Of all the many writings on wine I have stumbled upon, the legendary importer Kermit Lynch remains my favorite. His delight in both wine and words is evident in this excerpt from a recent column in which he reveals a discovery about President Thomas Jefferson: “We do however learn that Jefferson, the complicated genius, was up to downing a glass or two of Riesling with breakfast. If that detail warms your heart, you’ve come to the right place.”
But I am not content to learn about wine solely from the pages of a book. For me, there is no better place to learn than a well-run shop. Which is how, after all, I came to the perfect place – the Highlands Wine Shoppe.
Stephanie Miskew, a Certified Sommelier, and her husband Steve took over this shop several ago following their purchase of Buck’s Café in Cashiers.
Recently I spent a few joyous hours there exchanging tales about bottles on the shelves. I could feel their joy and taste on relating what they chose to select and what to recommend: four whites and two reds best served chilled.
2023 Txomin Etxaniz Txakoli, Txakolina, Spain: Floral and spice notes waft through the juicy flavors of red apple, tangerine zest and honeydew melon on display in this sleek white, with a light, pleasing plumpness on the palate. $23.99
2023 Valentino Butussi Sauvignon Colli Orientali del Friuli, Fruili, Italy: A classic Sauvignon Blanc and a fabulous, elegant wine, bursting with passionfruit, peach and freshly cut herbs. $24.99
2022 Castello Banfi ‘La Pettegola’ Vermentino, Tuscany, Italy: Straw yellow wine, with intense citrus and yellow peach aromas accompanied by notes of flowers and sage. Its full body is well balanced by its freshness. $23.99
2019 Empire Estate Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes, NY: So easy to love! Intense mineral aromas of crushed gravel, wet shale and limestone, combined with notes of green and golden apple, peach, and white flower. $21.99
2021 Cantine Valpane Rosso Pietro Barbera del Monferrato, Piedmont, Italy: Aoaring aromatics and flavors of black cherries, herbs, blackcurrant, and earth. A wine made for pure pleasure, and you’ll be amazed by how much refinement and complexity are also on display. $18.99
2020 Dupre Goujon Cote de Brouilly L’Heronde, Beaujolais, France: Supple and charming for a young wine from Dupré Gujon. Bursting with aromas of blackberries, plums and sweet soil tones, it’s medium- to full-bodied with a fleshy core of fruit, tangy acids and an expansive finish. $38.99
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