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As a wine buyer, one of the more exciting aspects of my job is consistently hunting for "THE next best thing." This involves constant research into what products are newly available to the market, as well as trust and great relationships with wine reps who know your interests and tastes. Best case scenario: you discover a new favorite that is a fantastic value. Here are some things I'm currently obsessed about:
While the island of Corsica is a French territory, many of their winemaking traditions and varietals are Italian in origin. Wines here are typically made by co-ops, small farmers that band together and share a facility. Niellucciu, the leading grape in the northern area of Corsica, is genetically identical to Sangiovese. This particular rosé is a crowd-pleaser, showcasing white flowers, peaches, delicate red fruit, with fantastic acidity on the palate.
Since most people associate the Rhone valley with red wines, their white wines are often overlooked. It's a shame because these wines (typically blends in the Southern Rhone) are incredibly food friendly, aromatic, and complex. Clairette is considered to be one of the most popular varietals for white wine production in the Rhone, expressing itself as fresh, floral, and mineral with orchard fruit notes and lime. However, it shows best when paired with another varietal like Roussanne, which adds honeysuckle, apricot, and herbal tea notes to the wine.
In the springtime my favorite category is a session wine: an easy-drinking, lower-alcohol red wine I can drink with a slight chill. Enter Valdiguie, the varietal you've probably encountered before in a California Zinfandel Blend but didn't know it at the time. In this particular bottling, this wine is made in a similar manner to Gamay from Beaujolais — in fact, until 1980 it was referred to as Napa Gamay until genetic analysis proved that it was, in fact, the southern French varietal of Valdiguie. Fresh, light, and bursting with fruit punch notes, this wine does just as well as a sipper as it does being paired with food (think our Duck Confit or Palmetto Squab with Cassoulet).
Originally from Madiran, France, Tannat usually makes powerful wines with big body and formidable tannins, unless these grapes happen to be grown in Uruguay. A Basque gentleman named Pascual Harriague is credited with introducing the grape to Uruguay in the 19th century. The Uruguay version of Tannat has smooth, integrated tannins, darker black and purple fruit, and a really pleasant, supple body. From a health standpoint, it also has a much higher levels of antioxidants than most other grapes! As if you needed another excuse to drink this wine.
Next time you're at the restaurant be sure to ask one of our wine professionals for guidance — there's always something new on the list. Cheers!
— Andres Contreras, Wine Director, The Establishment
The bottles that we're wild about right now!
“Our recent dining experience at The Establishment was absolutely superb...From the succulent whole fish to the exquisite wagyu beef and the delicious cocktails, every dish was flawlessly executed and incredibly satisfying. The culinary excellence was matched by the outstanding service from the staff, who made our evening a truly memorable one.” - Customer Review, July 2024 #charlestonrestaurants #chsfoodie #charlestonfood #charlestonbars #charlestoncocktails #chstoday #chsevents #chseats #charlestonfoodie #charlestonlivemusic #broadstreet
Do you have your tickets to the Not Your Mother’s Gin Dinner? July 31 • 6 pm • 7 courses paired with cocktails exploring Gins from around the world! $120 all in with taxes and gratuity - don’t miss out on this GINternational experience that takes you from the US to Europe, Australian and even Japan! 🔗 in bio for tickets #charlestonfood #chsevents #chstoday #charleston #charlestonfood #gin #gincocktails
{blistered snap peas} an absolute must if you’re dining with us tonight 🌻 sunflower purée, black pepper vinaigrette, radish, and a whole lotta pecorino romano. #chseats #charleston #charlestonfood #charlestonrestaurants #chsfoodie #eatdrinkchs #chstoday #chsfood #broadstreet #localproduce
NOT YOUR MOTHER'S GIN DINNER · July 31 · 7 courses featuring gins from around the world! 🔗 in bio for Tickets. Our 'Not Your Mother's Gin' Dinner will be an immersive and interactive dining experience that will explore gins from regions around the world, from South Africa to Italy and Australia. Each course will be presented with a uniquely crafted cocktail that elicits the flavor profiles of the featured gin, along with a gin sidecar (a tasting sample to the side) to experience its uninhibited essence. The Establishment’s Executive Chef Elliott Howells and Chief Mixologist, Ryan Wise have pushed the boundaries to create a 7-course menu that will take you on a total sensory experience. From English peas to Tasmanian pepper berry and lime leaf to pineapple, some of the very ingredients that makeup each gin may appear on your dish or in your glass.
This one’s for the team 🖤 It’s been 3 years since we re-opened our doors after COVID, and our success today is a testament to the resilience, support, and passion of our entire community. First and foremost, thank you to our incredible team. Your unwavering dedication to upholding our values is unparalleled. Day in and day out, you bring passion, commitment, and heart to everything you do. We’re not just running a business; we’re a family, and each one of you is a vital part of it. To our farmers, fishermen, purveyors, suppliers, and distributors, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your hard work and dedication behind the scenes are the backbone of our operation. You ensure we have the best ingredients and resources to create the wonderful experiences our guests cherish. And to our amazing guests and the Charleston community, thank you. Your support uplifts not just us, but the entire food and beverage community throughout Charleston. Every shared meal brings us closer together and makes us stronger. Here’s to many more years of great food, and even greater friendships. From Everyone at The Establishment, we’re honored to be part of your lives and look forward to continuing this incredible journey with you. Cheers 🖤
“Tremendous experience. While it’s hard to rank a Top 5 Charleston restaurants in order, it’d definitely be in the group.” - Customer Review, May 2024 #charlestonrestaurants #explorecharleston #broadstreet #finediningcharleston #charlestoneats #chseats #charlestoneats #chsfoodie #charlestonseafood #localseafood #sustainableseafood
We will be closed from Tuesday, July 2 - Thursday, July 4. Thank you for your support as our team takes much-deserved time off, and we'll see you Friday, July 5 đź–¤
Limited menu item this evening features a local medley of veggies from Jenkin’s Farm on Johns Island…harvested fresh and hand-delivered this morning from Sue Jenkins Crawford herself! • spoon tomatoes, mini eggplants, purple husk sweet corn, baby bell peppers, and jalapeños • #localproduce #johnsisland #johnsislandtomatoes #southcarolinafarmers #charlestonfood #chseatslocal @thesuecrawfordexperience