April in Paris!
April in Tewksbury!
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Paris brings to mind sipping delicious wine in a bistro...
 April 16th, 2009
Greetings!

Spring has arrived in Paris and in case you were wondering it will be in the mid to upper 60s this weekend in Paris.  Just perfect for sitting outside in a café, enjoying some wine and watching everyone walk by.  Doesn't it sound so romantic, don't  you want to go?  I know I do, but the next best thing I can offer is a little slice of France right here in good ol' Tewksbury.  This weekend we will be featuring wines from France during our tastings. 

Is it possible to think about France without thinking about wine?  I don't think so.  The French take great pride and of course pleasure in their wines from the various regions around the country - names that we all recognize... Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, to name a few.  Here are a few fun facts about French wine for our trivia fans:
  • Winemaking in France dates back to the 6th century BC.
  • There are 467 wine appellations (AOC) currently in France.  The AOC system was created in the 1920's and dictates many quality standards including the type of grape that is allowed to be planted, how close together the vines can be planted, and how the wine is actually made.
  • The French have made the term terroir known around the world.  Terroir explains how the same varietal when grown in two different locations can taste totally different.
  • Each year France produces between 7 and 8 Billion (yes with a B) bottles.
Don't forget we continue to feature our 20% off close-out bin. Wines that we have 1 bottle left are added to the bin to make room for new and interesting wines. 
Wines for Friday's Tasting:
Chateau Turcaud Entre Deux Mers 2008
$13.99 a bottle, $142.62 for a case, or $11.89 a bottle as part of a mixed case

One of our featured wines of April.  Yes, three times is a charm.  This is the third vintage from this winery that we have decided to bring in because we think it is terrific and a value that cannot be beaten at this price!  A traditional white Bordeaux blend consisting of 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Semillon and 5% Muscadelle tempts you with aromas of lime, mango, and floral notes.  These aromas follow through on the palate making it perfect as an appertif or an accompaniment to seafood, chicken and of course goat cheese.  At this price it really  makes sense to buy a case to enjoy throughout the Spring and Summer.
Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly 2006
$22.99 a bottle, $234.48 for a case, or $19.54 a bottle as part of a mixed case

A great kept secret is that the Cru Villages wines of Beaujolais are the wines that often grace the bistro tables across Paris.  Why?  Simply they are terrific food wines and taste good too.  There are 10 Cru Villages in Beaujolais in Southern Burgundy, Cote de Brouilly being one of them.  They are definitely a step up from Beaujolais Village, exhibiting more structure and complexity that you expect in a red wine from Burgundy.

This wine has a lovely, elegant and savoury nose with cinnamon, redcurrant and cherry fruit.  These aromas follow on the palate and are balanced with good smooth tannins, touches of youthful acidity and a sweetly spiced finish.  Delicious!
Jean Garaudet 'Noizons' Pommard 2006
$42.99 a bottle, $438.48 for a case, or $36.54 a bottle as part of a mixed case

Pommard is located in the heart of the Cote de Beaune in the Cote d'Or.  Perhaps nowhere else is terroir more evident than the Burgundy vineyards of Pommard and next door in Volnay.  The two towns produce distinctly different styles of Pinot Noir.  Pommard is known for big, powerful wines with delicious black fruits providing the backbone.  Often in Burgundy the wines are not approachable in their youth, but the 2006 vintage brought us wines that are delicious now and will continue to evolve with age.  Jean Garaudet performs almost all tasks in the vineyard and in the cellar by himself, and, truly handcrafts these wines.  Pierre-Antoine Rovani of the Wine Advocate wrote, "The best kept secret of Pommard... (Garaudet's) elegant wines, saturated with lavish amounts of ripe fruit and harmonious, mouthfilling, satisfying flavors, offer formidable evidence of the positive effects of low yields and old-vines."  You just have to try it! I love Pommard.
Just so you know what you're missing!
 
Wine Friday is tomorrow, and here is a sample of what's going on.  Patricia Berran and Pat Patterson are kind enough to host this month.  It is a great time and a fun way to try different wines, enjoy terrific food and meet some fantastic people.  We will be tasting five different wines:
  • Terras de Alter Branco Fado 2007.  A white from Portugal. It is a terrific blend of native white grapes. The wine is crisp, dry and bright.
  • Antica Masseria Venditti Sannio Bianco 2007.  A field blend of white grapes, straw yellow color, with passion fruit and pineapple aromas and flavors. Easy drinking and dry.
  • Domaine de la Citadelle Rosé 2008.  A lovely rosé that is a staple in the store starting in the Spring.  DRY, lovely red fruit and balanced beautifully. 
  • Antica Masseria Venditti Rosso 2007.  A red field blend of grapes, beautiful deep purple in color, dark fruit aromas continue on the palate with chewy tannins.  Magically delicious.
  • Bodega Benegas Don Tiburcio 2005.  An exciting Bordeaux blend from Argentiina., Intense and fruity with a persistent finish. Tanzer loves it!
  • Tapas style Hors D'oeurves prepared by Food Co. Catering and Special Events. 
  • All of this for just $42.50 a person.
THERE ARE A JUST FEW SPACES STILL AVAILABLE, COME AND JOIN US! 

Featured Wines of April:

  Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2007
 $16.99 a bottle, $173.28 for a case, or $14.44 a bottle as part of a mixed case

We just opened a bottle of this wine and thought WOW all our Chardonnay lovers should try this one!  It offers aromas of ripe stone fruits and mandarin orange with sweet notes of vanilla, butterscotch, and light toast.  The palate is definitely creamy while still having refreshing acidity. Definitely one you have to try!


Chateau Turcaud Entre Deux Mers 2008

One of the wines we will be tasting on Friday.  For a complete description see the column to the left.


Antica Masseria Venditti Sannio DOC Rossa 2007
$19.99 a bottle, $203.88 for a case, or $16.99 a bottle as part of a mixed case

 This Rosso from the Campania region highlights native grapes (50% Montepulciano 30% Olivella, and 20% Aglianico) and offers a certain complexity of the field blend itself: the whole is greater than the parts sort of thing. A beautiful deep purple in color; nose of mulberry, cured black olives and walnuts.  The aromas are continued on the palate with chewy tannins.  Try this blend and you'll see what we mean.


Fabre Montmayour Gran Reserva Malbec
2007
$24.99 a bottle, $254.88 for a case, or $21.24 a bottle as part of a mixed case

We found another delicious Malbec for you to enjoy!  Robert Parker agreed, awarded the wine 92 points, and said, "Red color with shiny violet tones.  Very complex and elegant bouquet.  Plenty of wild red fruits like blackberries and cherries, liquorish and delicate hints of flowers.  On the palate, the wine shows a remarkable balance with very elegant, delicate and silky tannins.  This wine is velvet. Great combined with red meats, games, rich cheeses, and chocolate." 

Our Wine Clubs:

The Boutique Series
$50 a month plus s&h,
complimentary local delivery

Grape Distinctions
$75 - $100 a month plus s&h, complimentary local delivery

Cellar Collectibles
$100 - $150 a month plus s&h, complimentary local delivery

To enroll or if you have questions about the clubs, email us at info@tewksburyfinewine.com
or call 908-439-0007.

So stop by on Friday for a little taste of April in Paris and see for yourself the reason behind the national pride of France.
 
We will open a few on Saturday and Sunday too!  We look forward to seeing you and appreciate your business!
 
Cheers!
Andrea
Contact Information
Andrea Maranca
One Old Turnpike, PO Box 377, Oldwick, NJ 08858
T:  908.439.0007  F:  908.439.9997     www.tewksburyfinewine.com