Meet a Master Sommelier!
Events
We are excited to host Master Sommelier, Jesse Becker, for a happy hour from 4-6pm on Friday, June 20th. Jesse Becker will be curating a lineup of fantastic German and Austrian wines to taste by the glass or by the bottle. (Check out the Wine section to learn more about one of the wines in the lineup). Stop in this Friday, try a glass, and learn more from a Master Sommelier, a true wine expert! Jesse Becker has worked for some of the top restaurants in the United States and in nearly every facet of the wine trade for over two decades, he has cultivated extensive wine knowledge. Jesse is an ambassador for Germany’s VDP and is the first American to pass the German Wine Professional exam. There is no registration necessary for the Master Sommelier Happy Hour (however you can RSVP here), wine will be for sale by the glass or by the bottle. (or both 😉)
Our July Friday Night Flights + Bites will be pushed back one week due to the Fourth of July holiday. Britt Hedges from Tramonte & Sons will be here pouring wines on July 11th from 5-7pm. Purchase your tickets now!
And keep an eye here and on our socials for more information about our upcoming fundraiser at Piazza Discepoli hosted by the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers. Money raised will contribute directly to rhino and habitat conservation worldwide.
Visit the events page on our website to stay up-to-date with everything happening here at Piazza Discepoli.
Wines
Stift Göttweig is rich in history and deeply steeped in tradition. As one of the oldest wine-producing establishments in Austria, its roots can be traced back to the year 1083 when its vineyards were referenced in the Benedictine Abbey’s charter. The soils of the Göttweiger Berg are highly diverse, ranging from loam, loess, local conglomerate, and chalky clay to primeval rock and weathered slate. Over the centuries, naturally optimal partnerships evolved between grape varieties and vineyard sites. Their best vineyard for Grüner Veltliner is Gottschelle. Gravel and weathered sediments form a base supporting massive loess formations, which provide highly favorable conditions for optimal development of the Veltliner.
Their Göttweiger Messwein, or altar wine (not to be confused with “church wine”), is an especially noteworthy wine. It has been an institution in this Benedictine monastery for centuries. Messwein cannot be produced without the permission of the bishop, and it must be natural and unaltered. From the nature-friendly cultivation of the vineyards to the care and processing of the grapes and wine, the purity law of the church must be strictly observed while vinifying this light, dry Grüner Veltliner. It has a bright nose, with notes of citrus and apple. You’ll find it fresh, fruity, and expressive on the palate, with a nice length and delicate mouthfeel.
Since the 11th century, Stift Göttweig has been making wines according to traditional methods that perpetuate the authentic expression of their origin. Beginning in 2006 Fritz Meisbauer took over ownership of the abbey. He and his team consider their wine to be an artisanal work of excellence, linking together the winery, the sites, the cellar work, and the estate’s visual expression. They are also passionate about sustainably cultivating their vineyards. As a winemaking establishment with such a well-documented history, it’s easy to point to some of the impact previous generations have had on the vineyard sites and lands. The team at Stift Göttweig works the land sustainably out of that respect toward generational thinking, they want to pass on healthy soils, sites, and vines to those who follow.
Are you looking for something special or specific? Please feel free to email Rob with any wine questions or needs at the link below or give us a call in the shop at 513-561-6956. We’re always happy to source something for you if we don’t currently carry it in the store.
Gourmet Updates
P’tit Basque is handmade from grass-fed sheep’s milk in the Pyrenees mountains, right where France and Spain meet. P’tit Basque is a relatively young cheese, aged just 70 days, its young nature keeps it sliceable and gives it a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture. This is a unique, pure sheep's milk cheese with a melting paste and a subtle fruity flavor. Its unique, delicately sculpted crust is characteristic of the traditional wicker molds. It is a mild cheese with a slightly tangy finish, it’s always a crowd-pleaser and a versatile cheese to keep on hand.
Istara Cheese Factory, founded in 1964, has been cultivating its expertise with over a half-century of pastoral cheesemaking traditions. They currently produce 6,000 tons of cheese each year, all made with milk collected from over 400 family farms located within twenty miles of the factory. Their partner farms raise their sheep in the pastures of the Pyrenees, delivering naturally rich and flavorful milk every day, ready to be transformed into delicious cheese.
We create hand-crafted, custom charcuterie and cheese boards for all occasions and for any number of people. You can order by emailing Serenity using the link below, calling us at 513-561-6956, or stopping in the shop.
