TIME TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF MORE OF ALL THAT WE OFFERHERE, CONSTANTLY CHANGING, ALWAYS TIMELY & WITH A GREAT VALUE-TASTE RATIO WHERE YOU GAIN-SAVE-DISCOVER & FIND FULL JOY & EXPRESSION !

BEAUTIFUL DRIVE this morning, window down, wind-swept hair, thoughts, dreams, emotions, energy-flows, you name it?!? It was so nice to gather my thoughts as I drove to work and felt the cold air and to admire the baby blue sky that seemed like someone had stirred all the white clouds evenly through it's surface. On Rock Creek parkway I saw two helicopters overhead and it made me wonder what dignitary was driving along by me or past me : U saw nothing to warrant two helicopters? But what do I know? I liked it anyway, it was fun to see as you never know what will cross your path here in our dynamic city?!?

THE SAME IS TRUE when I get to Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits : I never know exactly what the day will bring and that's a real part of the excitement and the rush and the flow of the day and what always keeps me humble and on my tip-toes. This is all a good thing. I keep my smile dusted off and close to me and ready to display whenever the occasion or moment merits it. Ved just said " Beautiful day this morning ". I could not agree more with him.

SO, COME SEE US, you never know what you will be walking into and that can be entertaining, educational, profitable, amusing, stimulating, sudden, surprising, welcoming ... like an epiphany : something that really gets you going in a positive way. That's what we strive for here : welcome you, make you feel comfortable, and share what we have at our disposal at any moment. Mostly we want to include you in things that we are exposed to and aware of and including here on both a day as well as a weekly basis. It's changing all the time. One of our customers this past week just told me how much he likes this : we take full advantage of what is available at the moment to us and pass on the savings and the items to you while they last. True, so true.

THIS PAST WEEK we received an incredible shipment of mostly Bordeaux French wines and reds from Argentina to share with you : ALL bought at great values where we saved and share the savings with you. Dan brought the owner Philippe Riviere of Maison RIVIERE here again to taste with us a week or so ago. It was an eye-opening wine-tasting. ALL the wines I tasted were really fine and two stood out for me for price and the fact that you could enjoy them NOW, especially the 2009 dry red Graves :

1) CHATEAU De CALLAC Graves 2009 dry red Bordeaux ( $21.99, 13% alcohol by volume, ) : the wine is balanced and fruit-forward, and really showing well now.

2) CHATEAU Du GAZIN 2010 Canon Fronsac ( $19.99, 14% alcohol by volume, ) is also showing quite well now though a bit more firm and tight and with more angularity and tannins that are sharper. BOTH are from great years in Bordeaux. BOTH are less-expensive than usual, and BOTH are highly recommended. When you drink them you will feel like you are in Bordeaux at one of the vineyards or in the countryside enjoying some fine red wine, jambon, frommage, baguettes et l'eaux mineral, avec des macarons ou une tarte aux citron plus tard ... merci Philippe pour ta visite. C'est bien d'avoir tes vins ici qui se vendents tellement bien chez nous.

WE HAVE MORE here and I will let you come by and check them out as well. I will include them in a future email. I have so many wines to write about now and so you will have to come and discover the CHEVAL BRUN 2009 Grand Cru Saint-Emilion, On Sale for $29.99 ; Saint Julien CHATEAU LALANDE 2009, $40.99 ; and the Lussac Saint-Emilion CHATEAU HAUT PIQUOT 2009, $23.99 ; and more ...

WE HAVE From Argentina :

1) Winemaker's Selection Blend 20190 ( 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 10% Pinot Noir ) from owner Lucas Nemesio of NEMESIO wines of Patagonia, Argentina is a favorite of our customers : $9.99 a bottle, 14% alcohol by volume.

2) Proprietor's Reserve 2007 dry red Blend ( 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% alcohol by volume,www.bodeganqn.com.ar , $19.99 , is another really fine wine effort from Lucas. He makes such balanced and distinct wines that really complement many a meal.

THE LOIRE VALLEY makes some fine dry white 100% Sauvignon Blanc called POUILLY-FUME from the small town of Pouilly-Sur-Loire, France :

1) 2011 " Les Champs Aux Moines " Pouilly-Fume from Domaine PABIOT ( $18.99, 12.5% alcohol by volume, viticulteur a Nieve, France - the grower ) is clean, crisp, fresh. lively, GREAT MINERAL and fine acidity : a treat to enjoy a glass before settling nicely into a meal that could include some goat's cheese, some salad and vinaigrette, some shellfish, fresh water fish, sardines ... even some milder . It's a beauty and a great price. You should all try some. Very much like a Sancerre except it has it's own distinct style. RE-DISCOVER the 100% Sauvignon Blancs of POUILLY-FUME. They were equally well-known in the eighties and for some reason have fallen off our radar screens. Too bad, time to give them their due once again. This is a great start at a GREAT PRICE.

BUT HEY, this email is also about GREAT ALE & BEER DISCOVERIES from Santos :

1) Organic Chocolate Stout from SAMUEL SMITH'S ( On Special for $4.49 a 1 Pt.2 Fl. Oz 550ml bottle, 5% alcohol by volume, ) , USDA Organic and Soil Association Organic approved. From the oldest brewery in Yorkshire this is a great winter, cold-weather beer to warm the soul and excite the senses. It's also PERFECT for Valentine's Day that is just around the corner.

2) Belgian White from SHOCK-TOP ( On Special for $7.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles, 5.2% alcohol by volume, St. Louis, MO.,www.ShockTopBeer.com for more info ) will be a PERFECT Belgian-Style Wheat Ale brewed with citrus peels and coriander ... and today's weather now. SEIZE the moment always.

   3) Beers Of Mexico Variety Pack , 3 of Each : TECATE - SOL - DOS EQUIS Amber & DOS EQUIS Lager Especial : 12 Beers In ALL ( On Special for $12.99 a 12-pack of 12-ounce bottles ) : what a great Mardi Gras special to enjoy with family and friends! Great colorful packaging and a real treat at a GREAT PRICE as well.

     4) " Conway's Irish Ale from GREAT LAKES Brewing Co. ( On Special for $9.99 a 12-ounce bottle six-pack, 6.5% alcohol by volume,www.greatlakesbrewing.com , Cleveland, Ohio ) is the seasonal release for you all. Come check it out and see what you all think?

     LIQUOR & LIQUEUR From Ravi :

LIQUEUR :

1) St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram " Tradition of the West Indies " ( $34.99, 22.5% alcohol by volume, Austria, find recipes atwww.alpenz.com ) : " From its origins in the tropical hills and valleys of Jamaica, the allspice berry has for generations been prized for its exceptional tastes of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg and a pepper note that dazzles the palate ... ".

2) Gran Classico Bitter Tempus Fugit Spirits Liqueur ( $38.99 a 750ml bottle, 28% alcohol by volume, product of Switzerland ) : " Gran Classico Bitter is based on the original Italian Bitter of Turin recipe dating from 1862. This classic aperitif is an infusion of numerous herbs and roots including wormwood, gentian, bitter orange peel, rhubarb, and other aromatic plants. " NEW & EXCITING!!

3) Amaro Di S.MARIA Al MONTE Nicola Uignale Amaro Naturale ) $36.99 a liter bottle, 40% alcohol by volume, from Genova, Italy ) : " ... can be appreciated neat or in the coffee, in mineral water or on the rocks and also as grog, added to sugar and hot water ". NEW and EXCITING!

4) Boston Bittahs from BITTERMENS Hand-Crafted since 2007 ( $17.99, 146ml bottle with an eye-dropper for convenience, 44% Alcohol by Volume, www.bittermens.com, Brooklyn, New York ) : " A peculiar combination of citrus & chamomile which we are pleased to call our Boston Bittahs ... we recommend adding a dash to libations that you'd rather drink while relaxing outdoors on a warm summer night ". What about a cold night?!? We have lots of those now. You may have to add a couple of splashes to enjoy in these cold winter nights outside? Try some, it's really tasty. Michel and I tried some the other day and are choosing to bring this one in first. There are others to follow soon. Inquire about those if you think of it? Cheers and enjoy.

LIQUOR :

1) Port Charlotte Heavy-Peated Islay Single Malt , the heavily peated BRUICHLADDICH ( $65.99 a bottle, aged 10 Years ) : " new and exciting "!!! Try some.

WINE From Michel Dumas and me ( Anthony - Tony - Quinn ):

REDS :

1) BACI DOLCI Sweet Kiss slightly-sparkling Italian red ( $10.99, 6.5% alcohol by volume ) : I used this in the 1st wine-class this past Saturday that was a big success. I wanted to have something for Valentine's Day and this showed beautifully. Just right for some, and way too sweet for others. It's a balancing act , and it depends on what you are serving as well. GREAT VALUE, come and taste some. I have some open for you to try. Just ask me today. Cheers.

2) 2009 CASTILLO Del CONDE red wine Semi-Sweet from Spain's Valencia region ( $9.99 a bottle, 12% alcohol by volume ) : I used this, too in our 1st wine class. It started of a bit more fruity and then more of the plums and prunes and spices started to blossom. It became drier and rustier, earthier, pithier : lovelier, really. GREAT VALUE for this price. It was a big hit and we almost sold-out. It's a regular item and we will order more. Only have 4 bottles in stock now. Come get some ASAP or call. It's another fun, versatile red with some fruit and loads of character and personality! Cheers.

3) French Malbec from France's Lot region south of Bordeaux on the Atlantic coast in the town and region of Cahors. Cahors used to be called " the black wines " of France. They used to need a whole lot more time to age , like the wines of Madiran in that way. They must still make some black wines in Cahors, but today many of them are much more fruit-forward and not needing as much cellaring time! $14.99 a bottle, 13% alcohol, from the CHATEAU ST. DIDIER-PARNAC, 2010 and poured here this past Friday evening by Oscar an owner of Voila Imports. Cheers.

4) 100% Tinto Rojo from Spain's Ribera Del Duero roble dry red ( $15.99 , 13.5% alcohol by volume, ) : this 2009 we had open this Friday with Oscar and it sure was drinking well as long as some food was added. it's an excellent food wine, one that will be benefit the food as well as be " flashed out " some by it. Cheers.

5) A dry Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon Blend called " Constable's House ", a 2010 from BEAUMONT in Walker's Bay ( $19.99, 14.5% alcohol by volume. www.beaumont.co.za ) is another perfect cold weather dry red blend that needs the food to flesh it out and make it take flight and dance and sing and perform magically in your mouth! Cheers. Thanks Sebastian. Thanks, too to both John and Theresa Morrison that poured it here this past Saturday. Good to have you back!

6) Series M 2006 dry red South African blend from VILAFONTE ( $34.99, 14% alcohol by volume, www.vilafonte.com, a blend of 39% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc ) is made as a collaborative effort between Zelma Long and Mike Ratcliffe. I last saw Mike last year at the wine owner/maker trade show with Lisa Giufre. Lisa has come since with a wine owner. Thanks Lisa. It was great to see you and to see Mike again! This Series M 2006 is showing beautifully now. It just needed time to arrive to this point in it's development. Cheers.

WHITE :

1) Marlborough Dry Riesling New Zealand Wine 2008 from COOPERS CREEK ( On Special for $8.99 , 13% alcohol by volume ,www.hendrypremiumimports.com ) : this wine is showing wonderfully, dry and complex and with so much body and individual character. WOW!!! Get some while you still can. I used it for last Saturday's wine class and it showed really well.

2) Chardonnay 2010 Hunter Valley, Australian from the HOPE Estate ( $13.99 a bottle, 13% alcohol by volume,www.hopeestate.com.au ), made by Michael Hope that comes here on his visits to say " G'Day! ". It's flavorful, dry and complex and a better food wine. Great for this winter. ALSO : I have 2 bottles left in the color PINK for Breast-Cancer Awareness and the CURE at the same price. Come and get them while you still can. Delicious dry white Chardonnay with just enough of everything to keep everybody talking! Cheers Mike!

3) " The Furts " Gewurztraminer 2010 from Les Vignerons Reunis de Klentzheim Kaysersberg Haut-Rhine, France ( $19.99, 12.5% alcohol by volume ) is UTTERLY delicious and AMAZING : so thick and rich and creamy and smooth and delightful and a real treat for this colder weather, with or without a meal. I used it for our 1st wine-class this past Saturday and everyone loved it. Come get some while you still can Great label, too and artwork by artist Dan Steffan. I've still got some here for you to taste. Ask me later today and I will pour you some. Cheers.

JUST IN : JUST SPOKE to our local Siema Wine-Rep and of his wine company called VINO 50 :

1) 2010 Montepulciano from the DUCHMAN Family Winery ( $26.99, 13.9% alcohol, from Driftwood, Texas ) : Michel and I really liked this hearty and robust and dry medium-bodied red that we tasted and bought four or so months ago and have ordered since. It will be in the Washington Post and we are getting some more tomorrow as we only have loose bottles now. Come buy one tonight and try it before everyone else : really impressive! Cheers. Oops, Dave is writing about the Dolcetto I just learned, and that will be here tomorrow. We will sell the wine On Special for $19.99 a bottle, regularly $21.99. Come get some before it all sells-out! Cheers.

WINE-CLASSES : This Saturday, March 2nd, 2013 from 11:30AM-1PM. $10 for 6 wines. The theme this week will be dry and flavorful reds, roses and whites - two of each. Join us. Call : 202-363-4265 to reserve. I will be taking credit cards from now on as three people did not show or call me last week and I cannot run a wine-tasting class like that. If you cannot come, send someone in your place. We will charge everyone unless we hear by Friday night that they cannot come. I need six people here to hold each class : I'd like 8-10 people as a rule. Cheers. CALL! 202-363-4265.

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY 3-Part Still-Wine SALE : ALL day long. Call if you cannot come : 202-363-4265.
1) BUY any still-non-sparkling wine at $20 or more and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker price.

2) BUY any 6 or more still-non-sparkling wines at any price and SAVE 15% OFF the marked sticker prices.

3) BUY ANY 12 or more still-non-sparkling wines and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker prices, whether or SALE or not. Included are port, sherry, madeira, marsala, sake, box wines, all sizes of wines.

WEEKLY EVENTS & SPECIALS & TASTINGS:

WEDNESDAY, January 30th, 2013 ( ALL DAY still 3-Part Wine SALE ) : Read above. Call if you cannot come.

THURSDAY, January 31st, 2013 ( 5-8PM ) : Brent from the CURIOUS TRAVELER Brewery will be here to taste the Shandy beer with you all. Join us, NEVER any charge. This is a collaborative effort between SAM ADAMS and MAGIC HAT.

FRIDAY, February 1st, 2013 ( 5-8PM ) : Oscar Losama of Voila Imports will be here to taste a selection of his excellent French country wines. JOIN US, NEVER any charge.

SANTOS has set up a NEW BELGIUM Beer-Ale Tasting with our local rep, John Gartner, www.newbelgium.com. Cheers.

SATURDAY, February 2nd, 2013 ( 2-6PM ) : Chuck of Robin Cellars will be here to taste some of his company's excellent wine selections still to be decided tomorrow! Call if you want to know what we decide. Cheers. JOIN us, everyone always welcome. NEVER any charge ...

CHEERS, THANKS AGAIN, we appreciate all you support of us in these difficult times and we hope you know that we also have your back! Come by and see us.

NOTE : Go see our local artist ANDREA WAY in her 30-year retrospective of her ink and colored pencil on paper art work that spans 1982-2012 from local private homes and art galleries. It's impressive. I saw her at her opening this past Saturday and loved what I saw. Go to our Facebook page to see some pictures of Andrea and her work. She loves wine. She will also speak about her work on Saturday, February 2nd, 2013 in the afternoon at the Art Center of American University. Cheers.

HAPPY MARDI GRAS early ... we have things for you.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY on Thursday, February 14th, 2013 early. We have plenty for you all. BE PROACTIVE : get organized now ... early ... TONY