Orange wine, Txakolina, a 28 grape blend and a Ruche from northern Italy. Our friends at Cavalier bring in some of the most unique and amazing wines into the market. They are more well known as a craft beer supplier, but one of their wine specialists Heather Wiese will be behind the bar with me to showcase these totally unique items.
Come try the flight for only $5!
Featured Wines:
2017 Old Westminster Orange Pet-Nat Piquette – New Windsor, Maryland; $17.99
So we are going to kick this off with a bang for sure. I know when people think wine, they think Maryland… So Old Westminster Winery is determined to put Maryland wine on the map and they are succeeding. With a focus on natural fermentation sparkling wines and regionally grown fruit they have managed multiple 90+ ratings from Wine Enthusiast and have been featured in Esquire Magazine.
This one is made from Pinot Gris and Albarino. It is an orange, petillant naturel, piquette. To break all that down, orange wines have gained popularity much in recent years, and are wines made from white grapes, but fermented on the skins to add much more richness and body. A piquette is a very classic low alcohol wine that was traditionally made from the must (pulp) left over from wine production. These were most commonly just produced and consumed by the winemaker and staff. Last we can talk Pet-Nat… This sparkling method is done by bottling a partially fermented wine and then the initial alcoholic fermentation ends up naturally creating the carbonation. Crisp and dry, VERY refreshing. - $1.25 Sample
2018 Flysch Txakolina – Basque Country, Spain; 19.99
Founded by Juan Etxabe a fourth generation winemaker of Txakoli. The winery, Gorosti, is located in the northeastern corner of Spain just outside of Catalonia, and released their first vintage in 2011. Taxkolina is produced from an indigenous varietal called Hondarrabi Zuri. The rainy climate in this area helps keep the grapes from over ripening. The resulting wine is crisp with fresh citrus and lots of minerality.- $1.25 Sample
2016 Achado E Perdidos 28 Uvas – Douro, Portugal; $14.99
Achado E Perdidos, which translates as “lost and found,” is located in the Volta de Andreza. The vineyards are planted in extremely steep stretches along the banks of the Douro River. The vines are all at a MINIMUM over a hundred years old, but no records exist beyond that for when they were actually planted. They are all bush-trained, organically-farmed and hand harvested. The wine has aromas of blueberry pie, with hints of rosemary and thyme. The palate is rich with a ton of fruit, those herbs, and a smoky, cocoa finish.
And if you were wondering the grapes are: Alicante Bouschet, Alvarelhão, Baga, Bastardo, Bastardo Roxo, Donzelinha Tinto, Esgana Cão Tinto, Folgazão Roxo, Jaen, Malvasia, Malvasia Roxa, Mourisco, Mourisco Semente, Mourisco de Trevões, Periquita, Refute, Souto, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Carvalha, Tinta da Barca, Toureira Fêmea, Toureira Franca, Tinta Francisca, Toureira Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Tinta de Tabuaço. I think that's 28... - $1.25 Sample
2015 Casa Brina Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato – Piedmont, Italy; $15.99
This is one I am super excited for. This is imported by Haus Alpenz, the world leader in Vermouth and liquors. Bringing to the United States things like Dolin and Cocchi, along with countless other Amaros, Quinquinas and dessert wines. Casa Brina is owned and operated by brothers Roberto, Giulio and Paulo Bava who are also the renowned producers of Cocchi. This small area in the Monferrato hills of northwestern Italy is the lone appellation highlighting this very unknown varietal, Ruche. A classic Piemontese structure and complexity, reminiscent of Nebbiolo. Lots of floral notes with dense black cherries. - $1.25 Sample