Summer is drawing to a close and that makes it a great time to taste a big, warming, red like Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco 2019. But there's still some heat to come before the leaves begin to turn, so it's also a great time to sip on some refreshing warm weather values. So here's what you can taste in the shop when you stop by from 3-7pm on Friday and noon-4pm on Saturday:

Dom du Dragon Rose Cotes de Provence Grande Cuvee 2023 - If you thought the 2022 you enjoyed earlier this summer was good, just wait until you taste the snappy, fresh, 2023!

Dom de Valensac Albariño Pays d'Oc Entre Nous 2023 – You don’t normally think of heading to the South of France for Albariño, but here it shines with salty freshness and beautiful stone fruit.

Dom de Valensac Pays d'Oc Grille No. 22 NV – Savory Alicante Bouchet and juicy, ripe, Grenache come together here to create a wonderful summer/fall red that shines with a chill and gets richer as it warms.

Pietraventosa Gioia del Colle Primitivo Allegoria 2021 - You'll love the crunch black berry fruit and almost salty minerality and aged balsamic zing on the mouthwatering finish. Big enough for food and light enough for a chill.

Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco 2019 - Another stunning vintage for one of Italy's top super-Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon-based reds. Young but already compelling.

One of the joys of a terrific rosé like Dragon 2023 is how it both refreshes solo and matches up with full-flavored foods. For example, this week’s featured cheese, Cypress Grove Humbolt Fog. As the folks at Cypress Grove say, “Conceived in a dream (yes, really!) by founder Mary Keehn, this masterpiece paved the way for soft-ripened goat cheese in America. Each handcrafted wheel features a distinctive ribbon of edible vegetable ash. You'll enjoy buttermilk and fresh cream, complemented with floral notes, herbaceous overtones, and a clean citrus finish. As Humboldt Fog goat cheeses matures, the creamline develops and the flavor intensifies.”

Come try the pairing yourself this weekend Friday from 3-7pm and Saturday from noon-4pm. A great chance to discover a new favorite wine & cheese pairing!