The National is Open

Hear ye, hear ye . . . we’ve big news this week in Athens and at Gosford: the highly anticipated opening of The National is upon us, the football season is just about to kick off, and it has finally managed to rain some.  These are all good things.

Our Wine of the Week . . . has been popularized as a consituent of our Italian Heat Wave special, and it’s been a hit all summer long, so put your hands together for the Luccarelli Primitivo, Salento, Italy; $8.99/btl.  The Luccarelli is a delightful little summertime pleaser from extreme southeast Italy.  It’s medium-light in body, with very soft tannins.  What it lacks in weight and power is compensated by spice, minerality, and fresh, fruity acidity.   These features combine to make for a perfect hot weather wine.  We usually sell it for $9.99, so enjoy it while you can at the reduced price.  

Don’t miss our Wednesday Seminar this week . . . which will feature wines from the less appreciated  winelands of the southern hemisphere, specifically South America and South Africa – I’m not above calling it ‘Southern Accents’ or something like that.   We’ll try some South African Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage, whilst hitting up South America for some Torrontes, Cabernet Sauvignon, and of course, Malbec.  Join me for a look at how the other half lives . . . we might have a bit of fun doing it.

Lukas will be all alone this Wednesday, so please bring a little patience along with your $5.

Drop in anytime between six and eight pm.

The National has opened its doors . . . and it seems to have been well worth the wait.  Hugh Acheson, of 5&10 fame, has opened a new restaurant at 232 W Hancock – adjacent to Ciné in downtown Athens.  All reports have been extremely positive, and we look forward to hearing yours.  The menu is designed in a Meditteranean spirit, and if you’d like to take a look at it, please do so at www.thenationalrestaurant.com.  The dining room will be open and serving lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30a-2:30p.  Dinner will be served from 5:00p-11:00p Monday through Thursday, and from 5:00a-midnight on Friday and Saturday.  The National bar will be open from 11:30a to 2:00a Monday through Friday, and from 5:00p to 2:00a on Saturday.  Both the bar and the dining room will be closed on Sunday.  With its Enomatic wine preservation system, The National is now able to provide unparalleled wine service, whereby opened bottles will keep for weeks at a time, and each glass will be served at its proper temperature.  I look forward to seeing you there.