I enjoyed a farewell meal with Ezra just before he departed. While inquiring about dessert, our server scraped the crumbs from our table with a small silver utensil we'd both seen countless times before, yet neither of us knew the name for it. Most just call it a crumber, our server replied with a smile. 

A simple, delightful and fitting name considering its application. And I would also contend that my five year old daughter thinking sunscreen is called sun-scream is equally fitting, particularly with how that application generally goes with her. I think about the peculiar names of things a lot. Cheerios and Triscuits. Ordinary objects like the spatula. My niece's old toy horse she named Charlicka. My other niece's doll she named Lumpy. Aglets on the end of my laces. The lunula of a fingernail. Someone at the bar taught me last week that the cardboard sleeve on my paper coffee cup was called a zarf.

What's in a name? Folks who stop in here may recognize the names of more common grape varieties like Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, or Syrah gracing some labels. Perhaps these familiar names guide their preference or suggest to a reasonable degree what flavors, aromas (or body, texture, etc) one might expect from those particular offerings. But what to make of the hundreds of obscure grape varieties overlooked and unappreciated due their peculiar sounding names? Happily, more folks are willing to give Grüner Veltliner a try - and have discovered its bright, crisp, easy-drinking and exceptionally food-friendly nature. We also see many more readily reaching for Carignan or Counoise or Grignolino these days... but what about Altesse? Nerello Mascalese? Hárslevelű?? So many buried treasures in the world of wine - and right here at the shop. Come put (at very least) a taste to these names and explore these delightful obscurities with us tonight...

THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS: Tasting Flights of obscure and unusual (and delicious) grape varieties!  
2021 Bohigas Xarel-lo
2022 Zafeirakis Assyrtiko
2020 Királyudvar Tokaji Sec
2018 Vaeni Naoussa Xinomavro
2018 Milos Plavac Mali
NV Pierce Ranch Cosecheiro Monterey Touriga
Red and white flights $15 from 5-9 and wines by the glass until close

SATURDAY FLIGHTS: Chillable Reds from around the globe...
2021 Aupa Pipeno
2021 Pomalo Plavina
2022 Les Lunes Astral Red Blend
2020 Karim Vionnet Du Beur Dans Les Pinards Beaujolais-Village
Flights $18 from 2-6 and wines by the glass until close.


See you soon,

Daniel