THE PERFECT GIFT - WINE OF THE MONTH
Now three levels to choose from:
Quality - Two wines, one red and one white, chosen for their great value and taste with a touch of uniqueness, making each one a wine adventure. Never more than $30 plus tax for the pair.
Premium - One wine each month, alternating red and white, that showcase terroir, that "sense of place," from around the world. A perfect gift for the more experienced wine drinker who likes to enjoy a variety of fine wine. $30-40 plus tax per month.
Quality August 2010
TORTI WINERY
2007 PINOT NERO BIANCO AND 2005 PINOT NERO
Milan is home to the State University School of Agriculture, whose influence is felt in every aspect of Italian viticulture. The university being, very close to Lombardy, has helped this area to be a leader in quality wine production. Grapes grown here include Pinot Nero (Italian for Pinot Noir), Barbera, Bonarda, Nebbiolo and the white varietals, Riesling and Moscato.
Southwest of Milan about seventy-five miles and bordering the region of Piedmont, the Dino Torti farm is located in the region of Lombardy, in an area called Oltrepo Pavese ("Antique Piedmont"). It has a hilly terrain of limestone, loam, and clay, refreshed by maritime breezes from Liguria and caressed by fog from the Po River Valley. The Torti vineyards were started in 1910 by Giovanni Torti. His son Enrico continued his work, and now his grandson Dino, the current owner, is working with his family to perfect it. The business is run by Dino Torti, his wife Giusy, and their daughters Patrizia and Laura, with winemaker Roberto Gerbino.
Pinot Nero Bianco. Pinot Nero Bianco is a white wine vinified from the red grape, Pinot Noir. This process of making a white wine from a red grape is unusual, and finding such a wine in the U.S. is rare. (Torti makes 2800 cases per year.) The grapes are very lightly pressed in order to obtain only the color of the white pulp, while still maintaining the inherent flavors of the Pinot Noir. Maceration without the skins takes place at a controlled temperature, followed by stainless steel aging for five months and another month of bottle aging. Typically the wine color is light golden yellow, and the aroma is elegant with delicate toasted shades. The dry, full, and savory taste makes a lovely compliment to hors d'hoeuvres, light pasta, white meats and fish. Price: 14.99
Pinot Nero. Pinot Noir has its antique origins in Burgundy and Champagne, and it was present in the Po Valley as early as the 1600s. Selected Pinot Noir grapes give the Torti wine incredible color and complex flavors of ripe cherry and earthy tea. The body is brought out pleasantly by a brief passage in oak, and hazelnuts highlight the finish. Salmon makes a perfect pairing. Price: 14.99
Premium August 2010
CIACCI PICCOLOMINI
2007 SANT'ANTIMO "ATEO"
Ciacci Piccolomini's vineyards are located on the south, south-west side of Montalcino in Tuscany where stony slopes near the Orcia River benefit from a particularly mild microclimate. The vines grow here in ideal climatic conditions. The estate's history dates back to the 17th century, when the oldest section was erected by Montalcino's Bishop, the Abbot of St. Antimo Abbey.
In 1989, a difficult year that fell in between two excellent vintages, the winery created a wine named Ateo (meaning "atheist"), as a consequence of their decision not to produce Brunello in less than ideal vintages. This decision coincided with the first harvests from the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vineyards. While it came into existence as a provocation, Ateo is now a designated DOC wine from Montalcino and is an estate classic.
Ateo is a blend of Sangiovese (70%) and Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot (30%), all vinified separately in temperature-controlled steel vats. The varietals then mature approximately 18 months in large Slavonian oak casks for Sangiovese, and in French and American barriques and tonneaux for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. An average of 2500 cases are produced each year.
You will know Ateo by its rich and persistent aroma. The wine is very structured, powerful, supple and well-balanced. You can cellar it for several years, but consume it by 2015, at the latest.
Food: Lamb chops and Italian barley risotto with spinach.
Price: 29.99
High-End Red
August 2010
DAMILANO
2004 CANNUBI BAROLO
The origins of the Damilano farming company date back to over a century ago, when Giuseppe Borgogno, the great-grandfather of the current owners, started to grow and make wine from his own grapes. This tradition was kept up by Giacomo Damilano, the founder's son-in-law, together with his children until it passed on to his four grandchildren, who very attentively manage their forefathers' land today. The wines produced are known for their upright style, and the estate is widely renowned, thanks to the strictness and passion that accompany all of the company's wine practices.
Damilano is one of the oldest Barolo brands, specialising in classic Langhe reds such as Barolo, Dolcetto d'Alba, and Barbera d'Alba. The crown of Damilano is a 55-year-old section of the historical Cannubi vineyard, with south-southeast exposure, universally considered among the best in the region. The Nebbiolo grapes for this Barolo come from 30-50 year-old vines. There is an average-length maceration of about 12 days, followed by barrique aging, with new oak averaging about 40-50%.
The Wine Spectator rated the 2004 vintage 91 points. It describes notes of blackberry, mineral and licorice in the aroma. "Full-bodied, with chewy tannins, yet refined and balanced...Best after 2012." (06/08) The wine pairs well with hearty meats, such as char-grilled beef and game.
Damilano Barolo comes in an unusual bottle, the Albeisa bottle that dates back to the beginning of the 18th century, when the Alba-area producers, proud of their own wines and desirous of distinguishing them from other wines, adopted a bottle with a distinctive shape and named it the Albeisa, or "Alba bottle." With the invasion of Napoleon, however, this bottle was gradually replaced by two shapes typical of French wines, the Bordeaux and Burgundy bottles. In 1973, 16 producers resurrected the venerable Albeisa bottle, adapting it to more modern demands and adding the name Albeisa in relief on the bottle.Today the Union of Alba Wine Producers have an agreement with Saint-Gobain Vetri, the only glassworks authorized to produce the Albeisa. The purpose is to showcase the superb wines of the Langhe and Roero hills.
Price: 84.99
Beer August 2010
BELHAVEN
SCOTTISH ALE
While 1719 may be the earliest documented evidence of the Belhaven Brewery, there may well have been beer production on the site pre-16th century as the wells and certain cellar vaults are known to date from around the time of the Reformation.
Monks (noted for brewing skills) settled in the area from the 12th century. Luckily they had access to both fine water and top quality local barley.
John Johnstone took ownership of the site in 1719 and it is widely accepted that under his ownership the brewery started brewing for commercial sale. By the 1970s, the malting side of the business that had seen the company survive two world wars, was feeling the strain of competition from modern automated plants. In 1972, family ownership came to an end as the business was sold.
But this end was just the beginning of a twenty-year vibrant and significant period of growth for Belhaven. 1993 and a management buyout led by Stuart Ross enabled the management team to further expand and develop the business, resulting in a successful flotation on the London Stock Exchange in 1996. Most recently (2005), Belhaven was bought by Greene King.
Malty and hoppy, the brewers at Belhaven love the classic Scottish Ale and have been brewing it longer than any of the other beers that they produce. Delivering a sweet, smooth and creamy finish, Scottish Ale has a stunning ruby color in the glass. Magic.
Price: 10.99
