Wine & Beer

55 Degree Wine carries a large selection of unique and high value wines. 90% of our wines are from Italy, one of our favorite regions. But we also carry wonderful wines from Argentina, Portugal, Spain & Australia

Italian Wines:

• Southeast Italy – They’re not household names like their Piedmont or Tuscan cousins, but the wines of Italy’s southern wine districts are bold, full-bodied, and satisfying. Southern Italy has been producing wine for over 4000 years. The rich soil and temperate climate here are ideal for growing all kinds grapes. Some of southern Italy’s top wines are: the red Taurasi, the white Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo wines.
• Northern Italy – The northwest of Italy is divided into four regions, Valle d-Aosta, Lombardy, Liguria and Piedmont. This latter may be regarded by some as the most significant Italian wine region, for it is the origin of perhaps the greatest Italian red wine, Barolo. The wineries of north Italy produce some of the best wines in the world: Amarone, Barbaresco, Barolo and Dolcetto d’Alba.
• Sicilian – One of Europe’s oldest viticultural regions still offers some pleasant surprises. Sicily’s oenological history is an ancient one dating from the time when the island was part of Magna Graecia. One usually associates fine wines with eastern Sicily and the areas near Mount Etna, but many new wineries have sprung up across the island. Some of Sicily’s finest include: Marsala, Zibibbo, Moscato, Malvasia and Novello.

South America

• Argentina Argentine wines started being exported during the 1990s, and are currently growing in popularity. The most important wine regions of the country are located in the provinces of Mendoza and San Juan and La Rioja. Due to the high altitude and low humidity of the main wine producing regions, Argentine vineyards rarely face the problems of insects, fungi, molds and other grape diseases that affect
  vineyards in other countries. This permits cultivating with little or no pesticides, allowing even organic wines to be easily produced. There are many different varieties of grapes cultivated in Argentina, reflecting her many immigrant groups. The French brought Auxerrois, which became known as Malbec, which makes most of Argentina’s best known wines. The Italians brought vines that they called Bonarda, although Argentine Bonarda appears to be the Corbeau of Savoie, also known as Charbono in California. Also being grown in Argentina’s major regions are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chardonnay.
• Chile- The number of wineries has grown from 12 in 1995 to over 70 in 2005. Chile is now the fourth largest exporter of wines to the United States. The climate has been described as midway between that of California and France. The most common grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère. Over twenty grape varieties are grown in Chile, mainly a mixture of Spanish and French varieties, but many wineries are increasing experimentation in higher numbers. Chilean winemakers have been developing a distinct style for their Cabernet Sauvignon, producing an easy drinking wine with soft tannins and flavors of mint, black currant, olives and smoke.

Wines from Down Under

• Australia- The Australian wine industry is the fourth-largest exporter in the world, exporting over 400 million litres a year to a large international export market that includes “old world” wine-producing countries such as France, Italy and Spain. Major grape varieties are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Riesling. The country has no native grapes, and Vitis vinifera varieties were introduced from Europe and South Africa in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
• New Zealand- Largely produced in ten major wine growing regions spanning latitudes 36° to 45° South and extending 1,000 miles. They are, from north to south Northland, Auckland, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough,
  Canterbury/Waipara and Central Otago. New Zealand is home to what many wine critics consider the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand
  Reds are typically made from either a blend of varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and much less often Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
  and Malbec), or Pinot Noir. In general New Zealand red wine tends to be forward and early maturing, fruit-driven and with restrained oak.

Robust European Wines with Finesse:

• Portugal – Portuguese wine is the result of traditions introduced to the region by ancient civilizations, such as the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, and mostly the Romans. Portugal has two wine producing regions protected by UNESCO as World Heritage: the Douro Valley Wine Region (Douro Vinhateiro) and Pico Island Wine Region (Ilha do Pico Vinhateira). Portugal has a large variety of native breeds, producing a very wide variety of different wines with distinctive personality. Vihno Verdes, Porto/Duaro, Dão, Bairrada, Bucelas, Colares, Carcavelos, Setúbal, Alentejo, Algarve and Madeira are among some of the native varietals to Portugal.
• Spanish -There are over 2.9 million acres (over 1.17 million hectares) planted in Spain – making it the most widely planted wine producing nation. The country has an abundance of native grape varieties, with over 600 varieties planted throughout Spain though 80 percent of the country’s wine production is from only 20 grapes—including Tempranillo, Albariño, Garnacha, Palomino, Airen, Macabeo, Parellada,Xarel·lo, Cariñena and Monastrell. 55 Degree Wine serves some of Spain’s most popular wines like the fun, sparkling Cava (under $15), Sherry, Tinto (under $10), Tempranillo, Albariño and many more.

55 Degree is proud to offer a wide selection of beer with over 350 different brews from around the world! Check out some of our selection below and visit us in person so we can pair you up with the perfect beer.

Domestic (Wide variety from IPA’s to Barrel-Aged to Belgian-Style)

-The Allagash Brewing Co out of Portland, ME offers some eclectic styles, some of which are aged in Jim Beam Bourbon barrels!
-We feature the Lost Abbey line from Port Brewing Co. out of San Marcos, CA. They pride themselves on bringing the various styles of Belgian brewing to America from Saison to Pale Ale to the Strong Dark Ale’s.

Canadian (White Ale to Strong Dark Ale)
-Unibroue produces a supreme line of ales aged on lees. Starting with the light creamy Blanche de Chambly and end with the strong and dark “Terrible”, you’ll realize what Canada is all about!

English (Classic English IPA’s and everything in between. Even Banana and Chocolate flavored styles!)
-St. Peter’s Brewery located in Suffolk, UK still utilizes their own well to ensure fresh high quality water. In addition, the company uses uniquely shaped bottles to add to their English tradition.
-Fuller’s Brewery is London’s oldest brewery (over 350 years old) and we carry some of their proud styles. Try the Vintage Ale….it has a dark caramel richness.

Scottish (full bodied, full flavored beers)
-Belhaven has been offering large and heavy beers since the early 18th Century, located in Dunbar, Scotland.

French (Amber, blonde and biere de garde)
-Try the Fischer Amber….it’s poured from a swingtop bomber and has a rusty/golden color with a minimal head and little lacing, with a spicy and malty aroma.

German (Weizen, Pilsner, Lager, Bock’s, Kolsch)
-Weihenstephaner is is the oldest commercial brewery in the world! Dating back to 1040 A.D., this brewery is now an institute that turns beer novices into brewmasters. Try the Vitus Weizenbock.
-G. Schneider & Son produce some amazing lines of brews such as the Aventinus, which are represented by the dark and spicy doppelbock, and the rich and sweet eisbock.

Belgian (Witbier, Saison, Pale Ale, Strong Pale Ale, Dark Ale, Strong Dark Ale, Seasonal, Dubbel, Tripel, Trappist)
-St. Bernardus hosts some of the tastiest ales from Belgium. Starting with the Witbier (crafted by Pierre Celis of Hoegaarden), and finishing up with their Tripel and every so strong dark and rich ABT 12, they are among the favorites here at 55.
-We carry every Certified Trappist Ale that is available for importing! Try the Trappiste Rocheforts. They may look small, but they pack a fierce and tasty punch!!!

Japan (White ale, Red ale, Brown ale, Stout, and many more)
-We feature the Kiuchi Brewery’s line of Hitachino Nest Beer. Of about 8 different types, of few of the favorites are the smooth and spicy White Ale, and the Real Ginger Brew. Perfect with any sushi or sashimi dish!

International Selections (offering beer from various other countries)
-Sweden, Austria, Czech, Italy, China, Vietnam, India, Mexico, Brazil
-Yanjing was one of the sponsors for the 2008 Summer Olympics and also the biggest brewery in Asia. Its a crisp and refreshing lager which uses fresh mineral water to retain the quality of the beer.