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Wine Shop at Foxcroft Newsletter Weekly Newsletter of Upcoming Events
Wednesday December 29th, 2009
7824 Fairview Road Charlotte, North Carolina 28226
704-365-6550
"At the Wine Shop at Foxcroft we are committed to bringing you Charlotte's very
best selection of artisanal, small production, and naturally made wines
the world has to offer in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere."
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Wine Shop Staff Picks
for
December |
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39.99 bottle
When was the last time that you saw a Barolo that was 40 dollars...seriously? I'm not sure what's going on here but I tasted this wine before I bought it and it was drinking very well. Rombauer Chardonnay is thirty four dollars for crying out loud. I'm not a big Parker advocate but Jay Miller's October review of this wine was pretty spot on. -"The 2005 Barolo Albe caresses the palate with a soft core of perfumed fruit. This generous, open Barolo isn't likely to be a long-term ager, but it offers tons of class and elegance. The finish is round and impeccably refined. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019. Vajra is one of Piedmont's best kept secrets. Here readers will enter a world of sublime hand-crafted, artisan wines of the very highest level. Aldo and Milena Vajra's passion comes through in spades in these terrific new releases, which I can't recommend highly enough." If you plan on having red meat of any kind this month or better yet Osso Bucco, I highly recommend this wine.
ALEX'S PICK
Owen Row Corvidae Cabernet Franc "The Keeper" 2007
Owen Roe does it again. Like their other value labels - Sharecroppers, O'Reilly's, Northwest Vine Project, Murphy's Law - this wine packs a punch. "Corvidae" is named for the family of birds that includes crows and ravens, which have a long history in folklore and mythology (enter Edgar Allen Poe). The largest proportion of the grapes for these wines are sourced in Washington's Columbia, Yakima and Walla Walla valleys. As you may know, Washington State produces a LOT more wine-grapes than Oregon does. And in '06 and '07, they produced very good quantities of very high quality grapes - particularly from the '07 vintage. The bottom line here is that this is just one wine from a brand-new lineup of outstanding wines at a crazy low price. Corvidae's "Keeper" Cabernet Franc '07 is plush and velvety, yet surprisingly easy drinking. The scent and flavors knock you out - spice joins black tea, fresh tobacco, thyme, sweet cedar chips, black berries and cassis. Enjoy this ripe Cabernet Franc with rich, roasted vegetables and grilled meats. If you've been in the shop recently, then you've probably heard me say how much I enjoy Washington State wines - try something new and exciting this week...
CRYSTAL'S PICK
Von Othegraven Altenberg Riesling Kabinett
2008
 $26.99 bottle
The estate has its roots in the 16th century. It has always been privately owned and came into the possession of the Grach - Weissebach - von Othegraven family in 1805. Wine is virtually sentient. It must be wrested from nature, yet requires a delicate touch. Women with their particular understanding of these two aspects have determined the destiny of the estate from its early origins: beginning with Katharina Grach-Weissebach. (1789-1826), then Maria von Othegraven (1899-1995) and, since 1996, her niece, Dr. Heidi Kegel. The "Altenberg" vineyard has achieved an almost mythical reputation among wine connoisseurs. Together with the Saar at its feet and the resplendent manor house with its romantic park, it forms a protected historical landmark - an honor that the von Othegraven estate shares with very few others in the world.
It is considered a "Großes Gewächs" or First Growth vineyard by German wine standards. The wine explodes from the glass with aromas of ripe apricot and smoky gun-flint. On the palate you find a wine that's off-dry with flavors of green apple and pure Devonian slate. Intense and honest with loads of terroir, this wine recieved the big "three plus" from Terry Thiese, unheard of for a kabinett "Complex, serene, with the kind of thick lovely melancholy of Saar wines; expressive
quince and balsam; silvery and clear; the palate, if anything, overtakes the aromas...
have I ever tasted a better Kabinett? What length, mineral, haunting fruit. A
sublime masterpiece. Everything there is to cherish about Riesling is shown to us
here."
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RECESSION WINE TASTINGS
Continuing
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.
THIS WEEK...
Tuesday Dec 29th - Lindy Lopez from Fine Wine Trading Company
Spanish Wine Tasting
Tuesday, September 1st -
Tuesday Dec 22nd - Ri
Tuesday December 29th - Lindy Lopez with Fine | |
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Dear (Contact First Name),
The End of Another Decade...
Before we all realized it the first decade of the 21st century has come and gone. It was a decade of change. It started out as a decade of optimism and surplus and changed into one of vulnerability and uncertainty through faults of our own and through outside forces. We've lost a lot of great people and a lot of great talent and a lot of new words like "testing" and "unfriend" have crept into the American vocabulary. It's been a decade of change for me personally,leaving a life long profession in music and recording that I loved but seemed no longer viable and entered into the world of wine; another great passion of mine. It's been both sad and rewarding decade. I think that also sums up this decade for a lot of people. I am the last child of the baby boom generation. We are unique in American history in that we were born into an America with unlimited possibilities and prosperity. We learned as we grew that our leaders and authorities were sadly no different that those of any other country in the world. With that knowledge we made our society the freest in the world. If we have learned anything from the last ten years it's that if something seems to good to be true it probably isn't. We're now learning that for our country to be truly great we must build a society that is sustainable and solid, not based on a get rich scheme. Wall Street has for the most part recovered but Main Street still lags behind. We will need to find a way to make the two reflective of each other in the coming years. We have a lot of work ahead of each other but I am optimistic about our future. Our country was founded by people from the Old World who came here to find opportunity and a new life and continues to attract those people from every country in the world. I'm optimistic that that spirit is the key to fixing a lot of what's gone wrong in this country. Given all the facts we will make the right choices for the future. That goes for our healthcare, insurance or the food we eat.
What has that got to do with wine you may ask? Simple. That's what I do and the way I choose to run my business is a conscious choice to support quality, small and sustainable farmers and producers of wine in favor of large factory production. That's the challenge for all of us every day. We vote with our pocketbook. It's a vote for truth and truth is ultimately what we seek as human beings. I want to thank all of you who have voted with your pocketbook this past year by supporting us at The Wine Shop at Foxcroft. The relationship we have as retailer and customer is important to us and that trust is central to our continued success. We will do our part to continue that trust by finding the world's best wines and getting them to you at a fair and sustainable price. We're glad you appreciate what we're doing here with your support and we look forward to 2010 as a year of growth and improvement. Thanks for everything...
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THE WINE SHOP AT FOXCROFT Will be closed
NEW YEARS DAY
See you in 2010!!!!
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THE DECEMBER FAB FIVE...
KERMIT LYNCH
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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!
(Loire Valley)
Regular Price $21.99
November Price $18.99
Catherine and Didier Champalou are young growers in Vouvray who, since 1984 have assembled a small 20 hectare domaine, the vines are from 9 to 44 years old and  total production is only 12,0000 bottles, planted solely with Chenin Blanc. Their aim is to bring out the maximum expression of character from the grape while reflecting the different terroirs on which the vines are planted. Thus by applying rigorous standards, they have created one of the most exciting wineries in Vouvray. They produce a user-friendly, fruit-dominated style of Vouvray. To achieve this they avoid chaptalisation, which is a widespread practice in the Loire, and achieves quality and richness in his fruit with several passes or "tris" through his vineyards to pick at maximum ripeness. Inevitably, yields are restricted due to such practices. Typically dry in a sec style (slightly less dry than Champagne). Thin, luscious Chenin based wine is a mouthful of tingling acidity balanced with soft, sweet fruit. Again a really versatile food-friendly white wine.
Meyer-Fonné
Pinot Blanc "Vieilles Vignes"
2007
(Alsace)
Regular Price $22.99
November Price $19.99
What is Pinot Blanc? It is thought to be a white mutation of Pinot Gris, which is itself a lighter colored mutation of Pinot Noir. Originated in Burgundy, most of the Pinot Blanc that is grown in France nowadays is found in Alsace where it is one of the most widely planted varietals. We have been perpetually impressed by the wines of Felix Meyer. The domaine makes blends, classic varietal wines, and vineyard specific varietal wines all of which are marked by a distinct style of being very floral and aromatic.  Take in a deep breath of rose petals or open a bottle of Meyer-Fonné - the fragrance will be very similar.The 2007 Pinot Blanc "Vieilles Vignes" is no exception. Normally, Pinot Blanc comes from young vines, and this shows in their bright, refreshing character. The Meyer-Fonné Pinot Blanc is from old vines and there is an added depth and smokiness from the vine age, supported by crisp acidity, a vein of creamy richness, and aroma of raw honey. This is a lot of great wine for such a low price.This is classic "old school" Alsatian wine that really over-delivers.
Traverses de Fontanes Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
(Vin de Pays'doc)
Regular Price $14.99
October Price $12.99
Les Traverses de Fontanès is fresh and youthful, with a shimmering garnet, almost opaque appearance, and  translucent purple rim. The forward nose offers cassis jam, kirsch, and a pleasant whiff of acetone. Sipping, we get sweet-tart cassis, a bit of cedar, and silky texture, underscored by a quick brush of tannin. Second sip, we get some caramel and salt, and a bit more concentrated cassis at the core, all within a medium-weight frame.
Kermit Lynch Cotes du Rhone 2007
(Rhone Valley)
Regular Price $16.99
October Price $14.99
Kermit has been bringing in his Côtes du Rhône Rouge since 1987. Here's an excerpt from what he said about that first vintage:"In my favorite stomping grounds, in the shadow  of the Dentelles near Gigondas, I found this delicious red Rhône from the 1985 vintage. In has a vivid purple color. The aroma is so pretty and assertive that it is a bit of a shock in a simple Côtes du Rhône. Fruit aromas like plum and blackberry dominate, with suggestions of black pepper. It's full-bodied, but perhaps not in the usual sense of the term: there is no hard, vulgar tannin, nor does its gut hang out over its belt buckle. Intense might be a more appropriate word than full bodied." 22 years later and Kermit's tasting notes for the 1985 could by copied and pasted to describe the 2007 - now that is consistency! This red "house" wine is a tremendous value that you should keep around your house for every occasion.
Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes Côte-de-Brouilly 2007
Regular Price $22.99
October Price $19.99
Nicole Chanrion took over her father's wine growing property in the 1970s in a time when women vigneron were far and few between. Slowly she has brought her domaine from relative obscurity to the leader of her appellation. Côte-de-Brouilly is a tough hillside area covered with rocks which makes wine growing difficult. Tough conditions combined with a  dedicated grower usually produces wines of unique and superior quality. This is the case with Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes. This is about as close to Nouveau as Brittany Spears is to Ella Fitzgerald. Savvy wine drinkers have always known that Cru Beaujolais offer an affordable alternative to expensive red Burgundy. You can really taste the stony smoky terroir in this wine. Cherry, strawberry and red fruits (raspberry) with touches of dried candied fruits.and thyme and lavender notes. Combine those flavors with black pepper and spice in the finish and you have a delicious, food friendly wine that pairs with just about everything. |
| FREE SATURDAY TASTING
1:00 - 400PM |
Come join us every Saturday...
Come join us for lunch and try a great assortment of wines.
This Saturday
Staff Picks...
See you inn 2010!!!!
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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, whateve, don't hesitate to contact us with your requests. We look forward to seeing you in the shop...
Sincerely,
Conrad, Crystal, Alex and all the
Wine Shop at Foxcroft Staff
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| THE WINE SHOP AT FOXCROFT
7824 Fairview Road
Charlotte, NC 28226
704-365-6550 |
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