tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41370639661791919792024-03-05T14:26:00.599-08:00WINE 24/7 ...LISA'S PICKSWine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-32564746422956862202016-09-23T14:14:00.001-07:002016-09-23T14:35:06.209-07:00CANTINA TESSARI - 5 EXPRESSIONS OF GARGANEGA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">TESSARI Garganega Brut 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>GARGANEGA</b> (pronounced gahr-GAH-neh-gah), is the sole grape grown and used to produce 5 signature wines at <b><a href="http://cantinatessari.com/" target="_blank">Cantina TESSARI</a></b> in Soave Classico Veneto in the northeast of Italy. <i>These are the FIVE Expressions of Garganega</i>, as Cornelia Tessari puts it. Sitting down with her recently, to lunch and to taste their wines, along with Stacey Ristuccia & Francois Dufour of Importer <a href="http://www.matchvino.com/" target="_blank">Matchvino</a>, was a true gift and pleasure. The <a href="http://www.centrestreetcafejp.com/" target="_blank">Centre Street Cafe'</a> in Jamaica Plain provided an intimate and relaxed setting, with time to experience the wines with food and camaraderie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cornelia is </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Granddaughter to winery founder Antonio Tessari, who originally started the</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Monteforte d’Alpone </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">vineyard in 1933 as a cooperative with 1 hectare of land situated on the hillsides. Since then her father Aldo has purchased an additional 13 hectares and they now run vineyard and winery exclusively focusing on the one varietal. She and her brothers Antonio and Germano carry on the legacy of being family owned and run. They have been producing sparkling Garganega for 6 years. This day we were treated to two expressions of sparkling!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">With Cornelia Tessari (right) & Matchvino in JP</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>TESSARI Garganega Brut 2014</b>, made with the Charmat Method (2nd fermentation in the tank rather than in the bottle as in the traditional </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">méthode champenoise</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">) was a Golden Mouthful. Slightly toasty on the nose with ripe pear, hint of almond and light green apple on the tongue. This is lush and clean, perfect for awakening the palate ... fresh & lovely to savor as well. Grown in volcanic soil rich with basaltic rock and clay, expressing <i>area specificity</i> to Garganega. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">AVUS Garganega Sur Lie</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>AVUS Garganega Sur Lie</b> is unfiltered and a distinctly unique expression of the grape. 2nd fermentation is in the bottle "con fondo" with natural yeasts providing richness exhibited by a certain yeastyness on the nose. All the while hints of cider balance with freshness. A small amount of Recioto must is also added. An example of carrying forward the traditions passed down from their grandparents prior to practices of modern sparkling techniques. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Gorgeous and soulful, this is romance in a bottle!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>GRISELA Soave Classico DOC 2015</b>. "Grisela" is a nickname the Tessari's gave their grandfather meaning gray/blonde hair. This wine has whispers of candied fruit and floral aromas, delicious nectar in the mouth. Clean and sublime. Grapes are hand harvested with battonage and long stay on the lees in the tank. They don't disturb the wines, adding nothing. Very low sulfites used, only in bottling. Tasting this wine prompted me to ask Cornelia what was growing nearby. To this she replied, <i>Cherries and Olive trees</i>. Yes, of course ... Beautiful! <i>(sorry not pictured, was too enthralled with drinking the wine!)</i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">BINE LONGHE Soave Classico DOC 2013</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">BINE LONGHE Soave Classico DOC 2013</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is Soave late harvest. "Bine Longhe" means "long rows", the grapes growing literally in one long row in a pergola trellis system that follows the contour of the the Costalta hill vineyard (Vigneto di Costalta). Shoots of select bunches of grapes are cut but left trellised as they dry. Vinification is the same as with Grisela, however they leave wine in the tank for 1 year and in the bottle for an additional year. Here I initially detected aromas of grapefruit and tropical fruit, followed by a certain salinity, like green olives. This was fuller bodied while restrained, clean and lean. A dichotomy? And truly asks to be enjoyed with food. I was enjoying a caesar salad with chicken, which was an apt pairing.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Caesar Salad w/Chicken @Centre St Cafe', JP</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Rodolfo Neirotti (Vino di Vino) & TRE COLLI</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TRE COLLI Recioto di Soave DOCG</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Tre Colli" means "Three Hills", illustrating where the Tessari Estate is situated. Grapes are handpicked and dried for 6 months. As with the Bine Longhe, wine is left in the tank for 1 year and in the bottle for an additional year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dazzling in color with hues of amber and honey, with an entirely fresh expression on the nose, deepened with very subtle hints of anise & fennel. Herbs and honey continue on the palate ... gorgeously harmonious, beautifully married!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Stacey Ristuccia & Francois Dufour of Matchvino</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Cornelia Tessari with tasters including Wine 24/7 (right)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Matchvino</b> imports <b>TESSARI</b> wines along with a handpicked portfolio of Estates making authentic and fine wines, exclusively Italian. They seek out </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"tru</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e wine; wines with a soul. Wines that capture the lands where they are grown".</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Cornelia, we hope to soon find your wines in MAINE! </span></div>
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-13777700517317717932016-04-13T14:41:00.000-07:002016-04-18T06:53:52.776-07:00SoPo WINE CO ... GOOD WINE FOR A GOOD CAUSE <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Paul Drinan (Exec Director, Friends of Fort Gorges) with Louise Philbrick & Judy Bernier</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Community is a happening thing here in Portland. Case in point, a recent event sponsored by SoPo Wine Co, "Good Wine for a Good Cause", held at <a href="http://www.restaurantgrace.com/" target="_blank">GRACE</a> on Chestnut Street. All proceeds</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> benefited the <a href="http://cancercommunitycenter.org/" target="_blank">Cancer Community Center</a>, whose mission is to provide free programming and support the well being of people living with cancer, their families and friends. Services include: s</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">upport groups, education, wellness, creative expression, social opportunities and complimentary therapies.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Good Wine for a Good Cause event at GRACE</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sopowine.com/" target="_blank">SoPo Wine Co.</a> (South Portland Wine Co.) represents an extensive portfolio of handpicked, unique and artisanal wines, beers and botanicals. In serving the entire state of Maine they work with a completely hands on approach. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"They won't sell what they won't drink"</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wines from over 25 wineries were offered at this event, and many of the winemakers were on hand to pour, which made for a festive evening for avid tasters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just a few highlights follow!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From <b>Domaine </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Spiropoulos</b> in </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mantinia</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Peloponnese</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Greece, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ode de Panos Brut NV</b>. This 100% moschofilero is white gold in color with delicate hints of floral on the nose and crisp clean finish. So pretty! Wonderful as aperitif or with Mediterranean fare. Made with charmat method and organic. From <a href="http://www.atheneeimporters.com/" target="_blank">Athenee Importers</a>, Hempstead, NY.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4IqRZRevWghNotIwk7_8rNvbcBkxzYNETxcZVMOLqT9kJs5jd41VfzmnkTqDK95z4S_og3BiR2VioltQnXtl3MGQ7DW8cgoCu3wMilEpRX_h-31bjj1Qm9pmVFsjdxqvMS6RHRPDi0yF/s1600/SoPo+1_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4IqRZRevWghNotIwk7_8rNvbcBkxzYNETxcZVMOLqT9kJs5jd41VfzmnkTqDK95z4S_og3BiR2VioltQnXtl3MGQ7DW8cgoCu3wMilEpRX_h-31bjj1Qm9pmVFsjdxqvMS6RHRPDi0yF/s200/SoPo+1_web.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Chris Badini of Athenee Importers with tasters</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxMNjLTwy46ONG671GC9FCZKXBHYGcxOzDoOyFSg2-QeB_CklpO9lGQSH6Pqby-cVFTy84WC24cK93hj8UEjG_S8Qrres6ybDY15YDewVaOzlpiwrOyPdLVoc_CQ6MapneuBrfrYXC1kV/s1600/SoPo+3_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxMNjLTwy46ONG671GC9FCZKXBHYGcxOzDoOyFSg2-QeB_CklpO9lGQSH6Pqby-cVFTy84WC24cK93hj8UEjG_S8Qrres6ybDY15YDewVaOzlpiwrOyPdLVoc_CQ6MapneuBrfrYXC1kV/s320/SoPo+3_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Spiropoulos Ode de Panos Brut NV</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Dow's Vale do Bomfim 2012</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjww25zVdxYihSoqk9Naw2i1KoH8GT-OGAeFHtrpjL1L-loODndQIFBuw7ASy1PmYSEt2O1V6IViU1rxln85iOenIBKQFbQkiPRQT1VLXiHwNbQCuZLKB7cZByqvAgRhmu1Svk8JMYK3jMl/s1600/SoPo+51_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjww25zVdxYihSoqk9Naw2i1KoH8GT-OGAeFHtrpjL1L-loODndQIFBuw7ASy1PmYSEt2O1V6IViU1rxln85iOenIBKQFbQkiPRQT1VLXiHwNbQCuZLKB7cZByqvAgRhmu1Svk8JMYK3jMl/s320/SoPo+51_web.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Catherine Oster (SoPo wine co) w/tasters</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Dow's Vale do Bomfim 2012</b> from the Douro in Portugal is as old world as the label illustrates! A blend of </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca grapes. With plenty of structure and earthy with dark, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lush fruit such as cassis. Notes of spice and smoke. Dry finish. Delicious and a great value! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Layne ("Wine Maniac") & Judy Witherall w/Susan Grenier (SoPo)</span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkOEsPDZ-TqL1ya3tiSO1ToAJQjv8qsf2OMNizhFtvczxhDz6Rl7eTFsToIpGoGbX3ew_6uLi_itUszFbPWKeWvA2Xv9l3t9LdndeDCBplnakuOS_3pmj0lzwJj7HDWOmyTj06ivmnwx9/s1600/SoPo+14_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkOEsPDZ-TqL1ya3tiSO1ToAJQjv8qsf2OMNizhFtvczxhDz6Rl7eTFsToIpGoGbX3ew_6uLi_itUszFbPWKeWvA2Xv9l3t9LdndeDCBplnakuOS_3pmj0lzwJj7HDWOmyTj06ivmnwx9/s320/SoPo+14_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.charlessmithwines.com/" target="_blank">Charles Smith</a> K Guido</b> from Jack's Vineyard in Walla Walla, Washington. 100% </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sangiovese. Wonderfully balanced fruit, soft, woodsy. Tabacco. Underlying graphite. <i>A wine born of the new world with underlying old world sensibility</i>. Son of a Welsh mother and French father, Smith in fact grew up outside Sacramento, CA. After much world travel, he became a self-taught winemaker, artisan and pioneer in the wine world based in the Pacific northwest. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Doug Watts (SoPo) & John Anderson (Patricia Green Cellars)</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52iJfCbLU6d8spE5ok9eCK011SJq0IR8aF9ujJDlpwnjHVkwQsIa_2hqcP1rjdn1u2OwddVvLgrNxfQWnHn_zG-jGqAzKDjsjy6BScCrVFdBk7vHJhBblK_T-iW2_j_PJgiISkRvf36_n/s1600/SoPo+59_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0f6HQjBwQyheRkfD0YpMESDPJmFAfRo71NBsx180rm2gIXp65Kwt6HTktffDcdrgjX4rXYY3CudhQXSAVzkO95-o4iwu8DKU-T-nNYfFwBVxffOXcQxOeJRiGEiA7yPnQx2aMjUTyD4zu/s1600/SoPo+27_web_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0f6HQjBwQyheRkfD0YpMESDPJmFAfRo71NBsx180rm2gIXp65Kwt6HTktffDcdrgjX4rXYY3CudhQXSAVzkO95-o4iwu8DKU-T-nNYfFwBVxffOXcQxOeJRiGEiA7yPnQx2aMjUTyD4zu/s320/SoPo+27_web_edited-1.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <b>Adras Godello</b>, an <b>ISAAC FERNANDEZ SELECCIÓN </b>from the Ribeira Sacra region in Galicia northwest Spain is lovely pale yellow in color. Clean, with citrus lemon on the nose and palate along with richer fruit and floral notes, it ultimately sings with minerality. From 40 year old Godello vines grown in alluvial (gravel, sand) and granitic soil. Terroir absolutely apparent here. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What a great summer wine! From <a href="http://www.grapesofspain.com/" target="_blank">Grapes of Spain, Inc.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look for these and other SoPo wines at your local retailers and restaurants ... <a href="http://www.rsvpdiscountbeverage.com/" target="_blank">RSVP</a>, <a href="http://rosemontmarket.com/" target="_blank">Rosemont Markets</a> in Portland and Yarmouth, and <a href="http://www.perkinsandperkins.com/" target="_blank">Perkins & Perkins</a> in Ogunquit to name a few!</span></div>
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-50517878994414813732016-03-05T15:23:00.000-08:002016-03-05T15:23:33.294-08:00VILLEMADE & TEXIER @ DRIFTERS WIFE, PORTLAND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Christine & Herve' Villemade with Eric Texier at Drifters Wife, Portland, ME</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a winter chill still upon us here in early March, it was a pleasure to be warmed and thoroughly <i>transported </i>by the presence of two French winemakers and their wines here this past week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hervé Villemade</b> and <b>Eric Texier</b>, along with Christine Villemade and Josefa Concannon (Louis Dressner Selections) paid us a visit at <b>Drifters Wife</b> in Portland last week. A selection of their wines was featured for this special event ... lively tasting and conversation ensued!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the two hail from different regions in France, <span style="text-align: justify;">Villemade from the Loire Valley and Texier from the Rhone region, there was much camaraderie at hand. It is after all about the wines and a passion for all that entails, from the soil/terroir to </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cultivation of grapes in the vineyards and process of winemaking in the cellar. They both create <i>natural wines</i>, that being with very little intervention and/or little or no additives. They are both certified organic.</span></div>
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Hervé has vineyards in Touraine in Cellettes in the Loire region. His family estate, originally called Domaine du Moulin was founded by his Grandparents and taken over by him in 1995. While initially farmed conventionally, he found that wines that were really speaking to him were natural wines. Simultaneously he developed an allergy to sulfur. He has since completely transformed the estate to organic agriculture.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">He </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">had a few things up his sleeve this evening, bringing a couple of bottles not on the list <i>(always a special treat for wine geeks)</i>. </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Desiré 2014</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, old vine 100% Pinot Noir is named for his Grandfather and truly special. This was elegant and sophisticated with hints of pepper and luscious yet lean fruit. Floral notes of violets. Olive. Finesse. I loved this one. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While not presently carried here, perhaps in the near future?</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Les Acacias 2014</b> is made from Romorantin, a grape unique to Cour-Cheverny in the Loire. Equally distinctive and illusive was the wine itself. Subtle saline on the nose with quiet eruption of lime citrus in the mouth. An enigma. And with more time I am certain more fully evolved in the glass. This wine comes from 2 parcels in the same vineyard, a 60 yr old and 30 yr old vinefied together. Free run juice. Ferments in open barrels. Aged in Acacia barrels. AOC Cour-Cheverny. Lovely!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Christine & Herve' Villemade w/Ned Swain (Devenish Wines)</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Eric Texier at Drifters Wife, Portland</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Residing in Lyon, Eric Texier works with vineyards in the northern Rhone region. After working with vigneron Jean-Marie Guffens at Verget in Burgundy, he eventually found his way to the unique terroirs of Brézème and Saint Julien. Wine from these appellations is also very rare, with 5 producers in </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brézème and 2 in Saint Julien. "They are the terroir of farmers, proud of their rusticity and history". With regard to his initial leanings to Burgundy, h</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">e finds a parallel here in terms of its single varietals and parcel specific bottlings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He works organically and biodynamically, following the lunar calendar and experimenting with planting other types of plants between rows of vines, along with zero intervention to soil or vines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two beautiful and distinct expressions of Syrah are the <b>St-Julien en St-Alban 2013</b> and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Brézème 2013</b>. The St-Julien en St-Alban had warm, sweet, earthy fruit on the nose and soft on the tongue. Essences of spice and earthy moss. Lovely. Feminine. <i>As Eric says, fine for sipping</i>. The </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brézème was his favorite. I found it edgier with more structured fruit. Strong, rustic presence. It longs to be enjoyed with food! You'll find plenty of fine pairings at Drifters Wife.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Herve' Villemade & Peter Hale</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Herve' Villemade & Orenda Hale, Drifters Wife</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These wines may be found <i>while supplies last</i> at </span><a href="http://www.drifterswife.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Drifters Wife</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.maineandloire.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Maine & Loire</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, 63 Washington Ave, Portland, ME.. Imported by </span><a href="http://louisdressner.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Louis Dressner Selections</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, NY, NY and distributed by </span><a href="http://devenishwinesgeek.typepad.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Devenish Wines</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, Portland, ME</span><br />
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-79723750820325853412016-01-07T14:42:00.000-08:002016-01-08T06:03:23.799-08:00FRANCK PEILLOT BUGEY MONDEUSE 2014<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Famille Peillot, Vignerons</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mondeuse 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bugey, Montagnieu, France</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">100% Mondeuse Noir</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Astonishingly black garnet in color with scarlet overtones, this lively wine is spicy & herbaceous on the nose. Bright, spicy/dry fruit follow on the palate with a woody, lean expression. Excitingly fresh in the mouth yet rustic, showing fruit such as cranberry, elderberry and violets. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lilting. Lifting. Juicy.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Later some black pepper, maybe spruce? A </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">soft start on the tongue makes its way to a zippy dry finish. One unique wine! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reminiscent of Refosco or Pinot Noir, the Mondeuse grape (indigenous to Bugey) is not one we often come across </span>... <i>I was thrilled to experience it!</i> It truly is a startlingly black garnet color, which in other grapes may translate into seriously saturated fruit. Not so here, as location, climate and terroir most likely have lots to do with its zesty, lean expression. The Bugey wine region is a tiny appellation in Eastern France between Lyons and Geneva near the foothills of the Jura Mountains. The small isolated parcels of vines owned and worked by <b>Franck Peillot, vigneron</b> are in the mountains, mostly on extremely steep hills, surrounded by woods and prairies, meeting the edge of the Rhone River. Peillot describes Mondeuse as such,<i> "To me it's an ancestor, it's a Gaul with a big mustache, and just like our ancestors, they are firmly rooted in the past"</i>. His vines are very old, some 100 years, dating back two-three generations. He works everything </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by hand and uses indigenous yeasts, with little intervention in the cellar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This wine is a </span><a href="http://louisdressner.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Louis/Dressner Selection</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, imported by LDM Wines, New York, NY. Only a few cases came to us through </span><a href="http://devenishwinesgeek.typepad.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Devenish Wines</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.maineandloire.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Maine & Loire Wine Shop</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in Portland. Hopefully there will still be some available in the shop when it reopens sometime this winter, <i>along with their new wine bar</i>, </span><a href="http://www.drifterswife.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Drifter's Wife</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (located at 63 Washington Ave., Portland, ME.) See you there!</span></div>
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-50431231207058801802015-11-24T11:09:00.002-08:002015-11-24T14:39:33.798-08:00RAYR WINES & FRANCINE BISTRO - GEMS ON MAINE'S MID-COAST<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a recent Saturday I motored up to Camden/Rockport for a well overdue visit to two of Maine's Gems in food & wine, <b><a href="http://rayrwine.com/" target="_blank">RAYR Wines</a></b> in Rockport and <b><a href="http://www.francinebistro.com/" target="_blank">Francine Bistro</a></b> in Camden. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Only an hour and 40 minutes or so drive from Portland, it is well worth carving out time for a visit, especially this time of year when the summer season has calmed down and the feel is more low key and local ... just what we love! Nonetheless, <i>both venues were still bustling with energy</i>.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Tasters reveling in the wines at RAYR</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The occasion precipitating the trip was a tasting of <b><a href="http://www.sopowine.com/" target="_blank">SoPo Wines</a></b> (presented by SoPo rep, Heidi Martin) at RAYR Wines. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I loved the </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Domain Guerrin & fils Saint Veran Le Clos Vessats 2013</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. A French Burgundy (therefore 100% Chardonnay), lovely lemon yellow color with floral essences on the nose such as acacia flower. You'll want to drink this </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not too cold</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> in order to truly experience the luscious rounded fruits ... white peach and pear, along with the soft, creamy mouthfeel. This all balanced by beautiful acidity. The estate is located just west of the Macon in the village of Vergisson. Terroir is decidedly clay/limestone, which truly comes through in this artisanal wine. I am offering this as one of my wine choices on my Thanksgiving table, for those enjoying white with their turkey. And somehow I imagine this will be perfectly exquisite with a savory parsnip/sweet potato dish as well. $22/bottle. A </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.weygandtselections.com/Home.html" target="_blank">Peter Weygandt Selections</a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://weygandtmetzler.com/Home.html" target="_blank">Weygandt - Metzler</a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, Unionville, PA.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wines from the Vaucluse region of France really float my boat! The <b>Andre Brunel Cotes du Rhone</b> is earthy & herbacious with underlying minerality and great depth of fruit. Old vine grenache blend (75%), with 15% Cinsault, 10% Syrah. Located in Travaillon, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, from an estate of 5th generation winemakers, the Brunel family has owned vineyards here since the 17th century. Soil is stony with limestone subsoil. No herbicides or pesticides used. Sustainable farming and companion planting employed around vines. $14/bottle. <a href="http://www.robertkacherselections.com/" target="_blank"><b>Robert Kacher Selections</b>, NY, NY</a></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Proprietor Jason Haynes & SoPo rep Heidi Martin</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Local French Chef, David Grant</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We in Portland are lucky to have so many wonderful venues for wine, however, I can safely say that RAYR would fine itself in a unique niche if located here in our fair city! The milieu at RAYR is artful, warm and tasteful with a truly amazing selection of wines - palate is decidedly Old World, so close to my heart </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(and tastebuds)</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. That said, Owner Jason Haynes has found a way to represent a broad spectrum of wines for varied palates, in a serenely tasteful way. One may also find a delicious selection of fine specialty food items here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the tasting, time for a bite to eat. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">My friend (and illustrious french/local chef), David Grant joined me for a little sojourn just up the road, to <b><a href="http://www.francinebistro.com/" target="_blank">Francine Bistro</a></b> in Camden ... <i>his stomping grounds, bien sure!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were welcomed by warm, wafting aromas from the kitchen and a lovely ambiance </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in the dining room. We elected to find a </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">seat at the bar (always preferred when tasting plates with a glass ... near kitchen, knowledgeable staff & most likely in the company of other food/wine geeks!), </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and had a nice chat with Barman </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chip Dewing. At this point I was thinking something sparkling might be the way to go. He offered a couple of tastes: t</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">heir house sparkling, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Casteller, a Spanish</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> Cava</b> from <b><a href="http://www.oleimports.com/" target="_blank">Ole' Imports</a></b> and <b>Adami Prosecco Garbel Brut,</b> Italy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Adami prosecco, with its lighter style, fine cascading bubbles and delicate green apple fruit paired beautifully with the citrusy <b>Brussel sprout salad</b> w/walnuts, pear, smoked ricotta, peccorino and mustard vinaigrette. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">David opted for <b>Devils on horseback</b>, w/serrano wrapped dates, chevre, lemon puree' and purple mustard as well as <b>Spicy Crab Tostada</b>, w/lobster knuckle, urchin, avocado, crispy onion & kohlrabi. Being fuller bodied, with a brilliant vibrancy, the Casteller Cava was wonderfully paired.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also noteworthy was the delicious house-made artisanal breads. I am looking forward to another visit to experience so much more of what they have to offer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For now, an excellent, rich cup of coffee from the espresso machine and I was ready <i>(though reluctantly)</i> to make my way back south!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chef/Owner of Francine, Brian Hill has another establishment as well: Shepherd's Pie, a rousing pub overlooking the harbor in Rockport. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These seasoned venues have been around for many years now. If you haven't already experienced them, give yourself a treat and seek them out during these off-season months, when you can really breathe in all they have to offer ... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers & Bon Apetit! </span></i></span></div>
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-16750831041895836662015-08-26T11:38:00.000-07:002015-08-26T12:47:04.486-07:00GIACOMETTI PATRIMONIO Cru Des Agriate 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>DOMAINE GIACOMETTI PATRIMONIO</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Cru Des Agriate</i> 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Corsica</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">France</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">97% Nielluccio, 3% Grenache</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This elegant unpretentious Mediterranean table wine expresses a clear, saturated hue of garnet red. Clean briary fruit emerges with underlying steely graphite on the nose. Tinges of anise. Lean, earthy & spicy, this has lots of acidity, along with juicy dark fruits such as blackberry and plum, as well as an herbaceous tenacity. Enjoy this wine with Food! Perfect with a pizza pie of ricotta, mushrooms and herbs, as I enjoyed here ... all of the marvelous minerals and spice cut through the creaminess of cheese, earthy mushrooms and olive oil. Also try with Charcuterie, Tapas or Pasta with rich sauces!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">$22/btl at <b><a href="http://www.maineandloire.com/" target="_blank">Maine & Loire</a></b> on Washington Ave, Portland. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Domaine Giacometti</b> was founded in 1987 by Christian Giacometti and now assisted by his daughter Sarah and son Simon, who will eventually take the reins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While my photograph may illustrate lush origins, this wine actually hails from the Agriate Desert <i>(thus Cru des Agriate)</i> on the island of Corsica in the appellation of Patrimonio. A vast rugged, arid landscape on the northern end of the island. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One needs a 4-wheeler to access the estate! Three</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> separate parcels of vines are situated at the foot of Mount Genova, the highest point in the area. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <i>Libecciu</i>, a hot dry wind rolls down off the coast of Italy year round. Such conditions cause the vines of the native Corsican varietal Nielluccio to forage deeply for its nutrients. Cool sea breezes help moderate and prevent disease. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Terroir of granite and clay clearly comes through in this unique yet approachable wine. <i>Imagine pouring from a gorgeous pottery pitcher made by hand.</i> Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks and aged 10 months on fine lees. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Enjoy now!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imported by <b>Kermit Lynch</b>, Berkeley, California and distributed in Maine by <b>National Distributors</b>. Also available at <b><a href="http://www.brownetrading.com/about/portland-retail-market/" target="_blank">Browne Trading Market</a></b> on Commercial Street and <a href="http://www.thepresshotel.com/union" target="_blank">Union</a> at the Press Hotel <i>by request</i>. </span></div>
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-79340719420749796122015-06-04T15:37:00.000-07:002015-06-04T15:37:36.715-07:00DOMAINE RIBIERA La Croisee des Chemins at MAINE & LOIRE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Domaine Ribiera</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">La Croisee des Chemins 2012</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aspiran, Languedoc France</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">80% Grenache, 20% Cinsault</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Garnet red in color, with a tinge of sienna bespeaking a certain earthiness, this all-natural wine has deep, wild sweet fruit and earthy spice box on the nose; Brambles, dark cherry, black raspberry and deep violets on the palate, with notes of eucalyptus, cedar, dark cocoa and graphite. Exotic spices such as star anise make ephemeral appearances ... with rich bright fruit shining through all that funky earthiness and clean dry finish making for one sexy red! $23/btl at <a href="http://www.maineandloire.com/" target="_blank">Maine & Loire</a> on Washington St. in Portland. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfined, unfiltered with zero added sulfites, grown without pesticides and with natural vinification, here is a tour du force! Some natural wines are extremely mercurial. While I enjoyed many nuances with this one over the course of a couple of days, I found it held together and opened up beautifully. The vines grow on galets roulés and marl, round rocks over lime rich clay and silt. 35 year old vines are hand harvested and de-stemmed before a 3 week fermentation in steel vats. Aged 10 months in tank and demi muid <i>(an oak barrel used for centuries to transport wine by boat, allowing for long aging periods with phases of prolonged reduction. Used generally for Mediterranean varietals such as Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre)</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Winemaker <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DomaineRibiera?fref=ts" target="_blank">Regis Pichon of Domaine Ribiera</a> was originally a sommelier in Paris at one of the world's great cellars at La Tour d'Argent, as well as having worked at the renowned wine shop Hediard where he met his wife Catherine. In 2005, they moved from the city to a small wine village in the Languedoc region of France called Aspiran; located on the western edge of the Hérault Valley between Clermont l'Hérault and Pézenas, amidst a sea of vines, olive, pine and oak trees. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While he does have a background in the classics of Bordeaux and Burgundy, the inspiration which drew him to winemaking was tasting a bottle of Pierre Overnoy from the Jura ... a wine made without sulphur that exhibited such freshness and quaffability. He presently leases a small winery, sharing space with fellow independent producer and winemaker David Caer from Clos</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Mathélisse. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Peter Hale (Maine & Loire) w/recent line-up of natural wines</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.maineandloire.com/" target="_blank">Maine & Loire (Wine Shop)</a>, opened in the middle of January of 2015 in Portland's East End. Proprietors Orenda and Peter Hale spent many years in New York city restaurants and more recently in Williamsburg, Brooklyn before envisioning a retail space where they might bring together all they love. They've filled a niche here, focusing on wines truly expressive of place, supporting growers and winemakers who work and nurture the land where they grow the grapes. This along with championing wines made with minimal intervention, from vine to cellar to bottle, organically and/or biodynamically farmed, <i>"celebrating wines that are alive and soulful"</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another of my favorites from the day's line-up - <b>Sistema Vina, "Chateau Paquita" 2013</b>. From Felanitx, Mallorca, Spain, this is 40% Callet & Montanegro, 20% Monastrell. This one reminded me of a French Rhone wine with funky, earthy nose, spice and depth of cherry fruit. Grown in red and calcerous clay high in iron oxide and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">galets roulés. Here is one I will indeed revisit!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Orenda Hale w/Luca!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>La Croisee des Chemins</b> is from <a href="http://zrswines.com/" target="_blank">Zev Rovine Selections</a>, a purveyor of handcrafted wines from Brooklyn, NY. Imported by Fruit of the Vines, Long Island City, NY. Both are and distributed here in Maine by <a href="http://www.devenishwines.com/" target="_blank">Devenish Wines</a>.</span><br />
<br />Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-12167810728846361252015-05-26T09:32:00.000-07:002015-05-26T11:18:10.728-07:00CHATEAU de FLAUGERGUES ... Innovation, Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> Château de Flaugergues</b> </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cuvée Sommelière Rouge </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2012</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Château de Flaugergues</b> </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cuvée Sommelière Rouge </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2012</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">La Méjanelle</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">65% Grenache Noir. 30% Syrah. 5% </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mourvèdre</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deep garnet/black in color with overtones of magenta, <i>an immediate presence</i>. Rich plum, cassis and spice on the nose with earthy fruits, bark and dark cocoa on the palate. Silky mouth feel the moment the juice touches the tongue, no doubt from the syrah. Blackberry and herbaceous spice follow. Given a little more time, hints of mossy forest floor along with plenty of acidity for a certain buoyancy. An elegant package bursting with vivacious, lush, saucy fruits and a spicy finish balanced beautifully with concentration and length. Terrific! <i>3-4 years resting in the bottle should bring it to full maturity.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently picked up a bottle of the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2012 in a moment of spontaneity, as I had much enjoyed previous vintages. I absolutely loved this one. Little did I know that mere weeks later I would be in a car with Pierre & Marie Colbert, owners of this historic<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Languedoc Estate, making our way up to Belfast for the <b><i>Easterly Wine Show</i></b><i>!</i> They were special guests that day, on hand and available to speak with buyers of the trade, mostly from the mid-coast region of Maine.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Marie & Pierre Colbert w/tasters at Easterly show, Belfast, ME</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Built in the countryside near the city of Montpellior in Mejanelle' <i>(one of the twelve terroirs found in the Côteaux du Languedoc)</i>, </span><a href="http://www.flaugergues.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Château de Flaugergues</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> has been in the Colbert family since 1696. A stunning piece of historic architecture surrounded by gorgeous gardens and home to the Estate grown vineyards, as well as their restaurant, <b><i>Folia</i></b>. Grapevines and Olive trees were cultivated here over 2000 years ago by the Romans, and according to Pierre, the Languedoc is the first French area where wine was produced. Terroir consists of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">galets roulés, or <i>'les Grés'</i>, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">round pebbles or rocks with alluvial traces from deposits in the Rhone delta. These retain heat from the plentiful Mediterranean sun and release it at night. Vineyards also receive a distinctive Maritime influence, with cooling breezes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition to grenache noir, syrah,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> mourvèdre, carignan, cinsault, merlot, cab sauvignon, grenache blanc, marsanne, roussanne, rolle and viognier, Pierre spoke of some new varietals they are working on with L'INRA - <i>all vinifera crosses</i> ... <a href="http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marselan" target="_blank">Marselan</a>, <a href="http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arinarnoa" target="_blank">Arinarnoa</a> and <a href="http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egiodola" target="_blank">Egiodola</a> <i>(Pays Basque)</i> ... these will be small production wines. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jack Scully (Easterly Wine) w/Marie & Pierre Colbert (Flaugergues)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Languedoc is near and dear to Pierre's heart. He states that while the Languedoc region has the largest area of vineyards, 250,000 - 300,000 hectares to Bordeaux's 100,000 and Champagne's 10,000 for example, it has a way to go to achieve the notoriety of these regions. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is I believe safe to say, that he would love his region to attain such value and worth. On the other hand, he is not bound by laws that hamper the creation of his wines. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Languedoc, Pierre envisions a new world style, more progressive, less locked in to tradition and not reactive to the market. As he states "Bordeaux is in a straight jacket in terms of winemaking". <i>In his words "tradition is dead"</i>. Instead he sees Change and Innovation as his challenging yet creative tools. I found his wines to have an exciting freshness of the new, with the old world pulsating at the heart. What better combination?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also tasted at the Easterly show was </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Château de Flaugergues Languedoc Rose', 2014</b>. Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Syrah. Light salmon chiffon in color with hints of wild strawberry blossoms on the nose. Round, lush, rich and clean on the palate, with purity of fruit. Just enough acidity for freshness. Creamy on the tongue. Delicious wild sweet berries. <i>Acidity in back supporting all that luscious creaminess</i>. Bracingly clean finish. 2-3 months on the lees and late bottled ...<i> but not too late!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're lucky enough to still find this,</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (hopefully </i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">more will be coming our way in June)</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, try: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://rayrwine.com/" target="_blank">Rayr Wine</a></b>, Rockport; <b><a href="http://www.francinebistro.com/" target="_blank">Francine</a></b>, Camden; <b><a href="http://www.mdiwine.com/" target="_blank">Sawyer's Specialties</a></b>, SW Harbor; <b>Market Basket</b>, Rockport; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://treatsofmaine.com/" target="_blank">Treats</a></b>, Wiscasset; <b><a href="http://meridians.me/" target="_blank">Meridians</a></b>, Fairfield<br /><b><a href="http://www.bluehillwineshop.com/" target="_blank">Blue Hill Wine Shop</a></b>, Blue Hill</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cuvée Sommelière Rouge </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2012</b> can </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">be found in Portland at <b>RSVP</b>. Around $16/btl. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Other venues around the state include</i>: <b><a href="https://www.belfast.coop/" target="_blank">Belfast Co-op</a></b>, Belfast; BookStacks, Bucksport; <a href="http://www.roosterbrother.com/" target="_blank"><b>Rooster Brother</b></a>, Global Beverages & <a href="http://johnedwardsmarket.com/site/" target="_blank"><b>John Edwards Market</b></a>, Ellsworth; <a href="http://www.frenchandbrawn.com/" target="_blank"><b>French & Brawn</b></a>, Camden; <a href="http://www.acooksemporium.com/" target="_blank"><b>Now You're Cooking</b></a>, Bath; <a href="http://www.risingtide.coop/" target="_blank"><b>Rising Tide Community Market</b></a>, Damariscotta; <b><a href="http://solobistro.com/" target="_blank">Solo Bistro</a></b>, Bath; <b><a href="http://www.fiveislandsfarm.com/" target="_blank">Five Islands Farm</a></b>, Georgetown; <b><a href="http://www.blacksheepwine.com/Harpswell_Maine_Wine_Store.html" target="_blank">Black Sheep Wine & Beer Shop</a></b>, Harpswell; <a href="http://www.thewineseller.biz/" target="_blank"><b>Wine Cellar</b></a> & Rockland Food Service, Rockland; <b><a href="http://www.southportgeneralstore.com/ordereze/default.aspx" target="_blank">Southport General Store</a></b>, Southport; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-French-Cellar/213364392029086" target="_blank"><b>French Cellar</b></a>, Machias; <b><a href="http://www.bootleggersmaine.com/beer.html" target="_blank">Bootleggers</a></b>, Topsham; Foundation Wine Cellar, Freedom; <b><a href="http://meridians.me/" target="_blank">Meridians</a></b>, Fairfield; <b><a href="http://www.the-clown.com/" target="_blank">The CLOWN</a></b>, York</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These wines are distributed in Maine by <b>Easterly Wine </b>in<b> </b>Belfast and imported by <b><a href="http://www.idealwine.us/" target="_blank">Ideal Wine & Spirits Co.</a></b>, Medford, MA</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Tammy Scully (Easterly Wine, Belfast)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: right;"><b>Easterly Wine</b> is a smaller distributor located in mid-</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: right;">coast Maine. You can trust theirs to be a selective, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: right;">discerning palate, choosing uniques wines of excellent </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: right;">character. Founder Jack Scully is a true vanguard, bringing wine knowledge and great wines to Maine since 2001. His wife Tammy, with her excellent organizational savvy handles the business end. Their team is also extremely knowledgeable. They work with family owned/operated vineyards/wineries and truly know where the wines come from. <i>For more information:</i> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30 Washington St, Belfast, ME 04915. (207) 338-9917. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: right;"><i>In Maine, l</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: right;"><i>ook for their label on the back of the bottle!</i></span></div>
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-79672104134238915522015-05-08T07:55:00.002-07:002015-05-08T08:53:45.809-07:00SOULFUL WINES OF NEW ZEALAND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkjdlf0MB2ke4EZuQdOOje1zV7us38p3aAXxVAKqbrhJAQymjTGxnuh07mi1yILQn2l_cZVLB0CMshcVGrU28nH6y4CP7BIHliusS4m8wsynY-ttlxd9oOloNzn1W2GAWEnbSjNIkRTaj/s1600/NZ+5_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkjdlf0MB2ke4EZuQdOOje1zV7us38p3aAXxVAKqbrhJAQymjTGxnuh07mi1yILQn2l_cZVLB0CMshcVGrU28nH6y4CP7BIHliusS4m8wsynY-ttlxd9oOloNzn1W2GAWEnbSjNIkRTaj/s640/NZ+5_web.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>THE HERMIT RAM</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Field Blend </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2012 </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Skin fermented</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Waipara Gorge, New Zealand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you had <i>Orange wine</i>?! When my friend Brendon called spontaneously and asked me if I'd like to try some wine later, I said sure! I'll put together some food ... come on over. He made me close my eyes and taste ... ahhh ... Elixir?? What <i>is</i> that?! This Orange wine or <i>wine grown on Limestone </i>in Waipara Gorge, New Zealand was a complete enigma, utterly delightful! Ripe with personality, complexity, balance <i>and</i> <i>approachability, </i>this is a unique blend of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Semillon, savoury to the tongue and lilting to the Spirit! Notes of orchard fruits, juicy ripe peach and pink grapefruit first come to mind. Later white pepper, orange blossom, nectarine and even essence of watermelon. Beautifully integrated! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: xx-small;">Brendon Pringle with The HERMIT RAM from his native New Zealand</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Winemaker is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theo.coles1" target="_blank"><b>Theo Coles</b></a>. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some time after study and travels, he connected with Gareth Renowden, owner of Limestone Hills Vineyard in the Waipara Gorge and they agreed to make some wine together. The farm where vineyard is located also grows truffles and olive oil. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some thoughts ring true ...</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Small scale winemaking project. Naturally farmed. Hand-made, bottled & labeled. Labour of Love. Skin fermented orange field blend. Wines on Limestone. The juice spends <i>two months</i> on skins, with time in a concrete barrel after fermentation. Artwork for the label came from an etching he purchased while traveling. Expressive of a unique straightforwardness and individuality in wild and natural terrain. <b>THE HERMIT RAM</b>. Completely fitting!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Brendon Pringle & Ned Swain (DEVENISH Wines) tasting the Hermit Ram & Georgetown Pinot</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Single Vineyard Pinot Noir from Georgetown Vineyard</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Georgetown Vineyard</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Central Otago, New Zealand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Brendon continued his search for unique wines from his native New Zealand to bring back to the states, he called upon <a href="http://www.georgetownvineyard.co.nz/" target="_blank"><b>Ian Dee</b></a>, <i>Owner of <b>Georgetown Vineyard</b></i>. He recalls he was a warm, humble man who welcomed him in to his <a href="http://www.georgetownvineyard.co.nz/cellar-door.html" target="_blank">small mud tasting room hut</a>. For this reason, and based on how good the newer vintages were that he had tasted, he was moved to purchase this particular pinot noir, vintage 2009 and had not tasted it until this moment!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A gorgeous, elegant expression of Pinot Noir, deep garnet in color. Voluminous with cherry aromas, smoky cedar and gamey nuances ... soft on the tongue, slightly spicy and ripe balanced fruit. Warm, harmonious, bright yet earthy. <i>Full round luxuriating finish ...</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fermented with indigenous yeast, only 283 cases made. And this the last bottle in existence for this vintage. Special! </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.georgetownvineyard.co.nz/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Georgetown Vineyard</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is located in the South Island region of New Zealand, near the entrance to Kawarau Gorge next to the Kawarau River in Cromwell, Central Otago. Climate is Continental vs. Maritime, with hot summers and cold winters. This hand crafted, single vineyard wine is a true expression of its terroir, according to viticulturist <a href="http://www.georgetownvineyard.co.nz/people.html" target="_blank">Ian Dee</a>. Grapes are planted in the tradition of Burgundy, with narrow rows, short trunks and very low yielding vines. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This particular vintage was made with renown winemaker <a href="http://www.mountedward.co.nz/people.html" target="_blank">Duncan Forsyth, from Mount Edward Wines</a>, who uses no chemicals with as little intervention as possible in his wines. He uses organic and biodynamic practices to ensure health of the vineyards. As Central Otago soils consist mostly of schist, loess and alluvial gravels, with little organic matter and low rainfall, the beneficial nutrients and minerals needed to nourish the vines are way down deep in the subsoil. Without the use of synthetic fertilizers and herbicides his vines are much healthier, with roots able to forage deep down for all the nutrients they need ... and I daresay for all that expression of terroir!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>As if guided by the Wine Angels </i>that day, I chose some fresh sockeye salmon with salad of mixed arugula greens, herbs, shaved carrot, etc. This paired miraculously with both of the wines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are some of the most soulful and stunning wines I've tasted from New Zealand. <i>They are not yet available here. </i>If I were you I would start pestering your local retailers, distributors and importers ...<b><i> Bring it!</i></b></span></div>
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-26440829897366481442015-03-11T14:50:00.000-07:002015-03-11T14:50:21.530-07:00DOMAINE ANDRE' SCHERER PINOT BLANC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Domaine André Scherer</b></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pinot Blanc 2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vin d'Alsace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alsace, France</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">100% Pinot Blanc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pale lemon gold in color, with trace soft minerals on the nose, slightly more forward on the palate. Soft, creamy mouth feel. Salinity. Silky. Juicy, luscious clean fruit emerges. Limestone, minerals, shale ... while subtle waves of meyer lemon and lemon chiffon spill over the tongue. Restraint and delivery <i>toute ensemble</i>. Completely delightful and engaging, this wine expresses subtle intricacies and precision with ease and simplicity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The perfect manifestation of a desire for Spring! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Under $13/bottle, <i>exclusively</i> at <a href="http://www.thefarmstand.me/" target="_blank">The Farm Stand</a>, South Portland <i>(while supply lasts). </i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy with an organic pork chop from their excellent butcher shop, asparagus and risotto, <i>par exemple!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Domaine </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">André Scherer is located in </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Husseren-les-Château, a commune in the Haut-Rhin region of Alsace, in northeastern France. The village runs along "La Route des Vins d'Alsace", a beautifully scenic area of vineyards in the vicinity of the Vosges Mountains. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christopher Scherer, taking over from his father </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">André (<i>8th generation winemaker</i>), is bringing rapt attention to the domaine. After wine study in Burgundy, Bordeaux and Australia, he took over the family estate in the 1990's. He presently works entirely with oak for his fermentations, using large tonneau for Pinot Blanc. One tastes the finesse in a glass!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Available presently through <b>Wicked Wines</b>, Bangor, ME. A <b>Peter WEYGANDT Selection</b>, Imported by Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA. </span></div>
Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-48452930901926933722015-02-25T05:35:00.000-08:002015-02-26T02:51:25.672-08:00FATTORIA LA RIVOLTA FALANGHINA 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">100% Falanghina</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brilliant lemon gold in color, shimmering lime green highlights, with one whiff the immediacy of Sea Air <i>transports you</i> to landscapes picturesque!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liltingly fresh & exciting on the tongue. Sanguine. Notes of chalk, minerals, limestone. Clean acidity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever so subtle tropical fruit such as kiwi emerges, later <i>intimations</i> of white peach, tangerine, nectarine and acacia flowers. Hints of honey when temp warms, meyer lemon on the edge, yet ultimately dry. Some latent distant spice underlying. Beautifully integrated fruit, not overbearingly forward! Lime zest. This may be more atypical of Falanghina, which is precisely why I love it. More presence of clean minerality. A perfect pick for this February day in the northeast, when one longs for a feel more Mediterranean! Paired perhaps with fresh grilled calamari, oysters, tapas with feta, olives, mussels or roasted fish. Enjoy clear through the summer, <i><span style="color: #073763;">wherever you are</span></i>. Delicious ...Treat yourself!<span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></span><span style="text-align: justify;">$23/btl at </span><a href="http://www.maineandloire.com/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><b>Maine & Loire</b></a><span style="text-align: justify;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://fattorialarivolta.it/" target="_blank"><b>Fattoria La Rivolta</b></a> was established in 1997 by third generation farmer, Paolo Cotroneo and his brother Mario. Their vineyards are located in the municipality of Torrecuso, in the province of Beneveto, in one of the smallest DOCs in the region of Campania, namely Taburno. Lands are hilly and mountainous. Soil is limestone and calcerous clay (<i>yes, terroir does shine through!</i>) </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their vines are cultivated organically, without use of chemical treatments. Grapes are hand harvested and produce low yields. While their grandparents Giovanni and Teresa maintained and cultivated one of the largest agricultural farms in Benevento at the beginning of the twentieth century, the brothers' approach to cultivating vines and making wine marks a great turning point in their ancestry, with an organic approach. They earned certification from ICEA (Istituto per la Certificazione Etica e Ambientale) in 2001. As if that were not enough ... <i>the wine sings!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imported by <a href="http://www.tedwardwines.com/" target="_blank"><b>T. Edward Wines, Ltd.</b></a>, New York, NY and distributed in Maine by <b>Devenish Wines</b>, Portland. Also available at <b><a href="http://piccolomaine.com/" target="_blank">Piccolo</a> </b>Southern Italian Restaurant, Middle St. Portland.</span></div>
Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-53816079632959336132015-01-19T13:43:00.000-08:002015-01-19T18:06:04.231-08:00LAGUZELLE MINERVOIS 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUx4LXwksKezrQjQ7Y27T4sp4XN80LWrZyfOXMC48aIPgB6Ir4qzxnK1yvbU-Fc0XEuPVETARHCjq9HpTEKnO7za6QDbh75-6Bk5xTaHPgU1cGRXPd4rYTjp1tKvIdSxKx6VxfGE_NiGRx/s1600/LaguzelleMinervois+1_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUx4LXwksKezrQjQ7Y27T4sp4XN80LWrZyfOXMC48aIPgB6Ir4qzxnK1yvbU-Fc0XEuPVETARHCjq9HpTEKnO7za6QDbh75-6Bk5xTaHPgU1cGRXPd4rYTjp1tKvIdSxKx6VxfGE_NiGRx/s1600/LaguzelleMinervois+1_web.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Domaine Benjamin Taillandier</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"Laguzelle"</b> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minervois Languedoc, France </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dark garnet in color with scarlet highlights, this is one juicy mouthful and a quintessential French table wine. Earthy/funky on the nose initially, with exotic spice, green & black pepper and hints of wild violets. Luscious and lean blackberry fruit and dark berry undertones on the palate. Later, underlying briar calms down <i>and gets down</i>. Herbaceous, like bay leaf. Unctuous hints of fig on nose resolve ultimately and utterly lean and quaffable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This completely natural and authentic wine comes from <b>Domaine Benjamin Taillandier</b>, located in Caunes-Minervois, situated between the ancient city of Carcassone and the Massif Central. Southern exposure and Mediterranean oceanic influences, along with protection by les Montagnes Noir from cold winds make for unique locale. Minervois takes its name from the fortified village of <i>Minerve</i>, built by the Romans and reportedly dedicated to the goddess of wisdom. The region was recognized as AOC in 1985. Diverse soil includes schist, sand, clay and limestone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While Benjamin had technical training at winemaking school and worked in conventional wineries, his greatest influence was working alongside natural winemaker Jean-Baptiste Senat, with ideas and techniques that inspired and shaped his current practices in his present Domaine. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grapes are farmed organically and biodynamically, harvested by hand (</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1-2 weeks before other producers</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">). Short vinification, aged 6 months in stainless steel. Only natural yeasts. Laguzelle Minervois is one lively wine, with much character. Other favorites of mine from Dom. Benjamin Taillandier include VITI VINI BIBI and BUFENTIS. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you happen to be in Caunes-Minervois, stop by </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cantine du Curé</b>, his terrific wine bar downtown ... open during the summer season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here in Portland, ME, we are fortunate to know these wines through <b><a href="http://zrswines.com/" target="_blank">Zev Rovine Selections</a>, </b>Brooklyn, NY, Imported by <b>Fruit of the Vines</b>, Long Island City, NY and Distributor <a href="http://www.devenishwines.com/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Devenish Wines</a>, Portland, ME. Also carried by new Natural Wine Shop, <b><a href="http://www.maineandloire.com/" target="_blank">Maine & Loire</a></b>, Washington Ave; <b>Rosemont Market</b>, Brighton Ave; <b>RSVP</b>, Forest Ave; <b>Aurora Provisions</b>, Pine St, Portland and <b>Oak Hill Beverage</b>, Scarborough. </span>Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-22642862192273784902015-01-08T10:12:00.000-08:002015-01-08T10:58:57.654-08:00TERRY THEISE - READ BETWEEN THE WINES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Only now in the still of winter, having survived all the bustle, busyness, even pandemonium of the Holiday season, is a moment of <i>silence</i> to remember and recall the visit of a wine virtuoso, a luminary if you will, with us here in Portland, ME ... namely <b>Terry Theise</b>. What a gift! He arrived last November, making himself available both to the trade <i>and</i> the public, in a myriad of experiences: Wine & Champagne tastings, wine dinners, and visits to local retailers and restaurants, bringing with him his signature </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">poetic, soulful and articulate approach to wines from his Champagne, German and Austrian portfolios. His unique way of describing the flavor profile of a wine, of relaying some obscure yet essential detail of technical process or sharing a recollection of time spent with one of his grower producers in their particular terroir was a study in vivacity, brilliance and humor. </span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I resonate with his views ... In his own words, "<i>There is a schism between two groups of vinters and drinkers: Those who feel wine is "made" and those who feel it is "grown</i>". If a grower believes from his every day experience that flavors are inherent in his land, he will labor to preserve them. This means he does nothing to inhibit, obscure or change them." <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(from his book, Reading between the Wines)</i></span>. This rings so true for me and I venture to say for many of us here in Maine, where we are keen on the <i>farm to table movement</i>, whether the family table or from the kitchen of one of the many nationally acclaimed restaurants here; not to mention the steadyily emerging underground movement of <i>Natural Wines </i>coming to us from importers, especially France, Italy and Eastern Europe to name a few</span><span style="text-align: left;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Now to some of the wines and a few tasting notes! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">The Champagnes ... </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">L. Aubry Fils Champagne Rose' Brut</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"> - blend of Chardonnay, Petit Meunier and Pinot Noir, mostly from the 2010 vintage. This is toasty and creamy, yet chalky dry and clean, with purity of blackberry fruit coming through. Luscious.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Revelers @ Hugo's Portland w/L.Aubry Fils Champagne Rose' Brut!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Gaston Chiquet Brut 'Tradition' & Vilmart & Cie "Grand Cellier" Champagne</span><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Gaston Chiquet Brut 'Tradition'</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A blend of Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. D</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">eliciously clean with notes of lemon chiffon and toasted nut. Lovely, focused and elegant. This one made from the base premiere cru vineyard 2009. 8.2 - 8.6% residual sugar. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vilmart & Cie Champagne "Grand Cellier"</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">, a gorgeous expression of 65% Chardonnay, with Pinot Noir. 10 months in large wood barrels. Here especially, an emphasis on </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Wine before the bubbles</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">, as is signature of grower producer Champagne. 50% from dominant vintage, 50% previous vintage. Lovely hints of brioche and subtle salinity, with the </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">"homeopathic quality of really old wine</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">" (TT).</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lallement Champagne Brut NV</b>, 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay saw full malolactic fermentation, never touching oak. Also, scrupulous growers, such as those Terry works with, use neutral yeasts rather than innoculating with conventional yeast to control fermentation. Precise and lively, even zesty, this one exudes white exotic flowers, crystalline expression. "An heirloom apple cellar, a silent pond" (TT). </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Correct temperature for drinking Champagne he asserts, pour at fridge temp of 40 degrees, thereafter fine!</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dönnhoff </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett 2011</b>, from the Nahe region of Germany. This one has distinctive petrol/diesel on the nose, yet silky on the tongue making for an angular nose/lyrical palate. Hints of pear and apricot emerge through to an architectural finish. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Krötenpfuhl means "frog pond", </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a delightful little aside</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! Terroir is sandy marl, alluvial soil. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dönnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese 2011</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, also from the semi-arid Nahe region in Germany. Here the soil is sandy slate (lower volcanic). This expression ... of cherry blossoms, subtle petrol, light honey, grasses and clover. Perhaps not so uncoincidentally, the old name "Kirsche" means <i>cherry</i>, suggesting that wild cherries once grew among the vineyards. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enchanting!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The vineyards are located on south facing steep slopes and soil of slate and sandstone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Schloss Gobelsburg Gruner Veltliner 'Gobelsburger 2013</b>, Kamptal Austria. According to Terry, 2013 a great year. This wine exhibiting gooseberry and stone fruit, a racy, juicy expression of the 60-70% estate fruit. Schloss Gobelsburg, under the direction of winemaker/cellarmaster Michael Moosbruger, is focused on creating wines with individuality and character rather than an emphasis on the clean, uniform wines of other international cellars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I encourage you to seek out these unique and beautirul wines and inquire of others from his estate selections that may be available. Brought to us here in greater Portland by <a href="http://www.sopowine.com/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">SoPo Wine Co</a> and imported by <b><a href="http://www.skurnikwines.com/msw/terry_theise.html" target="_blank">Skurnik Wines, NY, NY</a></b>. Ask your local retailers and restaurants up and down the coast ... <b>Rosemont Markets</b>, <b>Browne Trading Co.</b>, <b>The Farm Stand</b>, <b>Lolita Vinoteca</b>, <b>Hugo's Restaurant</b>, <b>Fore Street</b> ... <i>to name a few in Portland!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>In a nutshell and in his words ...</i></span></div>
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Beauty is more important than impact.<br />
Harmony is more important than intensity.<br />
The whole of any wine must always be more than the sum of its parts.<br />
Distinctiveness is more important than conventional prettiness.<br />
Soul is more important than anything, and soul is expressed as a trinity of family, soil, and artisanality.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here Here! Thank you Terry (<i>and thanks to SoPo Wine Co for bringing him here</i>) ... Come back and see us again soon with more of your exceptional discoveries!</span></div>
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-64314941988698214742014-11-25T09:34:00.000-08:002014-11-25T09:34:30.199-08:00CHATEAU KSARA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Le Prieuré 2011</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30% Carignan, 30% Cinsault, 20% Mourvedre, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love wines from all over the world ... this one from Lebanon has been speaking to me lately! Visualizing a place <i>Mediterranean ... ah yes.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Presence of color</i> - a deep yet brilliant garnet crimson ... glistening in the glass! Wild dark berries are immediately apparent on the nose - later a funky earthiness with exotic spices. Black and red fruits such as blackberry, juicy plum and cranberry emerge on the palate, with underlying hints of anise, licorice & black pepper. Woody herbaceousness. Silky mouthfeel. Tannic dusty finish. Complex & accessible all at once. $11.99/bottle. A wine for every day, at <i>An Extra Ordinary Value</i>! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The vineyards of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ksara.com.lb/" target="_blank">Château Ksara</a> are located in the central and western parts of the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. Climate is Mediterranean, with heavy rain/snow in winter and often dry, hot summers. Slopes of the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountains provide plenty of water with their melting snows, as well as a unique micro-climate where night winds provide cooling from hot summer days. A varied terroir of chalk, clay, limestone and stony soil, along with such a variable climate affords distinctiveness and complexity. <i>This Wine truly is indicative of "place"</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tradition in Lebanese wine dates back 5,000 years, when the Phoenicians (ancient inhabitants of Lebanon) began tending vineyards and exporting wine to Egypt, Rome, Greece and Carthage. <i><b>Here reportedly, is where the miracle of turning Water into Wine took place!</b></i> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Château Ksara is Lebanon's oldest, largest and most visited winery, founded in 1857 by Jesuit priests, who produced the country's first dry red wine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All vineyards are harvested by hand and the grapes hand sorted. Wine is produced and bottled at the Chateau.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Le Prieuré is distributed in Maine through <b>Devenish Wines</b>, Portland, ME and may be found at <b>Rosemont Markets</b>/Munjoy Hill & Commercial St. - Portland; <b>The Farm Stand</b> - S. Portland; <b>State St. Wine Cellar</b> - Bangor and <b>The Blue Hill Wine Shop</b> - Blue Hill. Imported by <a href="http://www.oliveharvest.com/" target="_blank">Olive Harvest LLC</a>, Sudbury, MA.</span></div>
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-71263252719538026012014-09-14T08:35:00.001-07:002014-09-14T17:24:52.767-07:00TUSCAN WINES in MAINE - with Mirco Biliorsi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were visited one recent Sunday by Mirco Biliorsi, Export Manager for wines from three Tuscan Estates owned by Elizabetta Gnudi Angelini, with winemaker Massimo Bracalente - namely, <b>Doga delle Clavule </b>(Maremma), <b>Borgo Scopeto </b>(Chianti Classico)<b> </b>and <b>Caparzo </b>(Montalcino). The occasion was a wine dinner presented at the beautiful oceanside setting of Joseph's By The Sea in Old Orchard</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Beach, ME.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Located a mere 10 miles from the Tyrrhenian sea and nearly due south of the town of Montalcino, the region of Maremma is home to the Estate of <b><a href="http://www.caparzo.it/portale/index.php?IDlingua=1" target="_blank">Doga delle Clavule</a></b>, where a vast reserve called the Parco della Maremma located nearby hugs the coastline. Vineyards are influenced mainly by the cool breezes of the Tyrrhenian sea and soil is sandy and clay loam. From the beginning, Mirco pointed out Elizabetta's practice of respecting nature and use of clean energy such as solar panels; as well as the fact that all wines made at her estates truly begin <i>working in the vineyards</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were greeted this beautiful day with a glass of </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vermentino Toscana</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> from Doga delle Clavule. A lovely light straw yellow in color, this one had a delicious minerality and salinity with first whiff, reflecting its proximity to the Tyrrhenian sea. With a luscious mid-palate of light tropical fruit and peaches, it finished absolutely clean. Divine as an aperitif as we experienced, but also recommended with white meat, roasted fish and shellfish. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Sheila McGovern, Vineyard Brands & Terry O'Brien, Nappi Distributors</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Estate of </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.caparzo.it/portale/index.php?IDlingua=1" target="_blank">Caparzo</a></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, located in Montalcino, a walled medieval village</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> south of Chianti Classico and north of the Maremma was one of the first wineries in Montalcino and also the first to produce single vineyards of Brunello (1977) and Rosso di Montalcino (1991). The only estate bottled producer of Brunello di Montalcino to have estate vineyards on all five sides of the hill, this gives added assurance despite challenges of climate. This vineyard stresses "elegance", from entry level to the top, with tradition and innovation carrying equal weight. Here, says Mirco, one finds precise wines with finesse. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Mirco Biliorsi sharing his knowledge of the wines and estates</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Brunello di Montalcino</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> we tasted, made from Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello) was an autumnal deep sienna red in color. Austere. With notes of wood/cedar on the nose; sweet cider apples and warm hint of chocolate on the palate. Subtly resounding. Aged 2 years in traditional Slavonian oak casks. Serve with roasted meats, such as the lamb chop we tasted with it, or ripe cheeses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Mirco also made mention of two small production wines from Caparzo; A white blend worthy of aging, comprised of 75% Chardonnay, 20% Sauvignon Blanc & 5% Gewurtztraminer. This purported to be the first white of quality produced in Montalcino. Also a Burgundy style red called Le Grance. I for one would love to try these as well, as I have a soft spot for small production wines!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The estate producer, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.caparzo.it/portale/index.php?IDlingua=1" target="_blank">Borgo Scopeto</a></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is located in the region of Chianti Classico, in the center of Tuscany and considered the heart of the Chianti wine producing region. The name "Borgo" refers to a town center with its own church, post office and residences. They are also known for making straw brooms and olive oil as well as for their vineyards. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Certain rules and production codes characterize a Chianti Classico such as limited yields, limited yields per vine, minimum aging and refining requirements and release dates not prior to Oct 1 of the year following harvest. The aim is to arrive at a more superior wine.</span> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Mirco Biliorsi & Lisa Dombek (WINE 24/7)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <b>Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico</b> is comprised of 90% Sangiovese, (with 80% being the minimum required in Chianti Classico), 5% Merlot & 5% Colorino. Beautifully deep garnet/ruby red in color, this had aromas of plum, wild berries and cherry, with bark/twigs, spice and nicely integrated tannins, later hints of dark cocoa, dry finish. I enjoyed this one a lot, and its distinct expression of <i>terroir</i>. Soil is clay and limestone. Aged 1 year in big barrels, then Slavonian oak.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These wines are brought to us by the Importer </span><a href="http://www.vineyardbrands.com/homepage.aspx" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Vineyard Brands</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and distributed through </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nappi Distributors</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, Gorham, ME. You may find the wines at <b>Whole Foods </b>& <b>RSVP</b> in Portland; <b>Bow Street Market</b>, Freeport; <b>The CLOWN</b>, York; <b>The Wine Sellar</b>, Rockport; in some <b>New Hampshire Liquor Stores</b> and <i>upon request at your local retailer</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Château d'Oupia<br />Les Hérétiques 2013</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vin de Pays de l'Hérault</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minervois, France</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">100% old vine Carignan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deep, brilliant scarlet garnet in color, one is immediately met with cassis, boysenberry and chocolate/bark on the nose. Soft on the tongue at once and then an emergence of spice ... even as the softness stays - <i>with a syrah-like feel</i>. Subtle undercurrants of fig continue on the nose, while a woody herbaceousness lingers on the palate. Lush, clean, stewed fruits appear as velvety notes of black licorice, blackberry, cranberry and bramble, coming through like a galaxy to a long finish. Love this one. And an amazing value ... at around </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">$10.99</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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Located in the Minervois region in Languedoc southwestern France, t<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">his wine was made by Le Famille André Iché at the 13th century castle/large estate that was his inheritance. Tending his very old vines, he had always made his own wine but initially sold everything in bulk to local négociants. Further, taking pride in doing all the work himself he never joined the local co-op. However, around fifteen years ago a winemaker from Burgundy tasted Iché's wines <i>par chance</i>, while he was in Oupia. He was so moved by the wine that he convinced </span>Iché to bottle and market production himself. The rest is history!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His daughter Marie-Pierre presently runs the estate, as André passed away in 2007. Further, she has been working with oenologist Laurent Batlle since 2008, continuing to make wine in as he says, "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">André's way". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is bistro wine with depth of soul</i> ... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brought to us by <a href="http://louisdressner.com/" target="_blank">LOUIS/DRESSNER SELECTIONS</a>, imported by LDM Wines, New York, NY and locally through <a href="http://devenishwines.com/" target="_blank">Devenish Wines</a>, Portland, ME. </span></div>
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Available in <i>Greater Portland</i> at <b>Flock and Vine</b> - Cape Elizabeth; <b>Rosemont Market</b> - Munjoy Hill & Commercial St; In <i>Downeast Maine</i> at <b>Blue Hill Wine Shop</b> -<b> </b>Blue Hill, <b>Great Cranberry General Store</b>, Great Cranberry Island, <b>Wind and Wine</b> - Bar Harbor. In <i>Southern Maine</i> at <b>The Cheese Iron</b> - Scarborough; <b>Morning Glory Natural Foods</b> - Brunswick; <b>Vic and Whit's</b> - Saco.</div>
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-38967769776510415622014-06-26T07:20:00.000-07:002014-06-26T07:20:08.654-07:00GASPARE BUSCEMI ViNero<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>GASPARE BUSCEMI</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ViNero Cuvee' Classica</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Venezia Giulia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cormons, Italia</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regal yet earthy scarlet/sienna in color, followed by cedar, musty balsamic and bark moss on the nose, this is one <i>modern wine</i> ... with deep roots! Initially brighter red fruits evolve with air into luscious richer notes of blackberry, racy cherry cola, deep plum and boysenberry. Woody herbs/eucalyptus, sherry aged balsamic, fig, black pepper spice, bayberry and juniper take their turn. Perhaps alpines? Fresh quaffing fruit nonetheless ... <i>or</i> <i>despite</i> a touch of Romantic Funk! Playful, refreshing and completely serious, complex yet unpretentious. Luscious to the end. LOVE! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A great summer red. Wonderful find/value for $12.99 at <b>Rosemont Munjoy Hill</b>. Also available at the other Rosemont Markets and <b>Aurora Provisions</b>, Portland, ME. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Located in Fruili-Venezia in northeastern Italy, <a href="http://www.gasparebuscemi.com/" target="_blank">Gaspare Buscemi</a> began at age 20, working for companies that produced large quantities of "quaffable" wines. Into his 4th year he had already become enotechnician for Marco Felluga in Gradisca d'Isonzo and thereafter technical director of the Consortium of Collio. He was much more interested in working with small higher quality producers and served as wine maker consultant, traveling all over Italy and establishing relationships with other Italian vine-growers. From this experience he settled back in his native Fruili, dedicating himself to both natural and traditional oenology with an emphasis on biodynamic farming and crafting wines naturally, with no manipulation in the cellar. This distinguished him as a creator of "artisan wines", pure expressions of nature, thousand year old farming traditions and artisan culture of his lands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gaspare also retains a bit of mystery where blend of grapes is concerned. He will not reveal! <b>ViNero</b> is a proprietary blend that varies year to year ... but rumor has it this one may have Refosco, Merlot and most certainly (<i>but perhaps not characteristically of the area</i>), Cabernet Franc! <i>Delizioso!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brought to us in Maine by <b>Devenish Wines</b>. Imported by <a href="http://www.adonna-imports.com/" target="_blank">Adonna Imports LLC</a>, Waltham, MA.</span></div>
Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-40151841536236656072014-05-19T16:41:00.001-07:002014-05-25T07:32:02.407-07:00HERDADE DO ESPORÃO RESERVA WHITE <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ESPORÃO </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alentejo, Portugal </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30% Antão Vaz, 30% Arinto, 30% Roupeiro, 10% Semillon</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Light golden straw in color like the hot grassy plains ... with nuances of green, t</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">his is one complex, mercurial white wine! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flint, minerals, schist, a woody herbaceousness and hint of mint are immediately apparent on nose and palate. Refreshing and zesty with underlying earthy minerality and rich, voluptuous notes of vanilla and butterscotch when the chill comes down ... all the while balanced with plenty of tanginess & acidity. Layers! Green fruits, white peach, spices such as anise and licorice, passion fruit/tropical fruits, lemon honey ... (am I high?!) Racy. Perfume. Spicy, even weighty, yet a bracingly clean finish. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Illusive somehow and dynamic, slightly austere, truly hard to pin down ... I loved it. I had noticed it for quite some time at my neighborhood market and one winter day, yearning for a white - something with substance, yet not heavy or overly oaked, picked it up. This fit the bill. I found myself retasting it on a number of occasions, always enjoying nuances, shifting between lusciousness and tangy acidity. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The grapes are estate grown and aged in steel, with 6 months in new French oak on the lees. Bottled in 2013.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Now that it's summer, a perfect pick to acccompany chicken, pork on the grill, Mediterranean faire. Delicious! $16.99 at </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rosemont Market</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> on Munjoy Hill in Portland. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.esporao.com/en/herdade-esporao-en/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Herdade do Espor</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">ã</span></b></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.esporao.com/en/herdade-esporao-en/" target="_blank"><b>o</b></a> is located in the southeast in Alentejo, Portugal's largest wine region. A typically Mediterranean landscape is home to the estate, where indigenous plants such as lavender, orchids, holm oak and extensive olive groves abound, as well as a myriad of wildlife. <i>No wonder this wine exudes such a myriad of flavors and fragrances</i>. Established in 1975, the Estate is also home to the Tower of Esporão, a piece of architecture expressive of the transition from the Middle Ages to the modern era and the desire to assert a new lineage. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.esporao.com/en/herdade-esporao-en/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Espor</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ã</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.esporao.com/en/herdade-esporao-en/" target="_blank">o</a> wines are considered to be some of Portugal's most respected. They also helped revolutionize their region in part, by employing Portuguese </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fine </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">artists to create original art for labels for each new vintage,<i> a melding of art forms so to speak</i> - wine and art.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Some of Portugal's most important artists including, João Hogan, Júlio Pomar, Manuel Cargaleiro, Julião Sarmento, Pedro Cabrita Reis and Lourdes Castro, have created original works for this project, building a unique collection that tells the story of Esporão, as well as art and wine in Portugal. <i>Fantastic! </i>This </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">vintage was for its 25th anniversary of the Reserva Private Selection, its most emblematic brand and is by artist </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.esporao.com/en/labels-by-felipe-oliveira-baptista/" target="_blank">Felipe Oliveira Baptista</a>.</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This wine is imported by <b>AIDIL Wines & Liquors</b>, Newark, NJ and brought to us through <b>National Distributors</b>, South Portland, ME. Also available at <b>Browne Trading Co</b>. & <b>Whole Foods Market</b> - Portland; <b>Bow Street Market</b> - Freeport; and <b>Food Stop</b> - Cumberland.</span></div>
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-53060261771588992852014-02-07T12:35:00.003-08:002014-02-07T15:35:29.433-08:00SYMINGTON FAMILY ESTATES - A WEALTH OF PORT<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1970 & 2011 Vintage Ports from WARRE'S</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A WEALTH of PORT is with us in Portland <i>and throughout the state</i>! Here to remind us of that fact recently (<i>and direct from Portugal</i>) </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was Rui Ribeiro, Market Manager for </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.symington.com/section.php?id=344" target="_blank">Symington Family Estates</a></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, purveyor of (among others), </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warre's</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Port, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Altano</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> wines & <b>Madeira</b>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Port has its origins in northern Portugal's Douro Valley, a land of rocky slopes with a terroir of schist, slate and clay, high altitudes (1400 ft) and extreme temperature shifts. These unique growing conditions and the hearty varietals that grow there create wines that are rich and concentrated; and in the hands of these winemakers, ones with much finesse and elegance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Brief company history</i>: Warre & Co., one of the most highly esteemed port shipping firms in the world is also the oldest, established in 1670. The Warre family continued working in the wine trade at Oporto for over 200 years, during which time one descendant, William Warre also became a lieutenant general, defending Portugal against Napoleon's invasion. Andrew James Symington, from Scotland and a descendant of Warre's current managing director became associated with Warre's in the early 1900's after establishing himself as a well known wine merchant in the port trade. Beatrice Atkinson, whom he married in Oporto was also descended from Port producers. The Symingtons remained in Portugal to manage operations in 1912, while the Warre's returned to England to look after sales. Hence today's Symington Family Estates. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a lot of </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">process</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> going on to arrive at these beautiful fortified wines. In order to set the stage and give us a feel for where the </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">structure</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> of Port wines come from, Rui first presented two <b>Altano</b> wines from the region. Made from mainly <i>Touriga Franca</i> and <i>Touriga Nacional</i>, along with Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca, these grapes are grown in Symington family-owned vineyards and used exclusively to make their wines, including their fine ruby, tawny and vintage ports. For illustration he points out that Touriga Franca has the soft characteristics of Merlot and Touriga Nacional that of Cabernet Sauvignon. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Altano Douro 2011 w/Vintage Port boxes</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the <b>Altano Douro 2011</b>, the intention is to <i>show the terroir</i> of the Douro region, where they farm sustainably and in sympatico with nature. This one, a field blend, has more saturated fruit on nose with brighter, fresh cherry notes on the palate. The <b>Altano Organic 2009</b> has ripe cherry on the nose with a softer mouth feel and elegant, well integrated layers of fruit & earth. This is made exclusively from their organically grown grapes, mainly Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional. Aged 10 months in French oak. I liked this one a lot!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With this we move on to the Ports! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a nutshell ...</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> they're m</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ade in the Douro Valley and shipped to the town of Vila Nova de Gaia (a "port" town) to their vast lodges where they are bottled and stored. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Douro, g</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rapes are allowed to ferment approximately 48 hours (just a short time to achieve such color and extraction of fruit), </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">until the unfermented sugars in the wine arrive at the desired sweetness. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A small amount of brandy (grape spirit/77% alcohol) is added at that point to block the <a href="https://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=69&codSeccao=2&idioma=1" target="_blank">fermentation process</a>. <i><span style="color: #741b47;">Ruby ports</span></i> are youthful and vibrant, arrived at by blending young wines from different vintages, then aged an average of 3 years in seasoned oak before being blended, filtered and bottled with a "T" cork, signifying it's ready to drink. <i><span style="color: #741b47;">Tawny ports</span></i> are also made from a blend of grapes from several different vintages, but can be aged in wood for as long as 40 years and have the earthy "tawny" color. They're also ready to drink (T cork). With Warre's tawnys, the profile or taste of the wines stays the same year after year, and they have a dedicated taster to make sure this is so. The blend must also retain a certain amount of young vintage to retain freshness, <i>their signature</i>. <span style="color: #741b47; font-style: italic;">Vintage ports,</span> generally most sought after, are made from grapes of a single vintage. These come from the best vintages and best sites, and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the case of a late bottled vintage port, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on a <i>declared year</i> . A </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">declared year</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is one with almost perfect growing conditions. Vintage ports are aged in wood for 2 years and remainder of aging time is in the bottle. A traditional cork is used here, signifying aging potential. Vintage ports should also be enjoyed within a few days for optimum experience. Rubys & tawnys may be kept for much longer. On to the wines ... <i>a highlight of what was tasted!</i></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warre's Fine White Port</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. An entry level white Port made with white grape varietals. This one exhibits a gorgeous golden color and dare I say retsina-like (</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the finest sense</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) tanginess on the nose. On the palate, almonds and lightly floral. Off-dry. Lovely. In Portugal this is often enjoyed as a "Portini", a cocktail with soda & ice. I for one cannot wait to try that in my garden this summer!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Rui Ribeiro (right) & Sam Brown, Pine State Beverage Co.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heritage Ruby Port</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> has hints of anise or black licorice on the olefactories, with more opulent, lush fruit & spice. This aged 3 yrs. in larger wood vats. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will take a moment to interject, that </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in addition to a broad spectrum of tastes </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of these fortified wines,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the COLOR range was stunning. From gorgeous golden straw (white port), deep but brilliant ruby red (ruby port), earthy woody, sienna brown/reds (tawny ports), salmon color w/ rose overtones (1970 vintage port) and a powerhouse of deep dark burgundy with purple overtones (2011 vintage port).</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warre's OTIMA 20 yr old port</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">King's Tawny Port </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">expresses itself in light caramel, nutty and honey tones and juicy fruit. Aged in smaller barrels. Recommended pairing with apple pie & vanilla ice cream!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>OTIMA 20 year old Tawny Port</b> shows the sienna brown/salmon hue with whiffs of harvest green apple, along with floral, apricot, toffee and vanilla notes on the tongue. Deeper with more subtlety & complexity than the 10 year, it was also silky in texture and breathed finesse. Rui recommends serving the tawny's at cooler temps (55 degrees) to bring forward freshness, elegance and lessen the alcohol taste. The 20-yr is purported to show best the DNA of the Douro and sees a higher influence of wood. The name OTIMA or Optimum/top wine, observed to be a great tawny with a more feminine, elegant approach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a beauty! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a rich, ripe more robust experience you may want to try the </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warre's Warrior </b><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ruby Range </b><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Port</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. This is a reserve ruby aged 4-5 years in big vats. Velvety soft with deep ripe fruits such as dark cherry & raspberry, along with hint of green pepper & spice. Lush & rich. This port maintains a consistent profile through the years. Enjoy with CHOCOLATE.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2002 LBV Port</b> was another of my favorites and reportedly to be of Best Value. LBV signifies late bottle vintage. This is woodier in color, with hints of fig & licorice on nose and subtler notes of rose petal, violets, plum and white pepper to taste. Luxurious fruit and mouth feel. There is an indigenous herb that grows in the Douro called the "rock rose", which definitely comes through in this wine. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aged 4-6 years in wood, <i>then bottled</i>, this has great potential for aging in your cellar. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfiltered, it should be decanted through fine cheese cloth. Or a</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sk one of your favorite restaurants if they might have it as a beautiful wine by the glass!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At Top of the East/Westin - tasters pondering !</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While not a declared year, the <b>1998 Quinta da Cavadinha Port</b> was I felt, beautifully integrated and complex. Seriously earthy red in color with caramel & hints of woody perennials on the nose. Unique, even medicinal in quality. Blackberry fruit & cherry. Aged in wood 2 years, then bottled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Warre's Vintage Ports/1980's</b>: All <i>declared years</i>. 88 and 91 points respectively from Wine Spectator.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1980 Vintage Porto</b> has saturated color, a rich nose of black berries, concentrated fruit <i>like an emperor</i>, stunning, delicious dark cherry. Resonance. <i>Another stand-out</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1983 Vintage Porto</b> was lighter in color with a dryer finish, lovely perfume. Concentrated berry flavors. Vintage from a warm year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1985 Vintage Porto</b>, ruby color with earthy overtones. Charcoal on the nose. Plum fruit. Chocolate overtones. Nicely balanced. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vintage Ports 1994 & 1997</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warre's Vintage Ports/1990's</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: 95 and 94 points respectively from Wine Spectator.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1994 Vintage Porto</b> was a great year for port wine and this one has great aging potential according to our host, Rui. Deep earthy in color, this exhibits brighter fruit on the nose. Vibrant! With coffee notes, viscose , rich and centered - like a gem in a great fur coat (<i>if that makes any sense ... it's what came to mind!</i>) Full bodied and velvety, long finish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1997 Vintage Porto</b>. This one is younger and expresses itself in a less complex way. A little racier. Dark ruby in color, spice. Perhaps a bit more time for this one?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last 2 pairings of vintage port tasted were the 1970 & 2011 ... what contrast!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Warre's 1970 Vintage Porto</b>.<b> </b>This was much more understated and I adored it for that and many other reasons ... its salmon color with rose overtones, seamless apricot fruits, cassis, finesse personified. Silky, heaven. Underlying opulence. Photo that begins article shows it in glass on the left, where the color actually appeared ligher/more delicate in person. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.warre.com/" target="_blank">Warre's 2011 Vintage Porto.</a></b> A complete powerhouse and purported to be a <i>Best Year</i>. Same photo shows it in glass on right. Color is deep dark regal burgundy with hues of purple. Bold flavors of dark plum, chocolate and spice waft from the glass. Intensity & structure. Recommended best from 2030 through 2060, if that says anything!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These Vintage ports would make an amazing addition to ones' cellar and are available in a beautiful wooden box 6-pack case (1 each, 1970, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1994 & 1997) through the Importer, <b><a href="http://www.vineyardbrands.com/" target="_blank">Vineyard Brands Selections</a></b> and through <b>Pine State Beverage Co.</b> here in Maine. Ask your local retailer about this to place your order. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Sam Brown (Pine State Bev Co) with Rui Ribeiro (Symington Family Estates)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For <i>a</i> <i>highlight </i>of venues where you may find or order these wines: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Portland</b>: Rosemont Market, Whole Foods, Discount Beverage, Local 188, Petit Jacqueline, Street & Co. & Boones Fish House; </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Freeport</b>: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bow St. Market</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, Freeport Trading Co & Conundrum Wine Bistro; <b>Brunswick</b>, Tess's Market</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Scarborough</b>: The Cheese Iron, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lois' Natural Marketplace, Oak Hill Beverage</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Kennebunk</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Downeast Wine Imports; <b>York</b>, The Clown; <b>Wells</b>, Tully's; <b>Kittery</b>, Golden Harvest; <b>Raymond</b>, Good Life Market</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Blue Hill</b>: Blue Hill Wine Shop, Arborvine and Brooklin Inn in <b>Brooklin</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ellsworth</b>: John Edwards Market & Rooster Brother </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hancock</b>, Crocker House Country Inn; <b>Southwest Harbor</b>, Sawyer's Specialties; <b>Bar Harbor</b>, A & B Naturals</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Belfast</b>, The Gothic, Vinolio; <b>Camden</b>, Lily Lupine & Fern; <b>Rockland</b>, The Wine Cellar; <b>Vinalhaven</b>, Island Spirits</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Boothbay Harbor</b>, Oak St. Provisions; <b>Wiscasset</b>, Treat's; <b>Bath</b>, Now You're Cooking;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lewiston</b>, The Vault; <b>Farmington</b>, Upfront Pleasant Gourmet</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Seek some of these out and taste for yourself!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-54575210111775006762014-01-03T07:40:00.000-08:002014-02-04T08:21:43.608-08:00 Château de Lavernette GRANIT - Sparkling Gamay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>GRANIT</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Réserve de Lavernette</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brut Nature</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Burgundy, France</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">100% Gamay</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sparkling Gamay??? FABULOUS! ... </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Super lively bubbles and the lightest lemon gold in color, this is soft and saline, with hints of anjou pear on the nose and palate. "Schisty", lovely and clean, this sparkler is somehow creamy and yet ultimately bone dry. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">C'est Magique</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">! A pleasant herbaceousness resounds, along with subtle citrus and oh so clean and minerally. The subtlest hints of green apple and anise emerge with warmer temperature, while a soft playful mouthfeel persists. What a way to start the New Year! $22.99/btl @<b>Aurora Provisions</b>, Pine St., Portland.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twelve and thirteen generations of winemakers have passed on their passion for wine and knowledge of terroir at the vineyards of Château de Lavernette</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Working both organically and biodynamically, they make high quality wines in the most pure and natural way possible, with ultimate respect for nature and the environment. Located in the region of Burgundy, France, where Macon and Beaujolais intersect, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lavernette.com/?lang=en" target="_blank"><b>Château de Lavernette</b></a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is owned by the family de Boissieu, descendants of the family de Lavernette.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was delighted to experience this sparkling wine (blanc de noir) made from a grape usually associated with the still wine Beaujolais. Made in the traditional "méthode Champenois", the grapes are harvested by hand and pressed in whole clusters for the base wine. Yeast & sugar are added for "tirage", then bottled, where it is aged and fermented. No "liqueur de dosage" is added, which is why it is called Brut Nature (Extra Dry Wine), and <i>only the smallest amounts</i> of sulfur dioxide added.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is perfect for any Celebration and may be enjoyed all by itself. However, paired with seafood such as oysters or shellfish would be a delight. The winemakers also recommend fondue, sushi, tempura, soufflé, crepes or quiche, or perhaps simply accompanying a variety of soft cheeses, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hard, salty or soft.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This wine comes to us from <b>CRUSH Distributors</b>, Portland, ME through <b><a href="http://www.vintage59.com/" target="_blank">VINTAGE '59 Imports</a></b>, Washington, DC. Also available locally at <b>Browne Trading Co</b>., Commercial St., <b>RSVP</b>, Forest Ave. & <b>Rosemont Market/Munjoy</b>, Portland.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>In Paris</b></i> their wines are carried by Cavistes (wine shops), some bistro type. As follows: <b><a href="http://www.lecavistebio.sitew.com/#Home.A" target="_blank">Le Caviste Bio</a>, Les Domaines qui Montent, La Part des Anges (Bures-sur-Yvetty)</b> and <b>La New Cave</b>. Granit may also be found in cities around the world including <b>Copenhagen, Luxembourg, Tokyo, London, Bruxelles</b> and <b>Amsterdam</b>. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Château de Lavernette is a small domaine with small allocations of wines. In France, wine may be ordered directly from them as well.</span><br />
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-58785956675794832222013-12-09T14:30:00.002-08:002014-02-04T08:37:44.810-08:00POCHI * CHILEAN CUISINE & WINE BAR - Wilmington<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: black;">Viña Ventisquero Grey </span></span></span><span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: x-small;">Carmenérè</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: black;"> with Paila Marina (seafood stew) </span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Just back from a weekend excursion to Wilmington, DE. If you've never been there (</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">and I hadn't</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">!), the downtown area is a diamond in the rough, with an arts, cultural and culinary scene bubbling just under the surface. LOMA, referring to the lower Market St. area, has glimpses of architectural renovation along with Art Schools and performing spaces such as the Delaware Art Museum, Grand Opera House, World Cafe' Live at the Queen and Dupont Theatres, to name a few.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">My travel companions and I were truly lucky to discover one of Wilmington's Gems, "Pochi", a Chilean restaurant & wine bar. Owner Patricia and her husband Braulio, also known as “Pochitos” (</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">where I assume the name is derived from</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">), have created a warm, intimate environ, replete with sensational smells, tastes and visual appeal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While their generous list included wines from France, Italy, Spain, California, New Zealand and Argentina, I was excited to taste Chilean wines from their selections, paired with their delicious dishes. Pictured above is the <a href="http://www.ventisquero.com/nuestros-vinos/ventisquero/grey/carmenere/" target="_blank">Viña Ventisquero Grey Carmenérè Single Block</a> paired with <b>Paila Marina</b>, a seafood stew rife with mussels, clams, scallops and shrimp in a flavorful clear broth of warm earthy spices. Perfectly married here with the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carmenérè, a deep garnet in color with earthy, ripe fruit on the nose</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and palate, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">such as plum & blackberry</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and perhaps an undertone of chocolate/bark/tobacco, and long smooth finish to fill ones senses. A fair amount of complexity and beautifully integrated, this is a modern wine with the old world character that I love. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Viña Ventisquero</i> is a relatively new winery established in 2000 in the coastal Maipo Valley, headed by winemaker Felipe Tosso. Other land was later acquired in the Casablanca and Apalta Valleys and the estate grapes come from these "Blocks". Wines are small production and terroir driven ... <i>and characteristic of wines I am continually drawn to</i>! Imported by <b>The Vintner Group</b>, Ashland, VA.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Patricia, owner of Pochi</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Our gracious waiter</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Patricia and her staff were completely accommodating as I left my dining companions briefly to ponder their dinner choices while I bellied up to the bar to taste a few things. I tried two Sauvignon Blancs, the </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">EQ Matetic</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tabali </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reserve. The Tabali was refreshing with distinct grapefruit notes, while the EQ Matetic had a bit more complexity, with hints of tropical fruit and floral essences. Nice structure and elegance. Organic </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> biodynamically farmed grapes. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Bar patron enjoying the mussels!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ultimately started with the <b>Santa Digna Cabernet Rose'</b> 2012 from <b>Miguel Torres</b>, Central Valley. A brilliant cerise in color and lively berries on the palate such as cherry, cranberry and boysenberry. This one is no shrinking violet! Full-bodied with great acidity and dry finish. I struck up a conversation with another patron at the bar who was having the bucket of mussels and immediately thought ...this rose' would work beautifully with the strong earthy flavors of the mussels, warm with hints of cilantro. And so it was! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Santa Digna Cab Rose' 2012</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Santa Digna is certified "Fair Trade", and essentially means: </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pay fair value for raw materials</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">provide decent working conditions for collaborators</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">preserve the environment</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Values to which Miguel Torres adheres.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have obviously only touched on a few highlights from my visit here, but hopefully enough to wet your whistle and go see for yourself! Patricia and her staff are sure to offer you a warm welcome and create an experience custom made for you!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Bucket of Mussels w/Santa Digna Cab Rose'</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://pochiwinebar.com/" target="_blank">CHILEAN CUISINE & WINE BAR</a></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">220 W 9th Street, Wilmington DE 19801</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(302) 384-6654</span></div>
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-51194561915134714982013-11-20T09:21:00.000-08:002013-11-20T09:23:53.526-08:00TENUTA LA LUMIA CADETTO <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>TENUTA BARONE </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NICOLO</b><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> LA LUMIA</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CADETTO NERO D'AVOLA 2010</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sicilia (Licata) IGT, Italy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">100% Nero d'Avola</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Here is another one for the Fall ... moving into winter months</i>. Deep ruby garnet in color with edges of burnt umber, like the earthy autumnal forest floor. Scent of aged balsamic and cedar, along with hints of incense/ash & anise spice waft from the glass to meet the nose. In a while, raspberry briar, boysenberry and ripe fig become apparent. On the palate, deep bing cherry, plum and dark wild berries, with a powerful yet integrated explosion of fruits and herbaceous woody herbs. Bright and spicy on the mid tongue releasing into warm earthy tones. This one is rich and layered given a little time in the glass, with a lean yet voluptuous finish. Amore! Enjoy with roasted meats, pasta with red sauce and portabello mushrooms, rustic cheeses ... or Chocolate! $17.99/btl. @ <b>Rosemont Market, </b>Yarmouth.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Estate of <span style="text-align: start;">Barone Nicoló La Lumia</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The family estate of Barone Nicoló La Lumia is located in southwest Sicily on the Licata plains overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and Continent of Africa. Indeed, the home around which the farm/vineyards is centered was built in Arab style of architecture by the Lumia family in the 18th century. They use only indigenous estate grown grapes to make their wines, creating such purity and intensity of complex and beautifully integrated flavors. In addition to Nero d'Avola, Inzolia, Nerello, Mascalese and Frappato are grown. Baron Nicolo 'and his son Salvatore are committed to carrying on the ancient traditions and knowledge of their ancestors while being mindful of the need for constant evolution in their winemaking. The unique terroir of this hilly Sicilian land bordering the coast certainly shines through in this wine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imported by <b>Tricana Inc</b>., Plainville, NY. Distributed in Maine by <b>Wicked Wines</b>, Bangor, ME.</span><br />
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-47934677896142846202013-11-06T09:27:00.000-08:002014-02-04T08:33:40.462-08:00Mas d'Alezon Faugères<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mas d'Alezon </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Faugères 2010</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Le Presbytère</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Languedoc, France</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">80% Grenache, 20% blend of Syrah & Mourvèdre</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First off to all of my loyal readers, thank you for your patience during this lapse of time between articles! This does <i>not</i> mean I have not been tasting wines .... au contraire!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This wine from the Languedoc region of southern France is deep black red garnet in color. Autumnal! At first opening, earthy humus with underlying briar and incense (even graphite), along with brighter dark cherry notes on the nose and tongue. Also, hints of rhubarb and eucalyptus, with a distinctive vibrancy on the surface. With time the Syrah and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mourvèdre emerge with a more saturated balsamic, sweet anise and sherry on the nose. Ripening fruits such as blackberry, plum and raisins, along with subtle spice perfume mingle with the resonant barnyard funk, even some black pepper on the palate. Smooth mouth feel. Give this one some breathing time and you will experience how it evolves. <i>Mercurial</i>! Love it with perhaps </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">boeuf bourguignon, duck or even Thanksgiving turkey? $16.99/btl @ <b>Rosemont Market </b>- Yarmouth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The property Mas d'Alezon is comprised of 7 hectares located in the high altitudes in the northern corner of Faugères in southern France, with its omnipresent schist and metamorphic rock. "It is believed that these Paleozoic rocks in </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faugères give birth to wines of finesse and austerity". <i>I couldn't agree more in this case</i>. Mas d'Alezon</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was acquired in 1997 by the vigneronne Catherine Roque. She grows plots of 70 year old Grenache and 80 year old </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mourvèdre. Grapes ripen very slowly here due to a combination of infertile soils and cool micro-climate. <i>This terroir really comes through the wine</i>. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her vineyard is certified organic and she tends them biodynamically to enhance the health of the soil and vines. A winning combination!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imported by <a href="http://www.winetraditions.com/mas-dalezon/" target="_blank"><b>Wine Traditions, Ltd</b>.</a>, Falls Church, Virginia; Distributed in Maine by <b>Wicked Wines</b>, Bangor, ME; Find this wine locally at <b>Rosemont Market - Yarmouth & Brighton stores</b>, ME. </span></div>
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Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-12135212903403571222013-08-26T13:34:00.000-07:002013-08-29T03:50:45.250-07:00SUMMER ROSE' - French . Italian . Greek . Spanish!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here it is the end of summer, and I'm just now getting to review some fun and fabulous </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">R</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">osé.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> There is still plenty of time to enjoy these lovely and festive wines ... into the autumn and beyond! Being a colorist as well, I've lined them up from lighter to more saturated <i>palette</i>, which perhaps not uncoincidentally also translates into tasting <i>palate</i>. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence <span style="text-align: start;">r</span><span style="text-align: start;">osé</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Domaine Houchart</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cotes de Provence R</b></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">osé</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> 2012</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Aix-en-Provence, France</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon & Mourvedre.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lovely light salmon pink in color, this </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">r</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">osé</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is clean, refreshing and surprisingly light given such a blend of varietals! Subtly floral with hints of raspberry fruit and minerality on the nose, along with a quiet explosion of fresh berries and cream on the tongue. Expressively pleasant, creamy, lush and lean. <i>Classic Provençal Rose</i>'. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Domaine Houchart is owned by Geneviève Quiot. Located at the foot of Mont Sainte Victoire near Aix-en-Provence, it was acquired originally in the 1850's by her great-grandfather Aurelien Houchart, friends with the famous French painter Paul Cézanne, who often came to visit and to no doubt share a few glasses of wine!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Available for under $14/btl at all <b>Rosemont Markets</b>, <b>RSVP</b>, <b>Boones Fish House & Oyster Room </b>and<b> Downeast Beverage, </b>Portland. <b>Perkins & Perkins</b>, Ogunquit. <b>Cape Porpoise Kitchen</b>, Kennebunkport. <b>Black Sheep</b> in Harpswell. From <b>Devenish Wines</b>. Imported by <b>USA Wine Imports</b>, New York.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Terredora DiPaolo </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Rosaenovae Rosato</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Terredora DiPaolo</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Rosaenovae Rosato 2012</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Irpinia D.O.C. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Campania, Italia</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">100% Aglianico</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A brighter steely salmon pink in color, this wine is understated and elegant, even a little racy! A mix of minerals and earth, this is clean and refreshing with calcite & schist on the nose, wild strawberries, apricot, white peaches and essence of roses on the palate. Very beautiful modern style made with a very old world varietal, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Aglianico". This is </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the same used in making the wine of that name, only with brief contact with the skins of the grapes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The winery is owned by the Mastroberardino Family since 1978. They have been instrumental in rediscovering and reviving Campania's ancient grape varietals (<i>one of which is Aglianico</i>). I was honored to meet Daniela Mastroberardino recently at a tasting of their wines at Rosemont Market (see photos below), an articulate and passionate spokesperson for their wines. Look for a more in-depth article of the Terradora wines in a future article!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Rosaenovae Rosato</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is available exclusively at </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rosemont Market</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">s for under $14/btl . </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They loved it so much they bought it all!</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Imported by </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">VIAS Imports</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, New York. Distributed by <b>Pine State Beverage Co</b>., Gardiner, ME</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Domaine Skouras</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ZOE Rosé 2012</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Argos, Greece</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">70% Aghiorghitiko, 30% Moscofilero</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deep brilliant cerise in color ... <i>not unlike Dorothy's ruby slippers</i>, this wine is OCEAN on the nose, lively and vibrant. With candied fruit, this is completely crisp and refreshing on the palate with juicy wild berries, watermelon and hint of lime citrus for acidity. Such a mouthful! So lush with a bit of spice, yet so lean, easy and clean. Celebrate with friends, enjoy with Paella or a soft, creamy cheese!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Established in 1986 by Dijon-trained winemaker George Skouras, Domaine Skouras is located in the village of Argos, in the region of Nemea in Peloponnese, Greece. They source their grapes from their own vineyards as well as dedicated growers in the region. Estate bottled and terroir-driven, these wines are enjoyed in Greece and around the world. Printed on the bottle ... "ZOE = LIFE = HAPPINESS"!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From <b>Central Distributors</b>, Lewiston, ME. and <b>MS Walker, Fine Wines & Spirits</b>. Imported by <b>Diamond Wine Selections</b>, Chicago, IL. Available for under $14/btl at <b>RSVP</b> and <b>Old Port Wine Merchants</b>, Portland. <b>Trattorina Athena</b> in Brunswick. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Abadia de la Oliva Rosado</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bodega Abadia de la Oliva</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Rosado 2012</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Navarre, Spain</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">100% Garnacha</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bright deep cherry in color, with apple and watermelon on the nose, here is a huge mouthful of juicy fruits such as bing cherry and kiwi with cherry cola and earthy bark underneath. Completely clean and dry on the finish, brisk and refreshing. Perfect for barbecue or picnic!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The winery was originally the Monastery of La Oliva, located in northern Spain near the Pyrenees, h</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ousing </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">an order of Cistercian monks who</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> were dedicated to agriculture, making bread and wine used in liturgies, as well as olive oil. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Motifs on the ancient architecture depict their daily work - labors of the grape harvest and vine imagery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From <b>Wicked Wines</b>, Bangor, ME. Imported by <b>C&P Wines</b>, New York. Available for under $12/btl at <b>Rosemont Markets/Yarmouth & Brighton</b> in Portland, <b>Bangor Wine & Cheese</b>, <b>Shephard's Pie</b> in Camden and <b>Vic & Wits</b>, Saco. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Daniela Mastroberardino of Terredora DiPaolo & Michael Burke, VIAS Imports</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daniela Masterberardino of Terradora di Paolo Winery (<i>with a bottle of Fiano</i>) and Michael Burke, representative for VIAS Imports (<i>with </i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Rosaenovae Rosato</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> before a recent tasting of her wines at Rosemont Market/Brighton in Portland.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Daniela Mastroberardino of Terredora DiPaolo</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Domaine Skouras ZOE <span style="text-align: start;">r</span><span style="text-align: start;">osé with Morbiere cheese</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A glass of the ZOE rosé in outside garden setting ... with some morbiere cheese and late summer light! Enjoy them all!</span></div>
Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4137063966179191979.post-39278572898410335272013-07-28T11:01:00.000-07:002013-07-28T11:01:02.724-07:00DEVENISH SUMMER WINES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Clos Cibonne Tibouren Rose' 2011</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">DEVENISH SUMMER WINES</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Sunday afternoon was one of those gorgeous days of summer, perfect for a wine tasting at our local <b>Rosemont Market</b> (Munjoy Hill) - Portland, and hosted by the illustrious Ned Swain of <b>DEVENISH Wines</b>. And such a fabulous and unique line-up ... wines from France, Italy, California and Slovenia!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had been excited to try the Cru Classe' (<i>top rated chateau/growth</i>) <b>Clos Cibonne Tibouren Rose' 2011 </b>from<b> </b>Côtes de Provence</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. What a treat! Made from 100% Tibouren, a rare/indigenous grape from Provence on the Mediterranean, this was exquisite in every way. Amazing salmon pink in color, this wine had blossoms, wild berries and sherry on the nose and palate, possessing that "old World" depth that I love. Lush yet ultimately clean/austere mouth feel. Heavenly. Herbaceous, one might say <i>eucalyptus</i> in the back. Sexy & understated, you feel like you're sipping sherry with a refreshingly lively illusiveness! Aged in 100 year old oak barrels, which explains those sherry tones. Imported by <b>De Maison Selections, Inc</b>. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not inexpensive but worth it. $26.99/btl. Available at <b>Rosemont Munjoy Hill</b>. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Tasting DEVENISH Wines at Rosemont Market - Munjoy Hill, Portland</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Cantina de Srobara "Nicchia" NV Lambrusco</span></span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cantina di Sorbara "Nicchia" NV Lambrusco</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> from Emilia Romagna, Italy is a super fun, lively sparkling red with mixed bright berry flavors of raspberry, blackberry, black cherry. Subtly sweet with great acidity and clean, vibrant, zingy finish. Lambrusco is the grape and the wine is named for Virginia Oldoini, the Countess of Castiglione, fondly nicknamed "Nicchia". She is apparently credited with having surprising political power, in the 19th centured hailed as unifying Italy and helping prevent "post-Franco-Prussian was occupation of Paris". Well okay! This is completely affordable and delicious at $11.99/btl. Wine to share and celebrate! Imported by <b>T. Edwards Wines</b>, New York.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Ned Swain (DEVENISH Wines) pouring Nicchia Lambrusco</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also featured, from <b>Matthew Rorick Wines Valdiguie 2012</b>. Slightly tannic in a youthful sense, with notes of twig, forest floor, blackberry & raspberry followed. Refreshing and quaffable. Valdiguie is a rare grape varietal grown by Matthew Rorick at his vineyards in Fairfield, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">California (<i>located midway between San Francisco and Sacramento</i>). $18.99/btl. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Available at <b>Rosemont Munjoy</b> and <b>Vignola Restaurant</b>.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Matthew Rorick Valdiguie & Terminus Cotes du Rhone</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <b>Terminus </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Côtes du Rhone 2011</b> was earthy, with dark fruit and elderberry. Classic peppery notes. A red Rhone blend, mainly with Grenache. This is completely approachable in terms of palate and pocketbook. $10.99/btl. Imported by <b>T. Edwards Wines</b>, New York.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNihbGlfYlINYZej_XYuSpZ8i0vw1-EX57tA8tirN4POZryjZqjZsIE7J4Qw4CPISAoFIa2A0gIw4njpOvy7sO6bLDowM1epArhWik6KOZ3qiogVoknufhQ4HGOSqwrXO5yoccMZkh6Ci/s1600/Crnko+5_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNihbGlfYlINYZej_XYuSpZ8i0vw1-EX57tA8tirN4POZryjZqjZsIE7J4Qw4CPISAoFIa2A0gIw4njpOvy7sO6bLDowM1epArhWik6KOZ3qiogVoknufhQ4HGOSqwrXO5yoccMZkh6Ci/s400/Crnko+5_web.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tasting actually began with </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> Črnko </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jarenincan 2012</b> from Stajerska, Slovenia (<i>here pictured back at the abode!</i>) This is a blend of Laski Rizling (Riesling), Sauvignon Blanc and Ravenec. Light lemon in color with minerals and lightly aromatic on the nose, it had hints of lush, rich fruit. Gooseberry, apricot, melon. Smooth mouth feel. Clean, delightful finish. This is considered the village white wine, and i</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">n summer the locals of Jarenincan mix it with sparkling water and drink through the day! Only 11% alcohol. $14.99/1L btl. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Produced and bottled by <b>Silvo </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Črnko</b>. Imported by <b>Blue Danube Wine Compan</b>y, Los Altos Hills, CA. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Available in Portland at </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rosemont Munjoy Hill & Brighton</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aurora Provisions,</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Le Roux Kitchen, Oh No Cafe</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">; in Brunswick at </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Local</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">; also at </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bow St. Market</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, Freeport</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Treats</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, Wiscasset</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rising Tide Market</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, Damariscotta</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rockland Food Service</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy the rest of summer!</span>Wine 24/7 - Lisa's pickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16847776678362805298noreply@blogger.com0