Oyster Club Event Saturday, Oct.26 , 2024

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Oyster Club Event Saturday, Oct.26 , 2024

NCO365 Oyster Club & Vinous Wine Bar

Oyster Club Event Saturday, Oct.26 , 2024

2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Serving North Carolina Oysters & Shrimp

Low Country Boils are pre-order only, cut off 6 pm 10/25

Membership required to purchase 

Memberships & Pre-orders (recommended)

Prior to the Oyster Feast You can Pre-Order – follow the instructions below

Any questions please contact Doreen Rivers Graham -

Doreen Rivers Graham

Business Operations 

Co-Founder

Event Planner

E: doreen@ncoyster365.com

P: 919.423.6839

W: www.ncoyster365.com

To Join

Visit: http://nco365oysterclub.com  On the upper portion of the  home page >click To Join - our join page will open with some information  The last paragraph will tell the visitor to click the picture of oysters - this will take the person to our membership site.  Membership is $2/yr. - We will need a name, email, and phone number. Plus, check the declaration at the end.

Pre-Order

Visit: http://nco365oysterclub.com Home page click >more > the visitor will see a dropdown list > select pre-order  The pre order page will appear with all the items offered plus additional condiments At the check-out the visitor is instructed to put the date or name of the venue in the text box.  Shipping will appear but it will have 0.00 dollars because it does not apply to food items. 

Fall Wine Pairing Dinner Wednesday Oct. 23rd 7pm

$75 Per Person Reservations Required

RSVP to Jake – 

carolinawinemerchants@gmail.com/ 919-349-2080

First Course

Purple kohlrabi, fennel and arugula salad with an apple vinaigrette 

(Vegan, Gluten Sensitive)

2022 Pewsey Vale Riesling Eden Valley 2022

An open-knit, floral bouquet of honeysuckle and jasmine, along with peach, lime and ginger, opens to a mouthfeel that's almost surprisingly dry considering the honeyed nature of the nose. There's a chalky texture, delicate flavor and lovely lift of acidity.

Second Course

Chicken & vegetable empanadas with a beet & scallion chutney 

(Dairy)

Manarine Cotes du Rhone Rose 2023

50% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah. It offers bright, friendly strawberry fruit, gentle but well-measured acidity, and an underlying freshness not often found in the rosés of the southern Rhône. 

Third Course

Crispy pork belly with a coconut curried butternut squash puree

(Gluten Sensitive, Tree Nut)

Antoine Reniaume Côte Chalonnaise Pinot Noir 2023

All the pinot grapes are handpicked from vines that are 40 to 70 years old. In the cellar, temperature control and gently extractions allow him to preserve the fruit and a round texture to his wine which are not very tannic. Aged 12 months in 100 % Oak barrels (no new oak.)

Its fragrance is spicy with aromas of cloves, small black fruits and juniper berry. Its material is soft, light and dense at the same time . Fresh and caressing, its fruit is very ripe, airy and slightly sanguine. Perfect expression of Burgundy in this vintage.

Fourth Course

Peach tartlet with walnut crumble and freshly whipped cream

(Vegetarian, Dairy, Tree Nut)

Bele Casel Asolo Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry DOCG

The NV Extra Dry Prosecco Superiore enchants with its sweetly scented blend of sweet flowers, confectioners’ sugar and tropical melon. It engulfs the palate with silken bubbles, creating an undeniable elegance while contrasting ripe orchard fruits with hints of candied citrus. A chalky staining of minerality and pretty inner florals resonate, as this finishes with amazing length and freshness. This is an excellent entry into the Extra Dry category.

Great Values Wine Tasting Class

Tuesday October 29th 6pm

$45 Per Person – Charcuterie Plates Included

Reservations Required – 

Email to carolinawinemerchants@gmail.com/ Or Call 919-349-2080

1. Bele Casel Asolo Superiore Extra Dry DOCG Prosecco  

Bele Casel is what Prosecco should be about but rarely is…you’ll taste the difference.

Vinous 91

“The NV Extra Dry Prosecco Superiore enchants with its sweetly scented blend of sweet flowers, confectioners’ sugar and tropical melon. It engulfs the palate with silken bubbles, creating an undeniable elegance while contrasting ripe orchard fruits with hints of candied citrus. A chalky staining of minerality and pretty inner florals resonate, as this finishes with amazing length and freshness. This is an excellent entry into the Extra Dry category.”

2. Garofoli Castelli di Jesi Superiore Macrina Verdicchio 2022 

Wine Enthusiast 90

“This white wine is loaded with mixed citrus aromas: mandarin orange, lemon, tangerine and orange flower water. Sometimes heady, the wine meanders between the intense citrus notes and more savory and floral aromas giving more depth and character to the wine. The rounded palate has citrus flavors at its core with notes of honey, almond and sea salt all intertwined, finishing with a crushed stone minerality.” 

3. Chateau Vilatte Bordeaux Blanc 2023 

The Massart family acquired the multi-centennial estate, which was undoubtedly once the Feudal Castle's farmland, in 1973. Here, upon the gravelly-clay soils of the region, they make their wines in a very meticulous fashion. Old vines, low yields, and organic farming are all at play here. The estate's Bordeaux Blanc is so aromatic, fleshy, and expressive. A blend of tank fermented Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, Semillon, and Sauvignon Gris, it sees minimal sulfur addition and is aged on its fine lees for 4 months. The finished wine is my pick for the top White Bordeaux value out there. Plump yet fresh, it offers up attractive notes of peach, green apple, ripe citrus, and mineral. The Sauvignon Blanc and Gris gives fresh citrus and herbal notes while the Semillon and Muscadelle gives ripe peach and floral nuances. It all adds up to a wonderful bottle of truly artisan White Bordeaux. Dry and zesty yet ripe and juicy, this has that wonderful contrast of qualities that all great wines possess. This is the kind of a wine that will please a lot of different palates.

4. Reniaume Cote Chalonnaise Rouge 2019 

Winemaker Antoine Reniaume trained in the Cote du Beaune at Meo Camuzet to learn the fine art of Burgundy winemaking. All the pinot grapes are handpicked from vines that are 40 to 70 years old. In the cellar, temperature control and gently extractions allow him to preserve the fruit and a round texture to his wine which are not very tannic. Aged 12 months in 100 % Oak barrels (no new oak.)

Wonderful fragrance that is floral dominant where violet mixes nicely with spices and a peppery hint.

5. Caprili Ilex Toscana Rosso 2023 

Caprili is a top-notch Brunello producer, and this is the estate’s entry-level wine. Composed entirely of Sangiovese Grosso from younger Brunello vines, it is fermented and aged in stainless steel. Showing some serious concentration and depth, especially for such an affordable bottle, it’s loaded with dark fruits and light spice notes. It’s a lot of wine for its modest price – makes a great Italian house red for those dinner nights with pizza, lasagna and pasta with red sauce. 

6. Vecchia Torre Salice Primitivo 2019 

If you like a  richer, fuller-bodied reds with abundant weight look towards Puglian Primitivo. It’s for palates that like Old Vine Zinfandels and Valpolicella Ripasso. 

Primitivo tastes of dark fruit like fresh figs, blueberries and baked blackberries. There’s a distinct dried fruit-leather character to it as well. The word Primitivo doesn’t mean primitive in Italian, but actually means early ripening since these grapes accumulate a lot of sugar early in the season. The early ripening means resulting wines are big, luscious and full of fruit.

California Wine Pairing Dinner

Wednesday, August  28th 7pm

$85 Per Person

Reservations Required – 

Email to carolinawinemerchants@gmail.com/ Or Call 919-349-2080

Course 1

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Burrata, Basil & Blueberry Balsamic Drizzle 

(Vegetarian, Gluten Sensitive)

Scattered Peaks Fume Blanc Napa 2021

Bright acidity and crisp freshness that is balanced with the subtle oak character from the French oak barrels. Expect flavors of clean citrus, lemon chiffon, melon and white peach with delicate touches of lemongrass & lychee on the finish.

Course 2

Crab & Prawn Croquette with Avocado Crema

(Shellfish)

Raeburn Sonoma Chardonnay 2022

Complex fruit tones ranging from pear and Gravenstein apple to nectarine. The fruit is beautifully complemented with toasted oak, vanilla and hints of Creme Brulee with a balanced and elegant finish.

Course 3

Duck Confit Tostada with Pickled Tomatillo, Artichoke & Endive 

Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2022

Velvety and smooth, the 2022 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir opens with pomegranate, vanilla, and earthy mushroom aromas. The palate delivers black cherry, dark chocolate, and baking spice supported by bright acidity and a lingering finish.

Course 4

Lemon Posset with Mixed Berry & Pineapple Mint Compote

(Vegetarian, Gluten Sensitive)

Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2023

Straw in color, this wine offers soft aromas of blossom, almond, pear drop and red apple. The citrus notes are balanced with fresh acidity, creating flavors of lemon poppyseed, minerality, green apple and white peach.

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.

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 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.

  Jazz Singer

https://www.doriandevins.com/

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.