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Tutored Tasting "Great French Wine Values"
Tasting
Tuesday - April 14th 2009
Time: 6:30 PM
Cost: $20.00
Guest: Rick Bowman with Bordeaux Fine & Rare
We did a similar tasting at our Rivergate location earlier this year and it was a huge hit with everyone so we decided to import it to our Foxcroft location. With almost everyone looking to save money these days and a general thirst to learn more about French wine in general, you'll find this tasting to be perfect. Here's your chance to learn in an informational and fun filled evening with wines that offer terrific values. We will offer wines representing several different regions of France, from the Loire Valley, Languedoc, Burgundy to the Rhone Valley and more.
This months tutored tasting is a Tour de France featuring many selections from the business best importers, most of which have selections featured in the recent "Top Value" edition of The Wine Advocate. Rick Bowman of Bordeaux Fine and Rare, the NC distributor of these wines will lead the tasting for the evening. As usual the wines will be specially priced for the event in order for you to take atvantage of the new discoveries you're sure to find. Hell the descriptions alone are worth the cost of admission and then there's food and great wine!!! Please don't miss this great tasting.
What is a great wine value? Try using the star method:
* (ONE STAR): What is this?!! - I don't think I can finish the glass!.
** (TWO STARS): Interesting experience, but I would never really seek out this wine again.
*** (THREE STARS): I really enjoyed this and I would like to try it again sometime; but I might try something else tonight too.
**** (FOUR STARS): I wouldn't want to drink anything else tonight.
***** (FIVE STARS): Stay away from this wine bottle - it's all mine!!
A few of the wines that we'll be tasting...
NV Hubert Clavelin Cremant du Jura Brut Comte Chardonnay Tete de Cuvee
From The Wine Advocate: For two decades, Hubert Clavelin and his importer have been promoting this "brand," and in the latest installment of non-vintage Cremant du Jura Brut-Comte Chardonnay Tete de Cuvee, aromas and flavors of apple cider, wheat toast, lemon zest, and honey combine to offer affordable and delightful refreshment. The mousse is moderately fine-grained, and an attractive gentian-like floral note wafts throughout.
2007 Domaine des Aubuisieres (B Fouquet) Vouvray Demi Sec les Girardieres
From The Wine Advocate: The Aubousieres 2007 Vouvray Demi-Sec Cuvee Les Girardieres smells of quince jelly, candied orange rind, and lilies. While it is noticeably sweet, that fits the counterpoint of creaminess and yeastiness with citrus bitterness and brightness it expresses, leading to a finish suggestive of a quince jelly and orange marmalade glaze on a lime meringue pie.
2007 Albert Mann Auxerrois Vieilles Vignes
From The Wine Advocate: The Mann 2007 Auxerrois Vieilles Vignes smells of grapefruit and orange peel, fresh apricot, narcissus, and a fascinating smokiness and Chablis-like suggestion of chicken stock and shrimp shell reduction. Rich and silky on the palate, its slight suggestion of sweetness is appropriately countered by chalky, wet-stone, as well as savory suggestions of minerality and the faint bitterness of toasted nuts and citrus zest, but as the wine opens over time, subtly sweet peaches-and-cream and orange sherbet become more prominent. Enjoy this versatile beauty anytime over the next 2-3 years.
2007 Chateau de la Greffiere Macon la Roche Vineuse Vieilles Vignes
From The WIne Advocate: The Greffiere 2007 Macon-La Roche-Vineuse Vieilles smells of gardenia, papaya, honeysuckle and nutmeg in a manner that reminds me a bit of the aromatic opulence and sweet suggestions of Vire-Clesse. With satisfying, lush fullness, it represents a contrast to the Sous le Bois. Here too, lees, chalk and toasted nuts and grain are evident, but the content is creamier, richer, and more piquant, and with an attractive salinity.
2007 Domaine Servin Chablis "Les Pargues"
From Burghound: Here there is considerably more aromatic depth with a green fruit, tidal pool and oyster shell suffused nose that introduces rich, nicely full and impressively concentrated medium-bodied flavors that possess excellent intensity and outstanding finishing verve. This is a serious old school Chablis and recommended. Outstanding! Top Value
2007 Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais Vieilles Vignes Cuvee Traditionelle
From The Wine Advocate: From his base in southern Beaujolais, Pierre Chermette has become one of the beacons of Beaujolais quality, as well as a landholder in the "crus" of northern Beaujolais. Chermette's 2007 Beaujolais Vieilles Vignes Cuvee Traditionelle reflects the selection of top-quality fruit and vinification without chaptalization or yeasting and with a minimum of added sulfur. Surprisingly dark in color for a wine so light in body (at 11.5% alcohol) this displays pure red berry and cassis fruit, sweet floral notes, citrus rind pungency, saline minerality, and a kinetic inner intensity that will leave your palate refreshed and invigorated. There is also a darker, woodsy undertone here, which will emerge interestingly as this Beaujolais - which currently acts the white wine want-to-be - matures. Enjoy letting this wine demonstrate to you its versatility over the coming 18-24 months.
2007 Chateau de la Bonneliere Chinon Rive Gauche
From The Wine Advocate: The 2007 Chinon Rive Gauche (labeled without the name "Bonneliere" prominent) hardly betrays the difficulties of its vintage, brimming as it is with tart but ripe cherry and blackberry tinged with baking spices and toasted nuts. Succulent and sappy on the palate, it finishes with bright black fruits and pungent spice and pepper. This would make an excellent, highly affordable introduction to Loire Cabernet Franc as well as a versatile tablemate over the next 12-18 months.
2006 Col des Vents Corbieres
From The Wine Advocate: The strikingly-packaged and user-friendly Col des Vents 2006 Corbieres is a product of the Castelmaure cooperative, however I have not listed it under their name as that information appears only in miniscule print on a back label. Aromas of ripe black cherry and mulberry with hints of thyme and rosemary lead to a juicy, satisfying black fruit and herb-filled palate incorporating hints of game and crushed stone. While drying out just a tad in its finish, this wine nevertheless avoids the coarseness or rusticity that plague many wines of its appellation.
2006 Domaine Gerard Charvin Vin de Pays A Cote
From The Wine Advocate: Charvin has a new offering, a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Merlot that is his comical take-off on the movie Sideways. The 2006 A Cote is surprisingly good, with very attractive, plump, gamey black cherry and chocolatey fruit intermixed with some cedar and sweet cherries. It is delicious and best drunk over the next several years.
2007 Chateau de Segries Tavel
From The Wine Advocate: A super value treasure trove in the southern Rhone, Segries is a large estate of 109 acres brought back to life over the last decade by Henri de Lanzac. The wines continue to go from strength to strength. The gorgeous strawberry/kirsch-laden 2007 Tavel is full and very expressive. A total hedonistic turn-on, this wine should drink splendidly well for 10-12 more months.
2007 Domaine Gardies "Mas Las Cabes"
Call the Shop to reserve your seat.
704.365.6550
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| COOKING CLASSES AT THE WINE SHOP
with
Executive Chef Tom Condron
and
Chef de Cuisine Scott Wallen |
(Sold Out; Only Bar Seating Remaining - Same altitude and actually a little more elbow room..)
Date: Sunday April 26th
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Cost: $45.00 per person
(incudes all food and wine)
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Starting Sunday April 26th, renowned Harpers Restaurant Group Executive Chef Tom Condron and Upstream's Chef de Cuisine, Scott Wallen will begin a series of cooking classes at the Wine Shop at Foxcroft. Many of you are familiar with the highly successful Saturday classes that Tom has been conducting first at Mimosa Grille and later at Upstream. I'm not sure which better, the first hour's demo class of getting to eat the results the latter half? In either case the classes promise to be terrific. As you would expect each class will have a particular theme and the staff here at the Wine Shop at Foxcroft will pair some exciting wine selections with each course that Tom and Scott prepare. The cost per person for each class will be $45.00 This promises to be a great on-going event for us and an exciting way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Please call the Shop to reserve your place as seating is limited.
April 19th Cooking Class
"Spring Ingredients and Flavors Emerge"
Menu
Spring Asparagus Salad with Warm Pecan Crusted Goat Cheese, Belgian Endive & Roasted Lemon Vinaigrette
wine: Ranga Ranga Sauvignon Blanc
Poached Organic Maine Salmon with Dill Sabayon
wine: Argyle Pinot noir
Roasted New Potatoes, English Peas, Melted Leaks & Watercress Ragout
Strawberry & Rhubarb Cobbler with French Vanilla Ice Cream
wine: Gagliardo Moscato
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Quick Links
http://www.demaisonselections.com/
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| FREE SATURDAY TASTING
1:00 - 4:00 |
Come join us every Saturday...
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| NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS |
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Please make note that we have a new domain and e-mail address. The old one no longer exists. Please direct all questions and comments to the address below.
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| RECESSION WINE TASTING
ON
TUESDAYS |
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5:00 - 7:00 PM Every Tuesday
Cost: FREE!
Come join us at the Wine Shop at Foxcroft this Winter every Tuesday evening for a free wine tasting from some of our favorite wine distributors. We'll be tasting an incredible array of wines from all over the world. Stop in on your way home from work. It's free and a lot of fun. As always there's special pricing on the wines of the evening.
Tue April 14th - Tutored French Tasting with
Rick Bowman of Bordeaux Fine & Rare
Tue April 21st - Rhone Valley Wine Dinner
April 25th - Woody French with Dionysus
Tue May 5th - Erin Alston with Prestige Wine Distributors
Tue May 12th - Lindy Lopez with Fine Wine Trading Company
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| Greetings!
This past weekend was something of a wash for me. Very slow around town. Business - so so. Had a lot of great conversations with everyone that dropped it to see us which  made it all worthwhile. I was driving to the bank Saturday Morning and heard this great song on Sirius/XM by an Irish musician named Mundy that stuck in my head and would not leave. It was called "Mexico" and was infectious as hell. It reminded me a little bit of that Australian group, The Go-Betweens at their best. There's also a little bit of The Replacements in there. I was so excited to find this artist! It made me want to roll the windows down, crank up the radio and drive off into the sunset like "Thelma & Louise!" How come I hadn't heard this guy until now. (That happens to me every now and then.)When I got back to the shop I started looking for music from him on the web. Turns out Mundy is a big deal back in Ireland. He got his start busking on the streets of Dublin before being signed by Epic, keen to capitalize on his obvious talent. He released his debut album "Jellylegs" in 1996. While working on his second album in 2000, Mundy was dropped by the label for reasons not quite clear and the album cancele  d. Most of that material, including "Mexico" made it to his second release, this time on indie label Camcor Records, called "24 Star Hotel." You've got to get this if you have a rockin' bone in your body. It has all the pub spirit and rowdiness of earlier Celtic Rockers like The Pogues while still maintaining fresh hooks that betray a melancholy bitter-sweetness just beneath the surface. Think of a combination of The Replacements, Teenage Fanclub and and Peter Case. As a Facebook friend said "one hell of a combination!" Like I said this song gets under your skin and stays there. Mundy is an artist that you should get to know better. His music reveals itself with repeated listening. The same thing happens with good wine - maybe that's why I like it so much. Here's a link to a live version of "Mexico" with Sharron Shannon from "Live at Dolans" DVD. It's just a taste but I think you'll find it infectious.
COMING SOON...
Coming in May - Spanish Tapas Dinner with Andre Tamers of De Maison Selections (Confirmed Date : May 14th)
May 10th - Special Mother's Day Sunday Brunch
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RHONE VALLEY WINE DINNER
at
THE WINE SHOP FOXCROFT
TUESDAY April 21st 2009
Time: 7:00 PM
Cost: $50.00 per person plus tax and gratuity
As you all know by now, our first wine dinner at the Shop was a huge success in terms of attendance (we sold out) and in terms of the quality of food coming out of the kitchen. For our second in a series of wine dinners we'd like to showcase the food and wine of the Southern Rhone Valley. This is right down Chris's alley as he apprenticed in the Rhone Valley while earning his culinary degree. And as far as wine production goes, everyone knows that Rhone wines second to none. We've chosen some real doozies! It going to be fantastic and where can you have a meal like this for such a reasonable price??? I truly think we've got something special going on here. Call the shop to make your reservations.
MENU
Aperitif
Lobster and Melon Salad in a Phyllo Cup wine:
Eric Texier Brezeme Blanc Domaine de Pergault 2006
First Course
Turbot Fillet braised with Nicoise olives, tomato Confit, Preserved Lemon, Tarbais Beans, Oyster Mushrooms, and Ratatouille Emulsion
wine:
Aline Bonfils"Domaine du Gour de Chaule" Gigondas Rose 2008
Second Course
Roasted Duck Breast with a Honey-Coriander Glaze, Endive Meurniere, Artichoke and Baby Turnips, Natural Jus
wine:
Montirius Gigondas Terre des Aivês 2006
Third Course
Boneless Rack of Lamb, Paupiette of Braised Shoulder, Leek Fondue, Panisses, Tagine Sauce
wine:
Robert Michel Cornas"La Geynale" 2003
Fourth Course
Pistachio Financier Cake, Sauteed Strawberries perfumed with Cracked Green Peppercorns and Vanilla
wine:
Domaine de Fenouillet Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2007
Call for Reservations:
704.365.6550 | |
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THE APRIL FAB FIVE... |
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Receive an additional 15% off when you buy a mixed or solid case these wines - on top of the regular bottle discount!
Fréderic Giachino ''Abymes'' Savoie 2006
Reg. Price $14.99
Discount Price $10.99
Not much wine escapes the Alpine fastnesses of Savoie, as most of the region's production is slurped up in situ by  vacationing Europeans. We've scored a good supply of this crisp and refreshing white for you, though. The grape is Jacquere, usually responsible for less-than-notable dry quaffers; here it blossoms with bright apple and lemon fruit. Pair this with a spring salad or some simply prepared shrimp with lemon-butter sauce. This is also the region where fondue is king, and the crispness of Giachino Abymes, not surprisingly, will pose an excellent counterpoint to a rich cheese, whether it be molten or solid. (On a further note, take a glass of this out to sip while you pull up monkey grass in your flower beds; I have first-hand proof that it's an excellent accompaniment to weeding -- just be careful with the garden shears, I also have first-hand experience with this... I'll show you my scar, just ask me when you drop by...)
In Fine Cotes du Ventoux Blanc 2006
Reg. Price $11.99
Discount Price $9.99
Your next white for Spring hails from the Cotes du  Ventoux, at the southeastern edge of the Rhone Valley and is from the second label of Raphael Trouiller, of Domaine de Cascavel fame. Sustainably-farmed, hand-harvested Clairette, Ugni Blanc, Grenache Blanc, and Bourboulenc make up the blend. A delicate, floral nose leads to a creamy and soft palate displaying plenty of stone fruit and apples, ending in a clean, minerally finish. Perfect for a spring salad, roast chicken, shrimp, or a flaky white fish cooked en papillote.
(Conrad - goes down really nice with some vintage Elton John vinyl LPs: "Madman Across The Water," "Tumbleweed Connection," "11-17-70," or "Honkey Chateau" no pun intended...) Castano Monastrell Rosado Yecla 2007
Reg Price $11.99
Discount Price $8.99
Grown widely throughout Spain, Monastrell goes under the alias of Mourvedre in France, where it features frequently in Rhone blends and also enjoys a lot of attention in Provence. The muscularity common to the grape yields a rose that is fuller-bodied, chewier, than most. Join the growing throng of rose drinkers who have learned that pink wine is not always sweet (rarely, even, provided it's not White Zinfandel from California), but IS nearly always the most food-versatile wine on the dinner table. This is also drink-while-grilling wine, drink-by-the-side-of-the-pool wine, and drink-while-gardening wine. (Conrad - Honest to God my wife would not touch a Rose a few years back, but now that she's tried some of the really good ones I now have to hide the bottle so that I still have a glass to drink when I get home. It's that good...)
Calvet-Thunevin Cotes Catalanes ''Cuvée Constance'' 2005
Reg Price $19.99
Discount Price $12.99
So, once you've got your meat of the grill (not forgetting your friend, Castano Rosado, while slaving over said grill), bring  this food-friendly red from the south of France to the table. Equal parts Grenache and Carignane, grown on the distinctive schistous soils of the Roussillon, Cuvee Constance has very good structure on the finish, but enough earth and fruit on the palate to yield a balanced wine. The dark, slightly dried-fruit aromas and flavors are common in the wines of this hot region. (Conrad - Holy cow, this guy actually makes a wine that I can afford to drink during the week? I've never seen his name on anything less than $40.00. Do you guys think that Facebook is starting to influence my thought processes?)
Château Saint Roch Cotes du Roussillon-Villages ''Chimeres'' 2006
Reg Price $19.99
Discount Price $17.99
From similar soils to the Calvet-Thunevin, this blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Carignane offers  plenty of cocoa and red berry aromas. The palate is well-rounded with toast and coffee tones and a beguiling smokiness. Crystal recommends pairing with smoked meats and cheeses, or a cheeseburger (think smoked cheddar and bacon). (Conrad - Susannah, can you recommend a good place where I could consume some of these so called " smoked meats and cheeses" while sampling this amazing wine????)
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Mother's Day Brunch at the Wine Shop - Prix Fixe Menu
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$25.00 plus tax and gratuity
11:00am - 2:00pm
Complimentary Bellini or Mimosa included
(no alcohol before 12:00)
Menu
First Course:
She Crab Soup with Sherry
or
Field Greens Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette
Crumbled Goat Cheese, Dried Cranberries and Pancetta
Second Course:
Eggs Benedict with either Traditional, Steak or Crabcake, served withGarlic and Cheddar Grits, and Fruit Salad
or
Brioche French Toast with Maple Syrup and Creamed Butter, Served with Grits and Fruit Salad
Dessert:
Bread Pudding with Dried Cherries and a Bourbon Sauce Vanilla Ice Cream
or
Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream
Please Call for Reservations...
704.365.6550
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| NEW WINESHOP AT FOXCROFT WEBSITE |
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We now have a website that gives those who can't make it in to the shop a vehicle to purchase and ship wine. An events page to keep up with our in-store tastings and wine dinners and even a place for me to rant ( the others at the shop are hoping I'll confine myself there...) Check it out and let us know what you think.
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At the Wine Shop at Foxcroft our goal is to provide you with Charlotte's best selection of quality wines and beers at competitive prices. Great service is what we strive for so if there's anything you're looking for: that difficult vintage, a special gift, whatever, don't hesitate to contact us with your requests. We look forward to seeing you in the shop...
Sincerely,
Conrad, Susannah, Crystal, Ian and all the
Wine Shop at Foxcroft Staff
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