As the temperatures rise and patio season officially begins in North Carolina, now is the perfect time to stock up on refreshing beverages that cater to your customers’ summer cravings. Our curated selection of crisp white wines and distinctive Asian beers is designed to elevate your inventory and delight your clientele. Whether your patrons are enjoying a seaside retreat, a backyard barbecue, or their favorite local spot, these exceptional offerings are sure to enhance their warm-weather experiences. Let’s dive into the highlights of this month’s featured wines and beers, each chosen to provide a unique and memorable drinking experience.
Wine
Armorica Vegan White Blend
Capturing the essence of France’s Atlantic Coast with its vibrant minerality and floral notes from Brittany’s wildflower meadows, Armorica is a perfect summer sipper. This blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris is ideal for pairing with seasonal dishes and fresh seafood. It offers a refreshing taste of the coast in every sip and thus pairs perfectly with summertime. Organically farmed by a family with a long tradition of producing award-winning wines, Armorica is a must-have for your summer wine list.
R. Stuart’s Big Fire Pinot Gris
The perfect summertime white wine, Big Fire Pinot Gris, has a vibrant acidity and bright notes of citrus, green apple, and honeydew. Fresh, lively, friendly, and intended for everyday drinking, R. Stuart displays the character of Willamette Valley Pinot Gris. Ideal for pairing with summertime fare such as fresh shrimp, and seasonal salads, it offers a taste of Oregon’s scenic beauty in every sip.
Domaine Chateaumar Cuvee Amandine Blanc
A new addition to our portfolio, Domaine Chateaumar’s Cuvee Amandine Blanc embodies the charm of the Rhône Valley with its blend of Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Roussanne, offering round fruity notes with floral aromas. The Souret family of Domaine Chateaumar has sustainably cultivated grapes since the 11th century. Cuvee Amandine Blanc is a perfect match for light summer dishes, making it a delightful addition to any seasonal wine list.
Frisk Riesling
Embrace the lively spirit of Frisk Riesling, a delightful choice for the summer season. Originating from the cool-climate vineyards of Victoria, Australia, this Riesling is known for its refreshing zest and vibrant character. Offering enticing notes of green apple, lime, and a hint of jasmine, Frisk Riesling captures bright and playful profiles that makes it an ideal companion for warm-weather gatherings. Pair it up with some spicy cuisine to really add a punch to your meal.
Gavalas Fragospito White
Hailing from the picturesque island Crete, Gavalas showcases the unique characteristics of two aromatic native grapes: Moschato Spinas and Malvazia. This white blend offers aromatic intensity and complexity with rose, citrus and peach notes. It has a rich fruity flavor and pleasant acidity. Gavalas Fragospito White is a refreshing and vibrant choice for warm weather and is perfect as a unique addition to any wine list or retail selection, promising a taste of Greek sunshine in every sip.
Laurel Glen Blanc Slate Sauvignon Blanc
Laurel Glen’s elegant Blanc Slate Sauvignon Blanc combines delicate tropical fruit aromas, hints of Meyer lemon zest and delicious minerality. There is a beautiful richness in the mouth offset by a bright, mouthwatering acidity. Coming from an old vine Sauvignon Blanc vineyard in the Russian River Valley, each bottle exemplifies the dedication and expertise of the winemakers. Perfect for pairing with shellfish and creamy pasta dishes, this California beauty is a wonderful addition to your summer wine list, offering a taste of Sonoma’s finest in every sip.
Markou Savatiano
Markou Savatiano is ideal for cooling down on hot days. Grown in the sun-drenched vineyards of Greece, this wine showcases the indigenous Savatiano grape, which is primarily used for making retsina, another Greek specialty. On its own, it offers bright citrus flavors and a dry herb note, making it a refreshing and invigorating glass of wine. Its versatility makes it perfect for pairing with a wide range of summer dishes, from grilled seafood to fresh salads. Try it on the beach or after a long day on the golf course.
Rinomata Cantina Tombacco Pecorino
One of our best selling white wines, Rinomata Cantina Tombacco Pecorino epitomizes the excellence of its winery, celebrated for its impeccable craftsmanship and dedication to quality. Hailing from Italy’s esteemed Abruzzo region, this wine proudly showcases the distinctiveness of the Pecorino grape, delivering a harmonious blend of complex exotic fruit and soft notes of spices. This Pecorino offers a refined and memorable drinking experience, emblematic of Italian winemaking finesse. Pair with a chunk of native Pecorino cheese and you’ve got something really special on your hands.
Marchese Luca Spinola Gavi
Marchese Luca Spinola Gavi stands out for its exceptional purity and elegance, reflecting the renowned Gavi DOCG region in Italy. Crafted from the Cortese grape, this wine is bright and clear, an intense bouquet with rich, persistent floral notes, a smooth, expansive and satisfying flavor. Its refined profile and long-lasting finish make it an excellent choice for summer sipping. Ideal for pairing with a variety of dishes or on its own, it offers a taste of Italian sophistication in every glass.
7th Wave Pinot Grigio
7th Wave Pinot Grigio personifies this classic varietal with its vibrant acidity and nuanced fruit flavors. Originating from Italy’s renowned wine regions, this Pinot Grigio presents a delightful blend of crisp citrus notes and subtle hints of ripe pear and green apple. Reflecting the character of the grape and the region’s terroir, it offers a refreshing and enjoyable drinking experience, perfect for any occasion.
Les Jamelles Roussanne
Les Jamelles Roussanne captures the essence of the Languedoc region as a rich and aromatic wine, presenting floral notes on the nose (honeysuckle, peony, hawthorn), and on the palate, aromas of apricot and dried fruits. Grown in sun-soaked, sustainably farmed vineyards, this wine combines finesse, lightness and elegance. Roussanne has a good bit of richness, so one of the best pairings I’ve seen was a steak with a Roussanne butter sauce. Try it out for a surprisingly charming pairing.
Weingut Richard Böcking
Richard Böcking’s wines are brand new to North Carolina. This 400 year-old family-run winery produces dry, crisp wines in some of Germany’s most prestigious areas using complex, but natural vinification and cultivation techniques. Their Riesling and Pinot Blanc are excellent by-the-glass options. The Riesling has a light, fresh bouquet of blooming flowers and juicy flavors of fresh apple and quince. The Pinot Blanc has a roundness in the mouth, overtones of extreme fruit with a lingering finish and offers flavors of pineapple and green apple.
- Riesling
- Pinot Blanc
Beer
Hitachino
Hitachino distinguishes itself from other Japanese breweries through the use of unique Japanese ingredients and techniques, including Kaneko barley, red rice, rice koji, yuzu fruit, mandarin oranges, and cedar casks. This approach has garnered international recognition, earning the brewery admiration and gold medals at various international beer competitions. These beers are sure to excite the beer connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.
- Dai Dai Indigenous Pale Ale
- Red Rice Ale
- White Ale
- Yuzu Lager
Kati Patang
Kati Patang’s craft beers are brewed with the finest, authentic Indian ingredients. These experimental and unique offerings are a perfect addition to your beer lineup. Their Saffron Lager is light-bodied with subtle notes of saffron that provides a surprising distinctive and refreshing taste. The Bareilly Bold brings earthy notes of the spring Indian flower, Palash. These beers are perfect pairings for complex Indian cuisines, but delightful on their own as well for something unexpected and different.
- Bareilly Bold
- Saffron Lager
MAKA Di
Where art meets innovation, Goa, Indian, born MAKA Di considers their brewery a laboratory and a spaceship. Combining traditional, contemporary and creative brewing techniques, this Indian brewery is truly out of this world. MAKA Di’s offerings are a testament to their passion for beer and commitment to quality. Every brew is meticulously crafted, marrying locally-sourced ingredients with age-old brewing techniques. from their crisp lagers to full-bodied ales. With their fun outer space packaging, these beers are not only eye-catching, but a tasty example of the funky Indian craft beer scene.
- Bavarian Style Keller
- Belgian Style Blanche
- Belgian Style Tripel Ale
- Honey Ale
- Lemon Shandy Lager
Master Gao Brewing Co.
Located in Nanjing, Master Gao Brewing Co. was founded in 2008 and pioneered the Chinese craft beer movement with its “Brew Free” motto. As the foremost innovator and ambassador for craft beer in mainland China, Master Gao has significantly influenced the industry. The brewery’s founder, known as “Master Gao,” established the national homebrew competition and leads the craft beer association in China. Master Gao’s beers will not only elevate your beverage offerings but also attract a discerning clientele looking for exceptional craft beer experiences.
- Baby Jasmine Tea Lager
- Nanjing Black Lager
- Puffed Rice Lager
San Miguel Brewery
Established in the Philippines in 1890, San Miguel Brewery was Southeast Asia’s first brewery and is one of the best-selling beers throughout all of Asia. From their Premium Lager which has a balanced flavor and smooth finish, to their flavorful Red Horse which offers a bold and robust experience, San Miguel is a staple in well-crafted Asian beers.
- Cerveza Negra Dark Lager
- Premium Lager
- Red Horse Lager
Taiwan Beer
Over 120 years old, Taiwan Beer is an icon of Taiwanese culture and a symbol of local resilience and pride. Their Classic is crafted with high-quality imported barley malt, specially selected Penglai rice and aromatic and bitter hops. It is a traditional European beer with a mellow taste, retaining a strong malty aroma and refreshing hop aroma, which is fresh, pure and refreshing. This beer is approachable and friendly, and a great addition to anyone looking to amp up their Asian beer selections.
Yuksom Breweries
Yuksom is based in Sikkim, India, and is the peak of Himalayan brewing. Founded by Sikkimese Bollywood actor Danny Denzongpa, their mission is to ethically produce and deliver the best-tasting beers, accomplishing this by consistently sourcing only the highest quality ingredients and the most pure water for their skillful, committed brewers to work their magic on. With each sip these unique brews transport you to the magnificent Himalayan mountains. The Blue in particular is an absolute favorite of ours for its subtle notes of rose petal.
- Dansberg 16000 Lager
- Himalayan Blue Lager
- Himalayan Snowman Lager
- HIT Lager
