SUN SINGER WINES & SPIRITS NEWS

March 11, 2011                                                                Volume: # 4     Issue: # 10     


"Wine is not meant to be enjoyed for its own sake; it is the key to love and laughter with friends...Its rewards are far beyond its cost.  

Len Evans 

 

    Very eventful days recently, the culmination with Mardi Gras and the beginning of Lent. This Sunday we lose an hour's sleep to spring ahead onto Daylight Savings Time. Won't it be great, although a bit of a shock, to have the sun going down at 7pm instead of 6pm.  All of this just in time to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day and then soon after the official start of Spring. Not a moment too soon! 

 

LUCK 'O THE IRISH 

In every year since 1991, March has been proclaimed Irish-American Heritage Month by the US Congress or President due to the date of St. Patrick's Day. Today, Saint Patrick's Day is widely celebrated in America by Irish and non-Irish alike. It is one of the leading days for consumption of alcohol in the United States, and is typically one of the busiest days of the year for bars and restaurants. Many people, regardless of ethnic background, wear green clothing and items. Traditionally, those who are caught not wearing green are pinched affectionately.

 

Mark, Jackie & the Sun Singer Staff

 
Highlights
At the Wine Bar
Irish Through & Through
New & Notable
Fun Fondue
New Spring Brews
Luck 'O the Irish
Mouthwatering

this week  At the Wine Bar!  

 

Sun Singer offers more than 30 wines by the glass every day of the week.     

 

Here's two highlights for the week:

 

White-ish  

POINT CONCEPCION 'Celestina' Pinot Grigio '09

Santa Barbara, California

Pink-orange in color like a California sunset. Fresh strawberry and peach aromas are inviting on the nose. This Pinot Grigio done in the 'Ramato' style is tangy and racy in the mouth with flavors of citrus, pear and apple as well as a snappy, crisp and dry finish.   

 

 

Red

CAMPOS DE RISCA Monastrell '08, Jumilla,Spain

Bright ruby in colour with touches of violet indicating the youth of the wine.The aromas are fruity, both fresh and cooked red fruits. On the palate it is balanced, with great body and dominated by fruit flavors.

 

The Wine Bar Cafe offers 2 ounce sampling sizes on all of our wines-by-the-glass. You can create your own tasting every day of the week. 

 

Explore the rest this week's complete wine selections .

deli feature Irish Through & Through  

Cahill's Farmhouse Cheese is a third generation, family owned, artisan cheese making business, nestled in the heartland of County Limerick, Ireland. All Cahill's Farm Cheese is 100% Pure & Natural, full-flavored cheese, handcrafted in the traditional Irish way. All our cheese is made using only the freshest, wholesome, local, natural, ingredients.  

 

CAHILL ARDAGH 

This red waxed gourmet cheese truckle is called after the Smith O'Brien home of Cahermoyle, Ardagh, where this medieval monastic cheese was revived about a hundred years ago. This is an adventurous red waxed cheese, veined with red wine, was revived from an old Limerick Palatine Recipe. It has a sharp taste with a strong presence of dry red wine. Enjoyed best on crackers or crisp-bread with a glass of vintage port.  

 

CAHILL WHISKEY 

This yellow waxed gourmet cheese truckle is hand made using Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, then matured into a tantalisingly delicious aperitif. This is a traditional Irish monastic Cheese reputedly brought by the Irish Monks to Scotland. It is a simple vintage cheddar entwined with Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey to give a fabulous savory combination. It was originally created for festive occasions such as Harvest or Christmas, but today it can be enjoyed all year round.

 

CAHILL PORTER

 

This brown waxed gourmet cheese truckle is the original and definitive Irish Plain Porter Cheese. Each brown waxed truckle is individually handcrafted with plain Irish porter, brewed by Guinness in their Dublin at their Dublin premises since 1759. This cheese is perfect as an hors D'Oeuvre when sliced and served with a tossed salad. It is equally as good when served as a centre piece on an after dinner cheese board.

 

KERRYGOLD DUBLINER 

Echoes of Ireland's capital are evoked by this simultaneously simple and gourmet cheese. Quite daringly different, Dubliner is a specialty cheese with a distinctive mature rounded flavor and a natural hint of sweetness achieved by combining a secret recipe and the skills of the Kerrygold master cheese maker.

The cheese is typically matured over 12 months during which time it is checked by experienced cheese graders to ensure that it has a consistently high flavor profile. Dubliner may contain naturally occurring calcium lactate crystals which appear as small white particles in the cheese. These crystals are a rich source of calcium.


All of these cheeses - along with many more from around the world -  

are all available at the Gourmet Deli at Sun Singer.


new and noteworthy What's In Store!


IN THE SPOTLIGHT

******************************

AVELEDA 'Follies' Alvarinho-Loureiro '09, Minho, Portugal

Presents a pale lemon colour and a fresh aroma, with evident passion fruit, white flowersand citrus notes. On the palate this wine is extremely crisp and refreshing, persistent and soft.

 

OTTO'S CONSTANT DREAM Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Marlborough, New Zealand 12.99

The creators of Otto's Constant Dream (OCD) certainly have wine on the brain! What started off as a humorous wine label was transformed into an actual product by a determined team of wine-obsessed Brooklynites and New Zealand winemakers. OCD Sauvignon Blanc is bright and expressive with enticing aromas of passionfruit, pineapple, citrus fruit, and green apple. On the palate, the lively fruit notes and pleasant minerality are balanced by crisp, refreshing acidity. Incredibly food-friendly, this delicious white will pair well with vegetable platters, fish and poultry entrees, Greek salad, and much more.

 

HICKORY CREEK Chardonnay 2006

Lake Michigan Shore 29.99

A perfectly balanced Michigan chardonnay. An amazing surprise from this small winery. On the nose you get reminded of a cider mill with the caramel apples and crushed nut elements. On the pallet you get nice buttery smooth feel getting hints of french oak and apple. The finish is incredibly smooth and wants you to go for that second glass.

 

EXPRESSION 38 Chardonnay 2008, Sonoma Coast, California 24.99

This fruit was pressed whole cluster, and only the best of the free run juice was used in this wine. The juice was filled to Burgundian style French oak barrels (10% new) for primary fermentation with subsequent malolactic conversion to temper acidity and add textural plushness. Reveals a terrific nose of spicy pears and flowers. Medium-bodied, creamy-textured, and highly expressive, a perfect example of cool climate chardonnay from California. Its flavor profile boasts oaky pears, buttered apples, and creamed anise in a seductive format.

 

MEROI Chardonnay 2008, Friuli, Italy 63.99

A remarkably bright, rich golden hue draws one to Paolo Meroi's Chardonnay long before the aromas of this remarkable wine reels them in. Unlike many of its ungainly internationalized counterparts, Meroi's Chardonnay offers the rare opportunity to experience the wonders of the Chardonnay fruit itself, with the wood offering just a subtle, yet crucial suggestion of itself. Perhaps our favorite expression of Chardonnay from any Italian winemaker. 100% Chardonnay

 

BERGSTROM Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir 2008

Willamette Valley, Oregon 42.99

The Bergstrom Pinot Noirs begin with the 2008 Pinot Noir Cumberland Reserve which sports an alluring nose of mineral, earth notes, spice box, black cherry, and black raspberry. Firm on the palate with layered, spicy fruit packed into its ample (14.1% alcohol) frame, it displays enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years, excellent concentration and balance, and a lengthy finish. It will be at its best from 2012 to 2020.

 

YALUMBA Patchwork Shiraz 2008

Barossa, Australia  17.99

Blackberry, cherry and plum aromas are complemented by notes of cracked pepper and black tea. Plush, gently sweet dark berry flavors pick up a bitter chocolate note with air and are framed by silky tannins. Juicy and focused on the finish, which is gently sweet and nicely persistent.

 

PAGOS de EGUREN Tempranillo,Castilla, Spain  $9.99

This Tempranillo is everything wines produced from Spain's leading grape variety should be and more. Fantastic aromas of red fruit and spice are followed by soft, silky fruit on the palate, making it a great evening sipper or partner for creamy cheeses and hearty fare like a grilled gourmet burgers and  braised short ribs.

 

DOMAINE de COURON Marselan 2007, Couteaux de L'Ardeche, France

Marselan is a wine grape from France the is relatively unknown throughout the USA and the world. This grape was bred in 1961 as a hybrid of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. The MarsThe wine has deep purple/ruby color and is nearly opaque. The nose is full of fresh blackberries, cherries, raspberries and black pepper with no evidence of oak or earth. In the mouth the wine is full bodied, inky, soft and succulent. Sweet cherry, ripe blueberry and juicy plum sing out on a back drop of caramel and white pepper. There are moderate well integrated tannins and a hint of minerality that highlights the fruit driven style.elan grape is named after Marseillan, a small town on France's Mediterranean coast where it was first grown.

 

ANDEZON 2008, Cote du Rhone, France

In 1994,  Eric Soloman visited the Vignerons d'Estazarques and met a young, passionate director/winemaker named Jean-Francois Nicq. By the end of the day, he & Jean- Francois had decided on a custom bottling of old vine syrah from one of their best parcels, Andezon. This opaque-black, blockbuster Syrah could have been Australian Shiraz. What a find!

The 100% tank-fermented and aged blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Grenache (from 40 and 60 year old vines respectively), the 2008 Les Vignerons d'Estezargues offers copious quantities of black cherry fruit, licorice, pepper, and spice. One of safest, most reliable Cotes du Rhone cuvees coming from this large cooperative south of Avignon, bottled unfined and unfiltered for the American importer.

   

Looking for New & Notable from last week? Click here.

quick & easy Entertaining Elegance!


Many stories have been told about how FONDUE was originally created. Fondue appears to have originated with the alpine herdsmen, and is a specialty whose history stretches back hundreds of years.

 

Fondue is a simple but unique dish that is enjoyed best in the company of good friends. Choose one of these popular readymade mixtures, which are quick and easy to prepare and a guaranteed success.

 

 

Emmi Fondue Appenzeller

The spiciest fondue from Switzerland made with Appenzeller cheese.

 

 

  Emmi Fondue Gorgonzola

Emmi Fondue Gorgonzola - The traditional Swiss Fondue blended with Gorgonzola, the great Italian blue cheese.    

 

 

Tradition D'Alpes Fondue 

Creamy ready to heat and serve fondue mix. Heat in a fondue pot, serve w/cubed bread and apples. Tradition D'Alpes Fondue is easy and delicious.

 

Now, just how did this sneek in here?

 

Emmi Chocolate Fondue

This delicious Swiss chocolate fondue from Emmi is ready to use. Simply melt the chocolate in the microwave or on the stove, and pour into a fondue pot or serving dish. Dip bite-sized pieces of fruit, cookies, marshmallows, or pretzels and your are ready to enjoy a gourmet dessert.


All of these quick and easy fondue mixes are available in the open case at Sun Singer's Gourmet Deli.  How about Fondue tonight?


new brew  A Toast To Spring

SMUTTYNOSE Barley Wine Style Ale

Though individual examples of this style vary widely, barleywines are characterized by their full body, pronounced residual malt sweetness, fruity esters and, in the case of American versions especially, distinctive hop character, with a flavor profile that can lean towards the sweet or the bitter, or somewhere in between, and a color ranging from amber to deep copper. Barleywines tend to age nicely, especially bottle-conditioned versions, and have become quite collectible.

 

This Barleywine is rich and malty, with hints of fruity esters and a well-hopped finish. Enjoy this hearty ale with fresh fruit and ripe cheese on a cold winter's night, or lay it up and savor it with a friend for a special summer treat.

 

Limited Release

CAPITAL Blonde Doppelbock

A deep golden color leads one to an extremely flavorful, yet very drinkable beer of great character. Treat this malt monster with respect!

 

CAPITAL Maibock

A bock beer with a beautiful, deep golden hue. Very smooth, this beer has great depth of character, and is an excellent beer to celebrate the end of winter and beginning of spring.

 

MAGIC HAT Spring: Vinyl - Scrumptious Spring Lager

Vinyl sails in on her shining wings as the spinning sun returns. 

Vinyl Lager possesses a deep amber hue, a sweet malt taste and a slight balancing hop touch.  Vinyl is produced using a lager strain of yeast and exhibits easy-drinking lager-like characteristics. Spring revelers of all tastes will find her to be a delightfully drinkable lager equally suited to warm days and cool nights, and to slaking spring thirsts of every kind.


SIERRA NEVADA Glissade

As winter begins its slide toward the sunny days of spring, we bring you Glissade Golden Bock to help you enjoy the ride. Glissade is a remarkably mellow take on the traditional spring bock.

 

With restrained sweetness, we emphasize subtle malt flavor, balanced against delicate aromas of spicy and floral European hops. This complex balance helps Glissade slide across the 

palate-bracing us against the last cold nights of winter, while its bright golden color turns our thoughts toward spring.


 
 

 

Events & Tastings

Free!
Sensational

Saturday Tasting   12noon - 4:00 p.m.
 Every Saturday

 

Saturday, March 12th   

Sneak Peak -   click here  

___________
 

Wednesday, March 16th
Whetting Your Whistle

with Rob Collins
WCIA  8:30 a.m.
Brian Bowman, Wine Manager of Sun Singer
 will be presenting

luck 'o the irish &

on sale too!

Michael Collins

Irish Whiskey

375 ml   Reg. 14.99

 

Special Price  $11.99

   

 Named for the legendary  Irish hero synonymous with independence, Michael Collins Irish Whiskey is produced at Cooley, the last independent, Irish-owned distillery in Ireland.

   

The blend is a combination of pot and column-distilled whiskeys aged for a minimum of 4 years in small oak casks, some of which have previously been used for bourbon. The casks are stored in 18th Century warehouses where the cool, moist Irish air brings the whiskeys to maturity. The result is a blend that is light and lively on the palate, flavorful and smooth emboding the strong character, bold heritage and uncompromising authenticity of a truly remarkable Irish spirit.

 

Sun Singer has a great selection of whiskeys when you're feeling Irish this week or anytime:

 

Jameson*

Powers

Bushmills*

Bushmills Black 

Danny Boy

Michael Collins*

Paddy

Red Breast 12*

Midleton*

 

*Available in the  

Sun Singer Cafe 

 

mouthwatering!

El Semillero

CHIMICHURRI


 

This is serious good stuff, the steak sauce is perfect over any grilled meat and the hot version has a nice mild heat that packs a lot of flavor.  Fire up your grill - we do -and throw on a rib eye try it. Argentine asada style with some of this great Chimichurri.  

 

 

Oh yes!   

Dulce de Leche is an incredibly delicious traditional caramel sauce from Argentina.Great on ice cream or just dip your finger in the jar when no one's looking. Irresistable!

 

too live cru! 

Green Flash
Brewing
 
This Belgian Style Dark Ale is inspired by traditional Abbey Ales to deliver the richest of malt flavors but with a slightly elevated hopping and increased complexity given from two different yeast strains. This malt laden ale is designed to satiate and keep your taste buds dancing.

 

Founded in 2002 by Mike and Lisa Hinkley, Green Flash located in Vista, CA specializes in brewing assertive and distinctive beers with modern twists on traditional styles.

 

always perfect:
Sun Singer
Gift Cards
  
 

 


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