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THE REAL MEANING OF MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings in many separate towns after the Civil War; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, and each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in General Logan's giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.
Such an auspicious day of celebration and remembering deserves auspicious wines with which to offer heartfelt toasts, and there is never any place better to shop for communal and celebratory elixirs than at Erick's. After exhaustive research, tasting competitions and focus groups, we have identified what we believe are the perfect wines for Memorial Day 2012. In a true spirit of reconciliation, we offer up wines from around the world.
SPECIAL SATURDAY SERVINGS
First, the white wine deal of May -- 2011 Der Pollerhof Grüner Vetliner (Austria, $14.99/liter). GV is one of the "hot" wines right now, making its appearance on restaurant wine lists everywhere. The Poller family has been making wine for over 80 years in the town of Roschitz in the Weinviertel region of Austria. The grapes are hand harvested and grown sustainably. This is a crisp and easy drinking Grüner Veltliner, with hints of fresh green apple and citrus fruit. This wallet-friendly price is even better than it seems on first blush - you get a full liter for $14.99, or the functionally equivalent of about $11 for a 750 ml bottle. What could be better for the Memorial Day gathering!
We've fostered quite a following for Verdicchio di Castelli di Jesi; here's a Verdicchio from the other DOCG for your consideration 2008 Enzo Mecella Verdicchio de Matelica Pagliano (Marche, Italy, $16.99). The Mecella's winery sits in an isolated valley in the foothills of the Apennines in western Marche, roughly 60km from Ancona, and was founded by Enzo Mecella's father, Marsilio, over 50 years ago. Enzo Mecella took over the family business in 1977 and ever since has been dedicated to producing high quality wine from classic local grape varieties, most notably, Verdicchio di Matelica. As Matelica sits inland from the Adriatic it enjoys a more continental climate to neighboring and more prolific wine region, Jesi. Verdicchio di Matelica is consequently rare and has a quite different style to Verdicchio di Castelli di Jesi.
It is fresher, more delicate and intense with greater acidity and aging potential. Enzo Mecella's Verdicchio di Matelica is a fantastic example of the region.
2009 90+ Cellars Pinot Noir (North Coast, California, $20.99). You recall that 90+ Cellars buys surplus wine from producers whose wines have been rated 90 points or higher by a wine critic or been accorded an outstanding award in competition. They won't say whose wine it is to protect the producer from being undercut by the offering of its wine under a different label at half the price. Did I say half the price? Yep, that's the deal, they buy the surplus wine for a fraction of its price and repackage and offer it at retail at fantastic price discounts. This gem can stand shoulder to shoulder with many PNs selling for twice the price.
2008 Mercer Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Dead Canyon Ranch (Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington State, $24.99). What wine is more American than Cabernet Sauvignon, and we've found one of the best $25 Cabs we can remember, this one from Washington State. Something about the fact that the climate is a little different, more northerly than California, we think the wines have a bit more edge and interest and are more nuanced and food-friendly. Here's what CellarTracker users say about this wine: "This is a great value and drinks like CA Cabs at two and three times its current price." "Gorgeous wine for the price. Not heavy or jammy like some sun-drenched Napa Cabs, but spicy and lively with lush dark fruit and assertive tannins. Lots of oak on the nose (cedar, smoke, tobacco) along with mint and eucalyptus notes, but everything integrates well on the palate, and the high level of acidity keeps everything vibrant. Medium bodied and slightly restrained, but with an astonishing level of complexity."
In addition to the complimentary tastings above, we are offering, for a $5 donation pours of the following wine, with proceeds to support the Avery County Humane Society building fund. Think these tasting fees don't amount to much? In 2011, we were able to donate $1500 . We will continue the practice we started last year of crediting your tasting fee against the purchase price of the Pecina. (Have no fear -- this will come out of our pocket, not the ACHC contribution!)
2007 Hermanos Pecina Rioja Senorio de P. Reserva (Rioja, $37.99). What we like about Rioja reserves is that, by law, the wines come to market with substantial age on them. This wine is a blend of 95% Tempranillo with smidgens of Graciano, and Garnacha. The fruit is fermented in stainless steel using indigenous yeasts. It was aged for three years in American and French oak barrels and then another year in bottle. The lovely nose reveals hints of cedar and wood smoke around a core of dark fruit. In the mouth there are bright, slightly tart flavors of focused red fruit.
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