“Old World inspired. Artisan winemaking. Handcrafted with a minimalist philosophy. Township 7 is British Columbia’s only urban and rural winery - with locations in the picturesque Fraser and Okanagan Valleys.  Our sustainably farmed, classic French vinifera vineyards are low yield and reflect the terroir in which they are grown. Our wines are meant to be enjoyed with friends and family.”[1] That kind of says it all.  With the production of some wines being as little as 55 cases (Seven Stars Sparkling) and as many as 1639 cases (Merlot), this truly is a small handcrafted producer.  You don’t have to be big to make great wine.   This is proven time and time again.

Famed Master of Wine and world-renowned wine writer and reviewer, Jancis Robinson, said this about Township 7:  “Certainly the wines show quite extraordinary directness of fruit; they almost punch you between the eyes with their frankness. And, like the wines of the deserts of eastern Washington to the south, they all have good natural acidity thanks to the Okanagan’s routinely cool desert nights.”[2]

Mike Raffan is the man at the helm.  Mike had a successful career in the restaurant business for about 30 years prior to pursuing his passion for wine and purchasing Township 7 almost 6 years ago.  (The winery itself was opened 12 years ago by Corey and Gwen Coleman.)  Bradley Cooper, Township 7’s winemaker, joined the winery the year prior to Mike.

Bradley started his career in the Okanagan at Hawthorne Mountain Winery.  From there he went to New Zealand and back up to Washington State before joining Township 7 in 2005.  The 2011 season was not the best year.  We spoke with an Okanagan winemaker this morning who said that they thought 2010 was not the best and then 2011 came around.  So what happens to fruit that doesn’t quite cut it for wine.  In a conversation with ‘Cuisine & Company’ in October of 2011, Bradley said that the grapes that were unsuitable for making wine were donated to Critter Care Wildlife Society and were gladly consumed by injured/orphaned bears and other wildlife.

Township 7 Winery is also involved with the arts community in a very special project.  Mike Raffan partnered with Robb Dunfield who is a Cloverdale, B.C. artist. Robb’s painting “Visions of Possibilities” was the artwork used on the label of the Dunfield Collection wine (a Meritage made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc).  Robb is a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic.  He mouth-painted Visions in a labour intensive, three-year process! There were only 200 cases of this special wine released and we are sad to say that none of it was available in Alberta.  However, we are happy to tell you that ‘partial proceeds from the wine will be donated to the Rick Hansen Foundation, in support of spinal cord research.’

We think it is about time that we try these wines.

Township 7 - 7 Blanc

Location: Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada
Blend: Gewurztraminer 45%, Pinot Gris 41%, Muscat Ottonel 14%
Tasting: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

With Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat Ottonel in the mix, you know that this is going to be a flavourful wine.  It is a touch off dry, but it has some nice acidity to go along with it.

Township 7 Tasting Notes:

“Off dry and exotic with tangerine citrus notes, pear and lychee in the nose. The taste is of pears, peach, mandarin orange, hints of walnut and some tropical spice. The finish lingers with yellow raisin and fig.”

Food Pairing:

Tuna Maki; Barbeque Pork on Rice (Kow Moo Dang)

CSPC:                   114553
Winesday Price:

$19.13 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$21.25

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Township 7 Merlot

Location: Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada
Blend: Merlot 88%, Cabernet Sauvignon 9%, Cabernet Franc 3%
Tasting: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

This Merlot was recently given a Bronze Medal and was named one of the best merlots at the Wine Access 2011 Canadian Wine Awards.  No small feat with over 70 entries and only 38 medals.

The winery says:

“Rich plum, chocolate shavings and spiced berry in the nose. Dried cherry, cola and leather in the palate. Superb finish with hints of exotic spice.  Great early structure.”

Now that we have some relatively mild weather, it is time to barbeque, my friends.  Well… not barbeque my friends… oh you know what we mean.

Food Pairing:

  Grilled Beef & Mushroom Burger;  Slow-Cooker Hearty Beef Stew

CSPC:                   735474
Winesday Price:

$21.60 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$24.00

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Next week it is:  Aussie Aussie Aussie… Oi! Oi! Oi!

[2] www.township7.com

They say that good girls like bad boys.  So does it hold true that good boys like bad girls?  Well we are going to find out today, because we are sampling two French wines.  The sparkling is called “Bad Girl” and the red wine is called “Bad Boy”.

Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud are the masterminds of our two French wines today.  To say that they are an interesting couple would be the understatement of the year.  It seems as though people either love what they do… or not so much.

It has been said that Jean-Luc Thunevin is one of the first few winemakers to turn French winemaking upside-down and inside-out.  He was one of the first ‘garagistes’ otherwise known as ‘microchâteau’ or ‘vins de garage’.[1] This is a relatively new phenomenon.  These ‘garagistes’ produced what Richard and I like to call ‘wines for the new world palate’: big fruit, big colour, and often big oaky wines.  They became a hit and found the favour of wine writers like Robert M. Parker, Jr.  It was Mr. Parker who tagged Jean-Luc with the name ‘bad boy’ and ‘black sheep’.  This notoriety, so to speak, was what gave life to the idea of the ‘Bad Boy’ wine.[2] Château Valandraud, owned by Jean-Luc Thunevin and his partner Murielle Andraud, was one of the first microchâteaux.  The wines from these pioneering winemakers are commanding some very high prices.  Some wonder why, but others think why not.  Luckily the two wines we are trying this week are still within our reach!

You will notice this week that we don’t have any food pairings to go with the wines.  We figure nothing goes better at New Year’s than a glass of wine or bubbly with your honey in your arms.  How can you beat that?!

Bad Girl

Location: Bordeaux, France
Blend: 70% Sémillon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Muscadelle
Tasting: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

What exactly is Crémant de Bordeaux?  First of all, it isn’t Champagne.  Remember a wine may only be called Champagne if it is made in the Champagne region in France using the Méthode Champenoise (a.k.a. Traditional Method). This means that the second fermentation takes place in the bottle producing those beautiful sumptuous tiny bubbles.   However, Crémant de Bordeaux is a sparkling wine that is made in Bordeaux, France in the same method as Champagne, but with different grape varieties. The grapes allowed to be used in Crémant de Bordeaux are:  Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Côt (Malbec), Merlot, Muscadelle, Petit Verdot, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris with minor additions of Colombard, Merlot Blanc and Ugni Blanc.  The Grapes for this wine are grown in the Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux (see right).  The literal translation of Entre-Deux-Mers is ‘between two seas’.  It isn’t, in fact, between two seas.  It is, however, between two rivers:  Dordogne and Garonne.

Crémant came into being in 1990 to replace Bordeaux Mousseaux.  Over the next five years, the Bordeaux Mousseaux designation was completely phased out.  Today only a small amount of sparkling wine is made in Bordeaux, in comparison to other regions of France.

Just a little geeky information:  Saumur and Vouvray were the first two French non-Champagne sparkling wine regions to use the term Crémant.  Crémant is also a term used to describe some of the best sparkling wines of Luxembourg.[3]

This is a fun wine.  Don’t save bubbles for what you might consider a special occasion.  Every day should be a special occasion.  If you feel like having bubbly on a Saturday evening instead of a Meritage or Burgundy or California Cabernet, then open it up.  Bubbles go with everything like:  Popcorn, Sushi, Chinese Seafood, Lobster and Salty Food.  Just to name a few things.

This ‘Bad Girl’ is going to surprise you… in a very good way.

CSPC:                   743225
Winesday Price:

$25.19 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$27.99

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Bad Boy

Location: Bordeaux, France
Blend: 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc
Tasting: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

There are those who sing the praises of Bad Boy (Mauvais Garçon) and those who are a little less warm in their approach.  Don’t you wonder why?  Here are our thoughts on the matter.  A winemaker decides he/she doesn’t want to follow the pack and goes against the grain in making wine.   The outcome are wines that are big and fruity, big colour and a little more approachable at a young age than some other Bordeaux wines that receive the admiration of wine consumers and wine-writers.  Geez, doesn’t that sound familiar?  Super Tuscans come to mind right away.  The winemakers in Tuscany were lambasted by some and lauded by others in the beginning.  After a number of years passed, they became accepted, if not reluctantly, by the traditional crew.

So let’s look at it another way.  If we didn’t have people who had a vision for something new because the status quo just didn’t do it for them, we wouldn’t have electricity, telephones, cars, airplanes, computers, Blackberrys and everything else that we take for granted in our day to day lives.  We think that switching it up a little is a good thing.  Some days you may feel like a little ‘Bad Boy’ (we are talkin’ wine here people) and other days you may feel like a Château d’Armailhac.  Diversity is a good thing.

In 2008 James Lawther MW (Decanter Magazine) wrote:  “Back in May (2008) the unthinkable happened. The bad boy of St-Emilion, Jean-Luc Thunevin, owner of Château Valandraud and godfather of the garagistes, was welcomed as an honorary member of the venerable Left Bank association, the Commanderie du Bontemps du Médoc et Graves, Sauternes et Barsac. ‘He woke us up and helped revolutionize Bordeaux,’ said the order’s grand maître, Jean- Michel Cazes of Château Lynch-Bages.”  Those are big kudos.  We are very excited to see what you think of this wine.

CSPC:                   733870
Winesday Price:

$25.19 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price: 

$27.99

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Happy New Year to you and your families.  May 2012 bring you love, peace and joy.  Enjoy a nice bottle of wine with your best gal or guy and lots of friends and family.

[2] www.thunevin.com

[3] The Oxford Companion to Wine

Well, here we are back in South Africa again.  Stellenbosch, to be exact. Known as the capital of the wine industry in South Africa.  It is also the home for Guardian Peak Winery.  It opened in 1999 as a partnership between Jean Engelbrecht and PGA Golf star Ernie Els.  Although the two recently dissolved their partnership to further explore their separate wine interests, Guardian Peak lives on.  Guardian Peak’s philosophy is to provide fruit driven new world style wines that are accessible to wine enthusiasts.  They know what a large number of consumers are looking for and they are delivering.  You will see what we mean when you come to try the wine.

Guardian Peak Frontier

Location: South Africa
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 45% Shiraz 35% Merlot 20%
Tasting: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

A few months ago we had the opportunity to try this Guardian Peak wine and we thought you would enjoy it.  So here we are.  The wine has some interesting flavours that make it quite food friendly.  You will notice the ‘Grilled Sausage’ and the ‘Grilled Filet with Herb Butter’ recipes below.  When we read them we thought they would go great with this wine.  We haven’t tried them yet, but it is all about experimentation… in other words, we are trying them this weekend.

As described by the winery:

Appearance: Deep Ruby Red

Aroma: Great complexity on the nose with floral notes of jasmine and violet. This is backed up by sandalwood and licorice with hints of classic lead pencil.

Palate: Ripe, juicy red fruit are prominent on the palate with a lengthy, smooth finish. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz are in perfect harmony. Together with the Merlot, this creates a well rounded, wonderfully balanced wine.

Impression: “The three varietals each contribute unique flavours and character to the wine to make this a wonderful drinking experience. The wine will mature and soften beautifully over the next 5 years.”

Food Pairing:

Grilled Sausage Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions and Gruyère Cheese; Grilled Filet Mignon with Herb Butter & Texas Toasts;

CSPC:     721145
Winesday Price:

$17.09 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$18.99

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Guardian Peak Shiraz

Location: Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Shiraz
Tasting: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Philip van Staden, the Winemaker describes the wine for us:

Appearance: Bright ruby red.

Aroma: Ripe red fruit aromas are evident, with cassis and white plum. This is backed up by hints of coffee and mocha, with well balanced, subtle oak notes.

Palate: The focused fruit shows exceptional follow through from the nose. This, combined with the seamlessly integrated tannin structure creates an approachable, elegant wine.

Impression: “A beautiful and well integrated Shiraz best enjoyed now and for the next three years.”

Food Pairing:

Bison Burgers with Cabernet Onions and Wisconsin Cheddar; Grilled Leg of Lamb with Rosemary, Garlic, and Mustard

CSPC:                   721144
Winesday Price:

$15.75 (Includes Winesday 10% discount)

Regular Price:

$17.50

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

We have many favourite places in the world, but without a doubt Alsace in France ranks right up there.  Wait until you see the photos and taste the wine.  You will think you are right there.

You have heard us say “Washington = Merlot” many times before.  We have a feeling that that saying may soon become “Washington = Charles Smith”.   The man and his wineries have been getting an incredible amount of press over the past few years.  From The Wine Advocate to Wine Spectator, there doesn’t seem to be any stopping this train.  If you met the man, you would be overwhelmed by his passion for winemaking.  It shows through in every fiber of his being.  It isn’t fraught with stuffiness, but just plain love of the stuff.  Richard and I wrote about Charles last year highlighting his Kung Foo Girl Riesling and Boom Boom Syrah

We recently had the delight of meeting Charles and his beautiful wife, Ginevra, when they visited Edmonton in October of this year.  We had the pleasure of enjoying dinner with them and about 25+ people.  Even with that many people, it was quite an intimate dinner.   Winter, the wine agent representative in Edmonton, told us that Charles wanted to make the dinner like a family event.  No plating food ahead of time.  He wanted all the food to come out in serving dishes and people could pass the dishes around the table just like at a big family dinner.  She said that he wanted to get people to chat and get to know each other.  Well, that we did.  And it was a blast!

Charles referred to the first couple of wines we enjoyed that evening like country wines.  ‘These are the type of wines like if you were in Tuscany and you asked for the local wine and they poured you a glass, this would be it.’  ‘There is no need to swirl it and sniff it, just drink it.’

If we were to describe Charles in a few words, we would say he is a ‘take me as I am’ kind of guy.  No fuss no muss.  We gotta say, that is great and truly refreshing.   Hey Charles!  Love the curly hair, man.  Of course, I am partial to curls myself.

The Velvet Devil

Winery: Charles Smith Wines
Location: Mattawa, Washington, U.S.A.
Blend: 2009: 90.6% Merlot, 9.4% Cabernet Sauvignon
          2010: 91% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Merlot.  People either love it or don’t.  Well, we love it.  It is a tough grape to describe because there is so much to it.  There is a lot of red fruit like:  raspberry and strawberry to name two.  Then there is the black fruit like:  black cherry, blackcurrant, plums and damsons.  On top of that there is the fig and prune plus chocolate.  You hear it being described as having ‘velvety’ tannins, as well.  Now there are many more descriptors that people will get out of Merlot, but that will give you an idea.

Love love love the name of this wine.  We always tell people that when you are enjoying a really nice Merlot you should have the same sensation as the touch of soft velvet on your fingertips.  Why call it “The Velvet Devil”?  Charles says “It makes Merlot sound sexy… because it is!”

He describes the 2009 like this:

“PURE VELVET! Milk chocolate, wild blackberry, baking spice, rose oil…beautifully perfumed Washington in a glass….Velvet Devil? HELL YEAH!”

What about the 2010?

“Classic Merlot aromas of dark cherries, cedar, pip tobacco. Anise, stone and cherry blossoms. Yeah, believe it! Naughty and nice, a true Velvet Devil.”

People think we are nuts when we tell them that one vintage is different than the next.  Yes, it is true that the basics are the same, but the expression… wait a minute, that “expression” bit sounds stuffy, and Charles is far from stuffy.  Let’s just say this:  Every year the wine is going to be a bit different, which is good, because if every year they were exactly the same it would be no fun.  We know you will enjoy each one.  If you don’t believe me, just try them.  You’ll see.

CSPC:                   735856
Winesday Price:

$20.25 (Includes Winesday 10% discount.)

Regular Price:

$22.50

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Winery: Charles & Charles
Location: Washington
Blend: 2009 & 2010: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Syrah
Tasting: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Charles & Charles is “a collaboration founded in 2008 between Food & Wine Magazine 2009 Winemaker of the year, Charles Smith (K Vintners, Charles Smith Wines) and Charles Bieler (Three Thieves, BIELER Pere et Fils, Sombra mezcal). The label is an abstract play on the American Flag done by the well loved and historic Nashville, TN poster shop, Hatch Show Print.”  They produce only two wines:  Charles & Charles Rosé, and the Charles & Charles Red

Just to let you know, Richard and I were two of those people who were swirling and sniffing this wine.  We know Charles said to ‘just drink it’, but we couldn’t help it.  It smells incredible.  We knew as soon as we tried it that we would have to include in our Winesday for you.

They describe the 2010 like this:

The wine is still loaded with black fruit lead by currants, violets and blackberry with rich, toasty mocha aromas - all of which carry through to the palate.  A portion of the syrah was whole cluster fermented which adds to the dark brambly flavors.”

CSPC:                   738576
Winesday Price:

$16.65 (Includes Winesday 10% discount.)

Regular Price:

$18.50

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Next week we are hitting Australia and the U.S.A.

Sherbrooke Liquor and PMA Canada are very proud to introduce Michele Gianazza from Cantine Lunae Bosoni.   We are so pleased to have Michele visit us at Sherbrooke.  He has visited Edmonton a number of times, but this is his first visit to our ‘Winesday’.  To say the least, we are thrilled.

Cantine Lunae Bosoni

This place is a little bit of heaven on the easternmost corner of Liguria on the border with Tuscany in Italy.  It is a region that should not be overlooked.  The white wines make a statement and the red wines are not to be missed.  Paolo Bosoni’s family has nurtured this land for five generations.  In 1966 Paolo inherited the farm from his father and with the help of his wife, brother and other family members, this winery has taken flight.  Only the best would do.  The wine cellar was built using the most up-to-date technology.  They started on a journey of expanding their winery in 2010.  This is a man who is always thinking about the next step.   Visiting Cantine Lvnae in 2010 year was a real treat for myself and Richard.  Over the years we have enjoyed many bottles of their wonderful wine.  It was a pleasure meeting both Paolo and all of the wonderful people at Lunae.  We can’t wait to go back!

Our trip to Ortonovo was quite a bit of fun.  We had just left Pisa di Marina and headed up towards Ortonovo.  Thank goodness for our handy little GPS.  We popped in the address and drove.  The scenery along the way was incredible.  The mountains, the vineyards… everything was breathtaking.  We passed countless marble storage yards en route too.  I wanted to take some marble home with us, but I couldn’t fit it in our suitcases!!  We finally arrived at the winery, but there didn’t seem to be anyone there.  Richard went up to a gent in the house located next to the winery.  He was gone about 4 or 5 minutes and came back to the car.

‘What did you find out honey?’ I queried.  ‘I found out that I couldn’t understand what he was saying.’  I kind of chuckled… just a little though!  He said ‘Smiley, why don’t you go over and talk to him and see if you can find out where we are supposed to go.’  I took a piece of paper and a pen and headed over to the house.  I only knew a few Italian words, but that seemed to be enough and he marked a route for us to go.  (We found out a few days later that this nice gent who gave us the directions, was the brother of the owner of Cantine Lunae.)

We were a mere several hundred meters from our destination.  We drove down through the residential area and then we saw the wrought iron gates and the brick buildings.  We were here.

It was a Sunday morning and we were surprised to see all the activity.  Located here was a retail location for Cantina Lunae amongst a pond, a museum, a small distillery and apartments and, of course, some vineyards.  A beautiful young lady told us that they had been expecting us and she took us outside past the pond, through the courtyard and up over the brick stairs to an amazing apartment.  It was just stunning with the beautiful tile floors, the fireplace in the living room, the balcony off the dining room and the attention to detail throughout did not go unnoticed.

After we unpacked we went back downstairs to the ‘store’ and tasting area.  Oh my… the wines.   They were delicious.  Now at this point we want to let you know that tasting all these wines is strictly for business and educational purposes only (wink wink).  We tasted them all, over a three day period, just so we could let you know what they were all like.

In the tasting area they also had jams, marmalades and liqueurs.  Now before you even ask, those last three items are unfortunately not available in Alberta.  The quantity made is such a small amount that an export market could not be sustained.  In order for you to try these delectable delights, you will have to go and visit them in Ortonovo.  For now, however, come and try a few wonderful wines from this special place.

Lunae Vermentino

Winery: Cantine Lunae Bosoni
Location: Colli di Luni DOC
Alcohol: 13%
Blend: 100% Vermentino
Tasting: Wednesday, September 21 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The name “Lunae” (Lvnae) comes from the ancient name of the Port of Luni (Portus Lvnae).  Colli di Luni means ‘hills of the moon’.  Now that we have that straight, we can talk a little bit about this wine.  If you have never tried a wine made from Vermentino, please take the time to try.  It will be well worth it.  The wine is fresh, medium bodied and very aromatic with lots of floral notes and even a wee touch of acacia honey.  Just scrumpdili-icious.  The colour is pale yellow with a touch of gold overtones.

This grapes for this particular wine come from Castelnuovo Magra and Ortonovo.

The origin of this grape variety is a little muddled.  You will hear a lot of people say that it originally comes from Spain, which is the most common story. No matter where it began, it has found a home here in this beautiful part of Italy and it has rewarded its keepers with wines to be proud of.

When people this of white wine in relation to Italy, they automatically think of Pinot Grigio.  Well now you know another great, yet not well known variety… Vermentino.

Food Pairing:

Grilled Sea Bass; Pasta with pesto; Salad; Fritto Misto (fried fish and vegetables)

CSPC:     718914
Price:

$20.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Lunae Auxo Rosso

Winery: Cantine Lvnae Bosoni
Location: Colli di Luni DOC
Alcohol: 13%
Blend: Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, and Canaiolo
Tasting: Wednesday, September 21 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Auxo in Greek means ‘to grow, to develop’.  When we have introduced people to this wine, they thoroughly enjoy it.  Quite often they mention to us that they had seen it on the shelf, but they didn’t know what it was and were a little concerned about trying it.  The wine wins them over every time.

Sangiovese [san-joh-VAY-zeh]  is the most common of these three grape varieties.  It is said to be one of the oldest varieties of grapes in Italy.  It is certainly one of the most well known and makes some of the most fantastic wines in the country.

Ciliegiolo [Chee-lee-eh-joh-loh] comes from the Italian word  for cherry.  It has been said to be related to Sangiovese.  One recent study said that it is one of the parents of Sangiovese and another study said that it is the offspring of Sangiovese.

Canaiolo [kah-nay-YOH-loh]. Where Sangiovese is known for giving structure and intensity (or as I call it ‘oomph’), Canaiolo lends its aromatic touch along with fruit and texture.  It is very distinctive and gives some staying power on the palate.

Now you put all of these grape varieties together and you get Auxo.  This wine has a deep ruby red colour.  Cherry and dark red berries are all around.  There is a wee bit of zip on the palate too.  This is such a versatile wine.  We always have fun pairing food with Auxo.

Food Pairing:

Cheese; Braised Chicken; Stewed Beef; Pasta with Tomato sauce; Grilled Portobello mushroom pasta; Roast beef with a roasted bell pepper sauce;

CSPC:     728247
Price:

$20.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Lunae Niccolo V Riserva

Winery: Cantine Lvnae Bosoni
Location: Colli di Luni DOC
Alcohol: 14%
Blend: Sangiovese, Merlot, Pollera Nera
Tasting: Wednesday, September, 21, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Okay, okay, okay.  Surprise surprise… we enjoy these wines.  We loved them before we went to Italy, but sipping them under the Ligurian skies, well, it was pretty darn special.  This wine is also pretty darn special.  We enjoy telling people the story.  So lend an ear.

It is no secret that the vast majority of people it Italy practice the Roman Catholic faith.  What does that have to do with this wine.  Well, quite a lot, actually.  On the front there is the name ‘Niccolo V’ with ‘Sarzana‘ underneath and a sketch of a gentleman.  The gentleman’s name is Tommaso Parentucelli.  In the 15^th century, Tommaso became known at Nicholas V (a.k.a. Papa NICOLAUS Quintus or Niccolo V).  The head of the Roman Catholic Church came from this beautiful town of Sarzana.  Paolo Bosoni named this lovely wine after one of the sons of Sarzana.

The blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Pollera Nera (pictured right) is a match made in heaven.  This is how the winery describes this wine:  “The best grapes from selected vineyards to produce this red wine with a great heart.  Ruby red with purple shades.  The bouquet is fine and persistent with hints of spices and red berries, warm in the mouth, harmonious and charming”.

Come by and meet Michele.

CSPC:     718918
Price:

$44.95 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Next week we are visiting South Africa.

BABICH WINES

When we think of New Zealand and its history of winemaking, most of us would not even guess how long it goes back.  Take Babich wines, for example.  This winery started in 1916 shortly after Josip Babić (later anglicized to Babich) moved to New Zealand from Dalmatia (now part of Croatia).  That was almost 100 years ago.  We tend to think of the ‘new world’ wines as having a more recent history than that.

Josip’s history in New Zealand began in Kaikino, where he was once arrested for selling two bottles of wine to a customer.  Where was the crime in that?  No, he wasn’t bootlegging.  The law stated that he was supposed to sell a minimum of two gallons.  The case was never prosecuted.  Shortly after that, Josip and his brothers moved from Kaikino to Henderson, which is fairly close to Auckland.  They started mixed farming again.  They had cows, vegetables, fruit trees and of course… a vineyard.  Josip passed away almost 30 years ago, but he passed on his passion to his children who have taken this winery to new heights.  From this very humble beginning, Babich wines took flight.

Josip’s children, Peter, Joe and Maureen all take an important role in realize their father’s dream.  Josip’s grandson, David (Peter’s son) is also involved on the sales and marketing side).  I grew up in a family business, so I understand how important it is to have the siblings involved.  It makes all the difference.

Today, Babich wines has grown from its relatively few vines to vineyards in Henderson, Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough and Gisborne.  They have wineries in not just one location, but two (Henderson and Marlborough).  They have an extended range of wines.  Some of which we see in Alberta, but the only way to see the rest is to take a trip to New Zealand.  Richard and I are up for that.  How about you?

Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Winery: Babich Winery
Location: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Richard and I will remember this wine forever.  It was one of the wines that we had on our blind tasting for our exam in May.  If you like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, you will love this wine.  Bright and crisp is how we would describe it.

The winery’s tasting notes say:  “Musk melon, lime and an intriguing minerality dominate the nose. The entry is all upfront fruit salad, with extra lashings of pear and some kiwifruit. Fresh and juicy fruit, with nettle and herbal notes take the mid palate to the finish to join agreeably with guava and lime. A very well balanced wine with a lovely medium weight.”

Food Pairing:

Oysters Rockefeller (just for fun); Chicken with Roasted Lemons Green Olives and Capers;

CSPC:     560144
Price:

$16.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Babich Hawke’s Bay Merlot

Winery: Babich Winery
Location: Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Blend: Merlot
Tasting: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Hawke’s Bay is located on the North Island of New Zealand.  As Marloborough’s connection with white wines, Hawke’s Bay is known for its red wines.  Having said that, whites also play a role here, but red truly is the dominant factor.

Merlot has its friends and foes, but one cannot deny its ability to pair with food.  This particular wine is very easy drinking and foods that will pair with it abound.  If you haven’t tried a Merlot before, take time to try this one.

Food Pairing:

Braised Chicken Thighs; Spice-Rubbed Grilled Pork Chops

CSPC:     106906
Price:

$14.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Livermore, California

You can’t think of American wine without thinking about California.  They go hand in hand like Icewine and Canada or Pinot Noir and Burgundy.  There are many California regions that people are familiar with like Napa Valley and Sonoma County, but there is so much more to California than that.  Today we are going to visit Livermore, which is located just east of San Francisco.  It is home to over 40 wineries.

In the late 18^th century this valley was used as grazing lands for cattle and sheep.  Shortly after that, the Mexican land grants began and one such land grant was given to a Mexican rancher of English birth named Robert Livermore (you can see where this is going). Robert’s ranch was so large that it comprised much of what is today the main townsite of Livermore.  There is no doubt that Robert loved the cattle and sheep ranching, but he also loved viticulture and horticulture.  In the mid 1800’s he planted the first vineyards and orchards in this region.  Unfortunately he passed away in 1858.  The town of Livermore was given its name less than a quarter of a century later.[1]

With a Mediterranean climate, it is no wonder that people came from all over, including Italy.  The Italians were noted for making a contribution to forming the wineries in the area.  Then there was C.H. Wente, James Concannon and Charles Wetmore who founded their wineries in the late 19^th century.  James Concannon is going to be our subject today.

So the Italians, among many others, cametohis beautiful place.  ‘Concannon’ doesn’t sound too Italian, though.  James Concannon was from the Emerald Isle… Ireland.  The same country that half of my ancestors called home.  He believed that the rocky soils of Livermore would produce great wine.  “He established Concannon as a founding family of California wine.”[2]There are a lot of ‘firsts’ when it comes to the Concannon family.  They were the first successful winery started by an Irish Immigrant.  They were one of the first California wineries to produce ‘Bordeaux style’ wines.  51 years ago they hired the first professional female winemaker.  50 years ago they were the first winery in the U.S.A. to plant Petite Sirah.  That is a pretty impressive list.  Oh and I forgot another one.  They also “pioneered the creation of the widely adopted Cabernet Sauvignon clones 7, 8 and 11, also known as the Concannon clones, now planted in many of Napa’s most prestigious vineyards.”

“We have embraced sustainable vineyard practices and re-rooted historic clones in our estate vineyards. We utilize state-of-the-art technology in our winery to ensure quality. With a focus on renewable energy, we have installed solar panels on 80% of our winery’s roof.  All of these efforts are designed with one goal in mind, to create extraordinary wines that would make James Concannon proud.”[3]

As we mentioned earlier, Concannon was the first home to Petite Sirah in the United States.  They will be celebrating the 50^th anniversary of making Petite Sirah this year.  (a.k.a. Petite Syrah, Petit Syrah, Petit Sirah, Durif)Perfect time for a tasting.  We’ll do the Merlot first and then head to the Petite Sirah.

Concannon Merlot

Winery: Concannon Vineyard
Location: Central Coast, California, U.S.A.
Blend: Merlot
Tasting: Wednesday, June 8, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

“For nearly 125 years, our winery has chosen grapes harvested in California’s diverse Central Coast region. We carefully select the most ideal vineyards for growing each variety. We then craft the expressive fruit into wines that you will remember long after you finish the last sip.”

California’s Central Coast covers a large areathat stretchesdown the Pacific Coast for 250 miles from San Francisco Bay all the way to Santa Barbara.  This region produces 15% of California’s winegrapes and is home to in excess of 350 wineries including the ConcannonVineryard in Livermore.  This region gets an influence from the ocean, the bays, the mountains and valleys. On average the days are warm and the evenings are a bit on the cool side.

The winemaker has a few words to say about this wine:  “The 2007 Merlot, Selected Vineyards is a luscious wine with soft edges and rich flavors. Its’ lovely magenta hue introducesripe fruit flavors of cherry, currant and plum. Warm toasty oakon the nose accompanies the red fruit to the long mid-palateand soft yet ample tannins lead to a smooth finish.”

Food Pairing:

Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers;Beer Barbequed Chicken; Barbequed Pork Sandwiches

CSPC:     741483
Price:

$13.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah

Winery: Concannon Winery
Location: Livermore, California, U.S.A.
Blend: 100% Petite Sirah
Tasting: Wednesday, June 8, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The name on this particular release from Concannon, “Conservancy,” is a nod to the efforts the winery has made to protect their vineyards from urban sprawl.  In 1996, Concannon was the first Livermore Valley vineyard to place its land into a permanent conservation easement.  Other vineyards have since followed suit to ensure that urbanization doesn’t threaten Livermore Valley as a wine producing region.  Yeah Concannon!

For almost a decade there has been an annual Petite Sirah Symposium.  This year, the ninth annual, will be held a Concannon Vineyard on July 26, 2011.  All the people in the know will gather to discuss the grape variety.  They talk about growing, winemaking and even marketing.  I have discovered that these people have a real passion, not only for winemaking, but for Petite Sirah in particular.

What does the winemaker have to say about this one?  “The 2007 Petite Sirah, Conservancy has fantastic depth andcharacter. It exhibits a rich nose of fresh berry fruit, and theflavorful palate shows blackberries, chocolate, mocha andplums. Subtle notes of molasses, cedarwood, and ripemulberries are complemented by soft, creamy oak tones and asmooth, silky finish.

Food Pairing:

Grilled Lamb Chops; French Onion Beef Tenderloin for Two;

CSPC:     741969
Price:

$18.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

New Zealand.  We haven’t been there for a while.  Let’s see what’s up down there.

[2]Concannon Website

[3]Concannon Website

Do you know the song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”? Well, my version is “I Left My Heart in Toscana”.You have probably heard me say that before. This region of Italy is stunningly beautiful. Not just the landscape, but the people as well. Of course we can’t forget about the wine. It is pretty darn yummy. There is something about this place that fills your heart. It was in Tuscany where I fell even more deeply in love with my husband Richard. You can never forget the place that makes you feel that way! As far as I am concerned, this place exudes love.
Every turn you take in Tuscany reveals a new and beautiful place. Whether it is what they say is a two lane road leading down a hill to a small town, but you know can only fit one car… OR a new find restaurant down a back lane in Florence. Siena, Montepulciano, Montalcino and on and on and on. The history will envelope you and make you feel like you want more.
That is why we are so excited to bring you back to Toscana to visit Castello Di Pomino and Tenuta Di Castiglioni. Come along with us.

PominoBiancoDOC

Winery: Castello di Pomino (Marchesi di Frescobaldi)
Vintage: 2009
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Blend: 85% Chardonnay, 15% PominoBianco
Tasting: Wednesday, May 25, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

The history here is everywhere. The castle was built in the 16th century. In the early 18th century (1716), this region was identified as one of the best in all of Tuscany by Granduca di Toscana. In the mid19th century Chardonnay was planted here. People don’t think of Italy when they think of Chardonnay, which is a shame. This wine only spends 8 months in oak, so the flavours blend nicely together. It isn’t like chewing on a 2×4.

The “Gravity flow” cellar was designed and built in 1894. That is almost 120 years ago. It was pure genius to come up with this system so many years ago. You talk about forward thinking! Basically, if you do good by the grapes you get the best wine you can from your harvest. Pure and simple.

You can see by the pictures that this is a hilly area. It is the highest region in Tuscany. It has a very unique mountain microclimate. It is a bit cooler, which is why they focus on the grape varieties from Burgundy. Those grapes live for this type of cooler climate.

The wines from this estate are tasty and “food friendly”. I know these days there are more red wine drinkers than white wine drinkers. Please don’t pass up on the white wine, though. You could miss out on some elegant wines.

Just read this: “A sparkling straw yellow precedes a nose notable for its forward, cleanly-defined aromas. Delicate floral notes of lily of the valley and hawthorn blossoms yield to fruiter notes of apple, pear, peach, and banana, ending with an elegant nuance of earthy mineral notes. A rounded, smooth palate offers rich, appealing flavors and a bracing vein of crisp acidity. This is a truly elegant, well-balanced wine, concluding with a very lengthy, delicious finish.”

Food Pairing:

Fettucine with Chicken and Bell Pepper Cream Sauce; Oven Roasted Whole Fish … just as an aperitif!

CSPC:     65086
Price:

$17.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Castiglioni Chianti DOCG

Winery: Tenuta di Castiglioni
Vintage: 2009
Location: Tuscany Italy
Blend: Sangiovese and Merlot
(with a touch of a couple of other complementary grape varieties)
Tasting: Wednesday, May 25, 2010 - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Okay, if you thought the other castle was old.  It doesn’t have anything on this one.  This incredible place pictured above was built in 1022.  Yes that is correct… 1022.  It is not a typo.  This place is referred to as the “Ancient winemaking home of the Frescobaldis”.  Of course the vines don’t go back that far.  They would have been replanted many times.   In fact, over 20 years ago the vineyards were completed replanted.  “The Tenuta di Castiglioni estate lies in the Chianti ColliFiorentini zone, in the Montespertoli area, with a warm, dry climate. The entire estate covers 513 hectares, of which 115 hectares are devoted to vineyards at an average altitude of 200 meters. ”

If you take a look at the map of Tuscany, you will notice that these vineyards are located just southwest of the beautiful city of Florence in the region of Chianti.  The grapes grown here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and, of course, Sangiovese.   The climate is warm and dry and is ‘influenced by the weather of the Mediterranean sea’.

When it comes to this wine, no one can express what the wine is about better than the vineyard owners:  “Castiglioni Chianti DOCG is a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. Recent vintages provide an expressive nose with appealing, prominent fruit and a palate of light tannins complemented by a judicious balance of alcohol and crisp acidity with an impressive and luscious finish.”

“Castiglioni exhibits a dense, purple-flecked ruby. Intense, well-defined fragrances spring from the nose, wild red berry fruit and bright cherry emerging first, then darker notes of dried plum and raspberry. Supple tannins and a bright acidity contribute to a fine balance and velvet mouth feel, while emphatic notes of tasty fruit return on a long-lingering finale.”

Food Pairing:

Spaghetti with Meatballs; Cheese and Bacon Pizza; Chorizo and Pinto Bean Casserole

CSPC:     545319
Price:

$15.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Have we got a treat for you next week.A visit from Eduardo Swinnen of Norton Winery.  Yes… he is going to be at Sherbrooke.

This week we are sampling Malbec (pictured left).  Ah… I bet you were thinking that we were travelling to Argentina.  Well, as you can see by the map above, we are heading to France.  France?  Malbec?  Really?  Well, that is where Malbec hails from.  Yah, I know there is a ton of it in Argentina.  In fact, Argentina has a greater number of acres planted in Malbec than France.

We are heading to Cahors, France (The “H” and the “S” in  Cahors are silent, so it is pronounced Ka’or).  It is located about 100 kms just a little southeast of Bordeaux.  They have been making wine in this region since the middle ages even longer than in Bordeaux.  The wine must be at least 70% Malbec, which in this region is also known as Côt, Côt Noir or Auxerrois just to totally confuse us.  The other grape varieties allowed are:  Merlot (to the right), Tannat (below and to the left) and a local grape variety called Jurançon Noir (which has almost disappeared.)   Notice something?  No Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc.  Surprising?  Malbec used to be used as a blending grape in Bordeaux, but although it is still used today it is fairly rare.  The wines in this region are known as “the black wines of Cahors”.  If you look at the grape varieties that are allowed here, you can almost see how they get that name.  They have also been referred to as ‘rustic’.  There is a great deal of wine produced in Cahors.  The only region that makes more wine in the southwest part of France is Bergerac.  Oh and by the way, there are no whites made in Cahors.

This area got hit hard by deadly frosts in 1956 and almost the whole region had to replant.  As a result, the vines are no older than about 55 years.  We are going to visit Cahors again at some point, so I am sure there will be more news to tell at that time.

Domaine La Bérangeraie

Winery: Domaine La Bérangeraie
Location: Cahors, France
Blend: 100% Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Just 100 kms away from Bordeaux lies this slightly populated part of south west France.  Industry is rare here, so pollution is not as big a problem here as it is in other areas.  We come to this lovely land owned by the Bérangeraie family.  Here is a family dedicated to the wine industry and the earth.  Three generations working side by side at this organic vineyard.  They produce a number of wines that are an expression of the land.  Their vines are on average 30 to 50 years old.  All harvesting is done by hand and the land is farmed organically.   There is a complexity and richness to this wine for all to enjoy.  It can positively lay down for a bit, if you like, as well.

Here is the winery’s take on this Malbec:  “Pepper, truffle, violets, liquorice, cherry kirch: a Cahors to drink between 5 and 12 years. ”

Food Pairing:

Grilled Lamb Loin Chops with Shallots and Red Wine; Marinated Grilled Beef Kabobs.

CSPC:     710086
Price:

$20.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Seduction

Winery: Domaine La Bérangeraie
Location: Cahors, France
Blend: 90% Malbec, 10% Merlot
Tasting: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The label for this wine always attracts attention.  This wine is a blend of marvelous Malbec with a touch of velvety mellow Merlot.

Malbec’s origins are unfortunately being forgotton.  So many think that Malbec is from Argentina.  Of course they do make this wine in Argentina, but the wines from there and the wines from France are completely different.  If you expect one to be like the other, you will be mistaken.  In Argentina, they are allowed to use irrigation, but in Cahors they get what Mother Nature gave them and that is it.  This grape does like the heat, which is why it does well in Argentina.  You don’t get that same heat intensity in Cahors, France.  Sometimes, in fact, it can struggle to ripen in France.  But French Malbec is not to be missed.  How lucky are we to try two of them this week.  We can’t wait to hear what you think.

Food Pairing:

Sausage, Red Onion and Wild Mushroom Pizza;  Barbeque Beef Burgers

CSPC:     727288
Price:

$16.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

I know you think we have a ‘thing’ for Italy, and you could be right.  Next week we are heading back to Tuscany. Ciao!

Back in the late 19^th century, Don Melchor Concha y Toro, who started Concha y Toro Winery in Chile, brought the noble French vines from Bordeaux to Chile.    After a number of his ‘special’ wines kept disappearing from his cellar despite being kept under lock and key, Don Melchor spread a rumour that the devil lived in his cellar.  The rumour spread like wildfire and it did the trick.  The wine stayed in his cellar never to ‘disappear’ again.  That is how these great little wines got their name ‘Casillero del Diablo’

You will most likely recognize a few of these names:  Frontera, Trio, Marques de Casa Concha, Terrunyo, Amelia, Don Melchor (gee I wonder who that was named after) and Carmin de Puemo.  These are some of the delightful wines made by Concha y Toro.  We always like to say that every wine has its story, and it is no different here with these wines.

We will sample more of these wines in the future, but this week we are going to concentrate on the Casillero Del Diablo.   Although a very popular wine within Chile, the winery decided to start to export the Casillero Del Diablo wines to Europe in 1963.  >From then until today, you can find these wines in over 100 countries.

They are known as incredible value for the dollar.  It is amazing to think that although this winery makes a large amount of wine, it is able to maintain its quality.  It has done so through its commitment to producing a good wine for their customers to enjoy.   After all, if we don’t make our customers happy… well, you know the rest.

Concha y Toro has also taken a stand on the environment.  “Our sustainability philosophy leads us to work with respect for the environment and be socially equitable with our employees and the community. As a company we view our business according to the principles of sustainability. We see ourselves as an innovative and responsible company with a serious commitment to the environment.”

“As our own vineyards are exposed to the climate change phenomena predicted by experts, we believe that to care for the environment by minimizing our environmental impact and having sustainable production processes will be key to the future of our company and to the new generations of wine growers.”[1]

As of 2010 the Casillero Del Diablo wines are now in lighter bottles.  Also in 2010, Concha y Toro was the first winery in the world to measure its water footprint.  That was to go along with its decision to measure its carbon footprint three years earlier and make changes to decrease its footprint.  Every step makes a difference to our wonderful planet.  It certainly can’t hurt, that is for sure.

So this week we are sampling 3 of the Casillero wines.  We have had the opportunity to work with these wines many times previously and we love how people enjoy them and find a new favourite each time.

Casillero Del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc

Winery: Casillero Del Diablo
Location: Central Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

This is our lone white this week in our group of three.  Like all three of the wines we are sampling this week, the grape vines have their origins in France.  This wine is nice and light with easy drinkability.  Remember on a hot day to put a couple of frozen grapes in your glass to keep this nice wine cool.   Nobody says it like the winery:   “Pale yellow colour with green hues, very bright and clean.  Fresh, due to citric hints. Presence of pears, lime and some tropical touches with a greenish finish thanks to the presence of green apples.  An elegant wine due to the intensity and balanced acidity. The citric characteristics from the coastal areas of the Central Valley stand out. It is fresh from the beginning to the end, where the balance of fruit and acidity refresh the palate.

Food Pairing:

Scallops Carpaccio; Baked Oysters; Crab Cakes

CSPC:     578641
Price:

$12.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Casillero Del Diablo Carménère

Winery: Casillero Del Diablo
Location: Rapel Valley, Chile
Blend: Carménère
Tasting: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Ah… ‘the lost grape’.  We just love talking about this grape variety.  We have spoken about this in the blog previously, but it doesn’t hurt to do a quick recap.

In the latter part of the 19^th century there was a little louse that was imported to Europe from North America (the charming aphid like bugs pictured to the right).  The vines in Europe were no test for this invasive little pest.  Vineyard to vineyard and country to country this nasty little creature made its devastation known and it wiped out vineyards throughout Europe.  A Phylloxera resistant root stock was developed (that is another story all on to itself) and the European vines were grafted onto this new rootstock.  It was thought that one of the casualties of this infestation was the Carménère grape.  Many thought it had been wiped out of France altogether.  Well little did they know that the Carménère vines had been brought to Chile.  The Chileans, however, thought it was a clone of Merlot and it wasn’t until 1994 that they discovered otherwise.  There… that is the Reader’s Digest version.

The Chilean’s are known for Carménère in the same way that the Argentineans are known for Malbec.  They just go hand in hand, even though they both come from France J.

It was just two weeks ago that we presented a tasting for customers and this wine went over like gangbusters!  This is easy to drink, food friendly and like the other Casillero wines, it won’t break the bank. And what does the winery have to say?:  “Dark and deep purple.  Luscious fruit flavors. Aromas:  Dark plums and blackcurrant, black chocolate with hints of coffee and toasted American oak.  Taste:  Notes of dark plums and spice, generously framed by toasty American oak with a soft and well structured mouth-filling texture

Food Pairing:

Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Chilean Cilantro Sauce; Chili Con Carne; Grilled Pork Tenderloin

CSPC:     714648
Price:

$12.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Casillero Del Diablo Merlot

Winery: Casillero Del Diablo
Location: Rapel Valley, Chile
Blend: Merlot
Tasting: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

If you are not a big Cabernet person, try your hand at Merlot.  Some refer to it as the velvet devil (how appropriate for this wine).  There is even a winery in the U.S.A. that called its Merlot by that very name.  For those of you who do not like the big heavy tannins, you don’t need to worry about that with this wine.  I could write notes on this Merlot, but the notes written by the winery really says it all:  “Native from Bordeaux, France, is elegant by nature. Flexible, of soft tannins, expresses freshness and sweetness. In its Merlot, Casillero Del Diablo captured all the finesse of a subtle wine, of low astringency, with blackberry, strawberries and raspberries, together with chocolate, vanilla and cassis notes.”

Food Pairing:

Veal Picata; Beef Stroganoff; Slow Roasted Lamb Shanks

CSPC:     427088
Price:

$12.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Au revoir mes amis. Richard et moi vous rencontrerons en France la semaine prochaine.
(Good-bye my friends.  Richard and I will meet you in France next week.)

We are going to have a little ‘Fun’.