Champagne Feature: June 2016

June is Wedding Month!

The warm weather has arrived and marriage is in the air! Weddings and anniversary parties have been planned, invites sent out, dresses made and tuxedos tailored! Better stock up on Champagne before it’s too late. Whether to tie the knot, to celebrate the years achieved, or to commemorate a decade (or two) together in 2016, Vinopolis has your bubbles. From delicious non-vintage bottles to delectable vintage years, small-production winegrowers to famous Champagne houses, 750ML bottles to magnums (and even 375ML to jeroboams), we’ve got something for every nuptial feast. Champagnes excellent enough to impress and enliven the new in-laws, to fuel the dance floor, and to inspire memories worth reliving the following year with more Champagne! It’s as if the sacred effervescent wine were made for brides and grooms.

… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Txakoli from Ameztoi 6-2-16

Txakoli, Txakoli, Txakoli!

Txakoli (cha-kol-E) comes straight off the Atlantic coast like a refreshing rain shower in summer. Produced exclusively in Spain’s Basque Country, Txakoli matches the Basque flair for seafood and pintxos (tapas), thanks to its palette of citrus fruits, its minerality, and its crisp acidity. Vineyards of Hondarribi Zuri (white) and and Hondarribi Beltza (red) sprawl across the rugged, verdant Basque coastal hills, particularly around Getaria: This little fishing village is also home to Elcano, who finished Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe. It’s no coincidence that Txakoli offers hints of a fresh ocean breeze.

Every bar and restaurant in every Spanish Basque town serves Txakoli. They carefully pour it from several feet above a straight-walled, stemless glass, to enliven the wine with some effervescence, like the sea after a wave rolls through.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Elevee Three Martins Rose 2015 6-1-16

Elevee Winegrowers Three Martins Rose 2015 750ML ($24.95) Buy Now: $21.90 special

Elevee Martin Rose 2015Another fine rose from Tom Fitzgerald at Elevee Vineyards, who is the winemaker and GM at Alloro Vineyards.  The wine is all estate-grown Pinot Noir.  It’s just a touch lighter than the ’14, the palate shows wonderful red berry notes, racy acid and just a little something that says, “hmm, I need another sip…” Perfect summer sipper. Try with shellfish, aged cheeses, and roasted vegetables.

Now, if summer would only start! Cheers!

-Troy… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont 2011 5-31-16

Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont 2011 750ML ($37.95) Buy Now: $29 special

Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont 2011 1.5L ($69.95) Buy Now: $59 special

Produttori del Barbaresco 2011Two of us from the shop opened this 2011 Barbaresco from Produttori del Barbaresco on Thanksgiving eve, pouring little tastes as we mapped out what would become a lovely dinner with all sorts of dishes, new friends, and a wide array of wines. This one was truly one of the standouts, so much so that we had to hide the bottle so as to not drink it all before the dinner even came to fruition.

As cooking began and thirsts resurfaced, this humble bottle from the legendary Produttori estate came back to reward our efforts.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Wind Gap Old Vine ‘Soif’ Red Blend 2015 5-30-16

Soif DWIND WGAPWind Gap Old Vine ‘Soif’ Red Blend 2015 750ML ($34.95) Buy Now: $28 special

Perhaps the most subtle of Wind Gap’s current offerings and yet the most captivating. ‘Soif’ is mostly Mourvèdre sourced from the Bedrock vineyard along with smaller quantities of Petit Sirah, Zinfandel, and Carignan. Carbonic Maceration in cement tanks makes for a lively, playful presence on the palate; black fruits and licorice meld into red flowers and cherry-tinged elements. Served with a touch of a chill and make all the neighboring picnics uber-jealous. A great buy.

– Tyler

Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2015 Old Vine Red Soif is a bit darker and richer than the 2014 tasted alongside it, but it captures the same energy and vibrancy.… Read the rest