Hearty Wines for Winter Meals (1/16/15)

Notes From the Cellar….. With winter in full swing and the long MLK weekend up on us, we've selected a couple rich reds and another tasty offering from the Maine Beer Company that are perfect for hearty winter meals and keeping warm. Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 to sample these selections. Whether you're heading north or sticking around and watching the big Patriots game, don't forget to stock up with your favorite selections of wine and craft beer & spirits. We have some great new selections from Stone, Crooked Tree, Rising Tide, Berkshire Brewing and Maine Beer Co. As always, take 10% a purchase of 3 bottles of wine from our tasting table. '10 Casa de Mouraz, Dão, Portugal- Here we have another great find from the Dão region of Portugal. The husband and wife team of Antonio Lopes Ribiero and Sara Dionisio gave up their careers in the London art world to move home to his family's old vine vineyards located on steep, rocky hillsides. With a great respect for nature they farm organically and became Portugal's first biodynamic winery. Grapes are hand-harvested, fermented on natural yeasts and spend 8 months in large French barrels. This local blend of Touriga-Nacional, Tinta- Roriz, Alfrocheiro, Jaen & Agua-Santa gives off notes of berry and red cherries with a little peppery spice. Well balanced with bright acidity, it is rich and structured. A great pairing for roasted meats and stews. $16.99 ’11 Chinon ‘Vieilles Vignes,’ Domaine Fabrice Gasnier, Loire, France – The Loire Valley is famous for the finest Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc in the world, often overshadowing some wonderful red wines from the region. Chinon is an appellation known for its great Cabernet Franc. Here the 4th generation Gasnier family- Fabrice & his wife Sandrine biodynamically farm their 57 acres of predominately old vine Cabernet Franc- some planted as far back as 1935 in varying soils of chalk, gravel and clay. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for 6 months in large neutral oak barriques resulting in intensity and subtle layers of aromas and texture. The perfume is of violets, raspberry, and clay, followed by flavors of blackberry, forest floor and chalky tannins. Loire Valley Cabernet Franc is an excellent pairing with cured meats, grilled meats, and a range of pungent, soft and semi-soft cheeses. $17.99 Maine Beer Company, Mo Pale Ale- One of our favorite New England breweries, Maine Beer Co. produces some world class, bottle conditioned beer- particularly their ales. This freshly brewed American Pale Ale contains 4 different malts and is generously hopped with Warrior, Falconer’s Flight, Simcoe hops resulting is a rich yellow/orange color. The palate is balanced with a slight math sweetness, but overall a dry finishing beer with intense notes of citrus, passionfruit and pine. Pairs great with pork belly or fish and chips. $6.99/500ml

Cheers!