Tastes from the Windor House Wine Dinner

Notes From the Cellar….. Happy Friday! February is on its way out and we can see the ground- good for us at home but bad for us skiers! :( We had a fantastic night at the Winsor House last night for our Tour de France wine dinner and thought we would pour a couple of the wines for those that missed out! Join us Friday from 3-6 and Saturday as we sample a lively Pouilly-Fuissé and a rich, smoothly textured Rhone blend from Lirac! ’14 Pouilly-Fuissé, Maison Louis Latour, Burgundy, France- The Latour family has been in the négociant and winemaking business since the 1700’s and remains well-respected for producing many great Domaine wines from their own vineyards as well as well from their Maison négociant-éléveur business focused in Burgundy- both Pinot Noir as well as Chardonnay. From the village of Pouilly-Fuissé we have a traditionally styled Chardonnay fermented in stainless steel with complete malolactic fermentation. With aromas of white flowers and white fruits and notes of almond, it maintains an elegant texture while showcasing its lively fruit character and underlying minerality. Pairs well with shellfish- scallops in our case, white fish, mushrooms and soft cheeses. $25.99 ’13 Lirac, Plateau des Chênes Cuvée Spéciale, Rhône, France- Located on the opposite bank of the Rhône River from the esteemed Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s vineyards, the village of Lirac represents one of the 13 crus of the Rhône Valley. Though not one of the more well-known appellations, wine has been made in Lirac since the Roman times and was served in the royal courts of the day. In fact barrels from Lirac were branded as Côte du Rhône to certify its contents, making it the original appellation designate. The Brechet family farms their vineyards in red clay and limestone and harvests by hand. A blend of Syrah and Grenache, the Cuvée Spéciale is darkly colored, showing the characteristic red and black berries, savory spice and a hint of smoke. Rich in body, it adds a bit of cocoa to the dark fruit; with smooth tannins and a lingering finish. A great pairing for roasted meats- red as well as game poultry and root vegetables. $23.99 Cheers!