Wine of the Week

Week of April 30, 2012 – Il Spritz

Italy’s favorite summertime cocktail has finally made its way to the states, and it comes pre-mixed!  Il Spriz by Mionetto is a sultry blend of fresh prosecco, sparkling mineral water and orange bitters.  This delightful beverage weighs in at a dangerous 8% alc/vol, making it the perfect accompaniment to the midday sun.  Whether you are preparing for a Sunday barbecue or looking for the perfect beverage for a romantic dinner, Spriz is sure to please all summer long.  The fridge is stocked, so come by the store and grab a bottle today!

Week of May 7, 2012 - Durnberg Gruner Veltliner

It’s been a long and rather boring winter, help summer come out of hiding by drinking white wine while pretending it’s warm outside.  More specifically, drink Durnberg Gruner Veltliner from Austria, only $9.99 on the shelf.  We’ve already been through the Vino Verde craze and things got worse last summer with hangover-inducing Moscato mania.  It’s time to turn over a new grape leaf and uncover a delicious secret of Eastern Europe, Gruner Veltliner is a tasty little white wine, light and dry and perfect for Boston’s balmy summer days.  Expect a clean and bright style rich with layers of citrus, peach and a distinct minerality picked up from the rocky soils of northern Austria.  Plus it has a GruVe nickname.

Week of May 14, 2012 - Alexander Valley Rose

This week we celebrate the season with a beautiful bottle of rose from the Alexander Valley in California, made by a company with the same name.  Alexander Valley Vineyards dates back to before the AVA existed, which is why they can share their name with the appellation, and the property itself dates back to before the gold rush when the land was valued simply for its beauty and fertile soils.  This weeks featured wine is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes, originally an Italian varietal, with the rose color coming from only 6 hours of skin contact.  Advertised as a dry wine, the profile is surprisingly rich with deep, red fruit flavors, a lush mouthfeel and pleasant acidity.  In fact, while it contains very little sugar, the weight and complexity of the wine belies its official description.  Built for consumption on a patio or porch, this wine will also stand up to an array of salads, lighter seafood recipes and most picnic snacks.  A whole lotta wine for the money at $16.99, come by the store and grab a bottle in time for the warm weather.