Opera Prima Mimosa and Bellinis Daimiel, Spain $7.99 –

If you go to the website of J. Garcia Carrion, you will learn that they are the number one juice producer in Spain, and second in all of Europe. They also make many wines, including Opera Prima. So it makes sense that they would combine the two and make premade Mimosas and Bellinis.  Mimosas are the classic brunch cocktail of champagne and orange juice. Bellinis are an Italian version using Prosecco and peach nectar.  Just released in Michigan, these no mess drinks are delicious! Light and fruity, they take the guess work out of making it. And at $7.99, you can’t even make a good Mimosa for that price! 

Andrieux & Fils Côtes Du Provence Rosé 2011, France $14.99 –

When spring has sprung and flowers are in bloom, my thoughts start focusing on all of the lovely rosés that will be coming in. We just received this little beauty from Provence France, one of the very best regions for making rosé.  Floral with strawberry and raspberry, the finish is clean and pleasing; it’s terrific with tea sandwiches and light fare.

Tres Sabores ¿Por qué no? Red Blend Napa Valley California 2009, $21.99 –

Recently I had the privilege of visiting Julie Johnson’s Tres Sabores outdoor tasting room. The sun was shining and the farm animals that inhabit her organic vineyard provided a wonderful aural ambiance.  Being a self taught winemaker, Julie’s love of cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel, enticed her imagination to make a rich and hearty red blend of her favorite grapes… thinking “Why not?” What was produced is now one of my favorite BBQ wines. So if meat on the grill is Mom’s request for supper, be sure to grab a bottle of this spicy red.

Dessert!

Every Mom has a sweet tooth and we just got in 4 types of wine smoothies.  More like a decadent creamy liquor than a wine, these are the perfect sweet refreshment when blended with ice.  Vine Smoothies come in Pina Colada, Peach, Strawberry and Berry and are all $10.99.

So this Mother’s Day, be sure to get on Mom’s good side with a gift of wine!

Enjoy!

- Jennifer Laurie

I have never been a big proponent of Sake, and I have tried a lot of it.  Though it may be the first thing that comes to mind when pairing sushi, I have been chewing through a lot of Mon Jin Lau’s tasty treats lately and have come up with some wines that I think pair great!

Lini NV White Lambrusco Emilia-Romagna Italy $14.99 –

I know, I know! Lambrusco!? Yes, Lambrusco, but this is not your Ma’s Lambrusco, all syrupy and sweet. This wine is what you get at a café on a hot summers day in Italy. Toasty on the nose like champagne, with creamy lush bubbles, and a slight hint of that ricey sake flavor on the finish.  Terrific with Spicy Tuna Roll or Firecracker Roll.

HB Picpoul De Pinet Coteaux Du Languedoc France $10.99 –

Picpoul is always one of my favorite spring wines, but it works very well with the delicate flavors of sushi.  Lime and grapefruit, fresh and clean, this wine would pair best with Shrimp Nigiri or the Rainbow Roll.

The Beach House Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape South Africa $9.99 –

Bright and refreshing, this wine would go best with rolls that feature cream cheese and avocado, with fattier fish like tuna and salmon. Loads of classic gooseberry and citrus, with 20% Semillon to give it some body. 

Echelon Pinot Noir California $9.99 –

Soft and fruity, this tasty little pinot does not over power your meal, but can stand up to a hearty Godzilla Roll.  Light bodied with black cherry, plum and baking spice on the finish.   

Keep in mind that there are many different types of sushi, from mild and creamy to bold and spicy! The key is to bring balance with the wine, so bright acidity for creamier rolls and a softer fruiter wine for spicy rolls.  Something like the Lini Lambrusco, soft and fruity with a dry finish will work best when sampling a variety of different rolls. 

So next time you are in any of our stores, make sure to pick up some Mon Jin Lau Sushi!

Enjoy!

- Jennifer Laurie

You can now get up to date notifications from all of our staff.

Joe Santoro, our produce buyer, tweets about all the great buys he’s finding down at the terminal and which fresh produce is ripest and tastiest right now. 

Chef Pete Loren, our Executive Chef, tweets about the great restaurants he’s visiting and what he’s cooking up next in our test kitchens.

Our Nino’s home twitter account will send you our current Marketplace Special and what’s going on in the stores. 

That leaves me.  I’m excited to let you know all about the rare and limited wines, beers and liquors that are arriving everyday.  Not only that, but what I am drinking and where!

If you didn’t already know, we now sample in store! So, when I went live on Twitter last week, one of the most important bits of information was which wines we’re sampling in the stores.

 Here is the sampling schedule for all three Nino Salvaggio’s:

Troy:

Friday 3 PM to 6 PM, Saturday and Sunday 12 PM to 3 PM

Clinton Township:

Friday 3 PM to 6 PM, Saturday and Sunday 1 PM to 4 PM

St. Clair Shores:

1 PM to 4 PM on Saturday   

 This is a perfect opportunity to try wines you have always wondered about! And now, with Twitter, I can give you a heads up on what we’ll be offering in store. 

For the beer fanatics, I’ll also be tweeting whenever we get a shipment of limited brews.  Beers like DogFish Head 120 Minute IPA and Bell’s Hopslam go fast and, if you love them, you know how hard it can be to catch them in stock. “Following” me will give you a huge advantage to getting your favorite seasonal and hard to find craft brews.

So, be sure to head on over to Twitter, and follow me @NinosWineExpert.  It’s going to be a blast!

- Jennifer

A great Adult Slumber Party is simple nowadays with easy pre-made cocktails like the Skinnygirl line.  The White Cranberry Cosmo is Real Housewife Bethany Frankel’s newest addition and it is flying off the shelves! All you need is ice and the most recent Kate Hudson Rom Com and you’re good to go!   Top off with a skewered candy heart or a couple of raspberries for a fun, flirty, flair! 

Another simple, yet decadent, treat is ChocoVine Chocolate Wine with Whipsy Wine Infused Whipped Cream.  Just chill the wine, serve in chocolate cups, and top with whipped cream! 

Maybe you’re planning the perfect Boy/Girl party – a romantic candle lit dinner followed by a little two person spin the bottle? Here are a few wines I’ve fallen in love with recently…

Albert Bichot Cremant De Bourgogne Brut Rose NV $23.99 –

What’s better than coming home to be greeted by your beloved holding a glass of bubbly? Almost magenta in color, this vibrant and refreshing sparkling wine is packed with watermelon and strawberry flavors. As intense in color and flavor as the love you have for each other!

Chemistry White Blend Willamette Valley Oregon 2010 $13.99 - 

We all have different nuances that make up who we are.  At the heart of this wine is the round, supple texture of Chardonnay, with the floral notes of Pinot Gris (20%), acidity of Pinot Blanc (16%), fruit driven Riesling (6%), and spice of Gewurztraminer (5%).

Creamy and elegant, Chemistry is perfect for risotto, roasted chicken, or fish.

 San Zopito Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Terre Dei Vestini Italy 2007 $26.99 –

This wine is quite possibly my new favorite red.  As much of a mouthful to say as it is while drinking, this wine is a stunner! Montepulciano is a deeply colored grape, and Abruzzo is a mountainous and sunny region.  The producer, Torre Raone, allows the grapes for San Zopito to ripen longer on the vine, creating a powerful and concentrated structure.  His wine is much like a California Cabernet Sauvignon, with the elegance and richness of old world Amarone.   It’s a steal for fewer than thirty dollars.

 Baci Dolci Marzemino Veneto NV $10.99 –

 Baci Dolci, or Sweet Kiss, is a fun, sweet way to end the evening.  Purple garnet in color, with slight effervescence, this wine has engaging plum and cherry flavors with a lively finish. It’s the perfect complement to chocolate dipped strawberries.

So, whether your Valentine’s Day is spent with a group of friends or alone with your significant other, I hope that you utilize some of these spirited libations!

Enjoy!

- Jennifer Laurie

Verdejo – Indigenous to Spain, but also found in Argentina, this grape is a Gemini of sorts.  Some can be bright and acidic like Sauvignon Blanc, and some can be a little more full but not quite sweet, just more pineapple than grapefruit. Here are two that are good examples of each!

Vevi Rueda Spain 2009 $11.99 –

Clean and almost clear in color this terrific deck wine is light and refreshing with lemon, peach, and spice.  If the dole drums of winter are getting to you, open up a bottle of this with some lemon garlic pasta and it will feel like summer!

Nos Verdejo Rueda Spain $15.99 –

Light lemon in color with tropical notes, the Nos is a more full bodied Verdejo.  Ripe with cooked lemon peel and pineapple, still refreshingly dry with a finish that leaves you wanting more! A no-brainer pairing for scallops. 

Nero D’Avola – Some of you may know that I spent some time in Sicily this past summer.  The king of red wine in Sicily is Nero D’Avola.  It’s everywhere! Every winery makes it, and I drank a ton of it! While there we picked out a few of our favorites to bring back home. Despite being the biggest exporter of wine in the world, Sicilian wines have found only moderate success in the States, with big brands like Cusamano and Colosi.  Depending on whether or not the winery chooses to use oak on their Nero D’avola, which many do not since most of the oak is reserved for the making of Marsala, the wines are normally light and fruity with nice acidity that complements the Sicilian mostly pescitarian diet.

Trapini Nero D’Avola Sicily $7.99 –

Light, elegant, nice cherry and spice, perfect for an aperitif or antipasti. 

Cusamano Nero D’Avola Sicily $12.99 –

This is a bigger and bolder style of Nero, due in part to Malolactic Fermentation and spending some time on the lees, but it is still very easy drinking and fruit forward; terrific for burgers or pasta.

Tannat – Tannat wines are bold and robust, so much so that you normally see it blended with other varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, to soften it up.  The reason behind the strong, dry and concentrated structure of this wine is because it has more pips (seeds) than most other red wines.  The average is 3 where as the Tannat grape has 5, which in turn gives it more antioxidants such as polyphenols and resveratrol than any other wine.  This is another great reason to try Tannat! Besides the health benefits, when blended correctly, these wines show ripe raspberry, plum and earth.

Brumont Tannant Merlot Blend, Cotes De Gascogne 2009 $11.99 –

Rustic and full bodied, this blend has loads of plumy fruit and a nice bittersweet chocolate finish.

Montus Madiran 2007 $24.99 –

Rich and intense, this is a blend of 80% Tannat and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Give this wine to a California Cabernet Sauvignon drinker and without telling them what it is and watch their eyes light up!  Oak aging and being left on the lees softens this powerful wine, just as Beauty tamed the Beast.  Plum, peppermint and cassis lead into a long soft finish. Drink with lamb, steak or on its own!

I hope this little mid-winter blog has perked your interests into trying some remarkable and unique wines!

Enjoy!

- Jennifer Laurie

BUY ME BY THE CASE

Every year, my real estate agent BFF asks me for a case of wine that she can give to clients as an end of the year “thanks for the business” present - without blowing her budget.  This is a list of wines that over-deliver for the money and won’t leave you feeling like a Scrooge. 

Our Daily Red Blend, California $6.99 through the end of the year – This little organic red is a blend of Syrah, Carignan, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The Syrah gives it a smooth cherry ripeness, while the Cabernet Sauvignon lends structure and tannin. To top it all off, they don’t add sulfites! Case Price $75.49

Los Dos Spanish Red Blend 2010 – Spain is becoming known for outstanding values and this little devil is no exception.  It’s a blend of Syrah and Grenache, making it rich and supple with loads of cranberry, cooked cherry and a long finish. It comes up big, considering the low price of $8.99! Case Price $97.09

San Lorenzo Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2008 $12.99 – This big, rich, round red is perfect for parties and pasta! I like this wine for a gift because with blackberry and spice, it’s both riper and smoother than Chianti, which can be a bit acidic and dry for some palates.  Case Price $140.29

BUY ME BY THE 4 PACK

These wines are limited and a bit higher in price, but they make the perfect gift for the Wine Enthusiast in your life!

Sterling Vineyards Three Palms Merlot Napa Valley 2006 Reg. $59.99 Marketplace Special $29.99 – Refined and elegant, this is what good California Merlot should taste like! Plum and raspberry spring from the glass while a touch of toasty oak rounds out the finish. Four Pack Price $107.96

Orin Swift Abstract Red Blend 2009 $34.99 – This wine just landed itself on the Wine Spectators Top 100 list of the most exciting wines of the year! It’s a blend of Grenache, Petit Sirah, and Syrah. Combining opulent blackberry richness with pepper and spice, this is a hard to find wine that is definitely unique. Four Pack Price $125.96

Celani Vineyards Chardonnay Napa Valley 2008 $42.99 – When Detroit’s own Tom Celani applied the Motor City’s spirit and rugged work ethic to California wine making, he created a product that has soared to the top. While his red wines have earned plenty of prestige and praise, it’s his Chardonnay that really takes my breath away.  Buttery in the best possible way, this wine has a rounded mouthfeel with a nice acidity that makes it perfect with lobster and scallops. Four Pack Price $154.76

BUY ME BY THE BOTTLE

These wines are priced at the high end and make perfect gifts for the woman or man that has everything.  Whether your boss has been extra nice, the hubby started taking out the trash, or, like me, you have a pair of doctors in the family, we have the perfect bottle to wow them.

Domaine Du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reserve 2005 $99.99 – Wine Spectator rated this wine 94 points out of 100 and I rate it outstanding! Terrific for cellaring or drinking now, this Chateauneuf is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. It packs in a ton of complexity, with cooked cranberry and black currant leading into herb de Provence and coffee. 

Sinatra Family Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007 $129.99 – Coming from one of the best vintages in Californian history, the Sinatra Family had to make sure their Cabernet Sauvignon would not be thought of as a gimmick.  Hand crafted at their 5 acre vineyard, it is predominately Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.  Bold, mouth filling, and, like Sinatra himself, intensely smooth, this is the perfect gift for the Music and Wine lover!                                                                                                                                                                                          

Hopefully this article eases your holiday anxiety!

Enjoy!

- Jennifer Laurie

These wines won’t be in our stores until November; however, Friday October 14^th there will be a conference at the Italian American Cultural Society where you will be able to meet the wine makers and hear the group speak about our time in Sicily. A tasting of these wines will follow the presentation. Please don’t let this opportunity to learn more about the Sicilian culture pass you by!

Friday October 14th, 2011

Italian American Cultural Society
43843 Romeo Plank Road – Clinton Twp, MI 48038

Conference 12 – 2 PM

Josephine Asaro will introduce the testimonial of Francesco Mucci (Mama Mucci), Caroline Sitto (Cana Distributors), Michael Fallone (Cantoro Italian Market), Jennifer Laurie (Nino Salvaggio), Ted Ross (Vince and Joe) that visited the Sicilian wineries and met the wine makers.
The trip was sponsored by the Sicilian Government and coordinated by C.T.R.
Following there will be a showing of a documentary:
· A family that for generations have been growing grapes in Sicily will tell us all about “vinnignari” (harvest);
· The grapes will be followed to the Cantina (Winery) that will show us the process of making wine;
· The wine maker will tell us all about the Sicilian Wines and its benefits.
· A filmed interview with Prof. Gebbia from the University of Palermo.
The tasting of these exceptional wines and serving of “Pani Cunzatu” (Sicilian Adjusted Bread) will follow the conference.

Workshop 3 – 5 PM

Vincenzo Ingraldi will coordinate the workshop among the Italian Community, Chefs and Sommelier of Detroit.
Wine tasting to follow.

R.S.V.P. on or before Oct. 12th by email admorelli1@comcast.net or call Angie Morelli 586-863-2323.

I love autumn. I fell in love with my husband on a chilly night in Royal Oak, we got married on a beautiful late October day, and I relish in the ghoulishness of Halloween.

The fall, I think, is the best time for wine lovers.  There are still plenty of sunny days that will call for crisp, zippy whites, and there is nothing better than a spicy, full bodied Zin and a bonfire.   Next time you come into any of our Nino’s stores you will see that we have changed over many of our displays.  Gone is the light, fruity Pinot Noir replaced by the season’s favorite big, rich, red; Bogle’s Phantom. And the summery Sauvignon Blanc display? It’s now, Dynamite Vineyards Zin, Cab, Merlot, and Chardonnay – wines that explode with flavor for only $9.99.  

Also, Oktoberfest is in full swing.  From state side microbrews like Flying Dog’s Dogtoberfest and Short’s Noble Chaos Oktoberfest, to the world’s oldest brewery, Weihenstephaner’s Festbeir, the fall beers are here! If pumpkin beer is more your style, we’ve got New Holland’s Ichabod, Arcadia Ales’ Jaw Jacker, Dogfish Head’s Punkin Ale, and many more!

To me, fall kicks up the senses.  The intoxicating smell of Nino’s Pumpkin Spice Coffee, the sound of a cheering crowd at a football game, the taste of a crunchy fresh Honey Crisp Apple, and the sights of the leaves changing all encompass autumn. Here are my picks for the must have fall libations…

Chateau Grand Traverse Ship of Fools White Blend, Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan $14.99:

What’s more fun than bringing this Ship of Fools, made up of 50% Pinot Blanc, 40% Pinot Gris, and 10% Pinot Noir, over to a friend’s house for the big game? If you’re like my family, on Sundays you’re huddled around fiery hot wings, hearty, peppery chili, and Nino’s Spicy Cajun Peanuts. The acidity cuts through these heavy foods and the fruity Pinot Gris cools the spicy kick.  Light, fruity, and refreshing, this is a winner!

Tilia Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina 2009 $8.99:

This is one of my favorite chardonnays for fall.  The creamy mouthfeel and toasted oak quality makes it a perfect pairing for an all day roasted chicken. It is not over powering with the oaky quality so it is a nice aperitif as well. 

Evodia Old Vines Garnacha, Calatayud Spain 2010 $9.99:

If you like red Zinfandel from California, then I am sure you will like Garnacha from Spain.  Evodia is an excellent example of rich, spicy, Garnacha, with notes of black raspberry and coffee. This wine is a steal, and the folks at Wine Advocate agree with me giving it a 90 point score!

Victor Hugo Hunchback Red Blend Paso Robles, 2008, $17.99:

 Red Blends are the number one growth category in red wine today.  After tasting this I can see why! This is a big bold beautiful wine that envelopes your mouth with ripe black plum, smoke, blackberries and a touch of toasty oak. The blend is 32% Syrah, 28% Petit Verdot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 16% Merlot.  It is layered and will pair excellently with stews or lamb chops!

Highlands Zinfandel Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, 2006 $29.99:

To be honest I am not the biggest fan of red Zinfandel, some are just too over blown and jammy. However, when they get it right, like Highlands did, I love it! Concentrated yet elegantly reserved this wine has layers of black cassis, baking spices, earthy complexity and a long silky finish.  This wine calls for a special night by the fire.

Fulton’s Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cream Liqueur $9.96:

If you crave sweets and love pumpkin pie, this is the perfect dessert drink for you!  Rich and creamy like Baileys, Fulton’s is like pumpkin pie in a bottle.  Pour it over ice, in your coffee, or blend it with ice cream, what ever you do stock up because it won’t last!

I hope you will love these libations as much as I do!

 Enjoy!

- Jennifer Laurie

Chateau Des Annibals Coteaux Varois En Provence 2010 Rosé, $16.99 –

 Okay, I don’t normally use terms like this, but this wine is sexy! The Chateau Des Annibals’ label has an elephant on it, paying homage to Hannibal’s ride through the French countryside with his war elephants. Along with the elephants came the Gypsies, singing their siren song “Suivez-moi-jeune-homme” (follow me young men) which is also featured on the label. Seductive back story aside, the color of the wine is that of flushed rosy cheeks, the nose has rose petals and strawberries, and the flavor is bright, fresh, and lovely.

New Age Rosé NV, $8.99 –

In my last blog, I wrote about how nice the New Age white is for the Summer.  Well, the Rosé is the fuchsia colored sister to that wine, and is just as pleasing as the white!  It gets its vibrant color from equal parts Merlot and Malbec.  Like the white, it has a bit of fritz to it and is abundantly fruity with notes of wild strawberries and raspberries. See this as a warning or an accolade; it has some sweetness, akin to very ripe sugar dipped strawberry. 

Autumn Flight Barbera, NV 10.99 –

Barbera is a grape that is indigenous to Italy and is starting to make waves in California. The Autumn Flight is light to medium bodied, fruit forward, fresh, and food friendly! On an extra hot day, don’t be afraid to chill this down and take it to the neighborhood cookout or Barbeque.  Black stone fruits, smoke, and a touch of coffee round out the flavors, while the acidity gives the finish nice grip.    

Chime California Pinot Noir 2009, 12.99 –

Chime Cellars make Riesling and Chardonnay but their main focus is on Pinot Noir.  We brought the entry level California Pinot to Nino’s about 6 months ago and it has been flying off our shelves ever since!  I believe this is because it’s fresh and fruity, with flavors of fresh baked cherry pie and a touch of toasty vanilla and nutmeg on the finish. It’s a lighter Pinot Noir in style, so whether you are having chicken kabobs on the grill or fresh fruit by the pool, it is an ideal summer red.

Ca’Bona Sangue Di Giuda, 2009 $11.99 –

It’s late, it’s hot, and the kids are at camp. You and your lovely spouse are sitting in the backyard listening to the symphony of crickets and cicadas, watching the lightning bugs float by. This is the perfect time for Ca’Bona Sangue di Giuda. This wine, served chilled, is red, fruity, bubbly, and a touch dry on the finish.  Sangue di Giuda or Blood of Judas; allegedly named by disapproving monks for its aphrodisiac like qualities, has flavors of strawberry and raspberry preserves.  If you want to add a little dessert to the mix, I recommend Just Desserts Raspberry Scones or any good quality dark chocolate.

I can’t finish this festive summer sipper article without mentioning something about Sangria.  Many of you have inquired about recipes or wines to use, so here is my Sangria breakdown.  For Peach Sangria I would recommend the Sweet Sunset Golden Peach wine ($9.99), or the Montpelier Viogner ($7.99) if you want it a little drier.  For white Sangria I like to use Terra Andina Sauvignon Blanc ($7.99) and for red Sangria I use Protocolo Spanish Red ($7.99).  Here is my Sangria recipe…

Jennifer’s Red Sangria Recipe:

1 Bottle Protocolo Red

1 Orange Sliced Thinly

1 Lemon Sliced Thinly

2 Limes Sliced Thinly

1 Nectarine Cut into Sections

1 Peach Cut into Sections

½ Cup Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum

½ Cup Orange Juice

1 Cup Lime Perrier

Or if it’s just too darn hot to do all that work, we just got in Bethany Frankel’s Skinny Girl Sangria ($14.99). Just open and serve!

 Summer is in full swing and I hope that you stop by and pick up a couple of my chillable red picks!

Enjoy!

- Jennifer Laurie