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Grape Crush!
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September 18th, 2009
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Greetings!
In September, wineries are really busy! This is when the most exhausting work takes place. Just picture all those people stomping on grapes all day long, that is tiring! Actually most wineries today use modernized presses for crushing. However, there are a few - mostly in the Douro Valley for the production of Port and high quality red wines - that rely on the age old tradition of crushing grapes by treading on them with their feet for about three hours in the evening. Believe it or not, feet are very gentle on the grapes (but the grape must makes your legs itch and leaves them stained for weeks)!
White grapes are usually destemmed before being crushed. This is because the winemaker wants to preserve the aromatics of the grape and produce a wine which is light and crisp. However, if the winemaker wants to make a full-bodied white wine, they will often crush the whole bunch.
With red wines, most of the grapes are destemmed and crushed. When crushing Pinot Noir some winemakers will crush the entire bunch, if they believe the entire bunch including the stem have ripened. If the stem is not ripe, the result would be a bitter, unpleasant wine. After the grapes are crushed, a few stems may be thrown into the fermentation vat with the juice to increase the tannin level of the wine.
Now on to the wines for Friday's tasting. These are detailed below. We look forward to seeing you over the weekend and helping you choose a few bottles or even a case to try!
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Wines for Friday's Tasting:
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Raoul Clerget Chablis 2007
$19.99 a bottle, $203.88 for a case, or $16.99 a bottle as part of a mixed case
You keep asking us for more wines from Chablis and we found another winner! Chablis in the far Northwest area of Burgundy showcases the purity of Chardonnay in ways that other producers around the world try to imitate, but only come close. The crisp minerality on the palate is beautifully balanced. It is fresh and delicious, just waiting to be paired with fish and seafood, or to be sipped on its own. You definitely want to try this one and, again, at this price it is a fabulous value!
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Siduri Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2008
$30.99 a bottle, $316.08 for a case, or $26.34 a bottle as part of a mixed case
Siduri offers a rich Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from the 2008 vintage. Just released, many believe the 2008 is superior to the fantastic 2007 they offered. The wine simply shows a bit more of everything, with typical Russian River flavors of cola and spice, along with great richness of cherry and raspberry fruits, and a mouth filling, velvet texture. This wine is definitely ready to go right now, and should make superb drinking over the holiday season so you'll want to stock up now! And, it should improve and gain more complexity as well over the next two or more years. Siduri has built their well deserved reputation on making Pinot Noirs from select vineyards in prized regions throughout California and Oregon.
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B.R. Cohn North Coast Silver Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
$23.99 a bottle, $244.68 for a case, or $20.39 a bottle as part of a mixed case
Whenever we taste this wine, we continue to be impressed. The 2007 Silver Label Cabernet Sauvignon reflects a blending of grapes grown in B.R. Cohn's Olive Hill Estate Vineyard and select North Coast vineyards. When the grapes are blended together, the result is a full-bodied wine. Filled with rich flavors of berry, cassis and black cherry with hints of
vanilla in the background, the wine is delicious! Aging with French oak adds complexity and
depth, resulting in a high quality Cabernet Sauvignon with great value. It is definitely time for you to try this wine! And since we know you will love it, perhaps we can tempt you to try a few other wines from B.R. Cohn that have just arrived in the store! Just come in and check them out.
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Our Wine Clubs
Selections for September have been made and they are all delicious!
The Boutique Series
$50 a month plus shipping and handling,
complimentary local delivery
This month's selections includes two delicious wines, one from the New World and one from the Old World: Chateau Graville-Lacoste Graves 2008 and Mendel Malbec 2006.
Grape Distinctions
$75 - $100 a month plus shipping and handling, complimentary local delivery
This month's selections include examples of California Cabernet from 2 different vintages from the same winery: the Von Strasser Diamond Mountain Cabernet Suavignon 2006 and the Von Strasser Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.
Cellar Collectibles
$100 - $150 a month plus shipping and handling, complimentary local delivery
This month's selections include two wonderful bottles of Bordeaux: Chateau Prieure-Lichine Margaux 2005 and Clos du Marquis Saint-Julien 2005.
To enroll or if you have questions about the clubs, email us at clientservices@tewksburyfinewine.com or call 908-439-0007.
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Wine Fridays!
September's Wine Friday:
With everyone looking forward to another Wine Friday, we added one to September's calendar!
September's Wine Fridays is scheduled for
Friday, September 25th at 7:30pm.
Wine
Fridays is a terrific way to try new wines, make new friends, and relax
at the end of the week. In September, Wine Fridays is being hosted by
It will be a night you won't want
to miss - make new friends, try a flight of five wines, and
delicious food. Don't miss this great event!
If you
would like to join us, the cost is $42.50 a person. Just RSVP by
responding to this newsletter, sending an email to
clientservices@tewksburyfinewine.com or calling 908-439-0007. We look
forward to seeing you!
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September
Wines of the Month:
Sitios de Bodega Con Class Rueda 2008
$12.99 a bottle, $132.48 for a case, or $11.04 a bottle as part of a mixed case
Attention to every detail is given when making this wine, including picking the grapes in the middles of the night! The result is a very well made wine with a pale straw color. Aromas of grapefruit and tropical fruits leap from the glass with touches of grass notes. Citrus and herbal flavors fill this light bodied wines, while herbal notes linger on the finish. Crisp, dry and delicious!
Chateau Graville-Lacoste Graves 2008
$19.99 a bottle, $203.88 for a case, or $16.99 a bottle as part of a mixed case
Graves is the area within Bordeaux known to produce the best dry white Bordeaux. Owned by Herve DuBourdieu, he is the sixth generation in his family to grow vines in Bordeaux. The strength of his experience coupled with the terroir of Graves, result in a delicious, dry, white Bordeaux! Made from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and a touch of Muscadelle the wine is crisp and refreshing, with touches of honey and melon. Perfect for the late days of summer!
Breggo Wiley Vineyard Pinot Gris 2008
$29.99 a bottle, $305.88 for a case, or $25.49 a bottle as part of a mixed case
This is one of the best examples of American Pinot Gris. Rich aromas of verbena and white peaches mingle with hints of orange peel and marzipan. Notes of roasted hazelnuts and meringue are layered with aromas of Asian pear and bees wax. The length and texture of this wine can only be described as unctuous. Flavors of orange and grapefruit expand in the mouth as the weight and breadth of the palate is carried to a long finish by the crisp acidity. This is Robert Parker's favorite Pinot Gris outside of Alsace. Grab some before it disappears!
Dama Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2007
$17.99 a bottle, $183.48 for a case, or $15.29 a bottle as part of a mixed case
A terrific wine for your
weeknight meals! The Dama Montepulciano has more depth and
concentration of flavors than other Montepulciano wines. With the
first sniff you'll notice nuances of black cherry, currants, vanilla
and licorice. It's rich body is filled with red fruit, spice, and
earth. The Dama has a substantial harmonious structure and a dry
mellow taste. Put all this together and you get great overall value.
Johnson Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
$22.99 a bottle, $234.48 for a case, or $19.54 a bottle as part of a mixed case
Johnson Family does it again with this delicious Napa Valley Cabernet! The wine is a deep ruby color with tinges of purple. On the nose blackberries jump from the glass along with floral notes, creme de cassis and rich spices. With the first sip you are greeted with big rich berries, licorice, well integrated tannins and a full body structure. Opulent, full-bodied, and fruit-forward, it is drinking well now, but will also age. This is a terrific, well-made, balanced Cabernet that really delivers.
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We hope you are enjoying September and dreaming about new wines! We'll open the wines for Friday's tasting around 4:00. Looking forward to seeing you soon, and most importantly, thanks for your continued support!
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
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