May 2007 Newsletter

CELLAR TIP...................With Spring upon us, its amazing to think how quickly a third of 2007 has already passed us by. It seems as though every day of the new year has brought us here at Champane's a new adventure, a new event, and in fact, new wines. This month, I'd like to bring our customers up to date with all that has happened so far this year. So let me present to you my "State of Champane's" address and fill everyone in on what's been happening here at wine central.

So far this year, we have been fortunate to host some of the biggest names in the world of wine, who made it a special point to stop by the store, from treating us to their newest releases to thanking us for promoting their stellar line up of wines. We met with Fred Fisher from Fisher Vineyards, also Doug Beckett from Peachy Canyon Winery, plus on a cold Winter day, 20 winery owners and winemakers from France, who along with members of the French Consulate, made a special in store appearance to discuss with our wine staff the state of French wines in America. And who can forget the night, put together on such short notice, we hosted an exclusive tasting with Joel Gott and his remarkable line up of vinified beauties. Along with 75 of our Champane's friends, Joel signed numerous bottles and graciously chatted with all in attendance. What a memorable night it was.

We successfully concluded the last of our many in store wine tasting's which will again pick up where we left off this coming Fall. We would like to thank everyone who attended this years functions, making Champane's Wine Cellars the number one destination in the Metro area for quality affordable, and most of all, fun wine tastings. From the sold out April in Paris French tasting, the Taste of Michigan, our exclusive South African tasting, our Winter Wine Down, and all the other wine tasting events this season we enjoyed with you all. Be sure to join us this Summer for our 3^rd Annual Classic Car Show and Wine Tasting plus our upcoming German, Italian, Zinfandel, Cabernet, and other theme tasting's we have planned in the coming year.

Don't forget Mother's Day is right around the corner. As we say here at Champane's, "Say it with Rose's." Wine that is! With our large selection of rose style wines, you're sure to make any mother a happy human being on her honorable day.

Most of all, the news making news so far this year has been the wines themselves. To date, we have brought in nearly 250 new bottling's in 2007 to satisfy the palates of the ever growing wine populace. Many that have been tried for the first time have become ever vanishing staples in numerous cellars. Let's look at a few from many of the various wine regions from around the world. If you haven't had the opportunity to try many of these new releases, please do so before, as Ernie Harwell would say, they are long gone.

For collectors who have had to go far afield to purchase many stellar collectable gems that receive high ratings but previously have not been available here at our home base, plenty have arrived for the first time in the State of Michigan. Notably Orin Swift "The Prisoner", Joseph Phelps Syrah, Pedestal Merlot, Hundred Acre, Layer Cake Shiraz, and Corte Riva Cabernet and Merlot.

Plus the newest release of Duckhorn Migration; Goldeneye Pinot Noir; Row 11 Pinot Noir; single vineyard gems from Siduri; Darioush Cabernet and its sister wine Caravan; highly rated Cabernet and Merlot from Leonetti; Pedestal Merlot; Paraduxx, Match, and Belle Glos.

From Italy, Angelo Gaja has given us the new affordable Sito Moresco and Promis. Plus check out the many new Tuscan reds, white Gavi, Pinot Grigio, and what I like to call baby Amarone's, new and exciting Ripassa.

Spain continues to be the leader in new value wines such as Tres Picos Old Vine Grenache, Vina Borgia, Borsao, Luzon, Dehesa Gago, Venta Mazzaron and various bottlings from the Priorato region. These tasty wines will having you shout Ole from here to Ipanima.

We have nearly doubled our selection of Riesling based wines from all parts of Germany. New selections of Kabinett, Spatlese, and Auslese continue to grow in popularity, not only for being ultra food friendly, but also due in part to the recent string of great vintages from all regions of Germany. Look for the new Turn Me Riesling, Dr. L, Kerpen, Marcus Moliter, Jos. Prum, Dr. Fisher, and numerous other wonderful examples from many of the great wine areas this country has to offer.

No other area in the world is as hot as Australia when it comes to quality and bang for the buck. Whether your choice is Shiraz, dry Riesling, Merlot, Grenache, or Cabernet, the Aussies have plenty of wines to bring to the table. Check out the very allocated and hard to find vineyard designated releases from Clarendon Hills, also the highly rated 2 Hands Shiraz, plus releases from Langmeil, Cimicky, Craneford, Ross Estates, Beasdale, and Thorn-Clarke to name a few.

France takes a backseat to no one in the wine world, and for good reason. From Bordeaux to the Loire Valley, Alsace to the Rhone, Burgundy to Champagne, and all points in between, we have many new and exciting wine ready to find a good home in any wine lovers cellar.

Don't forget the great selection of wines that come from our own backyard. Michigan is home to 39 wineries and that number continues to grow. Besides the ever popular wines from Leelanau, Chateau Grand Traverse, and Chantal, check out a few of the new boutique wineries such as Mackinaw Trail, Cherry Creek Cellars and Lemon Creek Winery. Remember, what happens in Michigan doesn't have to stay in Michigan. Help support our local wineries.

With all this news aside, most of all, we at Champane's Wine Cellar would like to thank you, our loyal customers, for your continued support in help spreading the word to new customers. First time visitors is at an all time high, readership of our newsletter and visitors to our website to continue to grow in huge unforseen numbers. We have only you to thank for that.

We appreciate that all our customers make it a point to take the time and effort to come from near and far, making our store your destination of choice. In doing so, you have helped us become not only the largest and number one independent wine retailer in the State of Michigan, but also in the Top 5 nationally. We feel that low prices and expert service is only a small part of making you feel welcome each and every time you step through our doors.

We look forward to seeing each and every one of you in the very near future. Be it at one of our wine tasting events or on your next shopping trip, we hope to make your next visit not only a pleasant experience, but also a fun one in the process. From everyone at Champane's Wine Cellars our sincere thanks for your support.