Highland Wine Merchants

On Monday, May 6th, I'll be hanging out with my friends at Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery for their weekly show, Proudly Contrarian. You can watch via either Facebook or YouTube as we talk about wine, food, and who knows what else!

Hermit Woods: Meet Brad Chase, Former Owner of Highland Wine Merchants Brad Chase is the founder of Highland Wine Merchants LLC, a former wine/spirits importer and brokerage in the state of New Hampshire. The company’s portfolio included wines from Argentina, France, Italy, Lebanon, and Spain as well as California, New York, and Washington in the United States.

We have closed our New Hampshire wine brokerage business. Many thanks to all the great wine shops, restaurants, and wine lovers it has been our pleasure to work with!

If you are a fan of BIG white wines for Thanksgiving, then Eagle Harbor Barrel Fermented Viognier is the wine for you! Aromas of honeysuckle, citrus, guava, and lychee nut give way to a rich palate with flavors of pineapple, blood orange, and spice with a lingering finish. This is a wine ready to take on all the roast foods and luscious sauces you can throw at it.

The earthy herb, thyme, and dark cherry aromas of Eagle Harbor Sangiovese even smell like Thanksgiving! While often associated with pizza and pasta, Sangiovese is one of the most food friendly wines around and the bright cherry flavors accented coupled with mouthwatering tannins of this wine are an ideal complement to roasted turkey and wide assortment of vegetable dishes. The beautiful lingering finish makes this is a wine you can continue to enjoy even after you're stuffed.

California Sauvignon Blanc is a classic complement to a Thanksgiving meal. This crowd-pleasing version from Carson Scott has lovely melon, pear, and pineapple flavors. Crisp without being tart, it’s gentile acidity will accent a wide variety of rich food while helping to clear your palette between bites. Double Gold Medal at the 2019 Sunset International Wine Competition.
Message us if you need help finding it in New Hampshire!

Hunted Lodi Zinfandel-- trick or treat for wine lovers. (Emphasis on the treat!)

Big... jammy... spicy... everything we love in a Zinfandel. Rich blueberry aromas join with ripe blackberry in this delicious mouth-filling wine. We brought it to New Hampshire. Message us if you need help finding it!

Mille Mimosas & savory potato chip crusted French toast? Happy Saturday!

What wines are you going to put on your holiday table? If you are looking for inspiration, we have a few suggestions...

Château de St. Martin Grande Réserve Rosé - Rosé with a holiday dinner? You bet. A complex blend of five different varietals, this elegant wine will make a delicious complement to seafood, poultry, and lighter pork dishes.

Eagle Harbor Viognier - an ideal example of a "winter" white: big, rich, tasty, and warming. Perfect for roasted poultry or pork and great with rich sauces and gravies.

Château Moya Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux - roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, and Bordeaux... a classic holiday combination where this 90 point (James Suckling) organic treat will shine.

Westerly Fletcher's Red - if big California reds are your thing, here's a 95 point (Wine Enthusiast) treat that will wow. We like it with steaks off the grill and rack of lamb.

You won't find these amazing wines everywhere, but the search is worth the effort. If you need help tracking them down or ordering, just send us a message.

Gary brought some croissants to a recent tasting and the attendees got a chance to experience how well their flaky, buttery goodness pairs with wines that have fresh, bright acidity like the Lobetia Chardonnay shown here. Other good choices from our selection would be Andarin Viura, Cantos Blancos Verdejo, and Vallée des Rois Touraine. Message us if you need help in finding these!

We're not the only ones who think that Kiona Estate Red Mountain Lemberger is a really good wine at a really good price. Wine Enthusiast just put it on their 2020 Top 100 Wine Buys list! Available in NH. Message us if you need help finding it.

Harvest your own binful!

During the New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet Pacific Northwest Wine Sale, you can get 15% off 12 or more bottles of Washington and Oregon wines, including those from Kiona Vineyards and Winery. Now through August 30th.

We have a wide selection of Kiona wines. Just message us if you need help finding them.

The 2020 Cadence vintage is approaching...

We have 2015 Tapteil in select NH State stores and 2013 Camerata, 2015 Bel Canto, and 2016 Coda in the warehouse-- all hitting their best drinking time! Message us if you need help in getting them.

Cadence Winery consistently produces some of the best wines coming out of Washington State, and the 2015 Cadence Tapteil Vineyards red blend is no exception. Just ask the experts:

93 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, June 2018
93 Points, Wine Spectator, August 2019
93 Points Vinous, November 2018
92 points jebdunnick.com, April 2018

A rich and refined red wine, it's worth every penny of the regular price, but from now through August 30 you can get it for 15% off during the New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlet Pacific Northwest Wine sale. Just buy 12 bottles (mix or match) of Washington and Oregon wines, and you score the discount.

Cadence Tapteil 2015 (NH Code 27671) is in stock at these locations: Londonderry, Hampton Interstate 95N, Portsmouth Traffic Circle, Somersworth, Warner, and both Coliseum Ave and Willow Sprint Plaze atores in Nashua.

Hello, summer!

Our Summer Berry Tart recipe (http://highlandwinemerchants.com/summer-berry-tart) features fresh berries on a mascarpone cream filling in a buttery tart shell. A delicious warm weather dessert that pairs beautifully with a well chilled bottle of one of our white dessert wines:

Dulce Vengaza Late Harvest Chardonnay
Kiona Fortunate Sun Late Harvest Chenin Blanc
Kiona Chenin Blanc Ice Wine

Just send us a message if you need help in finding one (or all!) of these wines.

Bring home your own binful!

With the New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlets American Wine Sale, you can get 15% off 12 or more bottles of USA wines, including those from Kiona Vineyards and Winery. Wines available at select stores include:

Kiona Columbia Valley Riesling
Kiona Columbia Valley Chardonnay
Kiona Estate Red Mountain Sangiovese
Kiona Estate Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Kiona Estate Red Mountain Reserve
Kiona Fortunate Sun Late Harvest Chenin Blanc

Message us if you need help in finding them!

Mother's Day is coming, but going out for dinner to celebrate probably isn't happening this year. If you'd like a quick and easy way to get that dining-out celebration feeling in your own kitchen try Pan Seared Scallops (http://highlandwinemerchants.com/pan-seared-scallops) and a bottle of bubbly. We recommend:

Lété Vautrain Brut 204 (NH code 33541)
Lobetia Sparkling Brut (NH code 33793)

You can order these through your local wine store or message us for help in finding them.

Watch Juan Fuentes taste the delicious Mont Reaga Tempo, and blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvginon and 50% Syrah from Spain. Available at Nature's Green Grocer, Corks and Curds llc, and WineNot Boutique.

https://youtu.be/882Zv1RJ5Vw

Mont Reaga Tempo English Juan Fuentes tastes Mont Reaga Tempo, a 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Syrah blend from Spain.

Since getting together for a wine tasting just isn't on the agenda right now, we're going to bring you some virtual tastings! In this one, Thejs Heath of Terroir Wine Group tells us about Lobetia Organic Tempranillo. Available at select New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlets. Message us if you need help finding it!

https://youtu.be/Ic4YjhSfDtI

Lobetia Tempranillo Tasting Learn more about Lobetia Tempranillo with Thejs Heath.

Now available in New Hampshire-- Hunted Lodi Zinfandel.

"Wonderful blueberry aromas join ripe blackberry flavors in this extremely ripe and delicious wine. A full body and a soft, thick texture make it mouth-filling and jammy-tasting. 88 points." -Wine Enthusiast

Track some down today!

Our friends at Cadence getting ready for another vintage of delicious wines.

Join us at the WineNot Boutique France vs Italy tasting on Thursday, March 12th, where we'll be pouring some delicious wines, including the Château Gaby Bordeaux 2012 shown here!

The Doctor is back!

Watch for a tasting near you....

https://www.forbes.com/sites/cathyhuyghe/2019/12/20/1-gift-you-can-give-to-the-wine-industry-to-preserve-your-own-enjoyment-in-2020/

One Gift You Can Give To The Wine Industry To Preserve Your Own Enjoyment In 2020 Here's a break down of what the USTR's proposed tariffs could mean to the consumer experience of wine, and also what you as a consumer could do about it. It's time to write letters, and I don't mean to Santa.

Watch Dr. Brad talk about the history of Bradford Distillery and show you how the product is made.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7fB0i0vB0M

Bradford Distillery Bradford Distillery is located at 3 Pond Park Road #4 Hingham, MA 02043. To contact the Distillery for tastings our tours you can call 781-385-7145 or Brads ...

What we're pouring at the WineNot Boutique Thanksgiving Wine tasting:

Kiona Columbia Valley Riesling 2016
Aromas of flower, peach and jasmine lead to spritzy, off-dry stone fruit flavors. Floral notes are threaded throughout the palate. 97.5% Riesling, 2.5% Gewürztraminer.

Burnside Road Mendocino County Chardonnay 2017
Delicate aromas of lychee and butterscotch. Refreshing citrus, peach, and tropical notes finely balanced against a firm, honeyed texture. The finish suggests baked apple, vanilla bean and nutmeg. Pair with crab cakes, roast pork with apple sauce or feta cheese quiche.

Kiona Estate Red Mountain Lemberger 2016
Perfumed aromas with traces of orange zest and flower, with notes of blueberry. The blueberry and flower flavors are lighter styled. Great with Turkey! 94% Lemberger, 3% Carmenère, 2% Petite Sirah, 1% Mourvèdre.

Mont Reaga Tempo 2014
Aromas of berries with an earthy touch. Beautiful red fruit with oak accents and notes of licorice, paprika, and thyme. A velvety mouth-feel complements the smooth and pleasant palate. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Syrah.

Burnside Road Sonoma Zinfandel 2016
Intense aromas of jammy boysenberry and cassis. Rich and vibrant dark fruit flavors laced with cinnamon and subtle vanilla. A delightful finish of dusty cocoa powder lingers alongside truly mouthwatering acidity. Pair with hearty dishes such as grilled eggplant, braised short ribs or beef tenderloin.