Multiple selections, with descriptions, now in stock
By Tanya O’Connor
Fun facts about Best Case Wines founder and owner Robert Morey of Iowa City: He’s an academic-turned-wine buyer. He loves food. And he’s a former long-term New Pioneer Food Co-op staffer. The latter of these things is what married Morey and wine (especially French wine).
A “Little Village” profile piece (full article here: https://littlevillagemag.com/wine-all-the-time-a-best-case-scenario/) tells us that Morey started his New Pi career as a cheese buyer (while simultaneously studying graduate level dramatic literature). He wound up in wine, eventually serving as specialty department manager. “Then I started Best Case Wines in 2011. I had originally envisioned it as exclusively working with the French wines I imported, since my experience in the wine aisle led me to a preference for the variety, authenticity, and, well, deliciousness of French wines – as well as their affordability!” Today, however, Best Case Wines includes Portuguese, Spanish and Italian wines, as well as a few small, domestic west coast options.
He formed the company solo for five years, then hired fellow oenophile and culture-lover Drew McLaughlin. Today’s staff also includes the part-time service of Etsy artist and Iowa Brewers Guild Associate Director Kelsey Seay. Together, these three work to fulfill the Best Case Wines motto of serving “as a link between the people who grow and make these authentic wines and you, the people who enjoy them.” (visit bestcasewines.com to learn more)
Morey loves the play of food and wine – and he loves creating it. “As a rule,” he says, “I think simple foods can offer a lot of pleasure, but the quality of the ingredients is paramount. We’re omnivores at my house, so we enjoy all kinds of foods.” Morey’s family seasonally shops at their farmers market. Composed salads are a year-round favorite. They’re “nothing fancy,” he says, “just a variety of greens topped with some form of protein and arranged to look pretty.
“Another standard at our house is the grain bowl,” Morey adds, “rice or quinoa with sauteed chard or kale topped with roasted winter squash, a fried egg, feta and toasted pumpkin seeds. In fact it was Illahe Vineyards, our Oregon partner, that gave me this idea.”
Morey was recently gifted Melissa Clark’s “Dinner in One: Exceptional & Easy One-Pan Meals.” He tells us his family’s made about a dozen of the single sheet pan or casserole dishes Clark features thus far. Morey is fond of this book – it resonates with his sensibility that complex doesn’t mean complicated – and that simplicity and subtlety can be served on the same plate – or sipped from the same glass.
Co-op shoppers will find that this is precisely the essence of the wine selections Best Case Wines makes available to its customers. They’re meant to be enjoyed – with the food you enjoy, and the people that make life enjoyable. Morey’s enthusiasm is clear in the descriptions he provides for us below. It’s almost like he’s been there – these places and farms where grapes grow to wine. And in many cases – he has. Find your new favorites in Aisle 1.
2020 l’Ermite d’Auzan Rouge. Four generations of the Castillon family have farmed these vineyards on hillsides surrounding Nîmes, now moving from certified organic to biodynamic farming. Nîmes is France’s hottest city, but the elevation and cool breezes bring a fresh brightness to this Syrah/Mourvèdre/Grenache blend. PS! 90 points Wine Spectator
2021 Illahe Viognier. Illahe wines are small-lot, dry-farmed, sustainably grown, hand-picked, horse-drawn, basket-pressed, and unfiltered. They are some of the most beautiful, authentic wines grown. This Viognier is a knockout: lithe and graceful, not overblown or over-alcoholic. Gorgeous aromatics, with peach & white-flower notes, good fruit, and a bright, refreshing finish.
2020 Rootdown Trousseau. Never heard of Trousseau? You’re not alone. Originally from Alpine France, the grape makes a light-colored, light-bodied wine packed with flavor. This wine, from Amador, Calif., offers notes ranging from cherry to strawberry with a hint of orange marmalade. The best word for the wine is “delicious.” Give it a slight chill before enjoying with a range of meals, from salads and cheeses to pizza or roasted veggies.
2020 Clavel Languedoc “Le Mas.” This is an everyday-priced wine from legendary husband and wife Pierre and Estelle Clavel is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. He farms the land; she makes the wine. The winery also functions as a wildlife preserve. This one’s rich and concentrated, but not at all sweet or overdone. Enjoy layers of berry, herb, and mineral flavors on a frame of soft, polished tannins – the hearty flavors of sunny, southern France.
