87 Main Street
Annapolis
MD 21401
Check out our monthly “Staff Picks” wines, where we choose 12 of our current favorite wines, specially chosen to pair well with seasonal dishes and that present good value for the price. Save 10% on any purchases, or put together a mixed-or-matched case of 12 bottles for a 20% discount.
August Staff Picks
Vera Vinho Verde, Portugal (Tim)
Perhaps unfamiliar sounding grapes Arinto, Azal, and Loureiro are all estate grown in this Vinho Verde by Vera. “Vera” translates to “true”, the wines being a reflection of the maritime climate of Northern Portugal and the granite and schist soils of the estate. Low residual sugar and a very light carbonation make this just a bit more serious Vinho Verde. Showing grapefruit, lime, mineral with bright acidity and slight effervescence, this is a wonderful aperitif or summer sipper.
$13.99
Mills Club $12.59
Case Price $11.19
Claudio Quarta 2021 Greco di Tufo, Campania, Italy (Aron)
Campania, an area perhaps best known for the beautiful Amalfi coastline, is also home to vineyards growing Aglianico, Negroamaro, Fiano, and Greco di Tufo. Tufo is the name of a tiny village in the center of the region where tuff-laden volcanic soil is the norm, and this soil type imparts wonderful minerality to this dry white wine. Flavor notes include lime, apple, pear and apricot and make this a delightful summer wine. Pair with traditional Campanian dishes, like clams and garbanzo beans served with grilled bread, or spaghetti with colatura di alici di cetara (a form of marinated anchovy-based condiment), or Italian American fare such as chicken or shrimp-topped Caesar salad.
$19.99
Mills Club $17.99
Case Price $15.99
Banyan 2022 Gewurztraminer, Monterey County, California (Griffin)
HOBO Wine Company has a habit of pumping out some unusual varietals from the varied Sonoma landscape, and this wine is no exception. Gewurztraminer is a grape grown largely in Germany and Alsace, but takes a turn in Monterey County here. “Banyan” was developed with the sole purpose of making wine to pair with the Southeast Asian cuisine that one of the HOBO founders grew up eating. Just a touch of sweetness at 5.7g/L residual sugar balances the acidity. Savory fruit notes, ginger spice and gorgeous floral aromatics are enchanting and keep you reaching for the glass. Thai food or sushi is a great pairing here, but this will also work well with washed rind cheeses such as Munster.
$17.99
Mills Club: $16.19
Case Price: $14.39
Pazzo de Villarei Abadia do Seixo 2021 Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain (Pat)
Galicia is an area known for an amazing variety and abundance of seafood. From scallops to crabs, oysters to octopus, the food lends itself to simple pan or grill preparations with a squeeze of juicy citrus, perfect to pair with a white wine like Albariño! This version boasts melon and honey aromas with flavors of nectarine and salty melon, all accompanied by mild acidity.
$17.99
Mills Club: $16.19
Case Price: $14.39
Thevenet 2021 Macon PierreClos, Burgundy France (Jen & Jerry)
Jean Claude Thevenet took over the estate in 1971 from this father Raymond, only to pass away at the too-young age of 54. Now his three sons Benjamin, Jonathan, and Aurelien run the estate with their mother Helene. The grapes for this Chardonnay come from two select parcels in Macon named Margot and Chavigne. The wine is aged for a period with the lees, lending weight and texture but the wine sees no oak. The result is a fresh Chardonnay showing bright notes of green apple, ripe pear, thyme and wet stone. Enjoy with local crab cakes or rockfish.
$24.99
Mills Club: $22.49
Case Price: $19.99
Folk Machine Rosè, Arroyo Seco, California (Griffin)
Folk Machine was established in 2012 as the “Pinot Noir” arm of the HOBO Wine Company, but has since expanded to include an esoteric assortment of grapes, from Charbono to Grenache to Valdeguie. This light, fresh, almost savory example of their work is made from the Gamay grape. Pale pink from a minimal amount of skin contact time, this features bright cherry notes and minerality. Committed to sustainability, Folk Machine uses recycled bottling material (thus the greenish hue of the bottle). Try this dry and elegant Rosè with pizza or light grilled fare.
$24.99
Mills Club $22.49
Case $19.99
The Smugglers Boot 2021 Pinot Noir, Cape South Coast, South Africa (Pat)
The name “Smugglers Boot” refers to the practice of winemakers hiding cuttings in Wellington boots to transport into the country during the South African trade embargo. We found this to be Burgundian in style, made entirely of French clones and with minimal oak treatment; showing savory red fruit, pomegranate and earth notes, fresh acidity and a long supple finish. Enjoy with grilled salmon, pork tenderloin or seared tuna steaks.
$24.99
Mills Club $22.49
Case $19.99
Grochau Cellars “Convivial” Red, Willamette Valley, Oregon (Andres)
John Grochau worked for Erath and Brick House Wines before starting his own gig at Grochau Cellars in 2002. This blend of Pinot Noir and Gamey, similar to Burgundy’s Passetoutgrain concept, is bursting with pretty ripe fruit. Light-bodied and not tannic, this would be an excellent red to enjoy alongside a cheese and charcuterie platter, or with a slight chill on a picnic dinner.
$29.99
Mills Club: $26.99
Case Price: $23.99
Cesari 2020 Justo Rosso, Veneto, Italy (Jen & Jerry)
Cesari was established in 1936 with the aim of becoming a world-class Amarone producer; their wines are now proudly exported throughout the World. This wine is an example of one of their delicious and much more affordable table wines. Made from a combination of Corvina and Merlot, this wine is an “appassimento” style, meaning the grapes are dried for about 20 days (the “just right”, or “justo” amount of time) before fermentation. This wine is loaded with ripe cherry fruit notes and a smooth, velvety mouthfeel…try with aged cheeses or grilled beef or venison.
$10.00
Mills Club: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00
Alain de la Treille 2022 Merlot, France (Aron)
We thoroughly enjoyed trying this new Merlot from Alain de la Treille, a value brand from the Loire Valley of which we’ve also enjoyed their Sauvignon Blanc, Vouvray, and Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied and showing cherry, plum and black pepper notes, this Merlot is the perfect weeknight wine and would pair nicely with grilled beef or lamb.
$10.00
Mills Club: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00
Famille Perrin 2020 “Nature” Cotes du Rhone, France (Andres)
From Famille Perrin, the same family responsible for the famed Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape, this red comprised of Grenache and Syrah is a wonderful example of their style. Pioneers in organic farming, the Perrin family brought Chateau Beaucastel through the organic certification process over 40 years ago, and this wine is also certified Organic by Ecocert. Expressive with aromatics of violets and strawberries, the palate shows black fruits, pepper and Mediterranean herbs, finishing silky and long. Enjoy with grilled chicken or pork.
$15.99
Mills Club: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79 ORGANIC
Twenty Rows 2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, California (Tim)
Even in the summertime, the occasion sometimes calls for a classically styled Napa red wine. A special celebratory meal featuring grilled steaks or lamb chops would benefit from the rich structure of this Cabernet Sauvignon. Notes of ripe dark fruits, vanilla, tobacco and pepper are delightful on the palate. Chill for 20 minutes before serving to pour at the perfect temperature.
$29.99
Mills Club: $26.99
Case Price: $23.99