Lacrima di Morro
Morro d'Alba is the name of the village where Lacrima is grown, and it is just due west of the port city of Ancona in the Marche region of Italy.
The Marche is on the eastern coast of Italy, immediately east of Umbria and between Emilia-Romagna and Abruzzo going from north to south.
The Lacrima-based wines received official recognition only in 1985, with the creation of the Lacrima di Morro d'Alba DOC title. This long-overdue recognition may well have saved the wine from extinction; prior to 1985, plantings of Lacrima vines amounted to just 2.5 acres (1 hectare).
Produced from the ancient Lacrima grape variety, in the area surrounding the hilltop village of Morro d'Alba. The wine's floral bouquet recalls lavender, roses and violets, over heavier notes of stewed strawberries. No less impressive are the flavors, which are redolent of vanilla-tinged blueberry brioche with a hint of sweet spice.
The wine is still produced in relatively tiny amounts by individuals that hold the traditions and the process - still fermented in cement vats - near and dear to their hearts. This is not commercial wine overseen by experts in white lab coats holding clipboards and taking notes from a computer screen.
It is instead made by folks that work the fields with their hands, harvest and create something truly original - these experts have dirt under their fingernails and sit by an open hearth at the end of the day with the people that make the wine - their families.
Friday night we welcome for the first time
Mr. Rich Veilleux of Cellar Fine Wines.
We will be tasting from their portfolio and
They will include:
Lacrima di Morro d'Alba
Frappato
Marotti Campo Verdiccio Luzano
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Lacrima di Morro d'Alba - Marche, Italy
The evocative name Lacrima means 'teardrop', but there is no clear and unanimously accepted story attached to it.
There are various Italian varieties that bear this name, and it is generally assumed that these are given in honor of teardrop-shaped grapes or grape bunches.
A juicier theory behind the Lacrima name is that its grapes have a tendency to split, or perhaps 'cry', forming tears of juice on the bunches.
TASTING NOTES
"Intense ruby red with violet reflections. Aromas of rose, raspberry, pink pepper and juniper berries, with hints of oriental spices. Nicely fruity and spicy on the palate, with smooth tannins, long velvety finish."
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Frappato Sicily This fresh, fruity red is from rising star Arianna Occhipinti, who released her first wine in 2004, when she was 21. In Sicily, Frappato, pronounced frah-pa-to, is usually used to lighten inky Nero d'Avola, but Occhipinti makes a pure Frappato with the freshness and liveliness of a good Beaujolais. I love its spunky notes of black cherry and other dark berries accented with lavender and spices. She's committed to natural winemaking and farms her vineyards in eastern Sicily biodynamically. Goes great with: Salumi, antipasti, pizza, pasta, grilled meats - and even fish.
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Marotti Campo Verdiccio Luzano
Luzano is produced exclusively from Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi grapes and takes its name from the castle built in the 11th century in the vicinity of the vineyards of the Marotti Campi Farm.
Though the Verdicchio grape is grown in several Italian regions, the most famous version of the crisp, almond-edged white wine comes from the Marche, on central Italy's Adriatic coast. The hillside vineyards around the town of Jesi have yielded wines whose quality has earned the district its own DOC (Denominazione di origine controllata) designation, an imprimatur of quality from the Italian government.
That's because in this small zone, leaner soils and brisk sea breezes give wines an intensity and lively crispness that Verdicchios from warmer areas lack. Over the last 100 years, the Marotti Campi family has slowly built up its Marche estate to about 150 acres planted mainly to indigenous varieties like Verdicchio. In 1999, the family constructed a better winery whose facilities boosted the already high quality at this well-known estate.
With its crisp flavors, minerality and medium body, the Marotti Campi Verdicchio will be terrific with fish and shellfish. In the port city of Ancona, the capital of the Marche region, local seafood such as sea urchins, tuna, anchovies and sweet shrimp are often enjoyed raw, with a cool glass of Verdicchio.
For cooked fare, try it with simple dishes like flaky white fish with butter and a squeeze of lemon. Other recipes for pairing include Italian Seafood Stew and Pasta with Grilled Vegetables and Herbs.
A perfect choice to take with you to Captain Scott's this year.
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WHISKEY NEWS

Most of you know that We're big fans of whiskey in all its forms. Here are a few of our current obsessions, ranging from tried-and-true bottles we always keep on-hand to brand-new discoveries we can't wait to share.
BRECKENRIDGE BOURBON WHISKEY
You can almost taste the pure, clean Rocky Mountain snowmelt used in the proofing of Breckenridge bourbon. This high-rye content whiskey is produced in the Colorado Rockies in the highest distillery in the country, so instead of bold smoky-sweet, caramel-forward notes you'd expect from a bourbon, Breckenridge offers a silky smooth, almost vegetal taste, with a gentle tingle of a burn. It's got a slightly bitter finish more reminiscent of an unpeated Scotch, making this surprisingly subtle, small-batch bourbon one of the best sipping whiskeys around.
PENDLETON BLENDED CANADIAN WHISKY
A few years back, I was looking for a go-to standard without the familiar, harsh bite of Jameson or Bushmills, or the hefty price tag of Red Breast. I love Pendleton's slightly sweeter, bourbon-like profile, with hints of raisins and toast and a rich flavor reminiscent of a pecan pie, with plenty of deep-caramel goodness. It is just the thing for a shot added to hot drink on chilly evenings, or when I'm making Irish coffee for Sunday brunch with friends.
ANGEL'S ENVY BOURBON
When I'm in the mood for whiskey, I usually prefer it on the rocks, but Angel's Envy is one bourbon I love to sip neat. Finished in port barrels, it has plenty of maple syrup on the front (a friend described it, favorably, as tasting "like golden grahams") with a barely smoky, sweet tea flavor, like lapsang souchong sweetened with maple sugar. The peppery, spicy finish keeps it from veering into too-sweet territory. And it's not so pricey that I feel like I need to be precious with it.
DARK HORSE DISTILLERY RESERVE BOURBON
This small-batch bourbon, made in Kansas City using locally sourced corn and rye, comes in sexy, hand-numbered and signed bottles-which I love-but it's the smooth, smoky, leather-and-maple flavor, which owes its clean finish to copper still distillation (a process more typical in Scotch production), that makes this one of my favorite bourbons for sipping neat.
BALCONES RUMBLE
Rumble isn't exactly easy to categorize-it's something between a mead, a whiskey, and an eau de vie-but it is a supremely drinkable spirit, fruity and sweet but not at all cloying. The yellow gold-colored spirit smells like a fresh garden, while on the palate you get gentle spice with notes of dried fig, citrus, brown sugar, and hints of rosemary. It's perfect over ice, and I suspect it would play nicely with pear or apple in a cocktail.
Just five years ago, Balcones was little more than an idea fueled by a ruthless drive to create something new, something genuine, something worthwhile - a Texas whisky tradition.
We got it on our shelves - but it does go quickly.
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BUZZ -
CALENDAR:
Friday March 28
Cellar Fine Wines & SattiVII in Lounge
Friday April 4 Mr. Stefan Wich - Hartley & Parker
Wednesday May 7th - 6:00pm
Wine School - Ladies Only.
Industry Leader Diedre Magnello makes wine easy.
It will be fun, informative, and a great way to learn about wine. 860-443-6817
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Of Note
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Moonstruck
Easter Chocolates
Are Arriving
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The Derby
Is Almost Here
Thousand Dollar
Mint Julip
This version of the classic three-ingredient cocktail-which combines three parts bourbon to one part of a simple syrup bracingly infused with fresh spearmint-is Sanctioned by the Kentucky Derby itself as their official mint julep recipe.
INGREDIENTS:
3 oz. bourbon, like Woodford Reserve 2 tbs. mint simple syrup (see note) Sprig of mint, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS:
Fill a glass or julep cup with crushed ice. Add bourbon and mint syrup; stir gentlyuntil the glass is thoroughly chilled. Garnish with mint sprig.
Note:
To make the mint syrup, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Boil until sugar is fully dissolved.
Pour the syrup into a heatproof container filled with 1 cup crushed mint.
Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight; strain and discard mint. Mint syrup will keep for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
Cheese:
Including:
Jasper Hill Moses Sleeper - A bloomy-rind cheese developed by Mateo Kehler at Jasper Hill Farm. When young the flavor is buttery, bright, and savory, and when longer-aged it is creamier and takes on the aroma and flavor of vegetables.
Brie de Nangis - Hails from Brie, just southwest of Paris, France, and is one of the milder, more buttery Bries. Brie de Nangis is creamy and smooth and has a slightly chalky center that becomes runny with age. This cheese pairs well with a Sauvignon Blanc and bigger reds such as Merlot. ***
Remember we have the best baguettes this side of the Seine River.
Bake them at home or grab one ready to go.
Ask for a sample the next time you visit the store.
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WINE The 2010 Montlouis Les Cabotines "The 2010 Montlouis Les Cabotines boasts a sensational perfume of melons, strawberries, honeysuckle and spring flowers.
Fresh and medium to full-bodied with excellent acidity as well as a hint of minerality, this biodynamically run vineyard has produced a sensational 100% Chenin Blanc to enjoy over the next few years."
Amazing whites like this one enhance every thing that they are served with. Especially the light meats, seafood, salads and poultry. Brilliant winemaking that will make you shine. Perfect as a date night wine or a dinner gift - you will be invited back. ***
Seguret 'Terrasses Pavee' Cotes-du-Rhone Villages
RATED 90 POINTS by ROBERT PARKER
Wine Spectator:
"This mouthfilling red displays unctuous plum and boysenberry fruit flavors that course along nicely, thanks to lively spice and toasted anise notes, with a strong graphite streak. Fleshy, but excellent acidity is well-embedded on the finish. Rated Top 100 Outstanding Values of 2013 - Just $14. First come, first served.
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