Yellow with reflections of gray green. On the nose, expressive with a predominance of white fruits including peach supported by notes of fresh almonds and flowers of accacia. On the palate, tender and long with flavors of cooked butter and toasted hazelnuts. Chenin Blanc.
Copain Has its Day in the Sun
Admit it, you have been walking past this gorgeous bottle of Rosé. Some of you may think that 2018 is "old" for Rosé.
Au contraire. Ask the French! Some wines, some rosé are meant to age. This is one of them.
This Rosé is made from 100% Copain Pinot Noir and guess what:
The 2018 Copain Pinot Noir just scored 91 Points from Wine&Spirits and costs on average $65. THAT is what is in this bottle for $16.99!
Brett says: "In a just world, this bottle should be $30! Copain Rosé presents a range of red fruit flavors. Tangy berry flavors of wild strawberry and sour cherries wrapped in delicacy. Not an easy balance to achieve."
The Wine: Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige, Italy, 2019
What we Tasted: Pineapple, peach, “pink Starburst Candy,” Grapefruit, Lychee, pear, cantaloupe, ginger, Jasmine, Lilly, “Circus Peanut Candy,” “touch of dried apple,” “Wet rocks”
What we Guessed: French Chenin Blanc, Italian Pinot Grigio, Australian Riesling
What Andy Guessed: Andy guessed Southern French Viognier. He has never correctly guessed Pinot Grigio though.
What we Thought: Overall, this one was a hit with our crew. “It’s very balanced” was one comment. “I like it for a white wine” was another. One taster said they would “order it again” if they had it in a restaurant.
"These are current staff favorites," says Brett Watson, Wine Buyer @MetroWines. "We are tasting wines that reflect the changing season, drifting into warmer days while nights remain cool."
"Things are Getting Green Tasting"
Kofererhof Alto Adige Pinot Grigio 2016
"Extremely cold climate and high elevation Pinot Grigio with the quality to put a teeny tiny bit of age on it from an Italian area that used to be considered Germany. Pinot Grigio in a hand-made couture wedding dress and stiletto pumps."
Louis Seabra Xisto Ilimitado Branco 2019
"Field blend of 6 different Douro Portugal varietals made by a legend Louis Seabra. Close your eyes and imagine Portugese Burgundy at half the cost."
Domaine Suavette Les Gravouilles Gamay 2019
"What "not from Beaujolais" 100% Gamay should taste like. Made as true to the land as possible and 8 days of Carbonic makes this as fresh and energetic as a new puppy playing in the backyard!"
The Zoom is "on the house" but, if you want to taste along with Brett, the three wines will be available for purchase at a discounted price @MetroWines for $59.68 (including tax) Call (828) 575-9525 for purchase and curbside pickup!
To join the Zoom, go here:
https://zoom.us/j/6313361327
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Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service" (828) 575-9525
Nick Demos is an Advanced Sommelier and the Brand Manager around these parts for Kermit Lynch. But, mostly, Nick is known for being an all around nice guy. As one restaurant manager I know said: "He does not make you feel totally inadequate while you are learning about wine." Nick tasted and talked four wines on Zoom on December 17th hosted by Tryon Distribution and MetroWines in Asheville.
August 19th marked our first "virtual" Blind Tasting League event. We offered the wines that were to be tasted for sale in the previous weeks and they were available for pick up already bagged and numbered so that they could be tasted blind at home. I tasted the wines live on Facebook and led the tasting while people watched and tasted at home.
Read all about our tasting notes and what we guessed the wines were here https://www.blindtastingleague.com/blog/entry/august-19th-blind-tasting-league
Our next Blind Tasting League will be on September 16th at 5:30. If you want to join in yourself, pick up the wines at Metro Wines and tune in at https://www.facebook.com/MetroWinesAsheville
5:05pm when I arrived and Winemaker William Goldschmidt of Corzano e Paterno already had the crowd whipped but good into a wine frenzy. He looked just like his picture. "Easy on the eyes," just like his importer, Jay Murrie of Piedmont Imports said. Correction! Strike that! Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury: it was not what Jay said but what Jay said women said! Anyway, William has a head full of black hair. Olive complexion. Very Italian looking. But that name, William Goldschmidt? What's up with that?
This was not a structured interview, just bits and pieces I picked up while Gustavo chatted with us and the dinner guests. Here we go:
WOW. What a night. Michele D'Aprix is not just a great winemaker but a natural comedienne! About 35 participants came out to welcome Michele. We learned. We laughed. We left knowing all about Bordeaux.
What a delightful guy! Alessandro Cellai was interesting, fun and very, very, very accomplished.
Stephanie Morton-Small, chief Commercial officer, for Decero in Mendoza, Argentina hosted a sold out Seated Tasting on Tuesday, September 11th. What's the one thing Stephanie wants us to remember? Mendoza is the size of California and, so, not all parts are created equally! Great Wines. Great Speaker. Great Night!