Thanksgiving 2011

Wines for Thanksgiving

(& cheese)

(& beer)

We all know how hectic Thanksgiving can be – AND how CROWDED and TIME-CONSUMING it can be in the stores.

We want to help you with your Thanksgiving Dinner preparations.

So, we’ve put together a list of wines that will go well with the meal! We have a lot of other options – we do love these wines for a Thanksgiving meal and we are trying to simplify things for you!

A few things that are important to consider for Thanksgiving Dinner – (1) it’s a long day – drink wines that are lower in alcohol; (2) a big blockbuster California Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon, while it takes great, might clobber the turkey, especially the white meat; (3) you have a lot of things going on in terms of foods – white meat, dark meat, stuffing, gravy, root veggies, sweet potatoes, greens, etc.

Or, if you want to give us a guideline in terms of number of bottles and average price per bottle, we can put together an assortment for you and have them waiting for you to pick up.

Put together any combination of these wines that is 3 or more bottles, and take 15% off the price!

Feel free to pick-and-choose from this list as you want.

All-Oregon

(under $15)

White

Foris Vineyards Rogue Valley Gewürztraminer 2008 (Oregon) $13.99 - Big hit at a recent tasting! We love this Alsatian-style Gewürz from this small winery in Oregon’s southwestern corner. Wonderful aromas of pears, apples and stone fruits. Flavors of bright, fresh, crisp citrus fruits (lemons, limes), plus tropical fruit, Asian pears, minerals and that quintessential Gewürz peppery spice. Dry. Crisp acidity. Long, clean, crisp finish. Whole cluster pressed and cold-fermented. 1,229 cases made. Food pairing – ham, Thanksgiving-style meal, smoked fish, spicy Asian fare. Drinks well on its own!

Red

Eola Hills Pinot Noir 2009 (Oregon) $15.99 - This is a good-drinking, real Oregon Pinot! Well-structured and balanced. Well-balanced acidity. Dark cherry and dark berry flavors and aromas…with a touch of cranberry. A little spice and a hint of earth and toast. Velvety feel in the mouth. Soft tannins at the finish. Food pairing – Great on its own or drinking with grilled or roasted meats & veggies! Excellent with salmon! Wine & Spirits, “Top 20 Value Brands”

Northern Europe

(under $15)

Wines from Northern Europe, in this case, from Alsace and the upper reaches of the Loire Valley in the Massif Centrale, are generally lower in alcohol and well-balanced in terms of acidity and flavors. This means the wines work well with food.

White

Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer 2010 (Alsace, France) $19.99 – Brand new to Maine. Thanksgiving Dinner is a meal with a lot going on on the table and in the room. There's a bit of chaos on the table and in the air. We have dark meat, white meat, stuffing, gravy, root veggies, cranberry sauce, green beans, maybe asparagus and more. Each family has its own traditions. Each person has their own combination of food on the plate. It can all get confusing when it comes to the wine. Pinot Blanc is food-friendly. It's "only" 12% alcohol, so it won't go to your head quickly. This has vibrant fruit, crisp acidity. It's simply delicious and great with a broad variety of foods.

Red

Famille Laurent Saint Pourcain Tradition Gamay – Pinot Noir 2009 (France) $14.99 - A big hit at our March tasting…..a perfect red that you may even chill a little if you want! The wine is bright & fresh and has beautiful berry qualities with a slightly darker undertone from the Pinot Noir. This unusual blend comes from the St. Pourcain area just southwest of Beaujolais and Burgundy. The grapes are farmed and fermented by the Laurent family which has worked this land for nearly 100 years. 12.5% alcohol. Food pairing – grilled chicken, pork tenderloin, roasted root vegetables.

All-Italian

(under $15)

Similar to wines from Northern Europe and Oregon, Italian wines are made to go with food. Balanced and lower in alcohol.

White

Zenato Lugana San Benedetto 2010 (Italy) $14.99 - We flat out LOVE this! This has crisp acidity and a soft, supple feel to its texture. Aromas and flavors of peach, citrus, bananas and herbs. The wine is soft and round and has a wonderfully long, savory finish. Made from an indigenous grape, Trebbiano di Lugana, a unique clone of Trebbiano that is highly regarded for its distinctly flavorful characteristics. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in stainless steel for 6 months. Bottle-aged in the bottle for 2 months before. Food pairing – Thanksgiving Dinner, roasted chicken, scallops, lobster, duck breast, etc.!

Red

Tedeschi Valpolicella Classico Lucchine 2010 (Italy) $14.99 - This is delicious, well-balanced and nuanced. It has vibrant, lively acidity. Aromas and flavors of cherries and red currants. Nice finish that carries through the fruit. Lucchine is the vineyard that produces the grapes; it’s in Valpolicella’s heart. Hand-harvested. 25% Corvina, 25% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara & 10% Rossignola, Oseleta, Negrara & Dindarella. That’s a mouthful and a truckload of grape varietals! Stainless steel fermentation. Food pairing – Thanksgiving Dinner, pasta, white meat dishes and lighter meals. Serve at 57 degrees.

A little bit nicer

(under $25)

White

Chateau de Chamboureau Savennières Cuvée d’Avant 2004 (France) $23.99 - Delicious! This is just a flat out wonderful wine –A UNIQUE wine! One of the best white wines, or any wine, under $25! Full-bodied. Smooth & mouth-filling. Not a sweet wine nor is it extremely dry. A rare white wine that really evolves after being opened for a day or so. Aromas of honeysuckle, green apple & crème brulée. Richly flavored with a stony mineral quality. Well-balanced acidity. 100% Chenin Blanc. From a tiny Loire Valley area. Food pairing - Great wine w/ shellfish in cream sauces. 1,200 cases made. Will age well through 2014.

Red

A to Z Pinot Noir 2008 (Oregon) $19.99 - Wonderful Pinot! This is a great vintage from Oregon! Clear and vibrant with a beautiful dark color. Pretty aromas and flavors of raspberries and cherries, earth, smoke, violets, Asian spices and minerals. A lush texture & good acidity. Long finish that shows this wine’s beautifully balance between richness & power, the wine possesses amazing depth & purity. Restrained use of oak – this wine sees 9-10 months of aging before bottling. Food pairing - Great on its own or with lobster, grilled chicken & pork, chicken salad, smoked salmon, grilled shrimp, sushi, gazpacho and more! Now-2016. Wine Spectator, 90 points

Going Whole Turkey

(priceless)

White

Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 (France) $34.99 - Blockbuster of a wine and a GREAT value from Châteauneuf-du-Pape! This is GOOD STUFF! It’s weighty and minerally and complex! Aromas and flavors of limes, almonds, honey, honeysuckle and peaches. Great weight and body to this wine! Crisp finish with vibrant acidity. The finish is long and complex. Blend of 45% Grenache Blanc, 20% Bourbelanc, 30% Clairette and 5% Roussanne. Food pairing – fish, white meat and creamy cheeses. Organic Farming

Red

A to Z Pinot Noir 2008 (Oregon) $19.99 - Wonderful Pinot! This is a great vintage from Oregon! Clear and vibrant with a beautiful dark color. Pretty aromas and flavors of raspberries and cherries, earth, smoke, violets, Asian spices and minerals. A lush texture & good acidity. Long finish that shows this wine’s beautifully balance between richness & power, the wine possesses amazing depth & purity. Restrained use of oak – this wine sees 9-10 months of aging before bottling. Food pairing - Great on its own or with lobster, grilled chicken & pork, chicken salad, smoked salmon, grilled shrimp, sushi, gazpacho and more! Now-2016. Wine Spectator, 90 points

Cheese

Cheese is priced per pound. You may buy it in any weight (1/4 pound or more). We cut it to order.

· Old Quebec Cheddar (Canada) $14.99/lb – easily our best-selling cheese and a crowd-favorite. This is a sharp cheddar that is aged over 5 years. Its texture has this nice crunchy aspect to it because calcium crystals have formed during its lengthy aging. Just a fabulous cheese.

· Manchego (Spain) $16.99/lb – the classic sheep’s milk cheese from Spain! This has a nice sharpness to it and a creamy texture. Try it with fig cake or quince paste.

· Pierre Robert Triple Creme (France) $19.99/lb – one of the world’s great soft-ripening cheese. This is buttery, creamy, rich and more. If you are familiar with Brillat-Savarin, you know this cheese. This is the best producer.

· Humboldt Fog (California) $21.99/lb – one of the most distinctive cheeses from anywhere in the world. 100% goat’s milk. The cheese ripens from the outside in…..as it ripens, it turns gooey. The outer part tastes different than the inner part, which is akin to a crumbly chevre. The rind has a subtle blue characteristic to it.

· St. Agur Blue (France) $18.99/lb – this is creamy, lush, rich and delicious. It’s buttery with a nice saltiness to it.

Beer & Cider

We are going to go local with our beer recommendations. Cider is from all over! Cider is the CLASSIC AMERICAN beverage from colonial days.

Beer

· Portland Lager $4.79/big bottle - Maine’s newest brewery and its only true lager brewery. A weighty, rich lager that has nice hoppiness to it.

· Maine Beer Co. “Mean Old Tom” Stout – this is the 2^nd year for Dave and Dan’s seasonal winter brew. It just arrived TODAY! This is a rich stout brewed with vanilla beans. It’s fantastic!

· Rising Tide Polaris Wheat Stout $14.99/big bottle – This is a limited edition beer. They made 336 bottles and all are hand-numbered. It’s made in bourbon barrels. Rich, lush and big.

· Rising Tide Daymark Pale Ale $5.99/big bottle – this has a wonderfully creamy feel to it. Well-balanced between the hops and the malt.

Cider

One of the beauties of cider is that it is LOW in alcohol. It is the drink that Americans loved from colonial days. Johnny Appleseed was not planting apple trees for eating purposes. Before Prohibition, 80% of all apples were used to make hard cider. Also, cider apples differ from the ones we eat.

Original Sin Cherry Tree Cider (New York) $11.99 – this is delicious. It’s dry and tart with great fruit. This is made from heirloom apples and cherries. Brand new to Maine! Christian Drouin Cidre Pays d’Auge (Normandy, France) $13.99 – Wonderfully sparkling cider. Refreshing. Lots of fine, soft bubbles. Aromas and flavors of pears, peaches, caramel, apples and baking spices. Crisp. 4.5% alcohol.

November Wine and Balsamic Vinegar Tasting

Pre-Thanksgiving Wine Tasting

Friday, 3:30-7:30

November 18^th, 2011

10% off on all wine tasting wines!

We usually have Ned Swain of Devenish Wines here for this tasting…..and we do again this year! Ned’s always fun and always brings us wines we just don’t see many other places……wines with heart and soul and a sense of place.

The focus is on wines that will pair well with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. We want balanced wines that will compliment the meal. We don’t want high alcohol blockbusters because those would do two things (at least) – (1) clobber the white meat and several other dishes; (2) bring on a nap way too soon. These wines will also work well with a host of other meals.

The Sparkling:

Alexandre Monmousseau Crémant de Loire (France) $16.99 – one of the beauties of Crémants is that they are made in the “méthode traditionnelle,” which used to called “methode champenoise,” but that term is now reserved for true Champagne. This makes the bubbles finer and longer lasting than wines made in the Charmant method. The difference is that the secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle with “méthode traditionnelle” versus in a stainless steel tank with the Charmant method. This is 50% Chenin Blanc, 30% Chardonnay and the rest is Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. It is a white wine, so it’s not left in skin contact with the red grapes. This is lively, fresh, refreshing with nice fruit. It’s dry. It has a nice weight. Another nice thing about Crémants is that they aren’t as expensive as Champagne!

The Whites:

Illahe Gruner Veltliner 2009 (Oregon) $15.99 –Why not an Oregon Gruner? Another grape that is not commonly grown in Oregon. This has nice minerality. Wonderful fruit – pineapple, melon and just a hint of grapefruit. Hints of black pepper. Stainless steel fermentation. 0.3% residual sugar – so it is bone dry. LIVE-certified Salmon Safe vineyard. Wine Enthusiast, “Best Buy,” 90 points

Joseph Cattin Pinot Blanc 2010 (Alsace, France) $14.99 – Brand new to Maine. Thanksgiving Dinner is a meal with a lot going on on the table and in the room. There's a bit of chaos on the table and in the air. We have dark meat, white meat, stuffing, gravy, root veggies, cranberry sauce, green beans, maybe asparagus and more. Each family has its own traditions. Each person has their own combination of food on the plate. It can all get confusing when it comes to the wine. Pinot Blanc is food-friendly. It's "only" 12% alcohol, so it won't go to your head quickly. This has vibrant fruit, crisp acidity. It's simply delicious and great with a broad variety of foods.

Carlotta Cellars AD Blanc 2010 (California) $29.99 – Brand new to Maine. Ned says this is really cool. I haven’t had it, but I know that when Ned is all jazzed about a wine, it’s unique, tasty and has soul! This is a blend of Roussanne, Viognier and Marsanne. It’s definitely a California take on a Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc. All of the wine is fermented in neutral oak barrels where lots of lees contact occurs to promote a richer mouth feel and increased aromatics.. Some of the lots go through malolactic fermentation. 10% of their 2010 Reserve wine is added to the blend – this adds a touch of oak, as the Reserve wine is aged in 100% new French oak. Bottled unfiltered and unfined. This is a rich, hedonistic white wine. Aromas of honeysuckle, bacon, melons and minerals. Layers and layers of fruit and flavors. Mouthwatering. Long, lengthy, complex finish.

The Reds:

Domain Le Grand Rouvière Côtes de Provence Rouge 2009 (France) $13.99 - Great tasting, great value red! This is enjoyably earthy at the start and then it opens up into a very unpretentious table wine. The tannins aren’t aggressive, but it has a nice dry, earthy mid-palate and aromas of Provencal herbs behind its bright cherry fruit. Blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache. Fifth generation winemaking family. Organic, sustainable farming. Food pairing – grilled steak, grilled pork chops or pork tenderloin, baby back ribs.

Domaine de Chevalerie Bourgueil Cuvée Venus (France) $16.99 – 100% Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc are the parents of the better known Cabernet Sauvignon. In the Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc is one of the most widely planted and revered red grapes. The areas of Chinon and Saumur are certainly better known than Bourgueil – some of that is Bourgueil is just hard to pronounce. It’s close to “Ber-goy.” The Caslot family has only owned this estate since 1640. They are widely regarded as the best winemaking family in the Loire Valley, certainly the best Bourgueil producer. They are classic, traditional winemakers and this wine shows that. This is as pure an expression of the grape as you will find. Aromas and flavors of graphite, bell peppers, blackberries and minerals. This has vibrant acidity. Organic, sustainable farming. Food pairing – pork tenderloin, Thanksgiving Dinner, duck, poultry, salmon.

Domaine de Chevalerie Bourgueil Cuvée Venus (France) $16.99 – 100% Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc are the parents of the better known Cabernet Sauvignon. In the Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc is one of the most widely planted and revered red grapes. The areas of Chinon and Saumur are certainly better known than Bourgueil – some of that is Bourgueil is just hard to pronounce. It’s close to “Ber-goy.” The Caslot family has only owned this estate since 1640. They are widely regarded as the best winemaking family in the Loire Valley, certainly the best Bourgueil producer. They are classic, traditional winemakers and this wine shows that. This is as pure an expression of the grape as you will find. Aromas and flavors of graphite, bell peppers, blackberries and minerals. This has vibrant acidity. Organic, sustainable farming. Food pairing – pork tenderloin, Thanksgiving Dinner, duck, poultry, salmon.

Atilio Avena Malbec Roble 2009 (Argentina) $15.99 – we just tasted this with our friend, Warren Frasor, the night of our recent Italian tasting. Warren is someone Ned and I have worked with for a number of years. He recently started his own importing company. It’s focused on wines from Italy. So, how did he end up with an Argentine Malbec? He worked with the owners in Italy. This is nice and juicy with great red fruit, a little spiciness and well-integrated tannins. It’s very balanced and just fun to drink!

These next two wines are brought to us by our friend Wayne Clark, who moved from Maine to Oregon a couple of years ago and fell in love with many of the tiny, family-owned wineries in the area and wanted his Maine friends to enjoy wines such as these.

Dewey Kelly Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2007 (Oregon) $38.99 – Dewey and Robin Kelly bought this property in 1978 and dreamed of building a winery. In 2001, they planted their first vines. This wine is made from the best barrels each year. Ribbon Ridge is Dewey Kelly’s estate vineyard. 2007 was to put it mildly a challenging year. Some have called it a winemaker’s year, because it separated the men from the boys, so to speak. Late season rain had people guessing when to harvest. Those who waited were rewarded with riper fruit. Even the best 2007s didn’t really come into their own until they’d been in bottle about 6 months. With much longer than that, Dewey’s Pinot Noir is really good! Aromas of spicy red fruit. Flavors of ripe raspberries, cherries, earth and plums. It’s refreshing with nice zingy red fruit!. Brand new to Maine.

Angel Vine “The Hellion” Primitivo – Petite Sirah 2008 (Washington) $24.99 – We tasted a wonderful Zinfandel from this winery in April when Wayne was here. It was a HUGE hit at the tasting. Ed Fus made a very limited amount of this wine (9 barrels). Ed is devoted to making great Zinfandel and its cousin, Primitivo. This is a delicious tribute to the Italian field blends that have been popular in California since immigrants brought vines with them. It’s full, ripe and drinkable with spice and smoke under its dense fruit. Everything is balanced. Brand new to Maine.

Beer & Cider Tasting

Beer & Cider Tasting!

Saturday

November 12

3 – 6 PM

The Beers:

Meantime India Pale Ale (England) $10.99 – This is a nice, creamy, amber-colored IPA. It’s very classically made – meaning, this resembles the original IPA’s. Nice aromas of hops and orange peel. This is delicious. Flavors of spicy hops, caramel, a little earth, fresh hops. It has a nice long finish that has a pleasing bitter note to it that IPA’s should have. Bottle-conditioned. Not pasteurized. Uses Fuggles & Goldings hops. 7.5% alcohol. Food pairing – hot foods and spicy friends. Awards - RateBeer.com, 93 points

Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen Triple IPA (Belgium) $8.99 - These little gnomes on the Chouffe bottles aren't playing around - they are helping make some of the world's best beer! Aromas of clean fruit, yeast, fresh bread, jalapeño, hops, citrus and malt. Flavors of grapefruit citrus, plus lemon. Tropical fruits such as pineapple, toast, minerals and baked apples. Nice balance to the bitterness. 9% alcohol gives this some warmth. Crisp, dry, fruity finish. Unfiltered, non-pasteurized, bottle-conditioned. Awards - Beer Advocate, A- points; RateBeer.com, 99 points

St. Bernardus ABT 12 Strong Brown Ale (Belgium) $9.99 - One of the WORLD'S GREAT beers! Traditional Trappist Monk-style Belgium ale. Dark in color. This is smooth, creamy and big - it's a full-bodied beer with a great feel, aroma and taste! Aromas of caramel, figs, raisins, bananas, toasted bread - it's a warming aroma! Flavors of figs, malt, baking spices, raisins, poached pears, a banana dessert torched in rum. Long, long finish. This is so complex it is hard to figure out! Blend of Alexis and Prisma malts, roasted malts and Target and Styrian Goldings hops. 10% alcohol. Awards - Gold Medal, 2006 World Beer Championships; Beer Advocate, A; RateBeer.com, 100 points.

Bosteels Brewery Kwak Special Amber Ale (Belgium) $9.99 – This is a beautiful Belgian ale that is rich and has a slight sweetness to the malty characteristics in it. It pours with a beautifully rich, fluffy head in the glass. Aromas of plums, caramel, fresh bread, bananas, cherries and dried fruit. Full-bodied, rich and almost lush. Flavors of caramel, honey, ripe cherries and fresh bread. 8% alcohol. Awards - RateBeer.com, 94 points

Orkney Brewery Skull Splitter Ale (Scotland) $12.99/4-pack – This is a dark amber ale, but it is not a stout or a porter. Aromas of chocolate, caramel, molasses and maybe cherries. Flavors of brown sugar, chocolate, caramel and molasses. This has a pleasing mouthfeel. It’s creamy and smooth. 8.5% alcohol. Awards - RateBeer.com, 95 points

Porterhouse Oyster Stout (Ireland) $4.99 – This is called oyster stout for a reason. It’s actually brewed with fresh oysters. This was first done in 1929 in New Zealand. At this time, “nourishing” stouts and “milk” stouts were quite popular. Also, in pubs in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, fresh oysters were a common food and stouts were much more popular than pale ales. The pairing is a natural one. “Not suitable for vegetarians” is the motto for this beer! This is smooth drinking and has a definite sea air aroma to it. It’s a deep, dark brown with a nice white head on it. Aromas and flavors of coffee, chocolate and salt water. Nice complexity and layers to this. Good long finish that continues to subtle salinity trip. 5.2% alcohol.

The Ciders:

Apple cider was the most popular alcoholic drink in the American Colonies and it continued to be so in the USA through at least the 1840’s. Prohibition just about killed off hard cider production in America. It remains a popular beverage in France, England and elsewhere. It is slowly re-emerging in the US.

One of the great things about cider is that it is tasty and LOW in alcohol. It’s refreshing. Great to drink on a warm day – cider is not just a Fall beverage. In fact, hard cider was a means to preserve the calories in apples for the year AND to provide a save beverage to consume – think about how nasty and polluted so many populous areas in the US and Europe were in much of the 18^th and 19^th centuries and into the 20^th.

Interestlingly, it was beer’s increasing popularity that started cider’s demise in the US in the 1800’s. It’s a bit ironic that the emergence of the US microbrew industry has sparked a resurgence in cider’s popularity.

Etienne Dupont Cidre Bouche Brut 2009 (Normandy, France) $12.99 – This has a carbonation that is much akin to Champagne. Lots of fine, soft bubbles. It has a golden color and aromas of sweet apples. It should have that…..it’s made with 6 varietals of “cider” apples. The apples traditionally used to make cider are not the ones we typically eat. “Cider” apples are less sweet and more tart than eating apples. The cider has a light dryness to it. It has a soft feel to it. Medium-bodied. When you first open the cider, it has a mustiness to the aromas. This passes soon as the cider starts to react to being let out of the bottle. It’s crisp and refreshing. Has a subtle smokiness to it, as well as hints of fresh bread. 5.5% alcohol. Organic. Awards - RateBeer.com, 96 points

J. K. Scrumpy’s Solstice Cider (Michigan) $7.99 – This is a LIGHTLY spiced cider that Scrumpy only makes in a small amount to enjoy in the Fall. It has a little cinnamon, vanilla and a tiny drop (a speck) of maple syrup. Enjoy this chilled or warm it for a festive drink. This definitely smells like apples. Flavors show more of the spice aromatics and vanilla. Medium-bodied. Delicious! 6.9% alcohol. Organic. Awards - RateBeer.com, 97 points

October Wines of the Month

October Wines of the Month

We’ve been tasting wines this fall with the focus really being on food-friendly wines, particularly with the heartier foods we are eating as the weather cools and the days shorten.

Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

We wanted to go to Italy for Tier One because the Italians truly do think about food when they are making their wine. If you are having an Italian wine and it just isn’t working for you, find some food. Salami works great with Italian reds.

The White

Zenato Lugana San Benedetto 2010 (Italy) $14.99 – We flat out LOVE this! This has crisp acidity and a soft, supple feel to its texture. Aromas and flavors of peach, citrus, bananas and herbs. The wine is soft and round and has a wonderfully long, savory finish. Made from an indigenous grape, Trebbiano di Lugana. This is a unique clone of Trebbiano that is highly regarded for its distinctly flavorful characteristics. The grapes are from estate vineyards in San Benedetto, a village just south of Lake Garda. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in stainless steel for 6 months. Aged in the bottle for 2 months before release. Food pairing – Thanksgiving Dinner, roasted chicken, scallops, lobster, duck breast, etc.!

The Red

Tedeschi Valpolicella Classico Lucchine 2010 (Italy) $14.99 – LThis is well-balanced and nuanced. It has vibrant, lively acidity. Aromas and flavors of cherries and red currants. Nice finish that carries through the fruit. Lucchine is the vineyard that produces the grapes. The vineyard is in the heart of the Valipolicella. Hand-harvested. Blend of 25% Corvina, 25% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara, and 10% Rossignola, Oseleta, Negrara & Dindarella. That’s a mouthful and a truckload of grape varietals! Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Food pairing – Thanksgiving Dinner, pasta, white meat dishes and lighter meals. Serve at 57 degrees.

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

For this tier, we’ve turned to a friend of ours, Warren Frasor. Warren managed the Italian portfolio for an importer, T. Edward, in Manhattan. We’ve enjoyed and sold a ton of the wines from T. Edward over the years. We buy those wines from the inimitable Ned Swain of Devenish Wines.

Warren started a new wine importing company this year, Peter Warren Selections. Ned and I are really excited about these wines and Warren’s new venture.

Warren was also the sommelier at Mario Batali’s famed New York restaurant, Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca. Warren’s a fantastic guy with a great nose for fine wine.

These wines are brand new to Maine!

Comelli is a small winery in the northeastern part of Italy.

Daniela and Pierluigi Comelli had a home and vineyards. Originally, they sold all the grapes they grew. Looking to make something interesting and great for their two sons, they decided to build a winery and increase some vineyard holdings. They are in northern part of the Collio Orientali DOC, which is hillier than the southern part. This helps give the wines a little more brightness in the fruit department. They produce about 6,000 cases per vintages. Very sweet folks; all the family is involved in the company. They make very focused and delicious wines.

The location is protected by the Alps to the north and is open to sea breezes from the south. This area is an ancient sea floor, so the soil is laced with limestone. This adds great minerality to the wines.

Colli Orientali del Friuli is a wine area that is unfamiliar to most Americans. It is near Slovenia. Friuli is primarily known for their lovely aromatic white wines, but they produce some exciting high elevation reds as well.

The White

Comelli Friulano Colli Orientali del Friuli 2009 (Italy) $21.99 – This is a delicious wine that typifies white wine styles from Friuli. Dry, nicely balanced, it has a pleasing yellow-straw colour with golden reflections. It has well-balanced, fruity bouquet with notes of almond, wildflower and white peach. The aromas carry through to a taste that is fresh, fruity and inviting.

Fruilano is the relatively new name for the grape. It used to be called Tocai or Tocai Friulano in Friuli and Slovenia. The Hungarians successfully lobbied the European Union to only permit the name Tokay, and its derivatives, to be used with the famous golden dessert wine of northeast Hungary.

So, Tocai Friulano is now abbreviated to Friulano. The grape is a close relative of Sauvignon Blanc.

Food pairing – prosciutto, soup, fish appetizers, white meat terrines, Thanksgiving Dinner.

The Red

Comelli Soffumbergo Rosso delle Venezie 2008 (Italy) $21.99 – This has a brooding, dark, elegant aroma that is very warming. It has aromas of cedar, bacon fat, black cherry, cigar box and freshly ground coffee. This has a sleek and refined texture. It’s really hard to not just chug this one down it is so good. The wine has bright, fresh acidity and the fruit is alive! Lush and layered. Dark cherries with baking spices and cassis. It’s velvety and smooth. Medium-bodied and an excellent autumn wine! This combines the power and intensity of Cabernet Sauvignon with the earthy smokiness of Refosco and the soft, supple lushness of Merlot. Blend of Refosco, Pignolo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Food pairing – grilled and roasted meats, mushrooms, truffle dishes.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

The White

Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve Champagne NV (France) $59.99 – This winery was established in 1818 with a marriage uniting 2 Champagne producers. The blend for this cuvée has not changed much for almost 50 years. Blend of 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. This is medium-bodied and has beautiful, fine bubbles and plenty of length. It finishes crisp and refreshing. Straw-colored. Aromas and flavors of ripe pears, peaches and freshly mown hay. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 90 points.

The Red

Podere San Cristoforo “Carandelle” Sangiovese Super Tuscan (Italy) $28.99 – Lorenzo Zonin comes from a wine making family. They produce excellent Prosecco. He decided to branch out and chart his own course. So, he established a winery in the wild west of Tuscany, in southerm Maremma. He purchased an old winery/vineyard with spectacular terroir. He farms biodynamically. These wines are beautiful and intense. When Warren was discussing these wines with him at VinItaly last year, Lorenzo said, Wait until I get my dirt healthy.” He’s serious. Much of the farm is fallow, planted with various grasses and herbs to correct deficiencies in the soil.

Lorenzo is focused on making elegant, rich wines. The Carandelle is made from grapes grown in cuttings of Sangiovese Grosso that Lorenze obtained from a friend in Montalcino. He grafted these cuttings onto old-vine rootstock. He makes about 3,500 cases of wine total each vintage and plans to grow slowly.

The wine – This is smooth, rich and elegant. Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, flowers, spices and minerals. This wine truly showcases the nuances that are Maremma – fresh raspberries, macerated strawberries, mint, lightly dusty, violet-like, with minerals and baking spices….even rhubarb. This has an opulence and fullness in the mouth. The tannins are well balanced. Aged 12 months in French oak. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points

November Wines of the Month

November Wines of the Month

The focus this month is on wines for Thanksgiving, as well as for the Fall. Consequently, this is an "All-American" line-up.....but, not from places you'd expect!

Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

The White

Urbanite Cellars Caliberico 2010 (California) $14.99 – This is VERY aromatic and has a lovely nose! It’s a pretty wine. In the mouth it has rich fruit and pops with nice acidity. It has a pleasing note of honey to the flavors. Excellent wine! Because the wine is from California and the grape varietals are from Spain/Portugal, the wine is named for California and the Iberian Peninsula!

The grapes are from the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA). Lodi is about 60 miles east of Napa and ENE of San Francisco and about 45 miles south of Sacramento. Most of us probably heard of Lodi when listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR).

It’s an early center of grape-growing and cattle ranching in California. Many early immigrants brought grape vine cuttings with them, so the grapes in and around Lodi are a diverse lot. Lodi is the “Zinfandel capital of the world.”

Urbanite’s grapes are all from certified sustainable vineyards. They pick the grapes early to ensure alcohol and acidity levels similar to those found in wines from Galicia and Vinho Verde. It’s only 12.6% alcohol, making this perfect for a long day of eating and drinking such as Thanksgiving Day! Blend of 47% Verdelho, 35% Albarinho and 18% Torrontes. The varietals are fermented separately in stainless steel (80%) and neutral French oak (20%). The wine is then blended and aged in 90% stainless steel and 10% neutral French oak. Food pairing – Drinks well with or without food! Shellfish, seafood, lighter pasta dishes, grilled chicken or pork.

The Red

Urbanite Cellars Redart 2010 (California) $14.99 – While Urbanite mostly specializes in grape varietals that originated in the Iberian Peninsula, they do make wines from varietals we more closely associate with California. This is one. It’s delicious! This is juicy with nice red and dark fruit and a pleasing mocha note to it. It’s not hugely tannic. It’s wll-balanced and easy-drinking! Blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 20% Zinfandel & 10% other reds. Each varietal is aged 4-9 months in neutral French oak before blending. Food pairing - poultry, grilled meats, duck.

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

We recently tasted several wines from Virginia. Yes, Virginia, wines from Virginia. As many know, Thomas Jefferson was passionate about wine. He even tried to start a winery near Charlottesville. He wasn’t successful, but, one needs to remember that while Jefferson was a brilliant man, he wasn’t as good of a businessman or farmer as George Washington was. Well, in the 20^th century, many people have proven that Virginia can produce good, even great, wines.

These are some of them! They are from an estate called Barboursville Vineyards. No less an authority than the esteemed Michael Broadbent of Decanter Magazine glows about Barboursville Vineyards.

http://barboursvillewine.net/pdf/Decanter.pdf

Jefferson himself designed the grand home at Barboursville for his good friends. Unfortunately, that home burned in the 1880’s. Gianni Zonin, a member of a 6-generation wine family from the Veneto in Italy (they make great Prosecco, among other things), bought the estate in 1976. Against the advice of bankers, locals, farmers and governmental officials, he planted grapes rather than tobacco. Today, the region is home to more than 100 wineries. Barboursville Vineyards makes OUTSTANDING wine!

The White

Barboursville Vineyards Viognier Reserve 2009 (Virginia) $24.99 – Delicious, rich white wine! Aromas and flavors of ripe, juicy pears, tropical fruit and citrus with a suggestive herbal note. Ripe and luscious. 2009 was a cool growing season and this helped lengthen the growing season, concentrating and heightening the aromatics even beyond the landmark 2008 vintage. 100% Viognier. Aged and fermented in stainless steel for 12-14 months. Sees no malolactic fermentation (so, it is not buttery/creamy). It is rich and weighty because it is aged on its lees. 13.7% alcohol. This is drinking well now and will age well for another 4-5 years. Food pairing – crab cakes, veal or venison scaloppini, scallops au gratin, rich seafood, duck, heftier chicken dishes.

The Red

Barboursville Vineyards Cabernet Franc Reserve 2008 (Virginia) $24.99 – This is a beautiful, layered, complex and elegant Cab. Franc. It’s a dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas and flavors of figs, cherries, plums and ripe red berries. It has soft, lasting tannins and is beautifully soft feeling. 100% Cabernet Franc from 4 Bordeaux clones and 1 Loire Valley clone. Aged 14 months in new and French oak barriques. The oak staves are air-dried at least 3 years before coopering. It’s the House Red at The Inn at Little Washington. Food pairing – Braised veal roast served with baby vegetables, pasta with breast of duck ragù, roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic over soft polenta.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

The White

Westport Rivers Brut Cuvée RJR Sparkling Wine (Massachusetts) $25.99 - Excellent Champagne-style sparkling wine! We were at a wine tasting that SOPO hosted at a wonderful restaurant on Portland's Munjoy Hill, BarLola (great food)....the first wine we had at this tasting was this sparkling wine! We both loved it! From Massachusetts - who would have thunk! Blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Aromas of apples, pears, minerals. Just a subtle hint of toast. Feels nice and soft & rich in the mouth. Nice bubbles! Finishes soft & creamy with a hint of citrus! Tasty wine!

The Red

Barboursville Vineyards “Octagon” 2006 (Virginia) $42.99 – This has classic Boreaux characteristics – and it should given that it consists of Bordeaux’s 3 primary grapes. Aromas and flavors of mocha, mint, cassis, roasted coffee, cocoa powder, plums and more. This is full-bodied and silky. It’s just coming into its prime. Dusty tannins. Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Aged 12-14 months in new French oak barriques. The wood was air-dried for at least 3 years before coopering. Food pairing - Osso buco, chicken braised in good red wine and black olives, sage and walnut-crusted lamb chop in rosemary jus.

The wine is named for the Octagon that was part of Jefferson’s design for the Barbours home. The design for the 1^st floor of the home is on the front label of the wine.

Read an interesting article about a blind tasting showcasing French, Napa and Virginia wines. The sommeliers and retailers at the tasting ranked the Octagon right up with an esteemed Napa Cab and an excellent Bordeaux.

Beverage Tasting Institute, “Exceptional,” Gold Medal, “Best Red Wine 2009”