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.
June Staff Picks
Kila Brut Cava, Spain (Pat)
This Sparkling wine is the entry level Cava by Vin el Ceps, made from a blend of Spanish grapes Xarel-lo, Macabeu and Parellada in the Penedes region of Spain (just outside Barcelona). Farmed organically, this wine is estate-grown and made using the Champagne Method. Providing immediate gratification with satisfying layers of citrus and orchard fruit and biscuit notes, this finishes dry, a super-refreshing Cava to enjoy well-chilled over the hot summer months.
$14.99
Mills Club: $13.59
Case Price: $11.99 ORGANIC and VEGAN
Giocato 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Slovenia (Aron)
Goriska Brda is a subalpine white wine appellation in Slovenia close to the more famous Collio Orientali region of Italy. Winemaker Aleks Simcic makes beautiful single estate wines as well as more affordable versions such as this Sauvignon Blanc. Stone and citrus fruit notes and good mineral tones make this super value wine drink way above its price point. Good acidity makes it an ideal pairing with salads, seafood with bright citrus sauces or grilled prawns.
$10.00
Mills Club $9.00
Case Price $8.00
Freelander 2021 Chardonnay, California (Griffin)
Freelander is located in Napa but sources most of the grapes for this wine come from select vineyards in California’s Central Valley. Famed winemaker Larry Levin spent nearly 18 years with Dry Creek Vineyards and also consults for wineries in the Stags Leap and Oakville appellations of Napa. Showing ripe apple, pear and passion fruit notes, this wine is lightly aged in French and American oak, lending just a hint of spicy vanilla oak. Enjoy this wine with a cheese board, pasta with fresh pesto, or pan seared scallops with garlic basil butter.
$15.99
Mills Club: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79
Manousakis Nostos 2021 Romeiko, Crete, Greece (Tim)
Ted Manousakis established the winery in 1993, returning to the verdant island of Crete he left at age 11. “Nostos” refers to a “yearning to come home”, a concept based in Greek literature going back to the Odyssey. Now Ted and his daughter Alexandra run the estate, organically producing a variety of traditional Greek wines, Rhone varietals and some lesser-known ancient indigenous varietals like Romeiko. This dry, medium-bodied white shows gooseberry and citrus aromas and flavors with a touch of grassiness. This could be a good alternative to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Pair with oysters, ceviche, or a summer seafood soup with tomatoes and fresh herbs from the garden.
$19.99
Mills Club: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99 ORGANIC
Selbach 2021 Riesling Incline, Mosel, Germany (Jen & Jerry)
Johannes Selbach named this wine “Incline”, referring to the sharply sloped vineyard where the grapes for this wine are grown. Vinified in stainless steel with just a hint of residual sugar, this shows orchard and citrus fruit notes with lots of acidity and a pulsing core of slate minerality. Try this wine with Pad Thai, Sushi, or grilled white fish with a pineapple or mango salsa.
$17.99
Mills Club: $16.19
Case Price: $14.39
Iris 2022 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon (Andres)
The grapes for this wine come from the Chalice Vineyard, planted in 1993 abutting the property line of the more famous (and more pricey) King Estate wines. Showing citrus, pear and apple notes, this Willamette Valley white is vibrantly fruity and energetic. Enjoy this super refreshing wine as an aperitif, or paired with grilled Dijon-dill salmon, steamed mussels, or grilled pork tenderloin with a balsamic honey glaze.
$16.99
Mills Club $15.29
Case Price $13.59
Bieler 2021 “Sabine” Rosè, Aix-en-Provence, France (Griffin)
While the largest Rosè producers are clustered in Cotes de Provence, the growers in Aix-en-Provence enjoy cool nights in the rugged, higher elevation vineyards. In fact, harvest here takes place on average two weeks later than Cotes de Provence, allowing for gentler ripening and more natural acidity. This wine is named for the winemaker’s daughter Sabine who was born in 2005, coinciding with the inaugural vintage of this delicious dry Rosè. Comprised primarily of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, this strikes a balance of flavors ranging from wild raspberries, tea, rose petals, and wet stones. Enjoy this wine with Nicoise salad or grilled flatbread topped with BBQ chicken and mozzarella cheese.
$14.99
SALE $11.99
Albert Bichot 2020 Bourgogne Rouge Vieilles Vignes, France (Andres)
This relatively affordable example of Burgundy is a great choice for summer, made from 100% Pinot Noir from 25-30 year-old vines with a light touch of oak aging. Elegant with notes of blackcurrant and plum, this light-bodied yet nicely concentrated red can be paired with grilled lamb-chops or a cheese and charcuterie board featuring some good quality Brie.
$27.99
Mills Club $25.19
Case $22.39
Hyatt 2018 Merlot, Rattlesnake Hills, Washington (Tim)
The Rattlesnake Hills AVA is located in the northern part of Yakima Valley in Washington State and is ideal for the growing of Riesling and Merlot. This Merlot is entirely estate grown, sporting cherry, cocoa, cinnamon and cedar notes from oak aging. Try this affordable red with grilled marinated skirt steak, beef skewers or cheeseburgers with a side dish of grilled tomatoes drizzled with olive oil.
$15.99
Mills Club: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79
Hither & Yon 2021 Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia (Jen & Jerry)
We recently enjoyed a visit from Hither & Yon proprietor Malcolm Leask and were able to sample his impressive lineup of wines. The name Hither & Yon refers to their 80 hectares consisting of 5 vineyard sites scattered through McLaren Vale. This Shiraz is made from grapes from each of those sites, gaining complexity from the different soil compositions, then after vinification spending 8 months in used French oak. Showing blueberry and mulberry notes, chocolate and spicy earth tones culminating in an ultra-smooth finish, this will be our go-to pick to pair with a grilled steak and potatoes with garlic and fresh rosemary. Hither & Yon is devoted to conservation: while growing grapes they also work to restore natural habitat, create healthy corridors for the local birds and bees, and plant native species. They have also earned the distinction of being the first certified carbon neutral winery in South Australia.
$34.99
Mills Club: $31.49
Case Price: $27.99
Lafazanis 2017 Agiorgitiko, Nemea, Greece (Aron)
Nemea, a winegrowing region in the northeast Peloponnese of Greece, is home to the Agiorgitiko vineyards. Here is where Georgios Lafazanis established his estate in the 1946. This bold red wine made from the Agiorgitiko grape displays ripe red fruits, vanilla and tobacco notes with good acidity and velvety tannins. Try this wine with smoked pulled pork or BBQ ribs.
$24.99
Mills Club: $22.49
Case Price: $19.99
St.-Damien 2021 Vacqueyras, France (Pat)
This beautiful red is comprised of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah from one of our favorite Rhone producers St.-Damien. From forty-year old vines planted in the village of Vacqueyras in the Rhone Valley, this red displays St-Damien characteristic richness, exuding blackberry, plum and a hint of cocoa with a long, peppery finish. Pair will grilled beef or mushrooms with thyme.
$29.99
Mills Club: $26.99
Case Price: $23.99 ORGANIC