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Argentina Wine Pairing Dinner
Wednesday, July 17th 7pm
$85 Per Person
Reservations Required –
Email to carolinawinemerchants@gmail.com/ Or Call 919-349-2080
Course 1
Provoleta
Grilled provolone cheese topped with oregano and olive oil, served with fresh bread.
(Vegetarian)
2018 El Enemigo Bonarda Single Vineyard El Mirador
A rich purple in the glass, the ripe nose offers raspberry and sour cherry jam with hints of herb. On the palate, it’s broad with gentle tannins and a moderate to fresh juiciness that lends character and depth before the fruity finish.
Course 2
Tuna Causa
Layered dish with mashed potatoes, tuna, avocado, and drizzled with a spicy aji amarillo sauce
(Gluten Sensitive)
2023 Zolo Torrontes
Fresh and bright wine with loads of jasmine, citrus, and white peach flavors. Crisp, ripe, dry, and juicy all at once.
Course 3
Carne Asada with Carrot Top Chimichurri & Grilled Vegetables
(Gluten Sensitive)
2021 Tapiz Alta Cabernet
Reddish-purple in the glass. The nuanced aromatic profile features redcurrant, blackcurrant, elderberry and mountain herb notes. It's dry and juicy on the palate, with finely-grained tannins and well-balanced acidity thanks to precise grape selection.
Course 4
Chocotorta
Cake made with layers of chocolate cookies dipped in coffee, and a creamy filling of dulce de leche and cream cheese
(Vegetarian)
2018 El Enemigo Bonarda Single Vineyard La Esperanza
Almost Pinot like. It's floral and expressive, elegant and soft, with ripe black fruit flavors and aromas. It's juicy, long and nicely textured with very round tannins. Great acidity.
Italian Wine Education Tasting
Tuesday June 25th 6pm @Vinous Wine Bar
Sophie Barrett (Haw River Wine Imports)
$35 Per Person – Reservations Required
Send Reservation requests to –
carolinawinemerchants@gmail.com
Come spend your Sunday afternoon with me (Jake) and Italian Wine Expert extraordinaire Sophie Barrett of Haw River Wine Imports as we take you on an educational tour of the fascinating wines of Italy.
We will dive deep into each individual wine with the history, terroir , wine growing methods, winemaking techniques and proper way to taste and evaluate.
It’s going to be a fun, educational day of wine tasting!
1. Coffele Soave Alzari Classico 2021
Bouquet : The nose is intriguing; it seduces by its gradual evolution in the glass. At first, it shows aromas of mountain herbs, green tea and mineral notes. Ripe Williams pear, dried fruits, toasted nuts, and honey unfold over the course of some minutes.
Tasting notes : A dry wine that caresses the palate and offers volume and softness balanced by a distinct saltiness. Elegant and harmonious, with good structure, it has a pleasant length at the finish.
2. Fontanavecchia Rosato Aglianico 2023
Very pleasant rosé wine made from 100% Aglianico grapes. Beautiful coppery pink color; soft and delicate. Aromas of small red fruits, cherries and raspberries.
3. Lenuzza Schiopettino di Prepotto
A new addition to CWM portfolio of great wines this one has quickly become a customer favorite.
Schioppettino wines were once outlawed in favor of international varieties. Luckily, the tide eventually changed, and Friuli’s ancient native red grape survived to tell the tale. This flagship mono-varietal is alluringly herbaceous and peppery, tempered by rustic restraint.
It is their Grand Cru and oldest indigenous variety. Aged in Burgundy barrels with 4 months additional bottle age before release. Schioppettino is a thin-skinned grape that makes a light-bodied peppery red.
4. Vallone di Cecione Chianti Classico 2022
The estate's '22 Chianti Classico is a formidable wine that showcases perfectly ripened blue fruits paired with more complex notes of lavender, spice, anise, and tobacco on the nose and palate. Quite full, deep, and energetic, it's one of the finest Chianti Classico values out there.
5. Garolfoli Piancarda Rosso Conero 2020
The 2020 Rosso Conero Piancarda, a varietal Montepulciano, lifts from the glass with a dusty mix of dried roses, red currants and hints of nectarine that form a truly inviting bouquet. This is silky and elegant, nearly creamy in feel, yet elevated and cool-toned, with mineral-laced wild berries and a salty flourish that adds a savory sensation toward the close. The 2020 leaves a coating of fine tannins, as inner florals arch across the palate, and a caking of minerality slowly fades away. The warm vintage has imparted an extra suave character here, yet the Piancarda’s structure and acidity are nicely balanced and should promote medium-term cellaring. Lose a few bottles in the cellar; you’ll thank me later.
6. Tezza Valpolicella Brolo Delle Giare 2018
This red blend used to be a Ripasso wine, and the grapes are still dried on the rack. The juice spends 24 months in French barrique before being bottled. The resulting wine is complex, you’ll find notes of sour black cherry and toasted vanilla followed by a rich palate that includes flavors of cinnamon, more black fruit and dried herbs.
Italian Wine Tasting Dinner Menu
Wednesday, June 5th 7pm (Reservations Required) –
Email carolinawinemerchants@gmail.com
Seating Limited to 24 People - $75 Person
First Course
Whipped White Bean & Pesto Crostini
Umani Ronchi Terre di Chieti Pecorino 2022
Pecorino from Terre di Chieti IGT, Abruzzo, Italy
A nice combination of bright, citrusy fruit and savory mineral character here, which is typical for pecorino. Floral notes add further interest. Medium-bodied with a tight and tasty palate and an enduring lemon and lime finish. Super standard bearer for this local grape.
Second Course
Aubergine Fritters with Marinated Mushroom & Olive Salsa
Tiberio Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo 2022
The 2022 Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo seduces with its perfumed blend of crushed cherries and strawberries, complemented by rhubarb, violets and sweet smoke. It's racy and sleek, built on energy, with a mineral core that grips the palate. A cascade of wild berries is excited by tantalizing acidity. This finishes dramatically long, lightly structured and full of zesty tension as salty nuances combine with tart red fruits and hints of sour citrus. The 2022 takes Cerasuolo to a whole new level. This is more a red than a Rosé, and with a bouquet to match.
Third Course
Beef Involini (braised beef roulaude) with Asparagus and Rosemary Potatoes
Ca del Baio Langhe Nebbiolo Bric del Baio 2022
A vibrant, medium-bodied red from Piedmont with no oak contact. This wine features bright cherry along with the earth and tobacco finish of good Nebbiolo.
Fourth Course
Strawberry, Basil & Ricotta Cake with Strawberry Balsamic Drizzle & Fresh Cream
Ca del Baio Moscato d'Asti 2023
Brilliant straw yellow color, animated by fine and persistent bubbles; intense, aromatic aroma, typical of the grape of origin, with fruity notes that recall apricot and linden flowers; sweet, light, good acidity, fresh and persistent aftertaste. Italian sweet wine par excellence!
Come join us at Vinous Wine Bar/Carolina Wine Merchants on Saturday May 18th as we welcome Jay Raffaldini to Sanford as we taste his amazing lineup of Italian wines. We will have food, wine, and Jay to speak about the wines.
Tickets for the event are just $35 and must be purchased in advance. Contact me, Jake Jacobs either by email or by phone.
carolinawinemerchants@gmail.com/ 919-349-2080
https://carolinawinemerchants.com/
Vinous Wine Bar
112 S. Steele Street in beautiful historic downtown Sanford, NC.
For those of you who don’t know Raffaldini specializes in Italian grape varietals. One visit to Raffaldini vineyards you will feel like you’ve been transported to the beautiful countryside of the rolling hills of Tuscany.
Raffaldini Vineyards
450 Groce Road
Ronda, North Carolina 28670
Email: info@raffaldini.com
T: 336.835.9463
https://www.raffaldini.com/Visit/About-Us
The Raffaldini Wines
Vermentino Superiore 2021
“Our largest white planting this is our signature grape which we use to make a wine similar to the wine commonly found in the Italian island of Sardinia. With its beautiful minerality and saline features, this wine reminds drinkers of Mediterranean summers. Vermentino grows effortlessly on our property and when it arrives at the winery there is little winemaker intervention that takes place. It is simply a lovely wine, smooth and refreshing white with juicy notes of pineapple, sweet lemon and peach.”
Montepulciano Riserva 2020
Our largest planting on the property this grapes hails from the Province of Abruzzo which lies east of Rome. The Montepulciano grape tends to make wine that are most similar in profile to Merlot – juicy with ripe and rich fruit framed by lively acidity and soft tannins. Tending to prefer a more complex style made near the city of Chieti, we also put some of these grapes through the Appassimento drying process while also co fermenting these grapes with some Sagrantino and Petit Verdot.
Sagrantino 2020
Sagrantino is one of the rarest grapes in the world with almost 95% of the 2000 acres planted being located in the Province of Umbria and around the town of Montefalco, Sagrantino flourishes on our property and when the grapes arrive to the winery they are brimming with mouth drying tannins. We further accentuate the bigness of the wine by also utilizing the Appassimento drying process to create a savory, drying and earthy full bodied wine in the traditional Umbrian style. This wine is not for the faint of heart.
Grand Riserva 2019
The flight of the Bumble Bee defies physics- their wings are too small and don't flap fast enough to support their weight. Yet somehow, through the sheer force of their will and determination, they fly. Given the nearly impossible climate conditions we have here, we should not make a wine this wonderful, yet we do. Raffaldini Grande Riserva, our Flagship, is our Bumble Bee wine. Montepulciano, Petit Verdot, and Sagrantino grapes, harvested at optimal ripeness are triple-sorted and then dried heavily using the Appassimento drying process to further concentrate the grapes natural flavors and aromas.
La Dolce Vita 2021
La Dolce Vita (translated from Italian as The Sweet Life) is our version of the widely popular Italian sweet wine called Moscato D'asti. What makes La Dolce Vita so lovely is the aromatic profile of flowers is supported by acidity and sparkling bubbles to balance the sweetness of the wine while retaining freshness. Best served chilled it is a delightful wine designed to pair with dry cheeses and fruit or as a standalone when simply having relaxing moments.
First Course
Gazpacho with Sourdough Croutons
(Cold Tomato, Cucumber & Sweet Pepper Soup)
Ameztoi Rubentis Txakoli Rose 2023
Racy acidity and minerality define Txakoli, the slightly fizzy wines from Spanish Basque country. We love Ameztoi’s rose, a blend of white (Hondarrabi Zuri) and red (Hondarrabi Beltza) grapes. Crisp and dry with tangy cherry and orange zest notes.
Second Course
Patatas Bravas with Marinated Olives, Chorizo and Anchovies
(Pan Fried Potatoes with Spicy Tomato Sauce)
Ostatu Rioja Blanco 2023
A blend of 85% Viura and 15% Malvasía sourced from Samaniego and Ábalos in Rioja Alavesa. Displaying a yellow hue, it offers aromas of white flowers and herbs complemented by notes of lemon and apricot. Dry and refreshing, this vibrant white wine lingers with a malic core.
Third Course
Pollo Guisado Con Arroz
(Chicken, caramelized onions and sherry wine stew served with
garlic sautéed rice)
Ostatu Rioja Crianza 2020
A blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha, sourced from Samaniego, Rioja Alavesa. Aged for 12 months in oak barrels, this garnet-hued wine reveals aromas of rosemary and bay leaf, complemented by notes of blackberry and cassis atop a subtle oaky layer. On the palate, it is dry and juicy, with a chalky texture that imparts a compact mouthfeel.
Fourth Course
Arroz Con Leche with Banana Brûlée
(Rice Milk Pudding from Asturias)
Avinyo Brut Cava Reserva 2021
Cava (Sparkling wine from region of Penedes in Catalonia Spain) 60% macabeo, 25% xarel-lo, and 15% parellada from organically-farmed estate vines planted as far back as 1945. Tasty apple and fresh pear aromas with a creamy texture, light to medium-bodied sparkling wine with fine bubbles and additional notes of brioche, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits.
Four Course Tasting Menu – France
$75 Per Person
Reservations Required – Limit of 24 People
Wednesday, April 10th 7pm
First Course
Fromage Blanc – Herbed Goat Cheese Spread Canape with Roasted Cherry Tomato & Arugula
Marc Deschamps Pouilly-Fume Les Champs 2022
This wine miraculously combines the chiseled and piercing minerality of top-tier Sancerre, the unbelievably deep stone and citrus fruit of Vouvray, and the bottomless depth of Grand Cru Chablis. Each sip reveals a riveting sense of grandeur and remarkable energy that qualifies it as one of the region’s most compelling and age-worthy Sauvignon Blancs.
Second Course
Butternut Squash Boulangère – Braised Squash with Caramelized Onions & Bacon
Fichet Bourgogne Blanc VV 2011
Fichet's 2011 Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes blossoms beautifully in the glass, showing terrific flesh and density, but all in a medium-bodied frame. There is a lovely creaminess to the Vieilles Vignes, but the style is unquestionably Fichte in its focus and verve. This is a gorgeous wine at the Bourgogne level. The Vieilles Vignes is mostly Pelans and Millerands.
Third Course
Chicken Paillard – Pan Fried Boneless Chicken Thighs with a Shallot, Butter & Lemon Sauce
Served with Lyonnaise Potatoes
Joseph Cattin Riesling Grand Cru Hatschbourg 2020
A pale-yellow color with golden hues. The nose is mineral with notes of flowers and white stone fruits. A dry Riesling with citrus notes combined in a mineral style. A long-lasting finish.
Fourth Course
Sauternes Custard with Marinated Cherries
Chateau Latour Blanche Sauternes 2009
A powerful, complex wine, its layers of sweetness mixed with a total dryness from botrytis. The wine is impressively rich, considerably inspired by dried fruits and spices. Certainly, for aging over decades. (a blend of 85% semillon and 15% sauvignon blanc and muscadelle; 13.8% alcohol; 140 g/L residual sugar; pH 3.7) I love the deep golden color that comes with this much bottle age.
Carolina Wine Merchants
112 S. Steele Street, Sanford, North Carolina 27330, United States
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