April Wines of the Month

April Wines of the Month!

Hello, It's time for the "Wines of the Month."

1 - all the wines are in-stock;

2 - if you are a member of the "Wines of the Month" club; you receive 10% off ALL your wine purchases, even when you stop in for a single bottle.

The Wines

The descriptions are on my website.

Tier 1 ($8-$15/bottle)

The White

Pala "Crabilis" Vermentino 2008 (Sardinia, Italy) $13.99 - "Crabilis" means "goat shelter" in Sardinia. To me this wine means a great wine with shellfish and seafood. Pala is a family-owned property that is in its 2nd generation. The vineyards are heavily influenced by marine breezes. The wine has a hint of fresh salty air (not Maine "mudflat" air)....aromas are floral and spicy. Nice spice and minerality in the flavors....dry finish.....it has a soft, round feel in the mouth......this is just yummy! Food pairing - Great wine with shellfish, seafood, lighter dishes, soups and broths that are lightly seasoned.

The Red

Agua de Piedra Gran Reserva Malbec 2008 (Argentina) Reg. $13.99, Sale $12.99 - Not your run-of-the mill Malbec! This is a full-bodied, elegant Malbec. It's loaded with boysenberry and blackberry aromas and flavors with a little earthiness and spice. The tannins are softer and integrated. It has bright, zippy acidity. Food pairing - roasted or grilled meats. Pasta dishes with meat and/or tomatoes. Grilled chicken with a thick tomato sauce.

Tier 2 ($15-$25/bottle)

The White

Domaine Cherrier et Fils Sancerre 2008 (France) $22.99 - This 3rd generation winemaker produces delicious Sancerre! This is tangy & zesty with aromas and flavors of lemons, pears, minerals (wet rocks and chalky - which are classic Sancerre notes), orange zest, smoky flint and more! This is juicy and spicy. The finish has good length and depth. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Fermented in enameled cement vats and bottled young to preserve the flavors and aromas. Food pairing - seafood, especially lobster, crab or shellfish. Chicken or duck. Creamy pasta dishes. Goat cheese. Wine Review Online, 92 points; Wine Spectator, 89 points

The Red

Michele Satta Bolgheri Rosso 2007 (Italy) Reg. $26.99, Sale $19.99 - This is a fresh, bright and delicious red! This has those classic Tuscan flavors of ripe cherries and raspberries with Provencal/Tuscan herbs and spices. The tannins are well-integrated and have softened with the barrel and bottle aging. Michele Satta is a family-owned winery that is neighbors with such Super Tuscan legends as Sassicaia and Ornellaia; earlier in his winemaking career, Michele Satta was a winemaker at Ornellaia. Blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 10% Syrah, 10% Teroldego (this last one is a grape that originally was grown in NE Italy). Aged in oak barriques for 12 months and then in the bottle for 6 months before release. This will drink well through 2012. 5,500 cases made. Food pairing - lamb, steak, mushroom risotto and more. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 88 points

Tier 3 ($35+/bottle)

The White

Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2007 (California) $46.99 - This has a pretty golden color. Aromas of peaches, citrus rind, pineapples, toasted nuts, smoke and apples. The flavors are clean and fresh. The wine starts softly and then builds with layers of tropical fruit, apples, citrus and nectarines. The long finish has subtle hints of vanilla and baking spices. Montelena is the iconic California winery that set the wine world on its ear in 1976 when its 1973 vintage walked away with first place at the "Battle of Paris" Contest (this what the movie "Bottle Shock" is about). 10,500 cases made. 64% of the grapes are whole-cluster pressed (this preserves the fruit characteristics of the grapes) and 36% are destemmed - the destemming tears the skins and opens up more aromas. Aged 8-9 months in oak; this wine sees no malolactic fermentation, so it is not buttery/creamy. Food pairing - Shellfish and fish. Creamy pasta dishes. Roasted chicken. Cheese such as Gruyere, Appenzeller, milder Cheddar. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 91 points; Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

The Red

Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Napa Estate Mayacamas Range 2007 (California) $38.99 - This is loaded with that dark, peppery fruit that typifies California Zin! Storybook makes wines with power and elegance. Bright, ripe, fresh boysenberry and blackberry fruits in the aromas and flavors at the start. As the wine opens, you'll get more raspberry flavors and aromas. Then the pepperiness will kick in. Great length and structure to the wine - this has nice tannins at the back-end. 100% Zinfandel. 100% estate-grown, organically-grown fruit. Zinfandel has been grown in this part of Napa Valley since the 1880's. This is a Zinfandel that will age well for 7-15 years; but, it is drinking well today. Food pairings - braised, grilled or roasted beef, lamb, pork and venison. Ribs or chicken with a spicy barbecue sauce. Dishes with eggplants, mushrooms, olives and tomatoes. Cheeses such as Manchego, Piave Vecchio or Parmesan. Wine & Spirits Magazine, 92 points

The Other

Charles & Charles Syrah Rosé 2009 (Washington) $11.99 - the 2009 rosés are arriving! A runaway favorite in 2008 (it sold out EARLY), we love this rosé! Imagine a little sage, peaches, rose petal and watermelon Jolly Ranchers thrown into the mix! Well, that's the aroma and flavor profile in this fun drinking rosé! 100% Syrah from the Talcott Vineyard. Charles & Charles, a Charles Smith (K Vintners and House Wine) and Charles Bieler (Chateau Routas and more) production! Food pairing - grilled chicken, grilled fish, salad nicoise, salads, etc. Drinking on a warm day with friends! Those are the wines. Again, they are also described on the website. If you want any, please let us know.

Wines of the Month Club

“Off the Beaten Path”
WINES of the Month Club
Freeport Cheese & Wine
178 Lower Main Street, Freeport, ME 04032
(207) 869-4048; efullagar@gmail.com

Why should you join? 4 reasons…

1. Selection. We carefully select the wines. These are distinctive, unusual and hard-to-find wines.
2. Education. Wine is as complicated as you want to make it. We want to make it simpler. It’s also a fun topic to study – I love the history and culture of wine areas. Being a part of our wine club will let you learn about wine gradually by trying different wines. The best way to learn is to taste different things. We’ll also include background information about the winery and area.
3. Support Small Family Wineries…the wines we pick will come from small, family-owned and operated wineries that practice sustainable agriculture. Tasting good is most important – with the wealth of wines out there, it’s also nice to support small producers who are doing it the right way!
4. You save money! Being a member of our "Wines of the Month" program earns:

• you 10% savings on all wine purchases (if you are not a member, you still get 10% savings on case purchases) - come in and buy one bottle and if you are a member of the "Wines of the Month," you get 10% off the purchase!
• "Wines of the Month" members also receive 15% off when buying a complete case (12 bottles of the same wine)
• "Wines of the Month" members also receive 15% off when buying one of our "12-pack" mixed cases rather than the standard 10% off!

We will pick two wines for you – 1 white & 1 red. These will be interesting, tasty, unusual wines that you won't find everywhere and they'll represent great values! Some months, we'll offer an optional bottle (say a dessert wine or a sparkling wine or a dry rosé).

We have Three Tiers for our Wines of the Month Club (you may sign-up for one, two or all three). The cost each month will fall roughly in the middle of each tier (for example, Tier 1 will have an average cost/bottle at about $12-13).

• Tier 1 - $9-15/bottle
• Tier 2 - $16-24/bottle
• Tier 3 - $25-35/bottle

This is a perfect way for you to try something new. This also makes a great gift - either for a wine lover...or someone new to wine (the gift can be for a month, 2 or 3 months, a year, whatever you want).

How do you pay? You join the club and we will charge your credit card when the wines arrive. The wines will be available within the 1st 7 days of each month; and, we will hold them in the store for you until you can pick them up. You will receive an e-mail describing the wines.

What else?...if you really like one or more of the wines in a particular month, we will get you more if possible.

Easter Wines

Easter Wines

Some for Ham,

Some for Lamb

Easter Dinner for many means ham. And, the best pairing with ham is a good Riesling! If you were in Germany, Alsace or much of Europe this Sunday, your hosts would be serving ham and pulling the cork on a nice bottle of Riesling. With the saltiness of the ham (and especially if the ham is glazed), you want a dry Riesling with good acidity to “cut” through the ham.

Easter is also a tough meal to pair with wine because of the Spring vegetables – asparagus, peas, etc. Dry Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners pair well with these and the ham.

Here are some suggestions (both white, rosés, red and sparkling for your Easter Dinner):

Sparkling:

Both of these will be delicious with your roast ham and it is always festive opening a bottle of bubbly!

Conde de Subirats Cava Brut (Spain) $12.99 - this wine is made from grapes grown in the heart of Sant Sadurni d’Anoia, the HOME of Cava. They harvest the grapes early to preserve the fresh fruit aromas and flavors…..it’s fermented in stainless steel to help keep the wine bright and fresh…..aged in bottle for 18 months on lees before “disgorging” (this is where they dump the yeast sediment from each bottle and add the “dosage” that makes the wine bubbly!)…..55% Macabeo, 40% Parellada and 5% Chardonnay. Aromas and flavors of lemon, kiwi, tropical fruit, apples…..creamy feel….nice bubbles that last.

Conde de Subirats Brut Rosé 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.

White Wines:

Von Schleinitz Slatestone Dry Riesling 2007 (Germany) $14.99 - This is a great sipping wine! One of our favorite Rieslings! Loads of peach, nectarine and white orchard fruit aromas and flavors. Excellent minerality and acidity in the wine – the vines grow right in slate! This is a dry, refreshing, low-alcohol wine that is medium-bodied and a great wine with food or alone. 1,000 cases made. Food pairing - Goes well with fish, seafood, poultry & veal. Great with spicy foods or salty meats such as ham.

Gustav Grüner Veltliner 2008 (Austria) $15.99 - Really cool wine! Refreshing with a nice minerality! Aromas and flavors or pears, lemons and minerals. Lively acidity. A crisp bite to this wine – akin to biting into a crisp, ripe, crunchy apple! This is a dry wine with a nice crisp finish. 100% Gruner Veltliner. Stainless steel fermentation. Grüner Veltliner is the best white grape grown in Austria and it makes superb wines! Organic Farming. Food pairing - lobster, oysters, smoked fish, salads, grilled veggies.

Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco 2007 (Italy) Reg. $17.99, Sale $15.99 - Outstanding white from NE Italy! Aromas of honey, green apples & peaches. Flavors of tart green apples, white grapefruit, and crisp pears. Dry, crisp and great minerals in the flavors. Medium-bodied & mouth-filling. Refreshing. Nice length on the finish. Zippy, tangy acidity. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged on the lees (the residue in the vat from the fermentation) for 3 months – this adds richness & complexity to the wines. This is drinking beautifully right now and will aged well for 2-4 years. Organic Farming. Food pairing – ham, salads, asparagus, seafood of all kinds, pasta dishes. Wine Spectator, 88 points

Castell Silvaner Trocken 2008 (Germany) $16.99 - Big hit at a December tasting! Bigger, richer white wine! This is a lot like a dry Vouvray. The vineyards here are loaded with minerals, gypsum & marl - which are ideal for growing Sylvaner. So, this wine is loaded with minerals! It also has a little lime citrus to it! It's fresh & lively with well-balanced acidity. Medium-bodied with a rich texture. Sustainable Agriculture. Food pairing - food-friendly wine! Appetizers, quiche, onion tarts, grilled or smoked fish, creamy dishes, chicken, ham, sushi, scallops, shrimp (it's Maine shrimp season, after all!).

Rosés

Rosés are incredibly “food-friendly!”

Domaine de Gournier Vin de Pays des Cévennes Rosé 2009 (France) $9.99 - Just a wonderful summer wine from southern France - refreshing, tasty. Nice red berry (strawberry, raspberry) aromas & flavors with distinctive peachy notes. A soft & elegant wine. Dry. Crisp. Fresh. Drinks easy & smooth. Well-balanced acidity. From Provence, this is handmade, hand-harvested wines. Traditionally made…small-production. This area of Provence smells of rosemary & lavender. Organically farmed & made. Food pairing - Great on its own. Try with lobster, grilled chicken & pork, chicken salad, roasted ham.

Librandi DOC Cirò Rosato 2008 (Italy) $13.99 - This is a GREAT Italian rosé! Aromas of flowers and spice….loads of cherries, herbs and figs in the flavors and aromas. Dry rosé. Great acidity….LONG finish…..this will just SHINE with grilled tuna or similar fish. This is a “weighty” rosé. 100% Gaglioppo (ancient Greek grape), this is the most important red wine grape in Calabria (the tip of the boot). 12 hours of skin contact turns this wine a deep coral color. Food pairing – perfect with grilled fish, spicy sauces, antipasti of meat and cheese, etc.

The Reds:

For ham:

Domaine Pierre Ponnelle Pinot Noir 2007 (France) $12.99 - Nice combination of “Old World” earth and a little funk and “New World” cherry fruit! This is smooth and tastes great! Aromas and flavors of cherries, raspberries and a little earth. The finish is clean and has nice length. 100% Pinot Noir from the Languedoc in southern France. Food Pairing – poultry, meat and pasta dishes. Mushroom dishes. Harder cheeses such as Piave Vecchio.

A to Z Pinot Noir 2008 (Oregon) $19.99 - Wonderful Pinot! Clear and vibrant with a beautiful dark color. Aromas of mixed berries, earth, smoke, violets, Asian spices and minerals. Flavors that mirror the aromas with a lush texture and good acidity. Long finish that shows this wine’s beautifully balance between richness & power, the wine possesses amazing depth and purity. Restrained use of oak – this wine sees about 9-10 months of aging before bottling. Food pairing - Great on its own. Try it with lobster, grilled chicken & pork, chicken salad, smoked salmon, grilled shrimp, sushi, gazpacho and more!

Famille Laurent Saint Pourçain 2007 Tradition (Pinot Noir/Gamay) $14.99 - This unusual blend comes from the St. Pourcain area just southwest of Beaujolais and Burgundy. The grapes are farmed and fermented by the Laurent family which has worked this land for nearly 100 years. The wine is bright and has beautiful berry qualities with a slightly darker undertone from the Pinot Noir.

For Lamb:

Aresti Estate Selection Pinot Noir 2008 (Chile) Reg. $13.99, Sale $11.99 - Aresti has been growing grapes since 1951. In the '90's they started making wine.....and they've been making excellent wines with great values! The Aresti Pinot Noir has vibrant strawberry jam aromas with anise and cinnamon. The aromas carrying over to the flavors, easy-drinking and yet complex, with a nice, long finish. Food pairing - grilled meats, mushroom risotto.

Thunder Stone Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2006 (California) $14.99 - This is a tasty, wonderful wine! Aromas of black cherries, cassis, mocha, dark chocolate and spice. Flavors of dark berries, baking spices & dark chocolate. Soft tannins. Soft, smooth feel in the mouth. Long finish. Single vineyard grapes from Alexander Valley. Barrel-aged in both new and used oak barrels. Steve Melchiskey is the winemaker and a Portland, ME resident – he worked in the CA wine industry for 8 years and has learned where to find great grapes. Food pairing – drinks well on its own – a buddy and I enjoyed it over a Red Sox game! Great with steak, lamb, etc. Wine Spectator, “Top Value,” 88 points

Palagetto Chianti Colli Senesi 2007 (Italy) $14.99 – This has an intense ruby red color. The aromas are filled with bright, fresh red berries and subtle hints of chocolate and roasted coffee. The flavors showcase that classic Chianti style of cherries and raspberries with hints of oak and herbs. Blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot and 5% Colorino. Chianti covers much of Tuscany and is divided into 7 areas; Colli Senesi is south of Chianti Classico in the Siena hills and includes the areas for Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Food pairing – pasta with red meat sauces, lamb, beef, game and cheese such as Pecorino Toscano.

Angelini Sangiovese Colli Pesaresi 2006 (Italy) $17.99 - This is a delicious, Chianti-style wine from the Marche on the Adriatic Coast of Italy. This is spicy with notes of ripe cherries and a hint of cedar. The tannins are soft and drying. The wine has great acidity. The tannins and acidity help it pair with richer foods. 100% Sangiovese. The winery farms sustainably. Food pairing – lamb, roasts, pasta with tomato and meat sauces, aged cheese such as Piave Vecchio.

Piazzo Barbaresco 2004 (Italy) $36.99 - This is a delicious, full-bodied wine with aromas of jammy red fruit, violets and baking spices. The finish is long and smooth. The flavors are cherries and raspberries and cinnamon with a little toast. Barbaresco is an area in Piedmont. It’s akin to its more familiar cousin, Barolo. 100% Nebbiolo. Food pairing – lamb, beef, steak, duck, rich pasta dishes and aged desserts.

Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz 2007 (Australia) Reg. $17.99, Sale $14.99 - A “killer” Shiraz at this price! Aromas of berries, cherries, toffee and herbs. Flavors of intense plums & bittersweet chocolate. Moderate tannins. Clean finish with nice length. Aged in French and American oak hogsheads for 12 months. Not an “oaky” wine – the time in oak just softens the wine! 2010 – 2016. Food pairing - Excellent choice for just drinking, a good steak, lamb chops, curry dishes & aged cheddar!

Brownie, Chocolate and Wine Tasting

Wilbur's Chocolates and Simply Divine Brownies are having a tasting TODAY......and they're serving some wines along with the delicious treats and they wanted me to tell you about it!

Wine & Chocolate & Brownie Tasting

Thursday, April 1st

4:30-6:30

Simply Divine Brownies & Wilbur's Chocolate are hosting a tasting at their store on Lower Main Street.....this is across the parking lot from Freeport Cheese & Wine. It's free and it will feature these wines!

Any of these wines that you purchase from Freeport Cheese & Wine will be 10% off!

The Wines:

Sparkling:

Conde de Subirats Cava Brut (Spain) $12.99 - this wine is made from grapes grown in the heart of Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, the HOME of Cava. They harvest the grapes early to preserve the fresh fruit aromas and flavors.....it's fermented in stainless steel to help keep the wine bright and fresh.....aged in bottle for 18 months on lees before "disgorging" (this is where they dump the yeast sediment from each bottle and add the "dosage" that makes the wine bubbly!).....55% Macabeo, 40% Parellada and 5% Chardonnay. Aromas and flavors of lemon, kiwi, tropical fruit, apples.....creamy feel....nice bubbles that last.

The White Wines:

El Portillo Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Argentina) Reg. $10.99, Sale $8.99 - Bright, crisp, clean! A tasty wine that is just fun to drink! Aromas and flavors of grapefruit, tropical fruits and passion fruit! Crisp acidity and a long finish. Food pairing - lobster, shellfish, mussels, smoked fish, sushi, etc. The Tasting Panel, 88 points

Colosi Sicilia Bianco 2008 (Italy) $10.99 - This interesting wine made of 90% Inzolia and 10% Catarratto, is the true expression of Sicily. The color is straw yellow pale with light greenish hue. Clean and fresh with apple and lemon aromas and flavors. Food pairing - Perfect with fish and seafood, light salads and poultry. It makes a perfect cocktail wine.

The Red Wines:

El Portillo Malbec 2008 (Argentina) Reg. $10.99, Sale $8.99 - Excellent wine! Easy drinking and soft.....just a pleasure! Medium-weight, with a slightly jammy core of red cherries & plum backed by baking spices on the soft finish. 100% Malbec. Stainless steel fermentation. Food pairing - Enjoy with grilled steaks, roasts and pasta in richly-flavored sauces.

Fattoria Capannacce Rosso della Maremma Toscana Super Tuscan 2005 (Italy) Reg. $21.99, Sale $14.99 - Fabulous, big & bold Super Tuscan! Aromas and flavors of cherries, blackberries, cedar, toasted baking spices, mocha and licorice. This is rich and lush. Long finish. This area of Tuscany is considered its "Wild West." It is rugged, arid, lightly populated and its people have an independent spirit. The winemaker, Alberto Porta, is called the "happiest man alive." 80% Sangiovese, 10% Syrah, 5% Canaiolo & 5% Grenache. The entire estate only makes 4,000 cases. Organic farming. Food pairing - grilled meats of any kind, roasted lamb or beef, rich mushroom dishes. I like this by itself, but I like really big wines without food!

Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Chile) Reg. $12.99, Sale $11.99 - Soft, smooth red from Chile! Lots of black cherry, plum, vanilla and mocha flavors and aromas! This is smooth and soft - not a tannic red! Well-structured and balanced. Blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah. Aged in 50% French oak and 50% American oak for 12 months. Food pairing - Great BBQ wine! Grilled red meats, ripe cheeses, Italian dishes, etc.

The Cancer Community Center Wine Tasting

Good Wine for a Good Cause!

Monday, March 29th, 2010 is the date! This series of a wine tasting and several wine dinners may go down as the biggest wine spectacle ever in Maine.

SOPO (South Portland Wine Company) and RiRa are hosting a wine tasting at RiRa Irish Pub in Portland. All proceeds go to The Cancer Community Center.

Wine Tasting

Monday, March 29th

5:30 - 7:30pm

RiRa Irish Pub

72 Commercial Street, Portland

Meet over 20 different winemakers, owners and importers, try their wines and help raise some money! There will be approximately 100 wines at the event - spitting is encouraged! (I carry a plastic cup to tastings such as this to help).

Tickets are $30 at the door and $25 in advance (I have tickets in my store). Freeport Cheese & Wine will donate 10% of any wines you purchase as a result of this tasting to The Cancer Community Center.

That night, several wine dinners are also happening in Portland (3 dinners) and Saco (1 dinner).

Wine Dinners

Cinque Terre Wine Dinner featuring...Maggarino and Giovanni Scagliola of Scagliola and Giuseppe Nicolis of Nicolis. Scagliola is in Piedmont and Nicolis is from Valpolicella. These are the owner/winemakers from both properties. Cinque Terre, Wharf Street, Portland. Monday, March 29th, 7:00pm

Bibo's Madd Apple Café Wine Dinner with Anne-Maryse Lopez of Chilensis and Oveja Negra and some great Chilean Wines. Forest Avenue, Portland. Monday, March 29th, 6:00pm Bar Lola Wine Dinner featuring the wines from Victor Abascal of Vines on the Marycrest (California) and Ratero Gantier of Domaine St. Eugenie (Southern France). 100 Congress Street, Portland. Monday, March 29th, 6:30pm

Mia's at Pepperell Square Wine Dinner featuring Marco Mazzarrini of Poggio Amorelli (Chianti) and Rodolfo Cantarutti of Cantarutti Winery (NE Italy). Saco, Monday, March 29th, 6:30pm

Late Night Dessert at Vignola with the winemakers. Portland, Monday, March 29th. C

Cleonice Greek Wine Dinner featuring wines from Athenee Imports. Sunday, March 28th, 7 pm, Ellsworth.

That's the day!

Remember, I have tickets in my store.

20/40 Charity Wine Tasting

20/40 Charity Wine Tasting

Taste 20 premium wines of Spain and Portugal for $40 and raise money for Good Causes.

Money raised goes to The Compass Project.

The Compass Project mission is to use boatbuilding and rowing to provide positive direction to youth, encouraging the development of personal and community responsibility.

Presented by 5 of my favorite distributors: Crush, Davine, Devenish, Easterly and SOPO. These are 5 of the companies that are helping bring many of the special wines you are finding in Maine.

Freeport Cheese & Wine will donate 10% of any wines you purchase as a result of this tasting to The Compass Project.

Hosted by The Salt Exchange in Portland. Commercial Street. 3:00-6:00 PM (you don’t have to be there the entire time). Attendance is limited to 70 people to prevent it from being too crowded.

The Salt Exchange
Commercial Street, Portland.
3:00-6:00 PM

Sunday, March 20th

The Wines (some of them)

Easterly

• Broadbent Vinho Verde (Portugal)
• Casa Ferreirinha, Douro "Vinha Grande" 2002 (Portugal)
• Quinta do Crasto Douro 2007 (Portugal)
• Quinta do Crasto Douro Reserva Old Vines 2007 (Portugal)

Davine Wine

• Morgadio Albariñio 2008 (Spain), 90 points, Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar
• Pasanau ‘Ceps Nous’ Priorat 2007, 91points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
• El Vinculo La Mancha 2004 (Spain)
• Lorinon Reserva Rioja Alta 2004 (Spain)

Crush

• Bodegas Las Orcas Decenio Jove Rioja 2008 (Spain)
• Lo Brujo Macabeo 2009 (Spain)
• Lo Brujo Garnacha 2008 (Spain)
• Odysseus Tinto Priorat 2002 (Spain)

Devenish

• Ameztoi Txakolina (Spain)
• Lovivalo Joven Toro 2007 (Spain)
• Hermanos Sastre "Roble" Ribera del Duero 2007
• Bodegas Ostatu Rioja 2006
• Ned may also have a couple of amazing Priorats at his table as “bonuses”

SOPO

• I don’t have their wines on this list – they’ll be good!

March 2010 Wine Tasting

Freeport Cheese & Wine

Wine & Cheese Tasting!

Friday, March 19th

3:30-7:30pm

The Sparkling

Henry Varnay Blanc de Blancs Brut NV (France) $11.99 - What do you not know at this point. It’s Chenin Blanc made sparkling traditionally. It’s got some nice appley and bread qualities, smooth, and a rich slightly creamy finish. It’s clean and a perfect sparkler for cocktails like Bellinis and Mimosas. The Whites:

Chateau Bonhoste Bordeaux Blanc Sec 2009 (France) Reg. $14.99, Sale $13.99 - This is a FABULOUS wine! Made by the Fournier family; this is a traditional white Bordeaux blend of Semillon (55%), Sauvignon Blanc (40%), and a touch of Muscadelle (5%). It is a perfectly formed blend of these components; showing lushness and body from the Semillon, acidity and crispness from the Sauv. Blanc, and rich aromatics from the Muscadelle. Dry and focused. Aromas of pineapples, freshly mown grass & green bananas. Nice minerality. Nicely balanced acidity and fruit. It’s a blend of Semillon (55 percent), Sauvignon Blanc (40 percent), and Muscadelle (5 percent). Organic farming. Food pairing - Goes great with lighter poultry and seafood dishes. Drinks real well on its own!

Jean Paul Paquet St. Veran 2008 (France) $24.99 - This is classic Mâcon White Burgundy. It has a rich mouth feel and texture. It’s certainly ripe; but, it also has a clean acidity to balance that ripe fruit. Underneath that fruit and acidity is a perfectly proportional hint of Burgundy earthiness. Just a slight quality of earth and wet rocks.

The Reds:

Famille Laurent Saint Pourçain 2007 Tradition (Pinot Noir/Gamay) $14.99 - This unusual blend comes from the St. Pourcain area just southwest of Beaujolais and Burgundy. The grapes are farmed and fermented by the Laurent family which has worked this land for nearly 100 years. The wine is bright and has beautiful berry qualities with a slightly darker undertone from the Pinot Noir.

Seigneurs de Peyreviel Côtes de Millau 2006 (France) Reg. $12.99, Sale $11.99 - 11 famers co-operatively farm 90 acres here in southwestern France. The clay, limestone vineyards produce Cabernet, Gamay, Syrah, and Fer Severadou. This wine has nice ripe berry qualities, followed by some nice fresh acidity and a soft finish. The Syrah also gives it substantial black pepper.

Domaine du Jas (Organic) Côtes du Rhône 2008 Prestige $14.99 - A large proportion of Syrah in this wine gives it more heft and spice than the average Côtes du Rhône. This is a fuller bodied wine with some black pepper and tannin that is equally at home with pork tenderloin, roast chicken, and a rich stew. Plus, it’s certified Organic!

Domaine de Bel Air (Organic) Bourgueil 2003 (France) $15.99 - And last up is this Bourgueil. Bourgeil is from the central Loire River Valley and is one of the most sought after Cabernet Francs in the world, along with its neighbor Chinon. This happens to come from the 2003 vintage, which was ungodly hot. The extreme heat wreaked havoc some places, but here it resulted in a wine that’s just a bit fuller, denser, and fully developed. It has the spicy pepper and dust that is typical of Cabernet Franc. The mid palate has some black pepper, but, great richness too. This really fills the mouth and then has a lingering, but not too tannic finish. It’s a good wine in its own right, but also a great beginner Cabernet Franc because it has that extra richness.

Davine’s Wines

The Whites:

Peñalolén Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Chile) $12.99 – This is a crisp, clean delicious Sauv. Blanc. Aromas of oranges and lemons. This also has flavors of tropical fruit, ginger and citrus. Brisk, crisp acidity and a clean finish. Refreshing. 100% Sauvignon Blanc aged and fermented in stainless steel.

Apaltaqua Reserve Chardonnay 2008 (Chile) $12.99 – This is a wonderful Chardonnay that is neither Napa Valley nor is it Burgundy. This winery is probably Chile’s pioneer when it comes to biodynamic farming. Aromas and flavors of peaches, grapefruit and tropical fruit. This is crisp, juicy and refreshing. The finish is long and clean.

The Reds:

Peñalolén Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Chile) $17.99 – Delicious wine! This has a smooth, soft texture. Aromas and flavors of violets, baking spices and berries. Blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak for 12 months. Will drink well through 2014. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 89 points

Pargua II 2006 (Chile) $21.99 - The 2006 Pargua II is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Carmenère, 15% Syrah, and the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Also produced from organically grown grapes, the wine has softer fruit and is riper, richer and more concentrated than its more expensive sibling, Domus Aurea. Aromas and flavors of wild berries and baking spices. Already complex, with another 3-4 years in the bottle to blossom, it will provide exceptional drinking between 2013 and 2026. Food pairing – grilled meats, spicy sauces, Mediterranean dishes. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points

Viña Maquis Calcu 2006 (Chile) $13.99 - This is delicious! Big hit at a tasting! Tasty little blend! Nice minerals, ripe tannins, baking spices, red fruit, and subtle oak in the flavors and aromas. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Cabernet Franc (15%) & Carménère (25%) blend. In the local "Mapuche" language, "Calcu" means "healing doctor" or "magician." Indeed, the winemakers have created another magical "Super Chilean!" Food pairing - pasta, grilled meats, mushroom dishes, etc. Drinks well without food. Wine Enthusiast, “Best Buy;” Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, “Excellent Value”

Viña Maquis Lien 2006 (Chile) $17.99 - Delicious! Rich, lush wine! Aromas and flavors of mocha, toast, ripe plums, blackberries & blueberries. Fleshy, ripe and rich. Hints of loamy earth. Not too tannic. Low-yield vines. All of the grapes are hand-sorted at the winery. 42% Syrah, 30% Carmenère, 9% Petit Verdot, 12% Cabernet Franc & 7% Malbec. Barrel aged for 12 months in French oak. Food pairing - grilled meats, steak, etc. Pasta dishes. Drinks well without food. Michael Franz, Wine Review Online, 91 points, “Wine of the Year; Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 90 points