Amanda from Banville with Fun & Funky Selections

Our good friend Amanda Page from Banville Wine Merchant has helped us bring you some of the most enduring best-sellers in the shop. And while Banville started out with a definite Italian focus – because that’s where owner/founder Lea Tolaini-Banville grew up – they’ve definitely spread their wings to find delicious, distinctive, and fine value wines from around the world. So this Saturday from noon-4pm, Amanda will introduce you to a few old favorites, some innovative new offerings, and a well-aged Southern Italian bottling built for folks who like their reds earthy, funky and nicely priced, too!

Join Amanda from noon-4pm Saturday as she shares:

Koha Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2023 - From the Wairau Bar, a gravel bank at the north tip of Marlborough on Cloudy Bay, this is super fresh and zippy New Zealand Sauvignon Bland loaded with ruby red grapefruit, tart pink grapefruit and hints of wild herb.

Cantina Terlano Cuvee Terlaner DOC 2023 – One of Italy’s great white wine values is better than ever in the rich 2022 vintage. Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc so distinctive it has its own DOC!

Dionystic Viognier Deux Vert Vyd Peach Skin 2022 – Technically an “orange wine” but really just a boatload of ripe, fleshy, juicy, mid-summer peaches with a touch of white tea and enough skin-contact grip to keep things fresh.

Cordero Mario Nebbiolo Langhe Bech 2022 – Plenty of Nebbiolo perfume and structure with a subtle French oak spice. As Wine Enthusiast says, “a honest weeknight Nebbiolo that knows exactly what it is.”

Cantina Sociale Cooperativa Copertino Riserva 2016 – Mainly Negromaro, Puglia's best red grape, with a touch of Malvasia Negre for perfume. It’s definitely earthy with lots of black fruit, leather, tar and more. A bold red for bold food!

And with the wines, how about a nibble of delectable Humbold Fog Brulee, Jose’s cheese pick to kick-off September!  As they say at Cypress Grove, we’ll be demonstrating your soon-to-be favorite new party trick.  Take a delicious soft cheese, like Humbolt Fog, a soft goat cheese with a ribbon of edible ash that delivers amazing, almost blue-like, flavor.  Slice off the top, dust with a little sugar and use a torch (or a really hot broiler) to turn the sugar golden brown.

Then crack through the caramel crust you’ve created and slather the sweet and salty treat on bread, crackers, whatever you like. Sweet dreams are made of sugar, fire and cheese!