Category Archives: Learn About Wine

Kate’s Fresh Rosé Picks For 2020

Beware the ides of March? Well perhaps Mark Antony was on to something but that was way before this CoronaVirus was a thing. On the positive side of March, the sun is out, the skies are clear and there isn’t a snowflake to be found near 141 Pitman. What can be found inside (besides ample amounts of hand sanitizer) is the first crop of Rosé season. We are delighted to see these fresh pink colors begin to brighten the store and lift our spirits. Here is a list of Kate’s Fresh Picks.  Cheers!

 

Pinta Negra Rosé   $6.99
Portuguese wines are super popular in the wine market right now!  They are some of the best values you can buy.  This one is so good, you would never think it’s only $6.99!  I dare you, bring this to a party and have your friends guess the price, I’m sure they will overshoot it and be pleasantly surprised.  This is also an easy case grab for your summer parties!

Tintero Rosato   $14.99
Our staff favorite Rosé of the year is back!! This one is spritzy and fruity with hints of watermelon rind and tart raspberries.  Tintero is a vineyard in Northern Italy, specifically in Piedmont.  This Rosato is a blend of 90% Barbera and 10% Arneis, who knew! This is always the first Rosé of the year to sell out, so grab some while you can!

Toad Hollow Rosé   $14.99
The Chardonnay from Toad Hollow has always been a hit here and this year we are featuring their dry, thirst-quenching, refreshing Rosé!  A rosé of Pinot Noir is always a treat, and this one is a great value from California.  This baby is a perfect patio sipper for all those warm days coming up!

Gouleyant Malbec Rosé   $11.99
Malbec is an extremely popular red wine for us at Bottles.  They are fruity, easy-drinking, and fun! Now, try a Rosé made from Malbec grapes!  This one is from southern France and has a perfectly electric, pink hue!  Dry and zingy, enjoy with cheese platters and seafood!

Casa Americo Rosé   $9.99
Another ‘ol Bottles favorite making a comeback!  A classic blend of the Portuguese grapes, Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro.

Vina Zorzal Rosé   $11.99
A unique, darker style of Rosé made from 100% Garnacha grapes!  This is one of the ‘punchiest’ Rosés of the season!  This reminds me of fruit punch, without the sweetness because of it’s dark, magenta color.  It is like eating a juicy raspberry and a lemon wedge at the same time.  Enjoy this with all the BBQ foods this summer!

Le Poussin Rosé   $11.99
One of the few Rosés that we feature with just a kiss of sweetness.  A French wine with flavors of cotton candy, strawberries, and watermelon.  Since there is that hint of sweetness, this works wonderfully with spicy foods, like tacos!

Mi Mi en Provence   $18.99
Not only is this a beautiful bottle with a glass closure, but inside contains a magical Rosé made by unicorns! Not really, but it is a scrumptious and classic Provencal Rosé, so bring this to your springtime picnics with all the sandwiches and snackies!

 

Les Dauphins CDR Rosé   $10.99
A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah which shows flavors of white peach, nectarine, and cranberry.  Dry, light, and a total crowd-pleaser! It’s richer than most and picks up those lovely garrigue flavors of rosemary, wild oregano, and lavender.

Prices subject to change

Bubblicious

If you are looking to ring in the new year with some bubbles, you need to look no further. Kate and Eric have nailed a selection of fun fizz that will please even the most decerning of palates. These bottles span the globe and come in at various modest price points from $11 and up. Perfect to hoist a flute while you toast the start of a wonderful 2020. Cheers!

 

 

Charles de Fere Reserve Blanc de Blancs Brut $14.99

Crafted in Burgundy at the Boisset family’s state-of-the-art sparkling wine facility this Brut is rue to its roots. Charles de Fère’s grapes continue to come from diverse terroirs throughout France, ensuring the best possible fruit for consistently excellent sparkling wines at a great value. A traditional method wine production with a second fermentation in the bottle, then aged in riddling racks for at least 12 months. This pale and brilliant gold wine has white fruit and floral aromas with a lively and crisp bubble attack. The palate is elegant, long-lasting and well balanced between freshness and fruit.

 

AD47 Prosecco $10.99

This has become a staff favorite for its taste, versatility and wallet-friendly price. Meant to be drunk young, this is great for sipping or mixing excellent mimosas or a refreshing Aperol spritz. It features a characteristic straw-yellow color with a bouquet of apple. This pleasant prosecco is delicate, fruity and dry with a velvety-fresh, vibrant full-bodied finish. Excellent acidity and alcohol and long-lasting flavor. 

 

Curatoria Emiliana Lambrusco Salamini di Santa Croce $12.99

Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce is one of the Lambrusco DOCs situated in Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy. The wine is known for its deep ruby color, its exceptional fragrance, and refreshing fruitiness. It offers the most structure in comparison to other Lambruscos and is made to match the northern Italian cuisine, such as cotechino (a slow-cooked sausage) with beans or lentils and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Perfect for pizza!

 

Champagne Moutard Grand Cuvee Brut $39.99

This sparkling French wine gem carries a historic family tradition of Champagne growers/winemakers dating back to 1642. The families of Champagne Moutard Diligent have been living in the village of Buxeuil since the mid 17th century, and have a long tradition of both grape growing and wine production. 

Located in the Côte des Bar, the vineyard soils are made up of clays and limestones, lending to rich, fruity aromas and good minerality. Cellar-aged for at least three years, this beautiful Champagne of 100% Pinot Noir received outstanding scores of 91 points from Wine Spectator and Tanzer, 90 from Wine Advocate, and other 90+ accolades.

Complex and nuanced with fine, intense bubbles on the tongue, yellow-gold in color, a bouquet of fresh pears, almonds, apple and minerals followed by rich flavors of honey and ripe stone fruits. This Champagne has a remarkably long, delicate finish. Pairs well with just about anything especially sweet desserts. 

 

Encontro Vinho Espumante Bruto $10.99

Winemaker Osvaldo Amado has been making wines since 1986, he is a great connoisseur of the Portuguese viticulture. Dão, Alentejo, Douro, Vinhos Verdes, Lisbon, and Bairrada are the regions where he presently vinifies. He already vinified in Spain, Italy, and South Africa and presently in Brazil. In Portugal, he is responsible for producing about 15 million bottles a year. Osvaldo Amado’s wines have been awarded consecutively and received more than 600 medals between Gold and Silver. The Encontro is a citrine color with fine bubbles and a persistent aroma fruit, citrus, hazelnut, and biscuit. Fruity, fresh, smooth crisp and elegant persistence.

 

Prices and selection may vary

Our Top 9 Rosés

So many rosés, so little time. As always, we’ve done the dirty delicious work of tasting through hundreds of the season’s offerings to bring you the best of the bunch. Here’s our wine buyer Kate Miceli on why she chose the following 9, out of the 50+ we have in store, as the favorites this year. 

Mittelbach, Austria
The Mittelbach rosé is perfect for those who prefer a pronounced and bold style of wine.  Made from the Austrian red grape Zweigelt and loaded with flavors of dark cherries and muddled raspberries that finishes dry! So so great with BBQ. $17.99

Ameztoi Txakolina, Basque, Spain
A rosé from Basque Country in Spain!  This might be the most refreshing one of the season because it is bone-dry and super spritzy.  Pour it from higher than usual into your glass to incorporate extra bubbles and enjoy. $21.99 

Little Sheep, France
New to Bottles this year, this adorable bottle has been an instant hit. The wine tastes like ripe strawberries and pillow-y cotton candy – it’s so super fruity and ends with just a touch of delightful sweetness! $12.99

Commanderie de Peyrassol, Provence, France
Peyrassol has set the benchmark of style and quality for Provencal rosé. It’s classic, unpretentious, and is a good mix of flavors like ripe berries, sea breeze, and lemon! This is the OG pink wine. $21.99

Yes Way Rosé, France
Yes Way Rosé has pool party written all over it!  It tastes like watermelon rinds, lemons, and sunshine (says Dan)!  Dry and so refreshing.  If you love Whispering Angel, try this one too. $14.99 

Tempier, Bandol, France 
Let this wine transport you to the picturesque town of Bandol, set in the south of France in the Mediterranean Sea.  This is the treat of the summer that does not disappoint and will always impress!  Ask about our 1.5L mags, too. $47.99 

Steininger, Austria
One of the many rosés that people ask for more and more every year. I visited the winery in Austria earlier this year, and the family reveled in that this past warmer season was the best vintage they can remember in over 17 years.  Try this at least once, it’s delicious and looks oh so refreshing in the bottle when frosty cold. $19.99

#Lou Peyrassol, Provence, France
A big-time Bottles favorite because it works for every occasion, from a fire-escape picnic to a yacht-club gala.  Try this delicious entry-level wine from the very famous and beloved Peyrassol house. $14.99

Le Poussin, France
Another awesome value rosé from France that does not disappoint!  Great as a summer sipper… but also, are you trying to make Froze this year?  Use this as a base wine for those refreshing popsicles or slushes — it already tastes like ripe summer raspberries and strawberries. $11.99 

 Cheers to summer!
-Kate 

prices subject to change 
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Steal These Bubbles

That’s what it’ll feel like when you taste the 3 bottles we’ve selected as this year’s top value sparklers. They deliver so much quality, flavor and enjoyment for what you pay that you’ll feel as if you’ve stolen them right off our shelves.
Our Prosecco Of The Year in the Under $15 category is the gorgeous, authentic AD-47 from the Veneto region in Italy. It’s round and creamy and eminently drinkable. It even has the traditional Prosecco closure for added charm. (Don’t let the cork intimidate you. Open as you would a traditional still wine: Gently move the fastening string to the side and insert the auger. Just be sure to move slowly and gently – and absolutely be sure the bottle is cold – and directed away from the crowd.) $10.99
Our Under $15 Cava Of The Year, made by the Bohigas family in Spain, arrived at Bottles only a few months ago. We were taken immediately with its story (the small winery is still family owned and employs only 14 people) and its flavor: Lots of zip and extra bubbly, which means we love it for celebrations, and for mixing in sparkling cocktails. $14.99
Our French Sparkler Of The Year in the sub $15 category is one of the store’s all-time best sellers. The Grandial Brut wins again for its tried and true consistency in delivering absolutely lovely flavor and buckets of festivity to any occasion. And its new(ish) counterpart, the Grandial Rosé, is equally as fetching, with a whisper of sweet and a delightful fizz. $9.99

Cheers to you and yours, whatever you may celebrate!

prices as of December 2018, subject to change

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Why You Should Care About B. Corp. Wineries

There’s much to love with the A to Z wines. What’s refreshing – besides their very well-crafted, varietally accurate, delicious wine – is that first and foremost they operate as a force for good. Consider these stats:
 
  • 100% of A to Z workers are paid well above the local living wage.
  • Each full-time employee receives full health benefits, paid time off to do volunteer work and tuition assistance to further his/her career.
  • Over 50% of management are women and individuals from under-represented populations.
Because of their dedication to creating a sustainable environment where employees thrive, in 2014 A to Z became the first winery to achieve its B Corporation certification, which puts it in the same company as Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, Kleen Kanteen, and many other progressive organizations. Since then, they’ve garnered the B Corp’s “Best For The Word” award, four years running.
 
To attain a B Corp status, an organization must actively and consistently prove that all of its decisions are guided by the goal of operating as a sustainable, healthy business for the good of its workers, the community, all of its suppliers and distributors, and the environment: They must meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. In essence, they balance purpose and profit, believing that the more successful their business is, the better they can do for the world.
 
And all of this is on top of the fact that their wine really is consistently terrific, which is no surprise given that A to Z was started in 2002 by Oregon wine industry veterans from several of the USA’s most highly regarded wineries, including Eyrie, Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Archery Summit and Chehalem. Their multiple award-winning wines are blends of locally-sourced, Oregon-grown fruit from sustainably managed farms, and we love them.
 
If all of this isn’t enough to get you to try them, we’ve put our line of A to Z wines on sale for the month of September. We want you to put your money where your conscience is, and drink well.
Here’s what’s in store:
 

2016 Chardonnay
They say it’s America’s best-selling unoaked Oregon Chardonnay, and with this flavor, we buy it. It’s full of citrus, honeysuckle and melon flavors, with a rich, ripe and round texture that’s balanced with a crisp freshness. It’s incredibly food-friendly, too. $13.99 compare to $16.99

2017 Riesling
Oh heavens, where to start. Luscious honeysuckle, lime, elderflower and floral aromas lead to mouth-watering honey, limoncello and pear flavors, all richly textured and ready for pretty much whatever food you want to throw at it – we especially like it with spicy dishes. See the bee on that beautiful bottle? That means that a portion from the sale of each bottle will go to support bee health research. $13.99 compare to $16.99

2017 Rosé
Crisp. Juicy. Lip-smacking. Smile inducing. Think ripe strawberries, watermelon, and raspberry mixed with herbal aromas. We’re stocking up on this one for Thanksgiving dinner. $13.99 compare to $16.99.

 

2015 Pinot Noir
What a vintage – it’s widely considered one of Oregon’s best ever. Dark fruit aromas abound out of the glass, leading to red and blue fruit flavors, all balanced with dusty tannins, a juicy acidity and a mineral finish. $17.99 compare to $21.99

2016 Bubbles (Rosé)
A blend of Pinot Noir with a touch of Chardonnay. This lovely sparkler has juicy ripe fruit aromas that lead to raspberry, watermelon and white flower flavors all softened with a hint of creaminess. $13.99 compare to $16.99

2017 Pinot Gris
Mouthwateringly amazing, with peach, apricot, pineapple and lychee aromas meeting citrus flavors, crisp acidity and soft tannins. One of the most versatile food wines in our shop for sure. $13.99 compare to $16.99

Cheers & Enjoy!

Published in September 2018, prices subject to change

7 Rosés For The Remaining 7 Saturdays of Summer

Last week we got a little depressed talking about how the Labor Day countdown is on, how the pumpkin flavored beers are about to hit our shelves, and about the holiday planning we (and all retailers) are doing right now. Talk about a downer. But when looked at another way – meaning through the lens of the actual dates of the equinox – there’s reason to rejoice: There are seven Saturdays remaining in summer. Seven! Though this does include the first day of autumn, Saturday, September 22, the equinox doesn’t officially occur until 9:54 that night – which means there’s plenty of time during the early evening to enjoy a bottle or two.

Consider doing like us, and celebrate the enduring summer by opening a different bottle of rosé each week. Though we do drink the pink year-round, the enormous variety of well-crafted bottles made available to us this year means we can continue to enjoy the style without rosé fatigue.

Herewith, our picks for these remaining 7 summer Saturdays.

Mittelbach Zweigelt Rosé, Kremstal, Austria

One of Melissa’s faves from her trip to Austria earlier this year, the medium-bodied Mittelbach is juicy and dry at the same time, with lovely strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors. It’s a BBQ’s BFF. $17.99

Villa des Anges Cinsault Rosé, France

Oh-so light and delicate this rosé is, with faint aromas of apple, pear and melon, a soft citrusy acidity and a touch of orange peel on the finish. What a delight. $13.99

Domaines Les Rocailles Gamay Rosé, Vin de Savoie, France

Aromas of white peach and green apples open up this lovely, fragrant French rosé. It’s delicate but its persistent minerality means it would be great with oysters or a simple summer salad. $19.99

Arrumaco Garnacha Rosé, Spain

A big, gulpable rosé with juicy, silky raspberry and plum flavors filling the glass. Pairs gorgeously with spicy Spanish food or a Flintstonian-sized grilled ribeye with all the fixins. $10.99

Bodegas Latue Rosé of Tempranillo, Spain

A bright, refreshing, no-make-that thirst-quenching apricot-melon-papaya fruit salad. And it’s certified organic, biodynamic and vegan! $12.99

Zeni Bardolino Chiaretto Rosé, Italy 

Floral, ethereal and as elegant as the sophisticated set that summers along the shore of Italy’s Lake Garda, where this wine was made. $13.99

Hillinger Sparkling Secco Rosé of Pinot Noir, Burgenland, Austria (NOT PICTURED)

This is another of the gems Melissa found when she visited Austria. It’s lightly bubbled, bone dry, loaded with beautiful strawberry fruit flavor, and finishes with a crisp acidity. $19.99

Enjoy!

Prices subject to change

What’s In The Bottle? A Key To The Symbols You’ll Find On Product Tags Storewide.

It’s an exciting time to be in the beverage industry, especially for our team of buyers who are very cognizant about the quality of what they consume, and the care with which it is crafted. More and more delicious and affordable offerings made using methods that are gentle to the earth – and our bodies – are available to us in Lil’ Rhody. So many in fact that we can’t just relegate them to one small area of the store anymore. That’s why you’ll find new symbols on all of our product tags storewide that communicate various characteristics about how each bottle was made. Here’s what to look for as you browse our shelves:

It’s our hope that the new symbols will lead you to new finds and will help you drink better. Cheers to that!

A Fabulous “40 Ounce” French Wine

We were a touch skeptical too – after all, it’s our job to be. Our shelf space and your palate are too precious for us to give in to every pretty label that walks in the door. We need to have solid reasons to bring in bottles: just having great packaging is not one of them.

Which is why we were thrilled that the 40 Ounce Rosé had some serious chops to back up its super clever, ironic packaging. The twist-off-topped large format bottle primarily known for holding the cheap buzz that is malt liquor (mass-produced, highly sweet, high alcohol content, get-drunk-fast swill) contains precisely the opposite: the wine is made from high-quality gamay, merlot, cabernet franc and pineau d’aunis grapes grown sustainably in France’s Muscadet and Touraine regions; it’s light, dry, delicious and fun, and at just 12.5% ABV, it will not numb your brain after a sip or two.

Though it was available last year in only a few large states, it was an immediate internet sensation, selling out before the summer was over.  We’re happy to say it’s now available in our little but mighty region. And we have it at $17.99 for the bottle, while supplies last.

Cheers & Enjoy!

price subject to change

Our Top 9 Rosés, Part II

Last week we shared with you five of our favorite rosés that have arrived thus far in 2018. (We also shared our POV on the so-called “Rosé Season.” If you’re confused about when you should drink rosé, give it a read.)  

This week we present the remaining four of the earliest-arriving bottles that are now atop our list. Some are new to our shelves, others will be easily recognizable to our rosé regulars: They’re the classics that once again with this vintage, proved their worth. Chateau Montaud
Provence, France
Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Tibouren
It’s a year-over-year classic and staff favorite with good reason: the Montaud is a dry rosé-drinker’s dream! It’s light with fruit and spice notes and finishes with hints of peaches and stone fruits. Get a bottle for the night, or a box for the weekend. You’re welcome.
1 Bottle (750ml): $12.99  3L Box (as shown: that’s 4 bottles, folks): $27.99

 

Bodini
Mendoza, Argentina
Malbec
Bright, shiny and clean, the Bodini bursts with cherry and strawberry aromas and subtle notes of spice and pepper. It has a touch more body when compared to super light styles, and finishes with a fresh, balanced acidity. It’s a terrific pick for those just starting to drink the pink.
$10.99

 

Honoro Vera
Jumilla, Spain
Tempranillo, Syrah
This is another year-after-year store best-seller — and not just because of that super-cool label. It’s a beautifully crisp, salmon colored rosé with mild watermelon rind aromas, and bright strawberry and cherry flavors. It’s a juicy sip of the weather we’ve been waiting for all winter, and what one of our regulars calls “a rosé party in my mouth!”
$12.99

 

Peyrassol “#LOU”
Provence, France
Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah
It’s baaaack…this was the runaway hit for us last spring/summer and this year’s bottling is just as tasty. Think white flower blossoms, peach and light berry fruits, with a good though not overpowering acidity, and a spicy minerality on the finish. Then think about how much fun you’ll have drinking it. This was one of the bottles that sold out fast last year – be sure to stock up!
$14.99

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we share more of our favorites as they arrive.

Cheers & enjoy!

Prices subject to change

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Our Top 9 Rosés, Part I

OK, let’s start with a fact: Despite what the mainstream media, your Instagram feed and your Aunt Jenny are putting out there, this is not the start of Rosé Season. There isn’t anything in the official anything anywhere stating that rosé can only be sipped in the warmer, sunny, cheerful season. There’s no “Rosé Rule” that, like the No White After Labor Day silliness, applies to pink wine. Rosé is one of the most versatile styles in the history of wine, and pairs remarkably well with pretty much anything you can throw at it – cold weather and winter fare included.

That said.

What spring does represent is the start of Rosé Arrival Season. It’s when the fresh new batches of rosés made with fruit from the previous year’s harvest are released to us at Bottles, to offer to you. It’s when we get to taste hundreds of new vintages to decide which we think you’ll fall in love with over the coming year, whether enjoyed on your porch on a sweltering July night, or with your family over Thanksgiving dinner.

This year’s feat of selecting was harder than ever, what with the increasing oceans of rosé being produced all over the world. We do our best to bring you the best of the new, while still making available the classics that prove themselves worthy of our precious shelf space — and your wallet — year after year.

A reminder: for many rosés, this Arrival Season is fleeting. Some are made in miniscule batches, meaning once they’re sold out, they’re gone for the year. So if you spark to one bottle in particular, check with our team on its availability so that you can squirrel some away for your November turkey feast.

Here’s a look at five of the rosés that made our short list from the early arrivals:

Domaine Houchart
Provence, France
Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvedre
This is one of the “now you see it, now you don’t” rosés: It’s one of the first to arrive, and because it’s made in incredibly small quantities and is just delicious, it’ll be one of the first to sell out. It has a spicy acidity, ripe cherry and raspberry flavors, and finishes with a touch of white pepper. Get it now while the getting is good.
$13.99

Radley & Finch
West Cape, South Africa
Cinsault
A super easy-drinking, bright and fresh rosé with undertones of a juicy fruit salad. Its acid level is pretty low, which makes it very crowd friendly and a perfect introduction to rosé for those new to the style.
$10.99

Casa Americo
Dao, Portugal
Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro
We’re calling it: this is going to be the sleeper hit of the season. It’s new to Bottles and not yet on the industry’s radar screen, which is why we’re able to offer it at such a great price. It’s lively and refreshing like a bowl of ripe raspberries. It has lovely wildflower aromas, too.
$8.99 (yep. $8.99)

Barnard Griffin
Columbia Valley, Washington
Rosé of Sangiovese
This new-to-Bottles bottle won a huge rosé award last year on the West Coast (The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition), so we’re thrilled that it’s made its way to us this year. It’s dry, packed with fresh watermelon, pomegranate, cranberry and citrus flavors, and backed by a lip-smacking acidity. It’s made from Italy’s most famous grape — sangiovese, the main grape in Chianti — so it’s no surprise that it pairs beautifully with a bowl of spring pasta, enjoyed on the porch.
$13.99

Massaya
Beqaa Valley, Lebanon
Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
You’ll be hearing lots from us soon about this really amazing Lebanese winery in the Beqaa Valley. For now, though, trust us that this beautiful bottle will charm you to no end. It’s full of ripe summery strawberry fruit with subtle spice notes, and satisfies with a dry, crisp finish.
$18.99

Tune in next week for Part II when we share the remaining four rosés that are among our favorites this year.

Cheers!

All prices subject to change

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