These are the items we added this week. We tasted all of the wines except the Cucao and the Casas Patronales Cabernet Sauvignon; among the spirits, thusfar we’ve tasted the sweet potato shōchū (shōchū is essentially the Japanese equivalent of Korean soju, though we’ve not yet found a “soju” distributed in the market).
New Wines
- Francois Meriéau Touraine “L’Arpent des Vaudons” (typical Loire Sauvignon Blanc minerality though slightly different than Sancerre, no grapefruit bomb)
- Verderol Rueda (60% Verdejo, 40% Viura)
- Louis Guntrum Riesling Rheinhessen QbA “Royal Blue”
- Vignale Pinot Grigio, IGT Veneto (this was an interesting different flavor profile for the varietal, slightly creamy)
- Cucao (Geo Wines) Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley
- Viña Casas Patronales Cabernet Sauvignon, Maule Valley, San Ernesto Vineyard
- Gladium Tempranillo Crianza La Mancha (100% Tempranillo)
- Five H “Heritage” Red (85% Merlot, 15% Primitivo), Columbia Valley, Washington
- Ülmen Malbec Dulce, Mendoza (semi-sweet)
- Cartlidge and Browne Pinot Noir, California
New Spirits
- Honkaku Shōchū Ikkomon (Japan; Sweet Potatoes)
- Honkaku Shōchū Gankutsuoh (Japan; Rice)
- Shōchū Yokaichi Mugi (Japan; Barley)
- Tombo Shōchū / Soju (Vietnam; Barley; rated 88 by the Beverage Testing Institute)
- 99 Bananas Liqueur
- Hiram Walker Sour Apple Liqueur
