BLIND PINOT NOIR  

"SPEED DATING" TASTING  

• Call or stop by Lukas anytime to register for the classes (payment is required in advance to attend, and space is limited - so plan ahead! These classes will sell out!)
• Classes will begin at 6:30. At that time, we'll divide the group into smaller groups. Those groups will move around the room to different stations for a pre-determined amount of time (thus, a speed dating format).
• After each group has made it around the room, you'll have a chance to revisit your favorites and mingle and have fun.

MARCH2011: Blind Pinot Noir Tasting

At this month's class, we're putting you to work! At the beginning of the class, everyone will receive 6 tickets, a ballot and a sheet to make notes. Moving around the room in the small groups described above, you will rank the wines you taste on a 100 point scale. Once you have tasted each wine, you will ALSO vote by secret ballot with your 6 tickets! You choose which wines are worthy of your (six) votes - you can give them to 6 different wines or all to one wine!

As we tally the votes, Gary will reveal the names and prices of the wines you voted on, and we'll reveal the winner!  

Feel free to then revisit the wines you loved! The best part? ALL wines from the class will then have a SPECIAL score that YOU helped create!

Date: March 23rd 2011

Time: 6:30 pm

Cost: $25 per person

20 reservations remain! Call today!  

We'll see you there! 

SATURDAY'S BEST-SELLERS: 2/19

MARCH PICKS OF THE MONTH

Gary:

Raymond "R Collection" Field Blend

$10.99 750ml

NEW ITEMS FROM

AROUND THE STORE

!!!CALLING ALL BEER GEEKS!!!

***YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST***

 It's Official...

Stone Brewing Co. 

WILL be in St. Louis - THIS SPRING!   

In stock NOW... 

Spirits News

NEW!  

2 "digestivos" and an "apéritif"

These items arrived a week or so ago to very little fanfare, but if you are serious about food and drink, these are a must!

Cardamaro Amaro

From Piemonte, producer Giovanni Bosca uses wine from his estate as the base for this amaro. He then infuses the wine with two very curious ingredients - cardoon, which is a relative of the artichoke, and Blessed Thistle. The resulting spirit is less bitter than many amari, with a smooth, nutty, candied winter spice quality to it. 

Cocchi Barolo Chinato

A glass of Cocchi's Barolo chinato is not a vinous experience you're likely to soon forget! In addition to quinine bark, rhubarb, gentian and a final addition of somewhat secreted spices, including cardamom seed, are added to this pleasantly bitter tipple, which ranks up there with Fernet Branca as the world's best digestivo.  

Bonal Gentiane-Quina

Bonal Gentiane-Quina, once nicknamed "ouvre l'appetit" (the key to the appetite), is a delicious aperitif wine that has been in production since 1865. It is made by infusing gentian root, herbs from the Grande Chartreuse mountains, and cinchona (quinine), in a Mistelle base, producing a wine that is known for its complexity. It is traditionally enjoyed neat, on ice with a twist, or in many classic mixed drinks.

***This is a TRUE "quina" (pronounced "keen-a") which is an ingredient called for by several "classic" cocktail recipes. If you've seen the movie "Casino Royale" or read any the original James Bond novel of the same name, you know that Bond's "Vesper Martini" included an ingredient called "Kina Lillet." Until Bonal Gentiane-Quina was available, the only thing available was "Lillet Blanc" but the formulation had been changed for the American palate to exclude quinine. Quinine makes the wine (yes, it's actually a flavored wine, like vermouth) taste dry, despite the sugar and spices added, thus it's better in a mixed drink. To truely appreciate this strange product, try it in a Vesper Martini!***  

(from Casino Royale) 

Three measures of Gordon's Gin, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel.

AND... 

5 New Spirits!

Revel Stoke Spiced Whiskey 45%abv

Made with Canadian Whiskey, although it's produced and bottled in Minnesota, it's rye-based at 90 proof. Spices include cinnamon, coriander, cardamom, ginger and vanilla.

Early Times 354 Bourbon 40%abv

This Bourbon is what today's customers are looking for: a superior tasting Bourbon at an accessible price. Preferred by Jim Beam drinkers in a national, independent taste test, ET 354 delivers a full-bodied classic taste at an outstanding value.

Canadian Mist Black Diamond 43%abv

Canadian Mist Black Diamond is a richer, more robust expression of the award winning Canadian Mist that take quality and value to the next level. Rich in rye and sherry cask finishing for a full bodied flavor that can be enjoyed straight, yet light tasting and smooth enough for cocktails.

Brinley Gold Shipwreck Spiced Rum 36%abv

Brinley Gold Shipwreck Spiced Rum uses Caribbean rum that is aged for four years creating a very mellow spirit, yet full of flavors like orange, vanilla, clove and nutmeg. The recipie is based on and dedicated to an actual British ship that sank off the St. Kitt's coast in 1782.

Christian Brothers Honey 35%abv

Christian Brothers Honey is the ultimate in smoothness, infusing pure natural honey with the rich taste of Christian Brothers Brandy.  Distilled from premium grape varietals and aged in hand selected oak barrels. Fans of other "honey-infused" liqueurs will love this new product.

Wine News  

THIS WEEKEND

ON THE SALES FLOOR

FRIDAY - 3/04

Louise : Westphalia Wines 

Engin : Glazer's Midwest 

Napa Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Cellars Chardonnay, Napa Cellars Pinot Noir & Villa Pozzi Nero d'Avola 

SATURDAY - 3/05

Ryan : Vintegrity

Wine Guerillas Sonoma Zinfandel

Wine Guerillas Conte Vineyard Zinfandel

Passion Has Red Lips Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz

Cycle Buff Beauties Malbec/Shiraz (2 Goddesses On The Label!!!)

Karl: Golden Barrel

Del Picado Tannat

AJ: Major Brands

Saldo Zinfandel

St. Cosme Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2008

Four Graces Pinot Gris 2010  

SATURDAY LINEUP

Ryan : Classique Wines