Friday Night Pick's

Notes From the Cellar….. Cooler weather, the trees changing colors and harvest time is here- it’s definitely Fall in New England! This weekend’s wines are great drinking on their own and versatile to enjoy with a variety of meals while keeping warm! Join us Friday & Saturday from 3-6 as we sample a couple of new additions to the shop. Bedrock Wines Shebang Cuvée III, North Coast, CA- Born into a winemaking family, Morgan Twain-Peterson has been working in the wineries since childhood, later purchasing the ancient vines of the Bedrock Vineyards. The Shebang Cuvée III is a blend of 78% dry farmed Sauvignon Blanc and old vine Chasselas and Muscadelle sourced from Mendocino & Sonoma. Aged in stainless steel with about 15% seeing new French oak for a little added texture, it is full of citrus, aromatic orchard fruits, and a touch of honey on the finish. With plenty of acidity, it is lively on the palate with a little weight and a dry finish. Pair with seafood, creamy dishes and poultry. $15.99 ’14 Altesino Toscana Rosso, Tuscany, Italy- Altesino is widely recognized as one of the top Brunello di Montalcino producers of the region with winemaker Claudio Basla at the helm. One of the more innovative wineries, they were the first to use limited aging of their everyday IGT wines in small French oak to not overwhelm the fruit with wood. The result is a wine with ripe red berries and red cherry fruit, plenty of acid and supple tannins on the finish. Medium bodied and soft on the palate, it has a lingering dry finish. Pairs well with rich pasta dishes with meat, roasted poultry and sausage. $19.99 As always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. On the beer front we have plenty of seasonal offerings of pumpkin beers, domestic & German Oktoberfest styles, stouts & porters to keep you warm, Great Divide Fresh Hop! Also back in Massachusetts is Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA and the last of the Stone Enjoy By IPA- get 'em while they're still incredibly fresh! Event Notice: We are pleased to have the folks from Privateer Rum in the store Friday Oct. 30 from 4-6 to sample their rums and get some great cocktail ideas!

Cheers!

Wines for Your Table!!

Notes From the Cellar….. Happy Friday! Come on down to taste a couple of new wines perfect to keep warm with and enjoy with a delicious meal. Join us Friday from 3:00-6:00pm and Saturday anytime to sample a crisp white Soave Classico from Northern Italy and a rich robust Syrah from Southern France! As always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. ’14 Suavia Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy- The DOC of Soave is located in northeast Italy near the city of Verona, with the Classico zone being located in the heart of the region on hilly, higher elevations and ancient soils primarily composed of volcanic sediment. Garganega is the traditional grape variety planted there for hundreds of years; these vineyards having been in the hands of the Tessari family since the late 1800’s. Now in the hands of their two daughters who run a state-of-the-art facility, their 100% Garganega is vinified in stainless steel tanks before spending a few months on their lees. Bright and fresh with aromas of green apple, pear and a hint of almond and white flowers, the wine maintains a steely, mineral character and fresh acidity. A crisp & refreshing wine, it is easy drinking and can pair well with a variety of dishes from appetizers and salads to white fish. $16.99 ’12 Mas d’Intras Syrah La Souche, IGP Ardèche, France- Mas d'Intras is located in Ardèche, in the Southeastern part of France- essentially in the gap between the Northern & Southern Rhone along the Ardèche River. The small estate that has been family owned for generations; certified Organic/Biodynamic, the family focuses on the 3 main varietals of the region: Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. The “La Souche” vineyards were planted over 40 years ago with Syrah vines- the grapes being macerated for 5 weeks to extract maximum color & tannin and then aged for 8 months in older oak barrels. Characteristic of Syrah- it is deeply colored & full bodied, showing blackberry, cassis & floral notes. With a gritty core of dark chocolate and black pepper, it is balanced by moderate acidity and a lingering, tannic finish. An excellent complement to game meats or hearty, rustic stews. $16.99 On the beer front we have plenty of seasonal offerings of pumpkin beers, domestic & German Oktoberfest styles, stouts & porters to keep you warm, breakfast beer (Founders Stout) and the newly released Boom Sauce American IPA from Lord Hobo Brewing! Event Notice: We are pleased to have the folks from Privateer Rum in the store Friday Oct. 30 from 4-6 to sample their rums and get some great cocktail ideas!

Cheers!

Peep These Wines!

Notes From the Cellar….. Happy long weekend! Now is the time of year for leaf peeping and harvests, so in keeping with the comfortable weather and fresh food, we have a of couple new selections this weekend that will make for some delicious sipping and are versatile enough to pair with a variety of accompaniments. Join us Friday from 3-6 and Saturday anytime to sample these Old World selections! As always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. ’14 Avancia Cuveé de O Godello, Valdeorras, Spain- Godello is a local Spanish grape nearly extinct and forgotten that has been enjoying a revival since the 1970’s from young and upcoming winemakers drawn towards reviving Spain’s traditional grapes and regional distinction. The sub-region of Valdeorras is located in the mountainous north-west of Spain within the Galacian region. Planted in slate soils at higher elevations in 1975, the vineyards are able to soak in the sun while benefitting from the cooling effect of the ocean. The resulting wine is fresh and mineral, showing green apple, pear and the citrus of lemon. With juicy acidity, it is light and refreshing with an extra bit of mouthfeel and vanilla & almond imparted from a small percentage of oak treatment as well as time on its lees. Very drinkable on its own, this pairs wonderfully with snacks from nuts & olives to dishes highlighting prawns and other seafood. $19.99 ’08 Bonfio ‘Le Portine’ Sangiovese, Tuscany, Italy- Le Portine is one of several vineyards of the Bonfio estate located in the heart of Chianti Colli Senesi. Each with its own microclimate, vineyards are processed separately to create different wines of their own character. Grown in vineyards shale & clay, the wine is aged in large Slovenian oak for 2 years with at least another 6 months in bottle before release. Made from 100% Sangiovese, the Le Portine has an expressive bouquet of dark cherry fruit, plum and a hint of violets. In classic Chianti style with plenty of time in bottle to develop a balanced structure, it still maintains refreshing acidity and a soft, dusty tannic finish that lingers. This is great food wine that pairs ragu pasta dishes, steaks and roasted poultry. $18.99 On the beer front we have plenty of seasonal offerings of pumpkin beers, domestic & German Oktoberfest styles, breakfast beer (Founders Stout) and the newly released Boom Sauce American IPA from Lord Hobo Brewing! Special Columbus Day Sale Join us Columbus Day- Monday Oct. 12 from Noon-6:00 for a special wine tasting & sale! Plenty of great new finds to try out for the fall and save some money in the process! Take 10% off all wine and 15% off case purchases Monday only! Sale does not combine with any other offer

Cheers!

Wines to Keep You Dry! :)

Notes From the Cellar….. What a beautiful weekend we have in store…. perfect to get out of the house, grab some wine and food, and run back inside! Bundle up and stop by Friday from 3-6 and Saturday anytime to sample a couple of wines perfect to lock yourself indoors with and enjoy some nice, hearty meals! This weekend we will be sampling the newest vintage from one of our favorite Grüner Veltliner producers as well as a hearty red blend from a small, rugged appellation in the Languedoc! Fun new wines for the fall are coming in each week which we are excited to recommend to you for something new! As always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. ’14 Hermann Moser Grüner Veltliner ‘Karmeliterberg,’ Kremstal, Austria – Martin Moser produces stunning Grüner, Riesling & Zweigelt from his 300 year old estate in the Kremstal wine-growing region of Lower Austria. The vineyards cover 19 hectares and are some of the best vineyards from Rohrendorf. This is textbook Grüner – stone fruits on the nose, hints of apple and pear, and a distinct white peppery spice. Try this wine with light appetizers, lightly spiced Asian dishes, cured meats and bacon. $17.99 ’13 Château de la Liquière Vielles Vignes, Faugères, France- The Vidal family has been making wine since the 1700’s in the tiny appellation of Faugères in the south-eastern corner of the Languedoc. In fact the father of the current owner, Bernard Vidal helped to create the wines that eventually led to Faugères achieving an official AOP designation. At higher altitudes on wild, rocky soils of schist, grapes have to be harvested by hand out of necessity. The resulting wine is a smooth, mineral-rich, concentrated, dark fruit-forward wine made 50-100 year-old Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah vines. Pairs with lamb of beef dishes as well as roasted fowl. $17.99 On the beer front we have new selections from Baxter, Founders, Lord Hobo, Ballast Point, Sixpoint, Great Divide, Mayflower, Weyerbacher, *Store Hours Note- We are now closed on Sundays until the holidays.

Cheers!

Wines for Fall Days!

Notes From the Cellar….. With the beautiful & seasonable weather setting in we can start looking forward to comfortable evenings with richer wines & a wider variety of beers to enjoy with great meals and great friends! Join us this Friday from 3-6 and Saturday anytime as we sample a bright & buttery Chardonnay from Southern Burgundy as well as a rich & slightly rustic Malbec from its birthplace in Cahors, France! Also, we have some excellent new wines coming in each week for you to enjoy! As always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. '13 Verget Mâcon-Villages, Burgundy, France- Jean- Marie Guffens contracts with selected growers for only ideally situated, low-yielding vines; and his own teams pick when and where he dictates, thus controlling vinification from the outset. This lovely expression of Burgundian Chardonnay hails from 20 years old vines in calcareous clay soil. Aged for 6 months in stainless steel with some stirring of its fine lees, the wine has fruity aromas of peach, lychee and citrus fruits. Full-bodied with a buttery texture, it still maintains vibrant fruit and quenching acidity. A great pairing with poultry dishes, pork and creamy sauces. $18.99 ’11 Château Armandière Malbec Ancestral, Cahors, France– Cahors is a region in southwest France known for deeply colored, meaty red wines predominantly made from Malbec. The Malbecs from Cahors tend to be more polished and refined than those from Argentina, delivering the same boldness & intensity expected from a Malbec but with a tighter mouthfeel and a more structured backbone that you get from older vines and 4th generation winemakers. With an aromatic nose of violets, dark berries, cherry and a hint of smoke & cedar from the oak aging, it delivers a smooth mouthfeel and a lingering finish with grainy tannins. Cahors is best served with hearty meat & vegetable stews and roasted meat dishes. $19.99 On the beer front we have new selections from Baxter, Ballast Point, Sixpoint, Great Divide, Mayflower, Maine Beer, Weyerbacher, Southern Tier, Jack’s Abbey, Long Trail & Shipyard! *Store Hours Note- We are now closed on Sundays until the holidays.

Cheers!

It Sure Feels Like Summer!

Notes From the Cellar….. This is another example of why September might be one of the best months of the year- warm, beautiful days and cool, comfortable nights! With what might be the last gasp of summer weather, we've got a couple of tasty wines that are perfect for the porch and dinners all year! Join us Friday from 3-6 and Saturday anytime to sample a relatively unknown but light and aromatic white- a Hungarian Furmint, as well as smooth and refined Rioja Reserva- perfect for the grill and any cooler weather cooking. As always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. ’13 Evolúció Furmint, Tokaj, Hungary – Although not a household name, the Furmint grape is used to produce the famous sweet wines of Tokaji, but can also be perfectly dry. Grown at higher elevations in vineyards of volcanic stones or sand & clay based silt, grapes hand harvested, gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel; this is a wonderfully aromatic wine best enjoyed young. Floral aromas complemented by peach & green apple lead to a crisp, clean mineral characteristic, followed by rich acidity, vibrant fruitiness and a touch of almond on the finish. Pair this wine with soft, mild cheeses, seafood & raw shellfish. $13.99 ’08 La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Reserva, Rioja, Spain- Established over 100 years ago, the Bodegas has always stood out as a quality oriented producer, producing wines in the traditional Rioja manner. This 100% Tempranillo is grown at high elevations in estate vineyards planted over 30 years ago in chalk-clay soils. Aged for 1 year in new American oak made in-house followed by another year in old oak. With over 4 years in bottle, it is medium bodied, smooth and elegant on the palate with aromas of blackberry, cherry & a touch of vanilla and smoke from the oak. With softened tannins and a long finish, it still maintains abundant acidity to pair nicely with various dishes. A wonderful cool weather wine, pair this with mushrooms, stews, any grilled or roasted meats and raw sheep’s milk cheeses. $23.99 On the beer front we have new selections from Baxter, Sixpoint, Great Divide, Mayflower, Maine Beer, Weyerbacher, Warsteiner, Weihnstephaner, Left Hand, Southern Tier, Jack’s Abbey, Long Trail & Shipyard! *Store Hours Note- We are now closed on Sundays until the holidays.

Wines for Your Weekend!

Notes From the Cellar….. As we get into our favorite time for good home cooking we thought we'd open a couple bottles perfect for the dinner table and a variety of dishes. Join us this Fri. from 3-6 and Sat. anytime as we sample a fantastic old-vine, organic Chardonnay from one of Burgundy's best young producers as well as an eminently drinkable & food-friendly Dolcetto from family run vineyards predominately in Barolo! As always take 10% off any 3 wines we are tasting. ’11 Burgogne Blanc ‘Vieilles Vignes,’ Maison Roche de Bellene, Burgundy, France – This is a superb entry level Chardonnay from one of Burgundy’s finest winemakers, Nicolas Potel. The 65 year old vines are farmed organically in the Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise regions. The wine shows aromas of tropical fruit, light oak, and a hint of almond, with a creamy texture and remarkable freshness. This is an excellent wine to pair with roasted chicken or pork, crustaceans and a variety of cheeses. $19.99 ’13 G.D. Vajra Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy- G.D. Vajra is entirely a family affair- Aldo and Milena work with their daughter Francesca and sons, Giuseppe and Isidoro; farming their vineyards in Barolo & Novello using sustainable methods, hand harvesting grapes and triple sorting them before pressing. This lovely Dolecetto is a mixture of old & young vines fermented in stainless steel to preserve the purity of fruit. Vibrant and fresh with aromas and flavors of violets, red cherry and red berries; it is smooth on the palate & balanced with refined tannins and lightened by a fresh acidity. A great accompaniment to red sauce pasta dishes, particularly a nice rich ragu. $19.99 On the beer front we have begun the transition to fall offerings (there are still some summer beers left and warmer days ahead!) For Oktoberfest style and pumpkin beers we have selections from Warsteiner, Weihnstephaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Mayflower, Left Hand, Troegs, Southern Tier, Jack’s Abbey, Long Trail & Shipyard! *Store Hours Note- We are now closed on Sundays until the holidays. Event Update: We will be taking part in the 2nd Duxbury Food and Wine Festival this month with the Grand Tasting Event happening Sat. Sept. 19. We hope to see everyone there as there will be lots of great wines to sample. Ticket are available online or in the store. Please visit the website below for more information. http://www.duxburyfoodandwinefestival.com