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All Will Be Revealed
One series of books that succeeds in humanizing wine and placing it within a larger social, emotional, and intellectual context is the Japanese manga series The Drops of God. Authored by brother and sister team Yuko and Shin Kibayashi (under their pseudonym "Tadashi Agi") and illustrated by Shu Okimoto, the manga uses wine as a medium for self-discovery, friendship and love-while educating its readers along the way. It's engaging, informative, gripping and aspirational in a way that traditional wine books are not.
They subtly explain vintage variation, correct wine service, blind tasting as both a sensory experience and an avenue to determining quality, and historical appellations are all topics granted attention. This is a different kind of wine book. It's engaging, informative, gripping and aspirational in a way that traditional wine books are not. 
The books are a quick read. They tout exciting plot lines, sharp illustrations and alluring wines that capture immediate attention.
Book One's opening scene begins with the protagonist reverently pouring a ribbon of 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grand Cru "Richebourg" into a bulbous Burgundy glass, swirling it patiently and noting that it smells like "the scent of a hundred flowers combined." Later scenes add texture and meaning.
The plot hinges upon a blind tasting competition between two men vying for their father's esteemed wine collection. Whoever correctly identifies twelve wines - the "twelve apostles" and a thirteenth, the "Drops of God" in a manner most like their father described in his will wins the storied collection as an inheritance. Eleven of the twelve apostles have been revealed so far.
We have printed a list of those wines for you, pick it up on Friday - And we have have a wine that was mentioned in the series for you to try. We hope to see you at the weekly tasting.
Drink Different.
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DROPS OF GODJapanese sommelier's journey to Burgundy
The winemaker behind the Maison Lou Dumont label is Koji Nakada, a former Japanese sommelier at a French restaurant in Tokyo, who moved to Burgundy with his Korean wife Jae Hwa Park.
In 2000, they formed micro-negociant firm Maison Lou Dumont, named for their goddaughter and the mountains where they grew up. In their Gevrey-Chambertin cellar, they produce 23 wines, some of which are mentioned in the popular Japanese wine manga "Drops of God." The Japanese characters (kanji) on the labels mean earth, sky and man, the elements Nakada sees as essential to producing wine. What struck me about all the Maison Lou Dumont wines I tasted were their elegance, sensual aromas, delicacy and sense of terroir. Nothing is excessive or overdone, neither oak nor extraction. Which is why the Passe-tout-Grains is such a lovely, satisfying red.
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Saransot Dupre - Medoc
Saransot Dupre's red wine has always been marked by fully-mature tannins joined together with a supple and round personality. These qualities give it an elegance that makes the wine easily enjoyable in its youth. This character comes from a vineyard planted mostly with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Contrary to the Médoc practice which favors a predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Château's planting is actually a return to tradition since Merlot and Cabernet Franc were the commmune's main grape varieties according to INAO when the Listrac appelation was created in 1957. |
Tenuta Roveglia
Tenuta Roveglia vineyards are on the southern shores of Lake Garda in an area heralded for its wine since the Romans. "Our Lugana embodies this wine region's most acclaimed features: a fruity accent with a dry, subtle finish and a delicate refined bouquet."
Tenuta Roveglia grows and harvests its own grapes and bottles its own wine.
Born in the thirties, Tenuta Roveglia boasts the most extensive vineyard in the area of Lugana. Tenuta Roveglia has 125 acres of vineyards within the more than 245 acres of the estate.
The grapes come from the area of Lugana designated as premier cru, which was already heralded for its wine by the ancient Roman poet Catullo two thousand years ago.
Tasting Notes: Lugana is a high quality wine characterized by its gentle yellow color with brilliant reflections and aromatic notes of peach and vanillin. This wine offers fruity accent with a dry, subtle elegant finish, and is particularly well suited for poultry, light pasta and seafood dishes. Lugana is also the perfect aperitif.
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WHISKEY NEWS
New England Distilling, Portland MaineIn 1851 Maine became the first state to ban the sale and manufacture of alcoholic beverages. Under Portland's Mayor Neal Dow-the "Father of Prohibition"-the Maine law was passed through Legislation, and many states followed suit. Fast forward 162 years. Portland, for a city of its size, boasts one of the largest concentrations of breweries and distilleries in America. Helping to bridge the gap between the past and the present is Ned Wight, owner of New England Distillery. MADE IN MAINE IN STOCK NOW: Ingenium Dry Gin Eight Bells Rum Gunpowder Rye Whiskey TALISKER STORM  Talisker in any guise is a very special and idiosyncratic single malt, defining an Island style that is all its own. The last year has seen Diageo expand the existing portfolio with three new Talisker expressions, namely Storm, Dark Storm (matured in heavily charred casks), and Port Ruighe (port finish), all released without age statements. Of this trio, Talisker Storm seems the pick, with one commentator describing it as "...everything that you love about other Taliskers with the settings turned right up." PENDLETON BLENDED CANADIAN WHISKEY
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.
DARK HORSE DISTILLERY RESERVE BOURBON
SOLD OUT
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.
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BUZZ -
CALENDAR:
Friday April 18
Ryan Connolly
Friday May 2nd - Chateau Lamothe
Meet Damien Chombart
Wednesday May 7th - "Wine School" - No Charge
The Loire Valley RSVP Required - 860-443-6817 Friday May 9th
Tom Belcher - Tori Mor Wines - Oregon
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OF NOTE
About a year ago we started to offer wines from 90+ Cellars.
The Back Story:
In the spring of 2009, armed with a copy of the latest Wine Spectator, 90+ called and emailed wineries with a history of high ratings and asked if they had wine for sale.
Some told them to get lost, others simply ignored them, but in the end, they found a handful of willing winemakers.
The plan was this:
They put the 90+ Cellars label on their wine, and they sell it at a fraction of the original price. But they could never reveal the famous source of the wine. It was a good plan.
They partner with highly respected wineries around the globe to provide you with wine that will keep more dollars in your pocket and impress the pants off your friends. Great wine every time.
Check them out on your next visit to the store.
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Moonstruck
Easter Truffles
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Handmade & Decorated in Oregon these truffles are deluxe. Served at the White House and
the Academy Awards - When you are not sure what to bring as a little gift - these are always a welcomed choice.
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You Take The Cake
These bite-sized treats, with tiny decorations of bunnies, carrots, or flowers, will warm your heart with their beautiful spring colors. Featuring alternating layers of moist cake and velvety butter cream, the range of flavors is divine: chocolate, vanilla-orange, apricot, and lemon just to name a few. The problem? Which one to try first!
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Imported CheeseFrom every corner of the globe.Ask to try a sample of this weeks favorite.
 Well Stocked Humidor Davidoff Ashton Padron Perdomo Fuente
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*** Holiday Goodies Are Arriving Every Day
Its Fun, Informal &
A Great Way To Start
Your Weekend
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