skip to main content

Items filtered by date: October 2024

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!
 
image4 3image6 2
image1 5image0 8
Saturday, 08 June 2024 12:59

Bastille Day 2024

bastille monet
                                   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
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

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.
 
andy baroloandy barolo2  andy barolo3
 
andy barolo4
Friday, 07 June 2024 14:43

Miquel Torres Wine Tasting

torres
 
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:

*******************************************************************************************
Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
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!
 
image0 7  image1 4  image4 2  
image7 2.   image2 2
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.
 
unnamed 11
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.
 
image7image9
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.

image5  image6
image7image8
Tuesday, 04 June 2024 15:45

Chance

Tuesday, 04 June 2024 15:45

Rama

Tuesday, 04 June 2024 09:19

The Cellar Club

john
 
"The Cellar Club"

Showstopper wines for your cellar at a great price! Join our Cellar Club.
Let us select for you a remarkable, curated selection of wines. 
Whether you are seeking to cellar wines for decades or just a short while,
we’ll offer you wines that will improve as they age over your desired time.

We can offer you the most desired wines on the planet including Gaja,
Rousseau, Domaine Romanée Conti, Dominus and more. And, after extensive research, we can also offer you remarkable comparable wines at a fraction
of the price that will refine with a little bottle age.

Metro is an excellent way to discover outstanding wines and build your cellar collection. We can select one or more wines for you whenever you want to expand your collection. Or you can join our Cellar Club to receive two bottles every quarter. Wines you will be proud to place in your cellar. And all at pricing you will like.

Don’t know where to start to build a cellar collection?
We’ll help you set a cellar strategy that will prevent you from overbuying.
And always have a great wine ready for you to drink at its peak.
 
Call John at (828) 200-6504! 
Monday, 03 June 2024 12:55

The Secrets of Sancerre

sancerre2
 
News Release: Monday, June 3rd, 2024
About: "The Secrets of Sancerre"
 
Join us on Tuesday, June 25th from 5:30 to 6:30, for "The Secrets of Sancerre" with Steve Hedburg. This is a seated class of only 20 participants. Event is $50. Please reserve your seat NOW by calling (828) 575-9525 or online at https://metro-wines.shoplightspeed.com/events/.
 
Sancerre has become the internationally preferred white wine. That's a fact. But what do we really know about Sancerre? We know Sancerre is a regional wine from the Loire Valley of France. We know Sancerre is most always made from Sauvignon Blanc. And we know Sancerre is light, dry, highly acidic and textured from Sancerre’s chalky soils. But after that.....
 
"With increased global popularity comes increased pricing and, sadly, imposters," says John Kerr, co-owner of Metro Wines. "When purchasing Sancerre, you need to make educated, smart and discerning decisions."

In 1985, Steve Hedburg, together with Brad Johnson, put together a group to buy a very early Tryon Distribution. And since that time, Steve Hedburg has been learning about and exploring Sancerre!
 
Steve will walk us through Traditional Sauvignon Blanc, "Caillottes," and single vineyard, high altitude Sauvignon Blanc known as the unofficial Grand Cru of Sancerre.
 
Take advantage of Steve Hedburg's nearly 40 years of study! Don't fall in the trap of thinking you know. Know!
********************************************************************************************
Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
Monday, 03 June 2024 08:50

Andy's Journal Entry #2

Dinner at Livelli
 
"After getting what seemed to be an excessive amount of sleep, nearly 7 hours, we headed to Masseria Liveli to taste their wines.
The group I’m with is exceptional, wine professionals from all across the country; many wine reps who sell the wines from this importer, but also sommeliers and wine buyers from retail establishments and restaurants. Everyone is extremely knowledgeable and wickedly funny, it’s an honor to be along with them. There is a summer camp-like vibe to the group, I’ve started calling our trip “Sommercamp” and that term seems to have stuck with my companions.
Masseria Liveli was an incredible experience. The oppressive heat of Puglia was alleviated here, as there was a strong breeze coming off of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, the vineyards are located almost equidistant between the two, which kept this area cool and pleasant. You can smell the ocean in the breeze.
Walking through the vineyards, I was surprised to see large chunks of white limestone and ancient seashells mixed in with the reddish dirt. It reminded me of photos I’ve seen from Burgundy.

After touring the vineyard, we walked into the Masseria, an ancient Puglian word for farm, the building made from white stones, the same limestone found in the vineyard. We were escorted into a white stone room with lovely medieval style vaulted ceilings for the tasting. The wines were exceptional from start to finish, showing lovely balance between fruit and acidity. All of the wines displayed a chalky minerality, an effect of the limestone in the subsoil of this area, as well as a slight sea-breeze like salinity. They were fruit forward, as expected, but the acidity, minerality and an almost savory quality from the sea salt kept them so balanced. I was impressed.
We left Liveli, almost reluctantly, to continue our trip up the “boot.” Next for us, a five hour drive up the Adriatic Road to Abruzzo, where we will be dining at La Valentina this evening. I’m excited to see Abruzzo, a place I have read about for so long, but have never seen. Ciao a tutti!"
 
image0 5image 4 image1 3  image3.  image4
 
 

Wine investing has garnered attention as a wise investment due to its unique blend of stability, diversification, and historical performance. Unlike traditional financial assets, fine wine is a tangible asset that can provide a hedge against market volatility. Its value is less correlated with stock markets, making it an attractive option during economic downturns. 

Sunday, 02 June 2024 17:02

Andy in Limestone in Italy!

unnamedandy in italy
Sunday, 02 June 2024 10:16

Andy Lands in Brindisi, Italy

Sunday, June 2nd
image 2
"After 28 hours of travel, I have finally landed in Brindisi, Puglia, the "heel of Italy's boot. The landscape here is dry and tan with the occasional green shrubs dotting the tan scrub brush. Is is very hot and flat. The cities I pass look more like the Middle East than what I expected Italy to look like. I'm heading to the hotel for a quick shower and to change out of the clothes I have been wearing since yesterday morning, then we are off to a winery, Livelli, for dinner. I'm in Primitivo and Negroamaro country and I can't wait to see what the winery has in store for us."
Saturday, 01 June 2024 16:16

Wine Dinner at Blackbird

midsummer2
 
News Release: Saturday, June 1st, 2024
About: "A Midsummer Night's Dream Dinner"
 
   Why is everyone in town talking about Wine Dinners at Blackbird. Find out for yourself when Juniper Cooper hosts the third in a series of magical evenings as Wine, Summer and Shakespeare blend together.  The Blackbird Presents "A Midsummer Night's Dream Dinner" with Metro Wines and Juniper Cooper of Johnson Brothers/Mutual Distributing of North Carolina.

   Please join us on Monday, June 24th, at The Blackbird, 47 Biltmore Ave in downtown Asheville, for a special dinner to celebrate the evening of this year's Midsummer and Chef Mike's favorite Shakespeare play. The evening begins at 6:30pm with a Bubbly Welcome Pour and then continues with 6 courses, dessert, and curated wine pairings.  $125 (non-inclusive of tax and gratuity)
 
   This 7-Course celebration has been designed with special nods to the foods and characters from various acts of the play.  Each dish will feature the produce and edible creations from our local farms and kitchens to highlight the fullness of our growing season and will be paired with a wine selection from sustainably certified, family wineries from around the world. 

   "A magical evening of delights awaits and we are eager to share with you!" says Juniper Cooper. "Experience Shakespeare's menu at Blackbird's Table."

   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  email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
*******************************************************************************************
Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
Tuesday, 28 May 2024 11:05

Cody & Cassie

Friday, 24 May 2024 16:25

Becoming Barolo

nebbiolo4
News Release: Friday, May 24th, 2024
About: The Nebbiolo Grape from Vine to Barolo

Join Juniper Cooper and Ciao Asheville @MetroWines, Wednesday, June 19th, 5:30-6:30, for "Becoming Barolo" as we learn how Nebbiolo goes from vine to bottle as Barolo. We will taste 4 spectacular bottles, 2 early in the process bottles of Nebbiolo, a Barbaresco and a Barolo! Served with cheese, bread and a Surprise Bottle! Event Cost is $40 (+tax). Seating is limited to 20. Reserve Your Seat by calling (828) 575-9525 or online: https://metro-wines.shoplightspeed.com/events/
 
Said for centuries, Barolo is king of wine and wine of kings. And so it is!  There is nothing that says the recipient is worthy of the best, nothing that says elegance, no wine that speaks of confidence, strength and tradition like Barolo.

What is this magic? Barolo is a red wine from Piedmont, Italy. Made from Nebbiolo, a small, thin-skinned grape, the wine is generally high in acid and tannins. To be called “Barolo” in Italy, the bottle must be 100% Nebbiolo. No exceptions. And no additives to soften the natural tannins which is why a bottle of Barolo needs age, a cork and a cool dark place!
***********************************************************************************
Contact: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
 
Thursday, 23 May 2024 11:51

Piedmont Wine Imports Tasting

jay
News Release: Thursday, May 23rd, 2024
About: Piedmont Wine Imports Tasting
 
Join Ciao Asheville for a tasting of wines from Durham based Piedmont Wine Imports hosted by Sarah Ciofoletti on Thursday, June 13th from 4-6pm @MetroWines. The event is "at the bar" and "on the house" and parking is free, close and easy.
 
From Website: https://www.piedmontwineimports.com/
Who Makes the Wines Piedmont Imports? 
Common traits overshadow the differences. The farms we work with value character, nature, and truth. They work land with knowledge from tradition and decision-making filtered through 1,000s of hours among their vines, learning up close.

Our portfolio strives to be deep, not broad. The variations that abound in wines produced by hand between one farmer and the next are key to our learning process and are a big part of where the fun is in this endeavor.

We share an emotional, at times irrational bond with these people and their wines. We care about their success, and see value in who they are and what they do. But mostly it’s in the bottle: our love comes from the wine, the same experience you have tasting the wines. So maybe your feelings will be close to the same.
 
About Founder and Owner of Piedmont Wine Imports, Jay Murrie: (pictured)
I started Piedmont Wine Imports in 2012, to bring small farm organic European wines to America. After 13 fun-filled years in independent wine shops, I wanted to get out into the countryside, to find wine that would slightly increase the quality of what was available in America.

There are still finds! As years have passed we’ve traveled more miles than I maybe anticipated at the beginning of this dream job. Maybe I just don’t like a crowd. Leaving the trade shows and finding the one-lane gravel roads up to some isolated hillside farm, remote enough to hear nature surround you from the moment you turn off the car, this became my day at the office. It feels right. To meet grandparents and parents and pets, to see livestock and compost and tentative steps toward future plans, this approach brings us a better understanding of what we are selling to our customers. We become partners in the lives and dreams of the farmers we represent. As their spokespeople in America, this small slice of understanding makes it easier to do our real jobs, to be their advocate. It also builds friendships: we don’t work with jerks! Or generally speaking, middlemen. We prefer farmers, characters, funny, hardworking, inquisitive, real humans.

It’s all very personal at this stage. When it comes to the wines we import, it’s my goal to make zero compromises. Piedmont Wine Imports can skip mediocrity and collect wines we’d share with our friends and family, made by farmers who we’d invite to dinner.

I love how Piedmont Wine Imports changes. Every year our mission statement moves a little. It feels like glacial change. Scrutinizing, tasting, looking at the horizon and discerning where we best fit on the wine map: today we have a small team of smart wine professionals tinkering with what Piedmont Wine Imports is. It brings me optimism, also makes me feel a sense of urgency. I have to be sharper, more aware of our terrain to remain a relevant part of what we do. The people I work with give me freedom, they keep it from feeling like work.
 
Served at popular restaurants and sold at specialty shops around North Carolina.
 
Contact for Metro Wines: Gina Trippi
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
 
Saturday, 11 May 2024 06:58

Bad bad Leroy

Friday, 10 May 2024 12:35

How Oak Barrels Influence Wine

Enjoying a good quality glass of wine is a sensory experience that engages the senses and invites contemplation. Begin by observing the wine's appearance. Hold the glass up to the light and appreciate the color, clarity, and viscosity of the wine. 

Note whether it is pale or deep in hue and whether it has any subtle tinges or reflections that hint at its age and varietal character. Swirl the wine gently in the glass to release its aromas, allowing them to evolve and intensify.

Friday, 03 May 2024 17:36

Bebe and Delia

Monday, 22 April 2024 15:44

Schug Pinot Noir and More Tasting

schug
 
News Release: April 22nd, 2024
About: Schug Pinot Noir and More Wine Tasting
 
Schug is known for Pinot Noir. But there is so much more! Join us on Tuesday, May 14th from 4-6pm @MetroWines to delve further into the Schug Wines. The event is hosted by JOHN SANDERS, National Sales Manager "at the bar" and "on the house" with no reservations necessary.
 
TASTING:
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
White Pinot Noir 
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Cabernet Sauvignon 
 
About Schug: (Website)
Celebrating 40 years since our inaugural vintage, Schug Winery was born from Walter Schug’s passion for Pinot Noir, a journey that led him from Napa Valley’s pioneering days at Joseph Phelps Winery to the wind-swept hills of Sonoma’s Carneros region. Honoring our 100-year-old heritage and guided by winemaker Johannes Scheid, we continue to craft European-styled wines for a new chapter, inviting you to share our family’s legacy in every sip.
 
Discover the essence of the Sonoma Coast in every sip of our single vineyard wines. With a commitment to showcasing the diverse terroir of this premier region, we work closely with exceptional vineyards to create outstanding wines that reflect the distinctive climate, soils, and topography unique to the Sonoma Coast. Elevate your palate with these meticulously crafted expressions, a true testament to our dedication and the remarkable terroir that shapes them.
****************************************************************************
 
Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525
Page 2 of 16