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Love Bubbles! Celebrate Bubbles!
Learn About Bubbles!
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We shouldn't spend much time or energy bellyaching about this winter's weather in the Triangle, but as southerners (and adopted southerners), it's practically in our cultural DNA to treat every spotted snowflake as a self-contained "Snowmageddon" or "Winterocalypse." Well, to our rescue is the little (or not so little) furry friend from a long, venerable line of innate meteorologists - the humble groundhog. Punxutawney Phil did not see his shadow, and so we can obviously, with the soundness of scientific minds, rely on an early spring. Break out the rosé, Vinho Verde, and Txakoli! Dust off the lawn chairs and stock up on sunscreen!! Spring has arrived!!!
Don't pay too much attention to the extended forecast, though, as a few nights next week are apparently expected to drop below freezing - probably human error, but you might want to keep some Port around. Just in case...
"Lovin' Bubbles"
Sparkling Wine Class
Bubbles are terribly misunderstood... until now. Don't know your Cava from your Sekt? Just what is the difference between Spumante and Frizzante? Why must Champagne always be so French? Well, this class will take you through the world of sparkling wines (and feature bubbly from around the world).
We'll dispel myths, defy logic and drink fizzy drinks. The evening will end with dessert sparklers and exceptional chocolate. If you've been afraid of effervescence, fear no more! We'll show you the good stuff that won't cost you a monk and a leg. 
Class starts at 7:33pm Thursday, Feb 11th
211 East Franklin Street
Raleigh, NC
$48 per Person
Reservations Required
Call the Wine Authorities Love Line
at (919) 831-9463 to purchase tickets!
Real Customer Comment:
"Your store is out of this world! We don't
have anything like this in California."
- Ann Marie F.
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Tasty Tuesday:Masterful Mas Codina:
A Penedès Paradise!
This Tuesday, February 9th, we present our FREE
midweek wine tasting! Every Tuesday is tasty...
Stretching out just below Barcelona, along Spain's northeastern coast, is the picturesque land of Cava and one of our very favorite producers in northern Spain, Mas Codina. Cava isn't the only treasure we'll find in Penedès, however! This Tuesday, we'll begin with a taste of the hallmark bubbly for which the region and estate are best known before turning our attention toward a couple of bold reds. A Cabernet with a pinch of Merlot and an intensely ripe, luscious Syrah illustrate another signature side of Spain's northeast. Come along to Catalonia!
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Free Saturday Tastings!
Durham & Raleigh:
From Noon to 3 pm, "try before you buy"
at our FREE tastings!
Rain Check Rhone!
This Saturday, we present the Rhone tasting that was snowed out (sleeted out?) two weeks ago. Yes, we turn our sights to a region whose wines warm us and fill our imaginations with breezy, balmy, Mediterranean bliss - just in time for a groundhog-approved early spring. France's Southern Rhone is famous for its spicy, resoundingly ripe reds and boldly refreshing rosés. Its exotically perfumed whites are rarer, but they're the delicious icing on the cake! We have great examples of each from various southerly haunts including Laudun, Tavel, Vacqueyras, and (drumroll, please) Chateauneuf du Pape for your tasting pleasure!
 Chateau Marjolet Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2014
{organic} 60% Roussanne,
40% Viognier
(Southern Rhone, France)
APRICOT, SPRING BLOSSOMS,
GINGER & BEESWAX
Located in Laudun (just across the Rhone River from Chateauneuf du Pape), Chateau de Marjolet's strikingly stony vineyards may remind the casual onlooker more of a lunar landscape than a cradle of viticultural excellence, but the rows of gnarled vines are an unmistakable sign that something exciting...
{organic} 60% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre
(Southern Rhone, France)
JUICY RASPBERRY & BRIGHT RED PLUM, WISPY GARRIGUES
Sisters Séverine and Mélanie manage the Borrelly family estate, Domaine la Rocalière, which was established by their father, Jacques, from long-held family vineyards two decades ago. Slightly less than half of the 120 acre estate falls within Tavel, a region of rosé royalty. True to form, this is a deeply colored, bold...
Vacqueyras 2012
{biodynamic} 70% Grenache,
20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre
(Southern Rhone, France)
VIOLETS, FRUIT CONFITURE, INK, THYME, DATES
Preserving the preponderance of "P"s in winemaker Philippe's name, this Vacqueyras provides palpable, palate-pleasing profundity! It perseveres in its preservation of place through biodynamic preparations. Opening with a wallop of violet blossoms before releasing the signature aroma of ripe strawberries and then...
Domaine des Pères
de l'Église
Chateauneuf du Pape 2014
95% Grenache,
3% Mourvedre, 2% Syrah
(Southern Rhone, France)
MISSION FIG & BLACKBERRY, DARK CHOCOLATE, ROSEWATER
The shell of an imposing castle overlooking sunbleached cobblestone streets and winding alleyways provides a mysterious focal point to the Southern Rhone's oldest and most famous appellation. Chateauneuf du Pape requires relatively little introduction. Domaine des Pères de L'Eglise is a producer which with a rich history of two centuries...
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Far from Topless... 
Our classic "WINE FROM FARMERS NOT FACTORIES" Pitchforkscrew™ shirts have returned in deepest, azure-i-est, "Ocean" teal. For the first time, we are also offering dedicated shapes for both gals and guys! Each style ranges from small to XXL, and are $15.99. Now you've absolutely no excuse to go around naked (not that you necessarily need an excuse).  The Wine From Farmers: Pitchforkscrew™ shirts are grown and entirely made right here in NC by our friends at TS Designs!
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Hope to see you Saturday!
Our best to you,
Grand Poobah & the Wine Authorities staff
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