Relaxing for the Rest of the Summer

So when the dog days of summer arrive, we like to keep a cool head and just relax.

We will reopen Grotto Fine Wine on Wednesday, September 11.

Thanks for supporting our new venture.  We didn't know what to expect, and lots of people told us Florence would never support our place as we described it to them.  No worries.
That negativity never really existed.  We've had positive vibes from day one.

We're very pleased with our first year results, but the best part is, we've had a blast and met a bunch of awesome individuals!

So thank you again, and we'll see you in Sept.  

July Wine Sale

Hey everyone

What say we save you some cash on a 3 bottle purchase.

First up, Manifesto Chardonnay; unoaked, but not undelicious!  Fat in the middle, with some honey notes.

Next, Barnard Griffin Fume Blanc, a nice white from Washington; mouth-watering acidity on this one, with some intense citrus.

Last, but certainly not least, the Copain Rose' of Pinot Noir.
Copain has the reputation of making some of the finest Pinot and Syrah in the Russian River.  Winemaker Wells Guthrie spent time at Chapoutier and crafts intense wines in a Burgundian style.  This Rose' is one of their "fun" wines (under $35) and is excellent.

Regular price of these three $52; through July, $42 incl tax!

Stop by soon!

The June Wine Club Wines

Hello everyone

Here is some more information on the wines we've chosen for June.

First up is the 2011 Chablis from Joseph Drouhin.  Chablis is the northernmost area in Burgundy.  In the Sixties, much of the region was abandoned; a century before phylloxera had ravaged the area.  The Drouhin family was a pioneer in revitalizing Chablis around that time.

The soil is here is Kimmeridgian limestone which contains millions of tiny marine fossils imbedded in a chalky mortar; this is what give Chablis its unique flavor.

This wine was aged in vats for 8 months, and is a beautiful pale gold color.  The nose is vivid with hints of lime and mint.  It is dry and fruity in your mouth, with mineral notes.  The finish is long and pleasant.  

Drink this elegant wine between 50 and 55 degrees; 15 minutes out of the fridge before serving should be just right.  Perfect complement to shellfish dishes.

The wine can be cellared up to 5 years. 



Next is the 2009 Three Saints Santa Barbara Cabernet Sauvignon.  This is one of the wines from the Dierberg family, who in the late Nineties elevated Santa Barbera winemaking up to the premium level.  With vineyards in Santa Ynez, Santa Maria and Santa Rita Hills vallies, they produce wines with the Dierberg label, Star Lane and Three Saints.  The AVA for this wine is the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara.  Nice!

The grapes for this wine were grown on mountainous, steeply sloped vineyards, and the blend is 77 % Cab Sauv, 16 % Cab Franc, some merlot and petit verdot.  Aged 18 months in barrel, the wine was lightly fined and bottled unfiltered.

The rich nose of this wine has dark fruit, with notes of cedar and cinnamon.  On the palate, the wine has opulent fresh blackberry flavors.  It has a supple finish with cocoa notes.

This Cabernet will make a very nice wine for a special occasion when hearty foods are served.

Cellar up to 8 years.

JOIN THE WINE CLUB AT THE GROTTO

Here are the nuts and bolts:

It opens for joining on June 6.

Join for 6 months or one year (get a free bottle of wine at the end if you join for a year)

You will receive 2 wines each month, on the first Thursday of the month, a white and a red, that meet our criteria, which are, (a) we've tasted it, and (b) it's awesome and has a high QPR, and (c) we're sure you'll agree with (b)!

You also get a free tasting at the shop each month, a $7 value.

We will bill your credit card when you pick up your wine at the shop on the first Thursday of each month.

Cost:         $49 per month


Here are the picks for June:

2010 Joseph Drouhin Chablis Vaudon (France)
(we drank this at Solstice last week-excellent white burgundy)

and 

2009 Three Saints Cabernet 2009 (you may have tasted their pinot noir at our shop - it's awesome) 


Join Soon!

This Week's Wine Tasting Sheet !

Hey everyone

So this week we're going to revisit one of our favorite red wines from Spain, the Creta roble.  This is 100 % Tempranillo from Spain, more specifically the Ribera del Duero.   An expressive nose, with dark fruit framed by a medium/full body, and a never-ending (almost) finish.

Imported by Eric Solomon up in Charlotte, one of our favorite importers these days; his name of the bottle always means quality. $18/botttle

And here is a new one: Primus The Blend, a red wine from Chile produced by Veramonte.  It has Cab, Carmenere, a little Merlot; it's round, juicy and delicious.  Veramonte is a premium Chilean producer owned by Agustin Huneeus, who also owns Faust in Napa, Flowers in Sonoma, and makes Quintessa, usually 2 skins on restaurant lists.  High quality is evident here.  Special this week, $20/bottle

Rounding out the list is a very nice Sancerre from the Loire; a Spanish white, Rueda, with intense citrus all over it; Chardonnay from Jacuzzi (Sonoma) and La Merika (Central Coast), and the Five Roses, an Italian rose' from down in the heel, Puglia.

Thanks for supporting us!

This week's tasting sheet.

Hi and good afternoon -

This week on the tasting sheet we have a Cava from Spain, the Pinot Blanc by Trimbach from Alsace, a project wine from Geyser Peak called Uncensored White, a Gavi de Gavi, an Oregon Rose of Pinot Noir and lastly on the cold side, Grayson Cellars Chardonnay.

The reds feature Berger Austrian Zwiegelt, Rockpile Syrah from Sonoma, a spicy little Chilean number called Chono Carmenere, and "the Poet" a meritage from Cosentino in Napa.

Hope to see you soon !

Next Wine Tasting is May 25, Saturday, at 6:30 pm!

We will have 8 wines to taste/purchase, along with cheese/salami to complement.

The sommi will be Sam Tinsley from Advintage Dist. in Charleston SC

$20 per person.

We love to see you there.

Join our Wine Club!

Coming soon.

Join for 3 or 6 months, and we don't say, "here's your wine"

You get to pick from a selection!

Pinot Project Winemaker at Grotto Fine Wine May 8 !

Hey everyone

Drop by and meet the grape smasha at our store Wednesday, May 8.


It will be a good time.  Live music by Marcus Goodman.


Cheers!

Next Wine Tasting is April 26, Friday !

Hey Everyone

So at our next tasting, Sharon Robertson, from the Country Vintner, will join us and chat about the wines we've selected.

If you haven't attended one of our tastings, they are fun!!  We put out all our cheeses and salumi for your enjoyment, and go down the list with a generous pour of each.

You also have the ability to purchase that evening at discounted prices.  

Admission is $20 per person, which represents a good value, considering all the above.

We also have a door prize bottle, adding some fun.

Call 667-8651 to reserve your spot.