July 2024 12:43

From The Vine To Your Glass: The Making Of A Bottle Of Wine

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

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

Metro Wines Asheville

Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!

"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"

(828) 575-9525

Monday, 24 June 2024 10:58

Bibi and Charlie

Tuesday, 18 June 2024 14:41

Sicilian Love Stories: Book Signing

Ciao Asheville Presents

** BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND **

Sicilian Love Stories: A DiGiovanni Family History Sequel
Tuesday, July 16, 5:30-6:30pm, Metro Wines, 169 Charlotte Street

Can genuine love and romance spring from kidnapping, vendetta and the travails of difficult trans-Atlantic immigration to America?
Sicilian Love Stories: A DiGiovanni Family History Sequel answers that question with a resounding “Yes!”

Retired judge and author Jay Wilkinson is back to share four romantic sagas from his book A Lie Will Suffice in the expanded sequel to his entertaining and culturally educational presentation given last November at Metro Wines. If you missed Jay then, make sure you don't miss this dynamic speaker on his summer speaking tour!

Jay’s family had strong links to organized crime and all the drama that goes with it: Atlantic Ocean crossings, murder, extortion, vendetta, bootlegging, labor influence on the New Orleans banana docks, two criminal trials, and a secret interment in the family burial vault. Jay will focus on the unique love stories from his family history that ultimately shaped the complex, but ultimately triumphant DiGiovanni-Guinta family history.

$15 (plus tax) Includes a glass of white or red Sicilian wine and snacks.

Jay's book will be available for purchase and signing by the author. Payment by cash, check or Venmo only.

Please call Metro Wines at (828) 575-9525 or register online here: https://metro-wines.shoplightspeed.com/july-16-sicilian-love-stories-a-digiovanni-family.html
to reserve your seat. Seating is limited to 20 people.

Note for attendees: Please park at the back of the parking lot at Metro Wines for this event.

Saturday, 15 June 2024 15:04

Updated Menu For Midsummer Dinner at Blackbird

Monday, June 24th at 6:30pm

$125 (non-inclusive of tax and gratuity)

The evening begins with at 6:30pm with a Bubbly Welcome Pour and will then continue with 6 courses, dessert, and curated wine pairings.

Preliminary Menu ** menu subject to change based on seasonal vagaries and availability

**Bubbly Welcome Pour

Course 1: Green Tomato Gazpacho - By.Ott Rose, Provence

Course 2: Peach & Goat Cheese Bruschetta, Pansy - Van Ardi Kangun, Armenia

Course 3: Scallop Au Gratin, Red Pepper Coulis, Pickled Mustard Seed - Massican Gemina, St Helena

Palate Cleanser: Lemon Basil Sorbet

Course 4: Beet Cured Salmon, New Potatoes, Beurre Blanc - Neyers Sage Canyon Red, Napa

Course 5: Lamb Crepinette and accompaniments - Tenuta Polvaro Nero, Veneto

Course 6: Steak & Watermelon, Pine Nuts - Miguel Torres Old Vine Carignan, Maule/Chile

Course 7: Strawberry Shortcake, Honey & Nut Crumble - Cuvee Francoise Cremant de Limoux Brut Rose, Languedoc-Roussillon

**please advise at time of reservation in regards to allergies or dietary restrictions

ALL RESERVATIONS THROUGH OPEN TABLE LINK:

https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=54910&restref=54910&experienceId=311122&utm_source=external&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=shared

Wines will be available to order and available the same week through Metro Wines. Any questions please emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Saturday, 15 June 2024 13:30

MetroWines "Sell Out Challenge"

News Release: Monday, June16th, 2024

About: Can the Sales Representative Sell All Their Wines at the Tasting?

The challenge is on! Join us on Wednesday, July 10th from 4 to 6pm at MetroWines on Charlotte Street as Winebow Sales Representative Chris Curtis takes the challenge to sell all the wines he brought for the tasting. The Tasting is "at the bar" and "on the house."

"The way I see it," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of MetroWines, "Chris needs to bring the best bottles for the price that he has to offer. We are a tough crowd."

There will be a ref and there are rules! No ringers. Samples don't count. No promises. No deals. No overtime. Chris can pick the music. Otherwise: game on.

"If successful, Chris will be featured in our Sunday Newsletter, The Public Palate, on our FB page, Blog and the home page of our website," says Gina Trippi.

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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

Wednesday, 12 June 2024 14:34

Andy's SOMM-er Vacation to Italy

News Release: June 12th, 2004

About: Andy's SOMM-er Vacation

Join Ciao Asheville and Andy Hale as he hosts a presentation on his one week trip for wine professionals to Italy on Thursday, July 18th from 5:30 to 6:30 @MetroWines on Charlotte Street. The cost for the evening, including wine, is $35 (plus tax).

This trip, which Andy survived! is often called "The Murder March" because it, although gorgeous and tasty, IS an intensive immersion into Italian wine from the land to the wineries to the food pairings.

Andy has hard facts, legends, true stories and pictures. Together with this vicarious trip through Italy, we will pour wine from the wineries that hosted Andy including (I am not making this up!) the "make out" wine of Puglia! The hour presentation is told as only Andy can!!

To give you an idea of the fun that awaits, read Anyd's Journal on MetroWines Blog here:

https://metrowinesasheville.com/blog

Wheels UP! Call (828) 575-9525 to reserve your seat

or go online here: https://metro-wines.shoplightspeed.com/events/

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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

Sunday, 09 June 2024 08:35

Andy's Final Journal Entry From Italy

BuonViaggio Italy! Andy's Final Journal Entry!
On the Road to Barbaresco!

My last full day in Italy started with a groan. I got some sleep, nearly 7 hours, but it didn’t seem to be enough for my sleep deprived, alcohol soaked body. It seemed like getting almost 8 hours of sleep was enough to remind my body of what it was needing, but not enough to give it what it required. All day I was distracted, my mind wandered. I was hitting a wall. After numerous cappuccinos (it was before 11:00 so it was ok, according to Dominico), I was resembling a normal human being again. We boarded the bus and headed for Barbaresco.

When I was learning about wine, I thought that Barbaresco was sort of like “Diet Barolo,” useful for when you feel like drinking Barolo, but you don’t have the money for it and you want something cheaper. This is not the case at all! Barbaresco is a small commune to the Northeast of Barolo, also growing high quality Nebbiolo there. Barolo is known as the “King of Nebbiolo” and Barbaresco is the “Queen.” Compared to the Barolo, the Nebbiolo here tends to be slightly more delicate, elegant and pretty, but still retaining that core of leathery tannin that characterizes Nebbiolo. It took me a while to realize this about myself, but I like Barbaresco better than Barolo. I realize that is a controversial statement. Barbaresco is like a ballet dancer or an Olympic Gymnast; lithe, elegant and beautiful but with a power and strength that you wouldn’t expect from such a thin, elegant creature.

We drove to Marchesi di Gresy, one of the most iconic and old wineries in Barbaresco. They actually own all of the sub appelation Martinenga, making them a Monopole, which is very rare and special. We were met by the youngest generation of owners, a brother and sister, who took us on a tour of the winery, and then tasted us on their wines.

As predicted, the wines here were excellent! For whites, they showed us a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay from Langhe, which were elegant and mineral driven. I was reminded of Sancerre and Burgundy. We then tasted the Dolcetto, Barbera and several different Barbarescos. All were lovely, the Martinenga Barbaresco was one of the best I have ever had.

After the tasting, we were allowed to walk through the steep, hillside vineyards. I was impressed by the white, chalky soil throughout the vineyard. No wonder these wines had such excellent minerality! After our walk, we had a leisurely lunch until about 4:00 in the afternoon, and then headed to the ancient Medieval town of Alba for some shopping and, believe it or not, dinner and more wine. We arrived at the hotel in Milan around midnight again.

As I am writing this, I am sitting in the Milan airport waiting for my flight back to the USA. I got about 5 hours of sleep and I’m actually glad to not be tasting wine today. Yes, you can actually have too much of a good thing. Before I left the USA, I joked that this trip might be similar to when you catch your kid with a bag of pot in their bedroom and force them to smoke all of it as punishment. Except in this case, instead of pot, it’s Italian wine. Fortunately, I haven’t lost my taste for Italian wine, although I may take most of the day off from drinking today and dry out a little. I feel certain that tomorrow will see me uncorking a bottle of Chianti or Nebbiolo again.

This trip has been something I will think about for the rest of my life. I learned so much, and being able to set foot in the actual vineyards of these famous wineries was an almost religious experience for me. I made a lot of new friends from around the country; brilliant, funny and extremely knowledgeable about wine. It was fun to be able to make some really nerdy statements about wine like, “this reminds me of older vintage Madiran” or “this wine drinks like a St. Joseph, but this other wine is more like a Cote Rotie” and have a room full of people know exactly what I was talking about! I sincerely hope we are able to stay in touch and that our paths will cross again one day.

For now I’m looking forward to getting back home and sharing my adventures with all of you, after about 36 hours or so of sleep! Arrivederci a tutti!

Saturday, 08 June 2024 12:59

Bastille Day 2024

By Claude Monet

SOLD OUT!

News Release: Saturday, June 8th, 2024

About: Bastille Day with Asheville Sister Cities & MetroWines

The Asheville Sister Cities Saumur Committee will host its annual Bastille Day Celebration and Fundraiser from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday July 14, 2024 at Metro Wines latest venture, Quench! located in Reynolds Village in Woodfin.

"This year is special for us @MetroWines in celebrating "a revolution in thinking" on Bastille Day. The Saumur Committee for the Asheville Sister Cities was our first partner, showing their faith in a small wine store, when we opened on Charlotte Street in 2013 and we have been amis since then," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of MetroWines. "And now, we open Quench! in Reynolds Village in Woodfin. So many said not to open a restaurant there. They said no one knows where it is! They said no one will come! We say if we build it, and we did! you will come. So, in the spirit of "a revolution in thinking" and friendship, join us on Bastille Day at Quench!

And this year, the Saumur Committee says you will not want to miss a special art auction with original ceramics and other objets d'art. There will also be an exciting Saumur-themed raffle prize, generously donated by recent UNCA graduate in French and local artist Adrien Meierovitch.

There will be hors d’oeuvres (Charcuterie, fromage, crudités, fruits de mer) provided by Quench! Chef Sam Etheridge, paired by MetroWines with wines from Saumur, France in the Loire Valley.

Tickets are $46 for ASCI members and $55 for non-members plus NC sales tax. tickets are Limited. Act NOW! All proceeds will support ASCI programming and Saumur Committee projects, including the upcoming educational career-development exchange. To kick off the program, Saumur student Camille Hudon, recent graduate of the tourism program in Saumur, will be our guest of honor.

Go HERE for tickets:

https://ashevillesistercities.org/event/2024-bastille-day/

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

Contact for MetroWines - Gina Trippi

cell (8280 273-5348

Contact for Quench! - John Kerr

cell: (828) 200-6504

Metro Wines Asheville

Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!

"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"

(828) 575-9525

Saturday, 08 June 2024 12:35

Andy's Journal Entry #7

BAROLO!

In the morning, we left the lovely Hotel Calissano, which incidentally, I couldn’t stop singing the name to the tune of Hotel California, and would continue to do so for the entire day and the next morning, and left for Barolo. So, I should mention, Nebbiolo, the grape of Barolo and Barbaresco, is probably my favorite grape varietal, and the wines grown here are my favorite expression of it. It has the delicacy of Pinot Noir, the power of Cabernet Sauvignon and is one of the most versatile food pairing wines in the world in my opinion.

I have read so much about Barolo and Barbaresco, studied maps of single vineyards, read about the culture, the unique language they have there, the climate, the food. Basically I have been a huge Piemontese nerd for over 20 years and the idea of actually getting to go there has got to be up there with, I don’t know, a literature dork getting to go visit Narnia or Lothlorien or a movie geek getting to visit the Mos Eisley Cantina on Tatooine or something. In other words, the idea of setting foot in the actual vineyards that I have read about for decades seemed so exciting and surreal.

We started our day at the urban winery of Enrico Serafino, which was located in the Alte Langhe, to the North East of Barolo proper. To make Barolo, you have to have a winery located within the DOCG area, although Enrico Serafino has been making Barolo for over a hundred years and they are grandfathered in. The manager of Enrico Serafino, Nico, greeted us at the entrance. He was sharply dressed in a wine-colored paisley suit, a suit that only an upper-class Italian could pull off, smoking the end of a small cigar. He escorted us through his winery, showing us the old tunnels under the building.

Afterwards we gathered in his office for the wine tasting, a recent Wine Spectator magazine was opened to a photo of him sniffing a glass of sparkling wine.

As we drove through the hilly landscape of Barolo, I was surprised when our tour guide Kristen, announced that we weren’t going to the Vietti winery initially, we were going to meet the winemaker and export manager in the hilltop town of Diano D’Alba. We departed our bus and walked up, up, up, eventually getting to a small park at the very highest point of the town, we were literally eye level with the belltower which rose above the huge cathedral in the town.

The winemaker Eugenio and Urs, the export manager greeted us with wine glasses and began to explain the landscape of the Barolo region that spanned around us. They pointed out each of the small cru’s of Barolo while we tasted wine from those small vineyard areas. They pointed out the terroir differences of each area; the closeness to the river, the sandy soil here, the wind from the Alps flowing unobstructed through this area, while we tasted the wines which were made from the grapes in each tiny vineyard. It was an absolutely incredible thing to see the small little square patch of green, sometimes they were about a dozen rows of grapes or so, and to try the wine made from it. It was hard to believe that such a small patch of grape vines could even produce a bottle of wine at all! This was hands down the best wine tasting I have ever had in my life, and I think I’ve probably already said that in my previous journal entries.

After this unbelievable tasting, we went to tour the winery of Vietti in the Medieval town of Castiglione Falletto. We walked through the ancient tunnels and cellars under the building and tasted the rest of the wines that they make. Their Barolo’s were excellent, of course, but they make serious, ageable Barbera as well! After the tasting we had another multi course meal, accompanied by Vietti’s wines. The Timorasso was very good, but extremely difficult to get, and we had the opportunity to taste some extremely old Barbera and Barolo’s that evening. The meal was excellent and the wines, outstanding.

Friday, 07 June 2024 14:43

Miquel Torres Wine Tasting

News Release: June 7th, 2024

About: Tasting with Torres Winery, Chile

Join us on Monday, June 24th from 4 to 6pm @MetroWines to taste 4 wines from Miguel Torres, Chile, "at the bar" and "on the house." Daniel Marquez, the US Sales Manager will host the event "at the bar" and "on the house." Daniel Marquez will pour and discuss a Sparkling Brut Rosé, a Carignan, a Carmenere and a Sauvignon Blanc.

With a presence in over 100 countries, the Miguel Torres family winery has established itself over the past 30 years as one of the main producers of high-quality wines, through its products’ identity, respect for the environment, and social responsibility. And more often one of the bottles has received over 90 points from Robert Parker!

About the Winery:

Miguel Torres, Chile, was founded in 1979 by Familia Torres, who has produced wine in Spain for over 150 years. Being the first foreign winery to establish itself in Chile, Miguel Torres introduced in the country the use of stainless-steel tanks in fermentation and French oak barrels for aging, technologies that opened a new horizon for the Chilean wine industry.

The pioneering spirit of Miguel Torres Chile is more alive than ever guiding projects such as Estelado, the first sparkling wine made with Pais grape which led the rescue of traditional but forgotten varieties, or ¨Empedrado¨, first Pinot Noir from slate soil in Chile and one of the most challenging projects of the winery. From the North down to Patagonia, Miguel Torres Chile seeks for the best terroirs where every growing region has its own stamp on the wines. Miguel Torres Chile is actively committed to the environment and to the people; all its vineyards are certified organic, and it is one of the biggest wineries certified with Fair Trade. Today, Miguel Torres is leading the recovery of ancestral varieties from the South of Chile, rescuing a unique heritage of the traditional winemaking.

Meet Daniel Marquez here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUYU8mO_W4I

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

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

Friday, 07 June 2024 09:39

Andy's Journal Entry #6

Andy's Journal Entry #6
Lambrusco!

The next morning, after a few hours of sleep, we rose and went down into the lobby for breakfast. We consumed a reckless amount of espresso and cappuccino, along with delicious pastries, fruit, eggs and bacon. Our driver Dominico, explained to us that Cappuccino is fine for breakfast, but you shouldn’t order it after 11:00, or everyone will think you are German. Only espresso after 11:00. I find these little cultural details so interesting.

We drove to Emilia Romagna from Tuscany, it took about 3 hours, leaving the land of Sangiovese behind and heading into the land of Balsamic Vinegar, Parma ham and Lambrusco. I’ve never been the biggest fan of Lambrusco, so I wasn’t overly excited about this visit. Don’t get me wrong, I have tremendous respect for Lambrusco, but it just has never really been my thing. The rolling hills of Tuscany eventually gave way to the flat, sun drenched vineyards of Emilia Romagna, our bus eventually stopping at Cleto Chiarli, the oldest winery in Lambrusco.

After meeting Tomasso, the export manager and member of the current generation of owners of Cleto Chiarli, he took us on a tour of the winery. It is located in an old Villa, and one of Italy’s most famous generals lived on the property. He showed us the vineyards, which were so hot, and the fermentation tanks. I got to see a Charmat Method tank, which I have explained to my students in my classes, but have never actually seen. We asked him so many questions about winemaking and he patiently answered them all for us.

Next, we went upstairs in the Villa for a tasting of his wines. They were actually very good and not really what I expected Lambrusco to be. There are two kinds of Lambrusco grapes, technically there are more but without getting exhaustingly technical, let’s just focus on two; Lambrusco Sorbara and Lambrusco Grasparossa. The wines made from Sorbarra were delicate and light, almost rosé in color, with high acidity and flavors of strawberries, sour cherries and an almost Muscadine-like spiciness in the finish. The Grasparossa wines were darker in color and more muscular, with more tannin, and more of a cooked blackberry flavor.

Only one in the tasting had any residual sugar, the rest being Brut. The Amabile, a medium dry style, was lovely. The little bit of residual sugar seemed like a shock to my taste buds after so much scorchingly dry, high acid Lambrusco. It was nice, emphasizing the fruit and balancing out the acid a bit. Instead of a bitterly acidic blackberry, it was more like a blackberry pie that you forgot to add enough sugar to.

After our tasting, we were treated to a fantastic lunch, full of Parma ham, balsamic vinegar and homemade cheese ravioli. The rumor is true, in Italy they will keep filling up your plate, and you are expected to eat it. I was painfully full when I left Cleto Chiarli. After lunch, we left for Piemonte, probably my favorite wine region in the world. I have read about this place for so long, studied maps, read about soil types and climate, but I haven’t never been there. It was a magical feeling driving towards it, the promise of Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Gavi di Gavi exciting me.

That night we had a free night in Asti, we walked around, shopped and had a wonderful dinner outside in the city. It was nice to cut loose again after so much intense, studious wine tasting. When I arrived at the hotel, I resisted the urge to go out partying in the city of Alba. Tomorrow we visit Barolo, and I want to be at my best for that!

Thursday, 06 June 2024 09:34

Andy's Journal Entry #5

Andy's Journal Entry #5

The Tuscan Trail

We got to the hotel around midnight and were dressed, fed and back on the bus at 8:30 the following morning. The informal name for this trip among the staff at the importer is the “Death March,” because of the extreme amount of regions and wineries visited in such a short time. I was aware of this before I agreed to go, my wine rep friend told me he went on it 5 or 6 years ago. He said it was amazing and life changing, but very difficult.

I feel like my group started to feel it this morning; conversation was just a little muted, everyone was a little slower. The excitement was still there, but it was relatively quiet on the bus to Tuscany. Even wine tasting in paradise can become exhausting after a while, especially on 4-6 hours of sleep per night. All of us seemed to be kept alive by the wonderful espresso, which fortunately was everywhere.

The drive to Chianti was lovely, the familiar rolling hills and cypress trees were so iconic, I felt like I was driving through a travel brochure or a movie set in the sepia tones of Hollywood’s artificial movie version of Tuscany. It was foreign but so familiar.

Our first stop was the famous Chianti producer, Badia I Coltibuono. Our bus, led by our driver, Dominico, somehow navigated the steep, narrow, strada a tornanti switchback roads as we ascended high into the mountains. The ancient monastery that houses the winery eventually came into view, it is over 1000 years old. Roberto Stucchi, the owner of the winery suddenly appeared in our bus after we stopped. Roberto studied viticulture at UC Davis and worked at Chapellet for a year before returning home to Coltibuono, his english was perfect and almost unaccented.

He took us on a long tour of the grounds, it was ancient and incredibly serene. I’m not sure if it was because it used to be a monastery, but my group grew uncharacteristically quiet, walked a little slower, seemed to contemplate life. It was one of the most peaceful places I have ever been. If you are ever vacationing in Tuscany, I highly recommend staying at Badia I Coltibuono, they have rooms you can stay in there.

The wines at Coltibuono were excellent; most of the grapes came from higher altitude areas which gave the wines a little higher acidity and slightly more earth. They walked a nice line between tart cherry, cranberry and earth and leather. Overall, these wines were a little more of an elegant expression of Chianti than some of the other Chianti’s I have tasted, grown on the valley floor.

After a lovely lunch in the most gorgeous outdoor setting, overlooking the valley below, we boarded the bus again and headed to the less known DOCG of Carmignano to visit the ancient winery of Capezzana. 15 minutes after we left Coltibuono, the entire bus was asleep. Carmignano is just to the north of Florence, the gorgeous estate of Capezzana resides high on a hill overlooking the valley below. Not quite as high altitude as Coltibuono, but enough to give us a lovely view. We were met by Beatrice, the owner, who showed us her vineyards and olive groves. She had a kind but intense demeanor, I really liked her! Carmignano is a DOCG that I had never heard of before, which, as an Italian wine nerd, was a surprise to me. I like to think that I know all of Italy’s wine regions, but this one was new to me.

Apparently, the Medici’s lived in Florence, but in the summertime, it got to be too hot for their liking, so they made some lovely villas up in the mountains of Carmignano to stay cool. One of the Medici’s married someone from Bordeaux, apologies for the vagueness of that sentence, she told us this after drinking wine at lunch at Coltibuono and I was feeling tired. Because of the Bordeaux marriage, they began planting Uva Francese, or Cabernet Franc, which became a part of the blend at Carmignano. They typically use Cabernet Sauvignon nowadays, and the typical blend is usually 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet.

We were treated to a tasing of the wines inside the ancient Villa, dating back to 800 AD. I was surprised by the power of these wines, they were dense, dark, incredibly tannic and nearly unapproachable. One of the wines we tasted was a 10 year old version of their Carmignano blend, it was more ready to drink, but still extremely tannic and dense. I wrote down in my notes, needs another 5-10 years? While the power and quality of these wines was evident, they seemed to need so much time to age! The only exception being their little, entry level rosso, Barco Real, which was fun, bright and full of red cherry, strawberry and raspberry flavors.

We had dinner next, on an outdoor veranda overlooking the valley below, another absolutely stunning view! During this multi course meal, which is apparently typical in Italy, lasted about 4 hours, we were served some old bottles of the wines we tried earlier from their cellar. We started off with a 2008 vintage of their Carmignano next to a 1998 Carmignano. The 2008 was approaching its drinking window, and opened up in my glass. The 1998 was drinking perfectly! Think Brunello, but heavier and more powerful! It took 25 years for this wine to reach its peak.

With the next course, we had the Ghiai della Furba IGT, their version of a Supertuscan. Mostly Cab, with 20% Merlot and 20% Syrah. We had the 2020 version earlier, which was palette destroyingly tannic. The 2013 and 2005 vintages we were served at dinner were much more enjoyable; spicy, pruny, peppery and very powerful. They could have gone another 5 years or so, but they went very well with the Peposo we were served, a heavily peppered stewed beef dish.

Also of note, was the Vin Santo, a slightly oxidized dessert wine. I had never had the opportunity to try a dessert wine before this trip. As of this evening, I had tried 4. They were all excellent, and very different from each other. The Vin Santo at Coltibuono was, like Roberto’s other wines, lighter, fresher and more apricot forward. The Vin Santo from Capezzana is famous, it won the best dessert wine in the world 4 times and routinely has very high scores in the US magazines as well, typically scoring around 97 points. It did not disappoint. Salted caramel, apricot, and a hint of espresso. I then finished my night with the Grappa that they make on the property as well. It must be so nice to like this all the time!

We arrived at the hotel around midnight again. Tomorrow promises another early morning followed by more travel. Tomorrow we head to Emilia Romagna, Lambrusco country. The only winery on our docket for tomorrow is Cleto Chiarli, the thought of only visiting one winery instilling our group with relief. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little more relaxed.

Thursday, 06 June 2024 08:09

Andy's Journal Entry #4

Andy' Journal Entry #4

Marche

Our trip to Marche was lovely, the landscape similar to the rolling green hills of Abruzzo. Garofoli is located directly on the main thoroughfare, the winery is over 100 years old and the road in front of it leads to an ancient holy site, reportedly the site of Mary’s birth and supposedly transported to Marche from Palestine by angels. While I doubt angels actually transported the gigantic building that overlooks the winery from the mountain above us, the stones were apparently actually from Palestine, our hosts claimed.

The wine tasting at Garofoli was the best I have ever experienced in my life, and believe me when I say that in that I have been to a lot of wine tastings is a gigantic understatement! It is run by Daria and Gianluca Garofoli, a mother and son, and they were two of the funniest and warmest human beings I have ever met. We were joined by David, their intergalactic director of sales, and he and Gianluca were basically a comedy duo. The wines were amazing and extremely well priced from start to finish. They specialize in whites from Verdicchio di Castillo di Jesi, and reds made from Montepulciano (the grape, not the place. More on that later), from the areas of Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno. We have carried the “Piancarta” Rosso Conero nearly since we opened our doors at Metro Wines. It is one of my favorites to recommend and as always, it didn’t disappoint.

After the tasting they took us to the nearby seaside village of Sirolo for lunch. It was a restaurant overlooking the ocean that they knew of. We walked over to the ocean where we could see Monti Conero, where the Rosso Conero is grown, a huge rock jutting dramatically out of the stunningly blue waters of the Adriatic. To say the view was incredible is, again, an understatement.

After staring at the incredible views, we had lunch at an authentic seafood restaurant, Trattoria Osteria Sara, where we proceeded to have what is doubtless the craziest meal I have ever had! Incredible seafood kept coming out of the kitchen and the wine kept flowing. 3 kinds of sparkling vermentino with fresh tuna carpaccio, fresh out of the water, seasoned only with black sea salt and local olive oil. Enormous anchovies followed, with Garofoli “Macrina” Verdiccio. Clams, mussels, chopped octopus and snails, served in little whelk shells followed that. Amaro, espresso, and then dessert. The conversation got louder and louder, David and Gianluca sat with us and joked with us. I felt like I knew them forever, like we were family. I felt like an Italian, not a tourist. It was the most amazing dining experience I have ever had. I feel like I’ll be chasing that feeling again for the rest of my life.

We were hours late for our next appointment when we stumbled back to our bus. We loaded up and drove through the tunnels cut into the Apenine Mountains, through Umbria and into Tuscany. The craggy, Alp-like mountains gave way to the familiar rolling hills and cypress trees of Tuscany. I napped on the way after getting completely drunk at lunch.

That evening we met with Poliziano, just outside the famous Medieval city of Montepulciano (the place, not the grape). They are famous for their Vino Nobile de Montepulciano made from the Prugnolo Gentile grape, a thick skinned clone of Sangiovese. Our still lightly toasted group did our best to listen as we took a tour of the marvelous winery.

This place was run by Federico Carletti and his son Francesco. While we toured their palatial estate, they explained their winemaking philosophy and how they were dealing with the dramatic effects of climate change. The two butted heads occasionally on how they thought the wine should be made, Federico preferring to keep things traditional; heavy, ageable, oaked wines while Francesco suggested going for a lighter, newer style, ready to drink with minimal aging and no oak. It was very interesting to hear them politely debating each other.

After the tour, we tasted through the wines they make; rich, velvety reds made from Sangiovese and also some newer wines made from Merlot and Cabernet. They were all extremely good!

Dinner followed, a huge display of antipasti, put together by Fabio, their chef. After I had eaten my fill, Fabio took away our plates as if the meal was over. But it wasn’t. A huge plate of homemade bolognese followed, not resembling what I make back home in the slightest, and then a fig torte and Vin Santo. The Vin Santo was almost overwhelmingly complex; flavors of espresso, apricot, salted caramel, and old furniture. It was one of the most gorgeous flavors I have ever had in my life and my first Vin Santo experience.

We left Poliziano around midnight, all of us were exhausted from so much drinking and lack of sleep the night before. There was some talk about going out on the town which was immediately shut down almost unanimously. We needed sleep, we had another big day of tasting tomorrow. Tomorrow we head into Chianti.

Wednesday, 05 June 2024 08:22

Andy's Journal Entry #3

....in Abruzzo...

The drive from Puglia to Abruzzo was lovely. It was incredible to watch the landscape change as we headed North. The flat, yellow/brown landscape gave way to lush, green hills with the Adriatic Sea set dramatically out the right side of our bus.
We journeyed to the seaside town of Pescara, where La Valentina is located. To say the vineyard was different from Li Veli’s is an understatement. La Valentina is set atop a hill with a grand view of Abruzzo’s mountains, hills and valleys. The landscape was gorgeous and green and seemed completely covered by grapevines, the mountains in the background were topped with snow. Abruzzo has some decent skiing, apparently.
La Valentina does not produce your usual Trebbiano and Montepulciano D’Abruzzo. Sabatino, the owner, told us that he wants his wines to be of exceptional quality and unique! His wines were certainly far from the usual plonk I often expect from this area, they were lovely, powerful wines that reminded me of the wines from the Northern Rhone Valley. The Trebbianos he makes were crisp and mineral driven, with a white peach fragrance that reminded me of good Viognier. The Montepulcianos, were deeply pigmented and tannic.
He showed us a few very expensive Montepulcianos which aren’t imported into the US yet, that were extremely tannic and powerful, reminding me of good, Northern Rhone Syrah. One, a 2017 vintage, pulled the moisture out of my mouth and tugged at my teeth. It was as unforgiving as a young Cote Rotie, but I could tell it would be a showstopper in another 10 years or so. My suspicions were confirmed at dinner a few hours later when they opened up a 2009 vintage of the same wine, it showed layers of dried black cherry, tobacco and a slight smokiness reminiscent of bacon fat.
Overall, the wines here were not inexpensive, but they showed me the potential that fine wines from Abruzzo can have.
After a little sleep and a quick walk to the Adriatic, we set off to Marche to see one of my favorite wineries, Garofoli. I have excitedly sold these wines for more than a decade and I have been so excited to see this vineyard. I’m so excited to see what adventures await me there.

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