Monday, November 17, 2014

Hello from the Florence Wine Bar/Bottle Shop

A wish for a good day to all --

We have new operating hours.

For the next 50 years, we will be open Thursday, Friday & Saturday, from 4:30 until the last person departs, or 8:30, whichever
comes first!

Saturdays will be available for Private Events, as well as the Blind Tasting Competitions we're doing.    

Yes, we will still open for half case/case purchases by appointment, and cordially offer that service - what could be better, the wine shop is open for you and nobody else.

If you're needing the contact #, send an email requesting it to: 
grottofinewine@gmail.com, and we'll send it.

We're looking forward to seeing you soon!!

Sincerely, Maura and Vince

News from Your Neighborhood Wine Shop !

Hey everyone - 

It was way back in April the last time we posted here.
Guess it's time - certainly enough going on -

This Thanksgiving, we are going outside the box - care to join us???

White - Rousanne.  Not many growers of this guy in the USA, it's mainly grown in the Rhone, and is a white varietal that's allowed in Chateauneuf du Pape, the big guy's red !  We have the 2012 Andrew Rich, which is made from Washington fruit - this is a full bodied wine, a bit floral on the nose, but it's rich and satisfying - it would stand up well with turkey or ham.

Red - sometimes we have lamb at Thanksgiving.  But even if you're having turkey, go BIG.  We have a limited number of the 2009 NxNW Syrah.  Also a Washington wine, this medium full wine has gorgeous aromas jumping out at you, the fruit flavors are ripe and the tannins soft - quite a long finish.  Stunning.

And we have the usual suspects as well.  Russian River Pinots from Romililly and Paul Hobbs.  Oregon juice from Bernard Machado and Panther Creek.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving this year ! M/V

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

News from your Local Wine Shop / Bar (and a cheese list)

Hey Everyone

We hope you're all enjoying the lovely spring weather and not being bothered too much by all the pollen !

We're open this week, but next week we will be closed.  

We're planning on a big sale this Saturday, so check Facebook for details.

Also, there's some spots left for the Saturday May 3 wine tasting!

We've been asked to publish our current cheese and salami offerings, so here they are.  Please note that this is our bar menu, and all the cheeses are available in quantity for carryout at less than the $4 per oz. price.

GROTTO FINE WINE
ARTISAN CHEESES & SALAMES
$4 per item (1 ounce each)

*****GOAT MILK CHEESES*****
HUMBOLDT FOG- subtle tanginess, vegetable ash rind, soft
PURPLE HAZE - sprinkled with the tender buds of lavender & fennel pollen, soft
TRUFFLE TREMOR- earthy truffles, bloomy rind, soft
GARROTXA  - aged in caves, earthy, mildly acidic, semi-firm, Spain

*****GOAT, SHEEP, COW MILK CHEESE*****
RIO  DEVA  TRES  LECHES - three milks, clean, fresh & tangy, bloomy rind, semi-firm
CASO BOLO MELLAGE - three milks, nutty finish, hints of caramel, naturally sweet

*****SHEEP MILK CHEESES*****
IDIAZABAL -  sharp, smoked over beechwood, firm, Spain
PECORINO CLASSICO RESERVA - buttery, sharp, compact texture, Italy
PEPATO  RUSTICO - studded with peppercorns, salty, tangy, piquant sweetness, semi-soft

*****COW MILK CHEESES*****
BARELY BUZZED- cheddar style, rind rubbed with espresso beans & lavender, semi-firm
PT. REYES FARMSTEAD BLUE - deep, luscious flavor, semi-firm
RED HAWK - brine washed rind, full-flavored, soft
BARBERS 1833 RESERVE CHEDDAR -  aged 2 years, complex depth of flavor, firm
MT. TAM TRIPLE CREME - Brie-style, creamy & piquant, soft
'SPICE MUST FLOW' - triple cream with peppers, from Charleston Cheese Company

*****SALAMES*****
CHORIZO RIOJA - garlic,  spicy, smoky paprika, oregano
TOSCANO - Tuscan fennel
WILD  BOAR -  smoked over applewood
LOUKANIKA  - Greek style with garlic, cumin and a touch of orange zest
SAUCISSON SEC AUX  HERBES de PROVENCE - spices and garlic
MOLISANA - black peppercorn, garlic, Italian style
NAPOLI - Southern Italian style gently smoked over applewood

SMOKED TROUT - NC sustainably raised trout,  applewood smoked, Our Local  Catch

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

New Wines in our Shop Now !

Hey everyone

Aaron and Jesse Inman are two brothers making wine in Sonoma, CA.

Let's call them second generation, their uncle taught them the craft; he's the winemaker of August Briggs winery and Castle Rock.

Their wines are now available in SC.  

First up is the Romililly label, there is a Pinot Noir and a Chardonnay, both made from Russian River fruit.  They have excellent relationships with growers are able to source the best fruit.  The Pinot received a 92 upon its release in Wine and Spirits magazine.

Next is their value label, the Pinot Patch.  We have both the Pinot Noir and the Pinot Grigio.  The wines sell for $15 and are great buys !  We'll be having these on our tasting bar for the next little while, and Aaron will be visiting with us on March 19, Wednesday, at our shop.

Did we mention he's married to our daughter?  

That's a plus; and probably the reason he decided to offer the wines for sale here in SC.  Cheers !

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Other Info About our place You Might Not Know !

Hello Everyone

First, in addition to coming in and having some cheese/charcuterie to go with your vino, we sell retail.  We will gladly chase down any wine you ask us to, and find it at the best price in the area.  Guaranteed.

You can also buy cheese by the quarter, half or full pound.  Nice, huh?

Secondly, our space is available for private functions.  Whether it be a birthday party, a business meeting, a private wine tasting for you and your pals or your club, whatever, you can have your event here in a private setting at a very reasonable price.

At said event, we can arrange live music for you as well.

Drop by and enjoy a glass with us soon.

As we type this, new in the shop this month is La Cana Albarino, a fab white from Spain, and a very interesting red, Schiava, which comes from the Alto Adige region, and may be the lightest red wine you ever drink.  But it's packed with FLAVOR.  Both $18 a bottle.  Cheers!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Welcome to 2014, y'all !

So it's winter in the Pee Dee.  We were lucky nuf to get us a little White Christmas up in PA this year, and also to escape just before the current mess that's going on across the NE.


But you want to know what's going on at the shop, not how cold it is.  You can find out which puddle froze last night by watching tv news.


In December we had our first jazz artists play; the first since we embarked on this "comeback".  We're planning on having Thomas and Kevin back in soon.


On to some wine - we have a nice supply of the 2007 Vina Mayor Reserva.  This is a 100% Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero in Spain.  A lot of young tempranillo is like amped up pinot noir.  When a good vintage is aged in barrel for a year, and then 3 years in bottle before release, (and the producer is competent) the reward is pretty nice. 


This wine is deep, dark cherry red.  It has intense ripe dark fruit and fine oak character.  It's full bodied and well structured, with a long, complex finish.


The only place we could find selling this wine on wine-searcher was a shop in LA, for $34.  We are offering this wine for $22 this month.


It's a beautiful winter red. 


Drop by and say hello soon!