Alsacian Riesling

If you’ve been avoiding white wines because you think they’re too sweet or fruity, I have to encourage you to check out wines from Alsace. Every time I open one, and it doesn’t even seem to matter what type, I am blown away all over again.

Let’s take one of Alsace’s noble varietals: Riesling. Now, I went to school in the Finger Lakes region of NY, so I pretty much cut my wine teeth on Riesling. Riesling is one of those amazing grapes that sommeliers and wine professionals love to wax romantic about, and I’ll get around to doing a full profile on it eventually. It can show an amazing balance and breadth of acid and fruity sweetness. Riesling can be a wine that talks to you, a wine with a story to tell that evolves as you drink it.

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Friday Wine Tasting 2.24.17

We have some tasty juice for you to try this week! Swing by between 3-7 pm to do some sampling!

BLINDFOLD
This creative white blend, from The Prisoner Wine Company, begins with a base of Chardonnay, fleshed out with aromatic varietals like Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Marsanne. Complex and intriguing, this wine offers a nose of honeysuckle and grilled stone fruit. Th palate is rich and creamy, but is balanced by a fresh acidity. Flavors of toasted hazelnut, citrus zest and creme brulee carry you into a soft, mineral driven finish.

SALDO
Saldo is The Prisoner Wine Company’s answer to the classic California Zinfandel. It is sourced from old vine, dry farmed vineyards, producing concentrated complex fruit. Deeply colored with aromas of blackberry, plum and clove, this wine maintains a balanced, mouthwatering acidity. The palate is velvety and full with flavors of sweet chocolate, ripe cherry and vanilla lingering into the finish.

MERCER MERLOT
This Merlot is elegant, yet powerful. It opens with notes of ripe cherries and blackberries underscored by hints of warm baking spice. The palate is full and round, supported by velvety tannins and a balanced acidity that makes this an excellent dinner companion.

MERCER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Sourced from Mercer’s estate vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills appellation of southern Washington, this Cabernet offers a juicy nose of blueberry, plum and blackberry jam. This lush fruitiness is complemented by rich notes of tobacco, vanilla and caramel. The palate is sleek and velvety with additional jammy fruit and a hint of dried mint on the finish.

Gross Wine Descriptors

When you really start to dig into the world of wine, you will discover a seemingly endless list of descriptors. From blurbs on the back of bottles to reviews in the top wine magazines, it seems that nearly any word can be used to describe the flavors and aromas in a wine. There are many descriptors used for wine that may seem weird, disgusting and absolutely nothing you want associated with something you’re going to drink. Here are some gross wine descriptors for truly delicious wines.

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Friday Tasting 2.17.17

Our fourth wine this week will be a surprise wine hand-picked by Sanjay. Stop by to see what it is and try our entire excellent line up!

JOSEPH MELLOT SANCERRE “LA CHATELLENIE”
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc comes from vineyards with flint-rich clay soils, giving this wine a characteristic gunflint flavor. Pale gold with greenish highlights, this wine offers a rich nose of citrus and tropical fruits. The palate is bright and cheerful with a lively acidity and clean mineraliity that begs for an pairing of shellfish and soft cheese.

PURPLE HANDS PINOT NOIR
There is a reason that the Willamette Valley in Oregon has earned international reputation name for excellent Pinot Noir. The climate and terrior of the area produces fruit that is bold, forward-flavored and yet still balanced and elegant. This fine example carries loads of succulent fruits, like cherries and plums. Warm spice and hints of cherry cola add a depth and richness that lingers on the smooth, silky palate. Effortlessly drinkable!

GIBBS MERLOT
Sourcing the fruit from valley floor vineyards of Oakville, Napa, ensures optimal ripeness of the grapes. That ripeness, along with extended maceration (immersion of grape skins in juice) produces a wine that is boldly colored with firm, well-formed tannins. A complex palate of blue and black fruits, baking spice and dark chocolate gives you a round, juicy texture and long, silky finish.

Misunderstood Merlot

It’s a funny thing about Merlot (which is thought to mean “blackbird” in French due to its dark color). It is one of the most widely planted grapes in the world- THE most widely planted in France. Yet in parallel with this immense popularity, there is an immense sense of ridicule and scorn regarding the quality of its wines

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Friday Wine Tasting 2.3.17

Super Bowl weekend is almost upon us. Beer may be considered the drink for sports events, but wine can also be an excellent addition to your game day spread. Come join us for a free tasting and get some tips on the best wines to serve!

CALERA CHARDONNAY
This Central Coast Chardonnay is a bright and balanced wine. Playful smells of hybiscus and pineapple greet you, while flavors of apple and lemon curd finesse your palate. Oak aging has imparted this wine with soft, juicy texture and a bright sweet-tart finish. Delicious and easy drinking!

MICHAEL DAVID PETITE PETITE
A blend of 85% Petite Sirah and 15% Petit Verdot, offering a joyous explosion of color and fun! It is a substantial, dense, full-bodied, whopper style of wine loaded with pure black fruit and vanilla flavors that coat the palate. It reveals remarkable richness with a finish that is slightly dry and seems to linger.

REVELRY REVELER
This Washington red wine is composed of Bordeaux varietals (Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot), with each vintage determining the ideal blend. Ripe blue fruit, baking spice and dark chocolate flavors are supported by chalky tannins and a firm acidity. Enjoy this wine in front of a warm fire with a cheese plate.

REVELRY CABERNET SAUVIGNON
This Columbia Valley Cabernet provides a profile of ripe red berries, plum and sweet vanilla. 14 months in new oak lends this wine defined tannins and balanced structure. Medium to full-bodied and boldy flavored, this wine is balanced in a way that makes it effortlessly drinkable, both with food and on its own.