 |
|
The Wine Shop Staff Picks
|
|
|
|
Paloma Merlot 2007
(Napa Valley)
Spring Mountain is one of those magical places where family vineyards are tended by devoted owners like Barbara and Jim Richards of Paloma. Not only did they raise the Merlot bar to another degree with their first vintage, they continue to do just that each year. We think their '06 is their most beautiful effort to date, with a big silky mouthfeel topped with a burst of berries, cocoa, fruit and cassis. This wine has been missing from the scene for several vintages and I'm glad to see it back. This is one Merlot that I want to drink...
Albet i Noya Xarel-lo 2008
$12.99/bottle
So the holidays have come and gone, but I hope everyone got to celebrate with a bit of bubbly... That leads me to this week's pick. This interesting Spanish white (non-sparkling) is 100% Xarel-lo, one of the three original grapes used in the production of Cava, Spain's equivalent to Champagne. For those of you who like the high-acid wines (bring on the food), this should be on your list of wines to try. Grapefruit zest and apricot aromas, with just a little earth and overripe banana flavors. As with many great white wines from Spain, pour me a glass and point me towards the seafood! One of the great things about wine is that you are your own critic - trust your palate and yours alone. Try something new... who knows, you might surprise yourself and find a new favorite.
FRV 1000 Sparkling Gamay Rose NV
(Beaujolais, France)
$19.99 bottle
The Domaine des Terres Dorées is located in Charnay, a village in the Southern Beaujolais just north of Lyons, in a beautiful area known as the "Region of Golden Stones." Jean-Paul Brun is the owner and winemaker at this 40-acre family estate and has attracted the attention of the French and American press for the wonderfully fruity and delicate wines he produces. Proprietor Brun is a believer in using only the vineyard's wild yeast, rather than the synthetic yeasts used by most other producers. His beautiful wines are favorites among purists. FRV 100 is a play on words which in French is pronounced "effervescent." Made in the traditional method this rose is light in alcohol and heavy in pleasure. Slightly off dry with notes of strawberries, dried fig and vanilla. It's hard to resist. Grab a bottle before the staff drinks it all... |
|
|
Greetings!
It's a well worn phrase but it reflects a constant truth in this drama we call human existence. First credited to the Roman philosopher, Pliny the Elder but it probably goes back much farther. He spent his life observing natural phenomena. The Roman historian Tacitus described how the Germanic peoples always drank wine while holding councils, as they believed nobody could lie effectively when drunk. As we ring in the year 2010 we renew our pledge to bring to you truth in wine. By that I mean continuing to bring you wines that are produced in the vineyards by by individuals on small family estates not corporate board rooms. We are a vital link in the chain from farm to fork and as such have an obligation to you, our customers to bring you the best wines available. We will continue our vigilance so that you can buy wine with confidence knowing you've purchased a wine that we believe in and would enjoy ourselves.
I recently viewed the documentary "Mondovino" for a second time on Netflix and it helped me to refocus my resolve about wine and the way we do business in general. In 2010 I would encourage all of you to watch it. It's very eye opening and helps to clearly define the struggle with globalization we're all involved in even if we don't always know we're involved in it. Every time you make a buying decision you're casting your vote. I'm including a link to wikipedia for a synopsis of the film but you can rent it on line or purchase a copy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mondovino I'll be giving a pop quiz next week to all of you. Don't miss it...LOL! Anyway that's enough preaching for the day. We're excited to be kicking off the new Fab Five for January. We've also got inventory coming up so at
the behest of my staff we're going to run another 15% off on all mixed cases this week. The more you buy the less we have to count on Sunday. It's cold out this week but it's a great opportunity to stock up again.
|
 |
Mixed and Matched Cases -15% Off All Week...
|
|
We'll be closed Sunday for Inventory but to make our job easier and to encourage you guys to shop we're offering 15% off all week on all mixed and matched cases. Make our jobs easier and save money all week. It's a win-win situation for everyone. The sale runs from Tuesday through Saturday so there's plenty of time to stop by. See you at the Wine Shop.
|
|
JANUARY'S FAB FIVE |
|
|
Receive an additional 15% off when you buy a mixed or solid case these wines - on top of the regular bottle discount!
The Wines of
Fine Wine Trading Company |
THE DECEMBER FAB FIVE...
The Wines of
Fine Wine
Nessa Albariño 2008
(Galicia, Rias Baixas)
Normal Retail $16.99 January Price $14.99
This wine is produced from young estate grown vines and purchased grapes from o  lder vineyards in the Val do Salnes sub-region of Rias Baixasin Northern Spain. Over the last decade Albarino has grown in popularity in the market, known as a versatile white wine that pairs with a miriad of dishes from pasta to seafood. Nessa meets the market demand for an Albarino of quality at an affordable price.The light gold-colored 2008 Albarino Nessa offers up aromas of mineral and lemon zest. It's crisp and bright on the palate. Light yellow. Spicy citrus and pear aromas are brightened by white flowers and ginger. Racy, precise and pleasingly bitter, with strong lemon zest and pear skin flavors. This tightly wound albarino shows a lively, persistent finish.
Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2008
(Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Normal Retail $14.99 January Price $11.99
First released in 1968 Simonsig has reached popularity worldwide, achieving "superquaffer" status by South  Africa's top wine critic, John Platter. Simonsig's vineyards lie in the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountain range, an area made up of shale, bringing out the wine's overt fruitiness and complex structure. Bright golden straw colour with aromas of ripe pear and honey leaping out of theglass. Layers of complex fruit fill the pallet with a rich and crisp aftertaste. Perfect balance between fruit, acidity and sugar makes the wine very elegant and greatly enjoyable for any occasion.
Sherwood Pinot Noir 2008
(Marlborough, New Zealand)
Normal Retail $19.99 January Price $15.99
The 2008 Sherwood Estate Pinot displays ripe, sweet plum notes with an edge of complexity on the nose. The palate is rich and round supported by fine grain tannins. An excellent match for most meat dishes . Produced from selected parcels of grapes grown at Sandy Creek vineyard and other sites in Marlborough, oak maturation for five months was followed by blending, fining and bottling. 91pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The wonderful 2008 Sherwood Estate Pinot Noir has a lovely cranberry and raspberry leaf nose with superb definition. The palate is very well crafted with fine tannins, well judged acidity allowing the joyous fruit to really express themselves: raspberry, a touch of blueberry and dark cherry. Given the price, this is exceptional value and comes highly recommended.
Casa de la Ermita Crianza 2005
(Jumilla, Spain)
Normal Retail $21.99 January Price $14.99
Casa de la Ermita is at the forefront of recent changes in Jumilla that have led to higher quality, more  complex wines with powerful fruit flavors. Casa de la Ermita uses modern vinification techniques and new oak barrels to make the best value wines of Spain. The Casa de la Ermita project started in 1997. The founders of the winery knew that the Jumilla area had particularly old vineyards that produced high quality grapes. Four partners,all wine lovers with strong backgrounds in producing quality grapes, started "Casa de la Ermita". What makes Casa de la Ermita special is the unquestioned focus on quality and their incredible knowledge of the land and varieties. Through inovation andexperimentation they are intent on becoming one of Spain's premier estates. A combination of Monastrell and Petit Verdot, this Crianza has an elegant cherry-red color with ruby-red hues. The aroma is initially fresh and transitions to woody as the wine aerates. The flavors are rich with spice and vanilla. There is excellent balance between the fruit, acidity, and tannins.
Ross Estate "Lights Out" Shiraz 2006
(Barossa Valley, Australia)
Normal Retail $19.99 January Price $16.99
Nestling at the base of the rolling hills of the famous Barossa Valley there is the Ross Estate vineyards. Basking in an ideal Mediterranean climate, nourished by  rich alluvial loam, age old vines produce some of the most highly regarded wine available today. The inspiration for this Estate grew from one man's dream. Ross Estate has become a formidable player in the South Australian wine scene. Their vision and commitment to quality without compromise ensure a rightful place among the finest estates in Australia. Vibrant crimson red, with young purple hue. Satsuma plums, blackberries and raspberries are supported by vanilla and spice on the nose with undertones of licorice. A rich fruit style wine explodes on the palate with well-supported oak integration uplifting the vibrant red fruit and cassis characters. Nuances of spice and pepper add to this food friendly wine. |
|
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, Crystal, Alex and all the Wine Shop at Foxcroft Staff |
|
|
