This Week's Tasting
Old Friends and New Arrivals
September 30, 2026
Be among the first to taste what's just come in at Federal!
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This Week Wednesday, September 30, 2026 Old Friends and New Arrivals In-store, 5 - 6:30pm
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Sparkling
Zanotto Prosecco di Valdobbiadeno ZB Extra Brut
This is not your usual Prosecco. Champagne purists will like this: it has little added sugar, like some of the better champagnes from a family farm, and is made entirely from the Glera grape. It is made in small quantities and not mass-produced.
Color: light tan; Aroma: light and crisp lemon acid notes; Mouth: dry and crisp, high-toned, white flowers, touch of toast and acidity; Very Good Plus
$19.95; Case, $16.95
White
2023 Domaine Thevenard Macon-Villages
A nicely solid Macon Chardonnay at a very good price with a nice balance between mineral crispness and rich fruit
Aroma: Heady, rather full, fat, fresh, fullish; Mouth: Clean, sweet, intense, fullish, a bit soft, soft, not flabby; nice acid finish; Very Good Plus
$23.95; Case, $19.95
2020 St. Innocent Freedom Hill Chardonnay
We have a limited quantity of this better-than-average Willamette Valley Chardonnay. Estate-grown, it is at the pinnacle of its arc of development. Very pretty, it is rich and satisfying.
Aroma: Heady rather dense, lightly oaked, fresh heady ; Mouth: Nicely mature Rich and forward good acidity, , fresh and fleshy ; Very Good - Excellent
$26.95; Case, $22.95
Red
2023 Domaine Alain Michelot Bourgogne Rouge
Alain Michelot is a grower centered in Nuits-Saint-Georges. His basic red is solid and satisfying, echoing the richness of his Nuits at a much more reasonable price. It is Pinot Noir with character, depth, and solidity. It can be drunk now but will age nicely for another two to three years.
Aroma: Savory, lifted, powerful, and intense; deep and forward; Mouth: Dense and heady. Some complex layering of acid and fruit; Very Good Plus
$36; Case, $31
Two from Secret Squirrel.
The lighthearted names from a 90s Hannah- Barbera cartoon belie the seriousness of the wines. They have the structure and acidity to pair with a variety of meals. Both are from Washington's Columbia Valley and have concentrated wines with good density and power. My notes are from bottles that had been open for four hours, which added some volume to their structure. More serious than casual drinking, they both will stand up to many fall red meats and stews.
2018 Secret Squirrel Rhone Red Blend
Color: Medium dark; Aroma: intense, heady, and forward; very dense, heady, and opaque; Mouth: Ripe, smooth, clean, fine acid,/, bright, clean, and intense. Long finish. Very Good Plus
$28.95; Case, $24.95
2019 Secret Squirrel Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Aroma: Savory, lifted , powerful and intense powerful and intense deep and forward; Mouth: Clean, finely delineated, powerful, centered old style Cabernet; Very Good Plus
$28.95; Case, $24.95
Prearrival
2020 Secret Squirrel White Wine
This is a Columbia Valley response to white Chateauneuf-du-Pape, made from premium Rhône Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier with a bit of Picpoul for spice. It’s heady on the nose, rounded and fruity in the mouth, and dry and delicious on its own or with lightly spiced white meat and fish dishes.
Aroma: Heady and savory; savory, intense, heady, and full; pretty rather light and fresh, /herbal pretty fresh; Mouth: Rounded, sweet, intense juicy, and forward, rounded and satisfying; Very Good Plus
$21.95; Prearrival Case, $215
Arrives in about a month,
(does not assort with the tasting wines)
Drew's Side Bar
Sarti Rosa & ZB Zanotto
Brightness in the Twilight of Summer
A reminder of the pink sunsets of summer, Sarti blends blood orange, passion fruit, and guava for sweet and tart flavors that pair beautifully with sparkles and bubbles. We offer ZB Zanotto Prosecco as a dance partner to escort this passionate aperitif.
Sarti Rosa Regular $25.95, Sale $22.95
· Add 3 parts (ounces) Prosecco.
· Add 2 parts (ounces) Sarti Rosa.
· Add a splash (1 ounce) of club soda or sparkling water.
· Stir gently and garnish with a fresh lime wheel or slice.
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com
Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts!
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FREE DELIVERY!
in Greater Boston on orders more than $200
