Champane's Wine Cellars
Champane's Wine Cellars
2009 Holiday Newsletter
reindeer wine
For this Holiday newsletter, we are going to forego our Tasting Notes  which will return with the January 2010 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 the word wine is mentioned in the Bible 521 times. According to the Holy Book, Jesus was said to make wine for a wedding in Cana. It also states that unfermented grape juice of the time was also considered to be wine.
 
WINE TRIVIA..................Where is the worlds largest wine cellar? In the Republic of Moldova, there is an extensive underground wine city in the village of Milestii Mici. In it's limestone tunnels, that stretch over 250 kilometers, there is over 2 million bottles consisting of 70% red, 20% white, and 10% dessert wines.
Holiday Wine Specials
 
Best Values Under $20.00
Kendal Jackson  Zinfandel2007 Estate                 $10.99
Coppola Claret 2007 California                           $14.99
Perrin Reserve Cotes Du Rhone France                 $10.99
Chateau Mouton Bordeaux  2002 France               $14.99
 
Best Values Over $20.00
Chateau Pontet - Canet 2006 Paullac  France        $99.99
Corton Charlemange Grand Cru 2003 France          $99.99
Vitanza Brunello Di Montalcino 2004 Italy             $59.99
Joh Jos Prum Sonnenuhe Auslese Germany            $58.99
Quilceda Creek Red 2005 California                      $44.99
 
Super Values
Beach Dog Merlot   1.5 liter size  Australia       2 for $10.00
Biso Chardonnay   750 ml           Italy             2 for $5.00
Gato Negro Malbec   750 ml        Argentia        3 for $10.00
Redwood Caberneet Sauvignon 750 ml CA        2 for $10.00
Twisted Zinfandel     750 ml       California       2 for $10.00
 
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.
 
Last year, unfortunately, we quickly ran out of this item and were unable to get more from our distributor in time for the Holiday rush. We expect to have plenty on hand this year to make sure everyone is able to obtain this highly expected gift for Christmas. 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. Whether you buy one or buy ten (more than 25 if you are "Dr. Jack") you'll be giving a gift that will be talked about for years to come.
 

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

 $35.95 each.
 
CHAMPANE'S WINE CELLARS 2009 TOP 100 WINES UNDER $20
 
For this Holiday newsletter, we are going to forego our Tasting Notes which will return with the January 2010 issue.
 
In it's place, we once again present our much anticipated Top 100 value wines of the year, all priced under the $20 mark. Culled from my tasting notes taken throughout this past year, each tasted and rated, the wines listed are 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.
 
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 it's 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. The vintages presented to our palates this past year saw some amazing new wines and even greater quality in those that continue to make our list year in and year out. Rest assured, we believe this years list of Top 100 Wines will be welcome additions to anyone's collection or a much appreciated gift for the Holidays.
 
Red
2007 TRACE CABERNET $8.99
2007 SIDE JOB CABERNET $15.00
2006 SILVER PALM CABERNET $14.99
 
2006 GLEN CARLOU CABERNET $14.99
2006 CASTLE ROCK CABERNET $9.99
2007 LESSE-FITCH MERLOT $8.99
 
2006 COLUMBIA CREST G.E. MERLOT $8.99
2006 PARCEL 41 MERLOT $13.99
2007 VELVET DEVIL MERLOT $13.19
 
2008 MONTOYA PINOT NOIR $10.99
2007 BLUE PIRATE PINOT NOIR $18.39
2007 HOB NOB PINOT NOIR $9.99
 
2008 SHERWOOD PINOT NOIR $16.39
2006 C 5 ZINFANDEL $15.00
2006 HULLABALOO ZINFANDEL $14.99
 
2006 SCOTT HARVEY ZINFANDEL $14.99
NV CANDOR LOT #1 ZINFANDEL $19.99
2006 CHRISTINE ANDREW PETITE SIRAH $17.39
 
2007 BOGLE PETITE SIRAH $8.99
2006 DAVID BRUCE PETITE SIRAH $19.99
2006 SCOTT HARVEY BARBERA $17.39
 
2005 BARREL MONKEY SHIRAZ $17.99
2006 ANGOVE SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER $12.29
2006 ST. HALLETT FAITH SHIRAZ $17.89
 
2007 BOARDING PASS SHIRAZ $19.99
2006 IRONSTONE CABERNET FRANC $9.99
2007 SHADY LANE CABERNET FRANC $19.69
 
2004 TWO BARREL MERLOT/SYRAH $14.99
2006 JADE MOUNTAIN LA PROVENCAL $15.99
2005 ARTESA ELEMENTS $16.99
 
2006 WAYNE GRETZKY MERITAGE $19.99
2005 CH. ST. MICHELLE ORPHELIN $16.49
2007 AIRFIELD BOMBSHELL RED $17.19
 
NV SACRED STONE RED BLEND $6.99
2006 MORGAN COTES DU CROWS $17.49
2008 MENAGE A TROIS RED $7.99
 
2004 CANTINA ZACCAGNINI MONT. D' ABRUZZO $13.99
2006 MONTE ANTICO TOSCANA $8.99
2006 ZENATO VALPOLICELLA $12.99
 
2008 ADESSO CARAGNINA di ROMAGNA $9.99
2006 QUERCETO CHIANTI CLASSICO $14.79
2008 MONTE OTON GARNACHA $5.99
 
2006 JUAN GILL MONESTRELL $12.99
2006 SEXTO $9.99
2006 BORSAO CRIANZA $13.99
 
2007 TRES PICOS OLD VINE GARNACHA $14.99
2007 CASTILLO de MONSERAN CARINENA $9.09
2007 TRAPICHE BROQUEL MALBEC $13.99
 
2008 MAIPE MALBEC $7.99
2008 ALTA VISTA MALBEC $11.99
2007 GEORGES DEBOEUF MORGON $14.79
 
2007 LE TROIS COTES du RHONE $5.99
2004 CHATEAU BARRAIL CHEVROL $8.99
2007 BORDEAUX BIOLOGIQUE $7.99
 
2005 CHATEAU TRIGANT $18.99
2006 CHATEAU LAURENSANNE $7.99
2006 FONT-SANE GIGONDAS $19.99
 
2005 PEGOVINO COTES du RHONE VILLAGE $15.29
2006 ALTANO DOURO RED $9.09
2005 KOURAS NEMEA $11.19
 
2008 SCHLINK HAUS SWEET RED $10.39
2004 SIMONSIG PINOTAGE $15.49
2007 NEIL ELLIS PINOTAGE $18.09
 
2006 WATER WHEEL MEMSIE $14.79
2006 SHOO FLY AUSSIE SALUTE $11.89
 
White
2008 AIRFIELD UNOAKED CHARDONNAY $10.99
2007 EDNA VALLEY CHARDONNAY $9.99
2007 GUENOC RESERVE CHARDONNAY $5.99
 
2008 KIM CRAWFORD SAUVIGNON BLANC $13.99
2008 DRYLANDS SAUVIGNON BLANC $13.99
2008 MORGAN SAUVIGNON BLANC $14.69
 
2008 CUPCAKE SAUVIGNON BLANC $7.99
2006 HUBERTUSHOF RIESLING KABINETT $12.99
2007 KARL ERBES RIESLING SPATLESE $19.99
 
2008 DR. L RIESLING $8.99
2007 KIM CRAWFORD DRY RIESLING $13.99
2008 CESARI PINOT GRIGIO $7.99
 
2008 A to Z PINOT GRIS $13.79
2006 INCOGNITO VIOGNIER $16.79
2007 SIMONSIG CHENIN BLANC $11.79
 
2007 FORTRESS HILL CHENIN BLANC $6.99
2008 PINE RIDGE CHENIN BLANC/VIOGNIER $14.69
2008 CH. GRAVILLE-LACOSTE GRAVES $14.99
 
2008 PIERRE BONIFACE APREMONT $14.29
2008 SHADY LANE COOP de BLANC $12.29
NV BOWERS HARBOR "OTIS" $13.29
 
2007 BARONE di VALFORTE PECORINO $14.99
2007 ZENATO LUGANA $13.99
2007 MARTIN CODAX ALBARINO $15.99
 
2008 VERDAD ALBARINO $16.99
2008 URBAN TORRONTES $11.79
2008 WEINGUT JANZ BACCHUS $10.99
 
NV EVOLUTION 9 $19.49
NV SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT $6.99
2007 FITZ-RITTER GEWURZTRAMINER $19.59
 
NV B NEKTAR VANILLA CINNAMON MEAD $13.99
2008 D'ARENBERG HERMIT CRAB $16.09
2008 DOMAINE de la FOUQUETTE ROSE $17.49
 
2008 FAMEGA VINHO VERDE $7.99
2007 GANCIA MOSCATO d' ASTI $11.89
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.