Vinous Champagne & Sparkling Wine Tasting

---

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.

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.