February 2018 Newsletter

February Tasting Events

Please join us on Thursday, Mar. 1st from 5:30 to 7:30pm as we welcome
Paulo Librandi   - LIBRANDI WINERY, Italy
“Calabria in a glass.”

On FEB 16th from 5:30 to 7:30pm, join us in welcoming back alumni:
Matt Adkins of Williams Corner Wines.
What the h*ll is up with the staff here?*  Tasting #2
Tasting the wines he thinks we should stock (and he should know!), but won’t for some reason…
*Charlie B, our favorite YELP reviewer.

WINE TASTING EVERY SATURDAY   2:00pm-7:00pm
‘Whatever we feel like opening”
Except…
The Last Saturday Wine School, THEME:  Grenache
Widely planted in the new and old world we’ll taste examples of both.
The last Saturday of the month changes from a “whatever we feel like drinking” tasting event to a mini wine school tasting. We’ll pick a topic, theme, etc. and taste with a purpose! The wines we taste will be offered as a package with a discount. This is very informal with no scheduled start or finish time. Each session will be about 10 minutes! Come anytime between 2 and 5 pm on Saturday, 2/24.

February “SHORT SIPS” CLASS

Understanding Barbaresco, through the wines of Produttori del Barbaresco,

The story of Produttori del Barbaresco IS the story of Barbaresco. We’ll taste village and cru level wines and talk about the region and its wine history. A very special short sips!
A one hour educational program, limited to eight people and held in our fine wine room. Because the demand has been so great we are doing the class twice in FEBRUARY – FRIDAY & SATURDAY, FEB. 23th and 24th from 6:00 to 7:00pm ––There is a $15 per person class fee and availability is on a first come first serve basis but you can call & reserve spaces at any time.  (A great idea for your group as a prelude to dinner.)

Valentine’s Day tip:

This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday. You may want to take advantage of our half bottle selection, especially if Thursday is a workday!

FEBRUARY SPECIAL OFFERS: Wines from a place.

What distinguishes wine from other fermented beverages is PLACE. There is no recipe in great wine; only grapes from distinct terroir, and very little “making” as the best winemakers stay out of the way as much as possible. We love wine from distinct vineyards and this month, as special offers, we have two very distinct wines of place.
2013 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir, Rosella’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, California.
Brian Loring is obsessed with Pinot Noir. His hero is Josh Jenson of Calera. (hence the name Loring Wine company an hommage to Calera Wine Company.) His philosophy: the fruit is EVERYTHING. What happens in the vineyard determines the quality of the wine and the wine he produces reflects the place where it is grown. The 50-acre Rosella’s Vineyard overlooks the Salinas River Valley and rests along the benchlands of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range with a maritime climate of strong coastal winds blown in from Monterey Bay. Owners Gary and Rosella Franscioni planted the vineyard in 1996 using the Pisoni clone from La Tâche and the Dijon “777” clone. The soil is Arroyo Seco, gravelly, sandy loam. Here is a review from Josh Reynolds of Vinous: “Deep, vivid red. Sexy, spice-laced raspberry, cherry and floral pastille scents show very good clarity and pick up a smoky element with aeration. Silky and broad on the palate, offering sweet black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors that tighten up on the back half. Takes a turn to darker berries on the finish, which features gentle tannins and a resounding echo of candied rose.”
Regular price: $39.99, On sale in February: $24.99 (no further discounts)
2014 Domaine Dugat-Py Gevrey-Chambertin “Coeur de Roy” Très Vieilles Vignes, Burgundy, France -  Based in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin Domaine Dugat-Py as one of the worlds reference points for Pinot Noir. Members of the Dugat family have been tending vineyards in the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation from the beginning of the 17th century. Bernard Dugat and his son, Loîc are the 12th and 13th generation in this lineage of vignerons. The Coeur de Roy is an old vine cuvee from vines of 50 to 100+ years of age situated in Epointures, Combe du Dessus, Jouise, and Les Marchais; aged in 65% new wood and vinified with 70% of the stems. Here is a review from Burghound: “The sheer density of fruit is impressive with a broad-ranging nose of black fruit, spice, violets and pungent earth. The density of the fruit is confirmed on the palate as there is equally impressive concentration to the intense and muscular flavor that coat the palate with dry extract that also buffers the very firm tannic spine on the mineral-driven and built-to-age finish. Outstanding Top value” Regular price: $149.99, On sale in February: $104.99 (no further discounts)

NEW ARRIVALS – with a nod toward the Super Bowl: Football food wines

NV Marietta Old Vine Red Lot 66 – “The NV Old Vine Red Lot 66 is a multi-vintage red blend from a combination of four vintages: 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. A blend of predominately Zinfandel with some Syrah, Petite Sirah and Carignane plus a small amount of Italian varieties. 60% was barrel aged and 40% was aged in tank. Deep garnet-purple colored, it has quite a meaty / gamey nose over a core of warm blackberries, roses, tar and bacon fat plus suggestions of black pepper and anise. Medium-bodied with a good concentration of fruit supported by rounded tannins and lively backbone, it finishes long and earthy. Great value!” (WA #230) $15.99
Fiorini Becca Rosso DOC Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Italy – The perfect pizza and spicy wing wine. Not the sweet stuff form the 70’s, it is DRY with a delicate mousse that gently disappears in the glass. It’s fresh and crisp with notes of wild berries and herbs, and it’s slightly lower in alcohol. This is a wine for smart, confident people, like you! $16.99
2016 J. Mourat Chateau Marie Du Fou Rosé AOC Mareuil, Loire Valley France-  Rosé is an easy complement to richer, spicy foods and it works well with shrimp, dips and other “game fare” This is more elegant and richer than it’s cousin, the “owl wine”. A blend of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Cabernet Sauvignon grown on slate and rhyolite rock; it is deeply salmon-colored with fine fruit notes and wonderful minerality. The 16’s are drinking beautifully right now!  $18.99

February 2018 - This Month in Cheese

“How can you govern a country which has two hundred and forty-six varieties of cheese?” – Charles de Gaulle

Few things are move satisfying that a crusty baguette, a nice creamy soft French cheese, and a good glass of wine.  Double and triple crème chesses are decadent and delicious in a manner that only the French can pull off.  The terms refer to the amount of butterfat in the cheese, with double crème requiring at least 60% and triple crème at least 75%.  The high butterfat content is achieved by adding extra cream to the milk during the cheese making process. This month, we are celebrating this fresh, rich style by having several classic French cheeses on sale.

Brie
The quintessential creamy French cheese, Brie is one of the most popular soft cheeses for good reason.  Originating in the historic Brie region of France, roughly corresponding to the modern department of Seine-et-Marne inside the Ile-de-France region, Brie is made from cow’s milk and has a little bit of funk to it, offering mushroom, nutty, and tangy flavors alongside a creamy texture.  Enjoy with Champagne, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Beaujolais. Regular Price: $13.99/lb.  February Price: $11.99/lb.

Délice de Bourgogne
One of the softest cheeses we sell, Délice de Bourgogne is softer than butter and is a wonderful triple crème cheese to spread on a fresh baguette.  Created in 1975 by Jean Lincet at Fromagerie Lincet and still crafted by the 5th generation of the Lincet family in the heart of the Côtes de Nuit, Délice de Bourgogne is made from cow’s milk and has a rich, luxurious creaminess with a bit of salinity.  This is a hard cheese to not to like and it keeps people coming back for more.  Enjoy with Champagne and the wines of Burgundy.
Regular Price: $16.99/each.  February Price: $13.99/lb.

Saint-André
Made in the Calvados department in Normandy, Saint-André is a triple crème cheese made from cow’s milk.  When young, it is firmer and has a crumbly texture towards the center and a tangy flavor profile more like a goat cheese.  As it matures, ripening from the outside in, it becomes decadently soft and creamy.  Enjoy with sparkling wine, Chardonnay, or the wonderful ciders for which Normandy is famous.
Regular Price: $21.99/lb.  February Price: $19.99/lb.

Vacherousse D’Argental
The least well known of the cheeses this month, Vacherousse D’Argental is a soft, creamy cheese made from cow’s milk.  It practically oozes at room temperature and has a wonderfully buttery, creamy flavor.  This will be the first to disappear on any cheese plate.  Enjoy with Champagne, sparkling wine, crisp whites and Pinot Noir from the Jura.
Regular Price: $15.99/lb.  February Price: $12.99/lb.

Saint Angel
If butter were a cheese, it would be Saint Angel.  Its distinctive 4.75 inch by 4.75 inch square block is usually divided into 4 triangular pieces, allowing easier access to the buttery interior.  Sublime on a baguette or with fresh berries, Saint Angel is best enjoyed with Champagne, sparkling wine, or crisp, dry whites such as Chablis.
Regular Price: $17.99/lb.  February Price: $13.99/lb.

New Arrivals
Danish Blue Cheese
$8.99/lb

Honey Bee Goat Gouda 6 month
$16.99/lb

As always, we are happy to put together a customized cheese plate for any size order.  We can pick the perfect combination of cheeses, charcuterie, jams, chutneys, and crackers to make your party effortlessly delicious!

MONTHLY SPECIALS