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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.
July Staff Picks
Keuka Lake Vineyards 2020 Vignoles Methode Ancestrale Petillant, New York (Tim)
If you’ve never heard of the Vignoles grape, you’re likely not alone. Made by crossing two other obscure grapes Seibel and Pinot de Corton, it’s a highly aromatic grape grown primarily in the Finger Lakes region of New York. This is an off-dry (similar to most Prosecco), lightly sparkling wine made as a Petillant Naturel, or “Pet Nat”, where the wine is bottled before the initial fermentation is completed. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, you can see the cloudy appearance and the bits of sediment settled on the bottom, which is normal for wines made in this way. Tasty with notes of mango, pineapple and a little leesy brioche, we thought this would be a wonderful wine to bring on a picnic…it’s delicious on its own or with a variety of snacks.
$24.99
Mills Club $22.49
Case Price $19.99
Argiolas 2023 “Costamalino” Vermentino de Sardegna, Italy (Jerry)
Vermentino is one of our favorite Italian white wine varietals, being flush with acidity and complex with notes ranging from pine and mint to white peach and citrus. Franco and Giuseppe Argiolas run the estate, which they inherited from their father Antonio, who died in 2009 at the age of 102. They have focused on modernizing their viticultural efforts, reducing yields and improving grape quality, and focusing solely on native Sardinian varietals. This wine will pair wonderfully with pasta tossed with some olive oil and vegetables from the farm stand, or with shellfish.
$19.99
Mills Club: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
Domaine Lelievre 2022 Auxerrois, Cotes de Toul, France (Pat)
This particular wine growing region of France was completely destroyed in 1870, 1914, and 1939 by wars. The ever-resilient people replanted and the Cotes de Toul AOP is again flourishing. Auxxerois is the grape in this refreshing white wine, an aromatic variety of Pinot Blanc that was developed in Lorraine intended for Sparkling wine production. In this instance, it’s a still wine, round and harmonious with apple and pear notes. This would be a lovely alternative to unoaked Chardonnay and pairs with many of the same foods, oysters, fish as well as goat cheese or gruyere.
$19.99
Mills Club $17.99
Case Price $15.99 ORGANIC
Tushpa 2019 Kangun, Ararat Valley, Armenia (Jen)
A new addition to our “Ancient World” wine section, we were excited to bring a new Armenian wine into the collection. Armenia enjoys a 6000 year old winemaking history, and this estate is tucked in the Ararat Valley of Mount Ararat, which biblical historians theorize was the landing place of Noah’s ark. This dry white made from the native Kangun varietal sees only stainless steel in the winemaking process, making for a bright expression with good crisp acidity and a smooth finish. This would be a good match with Lavash (flatbread) with hummous and grilled vegetables or chicken kebabs flavored with Armenian spices like paprika, cumin, saffron, fennel and cinnamon.
$15.99
Mills Club: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79
Lauverjat 2023 Sancerre “Perle Blanche”, Loire Valley, France (Aron)
This excellent Sauvignon Blanc is from the Lauverjat family, who’ve been farming in Sancerre for generations in the tiny village of Sury-en-Vaux. Ever mindful of their impact on the soil, they use pulverized seaweed to combat disease, never use herbicides or pesticides, and grow grass between the rows to prevent erosion. One special parcel on the property contains 55-year-old vines from which they make this bottling “Perle Blanche”. If you were a fan of their wonderful baseline Sancerre Blanc, you will find this richer and more intense than that version. Enjoy this wine with seafood.
$36.99
Mills Club: $33.29
Case Price: $29.59
Muga 2023 Rosado, Spain (Andres)
Bodegas Muga was founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga and Aurora Cano, in the historic Barrio de La Estacion of Haro, a town in La Rioja province. It is home to the annual Haro Wine Festival. You may be familiar with Muga’s popular reds but their Rosè is definitely worth a try! Made from Garnacha and Viura grapes, this pale pink, dry rosè boasts notes of peach, apricot, and white blossoms, with a long, smooth finish. Try this light yet flavorful wine with salads, seafood, or rice dishes.
$15.99
Mills Club $14.39
Case $12.79
Patricia Green 2022 Willamette Valley Reserve Pinot Noir, Oregon (Jen)
Patty Green and Jim Anderson established Patricia Green Cellars in 2000 after purchasing a winery and vineyard in what would come to be known as the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Sadly, Patty passed away in 2017, but the wine estate carries on with the goal of making excellent Pinot Noir. In 2021 they produced 36 individual Pinot Noirs from different plots. This elegant example exudes notes of raspberry, pomegranate, violet and orange blossom, wonderful to pair with heartier seafood cuts or tender cuts of beef.
$29.99
Mills Club: $26.99
Case Price: $23.99 ORGANIC
Emilio Moro 2022 Finca Resalso, Ribera del Duero, Spain (Aron)
“Finca Resalso” is the name of a historic vineyard that was planted in 1932, the same year founder Emilio Moro was born. Ribera del Duero is celebrated for exceptional reds; typically fuller-bodied and more intensely concentrated than Rioja reds due to the more extreme climate. This 100% Tempranillo made from Emilio Moro’s younger vines spends 4 months in French oak before bottling, a silky smooth red exhibiting ripe black fruit and bramble berry notes and a long finish. Pair with grilled beef.
$19.99
Mills Club: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
Maison Tardieu-Laurent 2021 Les Becs Fins Cotes-du-Rhone, France (Jerry)
Michel Tardieu established the winery in the mid-90s, with son Bastien with him at the helm now. They source grapes from well-respected producers in the Rhone who are willing to share from their well-located old-vine plots. This example of their work is a medium-bodied red comprised of Syrah and Grenache, featuring notes of black plum, cassis, peppery herb, and minerality, excellent to match with grilled chicken or pork chops with fresh sage or rosemary.
$19.99
Mills Club Price: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
Wente Vineyards 2021 Sandstone Merlot, Central Coast, California (Tim)
Wente has been crafting wines in the Livermore Valley since 1883, with the fifth generation now farming the land. The vines for this wine come from hillside vineyards with well-draining sandstone soils and cooling Pacific Ocean breezes. This beautiful medium-bodied red is comprised of 86% Merlot, 6% Petite Sirah, 3% Malbec and 2% Petite Verdot, aged 12 months in French and American oak. Red cherry, plum, graphite, creamy oak and vanilla bean notes. Pair with grilled lamb chops or honey glazed short ribs.
$17.99
Mills Club Price: $16.19
Case Price: $14.39
Botromagno 2022 Primitivo, Puglia, Italy (Andres)
Botromagno is a cooperative winery collecting grapes from over 100 local grape growers in the heel-of-the-boot Puglia region. This bold Primitivo sports black cherry and baking spice aromas, and a rich, velvety smooth texture, ideal for drinking with smoked or barbecued pork or beef with a tangy sauce accompinament.
$17.99
Mills Club: $16.19
Case Price: $14.39
Paxton 2022 McLaren Vale Shiraz, Australia (Pat)
Paxton is comprised of seven vineyard plots in Austalia’s prestigious McLaren Vale. They’ve established themselves as leaders in South Australia’s organic and biodynamic wine movement. This 100% Shiraz is aged 12 months in French oak, showing blackberry, black currant and a touch of vanilla. Enjoy with grilled beef or spicy sausages.
$21.99
Mills Club $19.79
Case $17.59 ORGANIC