Home Cooking
Experience and inherited craft are essential for great food.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/embracing-
the-science-of-home-cooking-11579928460

Again, Wine too! Good to be open minded to change
but hold onto the handed down, the tradition, the why fix it if it ain't broken!

I asked Brett Watson of The Asheville School of Wine
for a Bottle that would pair, generally speaking, with family recipes.
He said: "Ryme Las Brisas 2018 Vermentino, Carneros"

"Since 07 Megan and Ryan Glaab have been organically producing
Italian inspired Vermentino out of the coveted Las Brisas site on the western
Edge of Carneros, CA.  The “Hers” bottling is pure, polished and sexy bringing you
to a fresh, seaside, cliffs edge cafe on the Ligurian coastline as mush as ANY white wine I’ve ever tasted from the states.  Perfect viscosity and fresh minerality from
the foggy mornings on Las Brisas and just enough salty backend to wrap
the whole thing up into a linear bow.  Serve with seafood risotto!

*** $22 on the shelf @MetroWines *** 
$26.99 at wine.com and unavailable.
$25 at the winery. Not sold at Vivino. $29 at Drizly. $27 at Bergamot.
I could go on! Suffice it to say: Shop LocalLY and save!

ALSO, be sure to ask Brett about
the “His” bottling with extended skin-contact
...if you’re into that sorta thing.


https://www.rymecellars.com/ryme

Associated Press reports that many people are ditching digital
and steadfastly holding onto their paper planners saying
writing engagements down is comforting, personal and mindful.
https://apnews.com/46aad186d18848438a961818761faed5


The same is true for wine. New grapes, old grapes grown in
new countries, new styles, new parings, drinking Rosé all year!
but there is comfort in the classics, like Bordeaux from Bordeaux!


From a Rosenthal Wine Merchants, this wine is made from
the best parcelsof the Chateau Belregard estate. Aged in cement for one year;
no oak is used for ultimate freshness. Dark fruit flavors, plenty of minerality
and fine tannins make this a great wine for the table. $24
All about the winery:
https://madrose.com/bordeaux
/saint-emilion-pomerol/chateau-la-fleur-garderose/

Lettie Teague Talks: "Classics" in Wall Street Journal
https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-makes-a-wine-a-classic-11580407743

The Planner pictured and many more at Malaprops:
https://www.malaprops.com/search/site/planner

BIG SPANISH of THE WEEK
Niel Santofimia 2017



85% Garnacha and 15% Merlot
"Opaque ruby. Black and blue fruits on the highly fragrant,
smoke-accented nose. Juicy, penetrating blueberry and bitter cherry flavors
display very good clarity and pick up sweetness and spiciness with air.
Fine-grained tannins give shape and grip to the long, spicy finish.
Superb value here." 
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 90 Points

*** $11.99 ***

In Old Spain as a symbol of honor, one’s armor or shield
was marked with an embossment called a “Niel” in Spanish.
Antonio Santofimia marketed and sold a lot of favorite
Spanish wines against some tough competition so the “Niel Santofimia”
indicates that Antonio was a great warrior in the wine biz. 

Spanish Recipes? Your Read it With Book:


Spanish cuisine is a melting-pot of cultures, flavors, and ingredients:
Greek and Roman; Jewish, Moorish, and Middle Eastern.
The Spanish climate, geology, and spectacular topography have encouraged regional food traditions and “Cocinas,” such as Basque, Galician, Castilian, Andalusian, and Catalan. The cuisine has been shaped by the country’s complex history, as foreign occupations brought religious and cultural influences.
And it has continually evolved with the arrival of new ideas and foods from Italy, France, and the Americas, including cocoa, potatoes, tomatoes, beans,
and chili peppers. Having become a powerhouse of creativity and innovation in recent decades, Spanish cuisine has placed itself among the best in the world.

This is the first book in English to trace the history of the food of Spain
from antiquity to the present day. María José Sevilla skillfully weaves together
the history of Spanish cuisine, the circumstances affecting its development
and characteristics, and the country’s changing relationship to food and cookery.
https://www.malaprops.com/book/9781789141375

BIG WHITE of THE WEEK
ERRE de herrero Verdejo 2018

 ERRE is a Verdejo full of intensity, displaying the variety's particular aromas,
with balsamic and mineral hints, full and structured on the palate, giving a lovely flavour of fruit and notes of white flowers, with a pleasant bitter touch on the finish.

Not widely available. $14.99 @MetroWines
Same price in Spain but the shipping is really high!

Thank you Chef Sam Etheridge, Rexine Connor from Crimson Wines and Congratulations to Brett Watson. Chili CookOff @MetroWines was a new, novel and a big hit! Plans are in the works for the next cook off. what happened. It was like Top Chef. Sam discussed each entry and then explained why his winner WON. And Rexine worked through pairings with the various ingredients. We learned. We laughed. We had dinner! Follow us for new of the next "educational competition!" @MetroWines. 

BIG PAiRING HIT:  

ROSÉ AND CHILI! ESPECIALLY THE SPICY BOWLS!

Winemaker says: "The Cuvée Romaine is a blend

made fromthe more precocious tanks at Domaine la Garrigue. As such, it is in fact a declassified Vacqueyras not needing additional time in concrete. Therefore it can be viewed as a really easy-going “Vacqueyras” or an amazingly complex

and serious Côtes-du-Rhône."

Jeb Dunnick says 92 Points: "The 2017 Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Romaine
is a custom cuvée from Importer Eric Solomon that’s all from declassified Vacqueyras vines. A blend of 50% Grenache, 45% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault,
it reveals a deep ruby/plum color as well as a great nose of black raspberries,
black cherries, olive tapenade, ground pepper, and earth. It's a fleshy,
full-bodied, beautifully pure, rounded effort that's again a smoking value."

TOTALLY INTERNET COMPETITIVE AT $18.99
PLUS 10% Discount on 6 Bottles and 15% on a Case!

BIG RED of THE WEEK

"THE CLEAVER, California, 2015"


Dense. Rich. Intense.
Zinfandel Based Blend with Petite Sirah and Syrah

Deep and dark, The Cleaver is silky smooth with threads of acidity
that pace from front to back, balancing the full-bodied weight of this wine.
A flavor delight with this blend of red varietals: black plum, blackberry jam, and a smidge of peppercorn.

As the name implies, this wine is designed to go with big cuts of delicious meat.
But its food-friendly nature extends to distinctive, aged cheeses,
rubs with interesting spices, and a few other items that are still found in your butcher’s realm. 

*** $14.99 ***

Brutocao Family Vineyards is a tale of two families who combined their passion and expertise to establish one of Mendocino County's most notable wineries. In 1910, the Brutocao family brought with them a love for wine when they emigrated from Treviso, Italy (a small town near Venice). Len Brutocao met Martha Bliss while attending the University of California, Berkeley. Martha's father, Irv, had been farming in Mendocino since 1943. After Len and Martha married, the families joined forces and continued to sell their grapes to well-known Sonoma and Napa wineries for many years before starting to make their own wine in 1980. They selected the Lion of St. Mark as their symbol of family tradition and quality. The heart of that quality is in their land: over 400 acres of vineyards in Hopland and 12.5 acres of Pinot Noir in Anderson Valley.

In the early 90's, Len and Martha's three sons took on individual roles in the family business. David, as Director of Winemaking Operations, ensures the family's vision is carried out. Len, as Director of Vineyard Operations, oversees the cultivation of the land from new plantings to grape harvest. Our vineyard plantings have reached nearly 400 acres, and through out that growth, we have implemented important sustainability practices to ensure healthy land and quality grapes. Their youngest brother, Steve, took over as CEO in 2010 after many years of experience in wine marketing and sales. Steve has helped grow Brutocao's presence in markets accross the country as well as internationally. The three brothers carry on the values and traditions instilled in them through their family heritage to produce world class estate wines from their Mendocino ranches.

Fourth generation family, Kevin and Ryan, are now involved in carrying on the family's legacy. Ryan, Director of Custom Label Sales, wears many hats and assists with distribution as well as our non-profit partner Wine to Water. Kevin, who grew up with his father, Len, in the vineyards, can be found in our Hopland Tasting Room. Kevin does a bit of everything, from pouring wines to managing our online store and creating many of our designs for marketing materials. Many other members of the family help out when and where needed, and they can be found at winery events as well as assisting with wine quality control.

Big Red of The Week

Matsu is the Japanese word for "to wait" in this case describing the essence
of sustainable viticulture combining nature and biodynamic principles.

$15.99

Succulents!
Require little maintenance.
https://apnews.com/9a69314adcc01fd0ae2aed6c9f36ce00


A Jade Plant is a good place to start!
Shop Jade at Rose's Garden Shop on Charlotte Street
http://rosesgardenshop.com

And Pair it with a Low Risk, Crowd Pleasing Wine.
Perfect as a house warming gift or for the plant killer in you!

*** THE BIG WHITE of THE WEEK ***

Winemaker says: A lifted nose showing citrus freshness, the palate continues
with fresh citrus and concentrated grapefruit flavors. The palate is light to medium bodied with a perfect balance of fruit and soft acid. In a vintage of this quality,
all of Semillon ended up with an "A" grade and Tyrrell's Wines is incredibly
pleased with the release of this Hunter Valley Semillon, easily their best.

James Suckling says 93 Points: An appley semillon showing fresh
Williams pears, dried coriander, honeysuckle and a touch of dried nettles.
Medium-bodied, but it has some really good texture and apple fruit
that are delivered through a bed of pretty acidity. A textured finish.

$23.99 at wine.com and unavailable.
*** $18.99 @MetroWines ***

(Personal Note: Semillon is a grape in a crowd pleaser with enough body
to please those who prefer Chardonnay and enough acid for those
who like Sauvignon Blanc. We often serve this grape to groups.)

Tickets HERE!

Sell Out Risk is HIGH

Italian Authorities Confirm Stolen Klimt Paining
Found IN Wall of Art Gallery in Piacenza
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51156682#


No one seems to know how the painting came to be IN the wall.
Call me crazy, but I think I have an idea!

New York Times reported on January 22nd that the painting
has been authenticated but there is still that nagging "what the heck?"

This artistic homecoming calls
for an old grape making a comeback!

*** On the Red ***

*** CARMENERE ***
"The Ultimate Comeback Kid"

Winemaker says: A red wine with an intense, violet-ruby color. The bouquet
is fruity with strong plum, cherry, and mulberry notes. The aroma also has
a vegetable edge of ripe red pepper, and the flavor is complex, with jams, spinach,
and chocolate. Barrel aging lends this wine pleasant smoky and toast notes,
bringing out its spices; texture is soft, with rounded tannins and medium body.

James Suckling says: Ample ripeness of red plums and mulberries
with a leafy edge that leads to a firm palate that has central tannins,
carrying wings of red-berry flavor.  90 Points!

For more on the history of Carmenere
from The Asheville School of Wine @MetroWines
https://thelaurelofasheville.com/lifestyle/breweries/back-to-wine-school/

*** On the White ***
*** CHARDONNAY ***
by Brett Watson of The Asheville School of Wine @MetroWines


"West Coast Chardonnay has been beaten and battered in the recent years. 
Lioco fights back with insanely non-interventionalist winemaking.  The commercial, overly buttery and oaky Chardonnays of grocery stores are a thing
of your father’s past.  Lioco, a true California negociant partners with sustainable
and organic grape growers all around the state’s untouched central coast and produces true expressions of the grape in its purest form.  Chardonnay that’s focus is farming from Sonoma Coast sites benefiting from cold, foggy seaside evenings and windy afternoons, keep the fruit bright and not over blown.  In the cellar, Lioco, presses,
rests and bottles with little hand or concern.  The result, energetic and pure beauty.  Metro Wines brings you the true and relevant beauty of Chardonnay long lost
to the commercial market that will make you remember why Chardonnay was
and is still a noble grape of the people at $24."

New York Times Talks 36 Hours in Buenos Aires
NYT recommends Almacén Comunal, La Hora del Vermut, Juilia,
LaGlorieta, arteBA, El Preferido de Palermo and Football!
I LOVE Buenos Aires! But I can't go right now.

I asked Brett Watson of The Asheville School of Wine @MetroWines
to pick a wine that would let me me live large BA vicariously!
He said: El Libre 2018 Malbec, Medoza



"Very few South American cites showcase it's heritage and individuality
like Buenos Aires.  The blend of European cultures, the languages and the traditions can vary from barrio to barrio.  It's a city born of Latin American and European freedom.  Along those lines, from a wine standpoint, Metro brings you "El Libre" Malbec from Revolution Wine Company.  The bottling is a celebration of the revolutionary events that took place in Buenos Aires that occurred in May of 1810! 
From the Las Compuertas region of the Andees the El Libre is full of juicy plum,
dark berries and high elevation freshness.  Fermented and aged in concrete tank

and at $8.99....we should all celebrate revolution!"

Slovenia
On the NYT List of 52 Places to Visit in 2020!

Slovenia is arguably the world's most environmentally conscious nation.
In 2016, it's chief city, Ljubljana, was named European Green Capital
and in 2017, Slovenia became the first country to be certified as a "green destination."

I know you want to go right now, today!
But you probably can't drop everything and head for Ljubljana.
Plan B. Travel vicariously. Try a Slovenian Wine!
Rodica Istra 2015 Malvazija, a dry white presenting
lemon, honey and peach. 

I asked Brett Watson, Asheville School of Wine,
if my Plan B had legs? And he said:

"If you've read the NYT 2020 list and are packing your bags,
AND have a penchant for incredible, under-valued, historic wine, look to Slovenia. 
Look more importantly at the wines of the 100% organically produced Rodica. 
Hanging off into the Slovenian Adriatic Sea in an epic grape growing area
known as Istria, lies the vineyards of Rodica.  The 100% pure and ancestral grape
of Malvazija (Malvasia) ripens at high altitudes overlooking the sea and is entirely
dry-farmed.  One of the most nuanced white wines in the shop, Rodica will surprise
you with its wild-flower elegance.  Put it next to a Tupperware of truffle pasta you had leftover from last nights Istrian dinner.  $21 buys your a piece of Slovenian purity."


Books about Slovenia, travel to Slovenia
and travel journeys for when you go for real here:
https://www.malaprops.com/search/site/Slovenia

*** FLAT OUT BIG RED of THE WEEK ***

This sexy and approachable wine leads with aromas of boysenberry
and blackberry. It greets the palate with lush notes of dark fruit
and a smooth hint of chocolate. The finish lingers on your tongue
and the taste is heightened with just a touch of spice.

John Kerr of The Asheville School of Wine says
"Entycement is a big and rich red but remains elegant."

Originally released at $34
$31 Average online

and $19.99 @MetroWines

*** Pre-Tariff French White of the Week ***
2018 Domaine Adele Rouze QUINCY $19.99 
A Charles Neal Selection



Quincy is characterised by its freshness and notes of ripe citrus, grapefruit,
white flowers and freshly-cut herbs. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine shows flavors
of grapefruit and lime, with a touch of citrus pith and a crisp, mineralled finish.

The Winemaker Adèle Rouze

Farming and winemaking is in Adèle's blood. Her father, Jacques, is a respected vigneron 
in Quincy & Reuilly, while her brother, Côme, is a well-known oenologist.
Adèle is a certified agricultural appraiser, and after completing her wine studies
in Bordeaux, she returned to Quincy in 2003 to launch her eponymous domaine.
Her vineyard holdings are only 5 hectares, but many parcels consist of old vines,
some of which were planted in 1920, 1930, and still others in the 1950's.
She farms with minimal spraying, using only natural products to work the siliceous,
gravel and clay soils. Domaine Adèle Rouzé is the quintessential familial estate; 
the type we are delighted to support @MetroWines.

I asked Brett Watson of The Asheville School of Wine
what a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc is all about? And he said:

"Extremely small wine producer and local female winemaking legend Adele Rouze
farms 80+ year old vines in Loire Valley's Sancerre neighbor of Quincy.  Farming everything
by hand in a traditional organic, true to the land style, Rouze showcases the stone and granite soils of Quincy, Frances 2nd AOC in 1936, to absolute perfection.  Think crystal clean Sancerre'ish Sauvignon Blanc at a heavy discount with a touch more visceral
and ripe stone fruit-like texture.  An absolute steal of a deal at $19.99 here @MetroWines
will make your friends like white wine again in the winter."