Arrowine

This column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup or in-store shopping. Have a question? Email thenose@arrowine.com.

In Burgundy’s complex landscape of prestigious vineyards and celebrated winemakers, some of the most compelling stories come from dedicated vignerons who prioritize craft over recognition.

Laurent Pillot exemplifies this tradition, rarely leaving his village over two decades to ensure he never missed a crucial moment in his vineyards.

Now joined by his sons Romain and Simon, the Pillot family continues their meticulous approach to winemaking, earning a reputation for extracting exceptional quality from their parcels. Their 2023 Bourgogne Pinot Noir showcases the vintage’s much-praised characteristics: immediate charm, fresh fruit expression, and elegant structure.

The wine displays a deep ruby color and offers fragrant aromas of strawberry tarts and Bing cherries, accented by delicate violet notes. On the palate, it presents concentrated red fruit flavors balanced by subtle notes of toasted nuts, spice, and cherry pit. While immediately appealing, brief decanting reveals additional depth and complexity.

Wine critics have praised 2023 as an outstanding vintage for Burgundy’s entry-level wines, delivering both immediate pleasure and aging potential. The Pillots’ bottling, aged in stainless steel to preserve freshness and purity, exemplifies these qualities.

Available now at Arrowine, this release continues the Pillot family’s tradition of producing expressive Pinot Noir that punches above its price point. Previous vintages have consistently sold out within hours of release.

This column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup or in-store shopping. Have a question? Email thenose@arrowine.com.

While Bordeaux is famous for its red wines, the region’s white wines offer some of France’s most intriguing and overlooked values.

At Château de la Vieille Tour, the Boissonneau family has been crafting distinctive white wines since 1839, earning recognition as pioneers in organic viticulture with their certification in 2007.

Their 2023 Bordeaux Blanc exemplifies the complexity possible in the Entre Deux Mers region, located just two miles from the Garonne River. The wine brings together all four white varieties grown on the estate: aromatic Muscadelle provides floral notes, Sauvignon Gris contributes texture and ripe fruit character, Sauvignon Blanc adds vibrancy and complexity, while Semillon grounds the blend with depth and structure.

The resulting wine displays bright citrus and stone fruit characteristics, complemented by notes of white flowers, lime peel, and Granny Smith apple. A distinctive mineral character, reminiscent of wet stone and chalk, reflects the estate’s unique terroir.

This versatile white pairs naturally with seafood, particularly shellfish and white-fleshed fish, as well as grilled poultry dishes. The wine is available at Arrowine.

This column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup or in-store shopping. Have a question? Email thenose@arrowine.com.

In a surprising upset, Umani Ronchi — a family-owned estate from Italy’s Adriatic coast — has been named 2024 Winery of the Year by Gambero Rosso, Italy’s leading wine guide.

The prestigious award typically goes to renowned producers from Tuscany, Piedmont, or Sicily’s trendy Mount Etna region, making this recognition particularly significant for the Bernetti family’s operation in Marche and Abruzzo.

The award validates Umani Ronchi’s 65-year commitment to quality. Already ranked among Wine Spectator’s 34 Best Wineries of Italy in 2020, the estate continues pushing boundaries while maintaining accessibility across their portfolio.

Their 2023 “Podere” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo exemplifies this approach. Sourced from hand-harvested vineyards in northern Abruzzo’s Chieti and Teramo provinces, the wine foregoes oak aging to showcase the grape’s natural character. Wine critic James Suckling awarded it 92 points, praising its “vivid, bright and textured” profile with “aromas of dark cherries, blueberries and mild spices.”

The winemaking team harvests each vineyard plot separately over three weeks, ensuring optimal ripeness. Aging occurs in stainless steel tanks rather than oak barrels, preserving the Montepulciano grape’s distinctive fruity intensity and approachability.

This food-friendly red is available at Arrowine, with special case pricing available through January! Its versatility makes it an excellent companion to classic Italian dishes from pasta Bolognese to wood-fired pizza.

This column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup or in-store shopping. Have a question? Email thenose@arrowine.com.

Near the medieval city of Carcassonne in southwest France lies a wine region that breaks traditional boundaries.

Cabardès, influenced by both Mediterranean sunshine and Atlantic winds, stands as the only French wine appellation that requires winemakers to blend both Bordeaux and Rhône grape varieties in their wines.

This distinctive requirement produces wines that capture the elegance of Bordeaux and the generous fruit character of the Rhône Valley. One notable producer, Château Jouclary, has mastered this balance in their “Tradition” Rouge, a wine that demonstrates the unique potential of this under-the-radar region.

The 2021 vintage combines 30% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc with equal parts Syrah and Grenache, aged in concrete vats to preserve freshness and varietal character. The result is a deep ruby-colored wine offering complex aromas of blackberries and cherry, complemented by subtle notes of violets, herbs, and cocoa. The palate showcases the harmony between Bordeaux’s structural elements and the Rhône’s fruit-forward nature, with elegant tannins supporting layers of black and blue fruit.

While Cabardès remains relatively unknown compared to its famous neighbors, the region’s unique terroir and blending requirements are attracting increased attention from wine enthusiasts seeking new discoveries. Château Jouclary’s “Tradition” Rouge, priced under $20, exemplifies the exceptional value often found in France’s lesser-known appellations.

The wine is available now at Arrowine, where visitors can also explore other selections during weekend tastings!

This column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup or in-store shopping. Have a question? Email thenose@arrowine.com.

In the southern reaches of Burgundy, where the prestigious vineyards of Pouilly-Fuissé give way to the lesser-known commune of Fuissé, Domaine Thibert Miranda has quietly been producing some of the region’s most compelling white wines.

The estate’s 2022 Mâcon-Fuissé exemplifies why wine enthusiasts are increasingly turning their attention to this corner of the Mâconnais.

Jean-Paul Thibert’s family-owned estate takes a meticulous approach to winemaking, maintaining low yields in their carefully tended vineyards. While their Saint Veran and Pouilly-Fuissé bottlings have garnered attention, it’s their Mâcon-Fuissé that perhaps best demonstrates the region’s potential for exceptional value.

The 2022 vintage, which benefited from ideal growing conditions, showcases the distinctive character of Chardonnay grown in Fuissé’s limestone-rich soils.

After harvest, the wine spends seven months in neutral French oak barrels, developing a refined texture while preserving the grape’s natural vibrancy.

In the glass, the wine reveals a pale lemon hue and complex aromas of spiced pears, fresh peaches, and lemon curd, with subtle vanilla notes from barrel aging. The palate offers generous citrus and stone fruit flavors, balanced by a precise mineral core that provides structure and length.

While white Burgundy prices have risen significantly in recent years, with many Pouilly-Fuissé bottlings now exceeding $30, the Thibert Miranda Mâcon-Fuissé remains an accessible entry point to the region’s distinctive style. The 2022 vintage is available now at Arrowine, with special pricing available for case purchases.

The wine shows impressive versatility at the table, complementing everything from herb-roasted chicken and grilled fish to creamy pasta dishes and aged cheeses. While drinking beautifully now, it has the concentration and balance to develop nicely through 2028.

This column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup or in-store shopping. Have a question? Email thenose@arrowine.com.

After a decade long absence from local wine shops, an exceptional Burgundian estate has made its way back to Arlington.

Domaine Denis Père et Fils, nestled in the picturesque village of Pernand-Vergelesses, has released their highly anticipated 2022 Bourgogne Pinot Noir — and wine enthusiasts are taking notice.

The estate’s story begins in 1940 with Raoul Denis, then winemaker for the prestigious Hospices de Beaune, who established the family domaine near the historic Corton Grand Cru vineyard. When his son Christophe took the helm in 1992, he elevated the estate’s reputation through an unwavering commitment to quality and traditional winemaking methods.

The 2022 vintage, drawn from vineyards surrounding Savigny-les-Beaune, Chorey-Les Beaune, and Aloxe Corton, showcases the exceptional growing conditions of that year.

The wine displays a bright ruby color and complex aromatic profile, with distinct notes of violets, raspberries, and cherries. On the palate, it offers the hallmark elegance of fine Burgundy: medium bodied with velvety tannins, balanced fruit expression, and subtle oak integration that provides structure without overwhelming the wine’s natural character.

“Through a series of professional tastings, I came across Christophe Denis and was ‘blown away,'” wrote the late wine authority Stephan Murray-Sykes, who first brought attention to this producer two decades ago. “These are some of the most gorgeous, pure, and crafted wines I have tasted in the Côte de Beaune.”

While many Burgundian wines have become increasingly difficult to source, Arrowine has secured an allocation of this remarkable 2022 vintage.

Wine enthusiasts can explore this and other selections at Arrowine’s shop, open Monday through Sunday, with both curbside pickup and in-store shopping options available.

This column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup or in-store shopping. Have a question? Email thenose@arrowine.com.

While major champagne houses dominate retail shelves, a centuries-old family estate in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy offers a distinctive alternative for New Year’s celebrations.

Domaine Jean Vesselle, whose roots in the region stretch back nearly 300 years, crafts a unique style of blanc de noirs that’s garnering critical attention.

Their “Oeil de Perdrix” (Eye of the Partridge) Champagne takes its name from its pale salmon hue, achieved through gentle pressing of 100% Pinot Noir grapes. The color reflects an ancestral technique historically practiced around Bouzy, where Pinot Noir thrives in the chalky soils.

Currently helmed by Delphine Vesselle, who assumed winemaking duties at age 22 in 1993, the estate is transitioning to organic certification. Their 17-hectare property adheres to traditional methods, including hand harvesting and extended lees aging of 24-36 months.

Wine critic Audrey Frick recently awarded the current release 94 points, noting its “pretty perfume of rose water, orange blossom, and peach” alongside “pithy grapefruit citrus and salty minerality.” The wine shows aging potential through 2030.

The trend toward Grower Champagnes (designated as “RM” or récoltant-manipulant on labels) represents a shift in consumer interest toward site-specific expressions that reflect individual villages and vineyards, similar to the evolution seen in other French wine regions.

Now available at Arrowine, this champagne joins their curated selection of artisanal producers from France’s historic wine regions.

This column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup or in-store shopping. Have a question? Email thenose@arrowine.com.

Free this weekend?

Join us this Saturday, July 20 at 1 p.m. as we cut a magnificent 175-pound wheel of Emmental Francais straight from the caves of Master Affineur Hervé Mons!

This behemoth of deliciousness is made from unpasteurized cow’s milk and aged in the Mons’ Family Caves.

Come and taste the freshest and finest Emmemtal Francais you will ever find stateside. This delicious cheese from the Rhône Alpes is natural for sandwiches, melting and making fondue.

And remember, our free wine tasting will be on.

See you there!

This column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup or in-store shopping. Have a question? Email thenose@arrowine.com.

Join us this Sunday, July 14 as we celebrate Bastille Day at Arrowine with a special French Wine Super Tasting and a pop-up tasting featuring Kingsbury Chocolates!

Stop in and sample the award-winning French wine selections of Elite Wines Imports. Selections include famous wines like Sancerre and Châteauneuf du Pape and other French wine regions like Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhône Valley, Languedoc, and Loire Valley. There is no charge for this Super Tasting event, and tasting discounts are “ON,” so you can save on every bottle you try.

We will also have the Legendary Rob Kingsbury with his French-themed chocolate masterpieces to round off the celebration!

Details

Time: 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 14
Place: Arrowine & Cheese
Reservations: Click the linked times below to respond and include the following information: Name(s), Email address, Number of people in your group, and when you like to attend: (a) 1-2 p.m., (b) 2-3 p.m., or (c) 3-4 p.m. We will confirm your reservation by email.

Timed Attendance — Sunday Super Tasting

We care and want to keep things moving as smoothly as possible. Sign up for your time slot below.

• Signup from 1-2 p.m.
• Signup from 2-3 p.m.
• Signup from 3-4 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Doug Rosen

This column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup or in-store shopping. Have a question? Email thenose@arrowine.com.

This question often perplexes those of us in the industry. However, the answer, in its essence, is remarkably straightforward.

The younger generation aren’t collectors. The more you have, the more you have to move, and young people move around a lot these days for work or personal interests. Then there is the patience factor; a great bottle of wine needs time to develop into something grand. Not to mention, the snobbery thing doesn’t sit well with some.

But let’s look at what works on any level of wine appreciation. Wine tastes good and completes and heightens any culinary experience. It can turn even microwaved leftovers into something special. Then, there is the social aspect; wine is meant to be shared, contemplated, and discussed. There is no harm in enjoying a glass by yourself, but wine tastes better when shared in good company.

Understanding wine is easy. Most of it is geography, where the grapes were grown and the wine made. You need to know the basics. No one expects anyone to identify a wine blind and correctly identify it. That’s ridiculous for this discussion.

Wine is history and speaks to our past, (more…)