April Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting

Friday, March 16th

3:30 – 7:30

Featuring Wines from Small Vineyards, our beloved Italian importer……Small Vineyards…….small wineries…..family-owned…..organic, sustainable farming…..more grown than grapes……they live there……they aren’t polluting .

10% savings on all wine tasting wines (yes….take 10% off the sale price).

The Whites:

Giocato Pinot Grigio 2010 (Primorska, Slovenia) Reg. $12.99, Sale $11.99 - We love this! We’ve brought in and sold about 3-4 vintages of this wine. Each year we love it. Each year, the complexity grows. Fresh, bright, lively and fun to drink! This is crisp and fresh with beautiful tropical fruit and a light kiss of lime/lemon. Great for seafood! Made by CULT Winemaker Aleks Simcic, perhaps Eastern Europe’s best! Italian – “Giocare” – to play; gamble; deceive; trick. Organic farming. Food pairing – lobster, seafood, lighter chicken dishes, salads.

Marchetti Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2010 (Marche, Italy) Reg. $14.99, Sale $13.99 - This is one of the best Mediterranean whites under $15 I've ever tasted! We’ve sold 5 vintages of this. Each one gets better. Served at a wedding at an UP-SCALE Hudson River estate and loved! I recommended it….best value on the list! Wonderful citrus & mineral flavors & aromas. This also has notes of green apples & tropical fruits. Vibrant acidity and loads of minerality throughout the wine. Has a little nuttiness (almonds?) on the finish. Long, crisp finish! Maurizio Marchetti, the winemaker, only uses the best grapes (most years he gets no more than 1/2 a bottle from a single vine). 900 cases made. Organic farming. Food pairing - seafood, shellfish, swordfish, etc. Great with poultry.

The Reds:

Arcangelo Negroamaro Salento IGT 2010 (Puglia, Italy) Reg. $13.99, Sale $11.99 – We are in the heel of the boot......Old World, Old School Italy......no....wait.....Old World Apuglia.....these people are Apuglians first.....not Italians first.....This family is Greek….the Palamas….they settled here about 2,000 years ago. They’ve been making wine ever since. Recent immigrants. A few years ago, the only people drinking these wines were the Palamas and their neighbors……then Small Vineyards found them and their wines found an international market. These wines are of the soil and place! Fermented in concrete vats. This sees no oak. Fresh and vibrant. Aromas of Mediterranean herbs. Given this winery’s proximity to the sea, it’s a red that is good with much seafood. 3,500 cases made. Food pairing – grilled or seared tuna. Pasta with Puttanesca sauce. Grilled polenta with sun-dried tomatoes. Okay….I’m hungry now.

Sikelia Nero d’Avola (Sicily, Italy) Reg. $13.99, Sale $11.99 – This wine is smoking good at this price! It’s also smokin’ dangerous……Julius Caesar was leery of all things Sicilian his last days….Ides of March was Thursday…..how trusting are you? Sikelia is name ancient Greek sailors gave to this island. Nero D’avola is the classic grape of Sicily. It really is the backbone grape for most red wines from Sicily. Aromas and flavors of blackberries, mulberries and spices. Well-balanced with nice fruit and spices.

La Quercia Aglianico 2010 (Puglia, Italy) Reg. $17.99, Sale $15.99 – Aglianico is one of Italy’s noble grapes. Greek settlers brought it to southern Italy thousands of years ago. The name might be a corruption of Vitis Hellenica, Latin for Greek wine. Pliny the Elder wrote of this grape and made wine from it (he’s regarded as one of Rome’s outstanding winemakers). It thrives in warm, dry areas. This wine comes from a single a single vineyard in Puglia. It has those classic plum and white pepper notes that typify Aglianico. This is made in a style to drink young. Stainless steel fermentation. No barrel aging. Food pairing – grilled or seared tuna, a fish stew such as Cioppino, grilled polenta.

Tre Donne Barbari Nebbiolo Langhe DOC 2008 (Piedmont, Italy) Reg. $24.99, Sale $21.99 - Antonella, Rosanna and Daniela Lequio are 3 sisters who run this wonderful Piedmontese winery. They took over the running of the winery from their somewhat chauvinistic father who wasn't that sure about women as winemakers and he had no son! Turns out the 3 sisters are great at this! Barbera amd Barbaresco, 2 famed wines of the Piedmont, take their names from Barbarian. Hence the name and label of this wine. Nebbiolo is the grape used to make Barbaresco and Barolo. Nebbiolo Langhe s the grape from the Langhe region, which encompasses Barolo and Barbaresco. Organic & Sustainable Farming. This nicely blends power and elegance, which is a hallmark of this winery. Aged 12 months in 1^st use French Allier oak barriques (300 bottle barrel). 1,250 cases made. Aromas and flavors of dark berries, cedar and smoke. Food pairing – pork tenderloin, pasta carbonara, porcini mushroom risotto.

Podere Ciona Le Diacce Merlot 2006 (Tuscany, Italy) Reg. $37.99, Sale $34.99 – This wine is made by our friend, Lorenzo Gatteschi, at his family’s estate in the Chianti Classico part of Tuscany. It’s a Super Tuscan. Grown at a high altitude in Chianti Classico (1,800 feet). This has that lushness accompanied with a firm feel that is a hallmark of outstanding Merlot. That smooth, velvety, coat and massage your mouth feel. This has bright red fruit with a nice smoky note to it. 92% Merlot and 8% Alicante Bouchet. Barrel aged for 18 months and bottle aged for at least a year before release. Food pairing – pork tenderloin, wild game, Fontina, bruschetta.

December Wine Tasting - 3rd Friday

Wine Tasting Wines

The Sparkling:

arosecco (Italy) $12.99

The Whites:

Sivas-Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (California) $13.99

Argyros Atlantis White 2010 (Greece) $16.99 - This is a great-tasting, beautiful wine! Wonderful aromas and flavors of honeysuckle and lemon/lime citrus and minerals. The relatively high acidity of the Assyrtiko grape gives this its crisp freshness. Long finish. 90% Assyrtiko, 5% Athiri and 5% Aidani. Santorini is a volcanic island with incredibly minerally soil and it is very dry. Yiannis Argyros is widely considered Greece’s best white wine vintner. Stainless steel fermentation & aging. 3,300 cases made. Food pairing - seafood, grilled fish, lighter poultry dishes, Thai food. Wine & Spirits, World’s Top 100 Wineries, 2005 & 2006

The Reds:

Poggio Anima Belial Sangiovese 2008 (Italy) $13.99

Bodega Beronia Rioja Reserva 2006 (Spain) $19.99

Graziano Mendocino Zinfandel 2007 (California) $15.99 - We tasted this in mid- May at a wine tasting - we had this with beef, chicken, roasted beets and more. It was great! Dark purple color. Aromas of raspberries, dark berries, a hint of peppery spice & toast. Flavors of dark berries, ripe raspberries & white pepper. Full-bodied. Wonderful feel in the mouth. Not too tannic, but enough to stand up to rare beef. Long finish with hints of chocolate near the end. Food pairing - Great wine with a grilled burger, especially one with blue cheese on top. Grilled & roasted meats & spicy tomato sauces.

Hartwell "H" Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (California) $39.99 - Brand-new to Maine!

That's the list. If you're free or in the area, stop by!

The Sparkling Finale

Scagliola“Primo Bacio”Moscato D’Asti 2010 (Italy) $16.99 - I loved tasting these wines with Mario Scagliola, the winemaker and owner. This is just so nice! It's soft, rich and lush with nice bubbles....it just feels elegant! The aromas just leap from the bottle! It tastes great! The label on this pictures the Mario's brother’s first girlfriend....and Primo Bacio means "First Kiss." This winery farms organically & biodynamically. Food Pairing- Pair this with desserts (fruit desserts, not chocolate), lighter pasta dishes or aged cheeses....this is a wonderful wine for a romantic evening! Makes a great starting drink for a party!

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.

Italian Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting

A Taste of Italy

Friday, Nov. 4^th

4:00 – 7:30pm

10% off on all wine tasting wines!

Tomorrow we will have Ned Swain of Devenish Wines and Warren Frasor of Peter Warren Selections here for a tasting of Italian wines that are brand new to Maine!

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 KNOWS the people making these wines. He’s not buying them from a broker. He’s on the ground in Italy at times finding great little wineries.

Ned just recently added these wines to his portfolio. I remember first tasting many of these last Spring at Ned’s trade show. They really captured our attention with their authenticity. Something about them; they just taste very honest, very Italian, very authentic. And they're from a lot of very small producers in off the beaten path places: lots of central Italy. This will be good fun and very educational.

Warren is a guy I’ve known for about 6 years. Great guy. Great knowledge about wine, especially from Italy. Plus, Warren, Ned and my daughter, Kelley, all share Feb. 24^th as a birthday.

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. http://pwselections.com/contact

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. http://www.mariobatali.com/restaurants_babbo.cfm

These wines are brand new to Maine!

The White

http://www.comelli.it/?lang=en

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.

Comelli Sauvignon Blanc Colli Orientali del Friuli 2010 (Friuli, Italy) $19.99 – This is a delicious wine that typifies white wine styles from Friuli. Absolutely beautiful wine with great aromatics and fruit flavors. Aromatics of sage, green pepper, hazelnuts and white peaches. Flavors of tropical fruit, mint and pepper. Hand-harvested. Destemmed before crushing. Stainless steel fermentation. Food pairing – Thanksgiving Dinner, vegetarian soups, lighter seafood soups, seafood and fish, omelettes, asparagus.

The Reds

Comelli Soffumbergo Rosso delle Venezie 2008 (Friuli, 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.

Fiarano Sangiovese “Fiarano” 2009 (Marche, Italy) $18.99 – Paolo Beretta is an intense fellow, very passionate. He ahd his wife retired to her home area in the Marche from Milano. They decided to create a winery based on organic principles. Consulting with oenological experts from several University wine programs, they strove to find the perfect selection of clones for the ecosystems in their vineyards. They have a complete farm with gardens, vineyards, orchards and animals. It is certified organic and is almost self-sustaining. The vineyards are grass covered all year and fertilized by leguminous cover crops. They make about 3,000 cases per vintage. Hand-picked grapes. Stainless steel fermentation and aged in steel for 7 months. Bottle aged for 4 months. Low sulfites. Paolo makes intense, flavorful wines with great character.

This wine is a beautiful ruby red color. It has ripe red berry (raspberry and strawberry) aromas. The flavors are red berries and a touch of caramel. It has a nice touch of acidity that makes the wine very pleasing. This might be my choice for Thanksgiving Dinner.

Podere San Cristoforo “Carandelle” Sangiovese Super Tuscan (Tuscany, 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

Piantate Lunghe Rosso Conero D.O.C. 2007 (Marche, Italy) $21.99 - Three friends living near the Monte Conero/Ancona area with small plots of vineyards decided to pool all their resources/vineyards and created Piantate Lunghe. They produce only Montepulciano as they feel that it is the superior grape in that area. I think that they are just great gents, making tasty little wines, about 2,000 cases each vintage. Their Montepulciano wowed me because while big they shows very elegantly, gentle giants!

These are Ned’s notes about the wine:

“I don't really know how to introduce this wine. It's currently one of my favorites and I think I've opened at least four bottles in the two weeks that I've had it. Rosso Conero is a small, little-known, but very respected (in Italy) DOC in the Marche region of central Italy.

Aroma: Intense. It smells like what I want my kitchen to smell like on a Sunday afternoon in January; namely, baking spices, cinnamon, raspberry, blueberry (both fresh and cooked), hints of smoke, charred meat, and hints of baking chocolate.

Palate: Richly textured and with dark fruit, this is a lush and very authentically Italian tasting wine. The mouthfeel is smooth and refined while the flavors are dense blueberry, pepper, and hints of smoke. It's not a super complex wine, but very well balanced, approachable, and utterly delicious.

Food pairing - I've had this wine with all manner of food, including Indian creamed spinach and a tomato chickpea dish. I have yet to find a food that this wine can't handle, but it is ideal with stewed meats or pasta in a meat sauce. Sometimes you don't want a wine that totally grabs and dominates your attention; sometimes you just want one that's honestly delicious and that's what this wine is to me.

It's also the best wine made from Montepulciano I've ever had.”

I Balzini Red Label Super Tuscan 2005 (Tuscany, Italy) $19.99 – These are Warren’s notes: “Located just north of Poggibonsi in the heart of Toscana, right in the middle of Chianti making area. Antonella d’Isanto is an imposing and almost frightening woman…until she smiles at you and offers you a seat at the table. Then the most amazingly gracious woman is sitting across from you sharing an unbelievable passion for her wines. They are graceful and elegant just as she is. And I have not met anyone with the humble pride and love for their wines as she has. Making four wines all based around the Sangiovese grape but eschewing the easier name recognition of Chianti, Antonella works meticulously in the vineyards on the “balze” (the local word for the terraces from which the name I Balzini is derived) ensuring that the quality of each bunch is spectacular. The vines and wines are treated organically. Each wine sees a different assemblage and molding. The Red Label 60/40 Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon is aged 4 years in 4th use barrel. A stunning and elegant number! I owe my good friend Erika Ribaldi for this introduction!”

The wine is a deep, ruby red color. It has loads of berries and black cherries with spicy notes in the aromas along with baking spices, mint and anise. Well-structured wine with a lot of depth and complex tannins and an elegance to it. Very balanced. Long finish.

Giacomo Vico Roero 2007 (Piedmont, Italy) $34.99 – If Barolo and Barbaresco prices are driving you nuts, you need to look at this wine! It’s 100% Nebbiolo. It’s aged 12 months in oak barrels – 1^st, 2^nd and 35r use. It’s bottle-aged for 2 years before release. It’s delicious!

Warren can’t remember who told him to look up these 2 brothers, telling him that he would loved their Roero-based wines. He wishes he could so that he could thank them! The winery is named for the brothers’ great-grandfather. The brothers re-started the winery in 1992. The brothers are simply fun and talented! Making delicious and very pleasing wines of clean and pure varietal character from the Roero. They produce around 10,000 cases of wine total, with most of it being Arneis and Barbera d’Alba. Farming as naturally as possible all their wines have a very attractive savory character to them, an herbal note that differs wine to wine. And they are damn fun to hang out with.

The wine is a ruby red with a bit of garnet to it. It has a spicy, fragrant nose with notes of strawberries, cherries, chocolate and licorice. Well-structured and balanced. Dry with just the right amount of tannins that have been softened by the aging. Long, full finish.

Wine Tasting, Friday, Oct. 21st

Wine Tasting

Friday, October 21^st

3:30 – 7:30pm

The Wines

The Whites:

Giocato Pinot Grigio 2009 (Primorska, Slovenia) $12.99 - We love this! Fresh, bright, lively and fun to drink! This is crisp and fresh with beautiful tropical fruit and a light kiss of lime/lemon. Great for just sipping! PERFECT label for Halloween! Made by CULT Winemaker Aleks Simcic, perhaps Eastern Europe’s best! Italian – “Giocare” – to play; gamble; deceive; trick. Food pairing – lobster, seafood, lighter chicken dishes, salads. Organic Farming.

Marchetti Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2009 (Marche, Italy) $13.99 - This is one of the best Mediterranean whites under $15 I've ever tasted! Wonderful citrus & mineral flavors & aromas. This also has notes of green apples & tropical fruits. Vibrant acidity and loads of minerality throughout the wine. Has a little nuttiness (almonds?) on the finish. Long, crisp finish! Maurizio Marchetti, the winemaker, only uses the best grapes (most years he gets no more than 1/2 a bottle from a single vine). 900 cases made. Organic Farming. Food pairing - seafood, shellfish, swordfish, etc. Great with poultry.

Betts and Scholl Chardonnay 2009 (California) $14.99 – Richard Betts is a master sommelier. He believes that “wine should be a grocery, not a luxury.” So, he created a set of wines that are high quality, but priced well below $20. He is a négociant – buying wines from outstanding wineries and blending it to create his wines. The 2009 Chardonnay is sourced from the cool and crisp Monterey area. This wine has a nice balance between the over-oaked style and the austere stainless steel style. This is intense, with nice notes of nectarines and peaches. Clean, rich finish.

The Reds:

Pietra Santa Winery Sacred Stone Master’s Red Blend Cask #6 (California) $10.99 – Delicious. Smooth! Rich! Soft! Juicy! Loads of ripe plums and cherries. Dark and lush! Crisp acidity and a rich, soft finish! Blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Dolcetto. 18,088 cases made. 24 months in French and American oak. Food pairing – great wine for a party – your guests will thank you for serving this! Drinks well with or without food. Grilled foods! Barbecue. Pizza. Pasta. Poultry. Mushrooms. Etc.

Palamà "Arcangelo" Primitivo IGT 2009 (Puglia, Italy) Reg. $17.99, Sale $14.99 - This is a delicious, smooth, rich red! The winery's goal is to make great everyday wines.....bright, fresh fruit.....power....fun....taste! They are succeeding! Named for the winemaker's father, Arcangelo. The grape is Primitivo. In the USA, we know the grape as Zinfandel. Primitivo and Zinfandel are NOT the same style of wine. This estate is on a tiny speck of land in Puglia. Food pairing - crostini with olive tapenade, steak, venison. Organic & Sustainable Farming.

Tre Donne Joan d’Arc 2008 (Italy) Reg. $24.99, Sale $21.99 - Antonella, Rosanna and Daniela Lequio are 3 sisters who run this wonderful Piedmontese winery. They took over the running of the winery from their somewhat chauvinistic father who wasn't that sure about women as winemakers and he had no son! Turns out the 3 sisters are great at this! This is a great blend from Piedmont that definitely expresses the phrase, "the sum is greater than the parts," and the parts are pretty darn good! It's a blend of mostly Barbera and Pinot Noir with 20% Dolcetto with 10% Friesa, a native Langhe white wine. The Friesa adds freshness and a zippy acidity as well as nice floral aromas (frequently, Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers add white wine to the red blends). The tannins are soft and the blend adds a lot of complexity to the wine! Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, baking spices, roses, peaches, almonds and more. It has a really smooth and soft texture. Notes of mocha on the finish. Organic & Sustainable Farming.

Podere Ciona Sangiovese Montegrossoli 2008 (Italy) Reg. $24.99, Sale $14.99 – We’ve gotten to know winemaker Lorenzo Gatteschi over the years with his work with a fabulous importing company, Small Vineyards. This is his wine. I love his wines (we also carry his Chianti Classico Riserva – the family on makes 800 cases of wine total!). This has nice red fruit, soft tannins…soft, subtle dusty tannins…classic Sangiovese from the heart of the Chianti Classico area! We first tasted this at a small tasting with Lorenzo in September. This is a wonderful wine and a great value. Sustainable farming. Food pairing - meats, roasts, mushrooms, pasta dishes.

Summers Charbono 2007 (California) Reg. $25.99, Sale $19.99 – Only 85 acres of Charbono are planted in California. Summers has most of it. Charbono is a rare grape. It is believed that it comes from the southeastern France or Piedmont in Italy. This is an estate-grown wine. Wonderful aromas of dusty flowers, raspberries and blueberries This is ripe and full-bodied. Aged 11 months in 80% American and 20% French oak (50% new). Food pairing – rack of lamb, grilled steak.

Truchard Zinfandel 2008 (California) $27.99 – This is the only Napa Valley Zin to come from only Carneros fruit. This is a ripe, jammy Zin with aromas of cherries, cranberries, cassis, cedar and mint. The flavors are rich and full – plums, wild berries and vanilla. Good acidty. Only 4 acres of vineyards. The vines are 11-18 years. 60% French and 40% American oak (35% new). 735 cases made.

October's Fancy Tasting

Wine Tasting

Thursday, October 13th

6:00 – 8:00pm

We are asking that you RSVP if you want to attend this tasting. We will be limiting the number of attendees to make this a more intimate tasting – one in which you can truly enjoy the wines and learn about them. We will be closing the store during the tasting so that we are not interrupted.

We are also going to ask you to pick a time to come. The times are 6:00, 6:30, 7:00 and 7:30. We will have a finite number of people at each time slot. We will also have 2 tables for the wines. That way, if you are starting at 6:30, the people that started at 6:00 will either be done or they will be at the 2^nd table and you will be at the 1^st table.

10% discount on any of the tasting wines you purchase.

If we run out of any wines (we have a lot of wine for the tasting – don’t worry about that), we will have them in the store on Friday, Oct. 14^th. If we’ve run out of wines, and you want a case (mixed or full), I’ll deliver it to your home or office.

Without further ado – the tasting wines in the order WE THINK we will be tasting them. We might make adjustments during the tasting as the wines open and develop.

The Wines

The Whites:

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2007 (France) $78.99 – This offers floral aromas that are similar to Viognier – which is a bit odd because it doesn’t have any Viognier in it. Aromas of flowers, honey, limes and white fruit. Nice minerality. It’s medium- to full-bodied. This just feels beautiful and refined. Vibrant acidity. The Vieux Telégraphe Blanc represents 7% of this estate’s CNP production. It’s a relatively unusual blend of 40% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc and the rest is evenly divided between Roussanne and Bourboulenc. 40% sees oak barrels, but the wine isn’t “oaky.” Aged 9 months before bottling. 35 year-old vines. Hand-harvested grapes. Sustainable agriculture. 2000 cases made. Wine Spectator, 93 points; Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Joseph Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet 2009 (France) $56.99 – This is a golden color that is typical for this appellation. Aromas of pears, vanilla and almonds. It’s long and complex with flavors of yellow stone fruits. Rich and voluptuous. Hand-picked grapes. Naturall yeast fermentation – no yeast is added to the barrels. Fermented in oak barrels and aged sur-lie for 9-10 months in small oak barriques (no more than 40% are new). Sustainable farming. Food pairing – poultry dishes, particularly white meat, veal, fish with delicate sauces.

Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill 2007 (California) $89.99 – This vineyard Is immediately in front of the winery. This is a big, powerful, masculine Chardonnay. It’s dense. Aromas of peaches and spice, tropical fruit. The texture is also smooth and silky. Excellent minerality. 2007 was a relatively cool growing season – this helped produce crisp acidity. Yields were low in 2007, but the grapes were excellent. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93-95 points; Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 92 points

The Reds:

Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir 2008 (Oregon) $44.99 – After a couple of Oregon Pinot Noirs showed well in wine competitions, the Drouhin family went to Oregon to see what was happening. They liked the area so much; they bought land and created Domaine Drouhin in the Dundee Hills. In 1988, they produced their first wine from its vineyards. This is a beautiful Pinot with aromas of baking spices, black cherry, cedar, dark berries and more. It’s ripe, spicy, well-balanced. Elegant with a long finish. 2008 was a great vintage in Oregon. Aged in 20% new French oak. Sustainable agriculture. Hand-harvested. This will age well. Drink from 2012 through 2020. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points; Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 91 points

Prunotto Barbaresco 2006 (Italy) $49.99 – The 2006 Barbaresco is a pretty wine. It’s medium-bodied. It has a floral aroma that I love in Nebbiolo. The aromas move on to include smoke, mocha, red fruits and garrigue. It has strong acidity. The tannins are still lively. This has plenty of fruit in its youthful innocence. The fruit will come more to the fore as it ages. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points; Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 90+ points

Marina Cvetic Merlot 2007 (Abruzzo, Italy) Reg. $42.99, Sale $32.99 – The 2006 was THE HIT at our high-end Italian tasting in April! The new vintage is rich & elegant, with both power and finesse! This smells like Abruzzo (according to the winemaker who was here a several months back). Fine tannins and a velvety feel (which, Merlot should have. It has aromas & flavors of dark chocolate, dark berries & a peppery spiciness midway. It’s a deep dark color. 100% Merlot. Aged one year in French oak. Drink 2013-2019. Food pairing – lamb, grilled meat, aged cheeses, game. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Licinia Vina de Madrid 2008 (Spain) $57.99 – Brand new to Maine! I first tasted in September at a tasting with the owners of Olé Importers, a fabulous importer of Spanish wines. This is a beautiful wine that impressed everyone at the tasting. Located in the Vinos de Madrid. The winery is in the town of Morata, called “Licinia” during Roman times. In a blind tasting of 200 wines held in early 2009 by a panel of 50 distinguished winemakers, Licinia was named the best red wine in Spain. The 3 proprietors focus on one wine. This is no grand winery with fancy gardens, buildings or tasting rooms. They farm biodynamically. 1,000 cases made. 150 cases imported. I have 2 of them.

This has a wonderful red fruit, black cherry and herbal combination with notes of graphite, smoke, exotic spices and flowers. It’s juicy, almost chewy, and is easy to drink. It’s well-balanced. Some nice spiciness in the flavors to go with savory fruit. This should drink well through 2020 after maturing for another 2-3 years.

Blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Tempranillo. Biodynamic farming. The grapes are hand-harvested and transported in small boxes by refrigerated vans to avoid oxidation. The grapes are kept refrigerated for 48 hours to increase their fresh aromas. Then the best clusters and berries are selected. Fermentation is done at cool temperatures in stainless steel. Then the wine goes into 225-liter barrels where it undergoes malolactic fermentation. Aged for 12 months in 50% new and 50% one-use oak barrels (95% French and 5% American). Batonnage, or stirring of the lees, occurs every during aging. The wine is racked every 3 months. Food pairing – grilled beef, steak, burgers, Indian curry, Tex-Mex. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points; Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 92 points; “Best Red Wine of Spain,” Twice, by Enoforum.

Altesino Brunello 2006 (Italy) $76.99 – One of the first winemakers I met after opening the store was Guido from Altesino. Wonderful guy and great wines. I have standing invite to visit – gotta take him up on that! This is an impressive wine – fresh, balanced and nuanced. Aromas of red cherries, raspberries, flowers, graphite, mocha and dark chocolate. Medium-weight. Flavors of red raspberry, leather, minerals and black cherries. Long finish. This is aged for 36-42 months in large Slovenian oak barrels before bottling. Aged another 6 months in the bottle before release. 100% Sangiovese Grosso. This will drink well through 2020. It might need another year or so of aging. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 94 points; Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points; Wine Spectator, 91 points

Treana Red Blend 2008 (Paso Robles, California) Reg. $49.99, Sale $42.99 – This is a full-throated red with finesse. The Hope Family has been growing grapes in the Paso area since 1978. This Cabernet-based red is their flagship. The 2008 is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah. It’s aged 10-14 months in French oak (50% new). This has aromas of red cherries, pomegranates and plums. The flavors cover the gamut from figs, chocolate, baking spices, pepper, licorice and black fruit. It’s smooth and long.

Galardi Terra di Lavoro 2008 (Campania, Italy) $89.99 – This is beautiful, big, dark wine. It’s rich and ripe. Aromas and flavors of dark fruit, luxurious leather, minerals, spice, licorice and more. This wine is still quite young. If you age this, you will be rewarded. Terra di Lavoro, first made in 1994, quickly established itself as one of Italy’s cult wines. The Celantano family owns and runs this winery. Famed oenologist Riccardo Cotarella planted the vines for their vineyards ion 1991. The grapes are strictly harvested by ripeness rather than by varietal. This means that sometimes the Aglianico and the Piedirosso are picked and vinified together. This is 80% Aglianico and 20% Piedirosso. Anticipated maturity: The wine is aged on lees for several months in French oak. Cotarella says that Aglianico is a hard grape to take through malolactic fermentation, so the final blend is made before malo. Then the wine goes through a very slow malo, with 80-90% of the wine in stainless steel. After malo, the wine returns to French oak. Without a doubt, the malolactic fermentation in stainless steel contributes to this wines significant freshness and aging potential. 2018-2038. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 97+ points