WE ALL DO WANT HAPPINESS : TO BE HAPPY, THIS WARM WEATHER NOW HELPS! OUR NEW SELECTIONS WILL ADD SOMETHING NICE TO YOUR FREE TIME, COME SEE WHAT THIS WEEK OFFERS DIFFERENT FROM THE LAST ...

I'M DELIGHTED with the promise of this week. It was a bun breeze to walk through our aisles when I first got here to decide what to share with you all on this absolutely gorgeous, beautiful day today, Tuesday, April 9th, 2013 here in Cleveland Park Northwest, D.C. 20008. I am proud of this, our neighborhood, our community and what we bring to the table here, so-t-speak. I have even been asked to talk about this and will do that this Saturday when I get off work.

WHEN I HAVE more details I will let you know. So far I know that I have been asked to think of some of the interesting stories that I may have of things that have happened here in Cleveland Park, here at the store, over at the Uptown, the famous stars that come for the movie premiers, etcetera. I said, : " Don't you worry, I have plenty of stories, that I would think about it and that I also had plenty of pictures.

THE WORK HAS STARTED for the new cross-walk with a light in front of Byblo's Deli. I know this because I enjoyed my lunch last week outside by his row of blooming and colorful flower pots and I wondered to myself what was going on? It was only later that it occurred to me that the work had finally started! That's good : a cross-walk in front of Byblo's and crossing over to Wake Up Little Suzie. Bravo.

THE FABULOUS ROSE wines are starting to arrive :

1) MOULIN DE GASSAC " Aniane " Guilhem 2012 - " Vin comme autrefois - wine like from another time " - the 2012 Pays D'Herault, $10.99, 12% alcohol, from southwest France. It's balanced, exciting and tasty! Great mid-salmon color, too : and what a price! We are giving this one away. Go to : www.daumas-gassac.com for more info. Cheers.

2) Sancerre 1005 Pinot Noir " Moulin des Vrilleres " 2011, from Christian Lauverjat in France's Loire Valley, On Special for $22.99 a bottle, regularly $27.99 a bottle. It. too is showing really well now, all the flavors in full-expression and bloom. Great value, too.

3) ROSA Del GOLFO from Italy's Salento region, rosato, 2012, $16.99 a bottle. I was able to try Damiano's wine twice last week and each time it was a real treasure. Flavorful, tasty, balanced, a bit of everything that you want and more than you expect, and all at a great price. You can try this with Damiano this Tuesday when he stops by to say " caio " to us here. Many say it's one of the very best, if not the best from Italy? It's really good, that's the main point, the only point that counts except whether you like it or not?!? That's on you. Cheers.

WE HAVE MORE but I will write about some of them each week now.

NEWS :

SANTOS JUST TOLD ME : We have an ABITA beer-tasting this Friday, April 12th, 2013 , 5-8PM : ALL FLAVORS including Strawberry. I had two request, no three requests for Strawberry ABITA last week, all within five minutes so this is great news Santos. Cheers. JOIN US : NEVER any charge.

HEY, THIS WEATHER is perfect beer weather. What else do we have from Santos in...

BEER , and CIDER :

1) Robert Johnson's HELLBOUND On My Ale, ale brewed with lemons ( $13.99, 1 Pt. 9.4 Fl. Oz, 10% alcohol by volume, DOGFISH HEAD Craft Brewery, Delaware, www.dogfish.com ) : " 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of Mississippi Delta bluesman Robert Johnson who, according to legend, sold his soul down at the crossroads in a midnight bargain and changed music forever. ... ". Try some, cheers.

2) PILSEN Cerveza Especial Industria Uruguaya, desde 1866-since 1866 ( On Special for $8.49, a 6-pack of 12 ounce bottles, ) ... " very good Pilsner " sez Santos to me just now. Come try some, we have both beer and wine from Uruguay.

3) Russian Imperial Stout Handcrafted in Vermont from OTTER CREEK , Enjoy With Comrades ( On Special for $12.99, a 4-pack of 12-ounce bottles, a Limited Edition, 10% alcohol by volume, Middlebury, Vermont, www.ottercreekbrewing.com , since 1991 ) : " Inspired by the 18th century English offering to the Russian Czar, big malt flavoring and overtones of chocolate and dark roasted malts and warming sweet note ". Try some.

4) Brooklyn LOCAL 2 Ale Brewed with Honey and Citrus Peel ( On Special for $9.99 a 1Pt. 9.4 Fl. Oz bottle, 9% alcohol by volume, from Brooklyn, New York, Brooklyn Brewery ) : " ... European malt and hops, Belgian dark sugar, and raw wildflower honey from a New York family farm ... ". Cheers.Try some.

5) RAMPART Imperial IPA from NEW BELGIUM ( On Special for $9.99 a 6-pack, 8.5% alcohol by volume , Fort Collins, CO,www.newbelgium.com ) : John Gartner our DC Beer Ranger for New Belgium writes : " A burly and bitter imperial IPA, Rampart pours a pure copper and carries the sheen of a rightly hopped beer. The Mosaic and Calypso hops bring stonefruit to the front seat and the addition of Centennials nod toward citrus for a well-rounded aroma. The taste expands these hops with heavy peach tones and a profoundly bitter bite. ... ". Come and check this out. I will post this from John as he has lots here to read and digest. Thanks John! You're the best.

LIQUOR / LIQUEUR From Ravi :

LIQUEUR :

1) Apple , Finest Apple Liqueur, BERENTZEN with the original recipe of the House of Berentzen ( On Special for $28.99, a liter bottle, 20% alcohol by volume, www.berentzenusa.com , product of Germany ) kosher.

2) Vermouth PERUCCHI Montana, Casa Fundada 1876 ( $19.99, 15% alcohol by volume, Baldalona, product of Spain ) : this blew both Michel Dumas and me out of the water and we just had to convince Ravi to buy some. Really a very special treat in vermouth - this one from Spain, a clear dry golden-hued one - memorable. Cheers.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES, News From Ravi :

Brian of Washington Wholesale just worked out with Ravi for us to buy an order of BACARDI Flavored Rums : Pineapple, Limon, " O " Orange, Dragon Berry, and Torch Cherry and Peach, 750ml, 35% alcohol by volume, ... Brian sez : " the best flavors in town! ". ALL On Special at $16.99 a bottle, here tomorrow!

3) Absinthe Verte from the LEOPOLD BROS Grape Spirits Distilled with Herbs, with Natural Flavors added ( $35.99, 375ml, 65% alcohol by volume, Denver, Colorado, www.leopoldbros.com ) : pretty exciting, remember tasting it with Lindsay and thinking how smooth it was. Cheers.

4) Limoncello Artisanal Lemon Liqueur from DON CICCIO & FIGLI ( $28.99, 29% alcohol by volume, made right here in Washington D.C. by a specialist , F. AMODEO ) : there was an article about it recently in the Washington Post newspaper. Cheers. Beautiful color, made to make you all discover the Amalfi Coast. All natural, real lemon peels used!

LIQUOR :

1) Elyx Single Estate Handcrafted Vodka from ABSOLUTE ( $50.99, from Ahus, Sweden ) : you all have to try this! Cheers.Go to : www.absolut.com for more info.

WEEKLY STILL-WINE Wednesday 3-Part Wine Sale :

1) BUY any still/non-sparkling wine over $20 a bottle and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker price.

2) BUY any six or more bottles of still/non-sparkling wine 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.

Includes port, sherry, marsala, sake and madeira. Call if you cannot come : 202-363-4265 and we will help you.

WINE From Michel and Tony :

4 Wines From DEMOCRACY VINEYARDS, Monticello, Virginia
1) DEMOCRACY VINEYARDS 2011 Suffrage 100% Chambercin dry, easy-drinking, medium-to-light-bodied red, $19.99, 13% alcohol by volume.

2) DEMOCRACY VINEYARDS 2011 Reserve " Velvet Revolution " dry red Reserve blend of 25% Cabernet Franc, 25% Chambourcin, 25% Merlot and 25% Petit Verdot : softer than past vintages, more fruit-forward and bright and easy-sipping : medium-bodied.

3) DEMOCRACY VINEYARDS " Declaration " 2011 Reserve dry white blend of 34% Chardonnay, 33% Viognier and 33% Petit Manseng : dry and flavorful, with good mouth-feel/ grip / texture and best with food , $19.99.

4) DEMOCRACY VINEYARDS 2011 Viognier ( $19.99 , 13% alcohol by volume, Charlottesville, flavorful, bright, fresh, lively and a very fine price for Viognier! We like that a whole lot! Cheers.

THREE From ROSA DEL GOLFO, Puglia:

1) The ROSA DEL GOLFO Salento Rosado, 2012 ( $16.99, ) : stylish, elegant, flavorful, balanced, considered the best Italian dry rose by many!

2) ROSA DEL GOLFO " Portulano " 2010 made from 100% Negroamaro indigenous grapes ( $16.99,) : some flavor and taste and the character of the land and yet still very fruit-forward. Come taste it with owner Damiano this Tuesday, April 16th from 5-8PM.

3) ROSA DEL GOLFO Primitivo Salento dry red , 2010 ( $16.99, ) a nice hearty, flavorful honesty of flavors that really work, that really resonate purely and convincingly here once again with Damiano's wines. You can come taste these 3 with Damiano on 4/16/13 5-8PM and see what you think?

I got to try Damiano's wines twice within a week, and each time I was thoroughly impressed. Cheers. What a master he is. It will be great to see him here once again after so many years now! They used to come to us from Vinifera Imports.

ALSO :

1) PONT DE GASSAC 2009 Vin de Pays de L'Herault " Selection Guilbert " , $16.99, 13% alcohol by volume, that's an amazingly dry, fresh, vibrant, mineral-laden French white blend of 40% Chardonnay. 40% Sauvignon Blanc, and 20% Clairette. Wonderful! Special, truly ...

2 Exceptional French Rhones :

1) Saint Peray 2011 dry white 100% Marsanne from LES VINS DE VIENNE ( $29.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume , 9 months in barrels and tanks ) : Rarely have Michel or I been so impressed . These wines are stellar and exemplify the very best in France and their " terroir ". STUNNING, simply unique, marvelous and worth every penny! From the 3-family team of Cuilleron/ Villard and Gaillard.

2) Saint-Joseph 2010 - great vintage - LES VINS DE VIENNE ( $37.99, 100% Syrah, aged 12 months in barrels and tanks ) : Again, just like the dry white non-sparkling Saint Peray, this Saint-Joseph is WORLD-CLASS-CLASSIC-THE-VERY-BEST! Cheers!

WEEKEND TASTINGS :

Friday, April 12th, 2012 ( 5-8PM ) : Join us with Jody Jackman as we navigate some " new " waters/wines of the excellent Winebow portfolio. I envision some Kermit Lynch wines in this tasting as I just read a great piece on Kermit in a book called WINE PEOPLE that I really appreciated very much! Cheers. Join us, never any charge.

SANTOS has an ABITA Beer tasting of ALL the flavors including the new and exciting Strawberry that is already creating quite a buzz!

Saturday, April 13th, 2013 ( 2-6PM ) : Join us with Howard of the South River imports to try some of his stunning " value " wines from Spain. We can all try and talk him into opening up his VALDUERO Crianza 2009 Ribera Del Duero , $39.99, 14% alcohol, 100% Tempranillo ) that with it's elegance, polish, finesse, brightness, radiance, pretty much blew Michel and me away last week! That would be fun. Dry reds and whites; Howard is the one that is taking the small group to Spain in September, 2013. Come and ask him about this wonderful trip when you come to taste. Cheers.

SPEAKING OF TRIPS : We have :

- Annette Schiller at : aschiller@ombiasypr.com that is organizing both a trip to Germany and to Bordeaux, : August 22-30 , 2013 for Germany and September 9-19th, 2013 for 15 top chateaux in Bordeaux. Go to :http://www.winetours.ombiasypr.com/index.php/bordeaux-2013 for more information, index.php/germany-2013 for both. Cheers. TONY

I AM SURE I HAVE FORGOTTEN MANY THINGS but it's time to send this store weekly email to you all. Thanks for everything, we could not be here to be for you without YOU : SPECIAL YOU! Cheers, TONY