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Rise Over Run Wine Tasting

Friday, 09 February 2024 13:48
rise run
News Release: Friday, February 9, 2024
About: Wine Tasting with Rise Over Run
 
Please join us on Friday, February 23rd from 4-6 at MetroWines to taste four wines from Rise Over Run. Chris Thornbury will host the event and discuss the history, terroir and the final product that you are tasting! The event is "at the bar" and "on the house" with NO reservations required.
 
Chris will walk us through these wines:
White / Blanc et Fils Apremont Willy
White / Maison Yves Duport Bugey Blanc Chardonnay 2022
Rose / La Cave du Prieure Rosé 2022
Red / Domaine Rolet Arbois Trousseau 2020
 
Who is Rise over Run?
Even down to our name, the inception of Rise Over Run emanated from a passion and respect for distinct and often challenging viticultural microclimates. Many are viticultural marvels, and the finished wines are expressions that could not be recreated elsewhere. Our book is a compilation of these wines that have stories to tell, and we are excited to be the ones doing so.
 
About Owner Kate Stamps: Kate came to work with wine by happenstance. An hour short of college graduation, Kate signed up for the first study abroad program available to: NSW, Australia. Upon arriving, she realized she had accidentally been sent to the wrong school, a sister school focusing on wine-making. Weeks later, when the time came to relocate, she declined as she had fallen deeply in love with the vineyards and wine. Three years and a concurrent viticulture and enology degree later, Kate headed to NYC for a year of pallet training (WSET). She remained in NY for eleven years, earning multiple wine certifications and working on all tiers of the industry. In 2015, Kate relocated to Asheville, NC with the idea of starting her own wine import company. In 2017, that vision was realized when Rise Over Run was founded. In 2019, Kate bought out her business partners and investor to become the sole owner and director of the company.
 
And Rise Over Run is the only NC-based wine import and distribution company to be 100% owned by a female.
 
Who is Our Host Chris Thornbury?
Chris studied art before becoming obsessed with the subject of wine and its endless details. This gave rise to a career in the restaurant business spanning over twenty years. Originally from Detroit, he’s lived and worked in Savannah Georgia and Portland Oregon. Chris has spent his career advocating for small, family run wineries who practice low intervention viticulture and the people who make these places function. Chris lives in Canton North Carolina with his beautiful wife and three boys.
 
"Rise over Run" tastings with Chris Thornbury are always popular and wines sell out," says Gina Trippi, co-owner of Metro Wines. "Come early!"
Parking is free, close and easy.
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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


How And Why Time Enhances Wine Flavor

Tuesday, 06 February 2024 15:52

Gathering with friends over a glass of flavorful wine is a timeless and cherished social experience. The rich and nuanced taste of a well-selected wine adds depth to the conversation and enhances the overall enjoyment of the moment. 



DC wines
 
News Release: Friday, February 2nd, 2024
About: Santa Barbara Wine Tasting with Morgan Clendenen
 
Join us on Thursday, February 15th from 4 to 6pm to meet Winemaker Morgan Clendenen and taste Dalfonso-Curran Wines from Santa Barbara. Hosted by Tom Leiner, tasting includes
2022 Grenache Blanc, 2022 Grenache Gris (rose), 2019 Badge "Borderlands" Red Blend and 2021 Tempranillo. The event is "at the bar" and "on the house." No reservations necessary! 
 
Dalfonso-Curran wines is owned by Kris Curran and Brian d'Alfonso. The two have developed long-standing relationships with some of the best vineyards located in Santa Barbara County.  
 

Kris Curran undoubtedly ranks among California’s highest profiled winemakers, particularly for her gift for creating outstanding Pinot Noir. She’s voted as one of Wine Spectator’s Top Winemakers almost annually due to her pioneering station amid the industry’s forward-thinkers.
kris curran
Kris’s love for animals led her to Science, which led her, ultimately, to winemaking. She initially graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with an Animal Science Degree, followed by her second Bachelors, this time in Winemaking from Fresno State. From there Kris took up a position at Cambria as Assistant Winemaker and later became a founding member at Koehler. She progressed to Sea Smoke where she produced seven vintages but left when Foley Wines offered her the Winemaker position, where she made wines under the Foley, Lincourt and Two Sisters brands.

Today Kris continues to fulfill her innovative standing as the first Californian vintner to popularize Grenache Blanc which she started making in 2003. Her love for Spanish varietals prompted her to take up the challenge of mastering different production techniques: “I have come to appreciate the unique personality of each varietal with which I work. I combine this understanding with my scientific knowledge in pursuit of crafting the best wine possible.”

Bruno D'Alfonso: When one thinks Bruno D’Alfonso, one also thinks the best Pinot Noir-winemaker in the business. Bruno’s approach to winemaking is fueled by a talent for creating outstanding wines that alter traditional expectations, matched by his dedicated precision and attention to detail. He is the consummate perfectionist.
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With a history of hunting and fishing in the wild and a love for open spaces, it was no surprise Bruno earned a Degree in Soil Science from Cal Poly. However, his Italian heritage compelled his inherent appreciation for wine, so his second Degree, this time in Winemaking, was earned at UC Davis.

Bruno’s early career is almost as fascinating as his current one. He started out with the now-late Richard Graff of Chalone at Edna Valley Vineyards and worked there for three vintages. Bruno later joined Richard Sanford to start Sanford Winery where he remained as Winemaker for twenty-three vintages.

Today, fans of Bruno’s Pinot Noir acquire his exceptional offerings under the BADGE and Di Bruno labels. “Over the years I have begun to understand the designing of wine. That has become my goal: to create wonderful, stable, long-lived, stylized wines.”

Bruno is an ardent foe of the practice of using harmful chemicals in the winemaking process. All D’Alfonso-Curran wines bode well with the imbiber’s health, in addition to their senses. Bruno’s purist approach to winemaking ensures uncontaminated, unpolluted wines that respect his customers’ health and wellbeing.
 
dc wine dogs
D'Alfonso- Curran Wines is also home to The Wine Dogs:
Website: Bruno & Kris are true lovers of animals, especially their dogs - Roland, Gunner, Breaker, and Badge. These magnificent Shepherds are quite the local attraction. Wherever the “Pack” goes - the winery, out to lunch, to the grocery store…Kris & Bruno are sure to follow!
 
Who is Morgan Clendenen: Morgan Clendenen is a close friend and collegaue of Kris and Bruno. She knows these wines well and, because, she lives here in North Carolina, she will be representing the selection and discussing the Santa Barbara Wine Region!
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Morgan says that her mission and goal as a winemaker is to illuminate and define Viognier, elevate its profile, and explore its potential through keen observation and copious tasting. She seeks to sound the depths of this enigmatic grape, to reveal its secrets, and to shine a bright light on the extraordinary fruit grown in the cool vineyards of the Santa Maria and Santa Ynez Valleys of California’s Central Coast.

Morgan started in the wine industry working for an Italian wine importer in her native North Carolina. Then she moved on to a boutique wine importer to optimize her learning curve. A move to a sales and marketing position at Robert Sinskey Vineyards, in Napa, led to her meeting Jim Clendenen, winemaker and owner at Au Bon Climat. They married, and she moved to Santa Barbara County. When Au Bon Climat, by chance, was offered a lot of Viognier grapes in 1996, Cold Heaven Cellars was born.

Morgan knew little about Viognier at the time and had only some practical knowledge of winemaking and no formal training. She learned winemaking “on the job” and also says that she had some amazing mentors, including Bruno D’Alfonso and her then-spouse.

After closing the Cold Heaven tasting room in 1998, Morgan joined Shokrian Vineyard in Los Alamos as one of its winemakers. She continues to produce Viognier, making up to five single-vineyard versions, and Syrah, and has added Pinot Noir to her portfolio.
 
MetroWines says: "This is a high profile tasting that you do not want to miss!"
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Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing!
"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"
(828) 575-9525


Judge Jay Wilkinson Returns for the Sequel ...

Wednesday, 31 January 2024 08:50
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Sicilian Love Stories

In case you missed author Jay Wilkinson's excellent presentation and book signing in November of last year, Ciao Asheville is pleased to announce that Jay will be back in mid July with a sequel presentation titled "Sicilian Love Stories", which tells the story of the four great Sicilian-culture-tinged romances in Jay's book "A Lie Will Suffice". Jay is a dynamic and engaging speaker so you won't want to miss this event. Stay tuned for more details.



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???? Film Showing ????

Roberto Benigni's

Life is Beautiful

Winner of 3 Academy Awards!

Sunday, March 3, 1pm

Metro Wines

169 Charlotte Street 

Join Ciao Asheville and Metro Wines for a showing of this 1997 comedy-drama film. There will be a group discussion of the film following the showing. Snacks provided "on the house" and wine will be available for purchase. This film is in Italian with English subtitles.

This event is *free* but registration is required. Seating is limited so call Metro Wines at 828-575-9525 to reserve your seat.



Basics of Burgundy

Tuesday, 23 January 2024 16:41
burgundy
 
News Release: January 23rd, 2024
About: "Basics of Burgundy" @MetroWines
 
Please join us for a class with Ayres Newsom, Proprietor of Vino Mondial, guiding us through the "Basics of Burgundy" and tasting 6 wines from the region, on February 11th @MetroWines on Charlotte Street from 2-4pm. 
 
"Burgundy is home to some of the world's most exclusive and sensuous wine!" says Ayres. "With all the romance of France in your glass, this is an exciting way to start your Valentine's Day Week."
 
Presentation includes three white Burgundies and three red Burgundies paired with charcuterie style small bites as well as:
* side by side comparisons of white and red burgundies
* the basics of the classification system in Burgundy
* the history of the region
* and why Burgundy might just be the best food wine in the world! 
 
What's Burgundy All About?

"When some people hear “burgundy wine,” they immediately think of red wine. “Burgundy” does not refer to the color of the wine, however, but to the region of France in which the wine is made. That region is called “La Bourgogne” in French, “Burgundy” in English.

Some of the world’s finest red and white wines are produced in this storied region. These sought-after red wines are made entirely from the Pinot Noir grape, and the world-famous white wines are made entirely from the Chardonnay grape.

While these wines are known throughout the world, few people realize that Burgundy is by far the smallest major wine-growing region in the world. In fact, the heart of Burgundy is only about 30 miles long by one mile wide – tiny by wine standards. Obviously, the villages are tiny, too, and are a mere kilometer or two apart.

Herein lies one of the most complicated aspects of Burgundy – namely, the terrain presents a compact arrangement of microclimates. These microclimates present a complex assortment of altitudes, slopes, exposures and soil types. Literally, two vineyards separated by a stone wall or a dirt road will produce grapes that make wines which can be very different in flavor as well as quality. It’s no wonder that Burgundy produces a greater variety of single-grape wines than any other region in the world and it’s also no wonder that Burgundy can be a minefield for the wine lover in the United States.

Wines made in Burgundy receive their quality classifications, called appellations, based on the region, village or individual vineyard in which the grapes are grown. In most cases, the more defined the growing area of the grapes, the more consistent the quality of the wine produced by those grapes. Oftentimes, the finest wines are produced by vineyards that are no more than a few football fields in size."

Event cost for the presentation and tasting is $55 (plus tax). Go here: https://metro-wines.shoplightspeed.com/february-11-burgundy-class-with-ayres.html

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Contact for MetroWines: John Kerr

Metro Wines Asheville

Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing

"Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service"

(828) 575-9525
 


5 Star Review on Sunday!

Sunday, 14 January 2024 15:44
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"Extremely knowledgeable staff, welcoming vibe and fair pricing.
Helped me understand things as a total wine novice.
Varying price ranges so a little bit for anyone."


Wine Language: A Quick Glossary

Wednesday, 10 January 2024 11:35

Understanding the language of wine can be a journey, much like wine tasting itself. As rich and complex as the beverage it describes, wine terminology can feel elusive to many. Fear not, fellow wine enthusiasts, we're here to help.