Chat Wine: Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits Store Email Written & POsted By Me, Anthony ( TONY ) Quinn , To Our Customers : Cheers & ENJOY!

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I'M IN A CLEVELAND PARK STATE OF MIND having driven to work earlier from Virginia Listening to Billy Joel Sing his iconic song : " New York State Of Mind ", that put me then into a Virginia State Of Mind and got me all pumped up just the musical introduction before Billy even got to singing. WOW! The juices were flowing for me, sunny and bright and clear and drying up nicely from yesterday's deluge. Thus the reference to Bob Dylan's 1970 classic : " Blood On The Tracks " song called : " Buckets Of Rain " : we've had our rain!

I'M IN AN ART STATE OF MIND that translates into I'm also in a WINE STATE OF MIND, a How-To-Draw-Attention-To-Washington D.C.-Cleveland Park Neighborhood STATE OF MIND?!? I was driving, listening to Billy's Joel and his band and feeling very positive indeed as I remembered...

RACHEL BERRY'S ( spelling? ) , too of : " New York State-Of-Mind " that she sung on the ever-popular show GLEE not too long ago. Boy did that bring the world down around my shoulders when I heard her sing it : I could barely move I was so stunned by her voice and stage presence! SO : you can see that it was a struggle of sorts as I tried valiantly to organize my thoughts and this week while driving to work!?!

THEN RAVI HITS ME WITH David's recent passing, being informed of this last night by Alexander, and how David had lost his fight with cancer. Devastating, such a loss, he will be missed by us all, especially his family that survives him.

DAVID USED TO COME IN to our Saturday wine-tastings to try the wines that we had to taste. He was usually with his dear friend Zia and David, with a twinkle in his eyes would always ask me with lots of gusto : " So Tony what are you flogging today?!? " I would always respond immediately : " David, we are not flogging anything! But we are tasting ... " , and from there the conversations and the introductions to our tasters and other customers gathered would follow. Sad to lose you David, we/ I will miss you sorely. Who will ask me now what I am flogging? Who uses or even remembers this expression anymore?

DAVID & ZIA are probably watching us now from up above , smiling, toasting with a glass of the current CLOUDY BAY Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc or a glass of red California Pinot Noir with David saying to Zia : " what do you think Tony is flogging now?!? " I can live with that.

SO, IT IS NOW WITH a very heavy heart that I continue today's TUESDAY STORE email. It should be good I hope : I bring a lot to the keyboard Apple pad as I type-peck away in my own artistic fashion.

THE STORE IS FILLED WITH MARVELOUS stacks of " new & old-favorite " wines and this is THRILLING! I LOVE the red and white Italian wines with a red Vespa on the red wine and a yellow Vespa on the white Italian wine : both dry and tasty and inexpensive for everyday wine.

1) " Rapido Red " Dry Red Sangiovese from Puglia, Italy, 2011 ( $9.99 a bottle, 13% alcohol by volume, ) : Franceen tasted Michel and me ( TONY ) on this and we were both very pleased and impressed when we heard our price. Such taste, presence and character for so little money, wow!

2) " Rapido White " 2012 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie ( $10.99 a bottle, 12.5% alcohol by volume ) : tasty, balanced, with character and perfect for this heat and humidity now. And the labels are wonderful with a yellow Vespa and two riding it, the same couple on each!

YOU NEED to check these two wines out : they are perfect for this weather, perfect in price, perfect for Father's Day, too!

I'M IN A FATHER'S DAY STATE-OF-MIND ... and Estebe Salgado is just about to have a baby an minute NOW : so he might, in fact join OUR ranks as a " new " father just-in-time to CELEBRATE Father's Day with us all! At any rate, he will be a PROUD PAPPA no matter what! SO : as you can see : I'm now also definitely in a Father's Day STATE-OF-MIND!

CHEERS Estebe, here's one to your new addition coming any moment now. We're all also happy for you. You'll have to sell lots of Argentina and Spanish wines now to pay for this all! JUST KIDDING!!!!! Nice to toast you and your family with the exciting " new " GANETA dry rose Getariako Txakolina That's also " rare and exciting"! I've never seen or ever tasted one before and it sells for $21.99 a bottle. We will have it here soon for you all.

IT'S THE " perfect " SVELTE bottle of tasty and dry rose that everyone needs to have and taste and experience for themselves, as there is NOTHING better for this heat and humidity! Take it the ocean, take it to the beaches, take it home and celebrate Father's Day as well as newborn babies and pretty much just being in a Great STATE-OF-MIND! Here by the weekend in time for Father's Day! Cheers.

SANTOS is putting me now in a BEER STATE-OF-MIND :

1) L a Divine from St. LANDELIN Bier D'Oree/ Beer ( $13.99 a 1 Pt. 9.4Fl. Oz, 8% alcohol by volume, imported from France, Moine Fondateur de L'Abbaye de Crespin, Douai, France , ) : brewed by Les Brasseurs de Gayant. It's TOP-FLIGHT : a perfect gift for this weekend. Some of France's very best.

2) 2013 " Hoptimum " Whole-Cone Imperial IPA from SIERRA NEVADA ( On Special for $10.99 a 4-pack of 12-ounce bottles, 10.4% alcohol by volume, Chico, California, www.sierranevada.com ) : " ... whole-cone hurricane of flavor. Aggressively hopped, dry-hopped AND torpedoed." Perfect for Father's Day. ONE of the oldest and finest breweries that the United States has ever tasted! Some of the older fathers will know and remember this : it will put a smile to their faces and an intense taste into their mouths!! Cheers.

3) " Mad Hatter " India Pale Ale from NEW HOLLAND Brewing ( On Special for $10.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles, from Holland, Michigan, www.NewHollandBrewing.com ) : " Dry-hopped for a distinctive, floral hop aroma; subtly balanced with delicious malt notes. Pairings : spicy dishes, greens and aged cheese." Enjoy!

4) DC BRAU'S " Penn Quarter " Limited-Release Robust Porter ( On Special for $11.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce cans, 5.5% alcohol by volume, brewed and canned in Washington D.C. bt BRAU Brewing , LLC, www.dcbrau.com, ) : " Penn Quarter is most famous for Ford's Theatre, where President Lincoln was assassinated, and his coat and hat can still be seen to this day." Wow, now that's exciting, have some Porter to contemplate the MAGNITUDE of all of this and watch the movie : " Lincoln ". too. ENJOY.

SANTOS & HIS CIDERS : now I'm in a CIDER STATE-OF-MIND! I like this : my state-of-mind is pretty good just about now:

1) " Thirsty Cross Cider " Whisky Cask Premium Scottish Cider ( On Special for $6.49 a 16/9Fl. Oz bottle, 6.9% alcohol , made in Dunbar, Scotland ) : " A flavorsome cider, made potent in the wood! Matured in ex-Glenglassaugh casks for six months to nurture the natural characteristics of the cider ... "

RAVI JUST CALLED OUT MY NAME as I finish my lunch and realize that now I also have to get into a LIQUOR/LIQUEUR STATE-OF-MIND! Today it's all about one's state-of-mind. I'm so happy for Estebe about to have a baby, I'm so happy for all the fathers that will have their day this weekend. Nice ...

SO: Here's what Ravi has for all you Fathers :

1) Aperitivo COCCHI Americano Americano Rossa Aperitif Wine - Red in color, Ricetta Originale Dal 1891 ( $18.99, 16.5% alcohol by volume , Cocconato D'Asti , Italy www.cocchi.com , and also www.alpenz.com ) : Make the " Don Bosco ", as well as the " Acquiescence " - recipes on the web pages - and settle back and relax and enjoy and feel like the million dollars that you most definitely are.

CHEERS TO ALL you glorious, wonderful, magnificent dads!

2) Jumbie Mango SPLASH Premium Caribbean Rum with Natural Mango Flavors ( On Special for $13.99 a bottle, imported, product of Panama, 24% alcohol by volume, www.rumjumbie.com , British West Indies ) : " ... unleash the Caribbean spirit ." Do it here in your own back yard or apartment or by a lake or at the beach and ENJOY!

3) Aviation the American Gin , " Batch-distilled from an adventurous blend of spices from around the world " ( $32.99 a bottle, 42% alcohol by volume, House Spirits, Portland, Oregon ) : Great bottle-shape, love the rippled glass back of the bottle! FUN!!

4 ) 43 Quarenta Y Tres Liqueur, DZ LICORES S.L., Spain - Diego Zamora ( $ 24.99 750ml bottle, www.LICOR43.com ) : MAKE THE 43 Mini Beer drink with 1.5Oz of Licor 43 and chill it, and add some whipped cream on top to make a Float! It's delicious!!

I JUST TRIED some that our local rep Christopher Regan of Washington Wholesalers made for Ravi and was kind enough to make for me , knowing that I was writing the store email and am always looking for ideas to promote. Christopher sez : " A great way to enjoy a spirits that any father would love ". Thanks, gracias Christopher : just in time : timely I would say! We are setting up a tasting as soon as we can, maybe not in time for Father's Day, but perhaps for July 3rd, 2013? We think so. Cheers.

IT'S A Beautiful GOLDEN HUE this LICOR 43, and with the topping- a float of white on top : very pretty and attractive. I think mothers will adore this and many fathers will like it, so give some to your fathers so that you may enjoy some, too : as long as you are old enough, of course! No bite, no burn : creamy-dreamy-wonderful.

IN A WINE State-Of-Mind W/ Michel & Tony :

WHITES :

1) 2011 Dry White Cortese from Italy's Piemonte region from CASTELVERO ( $10.99, 11.5% alcohol by volume, Boglione, ) : flavorful, distinct, dry and better suited to meals, and a GREAT VALUE for what this is and what you get fathers! Cheers.

2) 2012 Dry White Bordeaux from the Entre-Deux-Mers and made by CHATEAU LES ARROMANS ( $11.99, 12.5% alcohol by volume, from Joel Duffau our good friend and father , Moulon 33420 Branne, France, ) : always reliable, always a fine food wine to be enjoyed anytime, but specially now that it's so warm outside! Cheers.

3) " Shadow Chaser " White Wine 2012 Chardonnay from McLaren Vale, South Australia ( $16.99 a bottle, 13% alcohol by volume, ) : Michel and I loved this : so bright, so fresh, so NOT HEAVY, a wonder, a delight, defies gravity and that's something we are thrilled about! " ... on the wing / of the beach blue seas / above a purple sky / scattered sea shells / shelter us of life below the sun ... " I like that, LOVE this white!

ROSE :

1) Santons 2012 Coteaux D'Aix-En-Provence . Rose de Provence ( $10.99 , 12.5% alcohol by volume ) : Both Michel and I liked the finesse and the subtle dry character of this delicately-colored salmon rose. I also LOVE the name as I have an incredible collection of santons at home that has been collected lovingly over the years, first by my mother, then by my wife and me, as well as by others bearing " gifts " of santons for us. Cheers. Look up the word " santons " and marvel at these beautiful terra cotta- clay hand-painted figures of people and animals. Cheers. Drink the wine while you enjoy looking at these wonderful santons.

REDS :

1) 2010 " TROIS Amis French Vin De Pays d'Oc Syrah ( On Special for $9.99 a bottle, 13.5% alcohol by volume from Route Des Vins ) : this is spectacular, so flavorful, so tasty - JUMPS from the glass, pepper and spice - LOVE the balance, the price! Great when you grill this weekend.

2) " Zeepaard " 2010 Shiraz from WEST CAPE HOWE from Denmark, Western Australia ( $11.99, 14% alcohol by volume, ) : From Gavin Berry and David, this is a really fine wine to enjoy, chill slightly, and enjoy when you grill and are outside.

3) Classic Pinot Noir 2011 from LEYDA ( $13.99, D.O. Leyda Valley, Chile, 14.5% alcohol by volume ) : smells like Pinot Noir, tastes like Pinot Noir, this is EXCEPTIONAL Pinot Noir for the money! Really fine, enjoy and BE AMAZED! Cheers.

4) Saumur Champigny " Clos des Boutifolles " 2010 ( $16.99, 12.5% alcohol by volume, Loire Valley, France ) : A fuller, rounder, softer, richer Cabernet Franc taste. Good THICK middle-range, a real treat to sip, not so sharp or angular or as peppery and spicy and earthy as many classic Loire Valley dry red 100% Cabernet Francs. I like it to be chilled like the others for thirty minutes. I do not like this style as much as the classic style. I like more " highs and lows " in my wines, but I do think this Saumur-Champigny will please a whole lot of our customers.

5) 2011 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from KLEE ( On Special for $19.99, Carlton, Oregon, 13% alcohol by volume ) : the brightness, the toasty-roasted berry-cherry quality of this fruit-forward medium-to-light-bodied Pinot Noir is GREAT! We've sold so much of it : it's a divine treat , like being in a great state-of-mind! Cheers : highly recommended, great price, too for Oregon.

6) YAKKA 2009 Shiraz from LONGVIEW Vineyards in Australia's Adelaide Hills ( $22.99, 14.5% alcohol by volume, this " single vineyard Shiraz is a flavorful dry, earthy, tasty dry red that needs a meal to help " flesh it out ". This would be a great treat for Father's Day, for those of you that want the wine to chew on you as you chew on it. Cheers.

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY Non-Sparkling / Still-Wine 3-PART SALE :

1) BUY ANY $20 or MORE bottle of non-sparkling wine and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker price.

2) BUY ANY 6 Or MORE non-sparkling wines and SAVE 15% OFF the marked sticker prices.

3) BUY ANY 12 or MORE non-sparkling wines and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker prices.

This includes port, sherry, marsala, madeira and sake.

Call if you cannot come 202-363-4265 : BUY some Father's Day presents this was and SAVE!

SAVE & SAVE MORE & SAVE STILL MORE!!!!

WEEKEND TASTINGS :

Friday, June 14th, 2013 ( 5-8PM ) : We have Enrico here of his own specialty Italian import company pouring a selection of his hand-crafted wines. We are looking at the Casa Roma Pinot Grigio, Sandro De Bruno dry white 100% Garganega, a dry red Chianto from LA CIPRESSAIA, and also the Cabernet from FIRMINO MIOTTO? Anyway, it will all be decided tomorrow. Call if you would like to know the final wines : 202-363-4265.

Saturday, June 15th, 2013 ( 2-6PM ) : We have Estebe Salgado here this Saturday to pour his wines if his wife has not had their newborn baby yet? He will pour the excellent dry rose mentioned above from Spain along with some other " great " wine selections of his from both Argentina and Spain. I think that this time we will definitely taste the ROSSINYOL Spanish N.V. Brut Cava, $16.99 : and the Baron LADRON de GUEVARA Cosecha 2011 dry red Rioja, $14.99? WE will decide all of this for sure this Thursday. Cheers, ... and come taste with us all.

I KNOW I HAVE FORGOTTEN MANY THINGS but it's time to send this to you all. Cheers and thanks for everything, and thanks for helping me get into the right state-of-mind to be here and do the best that I can to help you all with all that is going on all around us as we valiantly try our best to be in the best state-of-mind ... a CLEVELAND PAR state-of-mind now, feels good, feels right ... TONY