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.

 

 

 

November Staff Picks

Champagne Trouillard Brut Extra Selection, France (Andres)

Major name brand Champagne shortages have forced us to search for new Champagne houses, like Trouillard, who uses roughly equal parts Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay from Marne Valley, Aube and Montagne de Reims to create this super value Champagne.  This is full-bodied with fine bubbles, showing white fruits and toasted hazelnuts and almonds. Crisp, delicate, creamy and elegant, this will compliment a wide variety of appetizers at your next celebration! Cheers!

$34.99

Mills Club $31.49

Case $27.99

 

Villa Maria 2020 “Earth Garden” Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand (Pat)

Recent container ship delays have caused shortages of many of our favorite New Zealand wines, sending us scurrying for replacements.  Pat Darr was sent this wine to sample and review for his weekly wine column, and he liked it very much! This exuberant 100% Sauvignon Blanc shows lime and grapefruit notes with tones of lemongrass and passionfruit.  Zesty acidity makes this an ideal pairing with salads, roasted vegetables, or passed party appetizers like shrimp cocktail. The “Earth Garden” name is a nod to the winery’s sustainability efforts, from intentional plantings in the vineyard that attract beneficial insects, repel harmful pests, and encourage water conservation, to eschewing the use of synthetic chemicals with the goal of eliminating 100% of them by 2030.  ORGANIC and VEGAN

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price: $15.99

 

Luciano Landi Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi Classico, Marche, Italy (Jen & Jerry)

This tasty white Italian wine made from the Verdicchio grape shows lemon, green apple, lime and toast characteristics, excellent to pair with seafood ranging from fried fish preparations to sauteed delicate fish with a squeeze of lemon and capers. In Marche, locals enjoy this wine with a wild mussel called “moscioli” or a hearty fish stew. The region of Marche is famous for being the birthplace of Rafael and the Renaissance, splendid opera performances, and a landscape that includes both rugged mountains and a beautiful coastline.

$11.99

Mills Club: $10.79

Case Price: $9.59                                                      

 

Ovum 2019 “Old Love”, Willamette Valley, Oregon (Tim)

Couple John and Ksenija House established Ovum in 2011 with the aim of producing only white wines from Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Muscat.  This is primarily Riesling made using native fermentations and 8-9 months lees contact in neutral oak, cement egg, Austrian cask, and amphora in a method that was inspired by 1800s Austrian winemaking.  The goal at Ovum is of course to make wines reflective of their terroir, with minimum intervention from the winemaker.  This is a dry and texturally rich Riesling, showing notes of peach, blood orange, lemon, saline and minerally stone.  There really couldn’t be a more versatile wine to pair at your Thanksgiving table; this will pair equally well with the roasted bird, sweet yams and cranberry sauce.

$23.99

Mills Club Price: $21.59

Case: $19.19

 

 

Domaine Maurice Martin “Les Gentilhommes” 2020 Macon Pèronne, Burgundy, France (Aron)

The village of Pèronne is in the heart of the Maconais region of Burgundy, with 40 year old vines planted to the high limestone content soils of Mount Epin by brothers Richard and Stèphane Martin. This Chardonnay underwent malolactic fermentation, and spent 9 months in oak. With citrus aromas and ripe melon and apple fruit notes it unfolds on the palate with layers of floral, honey, mineral and toast, and is at once fresh yet ample and full-bodied on the palate. This wine would be excellent with roast turkey or chicken, soft cheeses, or as an aperitif.   ORGANIC

$24.99

Mills Club $22.49

Case $19.99

 

Pelle 2019 “La Croix Au Garde” Sancerre, Loire Valley, France (Andrew)

Winemaker Paul Henry Pellè represents the fourth generation of the family in wine, having studied under Burgundy greats Benjamin Leroux and Olivier Lamy.  We’ve long enjoyed Pelle’s Menetou-Salon, a wine made in the lesser-known appellation neighboring Sancerre, and were just recently introduced to this wine. With four tiny hectares planted to pebbly clay and limestone soils this 100% Sauvignon Blanc expresses citrus and floral notes with an underpinning of minerality. Enjoy with seafood or spicy Thai dishes.

$29.99

Mills Club: $26.99

Case Price: $23.99    

 

Alaine de la Treille 2020 Pinot Noir, France (Tim)

Most of the grapes for this wine are sourced from throughout the Loire Valley, thus the  Vin de France label. This simple, light-bodied red sees no oak, making for a fresh expression of Pinot Noir that shows pretty black cherry and floral notes. This can be served with seafood or turkey, and at this price would be a great choice for a wine served at a party or family gathering. Unbelievable value!

$11.99

Mills Club: $10.79

Case Price: $9.59

 

Manoir du Carra 2019 Beaujolais Village, Beaujolais, France (Andrew)

You may recognize this label as we frequently order Manoir du Carra’s Beaujolais Nouveau, and normally stock their Julienas Cru. This red is their village Beaujolais, a 100% Gamay that spends 4 months in large oak botti and is bottled unfiltered.  Showing strawberries on the nose, this medium-bodied red has crisp tannins and lively red cherry fruit notes, excellent to pair with coq au vin or a cheese and charcuterie platter.

$12.99

Mills Club: $11.69

Case Price: $10.39

 

Patricia Green Cellars “Dollar Bills Only” 2020 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon (Aron)

Sadly, the calamitous smoke, wind and fire in Willamette Valley surrounding Labor Day Weekend damaged much of Patricia Green Cellars’ 2020 harvest.  What they could salvage, they declassified and put into this bottling of Pinot Noir.  The moniker comes from an iconic Willamette Valley dive bar named Lumpy’s, where a jukebox is labeled “Dollar Bills Only”, a nod to making the best out of a down-on-your-luck situation. Silky textured with notes of rose petal, raspberry and orange peel, this wine offers richness and a long, lingering finish.  This wine is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Patricia Green at a far lower price point than typical; try pairing with salmon or roast poultry.

$22.99

Mills Club: $20.69

Case Price: $18.39

                                               

Gauthier “Jour de Soif” 2020 Bourgueil, Loire Valley, France (Pat)

The Cabernet Franc grapes from this wine come from an 18 hectare plot in Benais of Bourgueil, an appellation of Loire dominated by clay-limestone soils. The wine is made organically and sees only stainless steel, bottled unfiltered. Named “Jour de Soif” or “Day of Thirst”, this is their quaffable Cabernet Franc that can be drunk young, featuring  aromas of roses and violets, crushed berry and cranberry fruit flavors, light tannins, as well as prominent minerality and earth notes.  Enjoy with roasted turkey or chicken, duck, or lamb.  ORGANIC

$19.99

Mills Club: $17.99

Case Price $15.99

 

Castellare 2019 Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy (Jen & Jerry)

The foods of fall beckon for the wines of Tuscany, like this Sangiovese from the heart of Chianti Classico that spends 7 months in used barriques before bottling.  Expressing aromas of raspberry, violet and rosemary and flavors of juicy black cherry, graphite and eucalyptus, this is medium-bodied with lots of food-friendly acidity.  Enjoy with hearty stews or mushroom risotto.

$28.99

Mills Club: $26.09

Case Price: $23.19

 

Hoopes Vineyard “Hoopla” 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, California (Andres)

The Hoopes family dedicated this wine to their beloved energetic terrier named Dante.  A classically styled California red, this is comprised of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Sirah, 4% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec, and spent 18 months in used French oak barrels. This is juicy and fruit forward, showing verve and energy just like Dante did, with ripe black cherry and cassis notes complemented by baking spices and clove, finishing long. Enjoy with grilled burgers or steaks!

$21.99

Mills Club: $19.79

Case Price: $17.59