Category Archives: Newsletter Archive

Vinopolpick Thursday – Chardonnay

July 3, 2014

Chardonnay

Among the great grape varietals, Chardonnay is perhaps the world’s most highly adaptive, most planted, and most expressive of both terroir and winemaking techniques.  It can tolerate a wide variety of growing conditions, and yield superb and complex results throughout.  It tends to yield fuller bodied wines, but they vary greatly in acidity, aromas and alcohol level, depending upon its climate, ripeness and the winemaking techniques used.Chardonnay is planted throughout the numerous grape-growing regions, from the cool Kimmeridgian soils of Champagne to the sunny slopes of California and beyond.  The most highly regarded examples most often come from limestone-rich soils.  Researchers at UC Davis showed in 1991 that Chardonnay is a cross between Gouais Blanc and Pinot Noir.  
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Vinopolis June 30 Newsletter

 

June 30, 2014

Vinopolis will be CLOSED July 4th for the holiday
We will return to normal hours on
Saturday, July 5th
10AM- 6PM

Jump Start Sale
Only 12 bottles available


Taittinger Champagne Brut Reserve FIFA World Cup Edition NV ($79.95) $61.90 special
Taittinger, one of the great Champagne houses, has just released a special edition of their exceptional non-vintage wine, commemorating the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Each bottle comes packed in its own individual gift carton and has a special label, featuring holograms of ‘bouncing footballs’ in place of the standard ‘bubble’ design.

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New Week – New Arrivals


OREGON
Ransom Williammette Valley Pinot Noir Selection 2012 ($24.95) $21.90 special

Roco Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011 ($29.95) $21.90 special

Beaux Freres Beaux Freres Vineyard Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2012 ($89.95) $81.90 special

CALIFORNIA
Opus One Proprietary Red Napa Valley 2010 ($249.95) $219 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “One of the highlights among the more recent releases, the 2010 Opus One is flat-out gorgeous.… Read the rest

Weekend Vinopolpick – Cabernet Sauvignon

June 28, 2014
Cabernet Sauvignon around the World
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular and widely grown wine grapes, despite being a relative baby among varietals.  It began as a natural, spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux during the 17th century.  In 1997, UC Davis Professor Carole Meredith confirmed its parentage by DNA profiling.  Since the infamous 1976 Judgment of Paris, when a high-end California Cabernet beat a top-growth Bordeaux in a blind tasting, Cabernet has taken off beyond Bordeaux in both the New World and Old as a varietal wine or a blending partner for other traditional and non-traditional grapes. Unlike other varietals that struggle to create great wine outside of their region of origin, such as Nebbiolo, Cabernet is known for its ability to retain its basic character in new regions.
… Read the rest

Vinopolis Monday June 23 Newsletter

June 23, 2014
Jump Start Sale
 
Arrowood from the Arrowood Era:
Richard Arrowood is an iconic winemaster who has been making wine exclusively in Sonoma County for more than for 45 years. From 1974 through 1990, he created the wines for Chateau St. Jean, where he developed some of the first vineyard-designate Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon produced in Sonoma County.
The Arrowood Estate
He and his wife, Alis, founded Arrowood Winery with the 1985 vintage. Each year, they made extraordinary small-lot varietals and vineyard designates. Richard was the winemaster at Arrowood Winery until June 2010, when he resigned his position to devote himself full-time to making wines for his estate winery, Amapola Creek Vineyards and Winery.Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma 2009 ($31.95) $18 special
Wine Advocate 89 points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon packs serious punch.
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Vinopolis June 21 Newsletter

June 21, 2014
Champagne Trio
Just in time for the beautiful summer weather, we are featuring three “grower” Champagne producers.  These are winemakers that produce their own Champagne from vineyards they own and operate, rather than as negociants who buy grapes and wine from growers.

L. Aubry Fils

“One of the most original estates in Champagne.” -Peter Liem, Champagneguide.net
In Jouy-les-Reims in the Montagne de Reims region of Champagne, twin brothers run the unique Champagne estate of Aubry.  The brothers, Pierre and Philippe Aubry, worked in winemaking under their father and Pierre studied winemaking in Montpelier.   They are passionate about careful attention to their vines, tradition and historical research.  In 1986, they decided to create a special wine for their family’s bicentennial celebration in Champagne.  
… Read the rest