Category Archives: Newsletter Archive

Weekend Vinopolpick- September 7

September 7, 2013

“If the future of sherry includes a greater number of smaller-scale, independent bodegas, they would do well to follow the lead of Rey Fernando de Castilla, one of the most exciting producers in the region today.”—Peter Liem, Sherry, Manzanilla & Montilla
 

 Through many accidents of history, (sieges, revolutions and phylloxera alike) Sherry has seen several ups and downs in its production and demand. Though Sherry has a long history of serving the likes of Christopher Columbus and Shakespeare, it has been a somewhat ignored wine in history, save a small niche of devotees. Recently, Sherry has been experiencing a renaissance among consumers who realize the high quality wine being imported at great values. The versatile food-pairing options of the wines have been promoted by the producers, in league with intrigued sommeliers, helping Sherry gain new ground in the wine world, and Fernando De Castilla is, very clearly, one of those producers at the forefront of this movement. … Read the rest

Thursday Vinopolpick- Sep 5- Aube’s Finest

September 5, 2013
The Aube’s Finest
Had the political powers in the Marne gotten their way in the early 20th century, we wouldn’t even be talking now about these producers, or any Champagne produced in the Aube. As Eric Asimov wrote in his article in the New York Times, “If the evolution of the Aube seems a bit of a Cinderella story, it’s with good reason. A century ago, in 1911, riots tore through Champagne as, among other issues, the big houses in the Marne tried to exclude the Aube from the Champagne appellation. Eventually, a compromise was reached in which the Aube was granted second-class Champagne status. Even after the Marne finally, if gingerly, embraced the Aube as a full part of Champagne in 1927, none of its vineyards were designated grand cru or even premier cru, marks of quality reserved only for the Marne.”
… Read the rest

September 2nd Newsletter

September 2, 2013
OPEN TODAY!  SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS: 10AM-4PMJump Start Sale
Here tomorrow:

Chianti Classico region, Castello di Ama is central

 

Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 ($44.95) $30.90 jump start special
Ian d’Agata 92 points “Good medium-deep red.  Black cherry, redcurrant, licorice and menthol aromas are lifted by a floral element that carries through on the palate. Flavors of dark cherry, licorice and underbrush are complicated by a tarry quality.  Finishes suave and smooth, with harmonious tannins and good subtle, spicy length.  I was impressed by the purity of the sangiovese fruit, given the fact that the wine also includes cabernet franc and merlot components; chalk up another winner to the dynamic duo of Lorenza Sebaste and Marco Pallanti.”… Read the rest

Weekend Vinopolpick- August 31st

August 31, 2013
Domaine D’ArdhuyClos des Langres, home base for D’Ardhuy wine


      Some key thoughts on Burgundy from Remington Norman, writing in The World of Fine Wines:
“The more a wine derives its character from the grapes from which is it made, the greater and more reliable its individuality, and the more surely it will be marked by its origin. This latter truth forms the cornerstone of climat and its importance on the Côte d’Or.” & “Many of the Côte’s top domaines now work biodynamically and are convinced of the benefits. These include: increased purity, finer acidity, advanced fruit maturity so earlier harvesting, more regular fermentations requiring less intervention, an altogether more harmonious adaptation of plant to its environment, and most importantly, a more profound and precise expression of climat.”… Read the rest

Thursday Vinopolpick- Clos Cibonne

August 29, 2013
Clos Cibonne: Cru Classé Côtes de Provence Rosé
Le Pradet, home to Clos Cibonne
    There’s probably nowhere else on earth where the wine production focuses as much on rosé as France’s Provence.  Historical records suggest that modern dry rosé production dates back to 600 BC, when the Greeks first brought wine culture to the area.  These are some of France’s oldest vineyards, and the physical environment of Provence – with its plentiful sunshine; its mistral winds; its Mediterranean Basin soils; and its hillsides covered with wild lavender, rosemary, and thyme – is reflected in the refreshingly vibrant and zesty tart, red fruit aromas of the rosé wines made there.
    Most rosés within the Côtes de Provence AC are produced with the classic blend that typically includes some combination of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah.
… Read the rest