July Wine Tasting

July Wine Tasting

Friday, July 16th

3:30 - 7:30

10% off on all wine tasting wines!

Featuring Spanish and French wines from Eric Solomon’s European Cellars Portfolio!

Eric Solomon is one of the best importers of wine in the business. He’s been named:

• Food & Wine Magazine, Best Importer, 2006
• Robert M. Parker, Jr., Wine Personality of the Year, 2002
• James Beard Award 2009 Nominee, Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional
• Hospice du Rhone, Person of the Year 2008

For the whites, we'll have:

• Novellum Chardonnay 2009 (France) $11.99 - year-after-year, a delicious wine! An excellent Chardonnay! This just ROCKS! With a Viognier twist! It’s fermented on Viognier lees (lies). Tropical fruit (pineapple, peach, honeysuckle) notes, with Viognier's fragrant aromas....this is not a big, buttery, creamy Chardonnay (no malolactic fermentation)...rather the fruit, acidity and aromas shine! 30% of this is aged in Burgundian oak, but it isn’t oaky. Food pairing – seafood, poultry, lighter dishes…drinks well on its own. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, “one of the best Chardonnay values going."
• Mas Que Vinos Ercavio Blanco 2009 (Spain) $10.99 – This is similar to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc at a much lower price! Mas Que Vinos = 3 winemakers and 3 friends. Ercavio is the name of an old Roman settlement. The winemakers and owners renovated an old family winery that dates to 1851. They ferment the wines in “tinajas” = large clay vats that are traditional for winemaking in this area. This are is just east of Toledo – the summers are hot, but the high altitude helps moderate the temperatures. The grape is Airen. Organic farming. Food pairing – seafood, lighter dishes, salads.
• Domaine Lafage Côte Est 2008 (France) $11.99 - This is a tasty white – perfect for entertaining! Great pear, peach and apricot aromas and flavors. Notes of white pepper, fennel, mint, oranges and limes. Big flavors in a value-priced wine! Clean, crisp, refreshing! Racy acidity. Ripe & full without being heavy like many oaky Chardonnays. Competely unoaked. Blend of 60% Grenache Blanc & Grenache Gris, 20% Chardonnay and the rest Marsanne. The winemaker is Jean-Marc Lafage, who makes Las Rocas Garnacha as well. From the Côtes Catalanes in southwestern France – almost in Spain! Food pairing - Great wine with salads and appetizers and on its own! Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points
• Burgañs Albarino 2008 (Spain) Reg. $15.99, Sale $13.99 - Ah…Albarino… what a wonderful white wine this is! The Spanish are making some wonderful white wines! Pretty pale yellow color. Aromas of lemons and limes, minerals, honey and a hint of almonds….Flavors of pear, apricots, honey and minerals….rich and lush. It's medium-to-full-bodied, yet dry, and has enough acidity to maintain balance. Stainless steel fermentation. Aged on lees to add richness. Food pairing - Great paired with fresh Maine seafood. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 89 points

For the rosé, we'll have:

• Capçanes Mas Donis Rosat Montsant 2009 (Spain) $10.99 – This is a full, complex rosé with aromas and flavors of strawberries and raspberries and stone fruits. The finish is long and loaded with fruit. This is ripe and fresh! Blend of 80% Garnacha, 10% Syrah and 10% Merlot. The Garnacha vines are 10-50 years-old. Made in the traditional SAIGNEE method of bleeding off the juice soon after crushing. The juice is only in contact with the grape skins for 10 hours after crushing. Aged 4 months in stainless steel before bottling. Organic, sustainable farming. Food pairing – grilled chicken, tuna, salmon, spicy foods. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 89 Points

For the reds, we'll have:

• Domaine D'Andezon Cotes-du-Rhone 2008 (France) $13.99 - Outstanding wine. Darkly colored with a gorgeous nose and flavors of dark berry fruits, plums, smoke and Provencal herbs (the French call this garrigue). Nice texture and crisp acidity. Not tannic. 90% Syrah & 10% Grenache. 100% old vine grapes. Unfiltered. Stainless-steel fermentation. Southern Rhône. Organic farming. Food pairing - Good with steak & other grilled meats, roast pork & lamb, other hearty entrees. Drinks well on its own.
• Capçanes Mas Donís Montsant 2007 (Spain) $14.99 - Outstanding wine! I flat out love this wine! Great value! You won’t find a better Spanish red at this price! Bright ruby-red. Lush, rich, great fruit (blueberry, raspberry and blackberry), great spice (Provencal herbs). Medium-to-full bodied. Well-balanced…Rich, long finish! Just a “killer wine” at this price! 85% Garnacha & 15% Syrah. Aged 8 months in French & American oak. The Grenache is about 60% Garnacha del Pais (an indigenous clone from Catalan) and 40% Garnacha Peluda – vines imported from France after Phylloxera hit Spain). The Garnacha vines are over 80 years-old and the Syrah vines are over 30 years. Bottled unfiltered & unfined. Will drink well for 2-3 years. Organic, sustainable farming. Food pairing – a night grilling meats, veggies &/or mushrooms! Lasagna. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 Points
• Evodia Garnacha 2008 (Spain) $10.99 - Another hit from top importer Eric Solomon! This is delicious, smooth and easy drinking! Aromas of raspberries, strawberries, smoke, licorice and savory herbs. Lots of cherries, red berries, baking spices, minerals and more in this wine! Smooth texture. Clean, fruit-filled finish! Easy drinking! 100% Garnacha (Grenache) from old, old vines (100 years) in slate soil. The vineyards are as high as 3,000 feet. This area in Catalayud is similar to Priorat in steepness and soil composition. Food pairing – drinks well on its own or with grilled foods. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 89 points
• Cellar Mas Doix Salanques Priorat 2005 (Spain) $49.99 – This is a superb wine! It’s just delicious with lots going on in it! Glass-coating wine! Dark, dark purple. Aromas of smoke, slate, cedar, dark berries, wild berries and cherries, white pepper and baking spices. Rich, ripe flavors of raspberries, cherries. The tannins are fine-grained. Blend of 65% Garnacha, 20% Carinena and the rest is Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 14 months in French oak. This will easily cellar for another 15 years and will benefit from cellaring for another 5-7 years before you pull the cork. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93 Points

For the sparkling, we'll have:

• Jean-Francois Merieau Sparkling Traditionelle "Bulles" (France) $19.99 - Delicious blend of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. "Bulles" means bubbles. Aromas and flavors of white peaches & green apples. This is bright, fresh and clean. Nice acidity. Just a pleasure to drink on a warm day! Or...any day! This sparkling wine is produced is produced in a similar way to Champagne. It is aged 18-20 months su lie. Jean-Francois Merieau returned to his family's farm in Touraine, just east of Tours, after working at wineries in South Africa and elsewhere. He is one of the rising stars of this area. Touraine is often called the "Garden of France." This is the part of the Loire that you think about when you picture gorgeous chateaus. They farm organically. This is not an Eric Solomon wine. The distributor didn’t have a sparkling wine that fit the bill. This is from Jon-David Headrick portfolio. JD worked with Eric Solomon for years before branching out on his own. Wine & Spirits, 88 points

June Wines of the Month

June Wines of the Month!

It’s time for the “Wines of the Month.” We’re headed to Spain!

Spain has more acreage planted to vineyards than any other country. However, they don’t produce more wine. Part of this is that they concentrate on lower yields to produce better wine. Part of it is that the soil in many areas is so bad that the vines must be widely spaced. The Romans certainly brought grapes with them to Spain, but winemaking existed in Spain long before the Roman Empire existed.

We’ll be visiting three distinct regions in Spain – Rueda, Rioja and Priorat.

Rueda – For centuries, Rueda was a popular and influential winemaking area in Spain, but in the 1800’s the Phylloxera louse devastated the region's vineyards. Phylloxera is a microscopic insect that eats the roots of grape vines and almost destroyed winemaking in Europe in the latter half of the 1800’s and early 19th century.

In the latter half of the 20th century, established Bodegas (Spanish term for winery) from other wine regions helped reestablish Rueda as an important wine-producing region. Fortunately, they focused on grape varietals native to the region rather than planting “popular” international grapes such as Chardonnay. The whites produced here are considered among Spain’s best white wines.

Rueda is located near Portugal in northwestern Spain, in the Castilla y León province. The Duero River flows through Rueda’s northwestern corner (this same river flows through the famed Ribera del Duero winemaking area and into Portugal where it is the Douro River – where Port is made).

Rueda has a “Continental” climate – it is cold in the winter; and, hot and dry in the summer (but not too hot, some cooling influence from the Atlantic helps). Vineyards may use modern drip-irrigation to help grow grapes. Without this technique, Rueda would produce significantly fewer grapes and we’d have less of this wonderful summer white!

About 84% of Rueda’s vineyards are planted with white grape varieties (in 2001, changes to the DO regulations permitted red wine to carry the DO status). Verdejo is the dominant white grape (90%) of production. The other grapes are Viura (Macabeo), Sauvignon Blanc and Palomino. Tempranillo is the dominant red grape, as it is in Rioja and Ribera del Duero.

Rioja – along with Sherry, one of the two the best-known winemaking areas in Spain. Wine was produced in Rioja long before the Romans arrived. The Phoenicians helped introduce winemaking to Rioja in the 11th century BC.

Rioja produces both red and white wines, as well as some rosés. The red wines are dominated by the Tempranillo grapes. They also grow Garnacha Tinta (peppery), Graciano (dark berry flavors) and Mazuelo (adds tannins). The white wines are made from Viura (tartness), Malvasia (nutty) and Garnacha Blanca (adds weight and complexity).

Red Riojas tend to be about 60% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and the Graciano and Mazuelo make up the rest of the blend. White Riojas are mostly Viura (Macabeo) with small amounts of Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca. Rose Riojas tend to be mostly Garnacha.

Rioja is named after the river, Rio Oja, which forms the Oja Valley in the province of La Rioja in northern Spain. The wine region runs down both sides of the river for 75 miles. The river provides the needed water to help irrigate the 14,000 vineyards.

Three subregions produce Rioja – Alta, Alavesa and Baja.

1. Rioja Alta – this is the highest area in terms of elevation and it is to the western edge of Rioja. Rioja Alta is known for it silky wines with lots of soft fruit.
2. Rioja Alavesa – the vines in this area are planted far apart to provide enough nutrients to the grapes. The soil here is extremely poor, but poor soil tends to make better grapes. Wines from Rioja Alavesa tend to be fuller bodied and have higher acidity than those from Alta.
3. Rioja Baja – this is the driest and warmest part of Rioja. Droughts in the summer months are a serious problem. Wines from Baja tend to be blended with grapes from other regions.

Riojas are labeled in specific ways. This labeling helps identify the type of aging the wine has gone through.

• Crianza – aged at least one year in oak barrels and one year in the bottle before it can be sold.
• Reserva – aged at least one year in oak barrels and two years in the bottle before it can be sold.
• Gran Reserva – aged 2 years in oak barrels and 3 years in the bottle before it can be sold

Priorat – this area is home to Spain’s most expensive wines. Which is odd in a way because it was unknown 15-20 years ago and is barely known today. Priorat is in Northeastern Spain near the Mediterranean Sea.

Priorat is tiny – it encompasses only 4,151 acres (Rioja is over 150,000 acres).

Priorat is named after the priory established in the hills above Tarragona by Carthusians who arrived from Provence in the 12th century. They may have brought the Garnacha (Grenache) vines with them.

Priorat had extensive vineyards before the phylloxera louse arrived at the beginning of the 20th century. This destroyed winemaking in Priorat. Then, Spain had to endure Franco’s dictatorship. No one was investing money in Priorat, so the area was desolate and impoverished.

By 1979, when René Barbier arrived, the Priorat area had only 600 hectares (1,500 acres) of vineyards left. Old vine Carineña (Carignan in French) and old vine Grenache are all that is left.

Barbier, who grew up in the wine business in Penedès, recognized the region’s potential. By the late 1980’s, he was joined by four fellow “evangelists,” who applied modern winemaking techniques and small French oak barrels to the best local grapes. This band of 5 all worked from the same sun-baked, barn-like winery in the tiny hamlet of Gratallops. All five wineries had similar names, starting with the word “Clos.”

Clos Mogador was Barbier’s label. Clos Martinet (now Mas Martinet) belonged to José Luis Pérez. Clos de l'Obac belonged to the local mayor whose wine company is now Costers del Siurana. Clos Erasmus is the creation of Daphne Glorian (her husband is wine importer Eric Solomon). The fifth Clos was Clos Dofi was renamed Finca Dofi in 1994. Its founder is Alvaro Palacios, who is the best known winemaker in Priorat. He makes Spain's most famous wine, L'Ermita. The Rare Wine Company imports Palacios’s wines and we stock a few of them (we buy them from SOPO).

What makes Priorat so distinctive is the soil and the steep hillsides. The most important natural part of Priorat is a particular schist, licorella. It’s dark brown, heavily striated and pitted. It’s a soft rock and has the benefits of being both cool and damp enough to help nourish the vines in the dry, hot summers of Priorat. The best vineyards face north and east to avoid the intense heat of the sun. These hillsides also catch the breezes from the Mediterranean at altitudes of about 1,500 feet. As an example, the vineyard for L’Ermita is on a 60 degree slope.

Tier One
($8-$15/bottle)

The White

Castillo de Nava Rueda 2008 (Rueda, Spain) $12.99 – This is a near-perfect wine for summer, especially summer in Maine when we eat more lobster and steamers! This is bright, fresh, juicy and refreshing! It has flavors and aromas of lime, minerals, crisp Granny Smith apples and gooseberry. It’s crisp, clean and makes you want to take another sip! Mostly Verdejo. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Food pairing – seafood, salads, lighter pasta dishes. Brand new to Maine!

The Red

Bodegas Las Orcas “Solar de Randez” Rioja Joven 2008 (Spain) $13.99 – This is a family-owned winery that’s at least 100 years old. All of the fruit is estate-grown.

Joven in the name merely means this wine is aged for a short period of time with little-to-no exposure to oak and it is bottled relatively young.

This is a “weighty” red for a Joven. It’s clean with good dark fruit and soft, firm tannins. It has a bright, refreshing “tartness” to it. By that, I mean a good tasting tartness. It’s more like biting into a dark plum or black cherry (or both at the same time) that is just a shade underripe. This has good acidity, that helps make the wine pop. Subtle vanilla and licorice notes to the flavors and aromas. Food pairing – grilled chicken, tuna, salmon and pork tenderloin. On a warm day, I might toss this in the fridge – it’s a refreshing red when it’s about 45-50 degrees! Brand new to Maine!

Tier Two
($15-$25/bottle)

The White

Bodegas Ermita Veracruz Verdejo 2008 (Rueda, Spain) $19.99 – Beautiful wine that has a zesty, almost spritziness to it! This is juicy, fresh and has great crispness from the acidity. Aromas and flavors of white flowers, pears, lemons, limes and tropical fruit. This has a hint of vanilla. 4,000 cases made. Food pairing – great with seafood, especially shellfish, lobster and crab. Excellent with salads and as a cocktail wine. Brand new to Maine!

The Red

Bodegas Las Orcas “Solar de Randez” Rioja Crianza 2004 (Spain) $19.99 – Delicious and rich. This has the berries, flowers and spiciness that I think about when thinking about Rioja. The flavors are full of baking spices, red berries, black cherries and vanilla. Crisp acidity. The tannins are balanced and firm, but they don’t dominate the wine. This finishes clean with nice berry fruit. 2004 is an excellent vintage in Rioja. 1,700 cases made. Brand new to Maine! Food pairing – lamb, steak, duck, grilled pork tenderloin. Decanter Magazine, 3 Stars

Tier Three
($25-$50/bottle)

Both wines in this tier come from the same winery, Viñedos de Ithaca (Ithaca’s Vineyards). The founder, Jos Puig, is fascinated with Greek history and mythology. The winery has a “Trojan Horse” on the roof of its cellars and throughout the winery are Greek tiles and antiques. His daughter, Silvia, rolls her eyes at her Dad’s obsession. She’s also the winemaker. The vineyards and winery are located in Gratallops, which is a tiny hamlet in the heart of Priorat.

The White

Viñedos de Ithaca “Odysseus” Priorat Garnatxa Bianca 2008 (Spain) Reg. $35.99, Sale $29.99 – The flagship wine for this tiny winery! This is a unique, delicious, big, mouth-watering white wine! Aromas and flavors of herbs, freshly mown grass, nuts, vanilla, pears, lemons, cream and toast. Great minerality to the flavors. This is full-bodied. Great acidity and “zip” to the wine. Long, lingering finish. 100% Garnacha Blanco. About 125 cases made each year. Aged in oak barrels. Food pairing – poultry, paella, seafood, lobster, grilled fish, grilled pork or chicken. Brand new to Maine!

The Red

Viñedos de Ithaca “Odysseus” Priorat 2002 (Spain) Reg. $55, Sale $29.99 – This is a medium-to-full bodied wine with rich, ripe fruit and a little baking spice/pepperiness in the aromas. Rich flavors and aromas of Vinifed and fermented in 400 litre open barrels. The grapes come from very old vines that have exceptionally low yields (low yield = better fruit). Blend of Cariñena, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon with Touriga National, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Caladoc combining to make 10% of the wine. Aged in oak barrels for no more than 10 months (they remove the wine from the oak barrels before they taste any “oakiness.”). 1,200 cases made. 2002 was an excellent vintage in Priorat. Food pairing – most anything from grilled chicken to steak to lamb to paella. Brand new to Maine!

Rioja Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting

Monday, Sept. 21st

5:30-7:00 PM

with

Nacho Hererra

From

Rioja's Bodegas Bretón

Location:

Hilton Garden Inn

5 Park Street

Freeport, ME 04032

(207) 865-1433

$10/person
Please e-mail (efullagar@gmail.com) or call (207) 869-4048 to reserve a space(s).

The Wines

Sparkling

Mont-Marcal Cava Brut Rosado 2005 (Penedès, Spain) $19.99 - This has great bubbles! The texture and fineness of them is AWESOME! It's a light ruby color. This has definite notes of strawberries, raspberries, minerals and oranges. 100% Trepat, a Catalan black varietal that makes spectacular rosés! This kicks the butt of many expensive Champagnes at a fraction of the cost! Stephen Tanzer, IWC, 91 points

Whites

Can Feixes Bianco Selecció (Penedès, Spain) $16.99 - Fresh and refreshing white made from Cava grapes. Light yellow color. Aromas and flavors of apples, pears and melons with a lot of minerals and lemon zest. This is stony and aromatic - reminiscent of Chablis or wines from Rheingau. Made from the same grapes as Cavas - Macabeo (35%), Parellada, (37%), Chardonnay (18%) and also a touch of Malvasía de Sitges (10%). Parallada grows best in high altitude, gravelly mountain soils and is known locally as "Montonec," grape of the mountain. This wine definitely shows that its grapes are grown in gravelly soils! Stainless steel fermentation. This estate is the northernmost in the Penedès D.O., near the Montserrat pinnacle, which forms Penedès northern border.

Loriñón Rioja Blanco 2006 (Spain) $18.99 - Bodegas Bretón was a pioneer in the production of barrel-fermented, dry whites from 100% Viura. This has a rich texture and it and is quite aromatic! Aromas of flowers, pear, anise and peach. Creamy and lush! Not oaky at all. 100% Viura. Half the wine aged on lees. The barrels were left outside in cold winter temperatures to naturally fine and stabilize the wine. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, "Best Buy Spanish White Wines $20 and Under"

Reds

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero is in northwestern Spain near the Portugal border. The Duero River is the same river that is home to Port in Portugal. It is one of Spain's most esteemed winemaking area.

Dehesa La Granja 2003 (Spain) $26.99 - This is merely a GREAT wine! This has aromas that just WOW you! WOW! Surprisingly "fresh" wine from such a hot vintage ('03 was the heatwave year in Europe). Deep, complex, rich, ever-evolving. Black cherries, blackberries, mocha and chocolate are just the start! I sat around & smelled this for a couple of hours - it just kept coming & coming! Long & rich flavors! Decadent! Supple, integrated tannins. Medium-to-full bodied. Awesome! 100% Tempranillo grapes from the Pesquera clones. Aged 2 years in new American oak barrels & 2 years in the bottle before release. Unfiltered. This has sediment. Food pairing - Meats, a tapas meal, rich mushroom dishes, etc. Drinks well on its own. Stephen Tanzer, IWC, 91 points; Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Alejandro Fernández and his wife Esperanza Rivera, having created Tinto Pesquera and Condado de Haza in their native Ribera del Duero, looked farther afield in the Spring of 1998. Offered the opportunity to acquire one of Spain's grandest agricultural estates, they purchased the rundown estate bordering the Guareña River in the province of Zamora, in the heart of one of Spain's earliest recognized wine regions. Known during the entire 20th-century as "La GranjaValdeguareña de los Moleros" the 1800-acre ranch had been devoted to the breeding of highly regarded fighting bulls, still in operation at the time of purchase. From the 18th through 19th centuries the estate had been a regionally-dominant producer of wine, evidenced by 40,000 square feet of cellars hand-carved by 125 laborers over 17 years. During that time the local wine producing area was known throughout Spain and Europe as Tierra del Vino (Land of Wine). This is the first vintage of this highly acclaimed wine produced entirely from estate-grown fruit!

Jumilla

Jumilla is near the Mediterranean coast well south of Barcelona, between the coastal plain and La Mancha. It's hotter than Hades here and the soil is mostly sand. This is key - the phylloxera pest won't live in sandy soil. So this area is home to incredibly old vines! This is Spain's most arid wine region (less than 8 inches of rain per year).

Carchelo Monastrell 2008 (Jumilla, Spain) $15.99 - Monastrell is known in France as Mourvèdre and is the dominant grape in Bandol wines (which are produced near the Mediterranean in Provence). This is organically grown Monastrell with a little Syrah. Aromas of black cherries, herbs, smoke, curing tobacco. It's dark, deep and rich with a lot of dark fruit and a spicy finish. Drink now through 2012.

Rioja

Winemaking in Rioja dates to at least 1063. The King of Navarra and Aragon gave the area official recognition in 1102. Rioja is located south of the Cantabrian Mountains along the Ebro River. The mountains help protect the vineyards from the fierce winds that are typical of northern Spain. Rioja is on a plateau, a little more than 1500 feet above sea level. The area is subdivided into three regions - Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta and Rioja Baja. La Rioja Alavesa and la Rioja Alta, located closer to the mountains, are at slightly higher elevations and have a cooler climate. La Rioja Baja to the southeast is drier and warmer.

This winery is in Rioja Alta.

Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. What do these words mean?

Crianza - wine aged for at least two years, at least one of which was in oak.

Reserva is aged for at least three years, of which at least one year is in oak.

Gran Reserva - wines have been aged at least two years in oak and three years in bottle.

Bodegas Bretón

Bodegas Bretón was founded in 1983. Although of relatively recent origin, Bretón takes a decidedly traditional approach. The Bretón partnership includes a 100-acre estate called Viña Loriñón on the outskirts of Logroño along the south bank of the Ebro River. Also included is the fabulous Dominio de Conté, a textbook 55-acre vineyard on a protected bend of the Ebro near Briones, in the very heart of Rioja Alta. Average vineyard age approaches 40 years - the highest of any major Rioja producer. Crowning Bretón's arrival among Rioja's elite group of estate producers was the first release of Dominio de Conté, from the 1989 vintage, receiving a Gold Medal at Vinexpo 1995.

Loriñón Rioja Crianza 2005 (Spain) $18.99 - Deep, dark red. Aromas of cherries, plums and tobacco (this is a GOOD smell!). Flavors of cherries and plums, plum jam. Juicy texture. Finishes clean with good length. 2005 is an exceptional vintage that has been called, "unprecedented." A classic Rioja Alta blend: 85% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano and 5% Garnacha; aged 14 months in American oak.

Loriñón Rioja Reserva 2003 (Spain) $23.99 - This has that silkiness that comes with bottle age! Aromas of ripe red berries, toast, dark chocolate, and balsamic. Medium-bodied. Soft tannins. Almost juicy! Light and surprisingly crisp for the 2003 vintage (heatwave year in Europe). Aged 19 months in oak.

Loriñón Rioja Gran Reserva Rioja Gran Reserva 2001 (Spain) $39.99 - aromas of spicy cherries, smoke, baking spices, vanilla and balsamic. This is both soft and firm in terms of texture and has a long, long finish. Flavors of ripe berry and cherry fruit, spices, truffles and black pepper. Good acidity. Fine-grained tannins. 85% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo and 5% Garnacha. 225 cases made. Aged 28 months in 225 liter American oak casks and 40 months in the bottle before release. 2001 was an outstanding vintage in Rioja. This will drink well through 2015. Stephen Tanzer, IWC, 90 points

Dominio de Conté Reserva 2004 (Spain) $39.99 - Aromas of plums, cedar, vanilla and balsamic. The fruit is soft with notes of tea. Soft, dusty tannins and a long finish! From a single vineyard on a unique spot near Briones on a bend of the Ebro - this area is a perfect microclimate for ripening Tempranillo. 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano. Aged 18 months in new American oak barriques. This will age well for another 10-15 years. Stephen Tanzer, IWC, 90 points

May Wine Tasting

May Wine Tasting

Friday, May 15th, 3:30-7:30pm.
Freeport Cheese & Wine

It's FREE! From 3:30-7:30pm!

Duelling Distributors!

Featuring wines from Argentina, Chile, France and Spain! Geoff Sturgess from Nappi Distributors will be here and he just returned from a trip to Argentina and Chile - so, we'll taste wines from places he visited! Tim Wissemann from Mariner Beverages will also be here with wines that are brand new to Maine!

The Wines

Geoff's Wines (Nappi)

Whites

1. Cono Sur Vision Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Chile) Reg. $13.99 Sale $12.99 - This is somewhat of a cross between New Zealand and California. It has some of those gooseberry/citrus notes that New Zealand has, but not as much grassiness. This is crisp and vibrant. Nice acidity. Drinks well with lighter dishes and without food.
2. Dona Paula Estate Chardonnay 2005 (Argentina) $13.99 - nice value Chardonnay from Argentina! Aromas and flavors of pears, apples, figs and toast. Wine Spectator, 89 points.
3. Errazuriz Wild Fermentation Chardonnay 2007 (Chile) $22.99 - What does Wild Fermentation mean? It means that no yeast is added to the grapes....that only the yeast naturally on the grapes starts the fermentation - this results in a slower fermentation. That means the flavors are more complex, subtle and layered.
4. Cono Sur Vision Gewurztraminer 2006 (Chile) Reg. $13.99 Sale $12.99 - aromas and flavors of lychee nuts and pink grapefruit. A pleasing, subtle bitter note on the finish.

Roses

1. Alta Vista Malbec Rose 2007 (Argentina) $10.99 - as a rule, Malbec roses are darker than most French ones - they spend more time in skin contact. This adds weight and tannins to the wine, so you don't have to drink them at as young of an age - they hold up better.

Reds

1. Cono Sur Sustainable Agriculture Pinot Noir 2007 (Chile) $12.99 - nice bright color! Very aromatic. This is juicy and fresh tasting. Notes of cherries, raspberries, strawberries, plums and a little smokiness. Drink with mushrooms and dishes with Provencal herbs, fish, etc.
2. Dona Paula Malbec 2007 (Argentina) $14.99 - Rich, dark wine! Notes of currants, chocolate, coffee, dark berries and herbs. Wine Spectator, 90 points
3. Montgras Reserva Carmenere 2008 (Chile) $13.99 - This has some of the green bell pepper aroma that typifies Carmenere, but it is not in the flavors! Merlot mouthfeel - smooth and rich! Flavors are more Syrah-like - peppery, spicy, dark fruit! NY Times #1 rated Carmenere!
4. Montgras Quattro 2007 (Chile) $18.99 - We love this! Blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, 25% Syrah and 15% Carmenere. Big and rich and lush!T

Tim's Wines (Mariner) - these are all brand new to Maine!

Whites

1. Domaine Sallies Viognier 2008 (Languedoc, France) $11.99 - clean, beautiful wine. Nice and fragrant (which Viognier should be!). Unoaked.
2. Domaine Sallies Chardonnay 2008 (Languedoc, France) $11.99 - not oaky. Sees some malolactic fermentation so it picks up a bit of creaminess. Lighter, cleaner style of Chardonnay!
3. Schoenheitz Pinot Blanc 2006 (Alsace, France) $18.99 - I love this! Dry, minerally with nice fruit. This just screams for some shellfish, smoked fish or ham.
4. Juan Luis Cana Rioja Blanca 2007 (Spain) $16.99 - Rich white from Rioja! Notes of stone fruits (peaches), vanilla and toasty oak! Also, hints of nuts, lemons and a crisp finish! Great with seafood paella!

Roses

1. Domaine Begude Pinot Noir Rose 2008 (Languedoc, France) $15.99 - Another wine we love from one of our favorite new importers, Didier Boutet! Didier has some gems from France.....at great prices!

Reds

1. Domaine Sallies Malbec 2007 (Languedoc, France) $11.99 - Really nice medium-bodied wine! This is a style of Malbec that is "dialed back" some from most Argentine Malbecs. Nice dark fruit, but its not "jammy" like some Argentine Malbecs nor is it oaky. You should try this and compare it to Geoff's Malbec and the Quattro!
2. Porta dos Cavaleiros Reserva 1997 (Portuguese) $19.99 - When the new owners of moved into Porta dos Cavaleiros, they found this Reserva in a dark and dusty corner. It's just reaching its maturity! This is from the Dao region, Southeast of Porto. The label is made from cork. The color shows a little brick at the edge, which is appropriate for a wine its age. The fruit is more like stewed or dried berries than fresh. It has a little meatiness to it. Great with game, venison, casseroles.
3. Vinedos y Bodegas Pablo Menguante Garnacha 2007 (Spain) $10.99 - This is more about being a subtle wine with dark fruit and minerals than it is being a "fruitbomb." They farm biodynamically. The vines are 80-100 years-old.
4. Red Car Boxcar Syrah 2007 (California) $21.99 - This is a big, rich California Syrah without being to overblown! Loads of flavor! Earth, white pepper, dark fruit and cherries. About 25% of this sees oak.

Freeport Cheese & Wine
27 Bow Street
Freeport, ME 04032
(207) 865-3993
http://www.freeportwine.net/

Wine Tasting & Art Gallery Opening

Wine Tasting

Tuesday, May 12th, 5:00-7:00pm.
Hilton Garden Inn, 5 Park Street, Freeport

http://www.freeportwine.net/

The Freeport Square Satellite Gallery at the Hilton Garden Inn invites you to a GRAND OPENING! Specializing in showing the work of Maine artists, this unique collaboration brings some of the artwork out of the gallery directly to guests of the inn and locals! Artists showing include James Chute, Dennis Stein, Diana Washburn, Mea Zamora, Valerie Paul, Shelley Snodgrass and Sebastian Meade. Artwork includes acrylic and oil painting, watercolor and pastels, photography, prints and mixed media.

Meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments, a wine tasting with South Portland Wine Company. If you prefer a beer or other beverage, the Hilton has a bar! All this is FREE! At 7PM, join us in the lounge/bar to listen to the sounds of the Tony Boffa Trio! Call the Gallery (865-4758) or the Hilton (865-1433) for more info.

The Wines

All of these wines are from one importer, Grapes of Spain. They only deal in Spanish wines - and they excel at finding great tasting ones at great values! Wine reviewers such as Robert Parker, Wine Spectator, Jancis Robinson, Food & Wine and others rave about Aurelio Cabestrero's ability to find good wines at great prices.

Sparkling:

Conde de Subirats Brut Rose Cava (Penedes, Spain) $12.99 - Light pink with fine bubbles! Aromas of strawberries, red berries and a hint of fresh bread, baking spices and pepper. Flavors of lighter red fruit and a touch of fresh bread yeastiness. 90% Trepat and 10% Pinot Noir. From the heart of Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, the birthplace of Cava. Stainless steel fermentation. Aged 18 months in the bottle on lees before disgorging. Then the dosage is added to make the wine "bubbly." This is the same time-consuming, expensive method as Champagne and it results in finer, better, longer-lasting bubbles.

Flare Moscatel (Valencia, Spain) $12.99 - Moderately sweet bubbly that is great for a brunch or picnic or party! Aromas of apples, pears, flowers, anise and herbs. Flavors of apples and pears. Starts out sweet and then finishes with impression of dryness. 100% Moscatel (Muscat of Alexandria). Unfortified. Fermentation is stopped at 7.5% alcohol by chilling the tank and then filtering the yeast. Carbonation is created through the Charmat (Metodo Italiano) method - the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in the tank - this creates the bubbles - and then it is bottled.

Whites

Nessa Albarino 2008 (Rias Baixas, Spain) $14.99 - This is delicious! Spain’s best wine wine grape! Albariño! Wonderful aromas of peaches, pears, citrus, flowers & minerals. Flavors of white peaches, minerals & a wonderful, zippy acidity that has a little saline quality to it! It's medium-bodied & dry. Estate grown grapes. Stainless steel fermentation. Aged 1 month on lees to soften the texture. Food pairing - Great paired with fresh Maine seafood, especially shellfish! Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 88 points

Las Colinas del Ebro Garnacha Blanc 2007 (Terra Alta, Spain) $11.99 - Nice lighter citrus and orchard fruit flavors that are rich and intense, but not heavy. Aromas of pears, lemons, minerals and baking spices. 100% Garnacha Blanca from 100 year-old vines. Stainless steel - sees no oak. Hand-harvested. Aged on lees for 2 months to add complexity. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 88 points

Bodegas Pedro Escudor Fuente Elvira Verdejo 2007 (Rueda, Spain) $14.99 - Delicious! This is a perfectly bright, fresh and crisp wine. Great value! Aromas of grapefruit and herbs such as chives and freshly mown grass. Flavors of tangerines & tropical fruits. Well-balanced & integrated acidity. Finishes crisp, clean & dry. Rueda is best known for producing dry wines from the Verdejo grape. This is a great example! Single vineyard with vines that average 40 years. Think of this as a Spanish Sauvignon Blanc! Food pairing – oysters, sharp goat cheeses, green olives, lighter poultry dishes, smoked fish, etc. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 89 points

Red

Bodegas Tintoralba Almansa Higuerela Grenache 2008 (Almansa, Spain) $9.99 - We love this! Perfect summer red! We call this wine "Higgy" for short! This is one outstanding wine! It has nice, big, soft fruit (red & dark berries, plums)....a touch of pepper, but not too much. It's done completely in stainless steel - so the fruit is bright & fresh. Sees no oak. From Almansa. Food pairing - Try it on its own or with chicken, grilled veggies, salmon, etc.

El Talud Rioja 2006 (Rioja, Spain) $14.99 - Straightforward tasty wine showcasing fresh raspberry/boysenberry fruit. The tannins are round and soft. Nice length on the finish. Easy-drinking wine! 100% Tempranillo. Made from grapes from several micro-vineyards (about 2.5 acres each) from vines that are 40-78 years-old in the village of Cenicero in Rioja Alavesa. Fermented at cold temperatures in stainless steel - no oak.

Prima Toro 2006 (Toro, Spain) $22.99 - Lovely wine with a lingering finish that is loaded with soft, fresh fruit. Dark color. Aromas and flavors of cooked cherries, blackberries, minerals and fresh flowers. Some notes of baking spices and leather in the aromas. Smooth texture. Fine-grained tannins. Mouth-coating. 90% Tinta de Toro, 10% Grenache. Hand-harvested. Stainless steel fermentation. Aged 12 months in 2nd & 3rd use French and American oak barrels. Unfiltered. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 90 points; Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 89 points

Neo Vivir, Vivir 2007 (Ribera del Duero, Spain) $11.99 - 100% Tempranillo from 20-60 year-old vines in La Horra. Produced by J.C. Conde who makes Neo Sentido, a "WOW" high-end wine! Aged in tank (not oak) for 10 months before bottling. Deep, dark color. Aromas & flavors of minerals, baking spices, dark cherries & dark berries. Smooth texture. Drink over the next 3 years. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points, "Spain's Top 100 Wine Values"

Freeport Cheese & Wine

27 Bow Street

Freeport, ME 04032

(207) 865-3993

http://www.freeportwine.net/

February Wines of the Month

February Wines of the Month

I'm still looking for great buys and great deals - lots of good wine out there and sometimes the distributors are looking to move some of it at a reduced price - we're still tasting before we buy! So, these are wonderful wines at great prices!

To that end, I'm looking for excellent wines at better-than-excellent prices!

Tier One

White:

Cambas Chardonnay 2006 (Peloponnesus, Greece) Reg. $9.99 Sale $8.99 – Definitely NOT an oaky Chardonnay. This is clean, crisp with nice lemon and honey aromas and flavors. It also has hints of nuts. Medium-bodied. Nice acidity. Food pairing – richer fish such as tuna, salmon, halibut, etc. Lobster. Rich cheeses.

In many ways, Greece popularized wine in the Mediterranean - its production dates to the island of Crete as far back as the Minoans (2,600-1,100 BC). Greek colonies spread vines throughout Europe, the Black Sea and even into Northern Europe. This laid the foundation for modern viticulture throughout Europe. Greek wines were a valuable trading product through the Byzantine Empire, but when the Ottoman Turks occupied Greece, production fell and never recovered. When the Turks left Greece and the modern Greek state was founded in 1913, most farms and vineyards were destroyed.

Until recently, Greece was known for making Retsina (that pine resiny drink) and bulk wines that were popular because they were cheap. There were a few exceptions - this winery is one of them. Founded it 1882, Cambas Winery is unusual in that it grows both traditional Greek grapes as well as grapes such as Chardonnay. Greece's entry into the European Union in 1981 helped open markets to Greek wines and bring in needed investment dollars - at the same time, the EU was floating on a veritable sea of jug wine. So, the focus was on increasing quality. Greece is following the path that revolutionized winemaking in Italy and Spain in the 20th century - focus on quality first and foremost.

Cambas Winery was established in 1882. Today, it is one of the Greek wineries leading the Greek wine renaissance!

Red:

Celler La Bollidora Terra Alta D.O. "CLB" 2006 (Spain) Reg. $21.99 Sale $14.99 – Excellent! Dark, purple color. Aromas of blueberries, black cherries and spices. Big, rich, spicy....lots of big, dark ripe fruit. Tannins and acidity backing up the fruit. Long, long finish....Blend of 50% Garnacha Negra, 40% Syrah and 10% Samso (Carinena). Unoaked. This will drink real well over the next 2-3 years and drink well through 2015.

Terra Alta is a Designation of Origin (D.O.) wine-growing area in Spain - that's what the D.O. means on a bottle. This is an area we are just beginning to discover in the US. The area is in Catalonia, near Tarragona. This is the part of Spain closest to France along the Mediterranean Sea. It's about 17,000 acres in size. Winds, El Cierzo, up the Ebro River Valley help reduce the humidity in the area - protecting the vines from disease. The climate is a mixture of Mediterranean and Continental - long, hot, dry summers and cold, cold winters. Terra Alta has been a D.O. since 1972 and they've made wine there since the 13th century. In ancient times, the Romans built a road from Saragossa to Tortosa - they probably introduced grapes to the area (they did everywhere else!). In the Middle Ages, the Knights Templar planted vines, but the remoteness of the area made it impossible to make money from the wines, so they converted most vineyards to olive groves. Picasso features a great many local scenes in his paintings.

Food pairing – Pair this with lamb, steak, poultry, pork, salmon, mushroom dishes, etc. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Tier Two

White:

Branko Collio D.O.C. Tocai Friulano 2005 (Friuli, Italy) Reg. $24.99 Sale $17.99 - Tocai Friulano is a grape that is local to northeastern Italy! Friuli, tucked next to Slovenia, north of Venice, produces Italy's greatest white wines.

The wine is minerally and spicy more than fruity. The fruits are green apples, pears and white peaches. The minerals, spices and apples dominate the flavors and aromas. This has a real lush texture at the front - it's real soft and round in its feel. The finish is dry with a nice crispness to it. This is aging nicely and will age for several more years.

What really defines and distinguishes Friuli from the rest of Italy is its emphasis on quirky, unusual local grape varieties. 100+ grape varieties are grown in this area. These growers are not planting the currently popular grapes - they keep plugging away at their traditional grapes! Also, this area focuses on quality to a degree that is rare in the world.

This is a Venetian wine - the grape may be native to Friuli-Venezia-Giulia. There is speculation that it is from Hungary, but it has zero resemblance to any Hungarian variety. Tocai Friulano was documented in Friuli in 1771. It's also called Sauvignonasse (which is not Sauvignon Blanc, despite the name). It's the most widely planted white wine in Friuli (and planted widely in the Veneto and eastern Lombardy. Where is Friuli? Here!

This is not to be confused with Tokay, Tokaji or Tokay d'Alsace . And, Tocai Friulano will soon be known merely as "Friulano" after a fight with Hungary (Hungary won the battle for the name in the European Union). This is a shame because Friulano is made from Tocai grapes and Tokay or Tokaji is made from Furmint and Harslevelu grapes and Tokay/Tokaji is the name of a wine style, not a grape. France's "Tokay d'Alsace" is made from Pinot Gris (which is what the Alsatians and Germans call Pinot Grigio).

This is a cool climate grape - it buds late and ripens late. It really likes the deep, gravelly soils found in Friuli, especially the Collio area. Food pairing - smoked fish, smoked shellfish, ham, lobster, scallops, duck, poultry, etc.

Red:

"In Situ" Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Chile) Reg. $25.99 Sale $18.99 - Deep, rich red color. Aromas of ripe red berries, eucalyptus, spices, rosemary, dried fruit and vanilla. Flavors of plums, raspberries, cola and mint. The tannins are smooth, mature and well-integrated. The finish is nice and long.

Almost all (90% ) Cabernet Sauvignon with a little Cabernet Franc and Carmenere to round things out. Hand-harvested grapes. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and then 100% of the wine goes into French and American oak barrels for 12 months aging - mixture of new and older oak barrels, so this is not "oaky." Bottle aged for 6 months. The vineyards are in the Aconcagua Valley (that's the Western Hemisphere's highest mountain).

Vina San Esteban is a family-owned winery. They farm sustainably. This is drinking nicely today and will aged well for 3-6 years. Food pairing - steak, beef, lamb, rich cheeses.

Tier Three

White:

Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier 2007 (Australia) $21.99 - Excellent Viognier! I love this grape and Yalumba does it as well as anyone in the world! In fact, they are pioneers of this grape in Australia and this vintage includes a couple of new clones they've developed.

The wine is a pale color (golden-green) with aromas of stone fruits (apricots and nectarines), honeysuckle, orange rind and white flowers. The tastes are long-lasting - long, rich and luscious. Stone fruits with bracing citrus acidity.
After harvest, 60% of the fruit in put into oak barrels and the rest into stainless steel tanks. They use indigenous yeasts, which are natural to the vineyard. The wine is left on its "lees" (residue at the bottom) for 10 months with regular "batonage" (stirring the lees into the wine) - this adds complexity and richness and adding a voluptuous texture to the wine.

Yalumba is Australia's oldest family-owned winery. Founded in 1849! Samuel Smith, a brewer, emigrated to Australia and put his knowledge of fermentation to work after planting vineyards. Today, six generations and 160 years later, his descendents continue his work! 1,600 cases imported. Drink now through 2011. Food pairing - salads, poultry, fish, seafood. Wine Spectator, 91 points, Top 100 2008 Wines, #55

Red:

Stanley Lambert “Silent Partner” Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Australia) Reg. $49.99 Sale $29.99 - Yes, that price is correct....that's a $20 savings on a great wine!

Lindsay Stanley, the winemaker was here in September and we did a tasting with him. This was a huge hit at the higher price - now it's a steal!

Delicious! This winery’s FLAGSHIP wine & a HUGE hit at a recent tasting! Rich and elegant wine. This rivals the best Cabernets from California! Dark, rich fruit – black currants, black cherries and vanilla. Smooth, lush finish that LASTS! Hand-picked grapes. Single vineyard with low-yielding vines. Aged in fine-grained American oak hogsheads for 18 months. 1,000 cases made. Food pairing - rich foods. Drinking with friends who know good wine!