Wines of Discovery
At Sunapee Cellar & Pantry, one of the things we love most about wine is discovery. There is always another grape, region, producer, or style waiting to surprise you. A recent wine industry white paper calls these bottles “wines of discovery”: compelling, approachable wines that help us better understand wine and, more importantly, our own tastes. They are bottles priced reasonably enough to try something new, but distinctive enough to tell a story about where they come from and how they were made.
That idea resonates with us because it is a big part of how we choose wines for the shop. Instead of filling the shelves with the same familiar mass-market labels found everywhere, we enjoy seeking out wines with character and a sense of place. A wine of discovery does not have to come from an obscure grape or far-off region. It might be a Langhe Nebbiolo, Loire Cabernet Franc, Austrian Grüner Veltliner, Chianti Classico, Rhône blend, Central Coast Pinot Noir, or old-vine Zinfandel. The common thread is quality, value, and the opportunity to experience something a little different.
Discovery also does not need to be intimidating. In fact, it should be fun. Trying a bottle you have never heard of, tasting a grape you cannot pronounce, or exploring a region you have never visited is part of what makes wine interesting. As the white paper points out, sticking only with what we already know limits what we have the chance to enjoy. Every new bottle adds another reference point and helps us figure out what we like, what we don’t, and what we might want to try next.
That is exactly what we hope to offer at Sunapee Cellar & Pantry. Our shelves, weekly tastings, and wines by the glass are opportunities to discover something new without needing to be a wine expert. Stop in, tell us what you normally enjoy, and let us introduce you to a bottle you may not have considered before. You might simply find your next favorite wine.