Wines We're Tasting!

Notes From the Cellar….. A beautiful May is pretty much in the books and we can now look forward for the summer to begin in earnest! This weekend we will be sampling a few new offerings that are great for warmer weather and entertaining with friends. This week an organic rosé from the Loire Valley, a Pinot Noir from California and a Malbec from Argentina. Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we sample these tasty new wines! On the beer front we have recent additions from Cisco, Jack’s Abby, Two Roads, Great Divide and Coronado. Also new in are Fishers Island Spiked Lemonade! And as always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. ’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. ’11 Mahoney Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Carneros, CA- Mahoney Estates were founded over 40 years ago and are responsible for pushing for Carneros to be recognized as its own AVA. Most of their Pinot Noir clones are vinifed in small, distinct lots so the winemaking team can make the crucial blending decisions. This Pinot from their Sonoma and Napa vineyards shows darker raspberry and strawberry fruits, a touch of oak and a little spice on the finish; with fresh acidity and moderated tannins, this Pinot is extremely drinkable on its own or with food- pairs nicely with roasted salmon, seared tuna and pasta dishes. ’11 Finca Pioneer Reseva Malbec, Uco Valley, Medoza, AR- Located about an hour 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. The primary benefits of its higher elevations are its large day/night temperature variations that allow for fruit ripening and the development of balancing acidity, as well as the ability of tannins to develop on the vine. The wine is aged for 9 months in used French & American barrels, which imparts a hint of oak and vanilla to the violet aromas, ripe berry fruit and rich cocoa. With supple tannins and balancing acidity, this is a great pairing for grilled meats and BBQ ribs.

Cheers!

Memorial Day Wine Tasting!

Notes From the Cellar….. Happy Memorial Day weekend and the official kick-off to summer! Hopefully everyone has dusted those grills off and given them a few practice runs to get the rust off those grilling skills because this is the weekend to bring your A-game!! Perfect for this weekend and the warmer days ahead we are tasting more new wines- a refreshing rosé and a couple delicious Italian wines from Piedmont! We'll be pouring Fri & Sat from 3-6- we look forward to seeing you. On the beer front we have recent additions from Ballast Point, Weihenstephaner, Two Roads, Cisco, Founders & Anderson Valley! Our ‘bar’ is always open with a great selection of craft spirits and cocktail ideas. We are fully stocked with Ripe Bar Juice Mixers and new in we have Fishers Island Lemonade (the adult kind)! And as always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. '14 Chateau St. Eulalie Minervois "Printemps d'Eulalie, Languedoc, France- Located in western appellation of Minervois in the west of Languedoc-Roussillion, the estate’s vineyards are located on the terraced hills above the town of La Liviniere; the official Gran Cru of the Minervois. Since its purchase in 1996 the vineyards have been farmed organically and are currently certified sustainable. A blend of syrah, cinsault, carignan & grenache, it is medium pink in color with tart strawberry & raspberry flavors, refreshing acidity and a dry finish. Perfect for sunny afternoons, shellfish and salads. $15.99 '14 Guidobono Roero Arneis, Piedmont, Italy- Though known for its reds, Piedmont also produces some interesting white wine, notably those made from the Arneis grape. The vineyards lie just outside of Monforte in Roero with soils of predominately limestone & 30-40 years old vines. Aromas of peach & apricot give way to melon fruit, lemon and a luscious mouthfeel with a mouthwatering finish. A great summer wine, Arneis pairs well with a variety of seafood, poultry and pasta dishes. $15.99 '13 Casino Ballerina 'Cino' Langhe Rosso, Piedmont, Italy- In Northwest Italy, Piedmont is well known for producing a range of excellent red wines, most notably the long-lived & complex Nebbiolo grapes as well as the dynamic & easy drinking Barbera and Dolcetto. These grapes typically display lively bouquets of fruit & flowers, and the all-important higher acid levels that make them consistently great matches for food. The “Cino” is a blend of these 3 grapes, handpicked from 40+ year old vines. It is aged in stainless steel to further preserve its lively fruit character. The Cino is bright ruby red colored with an intense nose red berries and cherry fruit and floral notes. Medium bodied and smooth on the palate, its lush fruity character is complemented by savory spice, vibrant acidity and medium tannins. This is a great everyday wine that pairs well with a variety of meats, pasta dishes, antipasto and cheese, particularly ones with a saltier finish. $14.99

Cheers!

Italian Wines- You Know You Want Them!

Notes From the Cellar….. With nothing but sunshine ahead and Memorial Day coming there’s nothing that can deflate anyone’s spirits anymore! Our rosé shelf is in full bloom and all the fixings for great summertime entertaining is flowing in. Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we sample a couple Italian wines new to the collection that are sure to be great additions as summertime go-to wines! We’ve got a full bodied, aromatic white- Falanghina from Southern Italy and from the North a delicious, layered blend that will keep you going back for another sip! On the beer front we have new additions from SixPoint, Dark Horse, Ballast Point, Cisco, Anderson Valley, Coronado Brewing & Jack’s Abby. And as always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. '13 Aia dei Colombi Falanghina del Sannio, Campania, Italy- From the hills of Sannio, just east of Naples in Southern Italy comes this Falanghina- a local grape that can trace its history back to the Roman times (known as Falernian) when it was held in great renown for its higher alcohol and ability to age; although the style then would have been a more oxidized one that undergoes heat ‘maderisation’. More recently the wines are seeing a revival as more small wineries are drawing on traditional practices while striving for quality. The Colombi winery was founded by 2 brothers, Marcello & Gaetano Pascale, who follow the traditions of their father who was a founding member of the local cooperative. The 8 hectares are located on hilly slopes above the humid valley floor, which is important for allowing the grapes to build acidity. This Falanghina is delicately pressed to release the grape’s juices for fermentation and then aged in stainless steel tanks for 5 months before bottling. It is medium-full bodied while maintaining wonderful freshness and minerality. With charming aromas of white flowers, peaches and golden apple, it adds flavors of lime and peach, fresh acidity and a lingering, dry finish. A fantastic wine for hot days and warm nights, it pairs with seafood, cheeses and vegetable courses. $15.99 Ottella Gemei Rosso Alto Mincio, Veneto, Italy- This exciting new wine from the Verona region of Veneto in Italy’s Northeast has a deep crimson red color and luscious fruit character reminiscent of one of Verona’s star red wines- Valpolicella but with a little added structure. This is a blend of 40% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon & 40% Corvina, Molinara & Rondinella. Located at the southern end of Lake Garda, the vineyard is owned and run by the Montresor family, winegrowers for many generations. The grapes are all hand harvested and come from their estate- with vineyard soils composed of cancerous sediment and red clay. The wine aged for 5 months in large oak barrels with a portion spending time in used barriques, allowing the fruit character to shine through. Deeply colored, it is remarkably soft in the mouth with aromas of dark cherry and black fruits that jump out of the glass. The rich, bright cherry fruit and dark berries are framed by above average acidity and medium tannins and a touch of brambly spice. The Gemei is a wonderfully layered wine that is versatile with food or immensely enjoyable alone! Pair with antipasti, roasted vegetables, pasta dishes with meat and a variety of meats. $16.99

Cheers!

Give Mom What She Really Wants- Wine!

Notes From the Cellar….. Happy Mother's Day and congratulations to all the graduates out there! As a reward we have a beautiful weekend of weather and delicious wines to take home! Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we sample some great selections that are sure to make mom happy (and keep us around a little longer). This week we have a great dry Prosecco perfect for celebrating or for Sunday mimosas, as well as 3 wines from California perfect for sunny days and any meal- Chardonnay, Cabernet and Rosé! On the beer front, we have newly added brews from Great Divide, Anderson Valley, Ballast Point, Crooked Tree & Jack's Abby. Special Sale- take 20% off this weekend's Valdo Prosecco! And as always take 10% off any 3 wines from our tasting table. NV Valdo Prosecco, Veneto, Italy- Located right in the heart of the Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG production area, the Valdo Winery has been cultivating this unique area for generations. The hilly vineyards are sheltered by the Dolomite Mountains to the north and benefit from the cooling effects of the Adriatic Sea to the south. Using a selection of natural yeast, this Prosecco spends 3 months aging in tank before being bottled under pressure to achieve the fine bubbles (perlage). It is straw yellow color, with a fine perlage and a fruity taste highlighted by golden delicious apples and white fruits. With well-balanced structure, and an aromatic fruity fragrance, the Valdo Prosecco has the fresh acidity and crisp perlage to be a perfect aperitif or to be paired with appetizers & seafood. Also makes a great mimosa for Mother’s Day brunch! $13.99 Special 20% off through 5/9! ’14 Fleur Pinot Noir Rosé, North Coast, CA– (100% Pinot Noir) California’s North Coast is ideally suited for cultivating Pinot, with the ocean moderating the temperature and providing mist that lingers late into the morning. These cooling effects, noticeably around the Carneros AVA, help to contribute a climate well suited to growing Pinot Noir grapes. This perfectly balanced offering displays aromas of fresh strawberry and honeysuckle with a light, crisp mouthfeel, a mouthwatering finish and refreshing acidity. Pairs well with warm, sunny days, salads, shellfish and lighter seafood dishes. $17.99 ’12 County Line Chardonnay, Anderson Valley, CA- After establishing Radio-Coteau in 2002, Eric Susan created County Line as a side project, initially dedicated to producing dry rosés from Champagne clones of Pinot Noir. Anderson Valley benefits from a generally cooler season- which benefits Pinot Noir & Chardonnay growing particularly, and 2012 was a particularly good year with great day/night temperature variation, a mellow summer and a relatively dry fall that allowed the fruit to ripen well- developing richness, intensity & a strong acid backbone. The County Line Chardonnay is fantastic drinking; features hand-picked organic grapes, whole cluster pressed and fermented in neutral French Oak and stainless steel. With aromas of white peach, lemon and pineapple, these flavors are balanced by toasted nuts and crisp acidity that allow for a rich texture while still remaining lively and mineral driven. Great drinking, this pairs well with nuts, chicken dishes and shellfish- particularly lobster! $29.99 ’13 Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA- From winemakers Chris Brockway of Broc Cellars and Brian Terrizzi of Giornata, Broadside wines set out to make wines using a natural approach that are minimally handled. 2013 was another good growing season for vineyards, and due to general drought conditions yields were lower, resulting in smaller berries with more concentrated fruit with greater intensity and more mature tannins. Sourced from a couple vineyard sites in the Paso Robles AVA of California’s Central Coast, and aged for 14 months in neutral French & American oak, this Cabernet shows ripe cherry and cassis fruit as well as vanilla aromas- the flavors being accented by savory spice and cocoa notes. Balanced by bright acidity, it maintains good structure and well integrated tannins on the finish. Pairs well with aged cheddar and a variety of meat dishes. $17.99

Cheers!

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!

Wines for the Barbecue!

Notes From the Cellar….. This wonderful spring weather keeps getting better and really puts this tough winter out of memory. It's perfect condition for getting the gardens ready and most importantly- getting the grills tuned up for the summer! We have a couple great new wines on the table this weekend that we think will be great additions to your 'go-to' list for BBQ night! Join us Fri. & Sat. From 3-6 as we sample a wonderfully fresh and aromatic Verdejo from Spain and a deep, dark Negroamaro from southern Italy. Both are wonderfully expressive local grapes that won't put a strain budgets already dented by the snowplow bills! '13 Hijos de Alberto Gutierrez Perla Maris Verdejo, Rueda, Spain- Located just west of Ribera del Duero along the Duero River that runs into Portugal, Rueda makes some of Castilla y Leon's most famous whites- notably Verdejo. The proximity to the Duero River gives vineyards fertile alluvial soils high in lime content. Although the Rueda DO requires that only 50% Verdejo is used, the Perla Maris (pearl of the sea) is made of 100% organically farmed Verdejo. Grapes are harvested at night to preserve freshness & acidity while preventing oxidation. The winery is gravity fed and the wine spends 10 months in stainless steel before bottling. The resulting wine is wonderfully fresh and lively with good weight in the mouth. A very aromatic nose of white fruits and flowers gives way to a nicely textured wine that adds citrus notes of lemon and lime to the fruit flavors and lively acidity. Clean and crisp, this medium bodied wine pairs nicely with seafood, shellfish and chicken dishes. $11.99 '12 Luccarelli Negroamaro, Puglia, Italy- From the Salento Peninsula of Puglia- or the "heel" of Italy's boot comes this deep and darkly colored wine from the Negroamaro grape. In the hot, dry summer conditions and planted in iron-rich red clay soils, Negroamaro has thrived for centuries. The old vines averaging 80 years old have the incredibly extensive root structures necessary to finding water and contribute to producing grapes of great concentration of fruit. The naturally low yielding vines are farmed sustainably and are harvested by hand. This wine is extremely dark colored and shows of its ripe, dark fruits of black currant, dark cherry and black pepper spice. With added richness of bittersweet chocolate and a little savory herbs, it maintains fresh acidity, gritty tannins and a medium-full body. Go get the grill fired up- it's clear what this wine begs for once it's been opened! $11.99

Cheers!

April Showers Bring May Flowers!

Notes From the Cellar….. It looks like Spring has sprung and we are looking at a textbook season like we all remember- and most importantly need! The weather looks like it has turned so its time to get outside, get some yard work done, plant some flowers and dust off those backyard grilles! With that in mind we have a couple wines to help take you away to your special place, sipping on refreshing wines outside with family and friends. Join us this Fri & Sat from 3-6 as we sample a couple great new wines- a light, fresh white wine from Spain & a smooth, textured Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley! On the beer front, we have a great new Gluten-free beer from Brunehaut of Belgium as well as recently added brews from Maine Beer Co., 21st Amendment, Laugunitas, Mayflower and Founders. Also our 'bar' is always open to sample many of our craft spirits that might be new to you. As always take 10% off any 3 wines from our tasting table. '13 Bohigas Xarel-lo, Catalunya, Spain- Fermí Bohigas is a family-owned winery that has roots dating back to the 13th century. The estate is located in the town of Òdena in the River Anoia valley, about 45 minutes west of Barcelona and encompasses 300 hectares which are split between two vineyard properties that they farm organically. Most famous for their Xarel-lo vines, a principal grape in Cava wines, Bohigas also focuses on the other historical and indigenous varieties of Macabeo and Parellada for whites and Trepat for red. The vineyards of clay & limestone are southeast facing and are very well situated to grow white varieties as they get lots of sunshine, but the evenings are very cool- retaining the freshness in the wines. Fermented in stainless steel and bottled immediately afterwards, this is a very fresh and vibrantly styled wine. This light to medium bodied dry wine is wonderfully refreshing; it displays citrus and orchard fruit aromas with fresh acidity, green apple and lemon flavors and a crisp, elegant finish. Pair this wine with seafood and lightly spicy dishes. $12.99 '11 Cherry Hill Winery Dijon Cuvée Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon- Cherry Hill is located in one of Willamette Valley's most exciting sub-appellations of Eola-Amity Hills. At the same latitude as Burgundy, and with similarly difficult climates of cooler and cloudier summers, Willamette Valley has demonstrated itself able to produce outstanding Pinot Noirs with body and finesse. The Cherry Hill Winery is planted on 90 acres of south and southwest slopes- allowing it to soak up as much of the day's sun as possible. A small family run winery, they follow sustainable farming practices and produce about 7,000 cases of their estate grown Pinot Noir a year. The cool climate and rich soils of primarily well-drained clay combine to create Pinot Noir fruit of deep color and concentrated flavors. With rich raspberry and cherry aromas complemented by chocolate and a little spice, it is nicely textured with fine, lingering tannins on the finish and balancing acidity. Pairs great with roasted salmon, tuna and a variety of meats. $21.99

Cheers!