YOU CAN LEARN A WHOLE LOT ABOUT WINE RIGHT HERE

YOU CAN LEARN A WHOLE LOT ABOUT YOUR OWN PALATE, and that's all that really matters. Trust me on this, I know. I want to teach you.

I HAVE REPEATEDLY GOT REQUESTS for WINE CLASSES to learn more about wine and so I am going to do something about it now as I have the means and the way to do so and have I guess just been lazy about it over the years and that is my fault and I apologize for this, really I do.

SO WHAT AM I GOING TO DO about it? I am going to offer starting now a series of WINE-CLASSES here ( the first 3 are in the store on Saturdays while many of you are still asleep, enjoying the outdoors or having a nice slow wake-up in the comfort of your own homes. I am thinking about a one-and-a-half hour introduction wine-tasting starting not this Saturday.

WE WILL START AT 11:30 AM here in the back of the store and will start with a half-hour INTRODUCTION about wine.

I WILL CONDUCT THEM, I have done them for many years having started way back when I went to college after taking the very first Steven Spurrier wine-class at the Academie du Vin/ Caves de la Madeleine, in Paris, France in 1974 I believe it was? I started small and taught myself over the years how to do them, make them fun and educational all at the same time without anyone knowing it as they would all get caught up in the moment.

COST FOR THIS FIRST CLASS is $10 a person. It will be for six different wines that we will taste, and we can go from there. I will speak of the wine-food pairing possibilities, of the four components of wine ( with a 5th included sometimes ), how to taste and appreciate the wine. If I can get you all to know, understand, appreciate your own palate and realize that that is all that really matters, then I will consider my efforts to be very successful.

THE IMPORTANT THING for everyone to realize is that their palate is as important as that of anyone else. Learn it, learn that both the wines and you are living things and constantly changing, and that place and time and temperature all figure into the equation. It can be fun and you can learn to actually taste most of the flavors in the wine that you pay for.

AT THIS POINT-in-time many of you pay for a bottle of wine and only taste a third to a half of the flavors it holds, if that. That means that you are paying too much for a bottle of wine when you only taste a half of it's flavors if that! Harsh reality, let me help you change that for you. YOU WILL BE AMAZED at the difference!

PRICES MAY VARY depending on the classes. But for now they will remain at $10 a person to try six wines. WHAT AN AMAZING VALUE.

I will hold the next one the following Saturday at the same time and for the same price. The third class will be held on the following Saturday, also at the same time and at the same price.

PLEASE CALL MICHEL DUMAS OR ME ( TONY ) - 202-363-4265 and sign up now, early as I do not want to take more than twenty people at each class. The space here is limited and I do not want anyone to be inconvenienced or put-out as there are too many people here at one time.

I WILL CONTINUE to offer them HERE as there are so many things to teach you and for us to all share together. I will start work on that immediately once that I begin this first BEGINNER'S SERIES of 3 CLASSES.I am happy to conduct classes on any themes that you might be interested in. We can talk about that.

THIS IS A GREAT WAY to start 2013 : wine-food-getting to know your own palate and appreciate it, not fight it, not accept another's as your own, and move forward. CHEERS.

CALL US AT : 202-363-4265/ or email us at :anthony.quinn@clevelandparkwines.com, or :michel.dumas@clevelandparkwines.com. CHEERS!

HAPPY MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., and his day, too " I have a dream ... ".

WE HAVE ALSO FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA'S 2nd inauguration celebration whatever you may need as well. Inquire now and that way we can be ready for whatever you may want. Call : 202-363-4265. Cheers.

LAST WEEK BROUGHT MANY PEOPLE AND PRODUCTS to Cleveland Park Wines. It was an exciting week for us as we get into 2013 and move forward and ahead with our various projects. Life is good for the most part and that's encouraging. I just finished putting some " new " email addresses into our system. I LOVE when you all leave me your card because it helps to remind me of all of this as life never stops and it's hard to keep up even when we all make the most valiant efforts to do so.

WE HAVE A " new " REP , Chuck Leopold from Lanterna imports. We already know Chuck and work really well with him. Welcome on board Chuck! Thanks for the good wine-tasting/ sampling here last week.

WE SAW FOR THE 2nd time our Treasury Wine Estates rep, Lisa Barnes that used to work with me years ago at Forman Brothers distributors. Lisa showed and tasted me on some of the " new " Aussie ROSEMOUNT wines and we are now waiting to see when she can come and do an in-store wine-tasting here? That will be fun. The wines showed well, and they all have " new packaging " as well. Good way to start the " new " 2013 year - freshly!

WE WELCOMED BACK from New York some of our favorite customers : Jack and Sarah that love the CHATEAU FELICE " London Cab " dry red California red, Bordeaux wines, and now, more than ever before the reds of Spain as they just returned from a wonderful honeymoon there. Great to see you Jack and Sarah! I did not know that your full name was Jonathan, Jack?! I learn something new every day.

ONE OF THE PARTNERS of ST. ARNOLD'S Mussel Bar, Alex Herrgott made a special point to speak with me a week or so ago and introduce himself. I appreciate that, we are a tightly-knit community here an that is all very important. Nice to meet you Alex. For info on ST. ARNOLD'S go to : starnoldsmusselbar.com, 202-621-6434, 3433 Conn. Ave. N.W. Wash. D.C. N.W. 20008, 202-621-6434. The word on the street is that ST. ARNOLD'S is doing a very good job and that people like their meals and experiences there overall. Cheers, thanks Alex.

     WE DID A SUCCESSFUL BEER TASTING here this past weekend with Drew Usry of the Colorado Ales BRECKENRIDGE , mid-atlantic sales manager ( 471 Kalamath Street, Denver, Colorado, 80204, www.breckbrew.com.) Thanks Drew, we are happy to have your ales here.      FOR THE LAST THREE or so weeks the paths of Samir Dhir ( General Manager of Ardeo, Conn. Ave. Wash. D.C.www.ardeorestaurant.com, Tel: 202-244-6750 ). I first met him there when Tim was leaving and I was there with Tom Clare and the owner of ALTROCEDRO La Consulta, Mendoza, Argentina ( we sell three of the wines, I love the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Ano Cero, $19.99, 14.1% alcohol by volume, www.altocedro.com.ar) invited me to taste the Gran Reserva Malbec. It was a treat. Samir got a taste along with Tim and we all had a great time there at the bar. I look forward to working more closely with you Samir in the future. Welcome to Cleveland Park Wines & Sp irits and our lovely neighborhood, as I realize you are joining us recently from the north. Cheers.

     WE ALSO HAD Sid Dilawri, Vice-President of FILIBUSTER " Be Heard " Dual Cask Bourbon spirits, finished in French oak barrels, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, $40.99 ... here tasting ( 202-289-1414, Washington D.C. , sid@filibusterbourbon.com ). You can come back any time Sid. Call Ravi to set up another bourbon tasting. Thanks again. The two sold well when you tasted them here the other night. We have

     THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING going on here at CP WINE & SPIRITS!

     ALE / BEER / CIDERS From Santos :

       1) Oatmeal Stout Dark from Fine Colorado Ales BRECKENRIDGE Brewery ( On Special for $10.99 a 6pack, 4.9% alcohol by volume, 471 Kalamath St. Denver, CO. 80204, 303-623-BREW ) : " Dark and Dreamy ... Smooth in Character ". Cheers. Tasted mighty fine to me. Great winter brew ale. Cheers.

2) Bifrost Winter Ale from ELYSIAN ( On Special for $10.99 a 6-pack, 7.5% alcohol by volume, www.elysianbrewing.com ) : " A bold and smooth winter warmer - named for the mythical bridge connecting the mortal world to the heavens. Hops : simcoe, Amarillo, East Kent Goldings, Styrian Goldings... malts : pale, Munich, Crystal. " Try some. Cheers.

3) 950 Cuvee Quadruple Hopped Belgian Blond Ale from ABDIJ-ABBEY " Affligem " ( $10.99 a 1 Pt. 9.4 Fl. Oz bottle, 750ml bottle, 6.8% alcohol by volume, product of Belgium ), founded in 1062. History, tradition and great taste and flavors!

4) Avec les Bons Voeux de la BRASSERIE DUPONT, Vieille Bier sur lie, non-filtre, non-filtered ( $10.99 a 1 Pt. 9.4 Fl. Oz bottle, 750ml bottle, 9.5% alcohol by volume, product of Belgium, ) brewed and bottled by Brss. Dupont, Tourpes. Cheers.

LIQUOR - LIQUEUR From Ravi :

1) Natural Cherry from GRAND MARNIER limited -Release Liqueur ( On Special for $36.99 a 750ml bottle, 40% alcohol by volume, Louis-Alexandre Marnier . Facebookcom/GrandMarnier ) is " new and exciting ! "

2) Opal Nera Original Black Liqueur alla Sambuca ( $20.99, 40% alcohol by volume, Ghemme, Italy, www.opalnera.com, ) : " Sensual, Seductive, Satisfying, Smooth. Intense anise with a hint of lemon. Serve straight or over ice with a twist ". Cheers. It's a beautiful " new " package for a " classic " Italian product from SAMBUCA.

LIQUOR :

1) Jonge 100% Grain Neutral Spirits Young Genever Gin from BOOMSMA ( $21.99, 40% alcohol by volume, from Leeuwarden, Holland, ) has been made since 1883 and we are thrilled to have it here. GREAT PRICE, affordable, how refreshing!!!!

2) RON VIEJO De CALDAS Rum, Aged 3 Years ( $18.99 a 750ml bottle, 40% alcohol by volume, product of Columbia, ) is made by the Industria Licorera de Caldas. We are pleased to have it as rum is such a hot category these days. This one has been made since 1928, that's a whole lot of history for you! Cheers.

   3) Premium Vodka Triple Distilled from 100% Pure Grain by ERISTOFF ( On Special for $9.99 a 750ml bottle, 40% alcohol by volume, imported from France ) : go to : www.eristoff.com . WOW : What a GREAT DEAL!!! Try some while we still have it!!!!!

     4) Experimental Collection 23 year old Giant French Oak Barrel from the BUFFALO TRACE Distillery ( $72.99 a 375ml bottle, - ONLY 4 BOTTLES AVAILABLE - greatbourbon@buffalotrace.com - 1-866-729-3722 ) has got so much detailed info on the front label! Come and get one of these 4 bottles available to us. Just came in earlier today.

    WINES from Michel and Tony :

1) Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from the TEN SISTERS , a Single Vineyard in Marlborough, New Zealand ( On Special for $12.99, regularly $16.99 a bottle, 13% alcohol by volume,www.TenSisters.co.nz ) has ten sisters and one brother. Look closely at the label. A family operation and we have Ellie here of the family to remind us how good it is : like the French dry whites from the Loire Valley - excellent! Love it!!

2) Shiraz 60% / 40% Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 dry red blend from 100 Year-Old Vines in Australia's Barossa Valley , from HEATH WINES ( On Special for $21.99 a bottle, regularly $34.99, 15% alcohol by volume ) : this is a treat and we have a few bottles here for you all : first-come, first-serve. Cheers.

3) 80% Gaglioppo, 10% Nerello Cappuccio, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot from SCAVIGNA, this " Vigna GARRONE " 2004 ( On Special for $21.99, regularly $39.99 ) is a great , classic style of an Italian food red, with a flavorful meal, a " Super- Calabrian red blend from southern Italy. We have a few bottles left so , again, first-come/first-serve. Come and get some and drink the very best!

4) " Tigiolo " Rosso Veronese IGT from Begali Lorenzo ( On Special for $23.99, www.begaliwines.it ) is a steal. You should get some : a ridiculous price and value for this excellent 2008, 14.5% alcohol by volume. Again, limited availability. Don't delay. Cheers.
5) 2009 DOMAINE LA CROIX CHAPTAL " Les Terrasses " du Larzac, Languedoc, southwest France red blend of Grenache and Carignan ( $19.99, 13% alcohol by volume ) is a mouthful and a hearty food wine for this weather - a blend of 38% Carignan, 38% Grenache and 24% Syrah. Great with a lamb, pork or duck dish, even beef. Cheers. Go to : www/lacroixchaptal.com for more info.

PHILIPP and CLAUDIA just came from Switzerland to buy some wines for this evening before heading back to Switzerland soon. I got them to try red wines from Gabrielle Rausse , the Blue Nose Zin and some of the great Ridge Three Valleys, too. We will see what they like. It was fun to sell to them both : open to " new " ideas, and I sent them home with the wine maps of Virginia with addresses and all. Cheers , prost, sante, chin chin Philipp and Claudia! Have a great visit!

WEEKLY - WEDNESDAY STILL-WINE SALE : 3-Part, January 16th, 2013 : ALL DAY LONG! Call if you cannot come, pay and have it delivered or collect it later at your convenience ( 202-363-4265 ) :

1) BUY ANY Still/non-sparkling wine over $20 and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker price.

2) BUT 6 or more still wines/ non-sparkling and SAVE 15% OFF the marked sticker prices.

3) BUY 12 or more bottles of still wine/non-sparkling wine and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker prices. If you cannot come, CALL. Ask for Michel or Tony.

WEEK'S TASTINGS / EVENTS

Wednesday, January 16th, 2013 ( ALL DAY ) Still Wine/Non-Sparkling SALE : 3-Parts. Read above.

Friday, January 18th, 2013 ( 5-8PM ) : Sam of LVDH will be here to try some fine Aussie wines with us all from owner Peter Logan of his own LOGAN winery. Fine wines. Join us, never any charge. Come with friends and family. Cheers.

Saturday, January 19th, 2013 ( 2-6PM ) Marcie Weinstein of Constantine wines will be here to taste a selection of her Argentina and German portfolio that includes a light and fresh Malbec, a Dornfelder fruity/off-dry red, a flavorful Gewurztraminer and an excellent dry French Viognier. Two reds and two whites, something for everyone as we approach Obama's 2nd term and the festivities this weekend / as well as Martin Luther King's birthday. Lots to celebrate. We will start here early on Friday.

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, we owe it all to you, you are the best! Cheers, ...

DON'T FORGET : No-Corkage at Dino tonight and No-Corkage at Lavandou on Monday nights. Buy a bottle of wine here and take it down to either restaurant and do not pay any corkage fee for them opening the bottle for you. Tip the waiters generously, though as you are not paying them on the bottle that they open for you. Cheers.

Take care, TONY Check us out on Facebook, " Like " us on our Facebook account at : Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits.

ALSO : go to our web page to order wines to be sent all over the country where it is legal : at : Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits. NEW & EXCITING, share the selections that we have with family, loved ones, business associates, etcertera.