Wine Warehouse

11/21/2024

11/21/2024

INSIDER'S PICK: 2023 VINS VIVANT GAMAY HAUTE-SAVOIE 'YOGAMAY' - FRANCE $27.99.

The Insider's Pick wine will be available to taste Thursday and Friday and gets a 10% discount during the tasting. Come on by and taste some delicious wine!

As we approach full Beaujolais-mania the week before Thanksgiving, we wanted to show off some under-the-radar but surprisingly delicious Gamay, grown near the region for centuries but new in this form.

If you go high enough up in Lyon you can look North and see the hills and ridges in the distance that define Beaujolais.

Turning East and looking up the Rhone River, you can see the Alps in the distance with the Savoie region in the foothills. In the in-between lies Bugey, an area known historically for making a sparkling 'Methode Ancestrale' wine using Gamay, usually slightly sweet and a rose to ruby color.

Still wines weren't usually attempted here much because the cooler Alpine influences made it more difficult to ripen grapes as easily as in Beaujolais, and the rolling hills here meant the vineyards are mostly scattered from ridge to ridge.

Growing popularity for lower alcohol wines in general has spurred new interest in the potential for making still wines here with Gamay (as well as Poulsard, Jacquere and other Alpine grapes), and the more we see from promising producers like this, the more we agree this is a region to watch.

Lovely ruby color in the glass, perhaps a bit darker than your typical Cru Beaujolais, but at under 13%abv it definitely isn't thicker or heavier.

Cool red fruits and dark energetic floral notes immediately marks this as Gamay, and gets prettier the longer it is open.

The palate is where this really shows itself as something different, with a distinct spine of acidity that brightens the fruit and adds a lot of tangy cranberry notes and a little firmer finish.

Beaujolais is great, but it isn't the only game in town now.

11/19/2024

BEER ADVENT CALENDAR HOLIDAY SPECIAL.

24 days in an advent calendar, 24 beers in a case.

THE DEAL: Buy 24 individual beers (which does include 500ml & 750ml bottles or any beers only sold individually), get 10% off. This deal runs through the end of the business day Saturday November 30.

A perfect fit, and also a perfect gift for your favorite craft beer fan on your shopping list (even if it's you).

The problem with all the pre-created ones is that they usually are all beers from one source and only have a handful of interesting beers among the fluff.

Here at Wine Warehouse we have always made the entire beer selection available to buy as individual beers, and there is no better time to take advantage of that than now.

You can make the perfect advent calendar, with any theme you may choose.

If you're going to visit that someone for Thanksgiving, you can get it to them now (just make them promise to wait a week before starting in). Make every day in the lead-up to Christmas one to celebrate, and finish up with the perfect celebration beer for Christmas Eve if you want.

11/16/2024

BEER AND CIDER NEW ARRIVALS

ALLOCATED - (See Craft Beer Manager Matthew for The Answer beer availability.)

'The Answer' IPAs -

'Chamsfield: Pika' IPA w/Citra, Lotus & Eclipse Hops- $4.10/12oz CAN, $15.49/4pack
'George Is Getting Upset' DDH DIPA w/Cryo Nelson & Citra Hops-$4.35/12oz CAN, $16.79/4pack
'Heh Heh Hrr Rrr Huh Rakau! Ha Hrr' DIPA w/Rakau Hops-$4.35/12oz CAN, $16.79/4pack
LIMIT ONE 4pack PER STYLE PER PERSON, WITH REQUESTS TAKEN FOR EXTRAS
A rare batch of IPA/DIPA from The Answer, a brewery that can be a bit clandestine and want to keep as much of their beer at home. Jumped on this lineup as much for their deliciousness as the fact that I'm a complete sucker for a good Seinfeld reference. Best served with Festivus airing of grievances.

NEW ARRIVALS:
All beers below are available on the shelves as of 11/14 and can be purchased without quantity restriction or need for allocation.

The Hoppy Ones -

Precarious 'Combat Kittens' NEIPA w/Yakima Chief 'Veterans Blend' Hops 4pack PINT CANS
Fonta Flora 'Pine Zips' West Coast IPA w/Eastern White Pine 4pack PINT CANS
Dutchess 'Hypnose' English Pale Ale w/ Styrian Goldings, East Kent Goldings & Brambling Cross Hops 4pack PINT CANS
Frost 'Starchild' IPA w/New Zealand Hops 4pack PINT CANS
Frost 'Little Lush' Session IPA 4pack PINT CANS
Notch 'Left Of The Dial' Hybrid IPA w/English Malts & Citra, Mosaic Hops 4pack PINT CANS

The Not-Hoppy Ones -

Dutchess 'Volpe' Italian Style Pilsner 4pack PINT CANS
E9 'The Bearer' Robust Porter 4pack PINT CANS
Notch 'Salem Lager' Helles Lager 4pack PINT CANS
Firestone Walker 'Parabolita' BBA Imperial Stout w/Vanilla Bean 4pack PINT CANS
Vitamin Sea 'Diversity Of The World' Nitro Irish Style Stout 4pack PINT CANS

Holiday/ Winter Beers / Cider Are Here!

Solace 'Griswold's Winterbock' Dopplebock 4pack PINT CANS
Scaldis Noel Belgian Christmas Ale 4pack
Virginia Beer Co 'Evil Santa' Spiced Holiday Milk Stout 4pack PINT CANS
Bells Christmas Scotch Ale 6pack
Delirium Noel Belgian Holiday Ale 4pack
Komes (Poland) Imperial Amber Ale 500ml
Jack's Abby 'Extra Layer' Winter Fest Lager 4pack PINT CANS
Great Lakes Spiced Christmas Ale 6pack CANS
(NEW) Great Divide 'Hibernation Ale' 6pack CANS
St. Bernardus Christmas Ale 4pack CANS & 750ml
Founders 'Ginger, Spice, Barreled & Nice' BBA Barleywine with Spices 4pack
Downeast Cider Winter Blend 4pack CANS
Einbecker Winter Dopplebock 6pack
Deschutes Jubel Ale 6pack
(NEW) Wi******er Cider Works 'Cin-ter Wonderland' 4pack PINT CANS

11/15/2024

11/14/2024

INSIDER'S PICK: 2023 Az. Ag. SOTTIMANO VINO ROSSO 'MATE' (BRACHETTO) - ITALY $21.99

The Insider's Pick wine will be available to taste Thursday and Friday and gets a 10% discount during the tasting. Come on by and taste some delicious wine!

We had considered placing this wine in the big Thanksgiving wine email that was just sent out, but decided it had to be tasted to be believed.

Brachetto is a unique red grape variety to the Piedmont in Italy, more famous there for making a Moscato d'Asti-like wine, lightly fizzy with sweet red fruits.

The grape has naturally flowery aromas, similar in many ways to the Ruche grape (also from the Piedmont) in that if you closed your eyes you could be convinced by the aromas that it was a white wine.

Perhaps being driven by a general move away from sweetness/sugar in beverages, but we are seeing dry examples like this pop up more and more, and this is the most exciting one we've had by a fair margin.

Pale-ish ruby in color, the aromas jump out quickly with loads of red flowers, orange citrus and hints of mint and darker spices.

Patient drinkers or those that decant will start to get more red fruits and juicy cherry the longer it breathes.

The palate is a surprising contrast to the aromas, more tart red fruits and savory herbs, bright fine tannins that give the finish a long mouthwatering finish.

Would almost parallel the palate to a Cru Beaujolais or a still Lambrusco, and would pair it accordingly.

Probably not like anything you've had before, and after tasting it you will likely want more of it in your life.

11/14/2024

11/08/2024

We welcome back our old friend Aymeric who will lead you through the tasting and all things Bordeaux. A special time whenever Aymeric pours.

No charge for tasting.

11/07/2024

TASTING FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 3:30-6:30- MORE FUN NEW STUFF

The next several weeks of tastings will be full of themes, starting with next Friday marking the start of Virginia Cider Week.

Then there will be more than enough seasonal and holiday beers to taste through the end of 2024.

Nice time to try a few new arrivals while they are still fresh in our minds. On deck for tomorrow will be -

Sullivan's Irish Gold Ale,

Phase Three 'Bonfire Feels' American Pale Ale,

Sante Adairius 'After The Future' Hazy IPA,

Widowmaker 'Bruncvik's Sword' Czech Style Amber Ale, and

Wild East 'Return Of The Bretti' Farmhouse Pale Ale.

Hope to see you here!

11/07/2024

INSIDER'S PICK: NV TRENTAPIOLI ASPRINIO d'AVERSA SPUMANTE - ITALY $19.99

The Insider's Pick wine will be available to taste Thursday and Friday and gets a 10% discount during the tasting. Come on by and taste some delicious wine!

Often with the wines in the Insider's Pick, we will use the story and background of the people or vineyards to help entice, gain a connection to the customer. In this case, the story of the vineyards IS the wine, and the fact that what's in the bottle is an affordable value is almost secondary.

Asprinio is a native grape to Campania, mostly relegated to farming in the region of Aversa just outside of Naples. The varietal itself is less famous for what it is and the wines it makes than how it is usually farmed, an ancient trellising method called 'Alberata'. Developed during the Etruscan era for use in multi-crop polycultural farms, vines are raised in rows using elm or poplar trees as 'stakes', allowing the vines to reach as high as 40+ feet in the air once fully mature.

At the time it allowed for more production in a smaller piece of land while also leaving room for other ground crops and grazing, even providing shade for more sensitive crops.

Now the vineyards are seen as time consuming to grow and dangerous to farm, requiring specially trained workers to climb and harvest.

But don't try it JUST for the fascinating backstory, get into it because it's an impressive sparkling wine for the money.

Clear pale gold in the glass with a lightly persistent bead, the first sniff is ye**ty apple with a bit of bitter citrus peel (a nod to the fact that Asprino was named for its sourness), but the Alberata method does allow the grape to get sun exposure and air flow that helps it fully ripen, getting some of the white fruits into the mix.

The palate is also crisp and cidery with nice weight and a long lingering tang. Both delicious and fascinating in equal measures.

11/07/2024

SELECT SIX FOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

These 6 wines regularly sell for $89.94
For Select Six November/December they are $77.99
You Save $11.95!
Select Six White (2 of each white) is $81.99
Select Six Red (2 of each red) is $73.99
Pick any three different bottles and get 10% off!

2023 MARY TAYLOR/OLIVIER GESSLER COTES DE GASCOGNE BLANC
A store favorite for the past few vintages, the newest vintage continues to shine as an everyday white wine value, especially for those looking for something different than the normal go-to varietals. Gascony is more known historically for producing the brandy Armagnac, and like Cognac primarily use the Colombard and Ugni Blanc grapes as the basis for distilling. These grapes have not been highly thought of for making regular wines, but as the demand for distilled brandy has gone down internationally and the appeal for lower alcohol wines has increased, the region has seen a shift in demand for wines like this. Primarily Colombard and Ugni Blanc with some splashes of Gros Manseng and Sauvignon Blanc in the mix, this is the essence of clean and refreshing. Crisp, almost crunchy citrus and white fruits, light green apple and snappy lime notes all over the aromas and palate. Light and clean texture and at only 11%abv it hits very easy with just a little bit of ripe weight from the Gros Manseng, this is one of the ultimate all-purpose wines we have in the store.
Regular Price $14.99/btl, $12.74/case

2023 AG. OTTOVENTI TERRE SICILIANE ROSSO 'KUBILA'
Sicily has been growing as a critical favorite for wine drinkers, deservedly so, especially around Mount Etna and the Eastern coast in general. It's a big island, and there is a lot happening all across it, including for more value-oriented wine fans. Nero d'Avola is one of the workhorse red grape varieties that produces a rich, earthy wine with nice dark fruit that probably most parallels the Rhone varieties that appear throughout much of the Mediterranean. It should be no surprise then that Syrah is a very popular partner with Nero d'Avola to make excellent value wines like this one. Soft dark fruit with a modern polished aroma and texture, this drinks very favorably in comparison to a classic Cotes du Rhone or Catalonian red, with the Nero d'Avola bringing a savory Italian side, a bit of earthiness behind the fleshy fruit. Great value for an everyday red that can shake up your routine in very positive ways.
Regular Price $12.99/btl, $11.04/case

2023 Ch. DE FONTENILLE ENTRE-DUEX-MERS BLANC
Even though the Bordeaux region is one of the larger and more prolific growing areas in France, you don't see it around that frequently. Plantings of the white varietals have gone down as demand has dropped, now with less than roughly 15% of the region producing white wines. Most of them exist in the 'everyday' price point, with a small group of higher end ones at the top, and very little at the in-between price points. This is a style that fits in perfectly at this time of year, working with most everything on the holiday table and well worth getting some needed attention. As usual the less expensive ones tend to feature Sauvignon Blanc more in the blends and no oak for a fresher, crisper style (Semillon is more of a feature with the oakier and more expensive ones). Clean fresh fruit and cut grass on the nose with a slight tropical pop of fragrance from the Muscadelle. The Semillon and Sauvignon Gris give the palate a bit of roundness and skin tannin texture, helps to differentiate it from the Loire style of Sauvignon Blanc, richer without losing the freshness. Stands up to a lot of the lighter to midweight dishes at the dinner table.
Regular Price $16.99/btl, $14.44/case

2022 QUINTA DA ALORNA VINHO REGIONAL TEJO TINTO 'LUTRA'
With each successive vintage, Portugal continues to produce wave after wave of exciting wines of both great quality and excellent value, and the sources are spreading throughout the country. 'Tejo' is the newer wine region name for the more basic wines from the Ribatejo province just inland from Lisbon. Much of the region is similar to the larger Alentejo region to the South, but the cooling aspects of the Tagus (Tejo) River and the fertile soils along its banks make it very distinctive, if somewhat more famous for making high volume bulk wines. Nothing mass market about this one, just an enjoyable, gulpable red. Primarily Touriga Nacional with healthy doses of southern Portugal native grapes Castelao and Trincadeira, this is dark and grapey on the nose with lots of easy purple fruits and a bit of warm spices. The palate feels equally juicy, and the dark flavors seem like they would come with more tannin but are actually quite soft and pleasant, just showing a little texture on the finish. A fun and tasty 'anytime' wine.
Regular Price $9.99, $8.49/case

2023 PULLUS WHITE 'HALOZAN' SLOVENIA
Another wine in the Select Six that has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to a move by consumers towards less alcoholic options. Slovenia and others of the more eastern European countries have really benefitted from this move as much of their wine production comes from cooler climates that helps create cleaner, crisper white wines. This blend has been one of our best selling wines in Liter bottles for many vintages now, and shows no sign of stopping. Primarily a blend of Welschriesling (a grape that is neither Riesling related OR Welsh) and Furmint along with some local varieties, this is quite dry naturally and sees the fermentation done with native yeasts which helps to draw out more of the racy, almost saline notes in the acidity. Lots of fresh cut apple and touches of citrus blossom aromas with a clean, quenching, 'wet' mouthfeel with lots of crisp texture and a little bit of grapeskin tannin to the finish. ideal for splashing around for whatever group of people you may be hanging with for the holidays.
Regular Price $15.99/1L, $13.59/case

2022 DOMAINE DE LA BOUISSIERE 'LES AMIS DE LA BOUISSIERE' VIN DE FRANCE
Even some of the more tradition-laden producers in historic regions like to mess around with things every now and again. La Bouissiere is a very well regarded and established house in Gigondas, making classic wines from the rugged mountain vineyards near their estate as well as nearby regions of Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise. For their more everyday wine, instead of creating your standard Cotes du Rhone they chose to play with the form a bit. Primarily Syrah based, the blend uses Merlot (!) and a relatively new hybrid of Grenache and Malbec called Caladoc. Using those varieties means they have to label the wine as a basic 'Vin de France', but in their hands this drinks every bit as well and anyone's Cotes du Rhone. Plush dark fruits with a bit of unique currant note, surprisingly mouthfilling with lots of unfiltered texture and some darker tannins, but also lots of immediately enjoyable flavor. A great way to mix up your Rhone wine consumption with something a little different, but not unfamiliar.
Regular Price $18.99/btl, $16.14/case

10/31/2024

INSIDER'S PICK: NV AZ. CALABRETTA VINO ROSSO 'CALA CALA' ITALY $21.99

- One to buy by the case here.

The Insider's Pick wine will be available to taste Thursday and Friday and gets a 10% discount during the tasting. Come on by and taste some delicious wine!

For Halloween, we wanted to throw out to everyone a 'Tricky Treat', a wine that's unexpectedly thrilling on the inside despite appearing rather ordinary on the outside.

Massimiliano Calabretta is notorious in Sicily for being both a staunch traditionalist and a bit of a curmudgeon. He makes wines that he likes, the way he likes, generally not worrying about and often disregarding the rules for the appellation.

Their vineyards all lie within the Mount Etna area but none of the wines indicate it on the labels, and he's perfectly fine with that.

A 'Vino Rosso' is almost by definition the lowest designation for an Italian wine, and in most situations could be anything from anywhere.

At Calabretta, it is an affordable look into their mindset. Each batch is a multi-vintage blend of up to five different years, focused mostly if not exclusively on the Nerello Mascalese grape along with other native varietals.

The greatness here is in the age of some portions, some a decade or more old, which allows you the chance to taste some of the aged elements that usually can't be found without hiding away a wine yourself.

A pale ruby color with a bit of bricking at the edges, the aroma is a lovely mix of new and old, young red cherry with earth and leather, tart cranberry with savory underbrush.

On the palate the younger parts give the fruit a bit of fresh weight, while the aged portions give the long fine tannins and lighter elegant finish.

A mature and approachable wine that's ready to go without any work or time on your end; if you haven't started a wine cellar, this will make you want to start.

10/30/2024

TASTING FRIDAY NOVEMBER 1st 3:30-6:30: A PRE-HOLIDAY ASSORTMENT OF TASTY ARRIVALS

We're going to be moving from one holiday beer season to the next very, very soon, so we wanted to give a little face time to some tasty 'normal' beers that have arrived recently.

On deck for Friday will be -

OEC 'Anytime' Coolship Fermented Lager,

Urban Artifact 'Rangle' Tart Ale w/Cherry & Vanilla,

Abbaye du Val-Dieu 'Blanche de Liege Rose' Belgian Wheat Ale w/Raspberry,

Bissell Bros. 'Lux' Mosaic Pale Ale, and

Schilling 'Skane' Baltic Porter.

Hope to see you here!

10/24/2024

Insiders Pick - La Ghibellina Gavi, Italy $19.99.

The Insider's Pick wine will be available to taste Thursday and Friday and gets a 10% discount during the tasting. Come on by and taste some delicious wine!

New blood in established wine areas is always a good thing, brings some fresh perspectives and keeps things evolving and moving forward.

La Ghibellina was established in the early 2000s by husband and wife Marina and Alberto, and while neither has a family tie to winemaking or viticulture they have deep connections to the region as a whole (Marina coming from a lineage of regional artists, Alberto from nearby Genova representing Italy in water polo at multiple Olympics).

Their success in other life pursuits has also translated to success in the vineyards, as their small organic farm has achieved great quality in their whites and reds (even some sparkling wines!).

This is quintessential Gavi, and considering the Gavi di Gavi commune is considered the very best of the region, it's also an impressive value.

Clean and clear character, full of leesy white fruits, hay and cut flower aromas with tiny pops of dried herbs.

The palate is round and dry but not stern, with lots of round green apple and refreshingly tart acidity to the finish that gets brighter and longer after every sip.

A great year round white option for lighter fish and poultry dishes, clean and super dependable.

10/17/2024

INSIDER'S PICK: NV THIBAUT-JANISSON 'VIRGINIA FIZZ' SPARKLING WINE $26.99.

The Insider's Pick wine will be available to taste Thursday and Friday and gets a 10% discount during the tasting. Come on by and taste some delicious wine!

We have several tastings happening this week to celebrate Virginia Wine Month, including a full lineup of wines for Saturday and a special Mead tasting with Thistle & Stag tomorrow from Fork Union. But what better way to kick off a celebration than with some bubbles from Virginia's finest sparkling wine makers at Thibaut-Janisson.

The orange label of their flagship Blanc de Blanc Brut is about as identifiable in this state as the V***e Cliquot yellow label (and we would say at LEAST as tasty) but people shouldn't also sleep on its easy drinking little brother, the Virginia Fizz.

Same great sources of Chardonnay as the Brut, just vinified without the time on the lees and finished a little softer to make a lighter, cleaner, more easy drinking wine.

Cool crisp green apple aromas with lots of fizz initially that mellows to a light bubble and dusty white fruits after some moments in the glass.

The palate is equally clean and apply, very brisk with the carbonated snappiness on the tongue but not astringent through the finish, very spritely and lime zest throughout.

Seriously good, but just not AS serious, great to pop for everyday celebrations.