This bottle of Jean François Mérieau Touraine “Bulles” was purchased at the recently renovated Capital City Liquor Store, at the intersection of Collier and Howell Mill. It’s my neighborhood go-to spot for beer and liquor, as they have a good selection of both. They have some decent wines too, though I wouldn’t purchase anything expensive or old there. It’s too hot in there and many of the “top shelf” wines have been aging at a not-too-comfortable 78 degrees for five years. Putting the most expensive wines on top of the wine shelves in a non-temperature controlled environment doesn’t really make sense to me, with heat rising and what not. But that’s a conversation for another day.
I saw this wonderful Loire sparkler on sale for $14 so I picked up a couple. I’ve had it by the glass at Miller Union, which I specifically ordered because I recognized the producer, who makes a really excellent gamay and viognier, though I’m a little less enamored with his sauvignon blanc. All are less than $20.
They’re excellent examples of delicious, affordable, and easily quaffable wines from Jon-David Headrick Selections, an importer out of Asheville who specializes in these sorts of wines from the Loire Valley.
People often tell me they’re intimidated when choosing a bottle of wine at the store or when dining out. I think identifying with a particular importer like JDH is a risk adverse way to introduce yourself to new wines. I like acid, minerality, clean flavors, and an affordable price tag. Apparently so does Jon-David. When I see his name on a bottle, I know there’s a good chance I’m gonna enjoy it.
I sort of do the same thing when I see Becky Wasserman, Kermit Lynch, or Peter Weygandt’s names on the back of the bottle, though their portfolios are quite large. You’re still throwing darts on occasion, but it’s like taking off the blindfold.
In Atlanta there’s a large selection of Jon-David Headrick wines at Perrine’s wine shop. In Atlanta they are distributed by Quality Wine and Spirits, and in Alabama/South Carolina by Grassroots Wine Wholesalers (Harry R. and James A. deserve a shout out). Actually, if considering casting an even wider net when discovering wine, if I know that a wine is distributed by Grassroots, I’m 74% more likely to order that wine. I wish that restaurant wine lists could tell me who imports and distributes each wine on the list, that would be cool. iPad feature?
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