January Wine Tasting

Freeport Cheese & Wine

Wine Tasting!

Friday, Jan. 15th 3:30-7:30pm

Yes, the 3rd Friday of the month is this week!

All wine tastings in the store are FREE!

10% savings on all the tasting wines during the tasting! Or the week after!

The descriptions of the wines are below!

Dueling distributors - I like this theme! Also, having 2 tables seems to get people moving around the room so that each table is less crowded! The distributors - Mariner Beverages and Wicked Wines! We wish we could do wine AND beer at this tasting (both of these distributors have stellar beer line-ups), but that isn't allowed! Please write your legislator(s)!

We hope to see you Friday!

The Wines:

Mariner's Wines

The Whites:

Ochoa Blanco 2008 (Spain) $11.99 - Clean, pretty wine! This has nice floral and citrus aromas and flavors. Nice acidity and a clean finish. 70% Viura and 30% Chardonnay. Unoaked. From Navarra in Northern Spain. Family-owned. 100% estate-grown fruit. Food pairing - chicken, fish and lighter pasta dishes, spicy Asian food and salads.

Twisted Oak Viognier 2007 (California) $19.99 - This is a big, fuller-bodied Viognier from Calaveras County (yes, that Calaveras County, Jumping Frog, Mark Twain). Like Viognier should, this has floral aromas and then the apricot and lemon citrus take over. In flavors, the lemon and apricots are there with a bit of spice and minerals. Blend of Viognier from 4 vineyards. Grapes are destemmed. 35% fermented in older French oak, 10% in newer French oak and 55% in stainless steel. Fermented on the lees. Then the entire wine is blended and aged 6 months in neutral French oak. Food pairing - grilled chicken, Asian dishes, soft creamy cheese.

The Reds:

Petraio Primitivo di Puglia 2008 (Italy) $9.99 - The Primitivo grape is grown in Puglia and is a close relative of Zinfandel. Both Primitivo and Zinfandel are related to the Croatian grape Crljenak. Zinfandel is identical to Crljenak, while Primitivo is a clone of Crljenak. Primitivos are generally lighter than Zinfandels and lower in alcohol, which, in my opinion is a good thing and helps the wine better pair with food! Aromas and flavors of raspberries, chalk, blackberries, a little spice and earth. This has soft tannins. Food pairing - pasta with red sauce or pizza.

Bodegas Ochoa Graciano Garnacha 2006 (Spain) $14.99 - The 2006 Ochoa Graciano-Garnacha (a 50-50 blend) spent four months in seasoned French oak. It is a glass-coating opaque purple color with enticing aromas damp earth, black cherry, and black raspberry. This is followed by a medium-bodied wine with a touch of silky tannin, good depth, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Drink this tasty effort over the next four years. From Navarra in Northern Spain. Family-owned. 100% estate-grown fruit. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Trentadue Old Patch Red 2005 (California) $14.99 - We were among the 1st in Maine to sell this wine when it first arrived 3-4 years ago. Then it changed hands from one distributor to another and we dropped it b/c the price went way up! Now, it's at a 3rd distributor and the price is back to what it was and should be! This is a big, flavorful wine, but it is still soft and easy-to-drink! Loads of raspberry, blackberry, plum, blueberry, mint, chocolate and vanilla aromas. Flavors of cherries and plums and a touch of spice. Well-balanced acidity and fine-grained tannins. Yummy, smooth finish. Blend of mostly Zinfandel, with some Petite Sirah & Carignane. Less than 10,000 cases made. Paul Draper, of fame Ridge Winery, thinks so highly of this winery and its vineyards that since 1967, ALL of the grapes for its reknowned Geyserville wine has come from Trentadue's vineyards. Sustainable agriculture. Food pairing - Great for quaffing...and with food off the grill!

Herman Story "On the Road" Grenache 2007 (California) $39.99 - This is a hedonistic, massive wine! Did I say this is HUGE? Aromas and flavors of white pepper, licorice, baking spices, chocolate, and cherries. Big, full-flavored finish. 398 cases made. 30% whole cluster fermentation. 30% new French oak for 16 months. Vineyards are 50% Santa Barbara Highlands, 36% Larner Vineyard and 14% West Paso Robles. This will easily age through 2015. Russell From is a one-man operation. Herman Story is his grandfather. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93 points

The Dessert:

Quinta Santa Eufemia Tawny Port (Portugal) $18.99 - nutty, toasty and caramelly. Smooth. Perfect for a cold winter's night!

Wicked's Wines

The Whites:

Shannon Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (California) Reg. $13.99, Sale $11.99 - Outstanding Sauvignon Blanc! Aromas of minerals, smoke, orange citrus, flowers, anise and white flowers. Flavors that are similar to the aromas with the addition of stone fruits (peaches and apricots) and more citrus (lemon and lime). This has a nice round feel in the mouth and finishes clean and crisp. Aged 4-6 months in stainless steel. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. 7, 600 cases made. Sustainable agriculture. Food pairing - seafood, lighter chicken dishes, lobster, shellfish, drinks well on its own. California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, Silver Medal

Grayson Cellars Chardonnay 2008 (California) Reg. $13.99, Sale $11.99 - This is a really good, "California" style Chardonnay. It has a soft, round feeling. Nice weight in the mouth. Really good aromas & flavors of apples, pears, vanilla & spice. Crisp fruit up front & a really creamy, clean finish. Restrained use of oak, so while this is "oaky," it's not overdone. Food pairing - chicken, duck, lobster (if you want to compliment the butter and richness, rather than "cut" through it), pasta dishes, etc. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 88 points, "Top Value" (5th year in a row!)

The Reds:

Luigi Bosca Reserva Pinot Noir 2007 (Argentina) $16.99 - Luigi Bosca is one of our favorite Argentine wineries - each of their wines is superb AND are great values. Aromas of raspberries, strawberries and chocolate. Velvety-textured. Bright, fresh fruit flavors and soft tannins. Delicious! Drink now through 2012. Barrel fermented and aged in French oak for 8 months. Food pairing - poultry, salmon, mushroom dishes, soft cheese. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Shannon Ridge Wrangler Red 2007 (California) Reg. $13.99, Sale $11.99 - Excellent "field" blend from California! Aromas of boysenberries, cherries & vanilla. Flavors of boysenberries, red berries, baking spices and vanilla. The tannins are really soft. Nice smooth finish that lingers. Aged 8 months in French and American oak. Blend of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Syrah, 27% Petite Sirah, 6% Zinfandel & 4% Barbera. Sustainable agriculture. Food pairing - almost anything you want to grill! Pizza. Lasagna. Stews. Chili. California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, Silver Medal

90+ Cellars "Lot #9" Australian Fusion 2007 (Australia) Reg. $19.99, Sale $13.99 - another winner from the 90+ Cellars line-up. If you aren't familiar with this "brand," they buy wines rated 90+ points from wineries around the world at a discount and sell them under their own label. You ask, "Why couldn't a winery sell ALL of a 90+ rated wine?" We have a global recession - that's why. So....the wine: from McClaren Vale....this is a Bordeaux blend - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Aromas and flavors of blackberries, cherries, chocolate, mint and savory herbs. Long finish. Firm tannins. Aged in French oak for 14 months. Food pairing - steak, lamb, stews.

Indomita Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Chile) $14.99 - Big, rich, smooth Cabernet! Great tasting and a great value! This is full-bodied with aromas and flavors of red berries, currants and butterscotch. Well-balanced. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in new (1st use) French (70%) and American (30%) oak barrels for 13 months. Food pairing - lamb, beef, chocolate.

The Dessert:

Chocovine $13.99 - Dutch Chocolate with Cabernet Sauvignon! If you like Bailey's Irish Cream, give this a shot! Tastes like rich chocolate with a kick! Rich, dark chocolate from Holland blended with good Cabernet Sauvignon from France. Rich and chocolaty with subtle red wine flavors. Drink over ice or use it to make a chocolate martini! Or, come up with your own drink! That's the line-up. We hope to see you Friday! If you want any of these wines and won't be here Friday, just let us know via phone or e-mail!