ny butcher shoppe join the crowds who’ve already discovered this neighborhood shoppe sweet potatoes: not just for thanksgiving anymore gone fishin’ to clean catch new year’s resolutions and wine— a match made in heaven epicurean charlotte food & wine januaryjanuary •• february 2011 2011 GREATGREAT CUSTOMER CUSTOMER SERVICE SERVICE • •INCREDIBLE INCREDIBLE SELECTIONSELECTION • • LOWEST LOWEST PRICES PRICES contents GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE • INCREDIBLE SELECTION • LOWEST PRICES 14 sweet potatoes: not just for thanksgiving anymore new year’s resolutions 22 and wine—a match made North Carolina’s in heaven LOWEST PRICES 8,000NoWINESrth• 1,000 Ca BEERSrol i•nANDa MORE’s North Carolina’s gone fishin’ to clean catch LOWEST PRICES PRICES 18 LOWEST8,000 WINES • 1,000 PRICES BEERS • AND MORE the new york butcher The Best Wines on8,000 Earth.WINES • 1,000 BEERS • AND MORE 26 shoppe debuts to crowds The Lowest Prices Anywhere. TheTheTotal BestWine Best & More isWines likeWines no other store onyouon have Earth. Earth.ever visited. TheEach of ourLowest stores carries over Prices 8,000 different Anywhere.wines and 1,000 beers. TheWith almostLowest 70 superstores, wePrices have the buying powerAnywhere. to bring you the best in each issue Total Wine & More is like no other store you have ever visited. winesTotal Wineat the best& More prices.is likeOur wineno other team store is the youbest have trained ever in the visited. industry. JustEach think of of our them stores as tourcarries guides, over guiding8,000 different you through wines the and great 1,000 winebeers. regions. Each of our stores carries over 8,000 different wines and 1,000 beers. 06 ripe for the picking 32 through the grapevine TheyWith are almost committed 70 superstores, and dedicated we have to bringing the buying you power the Total to bring Wine youExperience the best™ . beer and wine picks for the new year news & gossip within the With almostwines at70 the superstores, best prices. weOur have wine theteam buying is the bestpower trained to bring in the you industry. the best charlotte epicurean scene Come see why we’re America’s Wine Superstore ®. 08 uncorked winesJust at think the bestof them prices. as tour Our guides, wine guidingteam is you the through best trained the great in winethe industry.regions. the emperor’s new clothes: 33 places to go, people to see a calendar of local events Just thinkThey areof them committed as tour and guides, dedicated guiding to bringing you through you the Totalthe greatWine Experiencewine regions.™. new food and wine pairings seats & eats scene around town ™ 10 34 They are committedCome and dedicatedsee why we’re to bringingAmerica’s youWine the Superstore Total Wine®. Experience . miró soothes the rushed and weary take a look at who’s been out South Charlotte Charlotte-University Matthews with traditional spanish cuisine and about Come see why we’re America’sPromenade Wine on SuperstoreGrand Promenade®. Crossings Shopping Providence Phase II Center 12 juicy morsels 36 local flavor score a touchdown with super bowl enticing entrées for the new year Charlotte Huntersville beer and cheese pairings www.totalwine.com ParkSou tTowneh Cha Villagerlotte ChaBirkdalerlotte-U Villageniversity Matthews 37 ripe for the picking Promenade on Grand Promenade Crossings Shopping 13 juicy morsels hot spots in and around town Providence Phase II Center chocolate: the food of love? 39 words to live by SouthChCahrlaortltoette ChaHrulonttteer-sUvinllieversity Matthews www.totalwine.com PromenadePark Towne Village on GrandBirkdale Promenade Village Crossings Shopping Providence Phase II Center volume • issue 1 www.epicureancharlotte.com Charlotte Huntersville www.totalwine.com Park Towne Village Birkdale Village ripe for the picking Monte Smith of Café Monte French Bill Ryan of Clean Catch Fish Market Rudy Amadio of Rudy’s Italian Restaurant Jai Budsri of Deejai Thai Restaurant Bistro & Bakery is recommending is drinking the 2008 Landmark Overlook is enjoying the 2006 Casale Del Giglio is enjoying the warmth of Cline 2009 the 2004 Beaucanon Estate Trifecta. Chardonnay with his seafood. Shiraz Lazio IGT for the winter months. Cashmere. Glass $14.00; Bottle $58.00 Bottle $25.99 Glass $10.00; Bottle $38.00 Glass $8.00; Bottle $30.00 Dark cherry and berry aromas accented by This wine exhibits baked pear and apple Deep ruby red in color with violet nuances, Scents of red fruit, spice and cedar announce notes of cedar, dark chocolate and spicy vanilla notes with lemon custard and sandalwood the promise of black currant, blueberry, themselves on the nose of this tantalizing are attributed to the use of French oak. A sip aromas and a hint of anise. In the mouth, wild cherry, black pepper, cinnamon and Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah blend. reveals its French styling, with elegant red the wine adds orange blossom and toasted cardamom on the nose is amply fulfilled on The vibrant, silky fruit is medium-bodied cherry, raspberry and rhubarb fruit. Lean, almond notes. The rich texture is comple- the palate. Warm and luscious, but supported with a long middle and lightly tannic finish. silky tannins and bright acidity linger on the mented by crisp acidity, leaving a long by fine tannins, all the fruit and spice of this palate throughout the prolonged finish to It has character and class, much like its name. red return in the lengthy finish. balanced finish. This wine begs to be develop nuances of spice, tobacco and mocha. consumed with fresh seafood. Katy Kindred of Good Food on Montford Terry Miller of D’Vine Wine Café is Rob Rondelez of The Common drinking the 2009 Novy Willamette says the 2008 Cos Sicilia Nero di Lupo Thierry Garconnet of Terra Restaurant Market is enjoying the 2008 Valley Blanc de Noir. Nero d’Avola is perfect for the chilly days. is raving about the 2006 Tenuta la Verasol ‘Tn’ Tempranillo from Bottle $24.98 Bottle $52.00 Meridiana Barbera d’Asti Vitis. the Navarra region. Bottle $40.00 Bottle $11.99 Possessing some of the midpalate weight The Nero di Lupo is unfiltered 100 percent and richness of Chardonnay but with Nero d’Avola. Fermented in stainless steel This 100 percent Barbera is bright ruby red A vibrant dark ruby color with a hint exceptional acidity, the nose on this wine, and aged for a further 24 months in a cask, it in color, confirming the freshness. Vineous of violet, this wine boasts a loud, mas- however, is a bit more exotic, with hints of has remarkable finesse with rich fruit flavours to the mouth, it boasts an intense and fruity sively fruity nose of amplified blackberry orange and cherry fruits. That, combined balanced by flinty notes. This distinctive and nose with hints of fresh fruits and cherries. and boysenberry and gobs of straightforward, ripe, with the weight and fruit flavors, ultimately elegant wine reveals a high-toned red fruit Balanced, harmonic and supple, it is the ideal slightly tangy fruit. Some minerality makes itself makes it its own uniquely wonderful wine. character to contrast the deeper flavors of accompaniment of the whole meal. known in the back of the mouth. Low acid, soft preserved plum and menthol. and full-bodied. Maura Howe of Brio Tuscan Grille is talking up the 2007 Bleasdale Mark Virgili of Total Wine is spreading ‘The Broad-Side’ blend. the word about the 2007 Domaine Chante Glass $9.25; Bottle $29.00 Cigale Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes. Fifty-three percent Shiraz, 42 percent Bottle $19.99 Cabernet Sauvignon and 5 percent Malbec, This Grenache, Carignan and Syrah blend this blend is ruby-red in color with spicy is ripe but focused, featuring a lush, velvety Voted cherry and dark berries on the nose. Juicy mouthfeel caressing the fig, crushed currant “Your Escape from Best of the Best raspberry and blueberry flavors are firmed and dark plum fruit, all laced with black tea, Brunch the Everyday”™ By Charlotte Magazine by dusty tannins and boosted by tangy acidity. spice and bittersweet cocoa hints. Smooth and generous, spice notes build on Café Monte French Bakery and Bistro is known for offering the gently sweet, persistent finish. affordable, high quality French fare, exquisitely prepared to order. Classic French country favorites served all day include fresh pastries, salads, sandwiches, quiches and crêpes as well as a full Erik Carpenter of Georges Brasserie is breakfast menu. In addition, enjoy our bistro service, featuring Tommy George of Pasta & Provisions enjoying the 2008 Chappellet Mountain mussels, steak and pommes frites, rotisserie chicken and other is drinking the 2006 Frescobaldi Cuvée Napa Valley Bordeaux blend. specialties served in a casual and comfortable European setting. Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva. Glass $14.00; Bottle $55.00 Café Monte French Bakery and Bistro’s commitment to using Bottle $21.99 only the highest quality ingredients served fresh at an exceptional Vibrant and harmonious, this wine displays value for our customers makes quality French food accessible to all. Bon Appétit! In the glass, this wine has an impressive the complexity of a classic Bordeaux blend, with all the appealing richness of great Cali- Brunch, Lunch and Dinner : : Catering : : Bakery : : Patio brilliance in its deep, purple-edged ruby Private Dining : : Bridal Showers : : Rehearsal Dinners red color. Shows sweet blueberry notes, fornia winegrowing. The nose offers notes On- and Off-site Catering : : Breakfast Meetings with mineral and lilac. Full-bodied, this of sun-ripened fruit and spice. On the palate, Mon - Thur 9am - 10pm : : Fri & Sat 9am - 11pm : : Sun 9am - 3pm wine features fine tannins and vanilla and abundant black cherry and cola flavors are www.cafemonte.net : : 6700 Fairview Road supported by soft, rich tannins and a supple Allen Tate Building at Phillips Place : : 704.552.1116 bright fruit flavors. Clean and racy. Locally owned and operated since 2007 texture that leads to a long, satisfying finish.