Weekend Wine Picks

Notes From the Cellar….. Summer may be winding down but we still have plenty of great weather ahead perfect for enjoying with friends! Join us this Fri. from 3-6 and Sat. anytime to sample a few new selections we're really excited about! One of our favorite rosés of the year from Provence, a light crisp Cheverny from the Loire Valley and an exceptional, rich Aglianico from Italy! '14 Cheverny, Domaine du Salvard, Loire, France – Cheverny is an often overlooked commune in the Loire Valley, producing lively Sauvignon Blanc. This offering is grown in sustainably farmed chalk, limestone, and sandy soiled vineyards in the northeastern part of Touraine, blending 15% Chardonnay with the Sauvignon. The wine is fresh, lively, and fragrant with aromas of citrus and hay, followed by green orchard fruit, lemon/lime, and bright minerality on the palate, finishing dry yet expansive with a round mouthfeel. This is a great wine to enjoy with mussels, steamers, or oysters. $16.99 '14 Cotes de Provence Rosé 'Corail' Chateau de Roquefort, Provence, France– Provence has become synonymous with rosé wine with good reason. Many producers set out to make rose as their only wine, rather than as an afterthought. While Chateau de Roquefort does make a range of red, white, and rose, they place equal pride on all their efforts through organic farming and detailed winemaking. The Corail is blended from Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan, Vermentino, and Clairette grapes from vineyards at over 1200 feet elevation. The resulting wine has a delicate spicy nose of citrus fruits followed by white fruits, citrus , and a hint of fennel on the palate. The finish is clean and refreshing. It is an excellent match with Mediterranean style dishes, particularly with garlic and olive oil, seafood, and wood grilled meats. $18.99 ’11 Aglianico del Vulture, Grifalco, Basilicata, Italy – Aglianico del Vulture produces some of the most underrated wines in Italy, capable of complexity and richness found in in many of the world's greatest wines. Aglianico refers to the local grape varietal and Vulture refers to nearby Mount Vulture, where the vineyards derive their volcanic soil. This is a small production offering from sustainable vineyards then aged in stainless steel and small to medium sized oak barrels. It is of medium body with aromas of blueberry, chocolate, garrigue, and a hint of cherry, which comes through stronger on the palate. The tannins are present, but not overly firm, with a lingering finish. Aglianico matches well with a variety of red meats and medium to hard cheeses. $16.99 And as always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. For spirits, we have a limited amount of Balcones Single Malt & Baby Blue in stock! On the beer front we have new seasonal offerings from Long Trail Pumpkin, Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest, Jack's Abby Copper Legend Oktoberfest, and Shipyard Pumpkin

Cheers!

Summer Treats!

Notes From the Cellar…..

Notes From the Cellar….. We have a couple great new wines to try out this weekend to go with one of our favorite rosés of the year! Join us this Friday from 3-6 and Saturday anytime to sample these tasty treats from Provence & Alsace, France & Puglia, Italy! '14 Domaine La Blaque Perrevert Rosé, Provence, France- Located in the small AOC of Coteaux de Pierrevery in north-western Provence, Domaine la Blaque is one of a handful of growers in the high altitude hills of the region that benefit from ample sunshine as well as wide day/night temperature variations. Vineyards are composed of limestone & clay, harvest by hand and certified organic. A blend of Cinsault-direct pressing, Grenache, Syrah & Vermentino, this lovely pale rose colored rosé displays soft aromatics of roses, melon and cherries with a palate that remains delicate & full of watermelon, apricots and lively acidity. Drinks perfectly on its own as an apéritif or with a range of dishes from summer salads and shellfish to lighter grilled meats. $16.99 ’13 Emile Beyer Pinot Blanc “Tradition”, Alsace, France- Founded in 1580, this Domaine represents 14 generations of winegrowing around the village of Eguisheim, in the heart of Alsace. Currently Christian Beyer runs the vineyard following his training in Burgundy, Sauternes, and the Rheingau which instilled an appreciation for creating world class wines. To that end he uses traditional and modern methods; farming follows organic practices, the grapes are hand harvested and fermented in stainless steel. The resulting wines are a pure expression of Alsatian terroir with a purity of fruit, floral notes and a mineral, wet stone texture that is lean and vibrant with refreshing acidity and a dry finish. Pair with seafood, cream sauces and curry dishes. $17.99 ’13 Botromagno Nero di Troia, Puglia, Italy- Nero di Troia, known locally as Uva di Troia is an ancient grape variety of nebulous origins, though many believe that the variety originated in Asia Minor (and named after the mythical city of Troy) and was brought to Italy by the Greeks when they first colonized southern Italy. Historically a tough, tannic grape, modern growing & winemaking practices have managed to fashion softer, more aromatic wines. Under the tight control of the D’Agostino family that oversees the cooperative of farmers, the wines spend 20 months in stainless steel before another 6 months of bottle aging. Deeply colored with aromas of dark cherries, dark fruit and a hint of violet, it shows savory spice and cinnamon that accents its fruit character. With a slightly rustic edge to it, it maintains smooth tannins, fresh acidity and a lingering finish. Pairs with hearty pasta dishes, grilled meats and aged cheeses. $19.99 And as always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. For spirits, we have a limited amount of Balcones Single Malt & Baby Blue in stock! On the beer front we have recent additions from SixPoint, Belhaven, Longtrail, Victory, Ommegang, Brewmaster Jack & Anderson Valley.

Cheers!

Hand Made Wines for You

Notes From the Cellar….. With summer in full swing and beautiful days all around we have a few of our favorite wines out on the table perfect for lazy afternoons and backyard BBQs! Join us Fri. from 3-6 and Sat. anytime to sample another lovely rosé, a light, aromatic Albariño and a rich, full bodied Cabernet! ’14 Chinon ‘Messanges Rosé’, Domaine de Pallus, Loire Valley, France - Another stunning 2014 rosé selection made from 100% organically farmed Cabernet Franc in the Chinon appellation. Winemaker Bertrand Sourdais was trained at the University of Bordeaux and then served as an understudy at Mouton-Rothchild and Alvaro Palacios in Priorat before retuning home to Chinon in the early 2000’s to take over the family’s vineyards. The wine is wonderfully aromatic, with tart fruit elements balanced with mineral and stone fruit tones; finishing clean with crisp acidity. Truly a wine for all occasions – sip on its own or pair with grilled fish, raw fish and shellfish, or soft, pungent cheeses. $15.99 '13 Bodegas La Val Albariño, Rías Baixas, Spain- Among one of the finest Albariños we have tasted, the Bodegas La Val is located in the warmest subzone of Condado de Tea within the northwest corner of Spain- Rías Baixas. Grown in granite & slate soils that contribute to an excellent mineral base, it is aged for 6 months on its lees in stainless steel tanks. A very bright wine with a silky texture and full of aromas of white orchard fruits, pear and citrus and lively on the palate with a chalky minerality it is dry wine with a lingering finish. A versatile wine, it pairs well with most seafood, including grilled. $15.99 ’12 Tapiz Cabernet Sauvignon Alta Collection, Mendoza, Argentina- South of the city of Mendoza, the Uco Valley is generally recognized as the top wine growing region of Mendoza due to its higher elevations, excellent climate, soils & natural source of irrigation from the Andes Mountains. Serving as winemaking consultant to Tapiz is the world renowned Jean Claude Berrouet- the retired winemaker from the revered Petrus winery in Bordeaux. Following sustainable farming practices and hand harvested, it spends 10 months in a mixture of mostly new French oak. Full bodied with big flavors of blackberry, cassis, mocha & liquorice, its is smooth on the palate with ripe tannins, balanced acidity and a lingering finish of sweet cassis & vanilla. Pair with steaks, roasts and aged cheddar cheese. $19.99 And as always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. For spirits, we have a limited amount of Balcones Single Malt & Baby Blue in stock! On the beer front we have recent additions from Jack's Abby & Otter Creek, Victory, SixPoint, Founders, Ommegang, Brewmaster Jack & Anderson Valley.

Cheers!