We're officially a quarter of the way through the 21st century... didn't think I'd make it, to be honest.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Tuesday, 10am to 6pm
Wednesday - Saturday, 10am to 8pm
Calendar đÂ
January 4 (Saturday) - Soup Saturday -- Shrimp & Corn Chowder, all day while supplies last.
January 11 (Saturday) - First Second Saturday of the year, details TBD.
January 25 (Saturday) - OYSTER DAY! This is not a national holiday, but it sure is official here. One day, one thousand oysters, so make your plans now. More details to come.
February 8 (Saturday) - Second Saturday, details TBD.
February 14 (Friday) - Valentine's Day Dinner, reservations required.
News đ
Well, we did it. We got through another holiday season, and another year has begun. It may not be the nicest year so far out there, but we've got plenty of time to improve on that. We're slowly but surely restocking the store after the holiday rush madness, so if you missed out on something over the last couple of weeks, we're working on it. We're also working on our Events list for 2025, starting with Soup Saturday this weekend. Come on down for a bowl of Shrimp & Corn Chowder for $9.99, all day while supplies last. Hearty but not too heavy after all of those holiday indulgences we all undoubtedly partook in... or may still be partaking in. And for all the oyster lovers out there, mark your calendars for January 25 because we're bringing back our officially unofficial Oyster Day, because one Oyster Day per year is simply not enough. Keep your eyes peeled for more on that in the weeks to come.
Wine Feature âď¸
This week's feature is the one new wine we got in last week, the Ridge NV Cabernet Sauvignon for $39.99. If you haven't tried Ridge before, they simply do a fantastic job with their wines. Normally they specialize in Zinfandel, so this Cabernet Sauvignon from them is a bit special. Comprised of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and blended out with 16% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, it's actually more of a Left Bank Bordeaux-style blend. "Last year, magic was created at Ridge in the form of an extraordinary Cabernet with a distinctive lineage. As you may know, Ridge has vineyard holdings in Sonoma County and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Rarely, if ever, do they mix fruit from these AVAs - until they decided to break with tradition. Tossing aside concerns about prestigious AVA and vintage designations, the winemaking team took classic Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from 2022, added some Merlot for plushness and Cabernet Franc for complexity, and threw in some 2023 pressed juice from the prestigious Monto Bello Vineyard in Santa Cruz for some extra wow factor. This once-in-a-lifetime Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied, juicy, and resplendent with ripe fruit characters on the nose and palate. Beguiling aromas of raspberry and blackberry compote follow on the palate and are brought into pitch-perfect balance by vibrant acidity. Accents of Damson plums, wet stone, and savory herbs add depth and complexity, and a whiff of back pepper on the long finish gives it a delightful kick. Only 70 barrels of this wine were made -  and it will never be made again. You will never see it on store shelves and you won't see it mentioned in the wine press. It is truly a unicorn wine that only a few people will be privileged to drink. Be one of the lucky ones!" I think that just about says it all...
Wine Pick đĽ
Guess what... Mary Taylor got us again. We just can't seem to get enough of her wines. The pick this week is the Mary Taylor 2020 Costières de NĂŽmes Red Blend. The Costières de NĂŽmes AOC is located just west of the famed CĂ´tes du RhĂ´ne, and like its famous neighbor, red blends reign supreme. This bottle is 60% fruity Grenache, 20% heavy-lifter Mourvedre, and 20% big and spicy Syrah. It's described as "a fleshy but elegant wine, with an enveloping core of spicy dark berries and a firm grip of tannins. Beyond the fruit, itâs the expression of the soil that gives the wine its true identity. It's a wild, seductive, rustic wine that exudes the South of France." All of her wines are under $20, and this one is no exception at $18.99. A bargain price for a quality wine.
Oyster Selection đŚŞ
An oldie and a newbie, Pink Moons and Southwest Sensations, both from PEI. Pink Moons, the perennial favorite, from New London, PEI. Small, salty, and bursting with perfectly balanced flavor. Southwest Sensations, from the Southwest of the island obviously, the "party oyster." Larger in size, great on the half shell or baked. Deeply savory and creamy, "the top choice for any foodie that appreciates a bold flavoured oyster."
Market Items đÂ
*Fresh Choice Ribeyes - $18.99/lb
*Fresh North Atlantic Salmon - $18.99/lb
*Fresh Short Rib Burgers, 4pk - $13.99
*Fresh Oysters - $24/dozen
Canned Lump Crab, 1lb - $26.99
Frozen 6oz Filet Mignon, 2pk - $18.99
Frozen Center Cut Beef Tenderloin Filets, 8oz - $16.99
Frozen Chuck Prime Burgers, 5pk - $14.99 Frozen Pre-Cooked St. Louis Ribs - $29.99
Frozen Cooked Demi-Glace Pork Shank, 1.5lb - $14.99 Frozen Cooked Osso Bucco, 16oz - $9.99
Frozen Berkshire Pork Tenderloins, ~1lb - $12.99
Frozen Duroc Dry Aged Bone-In Pork Chops, 14oz - $16.99
Frozen Pounded Veal Cutlet - $18.99/lb
Frozen Weisswurst Veal Sausage - $8.99/lb
Frozen Rinaldi Italian Sausage, 5pk - $8.99
Frozen U-13/15 Raw Jumbo Shrimp Deveined (2lb package) - $39.99
Frozen U-10 Scallops - $29.99/lb
Frozen Lobster Tails (4oz), 2pk - $25.99
Frozen King Crab (6-9s) - $42.99/lb
Frozen Massa Sicilian Style Pizza (Italian Sausage or Roasted Vegetable) - $14.99
Frozen Oven-Roasted Potato Wedges - $8.99
Frozen Au Gratin Potatoes, 2pk - $5.99
Fresh/Frozen Cheese Ravioli, 1lb - $9.99
Fresh/Frozen Drakeâs Pasta Ravioli (Veal or Butternut Squash) - $12.99/lb (serving for 2)
Tribeca Oven Bread (Sourdough or Rosemary) - $5.50
Brioche Hamburger Buns - $3.99
Brioche Hot Dog Buns - $3.99
French Macarons, 12pk - $8.99
Miner's Demi Glace - $9.99
New Wineđˇ
Domaine Mercouri 2020 Red Blend, Greece - $29.99
Jean des Valanges 2023 Macon-PrissĂŠ Chardonnay, France - $24.99
Mary Taylor 2020 Costières de NÎmes Red Blend, France - $18.99
Felline Sinfarosa 2019 Primitivo, Italy - $24.99
La Tanuta 2018 Brunello di Montalcino, Utaly - $45.99
New Beer & More đş
Southern Tier Imperial Strawberry Shortcake, 4pk bottles - $12.99
Outerbelt Brewing Cloverleaf Irish Stout, 6pk cans - $11.99
TrĂśegs Blizzard Hops Winter IPA, 6pk cans - $11.99
Schlafly Zwickelbier White Lager, 6pk bottles - $11.99
Masthead Brewing Al Bacio Italian Style Pilsner, 4pk cans - $10.99
Masthead Brewing JalapeĂąo IPA, 4pk cans - $11.99
Fat Head's Alpha Ambush IPA, 6pk cans - $12.99
Bembel Gold Apfelwein (German Cider), 16.9oz can - $3.99
Best Day Brewing Electro-Lime N/A Cerveza, 6pk cans - $7.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel đ˘Â
Outerbelt Schneepflug Winterbier - $109.99
Wiedemann's Royal Amber Ale - $109.99
Bell's Hopslam Honey DIPA - $235.99
Coronado Weekend Vibes IPA - $135.99
Fat Head's Head Hunter IPA - $149.99
Final Thoughts đŹ
I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable New Year's celebration. Any good resolutions this year? I've got one for you... drink more wine. Or at least spend more time with friends and family here at the Wine Merchant. We've got resolutions of our own this year, and we hope to include lots of exciting things for all of you to enjoy. See you soon, and Happy New Year from all of us to all of you.
Cheers from all of us here at the Wine Merchant!
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