Free Wine Tasting today at Vinea

Today from 2-5 at Corrieri's Formaggeria (1110 Caruthers Avenue, behind Vinea) to enjoy excellent wines from Sicily.

MandraRossa produces estate-bottled wines near the historic town of Menfi, in Sicily's southwestern corner.

These wines continue the ancient tradition of winemaking on Sicily, and showcase the great quality of wines produced from a variety of grapes.

Taste a range of MandraRossa wines, all perfect for summer grilling. And they're all great values at $10.99 each.

- Chardonnay -
Full-bodied, textured and dry with balanced acidity. This wine offers a structured palate with peach, apple and lemon characteristics and a fresh acidity.

Enjoy with chicken, pork, salmon and mild cheeses.

- Pinot Grigio-Grecanico -
An excellent full-bodied white wine. Fresh fruit flavors, reminiscent of melon,
papaya, grapefruit and lime, lead to a crisp, dry, uplifting finish.

Serve with shellfish, fish steaks, pan-fried chicken and veal. Also a masterful pairing with robust, slightly spicy pasta dishes in the Sicilian style, as well as artichoke and asparagus dishes. An excellent and original match with Asian and Asian-inspired cuisine.

- Fiano -
Medium bodied and dry with elegant balance. The fruit and citrus aromas on the nose evolve on the palate in an array of fruit flavors.

This wine is a perfect wine for grilling season! Enjoy with chicken, fish and grilled vegetables.

- Nero d'Avola -
This native grape produces "the Godfather of Sicilian red wines." Smooth, with black cherry and licorice.

Try this with rich pasta dishes, grilled red meats, and spicy cheeses.

- Shiraz -
This wine offers jammy fruit and nice tannins with a smooth finish.

Break out your favorite Sicilian recipe for this one! Great with pizza, grilled tuna steaks, and pastas with red sauce.

Wine and Art at Vinea

Hey there lovers of wine and ceramics...

On Saturday we have more than wine to show off. Corrieri's Formaggeria is also having an art show featuring Nashville's premiere potter and old friend, David Rhine.

In celebration of David joining us on Saturday, we will be opening several 90 +/-point boutique Australian wines from master importer Dan Phillps of the Grateful Palate. Believe me, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to just drop by and sip great wines!

The tasting will begin at Corrieri's at 2 pm and end at 5 pm. The tasting is FREE. All you need bring is a love of world class wine and a couple of great friends.

Drink Great Wine,
MJ the Sommelier


David Rhine

David developed and perfected a coil/throwing method of construction to create large outdoor and indoor planters. These distinctive andsturdy vessels are made to evoke prestige and integrity for centuries to come.Made with durable high-fired stoneware, they are completely frost proof and will never fade or crack.The planters are embellished with handmade stamps, creating designs and patterns inspired by various forms of nature. The complexity of each unique piece results in a quality which exceeds the usual industrial, mass produced planters. Slight nuances of form, surface design, texture, and glazes make every piece a one of a kind work of art.

David Rhine, an exceptionally talented potter from Nashville, received a bachelors degree in education from Middle Tennessee State University. Hewent on to a residency program at the Appalachian Center For Crafts in Smithville where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts.


Treusner Shiraz $32.99 a Bottle

The 2006 Joshua is an unwooded cuvee composed of 65% Grenache, 25% Mataro, and 10% Shiraz. Dark ruby-colored, it offers expressive, fruity aromas of violets, black cherry, and black raspberry. Supple-textured, layered, and sweetly fruited, the wine has no hard edges straight through to its pure finish. Drink it over the next 6 years.

91 Points R.P.


Troll Creek Shiraz

Usually $87.99 but on Saturday $49.99
The 2005 Shiraz was sourced from 40- to 60-year-old vines. The wine spent 30 months in French and American oak, 30% new. Opaque purple-colored, it exhibits aromas of toasty oak, spice box, saddle leather, licorice, blueberry, and chocolate. Sleek and racy on the palate in spite of its ample size, the flavors reveal succulent blue fruit and chocolate, and a long, savory finish. Give it 3-5 years in the cellar and drink it through 2024.

95 Points R.P.


Loan Semillion $19.99 a Bottle

The dry-grown 2005 Semillon was tank-fermented and spent 8 months in seasoned French oak. Medium straw-colored, it offers an expressive perfume of mineral, melon, spring flowers, and candle wax. This leads to a medium-bodied, ripe, well-balanced Semillon with good depth and length. Enjoy it with shellfish over the next 2-3 years. Loan was the second farm planted in the history of the Barossa. Today the Loan property is the only certified organic vineyard in the Barossa.

89 Points R.P.