From the Atlantic to an
Ocean of Rosé: Loire Valley!
This Saturday: Got Mourat?
Next Tasty Tuesday: Rosé de Loire!
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The Loire:
From the Atlantic
to an Ocean of Rosé
Six hundred and thirty miles of France is traversed by the massive Loire River. Joined by numerous tributaries, this huge swath of the country is perhaps better thought of as a wine world unto itself than as a mere "valley." At our next two tastings (Saturday 4/23, Tuesday 4/26), we'll fantasize about grandiose chateaux, explore unfamiliar regions, and guzzle rosé by the gallon (well, ounce-sized sample) in the name of the great Loire! Read on for more info about these tastings and keep in mind that some of our favorite Loire vignerons will be joining other fabulous French producers for a parade of a visit to our Raleigh store on May 11th. Look immediately below for more info on that!
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Wine Authorities Raleigh
Wednesday, May 11th
5:00 - 7:00pm
Join us at our Raleigh shop as we welcome an absolutely heroic legion of some of our favorite French winegrowers! Importer Franck Agostini's portfolio of immensely talented producers has contributed hugely to our selection over the years.
Many of you have probably noticed his signature on the back labels of beloved bottles from Bordeaux, France's Southwest, Loire, Rhone, Burgundy, and Languedoc. On May 11th, you have the opportunity to meet the man himself as well as eight of his virtuous vignerons.
- Stephane Gouron - Domaine Gouron of Chinon, Loire
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Berengère Quellien - Chateau Lusseau of Graves, Bordeaux
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Frederic Leydet - Chateau Leydet Valentin of Saint-Emilion (Grand Cru) & Chateau de Valois of Pomerol, Bordeaux
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Jean-Pierre & Elizabeth Toxe - Chateau Pillebois of Castillon, Bordeaux
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Martine Pages - Domaine La Bouysse of Corbieres, Languedoc
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Laurent Pontaud & Sylverine Rivalta - Chateau Marjolet of Laudun, Rhone Valley
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Nicole Guillot - Aureto of Ventoux
& Vaucluse, Rhone Valley
* For $10 you'll taste over 20 wines with the very winegrowers who make them. You'll also receive a $10 refund towards your purchase of their wines during the event!
* Mixed cases of wines from this event will receive a 25% discount!!!
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Knee Deep in
Central Italy!
Central Italy Wine Class! April 28th @ W.A. Durham
Just when you thought it was safe to trade your boots for spring sandals, Italy's outline has appeared triumphantly on the horizon. Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, Abruzzo, and Lazio! What do the fab five of Central Italy have in common and what differentiates them from one another? Join us for the answers as we embark on a comprehensive tour of the leg-shaped peninsula's mid thigh!
Class includes comprehensive tasting, visual presentation, and handouts.
$48 - 7:33 PM
~~~~ Vote for your favorite
Durham businesses!
The polls are open again at Durham Magazine's website. Head on over and give some sugar to the local enterprises that brighten your Durham days!
It's here at long last! The pink oasis that refreshes our mouths and nourishes our souls is once again in bloom! The Rosé Garden has arrived, and we're kicking off the the season with selections that include the Garden's starring darling, "Venus" (in both bottles and glorious 3-LITER Bag-in-boxes) along with other returning favorites from years past in their shiny new vintages fresh off the boat! As always, a portion of each and every bottle of rosé sold will be donated to the fight against breast cancer!
Real Customer Comment:
"It is an absolutely enjoyable experience to come here. When we do, we leave with a case..."
- Andrew K. (via Yelp)
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This Tuesday, April 26th, we present our FREE
midweek wine tasting! Every Tuesday is tasty...
The torrential flow of pretty, pink wine from this year's Rosé Garden may not quite match the volume of France's massive, 630 mile-long Loire River, but we're chartering our Tasty Tuesday vessels in the name of adventure and refreshment! Starting at the threshold of the Atlantic and moving further and further inland, we'll explore the Fiefs Vendéens, Anjou, and Cote Roannaise courtesy of three strikingly different and resoundingly restorative rosés. There'll be dry! There'll be sweet! There'll be still! There'll be sparkling! There'll be something for everyone! Above all, the pink aura of spring will be in full swing!
And don't forget:
Our Tasty Tuesday 15% Half-Case Discount!
After you taste, put together 6 bottles from our Tasty Tuesday lineup, and we'll take an entire 15% off!
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Free Saturday Tastings!
Durham & Raleigh:
From Noon to 3 pm, "try before you buy"
at our FREE tastings!
This Saturday, we're venturing to the vineyards of the Fiefs Vendeén - roughly 45 miles south of Nantes and Muscadet country. Though picturesque and yielding characterful, vibrant wines, the region is only just being discovered by wine drinkers outside of its immediate vicinity. Fortunately, we have a very capable ambassador in Jérémie Mourat, a young, skilled, and increasingly iconic producer whose wines we proudly introduced last summer. This week, we feature these brilliant wines - two whites and two reds on Saturday. Return to sample his fiercely refreshing rosé as we feature it and two other pretty, pink Loire wines at next week's Tasty Tuesday!
J. Mourat
Fiefs Vendeéns Blanc
"Collection" 2014
{organic} 50% Chenin Blanc,
50% Chardonnay
(Western Loire, France)
ASIAN PEAR & VIBRANT CITRUS, FIRM ACIDITY, OCEANIC ZEST
While the packaging of Mourat's "Collection" series catches the eye and its exotically Atlantic origins stimulate curiosity and a thirst for adventure, it's the impressive quality and distinctive character of the wines themselves that really win our hearts. This radiant blend of (equal parts) Chenin and Chardonnay glows...
J. Mourat
Blanc 2013
"Clos Saint André"
{orgainic} 100% Chenin Blanc (Western Loire, France)
LEMON & TART APRICOT, BRINEY ATLANTIC PERFUME, QUINCE
This utopian white comes courtesy of immaculate attention to detail. Staunchly organic practices and architecturally-inspiring Nomblot concrete egg fermentation/aging make clear that no effort has been spared to bring this gleaming, radiant creature to life...
J. Mourat
{organic} Pinot Noir, Cab Franc,
Negrette, Gamay (Western Loire, France)
BRIGHT, FRESH, JUICY, DARK BERRIES. WILD HERBS
"Buvabilité." Drinkability...the byline to this bottle. It's as accessible yet as complex as the plot line of a well-executed HBO series. With a stellar cast in classic roles, Pinot Noir, Negrette, Cabernet Franc, and Gamay have chemistry on and off the trellis. While the vines average 30 years young, the wine spends 5 months...
J. Mourat
{organic} Pinot Noir, Negrette,
Cabernet Franc (Western Loire, France)
AUTUMNAL UNDERBRUSH,
CHARRED GREEN PEPPER
As deeply purple as the shale soil that feeds its vines, the "Marie du Fou" cuvée takes its name mysteriously from a colloquial French phrase that is applied to carefree country girls. While there is arguably a kind of feminine intrigue that is demure, yet chiseled and no shortage of terroir-driven suggestions of unspoiled countryside, we find this red to be more measured and elegant than "carefree"...
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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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