By Taylor Proctor, Hop City Wine Manager
It’s about time to properly reintroduce myself, although many of you probably recognize me from running through the aisles of Hop City for many years! I’m Taylor, the artist formerly known as Draft Manager, the artist formerly known as General Manager of Hop City Krog Street! After a few years stepping back from beer, I have spent that time delving head first into the world of wine. I am so excited to be back with my Hop City family, representing our stores and restaurants through our wine selections.
My wine drinking philosophy and approach is very people focused - winemakers stories, their commitment to their craft, what makes them unique! I try to translate that into the way I make suggestions and curations for you - I want you to have a bottle that makes a memory, helps you relax after a long day, makes you think and go “wow.” I want wine to feel accessible, adventurous, and easy to understand, because the more we share the knowledge, the more we can all enjoy.
I wanted to highlight a few of my go-to bottles for the summer, for celebrating, for sharing stories! First on the list is my go-to summer rosé, Jochen Beurer’s Rosé Trocken ($27.99, Krog + West End), an absolutely stunning rosé that is highly anticipated every summer! This rosé tastes as electric as it looks. A blend of Trollinger, Portugieser, Zweigelt, and Spätburgunder, this neon pink rosé bursts with notes of salted watermelon, juicy fresh raspberry, and salty electrolytes. This is exactly what I want while hanging on my porch on a hot summer’s day.
Need a killer white and red to bring to your next dinner party? Look no further than Lady of the Sunshine’s Chevey ($31.99, Krog only) and Martin Texier’s Le Preyna Rouge ($34.99, Krog only). Gina Giugni, the powerhouse woman behind Lady of the Sunshine, is one of the winemakers I have the utmost respect for. Her Chevay is an homage to Cheverny, and is a blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Chardonnay. When I tell you this bottle is pretty, I mean it is pretty-pretty. The Sauvignon Blanc gives it acid and notes of white flower and the best Anjou pear you’ve ever had, while the Chardonnay gives it some body back, lemon curd, wet stone. She’s a perfect bottle.
If you’re looking for a red, Le Preyna is where it’s at. Martin Texier is the son of esteemed French winemaker Eric Texier. After studying in New York and having a thorough career as a DJ, he went back to the Rhône Valley to approach classic French styles with modern approaches.
Le Preyna is a blend of 75% Cinsault and 25% Grenache. Super light bodied and approachable, this has lots of bright red cherry and berry bush fruit, with some pretty purple lilac and violet florality, and a baby punch of fresh black pepper in the back.
Finally, we will end with something equally cute as it is delicious - Santa Julia La Vaquita ($21.99, Krog & West End). I am a massive fan of everything Santa Julia, from their minimal intervention approach, to their female winemaker and namesake, Julia. They are linked into the famous Zuccardi family, who has deep ties to Mendoza, and was one of the earliest pioneers of sustainable winemaking in Argentina. La Vaquita with its cute little crayon cow is sure to be a fan favorite you’ll come back to over and over again. La Vaquita is done in “Clairette” style, meaning red and white grapes are fermented together - this blend being 80% Malbec and 20% Torrontés. This wine is a memory for me. It takes me back to picking fresh blackberries at my grandparents house in the dead of summer. Bright with sparkly acid and so much crunchy blackberry fruit, it has a nice purple florality and just enough grip to keep it interesting.
I am so excited to help you find bottles that incite conversation, define memorable moments, and make wine easier, friendly, and more approachable. Come find me at Krog and West End and let’s pick some of your new favorite bottles together. Cheers!
