Orders are available for pick-up at Restaurant Nicholas at 160 Route 35 South Red Bank, NJ 07701 during the following times:
Monday: 9:30-3:30; Tuesday – Friday: 9:15am – 9:00pm; Saturday: 11:00am – 9:00pm; Sunday: Closed
$20.00 $16.50
Alsace is often France’s forgotten region – arguably more German than French – similar to Italy’s Alto Adige. And equally similar, white wine has been king for hundreds of years and has been raised to perfectly pair with the region’s cuisine.
In Alsace that means foie gras and escargot – playing right into the gormand’s playbook. (Do try the flammekueche if you ever get the chance.) As Boston’s only Master Sommelier, Brahm Callahan says “Alsatian wines are priced like cheap Pinot Grigio but deliver like Grand Cru Burgundy.”
For that reason, Michelin starred restaurants line up around the block to add Alsatian selections to their wine lists. The region boasts a rich tradition of excellence produced by family run operations that go way back— and that’s where Pierre Sparr enters the picture. The family began establishing the estate in the 17th century. Just as George Washington began his first presidential term, the Sparr family began a drastic expansion of land holdings. However, many of these vineyards were decimated during World War II and had to be completely restored.
This tenacity continues with the twelve generation which has begun to add their vigor to the family business and legacy. The latest Sparr completed study in oenology and worked in Napa of all places for Pernod-Ricard before returning to the family estate in 2010. He came back with a chip on his shoulder, and since then the winery has been on a tear.
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Gold Medal (Best in Show), 2023 Mundus Vini International Tasting
The area has also been isolated from the rest of Spain for generations, which has kept the wine prices far lower than wines of this quality would be anywhere else in the world. That’s why, despite having the Torres family name on the bottle and the consistent huge press (including the Gold Medal & Best in Show at the 2023 Mundus Vini International Wine Awards in Germany), these wines can still be scooped up for under $20/bottle. It’s like the Sancerre pricing of yesteryear.
Year in, year out Château Turcaud produces one of the best white wine values in the world. It’s long been found on Michelin-starred wine lists in Paris and we’ve had it at the restaurant since Day 1. If you’ve ever tried this stunning, classic Bordeaux of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle, then you know why. The new 2022 vintage has arrived and it’s beaming with energy and pure stone fruits. This is a beauty as always.
It’s no wonder this is a hot little ticket amongst some of NYC’s best restaurants; this is a killer wine at a great price. The 2022 Petit Chablis has an attractive nose of citrus rind, white flowers, and wet stone. In the palate, the wine is racy and mineral with just a touch of salinity. The hallmark of the great 2022s will be tension and length and Sébastien’s little wine has both in spades. The acidic/mineral cut will make this fantastic at the table and a great candidate for short term aging.
One of my favorite places to look for great Tuesday nighters are the sandy, limestone-laden hills of Asti. Although it is better known for the Moscato, Cortese should be one of its calling cards because in almost no places of the world does it thrive like it does here. Gianni Doglia naturally farms a tiny estate in the picturesque hamlet of Castagnole Lanze. His Cortese is the product of old vines, vinfied without oak to preserve its incredible fruit. It shows that Gianna can do far more than make some sweet whites! It’s got great notes of white peach, lemongrass, tangerine, jasmine blossoms and honeydew with a little salty lime zest on the finish. A great choice for a house white and the perfect pair for a pizza with a white sauce.
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