Featured Wine

     So, this is the wine we just can't stop bringing home every night. We've builtmenus around it, hugged it, drained it, and opened some more. Though we're trying to describe wines less and less these days since our words forflavors may not match your tasting experience, for the sake of communication we'll call the tastescherries and musk. And maybe a little white pepper...and copper....see, there I go again. This is hard. PepperCopper muskrat love. There. Done.

     This biodynamic red blend from Cheverny in the Loire is pinot noir and gamay, two of our favorite red varietals on planet Earth, and you just can't stop DRINKING IT. I'm serious. It takes great will power not to finish this bottle in one sitting. I haven't met Christian Venier, but everyone who has describes him as a 'wild man'. I assume they mean that in a "party guy" kinda way and they don't literally mean he's a 'wild man' as inTimothy Hutton in Iceman.

     Most people know the Loire for their gorgeous sauvignon and chenin blancs but the reds have really been gaining appreciation the states in the last few years.  In addition to the region's most famous grape, Cabernet Franc, the other varietals grown are Pinot Noir, Malbec (Cot), Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d'Aunis and Gamay. Not only is there a rich varietal diversity here, but the Loire is also home to an abundance of organic/Biodynamic winemakers. Christian Venier cultivates 14 sustainable hectares around Cande-sur-Beuvron with the majority in the Cheverny appellation. Working completely free of chemicals and modern conveniences, Venier is able to make wines of purity and finesse.

       One customer referred to this wine as "Kool Aid" saying she could not stop drinking it.  Well she's right, but not in a sugary kind of way...it has a light fruitiness that makes it really approachable but the depth of the spices and texture makes it something to ponder.  This wine especially benefits from drinking it at a cool temperature.  Throw it in the fridge for 10 minutes before drinking and it will be perfect.  Oh, where were you Mr. Venier back at Thanksgiving?  This would make any roasted game sing. 

     I'll end with some words from wine writer, sommelier and James Beard award-winner, Alice Feiring:

I opened this wine from the hands of Christian Venier (another Savio Soares) again last night, and granted I'm somewhat flu-ish and less than terribly enthusiastic about drinking or eating anything except zinc and aspirin, but what impressed me about this was the polish on this wine, with the markings of a vin natural. It had the spice on the nose, the rose, the perfume. As M. Chauvet would have said, it is all about the perfume. This is an intensely sensual wine and focused. Structured. Silky. There is no reason in the world why this is the wine of the year, except that it seems right in this moment and I can afford it. And if you can afford more? If you can afford to drink Chandon de Brialles or Gonon or Souhaut or Mascarello every night? You'll still love it.