Holiday Kickoff!

Notes From the Cellar….. Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away!! I repeat, Thanksgiving is 2 weeks away!! Unbelievable as it may sound- but the days are shorter, the leaves have fallen and the holidays are upon us. We’ll do what we can to help with wines geared for cold weather and holiday cooking as well as great beer and spirit options to keep you warm and ready to celebrate. Stop by Friday 3-6 and anytime Saturday to sample some tasty wines that are sure to please while entertaining or dining. ’14 Branko Collio Friulano, Friuli, Italy- Italy’s northeastern corner is its powerhouse for sleek, modern white wine production- specifically the DOC of Collio, tucked in the hills by the Slovenian Alps. Here winemaking is dominated by family-owned producers; and besides some fantastic Pinot Grigios, the grape of choice is Friulano (previously known as Tocai Friulano until the Hungarians took umbrage to anything that sounded like their famed Tokaji, but that’s a story for another time). Showing green apple, stone fruits and a little almond, it is fresh and clean on the palate with some added texture from a small amount of oak aging. Pair with fish dishes as well as poultry and white wine reduced pasta dishes. $23.99 ’13 Sharecropper’s Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon- From star winemaker David O’Reilly of Owen Roe winery in Washington State comes a Pinot Noir under his second Sharecropper label. Due to the recession of the early 2000’s, farmers were having a tough time, so Owen Roe brought back the old practice of making wine out of the fruit, selling it and then repaying the farmers- Sharecropping. Fortunately the wines have been a success and they are now able to pay the farmers up front. Sourced from the Dundee Hills of Willamette Valley, aromas of fresh blackberry, cherry and hints of chocolate give way to full berry flavors with a balanced acidity and fine tannins. Try this with seared salmon, roasted fowl or pork dishes. $24.99 ’13 Cantine Valpane “Rosso Pietro” Barbera del Monferrato, Piedmonte, Italy- The vineyards of the Valpane Estate have been farmed since the 1700’s in its vineyards shaped like a perfect amphitheater to catch the sun. Since 1902 it has been in the hands of the Arditi family who make wonderfully approachable Barberas- drinkable young and able to be enjoyed with a wide variety of local cuisine. Delightfully aromatic with ripe black cherry, blackberry and violet, it is well structured with a lingering finish and that bright acidity that allows it to pair well with food. Pairs with lasagna, bolognese, roast pork or mushroom risotto. $16.99 As always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. On the beer front we have new beers from Evil Twin, Stillwater Brewing's Cellar Door (get it :)), La Chouffe, Sam Smith, Cisco, Long Trail, Great Divide, Lord Hobo, Weyerbacher and Lagunitas!

Cheers!