Andy in Limestone in Italy!
Sunday, 02 June 2024 17:02Livelli Winery: Photos by Andy Hale!
Sunday, 02 June 2024 12:37Andy Lands in Brindisi, Italy
Sunday, 02 June 2024 10:16Sunday, June 2nd
"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."
Tagged under
Wine Dinner at Blackbird
Saturday, 01 June 2024 16:16News Release: Saturday, June 1st, 2024
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)
"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.
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/
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) 575-9525Becoming Barolo
Friday, 24 May 2024 16:25News 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.
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.
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
Piedmont Wine Imports Tasting
Thursday, 23 May 2024 11:51News 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.
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.
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
How Oak Barrels Influence Wine
Friday, 10 May 2024 12:35Enjoying 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.
Schug Pinot Noir and More Tasting
Monday, 22 April 2024 15:44News 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