Artisans and Vines July 2023 Newsletter
Inaugural Wine Portfolio Show
Our inaugural wine portfolio show at Pennyroyal was a great success! We were joined by our friends from Banville, Sera Luca, Nauticrush, and more to display our full portfolio! We also shared a preview from our German Pre-Sale and introduced clients to our new team members. We look forward to hosting this event for years to come!
New Wines
Just in time for summer, we have two new sparkling wines from the Lisbon region of Portugal. On the left is the 2021 Bruto de Portugal. This brut sparkling wine shows a bright citrus color with fine and persistent bubbles. On the nose it has aromas of citrus fruits and biscuits. It is soft and refreshing with a delicate acidity that gives it a great balance. A very versatile sparkling wine that can be enjoyed any time.
On the right is the 2021 Bruto Sparkling Rose. this wine shows a salmon pink color, fine bubbles and berry aromas. Elegant and fresh it reveals red fruit notes and a well-balanced acidity. Ideal to serve either as an aperitif , with dinner, or to open for those special occasions!
New Partnership
We are excited to team up with French Libation. French Libation is a company that provides a link between French producers and the American market. We are happy to be that link! French Libation has expertise in finding high quality wine from the French terroirs they work with. Through this partnership, we now have wines from Domaine Charles Pere Fille, Domaine la Clef du Recit, and Domain Pertuizet. Keep an eye on our social media for more details!
Staff Spotlight
1. How long have you been working in the wine industry?
I have been doing wine sales since I moved to MD 8 years ago. I started at a local winery where I worked my way up to Sales Director before leaving at the end of 2021. Prior to that I bartended part-time for 5 years.
2. Are you originally from the Frederick, MD area?
I am originally from western NY. I grew up in a small town between Rochester and Syracuse (fairly close to both Red Newt and Lakewood). Spent my adult years in Rochester before moving to Frederick, MD.
3. What is your favorite part? Most challenging part?
I am not a 9-5 at a desk kinda guy, so the freedom to be able to set my own schedule and plan my own routes is great. Also, with fine wine, I feel like I am learning something new and interesting about wine almost daily. As far as challenging, I am not the most organized person, so keeping myself focused and properly directed can be hard at times.
4. What advice would you give for people interested in working with wine?
Wine has such a long, rich history, and it is so complex and nuanced that it can seem a little overwhelming at times. Don’t be afraid to admit if you don’t know something and take every opportunity to learn from the amazingly knowledgeable people that you will meet throughout the industry.
5. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
I love spending time with my wife and 3 kids, playing outside or going to the pool. My personal hobbies are comic book collecting, I am a pretty big music geek, and high level yo-yoing (yes that’s a thing).
6. Do you have a favorite wine?
That’s like asking my favorite movie or song, too many good ones to choose from. If I’m going to go for white, I am particular to French blends, and reds I lean towards big zins or cabs.
7. Do you enjoy cooking? If so, what is your favorite thing to make?
I really like to cook. Again, picking out one thing is so hard to do, but I love to try out new techniques or recipes that I see on cooking shows or trying to figure out an ingredient I’ve never worked with before.
8. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you want to visit and why?
I would love to take the train through the Swiss Alps. I saw a documentary on it once and it just looked amazing. The scenery is breath-taking and you get to visit all these amazing little villages , some of which are basically only accessible via the train.