Love in a bottle: the scoop on Valentine's Day wine features

Cupid may use an arrow, but the Goose has what really works...

"For Your Meatheart" Dinner-for-two Package includes a bottle of La Cartuja Priorat 2013:

La Cartuja is a unique wine produced in the Priorat region, one of the most prestigious appellations in Spain. Priorat is special due to the unmistakable mineral identity that the licorella (volcanic Slate) imparts in its wines. When you taste a Priorat wine, you are not only tasting a grape but also a place. The mineral flavors of the place overpower the natural flavors of the grape. La Cartuja was born in 2007 with the objective of bottling a special wine that is able to capture the mineral identity of this unique territory. A second objective with La Cartuja was to make a Priorat that approachable and not alcoholic while young. Lastly and perhaps the most difficult of objectives to accomplish was to make a wine of this pedigree at an inconceivable price. 

La Cartuja is a small production cuvée made from organically grown and estate-owned, grapes located in the Carthusian Les Solanes estate. Most Priorat wines are expensive and require lots of time before they’re drinkable. La Cartuja is a fresh vision of Priorat, a wine that is young and accessible. During medieval times, La Cartuja was the name given to a large geographical area governed by the Carthusian monks. Similar to the Vatican estates, this area had its own code of law. The whole of Priorat was a ‘Cartuja,’ a religious state rather than a civil domain. Priorat’s winemaking heritage began with the Carthusian monks. For centuries they performed the backbreaking work necessary to care for these difficult, isolated vineyards. 

Two things make this wine unique: the quality and the price. La Cartuja proudly proclaims the identity of the flavors of Priorat. The wine is made in an approachable style to be enjoyed young. It is neither alcoholic nor overly tannic. Made with organic, estate-owned fruit, it is aged in French oak barrels for only 6 months.

And for a special addition to both the "For Your Meatheart" and "Our Meatless Love" Dinner-for-two Packages, add on a bottle of an exceptional champagne (at an exceptional price): Nominé Renard Brut Rosé Champagne 

A smoky hint of roasted almond and a touch of bacon imparts a savory accent to this firm, well-knit rosé. The fine bead carries subtle flavors of macerated plum, whole-grain toast and lemon zest. 90 points, Wine Spectator 

"Grower" Champagne accounts for just 25% of champagne production and means these family-owned, Premier Cru status (or higher) wineries own their own vineyards and produce their own fruit (as opposed to buying up bulk juice like the big champagne houses). 

This bottle's producer--Nominé Renard--is one of only 28 grower champagnes included in a boutique, elite group of growers known as “Les Club Tresor de Champagne” or The Treasure Club. This is a strictly selective group of growers created in 1971 with exceptionally high self-imposed standards of vini-viticulture including more sustainable growing practices, smaller yields, wines must pass blind tasting tests, and more. For more info, check out clubtresorsdechampagne.com

Order these bottles online for pick up at Goose the Market on Friday, February 13, or Saturday, February 14.