April 3, 2014

Brunello di Montalcino

Stock list update!

Of the three famous Tuscan wine regions producing wine from the Sangiovese grape, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG produces some of the finest, darkest and most age-worthy.  Producers here grow the Sangiovese Grosso clone, known by its local name of Brunello or ‘little dark one.’  In good vintages, the wines are full-bodied and rich, with notes of berries, vanilla, earth and spice.  

Although winemaking in Montalcino dates to the early 14th century, 100% Sangiovese Grosso wine was not first produced until the 1870s after the unification of Italy.  Before that time, winemakers in the area produced field blend wines that included both red and white grapes.  Ferruccio Biondi-Santi, considered the father of Brunello di Montalcino, was the first to vinify Brunello grapes separately.  … Read the rest

April 2, 2014

Produttori del

Barbaresco

Produttori traces its origins to the Cantine Sociali, founded in 1894 by Domizio Cavazza;  headmaster of the Royal Enological School of Alba and a Barbaresco resident deeply passionate about the area’s wines.  Cavazza was the first to formally recognize Barbaresco wine as separate from Barolo by naming it on the label.  Cavazza gathered together nine grape growers to form the cooperative and make wine together in his castle.  Winemakers in the region had discovered early that century that by using temperature control to keep the wine warmed during the winter fermentation, they could ferment it completely dry.  Cavazza developed other methods to help improve production both in the vineyard and the winery.  Sadly, the facist movement that had taken grip on Italy forced the Cantina to close in the 1920s.  … Read the rest

Gaja Ca Marcada Magari 2010 ($79.95) $51.90 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Showing spectacular traits of the vintage, the 2010 Magari (50% Merlot and 25% each Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc) is a dark and modern wine with a thick fabric of dark fruit, blackberry preserves, spice and tobacco woven tightly together. The mouthfeel is exceedingly plush and there’s a sweet oak note of toasted almond or Spanish cedar on the close. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2026.”

USA- OREGON
Boedecker “Oregon” Pinot Noir 2012 ($21.95) $17 special

Bergstrom Pinot Noir Rose 2013 ($29.95) $24 special
Bergstrom Pinot Noir Silice Vineyard 2012 ($69.95) $59 special

Crowley Wines Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2012 ($24.95) $21.90 special Vinopolpick
Wow!… Read the rest

Burgundy is no stranger to challenging growing seasons, its complex weather patterns, with a multitude of wind, rain, sometimes hail, other times frost and, of course, its celebrated sun, always provides new challenges and pleasures for winemakers. And 2010 is no exception, shaping up to be one of those remarkable vintages in which weather patterns conspire to produce wines of outstanding quality in some of Europe’s most famous wine regions.… Read the rest

March 27, 2014

Tempranillo
Spain’s Chameleon Grape

Known as Cencibel, Tinto del Pais and several other synonyms throughout Spain, Tempranillo is the foundation of Spanish red wine. From Rioja to La Mancha, this black grape variety is widely grown in its native Spain to make rich reds, providing the area with wines that can range from bright, lively, and fruit driven to dark, concentrated and spicy.

Winemaking in Spain extends back over 2,000 years, beginning with the Phoenicians. Though there are only scattered references to the name Tempranillo early on, it is likely one of Spain’s earliest varietals, its name appearing in writing dating back as far as the 13th century. Translated as ‘little early one’, Tempranillo was given this name by Spanish grape growers who observed its habit of ripening earlier than Garnacha, its traditional Spanish blending partner.… Read the rest