| Did you know..... |
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....that the California based E & J Gallo Winery
produces 75 million cases of wine each year. To make
this staggering fact even clearer, that amounts to
about 143 cases per minute. That is more wine per
minute than many small wineries produce in an entire
year.
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| Wine Trivia.... |
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......In 92AD, Emperor Domitian sought to eradicate
all the grapevines throughout Italy and Southern
France. Luckily for fans of Chianti, Nebbiolo, Syrah,
and Grenache, his plan was a miserable failure.
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| Cellar Tips...... |
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With the New Year comes new found resolutions.
Maybe a change in diet to keep you healthy, a new
exercise regime to work off those extra Holiday
pounds, even a change in the style and manner we
approach our work habits. It a time to try new
things. It may be a good time to change our wine
drinking habits as well. Let all think New; New Year,
New Resolution, New Wines.
One of life great pleasures at the end of our day is
to enjoy a wonderful meal with an accompanying
great wine. Whether it be a Cabernet, Merlot,
Riesling, Chardonnay, or Lambrusco, we all have our
favorite quaff that we gravitate to on a regular basis.
Maybe it time to change, try something new. Not
that we should abandon the tried and true all
together, rather let us remove the fear of the
unknown.
The world of wine offers us many choices well beyond
the most popular varietals. Many of these have
become my personal favorites that I seek out
regularly with much enjoyment. They may already be
fond choices and in your cellars as well. If you are
tired of the same old same old, and looking for
something to spice up your tired palate, start to think
anew. Add this to your list of new resolutions.
If you feel adventuresome enough to take a trip
through the new wine looking glass, join me as we
sample some of the unsung treasures of the wine
world.
WHITE WINES:
GAVI: Dry, crisp, and citrus flavors, this elegant
Italian beauty from the Piedmont region is a great
food partner.
VINHO VERDE: Translated green wine, it is not green
at all, just a clean refreshing white from Portugal.
RETSINA: From Greece, the birthplace of wine, this
pungent, pine resin flavored, dry wine, is very food
friendly.
VERNACCIA: Noted wine of San Gimignano, dry,
refreshing, with apple, melon, and nutty flavors.
SANCERRE: The French version of Sauvignon Blanc
from the Loire Valley, crisp, acidic, and zesty.
PINOT BLANC: From the Alsace region of France, dry
to medium-dry, light, mellow, fruity, baked apple
flavors.
VIOGNIER: Exotic, sensual, spicy, floral, this is a
tasty classic. Great versions from California and
France.
MARSANNE: Medium Body, rich and earthy. This
Rhone wine can be found from France, California, and
Australia.
Red Wines
PINOTAGE: A cross of pinot noir and cinsaut, this
fruity, rustic, vibrant red is a classic from South
Africa.
TEMPRANILLO: Primary grape used in making Rioja,
often called the Bordeaux of Spanish red wines.
CABERNET FRANC: Often a blending grape, on it own
it exudes wines that are big, powerful, silky, and
elegant.
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| New Arrivals |
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- Pomegrante Semi Sweet $8.99
- Chateau Vin De Glace Ince Wine $9.99
- Pomegrante Semi Sweet $8.99
- Chateau Vin De Glace Ince Wine $9.99
- Feldeschi California Zinfandel Lot #1 $23.69
- Fred's Red California $9.99
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| Value of the Month Under $20.00 |
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PRIMOGENITO / FIRST BORN
PRIMOGENITO / FIRST BORN
Description: The Il Podere Primogenito is a wine in the
making since 1998, the first year
estate Italian varieties produced normal yields. This
combination of grapes creates a wine that is much
more profound than the individual components. 56%
Tocai Fiuliano, 22% Pinot Blanc, 22% Pinot Gris.
Available at Champane's for $16.89
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| Value of the Month Over $20.00 |
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TRESOR FERRARI – CARANO
TRESOR FERRARI – CARANO
A fine red wine, the 2001 vintage, a master blend
of all five classic Bordeaux red varieties – Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit
Verdot. In Alexander Valley mountain vineyards
the shallow rocky soils and low yields produce grapes
of great depth and intensity of flavor. A unique
fermentation and barrel aging process melds the rich
fruit and soft tannins into a real treasure – Trésor.
Available at Champane's $40.99
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| Back In Stock Values of the Month |
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- 1999 RAYMOND GENERATIONS NAPA CABERNET
SAUVIGNON $45.99
- 2003 REGUSCI CABERNET SAUVIGNON $ 38.99
- 2002 RIDGE SANTA CRUZ CABERNET, MERLOT
BLEND$ 24.99
- 2001 LA NERTHE CHATEMNEUF DU PAPE $
39.99
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| Top 10 Values |
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- 1999 Lions Peak Cabernet Sauvignon $19.99
- 2001 Oberon Merlot $16.99
- 2004 Rams Head Pinot Noir $10.99
- 2002 EOS Sauvignon Blanc $5.99
- 2005 George Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
$3.99
- 2002 Mosel Saar Runwer Reisling Kabinett (CAT)
$7.99
- 2003 Protocolo $6.99
- 2004 Goats Do Roam Blanc $8.99
- 2001 Luis Felipe Edwards Merlot $9.99
- 2003 Tiziano Chianti $6.99
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| Wine Reviews and Tasting Notes |
2001 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond
Mountain
Great wines light a fire in the soul and this creation
sets it ablaze. Lush flavors of blackberry, black
cherry, exotic spice, and lively tannins, with a
harmonious touch of oak and superb balance. The
long lingering finish leaves you yearning for the next
sip. One of the best values among the cabernet
heavyweights.
2000 Geyser Peak Merlot Reserve
Concentrated red berry flavors and a nice mix of
chocolate and strawberry preserve. Smooth and
slightly complex, aromas of cedar and cinnamon just
make you say ahhh. The red ruby color is as
intoxicating as the meaty flavors.
NV Rosenblum Cuvee Blanc V Kent Rosenblum
has come up with a white alternative to compliment
his award winning Vintners Cuvee Zinfandel. This
blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Viognier
is crisp, clean, and fruity. It has a sweet fruit finish
that begs for seafood or chicken.
2002 Alligrini Palozzo della Torre
Always highly rated by the wine mags, this wine
remains one of the best kept value secrets on the
market. Made in the Ripassa style, this baby Amarone
exudes luxurious dark fruit in harmony with its
nuances of oak, toasty vanilla, and smoke. Ultra food
friendly to veal, steak, lamb, or duck.
TASTING THE CLASSICS
1991 Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
This is as big as they come, still young, still waiting
for Father Time to bring it to it knees. Huge
concentrated dark fruit, rich, black olive, leather,
firmly balanced, and a depth of flavors sure to
please. The only negative is the hard wax seal that
takes plenty of chiseling to dismantle, but well worth
the wait to get to what awaits inside. (Tasted
11/25/05)
1990 Gaja Barbaresco Sori Tildin
Like hearing an aria at La Scala, nothing can prepare
you for the stunning beauty you are about to
partake. From chocolate to figs, violets to vanilla,
you realize why Nebbiolo must be blessed, and drank,
by the Gods themselves. Grab a CD of your favorite
opera, savor a wonderful Italian meal, and feel like
you’re in Heaven as you sip this masterpiece.
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