May Days Are Here!

Notes From the Cellar….. May is here, the weather is warming up and plants are starting to bud and even flower! With the spring rolling, we have been busy digging up great new wines for the warmer months (and besides its more fun to find new wines to try)! Come by and and see what’s new as we bring in these finds each week; particularly our rosé collection that has really filled out! Keeping the warmer days in mind we’re dusting off one of our favorite Italian summer sippers as well as a couple new selections- an all Pinot Noir Rosé and a Cabernet Sauvignon from the winemakers of Banshee. Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we sample these wines perfect for an evening on the porch or by the grill! As it's a big weekend of sporting events, particularly the Kentucky Derby, we have whipped up a classic Mint Julep to sample as well- recipe below! As always take 10% the purchase of any 3 bottles from our tasting. '14 Henri Bourgeois Petit Bourgeois Rosé de Pinot Noir, Loire, France- Domaine Henri Bourgeois covers 72 hectares of the esteemed Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé appellations on some of the most rugged hillside terrains in the Loire Valley. The family maintains extremely strict methods, both in the field and in the cellar, to ensure wines of the utmost quality- using only organic fertilizers, maintaining meticulous control of the vines & hand harvesting the grapes. Delightfully fresh & food-friendly, this "baby Sancerre" Petit Bourgeois rosé shows mouth-watering strawberry and cherry fruit, refreshingly acidity and a dry finish. A simple, easy drinking rosé that pairs nicely salads, Asian food, pizza/pasta & shellfish. $14.99 ’13 Gavi di Gavi, La Caplana, Piedmont, Italy – Gavi is a light, crisp white made from the Cortese grape, known for retaining freshness, even when grown in hotter climates. The 2013 La Caplana has a nose of green apple and honeydew, adding some mineral and lime zest tones on the palate, and finishing crisp and clean. Try this wine with raw oysters or littlenecks. $13.99 2012 Rickshaw Cabernet Sauvignon, CA- From the winemakers of Banshee Wines comes this rich and balanced Cabernet Sauvignon featuring sustainably farmed grapes sourced from Napa Valley, Paso Robles & Sonoma County. The wine is made of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 5% Malbec & 4% Cab Franc blended in for a little added structure; oak aging occurs in new & used French oak barrels. The resulting wine is wonderfully fruit driven, having benefited from great growing conditions that year. Big fruit flavors of black currant, blueberry & espresso are accented with the oak notes of vanilla and cedar wood. The wine is well balanced with good acidity and gritty tannins. As part of the winemakers' commitment to charity, 5% of wine sales have been pledged to state based food charities. Pair this wine with grilled or roasted meats and hard cheese. $17.99

Classic Mint Julep 2oz Bourbon 1 Tablespoon Demerara Sugar Mint Crushed Ice Pewter Cup (if you have one) Otherwise double old fahshioned glass Mix bourbon, sugar and 4 mint leaves in glass and muddle to bruise mint. Stir to melt sugar. Fill halfway with crushed ice, stir to frost glass, add more ice and continuing to stir until glass is fully frosted. Top off with crushed ice and garnish with full sprig of mint.

Cheers!