Contact Us:
588 Cabot Street North Beverly, MA Hours:
Monday-Saturday
10 am- 8 pm
Sundays
Noon-4 pm
We accept M/C, Visa, American Express, Discover and ATM cards.
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Notes from the Cellar
File the following under "Don't do this at home", but a recent unplanned experiment confirmed something I read a while back: you can freeze a partial bottle of wine. Left overnight in the freezer, the remaining wine in a previously opened bottle of Royal Tokaji Furmint tasted just fine once defrosted. Go figure.
~ Kurt
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Tasting this Week
THURSDAY, JULY 23RD from 4 PM to 7 PM
2007 Conundrum; California (reg. $29.99, special price $19.99)
See description below under "Weekly Specials"
2007 Lioco Chardonnay; Sonoma County, California ($22.99)
Winemaker Notes: The 2007 Chardonnay "Sonoma County" was hand
picked and sorted and naturally fermented in 100% stainless steel using
a wild yeast -- no oak. It underwent a natural malolactic fermentation, and was
bottled without fining or filtration. Our Chardonnay offers aromas of kaffir lime leaf, ruby red grapefruit, talc, with complimentary flavors of lemon, honey, pear and mineral. www.liocowine.com
2007 Felsina Chianti Classico; Tuscany, Italy ($24.99)
See below under "New Arrivals"
2007 Domaine Sallies Marselan; France
($11.99)
Handpicked Selection: Marselan is a hybrid cross
between the Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache Noir grape varieties.The wine is
deep red in color with a purple hue, the opulent nose exudes notes of black
fruit followed by fig and cocoa flavors in the mouth. The finish is very
pleasant and well-balanced and with a generous dose of lingering spice for good
measure. www.sallies.fr
SATURDAY, JULY 25TH from 2 PM to 5 PM
2008 Four Vines Chardonnay; California (reg. $14.99, special price $11.99)
See below under "Weekly Specials".
2008 Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc; Sonoma County, California ($14.99)
See below under "New Arrivals".
2007 Carmel Road Pinot Noir; Monterey, California
($19.99)
Winemaker's Notes: At Carmel Road, we've tailored our viticulture and winemaking techniques to capture the compelling character of our unique climate and soils. Our Pinot Noirs are known for their rich flavors, firm acidity and brilliant varietal flavors. The 2007 is a rich and complex wine, marked by crushed blackberry, ripe strawberries, warm spice and refreshing red fruit tones on the finish. www.carmelroad.com
2005 Bishop's Peak "Rock Solid Red"; Paso Robles, California ($14.99)
Talley Vineyards Second Label: "A blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Syrah, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petite Sirah. Deep maroon in color and medium in body, this refined blend gives aromas of red cherry, anise, juniper berry and vanillin. Cassis, darker fruits and hints of black pepper join these flavors on the palate." www.talleyvineyards.com
Wines offered during the tastings will be discounted 10%; does not apply to Weekly Specials, which are being offered at deeply discounted prices.
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Featured Wine ValuesWEEKLY SPECIALS2007 Conundrum; California (reg. $29.99, special price $19.99)Winemaker Notes: Powerful
aromas of green apple, tangerine zest and honeysuckle. Core flavors of apricot,
melon, pear and light vanilla are beautifully balanced by the sparkling acidity
of citrus fruits. The lush, creamy, mouth-filling texture is heightened by
powerful floral and bright tropical fruit notes and leads to a full, powerful
finish.
Our wine's core profile
remains thoroughly Californian, with Sauvignon Blanc grapes from the Napa
Valley, Muscat Canelli from Tulare county on the Central Coast, and Chardonnay
and Viognier from our vineyards in Monterey County. The "puzzle" of Conundrum
lies partly in guessing the range of grape varieties we use, because we never
reveal its exact composition. www.conundrumwine.com; California (reg. $17.99, special price $12.99)Wine Spectator 88 points: "Notably harmonious, supple and graceful, with ripe, fleshy plum, black
cherry and raspberry fruit delivered in a full-bodied, easy-drinking
style." A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah and 4% Merlot from Mendocino, Lake and Napa Counties. www.hesscollection.com
2008 Four Vines Chardonnay Naked; Santa Barbara, California (reg. $14.99, special price $11.99)Winery Notes: "Step away from the barrel! This Chardonnay was fermented in 100%
stainless steel and has not seen any oak, nor does it want to. This is
crisp, concentrated Chardonnay with all its natural acid. Naked
exhibits apple, white peach, and pear, finishing long with hints of
citrus and mineral. Eat oysters and drink "Naked" often!! Share with a
friend..." Wine Spectator 87 points in 2007. www.fourvines.com
HENRY'S VALUE PICKS, all under $152007 Falesco Est! Est! Est!; Latium, Italy ($9.99)
Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate 85 points: "It's awfully hard to beat Falesco's 2007 Est!Est!Est! for the money. This easygoing, crisp white from Lazio is a blend of 60% Trebbiano, 30% Malvasia and 10% Roscetto, aged in stainless steel."
2008 Altos las Hormigas Malbec; Mendoza, Argentina ($12.99)
Wine Spectator 87 points: "This is ripe, with raspberry and boysenberry fruit laced with notes of
mocha and fruitcake. Fleshy and round. A crowd-pleaser. Drink now."
2007 Red Guitar Old Vines; Navarra, Spain ($12.99)
Winery Notes: A blend of Garnacha (aka Grenache) and Tempranillo. Together, these varieties combine to produce a rich, smooth and
luscious wine full of ripe raspberry and blackberry flavors on a long,
soft finish. www.redguitarwines.com
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New Arrivals: Wine
IMPORTED
2007 Jermann Pinot Grigio; Friuli, Italy ($32.99)
Handpicked Selection: Reveals lovely perfumed aromatics, with notes of apple, melon and banana. Medium-bodied,
round and balanced, with good fruit and a clean, focused aftertaste of light pineapple and
cream. Silvio Jermann was among the early leaders in the move towards high quality wines in Friuli.
2007 Felsina Chianti Classico; Tuscany, Italy ($24.99)
'07 reviews are not yet available, but the track record on the wine is outstanding. Wine Spectator 90 points "Smart Buy" in 2006: "Lavender and blackberry aromas follow through to a medium-to-full body,
with a solid core of fruit and a tangy aftertaste of citrus fruit and
dried cherry." Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate 89 points in 2006: "The 2006 Chianti Classico is a beautiful, plump wine loaded with
vibrant, sweet, ripe fruit. It offers lovely depth in an engaging style
that is sure to find many admirers. This is a terrific effort from one
of Italy's most consistently outstanding producers. Anticipated
maturity: 2009-2016.
2007 Alois Lageder Riff Rosso-Dolomiti IGT; Italy ($14.99)
Value Selection: From the producer of our very popular Riff Pinot Grigio comes this food-friendly blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. Grapes are sourced from selected vineyards in the southern Alto Adige and northern Trentino appellations. Fruit-driven in aroma and flavor, the wine is harmonious and medium-bodied, with good intensity and depth on the palate. Balanced, with ripe, well-integrated tannins and mild acidity.
DOMESTIC
2006 Green & Red Vineyard "Chiles Canyon" Zinfandel; Napa Valley, California ($24.99)
Handpicked Selection: Named for its red iron
soils veined with green serpentine, Green
& Red Vineyard is located in the steep hills on the east
side of Napa Valley. The planting was started in 1972 on ground originally in
vineyards in the 1890's. The vineyards are a small percentage of the 200-acre
property, which ranges in elevation from 900 to 2,000 feet. Our separate vineyards
are at different elevations with different exposures. Tasting Notes: A blend from our three mountain vineyards which
overlook Chiles Canyon. Dark cherry raspberry with tinges of sage and
clove. 2200 cases produced. www.greenandred.com
2006 Four Vines "Loco"; Paso Robles, California ($42.99)
Limited Release: "Tempranillo from the "Tres Cojones Vineyard" in Templeton is blended
with Syrah and Grenache. Massive, massive wine. Big fruit, big
structure, big balls...in fact three. On the palate, big black fruit that
seems to resonate with angst. Huge structure with rich tannins; long,
long, long on the mouth; a rich oak finish." www.fourvines.com
2008 Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc; Sonoma County, California ($14.99)
Wine Spectator 90 points "Smart Buy" in 2007: "Made in a smoky style, with peach, apricot and citrus flavors infused
with cedary, toasty, tobacco campfire notes. Well-balanced and
wonderfully fleshy and juicy, especially on the finish. Drink now
through 2012." Also 89 points in 2006, 91 points in 2005 -- the track record speaks for itself!
2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Eroica Riesling Dr. Loosen; Columbia Valley, Washington ($24.99)
Wine Spectator 91 points "Smart Buy": "Bright and juicy, with bracing acidity against lightly sweet,
expressive pear, apricot and quince aromas and flavors, remaining
vibrant as the finish persists. A slate character hovers in the
background. Drink now through 2017. Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate 91 points: "The 2007 Eroica Riesling, made in collaboration with the Dr. Loosen
estate in Germany's Mosel region, is light to medium straw-colored with
fragrant aromas of spring flowers, mineral, and honeysuckle. Crisp and
just off-dry, in a Kabinett style, it delivers flavors of melon and
pineapple. The wine is balanced and vibrant and may well evolve for
several years in the manner of a top German Mosel Kabinett. It can be
enjoyed now and over the next 5-7 years.
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Perfect Pairing Recipe: Spice up Summer
Summer grilling continues with some Asian flavors. The spicy marinade is tempered by cool cucumbers, Basmati rice and a lush white wine.
Recipe: Tandoori-style Chicken with Cucumber Raita
Wine: 12th Edition Sokol Blosser Evolution; Oregon
Ingredients:
2 cups plain yogurt
1/2 English (seedless) cucumber, peeled and diced
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. grated fresh ginger
2 tbsp. garam masala spice blend
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste
4 bone-in chicken breasts
4 bone-in chicken thighs
Cooked Basmati rice
Directions:
1. For raita, stir together 3/4 cup yogurt, cucumbers, lemon juice, 1/4 tsp. salt, and black pepper to taste. Set aside.
2. In another small bowl combine the remaining yogurt, 1 tsp. salt, ginger, garam masala, and cayenne. Place chicken in a shallow baking dish and spread yogurt mixture over the top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
3. Heat grill to medium high and lightly oil grates. Grill chicken, covered, about 20 minutes over direct heat, turning every 5 minutes.
4. Move chicken to indirect heat and continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Serve with raita and Basmati rice.
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Wine Wisdom: The Three W's of Wine
According to wine critic Robert Parker, selecting wine is simple if you follow the three W's: What, Where and When. A recent article on his website illustrates the principle.
WHAT type of grape?
When we're talking about the "what" of wine, we're talking about what wine is made from: grapes! Grape varieties largely determine important factors such as color, body, character, flavor and tannin level.
Keep in mind some wine labels tell you what grapes the wine was made from. But this isn't always the case - particularly with wines from France. For example, many people who love to drink Chardonnay from California are surprised to learn that white wines from Burgundy are made from the same grape.
WHERE the grapes were grown.
Differences in climate and soil have a dramatic impact on the taste of wines made from the same grape. This isn't quite the whole story since winemaking techniques vary around the world and definitely impact the final result. However, paying attention to where the grapes were grown will definitely help you orient yourself and figure out the flavor profiles you prefer. Oenophiles have a fancy term for this: terroir.
WHEN the grapes were grown.
A wine's vintage influences its quality. All other things being equal, the higher the quality of grapes, the better the wine. In general, grapes do best when the climate is hot and relatively dry, particularly in the late summer and fall. Too cool and they may not ripen. Too wet and they may be diluted or rot. Paying attention to vintage is important when you are faced with a list of unfamiliar wines. Knowing that the Northern Rhône had a great vintage in 2003 or that Bordeaux produced great wines in 2005 can increase
your chances of making a good choice. Knowing that the harvest was disastrous in the Southern Rhône in 2002 can help you avoid disappointment.
Parker offers a handy vintage chart.
http://www.erobertparker.com/newsearch/vintagechart1.aspx
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At Henry's Wine Cellar we hope to provide you with outstanding service and selection, competitive pricing, and exciting special events. Let our beautiful new store be your neighborhood wine shop.
Best wishes,
John Keohane, Owner
Kurt Reming, Manager |
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