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All wines are not created equal. Thats the first thing that Fountainhead Wines owner, Mark Ancona, wants you to understand.
Our thing is finding great wines from small producers, producers who put real passion into their wines, he says, his long hair and wire-rimmed spectacles emphasizing his enthusiasm for following the road less traveled. We have a real thirst for things different. The cozy Norwalk storefront hes co-owned for 15 years with his brother, Anthony Ancona and their longtime friend, Michael Pelletier, overflows with unexpected gems. Though hes spent his life studying and selling wine, talking to him gives one the feeling hes just getting warmed up.
Hot weather is perfect for bright, aromatic whites and dry rosés from the South of France, explains Mark. Dry Alsatian Rieslings, Austrian Grüner Veltliners and this killer Txakoli [a slightly effervescent, dry white from the Basque region of Spain] are all very drinkable right now, he says. And for grilling, you have to try some of the French Gamays. Its a lighter-framed style, and you can serve it just slightly chilled. Stick it on top of some ice while youre grilling your salmon or whatever. Let it cool off before you pop it open.
Speaking of things that pop, Fountainhead also offers a fantastic selection of estate-bottled champagnes youre not likely to find elsewhere. Estate-bottled means the grapes are in the backyard, he says. These smaller producers only make up about 2 percent of sales in this country, but theyre all weve been selling for the last 10 years. Theres just so much more going on in these bottles than in the ones with bigger name recognition.? What bubbly does he like best?
Aubry is a great. You get a lot of bang for your buck, he says. We have a Paul Clouet with a good amount of Pinot Noir in it. Theyre standouts, for sure.
Find this local standout, off the beaten track, at 67 ½ Winfield Street in East Norwalk. Or give them a call at 203-854-9138.
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