Another installment in an ongoing series.
It was time to head out on another foray to shop for value wines. Remember, the caveat is six wines for $72. I decided to visit a new wine shop that had opened at the end of last year, Central Bottle Wine+Provision. I had dropped in during the shop’s inaugural weekend and had a pleasant time with Allison, one of the shop assistants, picking out unusual wines from uncommon varietals – definitely a wine geek thing. On that first visit, I had been impressed with the design of the space, the selection of wines and the knowledge of the staff. I knew I would return.Central Bottle is the creation of four friends – Maureen and Dave and Liz and Nick. Maureen operates the shop, David, an architect with Huth Architects, designed the shop, Liz, as the website explains, is the shop’s”super taster” and Nick owns The Blue Room. Their strategy is straight-forward -good wines from small producers, often family-run wineries, who work with the wine from start to finish. As for the “Provisions” in the shop’s name, they offer cheese, salumi and olive oil. They fill their calendar with a variety of events - skype-ing winemakers, visiting chefs and a weekly wine bar. Definitely a place to frequent.
Now, I was back. As a turophile, I headed straight for the cheese case. On my first visit, the selection had been meager, but now, there was a mighty cheese wall of outstanding local artisanal selections. David, whom I had met at cheese tastings at Formaggio Kitchen and at the Bueno Queso Social Club, was in charge of the upgraded selection. Allison, who had been so helpful on my first visit, was not there; she was down at Just Beer Brewing Co. in Westport, brewing ale with Dann Paquette of Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project. That’s almost as good as wine shopping! After chatting with Maureen for a bit, I was now eager to shop. The folks at Central Bottle have made it easy for us who shop on a budget – there is an entire island of selections for under $15. It was sometimes difficult but I managed to snag my six.
- Domaine de Regusse Aligote Vin de Pays des Alpes de Haute Provence 2008 . Aligote, a varietal most commonly grown in Burgundy, being grown in the south – how interesting! I’ll have to try this.
- Domaine Labbe Abymes Vin de Savoie 2008. The grape here is Jacquere, the predominant white grape of the Savoy, that alpine area in eastern France bordering Switzerland. The producer is small – the domaine is only ten hectares.
- Domaine de Gournier Merlot Vin de Pays des Cevennes 2007. This gem of a wine comes from the Costiere de Nimes and is grown on vines brought from the Right Bank of Bordeaux.
- Cave des Vignerons de Saumur Les Plantagenet Saumur 2007. This Cabernet Franc, a varietal known for its perfumed aroma, comes from the same cooperative in the Loire responsible for “Les Pouches” which I bought on my last patrol.
- Domaine Bourdic Zappa Vin de Pays des Cotes de Thongue 2007. From a husband and wife team in the Languedoc, a blend of 69%Syrah, 18%Tempranillo and 13% Grenache. The Domaine has a charming website worth viewing.
- Chateau Grande Cassagne Costieres de Nimes 2008. This wine, a blend of 60% Grenach and 40% Syrah from the Darde brothers, is a collaboration with the importer Robert Kacher.
The moment of truth at the cash register arrives. Total for 6 bottles $71 – but with sales tax – $75.44. I guess I’ll have to sharpen my shopping skills for the next patrol – or move to New Hampshire!
