MAY 2009 NEWSLETTER

Our May Tasting: Wines from the Loire Valley

Please join us as we open some outstanding wines from France’s Loire Valley Thursday, May 21st from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at our store on Grove Avenue. A list of wines will be available in the store and special pricing will be available for purchases made during the tasting.

MOTHER'S DAY SPARKLERS

A light sparkling wine is the perfect addition to a Mother's Day Brunch

2007 Mein Klang Pinot Noir Frizzante –  Made from organically grown Pinot Noir this is a dry and delicate slightly sparkling wine, with strawberry aromas and tiny bubbles. (11% alcohol) $16.95
2008 Ricossa Moscatto D’Asti – Slightly sparkling and slightly sweet with lower alcohol (5.5%) this is a great brunch wine. The peach and honey flavors are balanced with crisp acidity on the finish. $11.95
Riondo Pink Prosécco Raboso - A pretty pale pink, frizzante that is delicate and fresh on the palate with subtle fruit shaped by good acidity. Smooth and dry on the finish and with only 10.5% alcohol $13.95

NEW ARRIVALS – ROSÉS

Rosé season is upon us and here are just a few of our new arrivals:

2008 Robert Sinskey Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, Los Carneros, California –Small production, orgainc farming, Robert Sinskey does things his way. Here are his notes on the ’08 Vin Gris: “Pale salmon color, tinged by copper, gleams delicate and bright. Ultra-fresh aromas of wild strawberry spiked with lemongrass and jasmine burst from the glass. A sip brings the strawberries to life, joined by pristine flavors of lime, watermelon rind, cucumber and a touch of chervil.” $24.95
2008 Domaine Du Pre Semele, Sancerre Rosé-  A rosé of 100% Pinot Noir. Light, ethereal aromas of strawberry with floral notes. Crisp with purity and elegance. $24.95
2008 Ch. De Segries, Tavel – Only rosés are produced in the Tavel AOC so they take rosé seriously and Segries is serious rosé. Full bodied and expressive with a hint of strawberries and a crisp, tart finish. This is our most popular Tavel. $14.95
2008 Domaine De la Mordoree, Cotes-Du-Rhone – From one of the great Rhone estates made from Grenache with Syrah and Cinsault, this is a full bodied rosé with a long lasting light spice and fruit finish. These wines pair well with almost any food but are particularly suited to Asian cuisine. $13.95
2008 La Valentina Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cerasuolo – Made from the Montepulciano grape this wine has mostly cherry flavors; firm and dry with a nice crisp finish. $13.95
AND A SPECIAL OFFER ON AN ‘07 BANDOL ROSÉ
2007 Ch. Pradeaux, Bandol Rosé – No question that Bandol Rosé will improve with a bit of age and this is last year’s vintage of an outstanding wine. Here is a rosé composed of Cinsault, Grenache as well as Mourvedre with enough character and body to please red wine drinkers but with all the floral notes, strawberry flavors and freshness that makes a Rosé so appealing. We have reduced this wine to $24.95.

TWO OUTSTANDING 2000 BORDEAUX

We have been enjoying Bordeaux from the great 2000 vintage that Jim Emerson brought stateside in December. These wines have been properly cellared in Bordeaux and are drinking beautifully right now. Here are two of our favorites:
2000 Clos des Templiers Lalande de Pomerol –  A “right bank” Merlot (don’t think California) based wine with dark fruits aromas. It is medium bodied, smooth and elegant but retains the structure to handle a steak with all the beauty of mature Bordeaux. $19.95
2000 L de Louviere  Pessac-Leognan –“ This opaque ruby/purple-colored 2000 exhibits plenty of earthy, black currant, vanilla, graphite, licorice, and smoky cherry aromas as well as flavors. Medium-bodied with sweet tannin, good acidity, and a long, concentrated finish, this is the finest La Louviere since the 1990. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2015. 90pts.” (WA #146) $43.95

FALL LINE FARMS

Everyone benefits when you buy and eat local produce, dairy, poultry, etc. so we are participating with Fall Line Farms as the pick-up location for the west end of Richmond. Here is the Fall Line Farms website: www.farm2udirect.com and here’s some information about the Co-op:
Fall Line Farms is a farm to family Co-op program designed to connect family owned and operated farms serving the Richmond, Virginia area with customers in search of local food year round. Fall Line Farms represents more than 25 local farms and businesses serving the falls of the James region.
The program works on a weekly cycle with orders opening Friday evening and closing Monday evening. Pick up at one of our convenient Richmond area locations is always on Thursday afternoon.
Our Summer Season 2009 runs from May 1st through October 31st. Registration is $85.00 for the six month season; these fees cover logistics, basic administration and marketing expenses as well as the maintenance of our website.

SATURDAY WINE TASTING

Every Saturday between 2pm and closing we will offer two wines to taste and enjoy while shopping. Check out our web site on Friday to find out what we will be opening!

MONTHLY SPECIALS