These Wines Will Keep You Warm!

Notes From the Cellar….. Looks like the winter weather is having a tough time saying goodbye, but no worries- spring will come one way or another! In the meantime we have a couple new wines to taste that should take the edge off this weekend. Just in we have a Pinot Gris from Alsace for the white wine drinkers and a big, chewy Bordeaux for the hearty red lover. Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we sample these new additions. On the beer front, we have new additions from Founders, Two Roads, Boulevard & Leffe, as well as recent ones from SixPoint, Victory, Lagunitas, Firestone Walker, Brewmaster Jack & Lost Abbey. Our "bar" is always open to sample our craft spirits as well- newly added is a great Rye Whiskey from Mad River Distillers in Vermont; all New England farmed and distilled! As always, take 10% a purchase of 3 bottles of wine from our tasting table. '13 Willm Pinot Gris Réserve, Alsace, France- Pinot Gris, one of the four noble grapes of Alsace, gets it name for its gray/blue skins- though it produces a fuller white wine. In Alsace, the grapes benefit from a long, cool growing season that allow the grapes to ripen and fully develop their flavors. The wines produced here are markedly different in style than the Italian clone- pinot grigio, that are usually picked earlier so as to produce a lighter, more acidic wine. These vineyards of granite and calcareous clay are located in the northern region of Barr. The Réserve Pinot Gris is fermented in stainless steel and sees 3 months on its lees before spending another 8-10 months in tank before bottling. The wine displays rich orchard fruit aromas of apricot and peach as well as a honeyed sweetness that is well balanced by its acidity, giving the wine a medium to full body and round texture in the mouth. Pairs with a richer fish, white meats and mushroom risotto. Also stands up quite well to spicy foods. $14.99 '10 Château les Grandes Mottes, Blaye- Côtes de Bordeaux, France- The village of Blaye is located on the right side of the Gironde River- the same side as the renowned communes of Saint- ´Emillion and Pomerol. One of 8 appellations grouped under the Côte de Bordeaux sub-region, its hilly vineyards are usually clay over limestone and produce a Merlot-heavy blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot in this case. 2010 was another great year for Bordeaux following the perfectly ripened 2009 vintage. This vintage had periods of high heat and drought that built sugars and then a cooler fall that built higher acidity into the grapes. This wine is certainly robust with strong, chewy tannins and high acidity. Rich with flavors of black currant, dark cherry and plum, the Grande Mottes has a perfumed scent, a subtle earthy character and a touch of spice. Pairs with lamb and fatty cuts of beef. $14.99

Cheers!

More Great Deals!

Notes From the Cellar….. We can finally see the ground again (well in some places) and the balmy over-30 degree temperatures are making it seem like spring is in the air! Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we taste out a couple more great finds that are sure to please. This week's selections are a couple easy drinking reds- a medium bodied Nero d'Avola from Sicily and an earthy Grenache from Southern Rhone. On the beer front, we have recent additions from SixPoint, Victory, Lagunitas, Firestone Walker, Brewmaster Jack, Lost Abbey, and Dogfish. Our "bar" is always open to sample our craft spirits as well- newly added is a great Rye Whiskey from Mad River Distillers in Vermont; all New England farmed and distilled! If you're heading North for some great spring skiing, don't forget to stop in first for your favorite craft wine, beer & spirits that aren't always readily available in the mountains. As always, take 10% a purchase of 3 bottles of wine from our tasting table. '11 Bacaro Nero d'Avola "Terre Siciliane", Sicily, Italy- After a long period of stagnation & over-production, Sicily is becoming a much more vital and serious wine region as they have become more concerned with quality over quantity. Founded in the 1970's, the Cantina Cellaro winery is located near the south-west coast of the island with vineyards at altitudes over 300 meters above sea level. Sicily's most popular grape, Nero d'Avola performs well in its hot, dry climate producing dark colored wines with dark fruit characteristics. These vineyards are located in a slightly cooler microclimate that helps building acidity in the wine. With ripe blackberry fruits, prunes and a little note of liquorice and pepper, this wine has a juicy character while retaining richness. With firm tannins and medium acidity, this wine can be enjoyed on its own or with food. Pairs with grilled meats & vegetables or roasted game birds. $10.99 '11 Domaine André Brunel Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Grenache- The Brunel family has been making wine in Châteauneuf-de-Pape region since the 17th century; André has been running the domaine since 1971 and now his son has joined the team. The vineyards for his Vin de Pays are mainly in the commune of Travaillon, just east of Gigondas and northeast of Vacqueyras. This 100% Grenache comes from 40 year old vines planted in sandy soils. Yields are kept low to allow for concentration of fruit and sustainable farming practices are followed. This wine is easy drinking with primary notes of dark berries, cherry and some earthiness. Medium to full bodied with a little peppery spice, it has soft tannins and fresh acidity. Pairs well with stews, roasted vegetables and meats. $12.99

Cheers!

Great Everyday Wines!

Notes From the Cellar….. It looks like we're finally going to warm up after this weekend and its a sign that spring coming and these snow banks can finally melt! This Fri & Sat from 3-6 we have a couple new reds to try- an Argentinian Malbec blended with a little Syrah that adds some weight and spice as well as a rich, full bodied Bordeaux; we think these will impress as go-to choices. On the beer front, we have new offerings from SixPoint & Victory as well as recent additions from Lagunitas, Firestone Walker, Brewmaster Jack, Lost Abbey, Otter Creek, Long Trail, and Dogfish. Our "bar" is always open to sample our craft spirits as well. If you're heading North to ski country, don't forget to stop in first for your favorite craft wine, beer & spirits that aren't always readily available in the mountains. As always, take 10% a purchase of 3 bottles of wine from our tasting table. '13 Bodegas Diamandes "Perlita" Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina- In 1999 Michel Rolland along with 6 other Bordeaux winemakers founded the Clos de los Siete group, which another Bordeaux family- the Bonnies joined in 2005. Their vineyards are located in the Unco Valley, just south of the Mendoza City, with soils of clay, sand & pebbles. The Perlita is a blend of 80% Malbec & 20% Syrah and is aged for 10 months in French Oak. The ripe fruits of blackberry & cherry are balanced by the richness and peppery spice of the Syrah along with notes of vanilla. The Perlita is medium to full bodied with fresh acidity and grainy tannins. Pairs well with charcuterie and roasted or barbecued meats. $14.99 '09 Château du Courneau Médoc, Bourdeaux, France- The small Lamoliere family estate of 36 hectares lays on a gravely knoll in the north of the Médoc, in the village of Lesparre Médoc. A long and favorable growing year allowed the grapes to fully ripen, resulting in rich, ripe fruit characteristics and slightly higher alcohol given the sugar content of the grapes. This typical blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot is rich and opulent in the mouth with flavors of blackcurrant, plum, vanilla and complementing aromas of cedar and tobacco. Full bodied with chewy tannins and balanced acidity, this wine is a friend of meat dishes. Pair with lamb dishes, rib-eye steaks, roasted vegetables, BBQ & hard cheeses. $15.99

Cheers!