The Many Faces of Cabernet Franc
by Tom Wolf
The Loire Valley’s Touraine region may be home to some of France’s grandest châteaux, but when it comes to its wines, the region remains thoroughly paysan and free of pomp and ceremony. Wine and food are paramount to the spirit and culture here, and made for the weeknight table, an impromptu picnic, or barbecue. Cabernet Franc is the star red grape in this rural, central stretch of the Valley…
View the CollectionPairing Pinots in Spring
by Allyson Noman
Coming upon Chris Lee’s Wild Salmon Baked in Fig Leaves with Rosé Butter, I thought, what could be more appropriate right now? The recipe appears a few times across our sixteen-year archive, and the suggested pairings change every time, ranging from lush whites to juicy, light reds, and crisp, mineral rosés in between. For such a simple dish, the possibilities seemed endless. In revisiting, I wanted that same versatility in the glass, and only one word came to mind: Pinot…
View the CollectionGarden of Variety
by Madison H. Brown
As the Loire River winds through the region known as le jardin de la France, it creates a myriad of microclimates and a rich variety of soils, yielding impressive diversity even among the same grapes...
View the CollectionArthur Ostertag
by Jane Augustine
Arthur’s wines were the revelation of the trip. For months after, in the group chat with everyone on the tour, my screen would light up with shots of his wines—those incomparably elegant bottles with the stunning labels—standing tall atop the tables of every restaurant the other growers were dining in, in their hometowns or around the world. Arthur was officially the breakout star of the trip...
View the CollectionUnheated Rivalry
by Jane Augustine
It’s a bit funny to write about two equally fantastic Bandols made by men with quite opposite personalities. I don’t imagine their interpretation of the métier is that different—make wines that express their terroir—but a vigneron always leaves their mark, and that fascinates me…
View the CollectionA Primer on Vouvray
by Kermit Lynch
Vouvray’s wine is a product of what we call the Chenin Blanc grape, but I prefer the local name, Pineau de la Loire, and [René] Loyau is of the opinion that the original plantings of Pineau were Pinot, the Chardonnay, imported to Vouvray from Burgundy. Over sixteen centuries or more, the plant evolved ever so slowly as it adapted to Vouvray’s soil and climate. Even today, Loyau says, certain Vouvrays show a striking aromatic kinship to the Chardonnays of the Côte d’Or…
View the CollectionThe Alchemy of Red Wine and Braised Beef
by Jane Augustine
In the Adventures Club bulletin from 2011, where I found Chef Chris Lee’s recipe for beef braised with red wine and chocolate, Chris muses that rustic French stews are typically quite soupy and made to be sopped-up with lots of country bread. The French actually have a word for the act of sweeping bread across one’s bowl or plate to capture every last bit…
View the CollectionNew Arrivals
Here is a collection of recent arrivals. Every week, we’ll be adding a dozen or more new arrivals, so check back often for your favorite classics or new discoveries!
View the CollectionThe Carpe Vinum Collection
An ever-changing offering of wines that are just about to sell out; one last opportunity to seize a range of selections before they disappear from our shelves forever.
View the Collection50th Anniversary Merchandise
When the esteemed French wine artist Michel Tolmer created beautiful artwork for our 50th anniversary, we knew right away that we had to feature it on a few select items of merch. After spending maybe a little too much time researching the options, we landed on a classy, leather-strap cap, a comfortable t-shirt made from 100% cotton, and a tote made with incredibly sturdy, fair-trade, and organic cotton by a certified B corp that invests in the livelihoods of women and farmers of India, featuring three wine sleeves and two other compartments for all of your other needs!
View the CollectionRecent Wine Club Selections
Our five wine clubs feature our best values from France and Italy as well as complex and cellar-worthy wines.
View the CollectionCollections
The Loire Valley’s Touraine region may be home to some of France’s grandest châteaux, but when it comes to its wines, the region remains thorough...
The Loire Valley’s Touraine region may be home to some of France’s grandest châteaux, but when it comes to its wines, the region remains thoroughly paysan and free of pomp and ceremony. Wine and food are paramount to the spirit and culture here, and made for the weeknight table, an impromptu picnic, or barbecue. Cabernet Franc is the star red grape in this rural, central stretch of the Valley…
Wines in this Collection
2024 Bourgueil “Trinch!”
France | Loire
Peppery and bright, earthy and juicy all at once.
2024 Bourgueil “La Dilettante”
France | Loire
A delicate, aromatic red in the “drink now!” vein.
Touraine “Fines Bulles”
France | Loire
Made in the méthode traditionnelle with direct-press Cabernet Franc, it is a light, bright, and festive bubbly meant to be drunk cold and often.
2020 Chinon “Les Varennes du Grand Clos”
France | Loire
With floral aromas and fine-grained tannins, it already showcases its charms.
2020 Saumur-Champigny “Franc de Pied”
France | Loire
This Saumur Champigny is electric from the first scent of roses to the juxtaposition of textured tannic grip and weightlessness on the palate.
2021 Chinon “La Croix Boissée”
France | Loire
This is the grandest bottling of Cabernet Franc from one of Chinon’s most outstanding producers.
2024 Chinon “Beaux Monts”
France | Loire
Sourced from the village of Beaumont, it is utterly delicious, with a perfect balance of fruit and earth.
2021 Chinon “Le Clos Guillot”
France | Loire
Le Clos Guillot is a powerhouse, an earthy, feral wine that throws sediment like it’s been aging for thirty years.
2021 Chinon “Clos de la Dioterie”
France | Loire
Age-worthy red from one of Chinon’s top sites, by a storied domaine.
2020 Saumur Champigny “Outre Terre”
France | Loire
Outre Terre is a tiny production of Cabernet Franc fermented in amphora and aged in barrel.
Coming upon Chris Lee’s Wild Salmon Baked in Fig Leaves with Rosé Butter, I thought, what could be more appropriate right now? The recipe appears a...
Coming upon Chris Lee’s Wild Salmon Baked in Fig Leaves with Rosé Butter, I thought, what could be more appropriate right now? The recipe appears a few times across our sixteen-year archive, and the suggested pairings change every time, ranging from lush whites to juicy, light reds, and crisp, mineral rosés in between. For such a simple dish, the possibilities seemed endless. In revisiting, I wanted that same versatility in the glass, and only one word came to mind: Pinot…
Wines in this Collection
2025 Reuilly Pinot Gris Rosé
France | Loire
Take 20% off this month with promo code LOIRE20
2023 Bourgogne Pinot Noir
France | Burgundy
Classic Burgundian Pinot Noir aromas and flavors, and a deeply fruited and solid core.
2023 Pinot Blanc
France | Alsace
With beautiful texture and notes of honeysuckle, peaches, and stones, this Pinot Blanc is a masterful display of subtlety and refinement.
Brut Réserve Grand Cru
France | Champagne
With classic notes of sweet spice and quince, it’s great with dessert. An apple-walnut pie? Apricot and frangipane tart?
As the Loire River winds through the region known as le jardin de la France, it creates a myriad of microclimates and a rich variety of soils, yieldi...
As the Loire River winds through the region known as le jardin de la France, it creates a myriad of microclimates and a rich variety of soils, yielding impressive diversity even among the same grapes...
Wines in this Collection
2022 Vouvray “Le Portail”
France | Loire
The most serious and age-worthy of Champalou’s dry wines, it has a depth and richness of flavor that allow it to shine alongside refined cuisine.
Touraine “Fines Bulles”
France | Loire
Made in the méthode traditionnelle with direct-press Cabernet Franc, it is a light, bright, and festive bubbly meant to be drunk cold and often.
2020 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
France | Loire
Chinons from Joguet are known for their firm minerality, but this one is quite charming as well, with plummy black fruit and notes of licorice.
2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Clisson “La Molette”
France | Loire
A subtly floral nose and textured mouthfeel seal the deal. This is off-the-charts Muscadet.
2024 Bourgeuil “Cuvée Beauvais”
France | Loire
Smooth and seductive on the palate, Cuvée Beauvais offers silky fruit and florals—like blackberries and roses, without the thorns.
2022 Coteaux du Loir Rouge “Cuvée du Rosier”
France | Loire
This red is 100% Pineau d’Aunis, an indigenous red grape we hold dear to our collective hearts because of its mystifying aromatics and bright, juicy texture.
2019 Saumur Blanc “Le Clos du Moulin”
France | Loire
Thierry Germain’s meticulous process coaxes out the delicate and aromatic side of Chenin Blanc—think jasmine, honeysuckle, and peach.
Vouvray Brut
France | Loire
Made from Chenin Blanc in the Champagne method, this cuvée is the quintessential apéritif sparkling wine, with notes of apple and pear and a fine bead.
2024 Vin de France Brut Nature “Elle est pas bulle la vie?”
France | Loire
Delicious and honest naturally sparkling Chenin, bottled with no dosage and no sulfur.
2019 Vouvray “Bois Guyon”
France | Loire
Unique in its combination of honeyed richness and flinty verve. Hard to resist on its own, but you might also try serving it with salty-sweet yakitori or buffalo chicken wings.
Arthur’s wines were the revelation of the trip. For months after, in the group chat with everyone on the tour, my screen would light up with shots o...
Arthur’s wines were the revelation of the trip. For months after, in the group chat with everyone on the tour, my screen would light up with shots of his wines—those incomparably elegant bottles with the stunning labels—standing tall atop the tables of every restaurant the other growers were dining in, in their hometowns or around the world. Arthur was officially the breakout star of the trip...
Wines in this Collection
2024 Pinot
France | Alsace
A fragrant cuvée full of peach skin, green guava, and passion fruit seeds.
2024 Les Vieilles Vignes de Sylvaner
France | Alsace
Beautiful aroma, silky mouthfeel, fresh with old-vine weight, interesting, and downright delicious.
2024 Riesling “Les Jardins”
France | Alsace
Sometimes you just need a straightforward, delicious bottle of white wine to satisfy your thirst and brighten your meal. This is it.
2020 Pinot Gris “Zellberg”
France | Alsace
Hot stone and white pepper liven up the backbone of this extraordinarily complex, unique white.
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
France | Alsace
Decidedly lean in its youth, but with hints of glycerin, apple wax, and resin that will evolve into lavish layers as it ages.
2023 Vin Orange “The New Chapter”
France | Alsace
Arthur Ostertag’s “Les Aventures de l’Agneau Masqué” series of orange wines have a new name each vintage.
2022 Riesling “Clos Mathis”
France | Alsace
Delicious alongside black cod in miso soy marinade.
2022 Pinot Gris “Fronholz”
France | Alsace
Ostertag unveils a different side of Pinot Gris with this cuvée, one you might not expect.
It’s a bit funny to write about two equally fantastic Bandols made by men with quite opposite personalities. I don’t imagine their interpretation ...
It’s a bit funny to write about two equally fantastic Bandols made by men with quite opposite personalities. I don’t imagine their interpretation of the métier is that different—make wines that express their terroir—but a vigneron always leaves their mark, and that fascinates me…
Wines in this Collection
2022 Bandol Rouge
France | Provence
Alain Pascal’s red is polished and pedigreed, but remains au naturel somehow: uninhibited, unfussy, and raw.
2021 Bandol Rouge
France | Provence
Terrebrune’s 2021 is harmonious, ripe with garrigue and wild berries, and bold in all the best ways. It’s firm and full of character but not at all showy.
Vouvray’s wine is a product of what we call the Chenin Blanc grape, but I prefer the local name, Pineau de la Loire, and [René] Loyau is of th...
Vouvray’s wine is a product of what we call the Chenin Blanc grape, but I prefer the local name, Pineau de la Loire, and [René] Loyau is of the opinion that the original plantings of Pineau were Pinot, the Chardonnay, imported to Vouvray from Burgundy. Over sixteen centuries or more, the plant evolved ever so slowly as it adapted to Vouvray’s soil and climate. Even today, Loyau says, certain Vouvrays show a striking aromatic kinship to the Chardonnays of the Côte d’Or…
Wines in this Collection
Vouvray Brut
France | Loire
Made from Chenin Blanc in the Champagne method, this cuvée is the quintessential apéritif sparkling wine, with notes of apple and pear and a fine bead.
2024 Vouvray
France | Loire
This is Vouvray sec of the cold mountain stream persuasion—bracing, with a clean finish.
2024 Vouvray “Les Fondraux”
France | Loire
The sweetness—more like a honeyed roundness—is at the front of each sip, then whisked away by the same brisk finish as their Vouvray sec.
In the Adventures Club bulletin from 2011, where I found Chef Chris Lee’s recipe for beef braised with red wine and chocolate, Chris muses that rust...
In the Adventures Club bulletin from 2011, where I found Chef Chris Lee’s recipe for beef braised with red wine and chocolate, Chris muses that rustic French stews are typically quite soupy and made to be sopped-up with lots of country bread. The French actually have a word for the act of sweeping bread across one’s bowl or plate to capture every last bit…
Wines in this Collection
2024 Rosso Piceno
Italy | Le Marche
Its dark fruit is boldly mouth-filling, yet smooth and juicy, even crunchy when served fresh out of the cooler. One of the shop’s top pizza and BBQ bottles.
2024 Langhe Nebbiolo
Italy | Piedmont
Intermingling orange zest with roses, red fruits, and a fine tannin, it is utterly enchanting.
2023 Cahors
France | Southwest
Today, the 2023 is a robust, tightly coiled rouge balanced by notes of dark fruit, plum, earth, and eucalyptus.
2021 Faugères
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Simultaneously rustic and graceful, dark and light on its feet, this red shows succulent notes of mixed red and black fruit, spices, and leather.
2022 Saumur Champigny “Terres Chaudes”
France | Loire
Thierry has perfected the art of coaxing this Cabernet Franc’s soulfulness and elusive finesse into bottle.
2023 Corse Figari Rouge
France | Corsica
This fragrant red from the island’s south echoes the earthy, meaty complexity found in chewy cuts of coppa that inevitably surface toward the end of a tasting at Canarelli.
2020 Friuli Colli Orientali Refosco Peduncolo Rosso “Morus Nigra”
Italy | Friuli
Lovely now with a slight chill, their Refosco has a stimulating, stony backbone that ensures a slow evolution through the years.
2022 Alpilles Rouge “Grenache”
France | Provence
A thoroughbred of pure Grenache, this unbridled rouge is fresh and lithe, teeming with juicy dark fruit and ample goût de terroir.
Here is a collection of recent arrivals. Every week, we’ll be adding a dozen or more new arrivals, so check back often for your favorite classics or...
Here is a collection of recent arrivals. Every week, we’ll be adding a dozen or more new arrivals, so check back often for your favorite classics or new discoveries!
Wines in this Collection
2025 Langhe Arneis
Italy | Piedmont
This dreamy wine reaffirms that we should turn more often to Piedmont not only for our reds but also for our whites!
2022 Barbaresco
Italy | Piedmont
Gentle tannins and mouthwatering red fruit—this is young Barbaresco at its most pleasurable.
2024 Tavel “La Combe des Rieu”
France | Southern Rhône
This bears a rich bouquet of wild strawberry, flowers, garrigue, and sweet spices, culminating in a long, stony finale.
2024 Collioure Rouge “Puig Ambeille”
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A stony, spicy cuvée full of Mediterranean sunshine, aromatic garrigue, and a hint of salinity that offers a perfect match for grilled rosemary lamb chops.
2023 Barbera d’Alba “Gens Hoelia”
Italy | Piedmont
Inky in color, dark purple fruit, hints of licorice…this is a food-lover’s friend, especially in winter months.
2023 Langhe Pinot Nero “Arneg”
Italy | Piedmont
Distinctly Piemontese with a nose of fallen leaves, earth-tinged bright red fruit, and a tar-like mineral streak, this delicate Pinot Nero offers a transparent expression of its place of origin.
2024 Pinot
France | Alsace
A fragrant cuvée full of peach skin, green guava, and passion fruit seeds.
2023 Vin Orange “The New Chapter”
France | Alsace
Arthur Ostertag’s “Les Aventures de l’Agneau Masqué” series of orange wines have a new name each vintage.
2024 Bourgeuil “Cuvée Beauvais”
France | Loire
Smooth and seductive on the palate, Cuvée Beauvais offers silky fruit and florals—like blackberries and roses, without the thorns.
Ratafia de Bourgogne
France | Burgundy
Decadent and lush, full of dense autumnal fruit and Burgundian finesse.
An ever-changing offering of wines that are just about to sell out; one last opportunity to seize a range of selections before they disappear from our...
An ever-changing offering of wines that are just about to sell out; one last opportunity to seize a range of selections before they disappear from our shelves forever.
Wines in this Collection
2020 Patrimonio Rouge
France | Corsica
Muriel Giudicelli’s Patrimonio rouge is elegant, deep, bursting with ripe black fruits, silky smooth, and offering great length.
2020 Isola Dei Nuraghi Bianco “Prama Dorada”
Italy | Sardinia
A field blend of Vermentino and other native Sardinian grapes, one week maceration; deep, broad, savory, and salty
2022 Vino Rosato “Passatella”
Italy | Molise
Offers an absolutely electric perfume loaded with bright notes of pomegranate, sour cherry, and fresh strawberry, while the palate delivers bracing acidity and a chiseled, chalky finish.
2022 Vin de France Blanc “Malvoise”
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Tasting the bottle, one quickly sees winemaker Cyriaque Rozier’s statement that Malvasia has “acclimated perfectly to the land of La Roque” is not an overstatement.
2016 Vin de France Rouge
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
After aging for eight years, it’s now in a spot where the fruit recalls savory plums and baked cherries.
2021 Bordeaux Sec “Les Clous”
France | Bordeaux
A nervy, age-worthy wine; it smells remarkably like top-notch Chablis, but on the palate hints at cool and tropical fruits like melon, lychee, and lime.
2020 Lagrein Riserva “Di Ora in Ora”
Italy | Alto Adige
The juice is black as can be, emanating a vivid aroma of wild berries that wakens the senses.
2017 Taurasi
Italy | Campania
A dense and chiseled Aglianico from old vines at elevation.
2022 Vin de France Rouge “Le Martray”
France | Loire
The new vintage shows great freshness and brightness, making me think of tart berries picked in the forest just a touch below full ripeness.
2023 Vin de France “Le Carignan”
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Old vines give this Carignan a supple, suede-like texture, along with loads of dark fruit, a peaty smokiness, and great minerality.
When the esteemed French wine artist Michel Tolmer created beautiful artwork for our 50th anniversary, we knew right away that we had to feature it on...
When the esteemed French wine artist Michel Tolmer created beautiful artwork for our 50th anniversary, we knew right away that we had to feature it on a few select items of merch. After spending maybe a little too much time researching the options, we landed on a classy, leather-strap cap, a comfortable t-shirt made from 100% cotton, and a tote made with incredibly sturdy, fair-trade, and organic cotton by a certified B corp that invests in the livelihoods of women and farmers of India, featuring three wine sleeves and two other compartments for all of your other needs!
Wines in this Collection
Kermit Lynch 50th Anniversary Tote
The perfect tote for a bottle of wine, loaf of bread, or whatever else you might be bringing to that holiday party around the corner.
Kermit Lynch Tolmer Hat
Do you love someone who loves Kermit Lynch wines and hats? Then this is the perfect gift. Spread the great grape gospel one chapeau at a time!
Kermit Lynch 50th Anniversary T-shirt
Shipping of this item included in price; additional sizes may be available.
Kermit Lynch 50th Anniversary T-shirt
Shipping of this item included in price; additional sizes may be available.
Kermit Lynch Tolmer Hat
Just arrived, it’s corduroy, and wide whale as well!
Kermit Lynch Tolmer Hat
Our bold, original color. An instant classic.
Kermit Lynch Tolmer T-Shirt Blue XL
Shipping of this item included in price; additional sizes may be available.
Kermit Lynch 50th Anniversary Logo Apron
Locally screen-printed on soft and durable Port Authority pocketed full-length apron.
Kermit Lynch Tolmer T-Shirt Red XL
Shipping of this item included in price; additional sizes may be available.
Our five wine clubs feature our best values from France and Italy as well as complex and cellar-worthy wines.
Our five wine clubs feature our best values from France and Italy as well as complex and cellar-worthy wines.
Wines in this Collection
2023 Beaujolais Blanc
France | Beaujolais
March Adventures Club ~ Do not miss this outstanding, value-driven Chardonnay from one of our most beloved French domaines.
2024 Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba “Sörì Cristina”
Italy | Piedmont
March Adventures Club ~ Supple, pretty notes of freshly crushed blackberries and raspberries—it will pair well with pretty much anything.
2021 Languedoc Montpeyroux Rouge “Les Cocalières”
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
March Club Chevalier ~ Fadat’s bottlings from this terroir have proven to be among the most complex and elegant wines of southern France.
2024 Gambellara Classico “El Gian”
Italy | Veneto
March Club Chevalier ~ Volcanic soils confer mouthwatering salinity to the Garganega grape in this racy, textured white.
2024 Chénas “Les Carrières”
France | Beaujolais
April Club Rouge ~ All of their Chénas are silky and high-toned, but Les Carrières is their most featherweight cuvée—a real springtime treat.
2024 Erbaluce di Caluso “Tredicimesi”
Italy | Piedmont
April Club Bianco ~ Both generous and chiseled, it evokes orchard fruit, citrus, and has an irresistibly saline finish.
2023 Veneto Frizzante “Primo Incontro”
Italy | Veneto
April Club Gourmand ~ This is bone-dry, incredibly stimulating, low-alcohol Garganega frizzante from the unheralded volcanic hills of Gambellara.
2024 Mâcon-Villages “Terroir de Farges Vieilles Vignes”
France | Burgundy
April Club Gourmand ~ The tiny village of Farges-lès-Mâcon is a wonderful terroir for textbook, perfectly opulent, floral Mâconnais.
2024 Menetou-Salon Blanc “Le Prieuré”
France | Loire
Offering ebullient perfume of grapefruit zest, white blossoms, and fines herbes that soar up and greet your nose cheerfully.
2023 Cahors
France | Southwest
April Club Gourmand ~ La Grave is one of the rare Cahors to consist exclusively of the native Malbec. Without any Merlot to soften it, this Cahors is decidedly old-fashioned.