Champane's Wine Cellars
Champane's Wine Cellars
2008 Holiday Newsletter
reindeer wine
For this Holiday newsletter, we are going to forego our Tasting Notes and Top Wineʼs of the Month selections, which will return with the January ʽ09 issue.
 
In itʼs place, we once again present our much anticipated Top 100 value wines of the year, all priced under the $20 mark.
 
Enjoy!
DID YOU KNOW................that before the use of cork as a bottle stopper, a chunk of bark from a cork oak tree was often used. And before that, clay was used to seal ancient amphora vessels, dating back as far as 3500 B.C.
 
WINE TRIVIA..................Other than France, Italy, Spain, and the United States, which is the largest country for total grape production? That would be China, which produces over 5 million tons of grapes annually. World class wine? Not as of yet, but believe me, we will be hearing plenty from this nation in the not too distant future.
November Wine Specials
 
Best Values Under $20.00
Bogle Petite Sirah                     2006            $ 8.99
Piccolo Cru Napa                       2006          $ 14.99
Cline Cashmere                        2007           $ 12.99
Rosenblum Chardonnay              2007            $ 8.99
 
Best Values Over $20.00
Worthy Red Sophiaʼs Cuvee        2005          $ 23.99
Chateau Brown Bordeaux            2001          $ 35.09
Mer Soleil Chardonnay                2006          $ 24.99
Hattrick Merlot Res. Stags Leap   2005          $ 42.99
Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc     2007          $ 22.99
 
Super Values
337Cabernet Sauvignon              2006           $ 8.99
Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon         2006           $ 6.99
Edizone Pennino Zinfandel          2005          $ 27.99
7 Deadly Zinfandel                     2006          $ 12.99
 
New Arrivals
Layer Cake Malbec                      2007          $ 12.99
Celani Tenacious Merlot               2005          $ 44.99
Hobnob Merlot                            2006            $ 7.99
 
Vinturi with bottleCELLAR TIP...................
 

     Great Gadget

 Wonderful Gift      
 

      A Tool You Will Use

With the Holiday season upon us, itʼs back to agonizing over what gift to get for that special person who seems to have just about everything. Even harder for that certain wine lover in the family.
 
In years past, Iʼve given our readers plenty of gift ideaʼs, such as books, magazine subscriptions, wine candleʼs, openers, decanters, glasses, among other novelties. This Holiday season, I am going to let you in on what turned out to be one of the best wine gifts Iʼve ever received, one I use literally every day since it was given to me. It is called the Vinturi Wine Aerator.
 
For years, Iʼve preached the benefits and necessity of decanting and aeration of wine. Get out the decanter, insert the funnel, pour wine into vessel, and wait for time and air to do itʼs magic. It often took careful planning, but the results were worth the wait. Yet there were situations where time just wasnʼt on your side. But as they say, time waitʼs for no man, and with the invention of the Vinturi, I wait no longer. Simply put, this device puts an instant 2 to 3 hour decant on your favorite bottle of wine.
 
It couldnʼt be more simple to use. Just rest the device on the top of your decanter, or hold it just above your glass, and pour the wine through. With just the right mix of air and gravitational pressure, the sight and sound of a pleasant gush of wine coming out of the Vinturi is just as satisfying as the sound of a fresh cork popping out of a bottle. Instantly, the bouquet comes alive, the flavor of the wine is substantially enhanced, and the taste and finish is smooth as silk.
 
I recommend for first time users, to pour a little wine straight from the bottle into one glass, then in another glass, pour some wine through the Vinturi.
 
Judge for yourself. First compare the aroma from each sample, then taste. I believe you will see a remarkable difference in the taste and scent of your favorite wine.
 
I also must point out that not every single wine should be poured through the Vinturi. Through experiments with different wines, I have found that lesser fine wines, jug wines, box wine, and rather inexpensive wines do not always benefit from aeration, none less, from the use of this device. I would fairly say that if you once used a decanter to open up your wine, then you will greatly appreciate what the Vinturi has to offer.
 
Not only have many of our customers become converts and believers in this new gadget, but traveling winemakers who visit us often as well. When trying samples of their newest vintages, I often use my Vinturi to give me an idea of what the wine would actually taste like if decanted and aerated. I find many who have yet to see it in use, or have yet to hear of itʼs existence. More often than not, when they do, they are pleased with the results. I am never surprised to see many of them leaving the store with a purchase of a Vinturi in hand.
 
Besides the aerator itself, the Vinturi also comes with a rubber stand that supports it when not in use. It also comes with a handy travel case for you to take with you when traveling, going to a friends house, or my current favorite, to a restaurant. It has always befuddled me as to why many people would spend hundreds of dollars on a bottle of wine at a restaurant and drink it without any decanting or aeration. What a waste of consumer dollars. Now, with Vinturi in hand, you can enjoy that special bottle and have it taste like the winemaker had intended. If sommelierʼs and wine stewards at many finer restaurants with good wine lists would like to enhance their profile, I suggest investing in one of these very affordable devices and give your clientele the service they pay quite dearly for.
 
We at Champaneʼs Wine Cellars have plenty of the Vinturi on hand for your Holiday shopping. It comes highly recommended by myself, others in the wine trade, and most importantly, satisfied customers who are always telling me about their great wine experiences when using the Vinturi.
 

Vinturi Now Available at Champane's Wine Cellars for the low price of

 $35.95 each.
TOP 100 WINEʼS FOR 2008
 
Culled from my tasting notes taken throughout this past year, each tasted and rated, the wines are listed in no particular order as to their rating as # 1 or # 50, rather grouped by varietal, starting with red wines, then finishing with white, rose, dessert, and champagnes.
 
As in years past, I found it extremely difficult to eliminate those last few gems in order to get my list down to exactly 100 wines. In fact, there are 65 new wines that made this years list, with 42 favorites retaining this spot in this years Top 100. So, again as a bonus, this years list contains a few more than the actual 100 count, for those who are keeping track, the final list actually consists of 107 wines. Iʼm sure no one will disagree with this predicament, since here at Champaneʼs, we love giving our customers just a little bit more.
 
We hope this list will serve as your Holiday shopping guide. Keep in mind that many of these wines are of limited production and may disappear quickly, and prices listed may change unexpectedly due to increased charges by our distributors.
 
We regret if your favorite wine did not make this years list, which by no means reflects itʼs quality. This list could easily have topped 300 wines or more. You may recognize some old favorites, or discover some new gems you have yet to try. Rest assured, we believe this years list of Top 100 Wines will be welcome additions to anyoneʼs collection or a much appreciated gift for the Holidays.
 
2008 CHAMPANEʼS WINE CELLARS TOP 100 WINES under $20
 
RED
 
2006 MARTIN RAY CABERNET $13.99
2007 PARINGA CABERNET $10.79
2005 L de LYETH CABERNET $8.99
 
2005 LOUIS MARTINI CABERNET $11.99
2006 JOEL GOTT CABERNET $15.99
2005 TRACE CABERNET $7.99
 
2006 CASTLE ROCK RESERVE CABERNET $16.69
2005 14 HANDS CABERNET $12.79
2001 PAOLETTI MERLOT $12.99
 
2006 HOLY COW MERLOT $12.39
2005 COLUMBIA CREST G.R. MERLOT $11.99
2006 OBERON MERLOT $19.29
 
2005 PARCEL 41 MERLOT $19.39
2007 CLINE ANCIENT VINE ZINFANDEL $12.99
NV MARIETTA OLD VINE ZIN LOT 47 $9.99
 
2006 FOUR VINES OLD VINE ZINFANDEL $13.69
2005 PIETRA SANTA ZINFANDEL $15.49
2006 MONTOYA PINOT NOIR $10.99
 
2006 LAETITIA PINOT NOIR $14.99
2006 THOUSAND FOOT PINOT NOIR $19.79
2007 CLOUDLINE PINOT NOIR $19.99
 
2005 MUIRWOOD PINOT NOIR $13.29
2007 SHERWOOD PINOT NOIR $16.69
2006 SCOTT HARVEY SYRAH $16.69
 
2004 NOVY SONOMA SYRAH $16.89
2006 QUPE CENTRAL COAST SYRAH $16.69
2003 ICON SYRAH $19.49
 
2006 BOGLE PETITE SIRAH $8.99
2005 DAVID BRUCE PETITE SIRAH $18.99
2005 PEIRANO PETITE SIRAH $11.49
 
2005 JADE MOUNTAIN LA PROVENCAL $15.99
2005 TRUTH LINDSEYʼS CUVEE $19.29
2004 IRONSTONE CABERNET FRANC $9.69
 
2007 CLINE CASMERE $12.99
2007 J LOHR VALDIGUIE $8.99
2006 CLINE ANCIENT VINE CARIGNANE $15.49
 
2004 PIETRA SANTA SANGIOVESE $15.49
2006 CHEAPSKATE MISER MERITAGE $7.59
2004 A to Z NIGHT & DAY MERITAGE $15.19
 
2005 CHATEAU STE MICHELE ORPHELIN $14.69
NV DONʼS BLEND LODI RED $13.59
2007 MENAGE A TROIS RED $7.99
 
2005 LAS ROCAS OLD VINE GARNACHA $12.99
2005 MAZZARON TEMPRANILLO $12.99
2006 CRIOS MALBEC $12.99
 
2007 LA POSTA MALBEC $17.59
2006 MONTE OTON GARNACHA $7.29
2003 CANTINA ZACCAGNINI M DʼABRUZZO $12.99
 
2006 THORN CLARKE TERRA BAROSSA SHIRAZ $8.99
2007 TORBRECK WOODCUTTER SHIRAZ $19.99
2007 LAYER CAKE COTES DU RHONE $12.99
 
2006 MR RIGGʼS SHIRAZ THE GAFFER $18.99
2006 WATER WHEEL MEMSIE $15.79
2006 NEIL ELLIS PINOTAGE $17.39
 
2007 ADESSA CAGNINI di ROMAGNA $9.99
2006 WEINHAUS NONNENHOF DORNFELDER $9.89
2006 ZENATO VALPOLICELLA $12.99
 
2004 SECCO BERTANI RIPASSO $14.99
2005 DI GRESY BARBERA dʼ ASTI $17.49
2005 MONTE ARIBALDO DOLCETTO dʼ ALBA $15.89
 
2006 QUERCETO CHIANTI CLASSICO $14.29
2004 MONTE ANTICO TOSCANA $9.99
2005 FELSINA CHIANTI CLASSICO $17.59
 
2005 MICHELE CHIARLO BARBERA dʼ ASTI $11.89
2005 CLOS la COUTALE CAHORS $14.89
2006 DOMAINE la MONARDIERE VACQUEYRAS $17.79
 
2006 KERMIT LYNCH COTES du RHONE $14.89
2006 PLUME BLEUE GRENACHE/SYRAH $11.89
2006 GEORGES DUBOEUF MORGON $13.29
 
2006 CHATEAU du DONJON MINERVOIS $12.79
2006 CHATEAU PICAU PERNIA ST EMILION $16.79
2003 CHATEAU de LASCAUX LANGUEDOC $8.99
 
2006 CHATEAU PELLOT GRAVES $12.99
2005 CHATEAU PICERON $16.99
 
WHITE/ROSE
 
2006 HOLY COW CHARDONNAY $9.99
2005 SERENITY CHARDONNAY $12.39
2006 SANTA BARBARA WINERY CHARDONNAY $14.19
 
2005 BERNARDUS CHARDONNAY $18.29
2007 CHATEAU ST JEAN CHARDONNAY $8.99
2007 WATTLE CREEK SAUVIGNON BLANC $15.89
 
2007 JOEL GOTT SAUVIGNON BLANC $12.99
2006 BRIDLEWOOD VIOGNIER $12.99
2007 PINE RIDGE CHENIN BLANC/VIOGNIER $12.19
 
NV SOKOL BLOSSER EVOLUTION 9 $18.59
2007 FAMEGA VINHO VERDE $7.99
2006 HATZIYIANNIS SANTORINI $15.89
 
2007 NAIA VERDEJO $12.69
2006 NORA ALBARINO $13.49
2008 KIM CRAWFORD SAUVIGNON BLANC $12.99
 
2008 DRYLANDS SAUVIGNON BLANC $12.99
2007 BRANCOTT SAUVIGNON BLANC $7.99
2007 SIMONSIG CHENIN BLANC $11.29
 
2006 WEINGUT JANZ BACCHUS $9.99
2007 CESARI PINOT GRIGIO $9.99
2006 CLOS de LʼEGLISE MACON VILLAGES $15.99
 
2007 COLOMBELLE COLOMBARD/UGLI BLANC $8.09
2006 REAL STONE SAUVIGNON BLANC $11.39
2006 THE FURST GRAND CRU RIESLING $18.59
 
2007 KUNG FU GIRL RIESLING $12.69
2007 MENAGE A TROIS ROSE $7.99
2007 DOMAINE de la FOUGUETTE ROSE $15.99
 
2007 VERDAD ROSE $11.99
2007 JANA ROSE $12.99
NV JONESY PORT $9.79
 
NV CHRISTALINO BRUT CAVA $5.99
2007 SARACCO MOSCATO dʼ ASTI $16.69
NV GRUET DEMI SEC SPARKLING $14.99
 
Thank you!

We appreciate your business.
Customers like you make doing business a real pleasure.
Champane's Wine Cellars
7007 Chicago Road
Warren, Michigan 48092
586-268-4900
 
Champane's Wine Cellars voted #1 Wine Store in Michigan.