January Wines We Love, #2

Freeport Cheese & Wine

Wines that are "too good and too cheap not to buy!"

These are wines about to go into vintage changes and Tim at Mariner Beverages wants to move these out so he can open up space and money to bring in the new wines. These are rock-solid wines - the vintages are fine....it's just that 2-10 cases of a wine don't do a distributor much good - so, it's better to drop the price and move 'em out! Lots of these are from the Small Vineyards portfolio from Italy that we just LOVE!

Whites:

Schoenheitz Gewurztraminer 2005 (Alsace, France) - Reg. $22.99, Sale $14.99, By the Case $11.99 - drier style Gewurz from a wonderful little producer in Alsace.


Reds:

Sanguineti Rosso di Montepulciano 2004 (Italy) - Reg. $17.99, Sale $12.99, By the Case $9.99 - This is the classic "little brother" of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano! Made by Tuscan wine guru Antonio Sanguineti from grapes from the famous Lombardo estate of Montepulciano! This Rosso is full of dried cherry aromas and flavors...deep and dark.....Antonio makes bold, rich wines.....this is a STEAL! Wonderful Italian wine! Tuscan blend of 90% Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese) and 10% Merlot. Aged in 2nd or 3rd use French oak barrels (big ones) for 4-6 months. 500 cases made.

Terre del Grico Salice Salentino 2001 (Italy) - Reg. $21.99, Sale $13.99, By the Case $11.99 - Elegant and powerful! Dense, almost raisin-like fruits. Classic Mediterranean spice aromas - sage, anise, rosemary, etc. Blend of Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera (Negroamaro means "blackest of the black" - it's a dark, dark grape. Aged 1 year in American oak barriques and then aged in the bottle. Unfiltered. From Apulgia in Southern Italy. The vines are 37-72 years old. Made by Massimiliano and Marcello Apollonio (brothers) - they also own Forte Canto, whose Primitivo we are tasting! 850 cases made. At it's normal price, this is not an everyday red, but at this price.....make pizza....put a lasagna in the oven! It is an everyday red!

Monte Oliveto Maggiore Toscana Rosso 2006 (Italy) Reg. $26.99 Sale $14.99 - This is a delicious blend from Sienna in Tuscany! Aromas & flavors of red berries (raspberries and cherries), black fruits such as blueberries & black cherries, vanilla, cocoa, mocha and a little earth. Smooth texture. Wonderful wine that could age for another 3-5 years. 60% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet & 15% Merlot. Organic farming. Monte Oliveto is a HUGE monastery dating to 1313. One of the cool things about this area is the terrain - it's unique! It's the Badlands of Italy - the Crete Senesi! The wine is distinctly Italian and we'll have some salami and/or cheese to go with it! Food pairing - roasted meats, pasta dishes, mushroom dishes, etc. Meals such as Thanksgiving Dinner (poultry and lots of side dishes).

Cantine La Quercia Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2006 (Italy) Reg. 15.99, Sale $11.99, By the Case $9.99 - Delicious wine from Italy! Medium-bodied with lush, ripe red and dark berries in the aromas and flavors. Spicy notes in the flavors. Smooth and soft drinking! Dusty tannins that don’t overwhelm the flavors. 100% Montepulciano. 4-6 months bottle aging and 4-6 months barrel aging in 10 year-old oak barrels. 2,000 cases made. Organic farming. Food pairing – meats, roasts and pasta dishes.

Forte Canto Primitivo 2004 (Puglia, Italy) Reg. $15.99, Sale $12.99, By the Case, $10.99 - Excellent wine from Southern Italy and a great deal! Aromas and flavors of dark, ripe cherries and berries, baking spices and herbs. Great long finish that lingers and is “just” dry……not too dry and certainly not sweet! 100% Primitivo. Primitivo is the same grape as Zinfandel, but the wine is different! 3 months bottle aging and 12 months barrel aging in 5-to-10 year-old oak barrels. 3,200 cases made. Organic farming. Food pairing – meats, roasts and pasta dishes.

We'll have 9-10 wines at comparable savings....these are excellent wines that you get buy at a great savings!

Freeport Cheese & Wine
27 Bow Street
Freeport, ME 04032
(207) 865-3993