Tickets HERE!

News Release: Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018 About: Seated French Wine Tasting @MetroWines   Philippe Bourgeois hosts a seated tasting of five of his imported French Wines paired with small plates of charcuterie and French cheeses on Wednesday, October 17th from 5:30 to 6:30 @MetroWines.    Wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux and Chateauneuf du Pape from the Bourgeois Portfolio.   Please call (828) 575-9525 for reservations or shop in our online store: https://metrowinesasheville.com/store/special-events/.   Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi Charlotte Street! It's the Next BIG Thing! gina@MetroWinesAsheville.com "Big Shop Selection. Small Shop Service" Shop:  828-575-9525 google: https://goo.gl/knC8LP http://www.metrowinesasheville.com/ http://ashevilleschoolofwine.com/ http://www.blindtastingleague.com/ http://www.metrowinesasheville.com/brew-blog             metrowinesasheville@gmail.com" data-hovercard-id="metrowinesasheville@gmail.com" style="width: 32px; height: 32px; border-radius: 50%;"> ReplyForward

 

 

The Wine of Tenute del Cerro

Giacomo Alari, Export Sales Manager

will present and discuss these wines paired with Small Plates from STRADA

on Friday, September 21st from 5:30 to 6:30

Event Sponsored by "Ciao Asheville" The Asheville Italian Cultural Forum

*** Tickets HERE! ***

Tenute del Cerro is composed of five estates including four wine estates in two of the most important regions of Italy, Toscana and Umbria, with almost 5000Ha of owned land, of which approximately 300 are vineyards.

Awards and prizes given by the Italian and foreign press to Fattoria del Cerro‘s Vino Nobile di Montepulcianos, La Poderina’s Brunello di Montalcinos and Colpetrone’s Montefalco Sagrantinos are testament to Tenute del Cerro’s uncompromising work in harmony with the territory and the commitment of highly qualified staff who is deeply linked to the history of wines and production area.

Fattoria del Cerro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2014, Tuscany                              

100% Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese clone) aged 12 months French and Slavonian oak barrels                                 

“Tre Bicchieri”                                                              - Gambero Rosso Guide to Italian Wines 2018           

“A layered and ripe red with plum and chocolate character. Medium body, soft and velvety tannins and a delicious

finish. Just right now.”                                                                          - 91 points, JamesSuckling.com

La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2013, Tuscany                                                             

100% Sangiovese Grosso                                                                                                                                     

Aged 25 months in French barriques (1/3), tonneaux (1/3) and 110Hl Slavonian oak casks (1/3)                                                   

“The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino is a beautiful wine and a protagonist of this vintage. I love the purity of the fruit

and the direct manner in which it is delivered. This wine exhibits intensity and a careful sense of balance in which

dark cherry fruit and blackberry are folded into spice, tar and licorice. The effect is seamless and elegant. This wine

has the inner flexibility to drink in the near or the long term.”                             - 94 points, Wine Advocate
                                                                                                                                               

“Dark ruby-red. Strong notes of aromatic herbs, flint and licorice complicate red cherry and berry aromas and flavors.

Very long, fresh and clean, offering serious but polished tannins, this classic Brunello ought to age and develop nicely.”

                                                                                                                    - 92+ points, Vinous

Colpetrone Rosso di Montefalco DOC 2013/14, Umbria 

70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Merlot aged 12 months in Slavonian oak barrels                                       

“The 2013 Montefalco Rosso is a dense and hearty red wine with ample structure and concentration. The wine is

infused with pressed cherry, blackberry, Christmas spice and cured tobacco.”        - 89 points, Wine Advocate

“A round and velvety red showing chocolate, walnut and wet-earth character together with plummy fruit. Medium

body, soft texture and a delicious finish. Why wait on this one?” - 92 points, JamesSuckling.com (2013 vintage)

Colpetrone Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2011, Umbria                                                 

100% Sagrantino aged 12 months in heavy-toast French barriques, followed by 24 months in cement tanks                  

and then 36 months in stainless steel tanks

“So much pressed lavender to the nose here as well as the classic brambleberries but also some hints of sour

cherries, leather and Chinese spices. This is full and delicious with mouth-coating tannins, driven acidity and a

compact yet long finish. Better in 2020.”                                                    - 93 points, JameSuckling.com

Fattoria del Cerro Vin Santo di Montepulciano “Sangallo” DOC 2013, Tuscany 

60% Trebbiano and 40% Malvasia dried 120 days; fermented and aged 24 months in 100L caratelli                             

(Extremely limited – vintage sold out)                                                                                                                                    

Thought you might be interested in seeing this just released study of the wine and liquor markets across the US.
It was included in the WIne Growers News from Iowa State University.
https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/544043/2018_Webinars/4.0%20BevAlc%20(June%2020,%202018)/White%20Paper/2018%20TABS%20Bev-Alc%20Study%20FINAL.pdf?t=1536853786854

Some of the key findings from this survey include:
        1       66% of U.S. adult consumers (21+) purchase alcohol beverages with 45% regulary purchasing wine and 35% regularly purchasing liquor. 
        2       Consumers in the Northeast purchase more alcohol than on the West coast. 
        3       A similar percentage of both men & women purchase wine. 
        4       The of wine purchasers continues to grow steadily from 55% of those with an annual income of $125-$149K - $149,000 to 68% of those with an income of $250K+. 
        5       Non-Hispanic whites tend to purchase more wine than other ethnicities, while non- Hispanic blacks and Asians indicate they purchase liquor at greater levels. 
        6       Only 5% of regular wine purchasers and 9% of regular liquor purchasers strongly agreed that they would cut back on those purchases when cannabis was legal. 
        7       Only 19% of regular wine purchasers say they know wine brands, and fewer – 16% say they look for deals. 
        8       Walmart (29%) is the leading retail outlet for wine and number two for liquor (20%) in the U.S. 
        9       Point of purchase is very important as consumer behaviors can shift dramatically. 

   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!

 Reserve Your Seat HERE!

News Release: Thursday, September 13th, 2018

Tickets HERE! 

*** LAST CALL *** Ticket Window Closes Monday (tomorrow) at noon. Rare Opportunity to hear from one of the Top Executives at Decero London Based Stephanie Morton Small and taste these award winning wines (Seriously, we had to fight  mano a mano for this one) Decero (Argentina) Seated Tasting Tuesday, September 11th from 5 to 6:30 https://metrowinesasheville.com/wine-blogs/blog/entry/decero-wine-tasting (Yes, you can be a few minutes late. Seating time built in!)

*** BREAKING NEWS *** Seated Italian Wine Tasting 4 RED Wines and Vin Santo Paired with STRADA Small Plates September 21st from 6 to 7pm $20 for ALL this plus informative Presentation by Importer Reserve by calling (828) 575-9525 or online: https://metrowinesasheville.com/wine-blogs/ blog/entry/seated-italian-wine-tasting

"Are You Coming to Group?" The Asheville Wine Focus Group Wednesday, September 12th from 5:30 to 6:30 @and ONLY @MetroWines Wine Pairing Guru Tom Leiner Hosts! Don't Miss Out! Call (828) 575-9525 online: https://metrowinesasheville.com/store/product/ august-asheville-wine-focus-group/

TRIM is a well-crafted Cabernet Sauvignon from outstanding vineyards in California. The winemaking team works with some of the best vineyards to produce a lush, well balanced and fruit forward Cabernet Sauvignon. Awesome Blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot $13.99

Fall Brunch

Comprised of Barbera d’Asti, Syrah, and Merlot. Damilano offers a dry, harmonic,
and balanced taste at the palate. This medium-bodied rose remains delicate and has a pleasantly fresh aroma. Floral and fruit notes emerge mid-palate. Perfetta!  19.99 @MetroWines

Ratatouille Wines

If you go Red, GO Moulin de Gassat, $13.99
https://metrowinesasheville.com/wine-blogs/blog/entry/moulin-de-gassac-pinot-noir
Why: Pinot Noir from Southern France have more acidity but still offers rich fruit.

If you go White, GO: Terra Rouge Viognier (CA) $19.99
https://metrowinesasheville.com/wine-blogs/blog/entry/terre-rouge-viognier-ca
Why? From California but made in the French style, the wine has enough body to stand up to a vegetal recipe and herbs but enough acidity to cut through the cheese.

If you GO Rose, GO: Domaine Terrebrune Bandol 2016, $23
https://metrowinesasheville.com/wine-blogs/blog/entry/terrebrune-bandol-2016
Why? This Rose from the same area that gave us Ratatouille!. Terroir driven with a nose of thyme and white peach reminicent of a Provencal summer.
Internet price ranges from $33-40, Metro Wines has this Bandol for $23!!

All About Carmenere
by Gina Trippi for Laurel of Asheville
https://thelaurelofasheville.com/lifestyle/breweries/back-to-wine-school/

News Release: Friday, September 7th, 2018

Tickets HERE!

News Release: Thursday, September 6th, 2018

Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire Sur Lie, Cuvee Revelation 2016: 100% Melon de Bourgogne: 

Between 35 year old vines, gneiss soil, Yield: 45 hectolitres per hectare,ageing at least 12 months in vats. The wine has a light gold color, an open expressive nose, supple attack, expressive exotic, ripe fruit aromas and a long rich finish.

     "At Integrity Wines, it is our goal as an importer and broker of fine natural wines, to market wines that possess purity of fruit, distinct varietal character, true expression of their terroir and balance. We focus primarily on producers who practice sustainable, organic and bio-dynamic farming, producing high quality, artisan, and estate-bottled wines. In most cases our producers are farmers, grower-producers who are passionate about their land and the quality fruit it produces. These growers use extremely low – intervention vinicultural practices acting more as stewards to deliver nature’s finest product while nurturing the earth we all live on.

   Further, our goal is to build a balanced portfolio of like-minded producers, whose communality is a commitment to quality, working with noble and lesser known varietals from unique microclimates throughout Europe and the Americas."

A blend of 50% Mourvedere, 25% Grenache and 5% Cinsualt, vines are grown in limestone pebbles in brown clay with blue limestone bedrock. This wine is aged for 6 to 8 months in stainless steel and can go up to 20 years in bottle! A Kemit Lynch Import.

DOMAINE DE TERREBRUNE

Before acquiring vineyards, Georges Delille trained as a sommelier in Paris.  In 1963, he bought what would become Domaine de Terrebrune, a property in Ollioules, just east of Bandol, framed by the Mediterranean and the mountain called Gros-Cerveau (Big Brain), dotted with olive groves and scenic views—an idyllic spot. During the years following the declaration of A.O.C. Bandol (1941), mass overhauling and reconstruction of vineyards were commonplace, and vignerons were eager to revive the noble Mourvèdre grape. Georges spent ten years just renovating the property; he terraced hillsides, refashioned the masonry, replanted vineyards following the advice of Lucien Peyraud, designated soils to lie dormant and regenerate, and built a new cellar. In 1980, his son Reynald joined him after finishing winemaking school, and together they launched their first bottled vintage of Domaine de Terrebrune, which Reynald named in honor of the rich, brown soils they farm.

Reynald’s Bandols are different. There is a more ethereal quality to them, a real freshness—and with Mourvèdre accounting for 85% of the final assemblage, this is praise indeed. Soil, climate, and winemaking all play a role. Limestone dominates the subsoil of Bandol, with tremendous variation between vineyards. Throughout Terrebrune’s thirty hectares, beneath the layers of clay and earth, the blue, fissured, Trias limestone is silently at work. This bedrock lends a more noticeable minerality to the wine than others. The soil here is healthy and full of nutrients, because he adheres to organic farming practices; to achieve the balance in the vineyards, he plows regularly. Gentle maritime breezes funnel air into the vineyards directly from the Mediterranean, cooling the grapes from the bright sun—another factor in safeguarding the freshness. This, in turn translates to wines for great long-term cellaring, including the rosé and dry white. Reynald’s credo of “Philosophy, Rigor, and Respect” is not a catch-phrase. He believes that the hard work and extra attention to the vines is worth it, and, as they say, the proof’s in the pudding—a glass of Terrebrune!

"Just in time for summer, our fresh 2015 Viognier is perfect for a picnic or backyard gathering. Easy open screw cap! Our 2015 Viognier is organically-grown on our Fiddletown estate in granitic soils. Zesty fresh, floral, and spicy aromatics with fruit notes that suggest classic white peach and apricot flavors. This a very balanced example of California viognier that is more like its French counterparts."

TERRE ROUGE means "Red Earth". This vermillion-colored soil is one of the hallmarks of our region. Our vineyards are in soils that are largely granite and volcanic-based. The TERRE ROUGE portfolio is composed of wines made from Rhône varietals grown in the rugged and varying terroirs of this region: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne. High elevation sites up to 3200’ contribute to the complexity of our wines.

Our winemaker, Bill Easton puts his family name, EASTON, on our non-Rhône varietals wines. The wines are crafted from varietals that have traditionally worked the best in Amador County and the Sierra Foothills: ancient and old-vine Zinfandel, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc. Under the Easton label we also bottle small selections of varietals new to the Sierra Foothills: Grenache Blanc, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.

The style of our red wines emphasizes deep color, balanced flavors, full middle palate, and a long finish, with power and finesse. They gain complexity with age. Our whites are aromatic, flavorful with nice texture, and balanced with good acidity. They also show an amazing mineral sense that is derived from our stony mountain soils.

We make over thirty different wines, many of which are very small production (100-500 cases). Each is unique and site-specific with a sense of place (terroir) all of their own. Our goal for the last 25 years has always been to make the finest wines possible that can be placed on a table with the best wines of the world.

We were Green before Green was Green

At Terre Rouge and Easton we strive to manage our business and vineyards with as little impact on the environment as possible. Here are some interesting and fun facts about what we do.

1. The winery and tasting room facilities are solar powered. The sun provides about 90% of our needed electrical power to run pumps, press, cooling units and to keep the wine cellar and our customers happy on hot summer days. On sunny days, our PG&E meter runs backwards!

2. All the grape waste (pomace) during harvest is spread onto the zinfandel vineyard at the winery.

3. Our vineyards are farmed sustainably. We mow, we disc, we French plow, we don’t use chemicals.

To keep the rodent population in check, we have Barn Owls housed in special pole boxes. We also have Bart, the resident cat.

4. In the winter we spread fertilizer on our Fiddletown vineyards with a special mix from Grover Landscaping in Vernalis. The raw material for this compost comes from curbside green waste containers in Berkeley, San Francisco, Amador County, Sacramento County and more. If you live in these areas, your green waste could end up as compost in a Terre Rouge syrah vineyard.

5. Terre Rouge and Easton bottles are manufactured using at least 25% cullet, the name for ground up recycled glass.

6. All the bottles recycled from the tasting room end up in a bin at Amador County’s waste transfer station. These bottles are shipped off to Anheiser-Busch, where they are ground into cullet and used to make beer bottles. Think of that the next time you have a Bud.

7. During wine and food events, Jane uses reusable china and glass, paper plates made from recycled materials and silverware made from plant starch.

*** WOW ***

MetroWines was in The Wall Street Journal!

Saturday, September 1st, 2018

Read on our FaceBook(pinned to top) here:

https://www.facebook.com/MetroWinesAsheville/

Decero Seated Wine Tasting Tuesday, September 11th from 5 to 6:30 @MetroWines hosted by London Based Stephanie Morton-Small ** Featuring "The Owl and The Dust Devil" ** http://www.theowlandthedustdevil.com/ Jancis Robinson, Respected Critic, Writer and Wine Advisor to the Queen of England said  "Truly groundbreaking wine." http://www.theowlandthedustdevil.com/press.html Tickets: Call (828) 575-9525 online: https://metrowinesasheville.com/wine-blogs/blog/entry/decero-wine-tasting

The Asheville Wine Focus Group ** The ONLY one of its Kind Anywhere *** Wednesday, September 12th from 5:30 to 6:30 @MetroWines This One Will be HOT! Hosted by Tom Leiner of Grapevine Distribution Tom is known all over Asheville for  his wine pairing knowledge and for his over the top and fun personality! Don't miss the show. Or the wines! This One Will Fill UP! Call (828) 575-9525  or register online: https://metrowinesasheville.com/store/ product/august-asheville-wine-focus-group/

Back to School. Wine School.  "Be the One Who Knows" "Around the World in Wine" Andy Hale, Director of The Asheville School of Wine @MetroWines  6 classes from September 18th to October 23rd. Classes will be limited to 20 students and tickets must be purchased prior to the date. Details: https://metrowinesasheville.com/wine-blogs/blog/ entry/around-the-world-in-wine-class

Princess Anne Italian Wine Pairing Dinner with Chef Todd Ritter https://metrowinesasheville.com/wine-blogs/blog/entry/ september-dinner-at-the-princess-anne-hotel Some seats left. A few rooms left to stay the night in luxury. If you are thinking about it, stop thinking and DO IT! (828) 258-0986 You're Worth it!

French Pinot Noir for $13.99! Say What? Light red with brick tint in the glass. The nose is cherry, light roasted hints and mocha. Palate presents turns aromas to flavors. Abundant fruit with soft tannins. From Languedoc, Moulin de Gassac is organic and oak free!  Put a light chill on the bottle to accentuate the fruit.

Hybrid Chardonnay / Viognier 2016    Susana Rodriguez Vasquez, Winemaker Extraordinary Quality for $11.99 Unoaked style of Chardonnay with a brush of Viognier to showcase the tropical notes of fresh pineapple and kiwi. Smooth with a clean finish. Certified green under the "Lodi rules for Sustainable Winegrowing Practices." A widely recognized, stringent program. Yearly audits of all facets of wine making.  About the winemaker.............................

Gumps in San Francisco is Closing Why? The Web. Aside from depriving local businesses of BIZ, online sales and shipping have multiplied trucks on the road using massive amounts of fuel and creating danger. https://www.wsj.com/articles/157-year-old-department- store-gumps-begins-store-closing-sale-1534190220 Support your local merchants who have invested in your community. **Join The Case Club @MetroWines** Call (828) 575-9525 online: https://metrowinesasheville.com/club

News Release: August 31st, 2018

"The Public Palate: Putting Wine in Its Place" (c)

September Great Rose Tasting *** Four on the Pour *** Saturday, September 1st from 10am to 7pm Bottles from Around the World "on the taste" and "on the house" Rose and Labor Day Barbeque A Great American Tradition!

Seated Tasting of DeceroWines, Mendoza with London-Based Chief Commercial Officer Stephanie Morton-Small Tuesday, September 11th from 5 to 6:30 @MetroWines. Seating Limited to 20. (Call NOW. Other events are SOLD OUT) Reserve at (828) 575-9525 or online https://metrowinesasheville.com/wine-blogs/blog/entry/decero-wine-tasting

"Around the World in Wine" Andy Hale, Director of The Asheville School of Wine @MetroWines  6 classes from September 18th to October 23rd. Classes will be limited to 20 students and tickets must be purchased prior to the date. Details: https://metrowinesasheville.com/wine-blogs/blog/ entry/around-the-world-in-wine-class

Your "Everybody Will Love It Wine" and it pairs with grilled zucchini steaks! Gateway Red, Portugal     A blend of 50% Touriga Franca, 30% Tinta Roriz and 20% Touriga Nacional. 2015 is a distinctive vintage which resulted in producing first-rate wines. Yields were relatively low with excellent fruit quality. 2015 was dryer with some humidity towards harvest time. Gateway was picked just before the September rains. Harvested at optimum ripeness. Fermented in stainless steel. Ripe fruits with hint of raspberry, blueberry and blackberry and some spice including cinnamon and nutmeg. Sold out on the Internet. $11.99 @MetroWines

This winery was founded in 1648 and is currently in the hands of the 11th generation. Light. Refreshing.Versatile. $14.99

Last Call for Great American Road Trip Before Fall 50% of Americans find road trips more appealing than other forms of travel due to the ability to be more spontaneous about activities and stops, according to a survey of 1137 adults by Ford Travel Trends. Drive on over @MetroWines and shop Road Trip  Wine and Rose in Boxes and Cans, Beer in cans and Govino plastic, recyclable beer mugs and wine and bubbly glasses! PS: I did not realize what good advice this was until last week. After 6 hours on the road from Chicago including rush hour traffic with two young, excitable greyhounds in tow, we thought we would stop at a motel, pick up some Italian food,  bottle of Wine, turn Seinfeld reruns and crash. That's when we found out that there are still DRY counties! Bottom line: Take a box of wine with you! Shop a stash @MetroWines.

August Wine Focus Group WINNER!

The growing demand for dry rosé from its established customer base has led to the launch of Backsberg Estate Cellars’ maiden Pinotage Rosé. Made from the superb 2017 vintage, the Backsberg Pinotage Rosé 2017 is produced from grapes grown on the Backsberg Estate on the Paarl side of the Simonsberg, arguably South Africa’s premier wine-making address. This is the second rosé in the Backsberg range, complementing a semi-sweet wine made from Grenache and Shiraz.

Grapes for the Backsberg Pinotage Rosé were picked at 21 degrees balling, just before optimal ripeness and so as to capture the bracing acidity and freshness required by this style of wine.

“The sweet spot for rosé is in allowing the juice sufficient contact with the red grape skins to give colour and a whiff of tannin complexity, but not enough of these to overpower the delicate composition and fruit profile this style of wine requires,” says Back.

As a result, the juice was drawn from the skins after six hours’ contact after which it was handled like a white wine, fermentation taking place in cooled stainless steel tanks.

“If there is one concept used internationally to describe the requirement of a dry rosé, it is freshness,” says Back. “This is what makes rosé so popular among consumers, together with the fragrant summer notes of berry-fruit and the slight complexity on the palate.”

Backsberg’s Pinotage Rosé 2017 exudes fruit flavours of cherry and strawberry, with a minty freshness, due to earlier picked fruit. The salmon pink coloured wine is lightly tinted from the red wine skins, but fruity and juicy on the palate, with subdued tannins. Delightful flavours of melon, ripe tropical fruit and strawberry are found in this wine, which is best served well-chilled.

For food pairings, look at seafood dishes and salads. Light meat lunches such as quiche and pastries. Mediterranean platters of olives and cheese, ham, French bread or ciabatta.

News Release: Friday, August 17th