Old World Wines

Two fun 'old world' wines arrived at the shop this week. Both of these red bottles have a nice balance of earthy fragrance, fruit, and structure- yet have their own unique swing to them.

You'll find the Gamay to have similar notes as local Pinots but more rustic and elegant. And the other bottle is a funky Italian grape called Cesanese, which is only found grown in central Italy. This wine has some fruit to it but is mainly a 'mineral' driven wine- a quality that we find makes this bottle both interesting and delicious.

We hope you enjoy! Cheers!

2020 Domaine Lardy Vigneron Beaujolais-Villages, $17
Grapes: 100% Gamay

Tasting Notes: Lucien Lardy is a third generation winemaker who cultivates some of the best Fleurie plots in Beaujolais. The vineyard is located in Fleurie, one of the ten Cru appellations in Beaujolais.

We are excited to bring in Lardy's 'Beaujolais-Villages,' which is new to the shop. His entry-level wine is made just on the outskirts of Fleurie from 70 year old vines and farmed with sustainable practices.

This wine is stellar: fragrant forest herb notes up front, with a nice zippy red and blue tart fruit stripe on the palate and a pleasantly structured + balanced finish. A fun French table red to enjoy on its own and incredibly food-friendly.

Try this with any savory fare- a ham and cheese sandwich, roasted rosemary chicken, grilled veggies, or a plate of pasta with parm. Delish!

2019 Damiano Ciolli ‘Silene’ Olevano Romano, $20
Grapes: 100% Cesanese Superiore

Tasting Notes: Damiano Ciolli makes wine in the appellation of Olevano Romano, located in the region of Lazio in central Italy.

He concentrates on making wine from the region's signature grape, Cesanese. Using natural winemaking methods, he makes some of the top examples of Cesanese wine in the country.

This bottle is super elegant, medium-bodied with light ferric aromas, green fig and baking spices on the palate. It's got a touch of 'old world' funk in the finish that is only reminiscent of wines grown from Italian soil—a memorable bottle for $20.

New French Arrivals

We have a couple of tasty new french arrivals featured this week. There is a fun floral bottle of white from the Alsace region known as 'Edelzwicker' and a solid Grenache-based red table wine from Corbières. Read on to hear the details. We hope you enjoy! Cheers!

2019 Domaine Léon Boesch Edelzwicker 1L, $19
Grapes: A blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat

Tasting Notes: Edelzwicker dates back to 1644 when the so-called noble varieties in Alsace were differentiated from those judged to be of lesser quality. Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Muscat fell into the noble category, while Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, Chasselas and Auxerrois were relegated. 

Historically, this style of wine was made from only the noble varieties until 1970, when the term "Edelzwicker" was deregulated. Today, it is used more out of nostalgia than a legislative requirement. This year's release is full of minerals and dry on the palate, with the classic Alsatian aromatic nose and a touch of lovely ripe stone fruit. So good!

2017 Domaine Sainte Croix ‘Le Fournas’, $17
Grapes: Blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan

Tasting Notes: New vintage of one of the Bottle Shop's favorite french table wines. The grape varieties used are typical of the Corbieres region: Grenache, Syrah and Carignan - all from old vines. 

The resulting blend has generous blackberry and red plum fruit, with layered and integrated tannic structure. Perfectly paired with a simple pasta with red sauce and veggies or a ham and gruyere sandwich with a small mixed green salad. 

Italian Wines for Warm Weather

This week we are bringing you two stellar Italian wines perfect for the warm weather. We have a fantastic bottle of ‘Frizzante’ Rose by Cantine Tintero and a crowd-pleasing, food-friendly white by noteworthy vintner Francesconi Paolo.  

We hope you enjoy! Cheers!

2019 Cantine Elvio Tintero Vino Rosato, $13
Grapes: A blend of Barbera, Moscato, and Favorita grapes

Tasting Notes: Fun Springtime rose blend full of flavor and complexity from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. This bottle is ‘Frizzante,’ which means that it’s not full-on sparkling, just a little spritzy (if you will).

On the palate, it’s fresh and lively, bone dry, with an enjoyable hint of ripe berry fruit—a porch pounder all the way.

2019 Francesconi Paolo ‘Vite in Fiore’, $27
Grapes:100% Albana

Tasting Notes: This wine is by the renowned Italian vintner Francesconi Paolo, with impeccable biodynamic and sustainable farming from the hills of Emilia-Romana.

This wine is so interesting and well-balanced that it blows the mind. Dry, medium-bodied with a rounded mouth texture, persistent acidity and forward limestone minerality.

Then finishes with just a touch of nuttiness and salinity. Superb food-friendly white! Enjoy it with a bowl of Carbonara and a fresh salad of bitter lettuces with shaved, salty cheeses. 

Wines for Sipping in the Sun

Everybody loves the sunshine! This week, in honor of the (projected) weather, we thought it would be fun to focus on two of our current favs to sip in the sun. Both are super fresh tasting yet distinct.

We hope you enjoy! Cheers!

2019 Cochonnet ‘Melon’ 1L, $23
Grapes: 100% Melon de Bourgone

Tasting Notes: Very cool liter bottle and new arrival from the Loire Valley in France- organic, biodynamic, natural yeast fermentation, and small-batch produced.

Medium-bodied on the palate with forward citrus zest and slate minerality, nice zippy finish. This wine is perfect for enjoying light daytime fares like shellfish or an arugula salad with sliced strawberries. Delish.

2019 Granbazan ‘Etiqueta Verde’, $21
Grapes:100% Albarino

Tasting Notes: A great bottle of white from the famed region of Rias Baixas in Spain. This bottle has all the ‘classic’ Albarino notes that you want.

Prominent aromas of orange blossom and granite, rich tones of pineapple and green apple on the palate, with a clean spritz of citrus and a touch of saline on the finish. Outstanding!

April Case of the Month

Over the past month, we have had the opportunity to bring in several new arrivals and releases from Italy. For the April case of the month, we're offering six stellar wines from Northern and Central Italy, as well as a mix of stand out staff picks from other parts of the globe.

Of particular note is a crisp bottle of bubbly from Italy's Emilia region, an incredible biodynamic French Gamay, and a super unique and tasty liter of white from Slovenia. We hope you enjoy this month's mix!

Sparkling

(Italy) NV Cantina Paltrinieri Bianco Secco Frizzante Sparkling
Grapes: Blend of Trebbiano and Sorbara

Notes: Great value bottle of bubbly from central Italy. Focused refreshing citrus on the palate, floral aromas, and a clean, zippy finish. Perfect for lite fare, salty cheeses, and simple pasta. 

Rose

(Italy) 2019 Ercole Piemont D.O.C. Rosato
Grapes: 100% Barbera

Notes: Love the liter bottle of rose in Springtime- with a screwcap, no less! This is the perfect bottle of pink to bring to the park for your picnic—lovely ripe red fruit tones, well-rounded mouthfeel, supremely gulpable. 

Whites

(Slovenia) 2019 Crnko Jarenincan
Grapes: Blend of Muller Thurgau, Chardonnay, and Laski Rizling

Notes: Liter #2 in this month's case- this time from the continental, alpine-influenced northern Slovenia climate. You will love this wine's fresh aromatics, spritzy acidity, touch o'tropical fruit and low alcohol. It's another stellar sunshine wine. 

(California) 2019 Tablas Creek Vineyard' Patelin de Tablas Blanc'
Grapes: Blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne, Clairette Blanche

Notes: One of our favorite California producers- the bottle of white incorporates fruit from six top Rhone vineyards in Paso Robles. Each vineyard is selected for its quality.

Like many white wines from the Southern Rhône, it is based on the crisp acids and rich mouthfeel of Grenache Blanc, with Viognier for floral, tropical aromatics and rich texture, Roussanne and Marsanne for structure and spice, and a small addition of Clairette Blanche for freshness and minerality.

(Italy) 2019 Domaine Carrel Eugene ‘Jongieux’
Grapes: 100% Jacquere

Notes: Classic Bottle Shop staff pick from Savoie in Eastern France. Remarkably pleasant and easy drinking white table wine. Medium-bodied, balanced acidity, nice mouthfeel, super food-friendly. 

(Italy) 2018 Pala ‘i fiori’ Bianco
Grapes: 100% Vermentino

Notes: We are super excited about this 'Tre Bichieri' award winner from Sardegna. Rich, broad mouthfeel, mineral driven with notes of granite, balanced acidity, and a subtle salinity in the finish. Delish. 

Reds

(Italy) 2019 Le Vigne di Faraone Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Grapes: 100% Montepulciano

Notes: A lovely structured red from Central Italy. Lean on the palate, with tart red berry fruit and a fun balance of earthy tannins on the finish. 

(France) 2019 Les Traverses de Fontanes Rouge
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Notes: Full-bodied, ripe blue fruit, pleasant wooded structure - great burger wine!

(Italy) 2018 Tolaini ‘Vallenuova’ Chianti Classico
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese

Notes: Another new arrival, and 'Tres Bichieri' winner from Tuscany. Open this wine or decant an hour before enjoying- this bottle needs a little time to reveal all of its' notes. You'll find this to be surprisingly fun and fruit-forward initially, with a nice mineral mid-palate and a ferric, earthy finish. So good!

(France) 2018 Domaine A. Pegaz Beaujolais Villages
Grapes: 100% Gamay

Notes: Easy drinking French table wine that checks all of the 'natural' wine boxes: organic, biodynamic, unfiltered, unfined, vegan and natural fermentation. It is easy going, light/medium-bodied, fruity, with a lightly wooded texture on the palate.

(Spain) 2017 Ludovicus Tinto
Grapes: 100% Garnacha

Notes: Full-bodied Spanish red. Dark blue and black fruit, dark cacao nib, nice density. Screams for charred red meat.

(Oregon) 2018 North Valley' Classic' Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir

Notes: One of the Bottle Shop's favorite local producers. This is Soter Vineyards' day to day' drinking Pinot Noir. Earthy on the palate with forest herbs and red and blue fruit. Fantastic!

White Wines for Spring

We are excited to present a handful of new white wine arrivals that are a bit 'off the beaten path' this week. Read on for details on a super fun blend from Slovenia and two tasty bottles from Austria.

All three would be delightful to enjoy in the Springtime sunshine!

 2019 Jarenincan Crnko Stajerska Slovenian White Blend (1 Liter), $21Grapes: Blend of Laški Rizling (Welschriesling), Sauvignon Blanc, and Rizvanec (Müller­-Thurgau)

Tasting Notes: From the continental, alpine-influenced climate of northern Slovenia, bottled in a party-ready liter bottle!

You will love this wine's fresh aromatics, zippy acidity, touch o' tropical fruit and low alcohol. It's the perfect white for porch pounding in the Spring sun. Surprisingly tasty!!

2019 Johannes Trapl ‘Carnuntum Weiss’, $21
Grapes: Blend of Gruner Veltliner, Weissburgunder, and Welschriesling

Tasting Notes: Fun bottle of Austrian white! This blend shows a bright yellow-green color and forward notes of citrus, wild blossom honey and hazelnut.

Nicely textured and balanced, with a lush mouthfeel. Pairs perfectly with fish, seafood or light pasta dishes.

2017 Judith Beck Burgenland White, $16
Grapes: 100% Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc)

Tasting Notes: Organic, sustainably farmed, vegan Austrian wine from one of our favorite 'new school' European winemakers, Judith Beck. This is her entry-level white and well outperforms the price tag.

This bottle is lively and fresh, fruit forward with prominent yellow fruit tones and balanced acidity, and just a touch dry. This would be a stellar accompaniment with a creamy pasta dish or roasted and herbed chicken. So good!

New Arrivals from Celler Pardas

This week we are highlighting a couple of new arrivals from Celler Pardas. Located in the Penedes region of Catalonia in Spain, the vintners started the Pardas project in 1996 and have been making tasty organic, biodynamic, and sustainably farmed wines since. 

We just received a fantastic white blend of indigenous grapes and a very cool red blend made of traditionally French varietals. Read on for details below, and we hope to see you down at the shop picking up a bottle soon. Cheers!

The Wines

2019 Pardas ‘Rupestris’ Blanco, $18
Grapes: Blend of Xarel-lo, Macabeo, and Malvasia

Tasting Notes: Medium-bodied, tangy green apple with lush citrus and crisp acidity. The Malvasia imparts a pleasantly tropical and floral aromatic quality to the wine. Great sippable white, great for pairing with snacks and lighter fare.  

2015 Pardas Negra Tinto, $23
Grapes: Blend of Cabernet Franc, Sumoll, and Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting Notes: Medium/Full-bodied, lovely dense plum, black licorice, and black cacao. This is a fun and warm red with surprisingly elegant tones of minerality and integrated tannins. This would be a great bottle to enjoy with roasted sausages and veggies. 

March Case of the Month

More new arrivals and staff picks this month! With spring on the horizon, we have included some fun wines to enjoy in the sun and many tasty offerings that will be perfect for food pairings. 

Of particular note is a standout bottle of sparkling rose from Ricochet Wines, a superb white blend from the Penedes region in Spain, and a great new Reserve Pinot release from the Patricia Greene Winery here in the Willamette Valley. 

We hope you enjoy the case of the month selections!

Sparkling

(Oregon) ‘Le Ressort’ Ricochet Pet Nat Sparkling Rose
Grapes: Blend of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir

Notes: What is a ‘Pet Nat,’ you may be wondering? It is an approach to making sparkling wine where the wine is bottled before fully completing its first fermentation. This allows carbon dioxide to be produced by the natural sugars found in the grapes. The end product is a bottle of outstanding pink bubbles- offering soft, vibrant effervescence with notes of strawberry, kiwi, apricot, and sea salt. 

Rose

(France) Domaine Salvard Cheverny Rose
Grapes: Blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay

Notes: This bottle of rose is a spring-time straight-shooter: exquisitely balanced with bright tart red fruit, subtle soft mouth texture, and crisp lemony acidity in the finish. 

Whites

(Spain) 2018 Garcia Revalo ‘Finca Tresolmos’
Grapes: 100% Verdejo

Notes: Great food-friendly Spanish white. Medium-bodied with lime zest, pear, and a nice mineral finish. 

(Spain) 2019 Pardas ‘Rupestris’ Bianco
Grapes: Blend of Xarello, Malvasia, and Macabeo

Notes: One of our favorite new arrivals this month! Another super cool Spanish white. Biodynamic and sustainably farmed. Tangy green apple, tropical floral notes, racy acidity- so tasty! 

(Oregon) 2018 Eyrie Vineyards WV Pinot Gris
Grapes: 100% Pinot Gris

Notes: Classic local producer from the Willamette Valley. This white is a more decadent, rounder style, with ripe passion fruit, almond, and green strawberry. Pair with grilled chicken over alfredo pasta!

(Italy) 2019 Harper Voit Vineyards WV Pinot Blanc
Grapes: 100% Pinot Bianco

Notes: One more standout new arrival! Subtle vanilla texture with yellow apple on the palate, crisp, balanced citrus on the finish. 

Reds

(Oregon) 2019 Patricia Green Cellars Reserve Pinot Noir
Grapes:100% Pinot Noir

Notes: A blend of their best grapes from both the Ribbon Ridge and Dundee Hills AVA. This pinot has a lovely prominent earthy structure with forest floor herbs and lush red and blue fruit tones. 

(Italy) 2019 Francesco Brigatti ‘Maria’ Colline Novaresi
Grapes: 100% Vespolina

Notes: Very unique, light/medium-bodied red from the upper hills of Piedmonte, Italy. This wine has amazingly herbaceous aromas, with tart red fruit and spicy black pepper. This one is super fun to enjoy on its own or a killer pairing with a board of Italian cured meats and semi-hard salty cheeses. 

(France) 2018 Domaine Guion Bourgueil
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Franc

Notes: Fun and lively medium-bodied red from the Loire Valley in France. Pluot and blueberry upfront, with green bell pepper and cedar on the finish. Yum. 

(Spain) 2019 Bozeto de Exopto Vino Tinto
Grapes: Blend of Garnatxa, Tempranillo, and Carinena 

Notes: A mix of old vines from Rioja, Spain. The grapes are fermented in concrete, then aged in barrel. The resulting wine is a lovely mix of prominent fresh berry and fleshy plum fruit, with a nice density and wooded structure. Great casual drinking red, and perfect for weekday food pairing! 

(Argentina) 2018 Uco Valley Tinto Negro
Grapes: 100% Malbec

Notes: Full-bodied and dense South American red. Concentrated blue and black fruit, with inky purple tannic density. This wine screams for a burger!

(Washington) 2016 Sharecropper’s Merlot
Grapes: 100% Merlot

Notes: Sharecropper is the ‘day to day’ wine label from a noteworthy local producer, Owen Roe. They have become a bottle shop staple over the years, and we always carry at least a few of their offerings. Their Merlot is surprisingly delicious! Well balanced with nice earthy and dusty tannins, cracked black pepper, and plenty of blackberry fruit.