Anthony Quinn's Cleveland Park Wine & Spirits' Weekly Tuesday Store Email Written & Posted On Tuesday, August 27th, 2013 : Enjoy!

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Cleveland Park Beer, Liquor & Wine Featuring a wide, international selection of fine wines, micro-brews and spirits

WOW, IT'S STILL THE SUMMER, WHAT GLORIOUS WEATHER. WE DESERVE IT, WE'RE WORTH IT. SPLURGE AND CONTINUE TO PURGE YOURSELVES NOW WHILE YOU STILL CAN!  A " NEW " BABY PANDA, THE ARRIVAL IN THE SPRING OF TWO " NEW " CANADIAN ELEPHANTS, TOMORROW BEING THE ACTUAL DAY OF THE " FREEDOM MARCH " ALL THE WAY BACK 50 YEARS AGO TO 1963!  THE NEIGHBORHOOD BLOSSOMING WITH " NEW " RESTAURANTS LIKE PULPO WITH A SATURDAY LUNCHEON " ALL YOU CAN EAT & DRINK " MENU, AND " LIVE MUSIC ", AS WELL : ALL GOOD, ALL THINGS WE NEED TO REFLECT THE VIBRANT AND ENGAGING AND ENERGIZED QUALITIES THAT REPRESENT US HERE, TRUE MELTING POTS OF SO MANY CULTURES AND LIVES, EXPERIENCES, PURSUITS, DREAMS , ASPIRATION, HOPES AND WORK! AND , GOSH DARN IT, IT'S STILL SUMMER AND BEAUTIFUL, LOVING IT, REALLY PUTS ME IN SO MANY WONDERFUL STATES-OF-MIND TO PUSH BOUNDARIES AND OURSELVES TO BE ALL THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN. LET US HELP YOU WITH THIS HERE, WE CAN, WE ARE SEASONED, WE AREMORE THAN READY. BE PROACTIVE ABOUT LABOR DAY AND SHOP EARLY. WHAT FOLLOWS BELOW IS WHAT I WROTE A WHOLE YEAR AGO AND IT'S ALL STILL SO TRUE. READ ON :  OUR WEEKLY WEDNESDAY 20% STILL-WINE SALE WE WANT TO SIMPLIFY THINGS.  FROM NOW ON, each and every Wednesday here at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits you can count on SAVING 20% on your still-wine ( non-sparkling wines not on sale ) purchases as we usually do every month.    TO MAKE THINGS EASIER we want to make every Wednesday our 20% OFF Still-Wine ( non-Sparkling wine SALE. We will not have the sale on Thursday anymore. This means that each week here at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits you can take advantage of our 20% OFF SALE that is always a TWO-PART SALE :        1) BUY ANY BOTTLE $20 or over that is a still wine and SAVE 20% off the marked sticker price.        2) BUY ANY 12 BOTTLES at any price ( even already On Sale ) and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker prices.        3) Buy any six or more bottles of non-sparkling wine and save 15% OFF the marked sticker prices.      You can add bottles of sake, marsala, madeira, sherry, as well as all size bottles - even box wines.      You can in this way get an assortment of wines, ports, sherries, sakes, marsalas, and madeiras : you can help stock your wine racks, bars, etcetera and be prepared for many events.      IF YOU CANNOT COME to do this in person please call and ask for either Michel or for Tony and we will be glad to assist you over the phone.      YOU MAY ALSO RESPOND directly to this store email and let us know how we may help you with your selections.      IT'S SIMPLE : CALL : 202-363-4265 or EMAIL :anthony.quinn@clevelandparkwines.com or :michel.dumas@clevelandparkwines.com.         EITHER OF US will be more than happy to walk you through your many possibilities.   CLEVELAND PARK WINES & SPIRITS is the place to be with this heat and humidity. It's nice and cool here and you can come in and chill-down a bit and collect your thoughts and we will show you some of the CONSTANT, EVER-CHANGING, continuously-growing landscape of wines, beers, spirits, apple ciders, liqueurs, waters, sodas, and more. It's pretty amazing and it takes us by surprise and sometimes we are caught running up to catch up to whatever " new " and exciting!   I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH WITH FAMILY to have my lunch this past Saturday at Pulpo. I did not have much time but the time that I did have was thoroughly enjoyable. My wife really enjoyed herself. The general manager Dave Hansen came to greet us. He has come from California recently to lend his special talents and skills to make PULPO be all that it can. As it now joins the other celebrated neighborhood " success stories " of RIPPLE, DINO, ARDEO, NAM VIET, SPICES, LAVANDOU, BIBLO'S, SORRISO, INDIQUE, ST. ARNOLDS, PALENA , MEDIUM RARE, and so many more : exciting.   I HAVE ENJOYED ON Saturday afternoon's here listening to regular customers like Samantha come in with her friend and speak about their dining experiences at PULPO. She said that she might still prefer the old chef and not the " new " one : Billy Klein. She's willing to give Billy a chance , of course, and will return again and I will ask her what she thinks then? That's okay, she's the only one that has said this so far. Mostly everything I hear is positive about PULPO. That's so encouraging, we need this!   AS YOU MAY REMEMBER that space lay empty for so many years - more than seven - when McDonald's left there. It was an eye-sore : now it's exciting and a " destination ". I always want to enter each time I pass as I both see and hear the musicians and their " live music ". That calls out to me each and every time! I'm a sucker for live music, I really am. I would like to see - to hear more of it here in our neighborhood. I believe it will help to keep many of our younger residents here and not going to other D.C. neighborhoods because we are not showing enough of our vibrant, thrilling, electric, energized and entertaining side! Show some of our skin- so-to-speak, ;  show we can still dance and samba and fox trot and tango. We'll make no bones about " our lines " : they will not be blurred - they will be true and clear, fun, fresh and alive!   ANYWAY, Dave has come here to trade stories, talk shop, talk ideas and together gain some perspective. I have been talking of going there and I had my chance this past Saturday. I spoke with him at our table and asked him for recommendations. As he spoke I told our waiter to bring us this, bring us that, don't forget  it, maybe bring us two?!? Oh yes, that's sounds so good, can't wait to try this. It was like a bit of quick theater that my family enjoyed listening to. Made their jobs that much easier. With a refreshing, light white Sangria and two small platters to greet us we were off with our lively conversation. One dish after another, like Spanish tapas kept arriving and we would each take our portions and taste , try on for size, fit and feel what we liked or did not so much.   I LOVED THE frittatas of Serrano Ham, Chorizo, Smoked Salmon. The Eggs Benedict were really tasty, too. The Ensaladas of White Bean and Pearl Cous Cous really hit the spot as well. It was a theatrical treat of color, sound, smells , textures, solids-to-liquids. The service was very good , and as a special treat our waiter gave us an extra-helping of the Smoked Salmon on the Frittata. He may do the same for you?   I GOT TO MEET the owner Dino Tapper that came to our table personally to welcome us. That was nice. We spoke awhile and I remembered the old days of Floriana. That took me back a ways.   I DID NOT GET to meet executive chef/ partner Billy Klein. That's okay. Dave pointed him out to me in the kitchen feet away from us, with his back to us, facing the ovens and stoves and busy at work as one would expect and hope.   HAVING DAVE HANSEN here in our neighborhood encourages me. It's a good sign. Energy, thought, inspiration, new ideas being tossed about by him and his staff, just like by all of us - continually as we do all that we can to keep the business, the heart-and-soul pf Cleveland Park PUMPING and ALIVE. We are a force to be reckoned with, we are special, we are important to Washington D.C. Cleveland Park 20008 is a " Happenin' Place " and we are all proud of it and doing all that we can as businesses, residents, neighbors, caring individuals, guests from around the world, to keep the flame bright, marching ahead, marching on, gathering ...     AS WE GATHER AGAIN TOMORROW as a team, as a working and functioning unit of caring, motivated, dedicated, thoughtful, civic, social, sharing people that are working constantly for a better world, a better life, less prejudice, less hunger, less inequality on every level, a place where all our concerns and voices may be better heard and answered.   WHERE HAVE WE COME FROM, where have we gone, where will we still go?! Keep the dreams alive, keep them coming, eat your fears, chew them, and spit them out, and never fear fear as it will eat us all alive.    I WOKE UP FROM A DREAM today , as I did yesterday and the day before and I rushed to my typewriter to record my thoughts, feelings, impressions, words and sentiments before they disappeared as quickly as they came. I found myself doing this yesterday on scraps of pieces of paper while out and about with my son and wife. It did not matter! Poetry, emotion, a grand release that was nice later when cooking dinner and ...   ENJOYING MY GLASS  of PIAN DI NOVA 2010, a dry Tuscan red blend from IL BORRO in Arezzo, Italy of 75% Syrah and 25% Sangiovese,$32.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume. I kept day-dreaming by the grill : " So this is what Syrah from Tuscany can taste like : a nice mouth-feel, a nice grip, a gentle girth, a warmth of soft spice and dusty earth, a youth that is still finding it;s way, learning it worth, paying it's dues. I would like to come back to this 2010 PIAN DI NOVA in another three or so years!   SEE : THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS when I return rested from an incredible vacation! I will try and curb that all now as I " get serious " and start with some ;   ALE, BEER, CIDER From Santos Rivera :   ALL THE PUMPKIN ALES are coming and many are already here so please come and check those out with Santos. Or call us at : 202-363-4265 to check in with us for any info on availability. Buy now, be safe, be prepared, get them while you still can as they do sell quickly as it is an amazingly popular category for us here.        1) " Monk's Brew " Dark Ale from MIKKELLER ( $14.99 a bottle, 1 Pt. 9.4Fl. Oz, 10% alcohol by volume, Proef Brouwerij, Lochchristi-Hufte, Belgium ) : maybe later tonight, as things start to settle, as one reflects on the trials and tribulations of this day, as one focuses on the momentous relevance of tomorrow's symbolic March 50 years to the day here on our National Mall?!        2) TROUBADOUR " Obscura " Mild Stout ( $13.99, 1 Pt. 9.4Fl. Oz. bottle, 8.2% alcohol by volume, The Musketeers B-9910 Ursel, Belgium, go to : troubadourbeers.com ) : " Donker bier, hergist op fles, met een kraching moutig karakter, gebalanceerde bitterheid en een genoosterde toets, Bevat gerstenout. Mild stout, refermented in the bottle ... " WOW, that was hard to type. Hope I got it right?!? Cheers.        3) Rum Aged - Oak Aged Beer from INNIS & GUNN, carefully matured for 57 days ( $11.99 a 4-pack of 12-ounce bottles, 6.8% alcohol by volume, 11.2 Fl. Oz bottles, from Scotland, go to :www.innisandgunn.com for more info , Edinburgh ) : " This ruby red beer has been aged with rum oak chips, resulting in a brew with a delicious warming character that is bursting with fruit and warming spiciness... "        4) Extra Pale Ale from WYLD Brewed with Organic Barley Malt from UINTA Brewing Co. ( On Special for $9.99 a 6-pack , from Salt Lake City, 98% organic, kosher, too ) : Unleashed by the Uinta Brewing Co! Cheers. Come try some.             ONE PUMPKIN BEER :        1) Pumpkin Ale from the BLUE POINT Brewing Company , Malt Beverage Brewed with Pumpkin & Spices ( On Special for $10.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles, Long Island's Brewery, New York, go to :www.bluepointbrewing.com for more info, Patchogue, NY and Rochester, NY ) : what fun!     WONDERFUL LIQUOR & LIQUEUR From Ravi :             1) Serbian Plum Brandy From BISTRA SLIVOVITZ Produced from Fresh, Sound, Ripe Prunes ( $29.99 a 750ml bottle, ) : we are always glad to have this is stock as it has a very loyal following. Cheers.        2) " Tropical " 100% De Agave Tequila from TANTEO ( On Special for $39.99 a 750ml bottle, product of Mexico, go to : tanteotequila.com for more information ) : Try these :  1) " The Palms ", 2) " Downtown Tropic ",  3)  Tanteo Tropical,  4) Tropical Margarita " ... as this is : TEQUILA REDEFINED! Special, " new " and very exciting indeed.        3) 10 Years Nurtured then Matured , the Unhurried Since 1833 GLENGOYNE Distillery  Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky ( $45.99 a bottle, 43% alcohol by volume, product of Scotland, Glen of the wild geese, Dumgoyne, Scotland ) : " Fresh GREEN APPLES, toffee and a HINT Of NUTTINESS. This is the taste of DISTILLING SLOWER than anyone else IN SCOTLAND, of BARLEY we dry by air - NEVER PEAT - AND OF OAK CASKS WE SELECT BY HAND. JUST AS we've always DONE. " I'm in, let's make some noise for GLENGOYNE Distillery!        4) Spruce Gin From ROGUE ( $52.99 a 750ml bottle, 45% alcohol by volume, 12 ingredients, from Newport, Oregonwww.rogue.com ) : " Dedicated to the rogue in each of us. " What a special treat!      5) Aged 12 Years " Special Reserve " Triple Distilled - A Blend from POWERS , The Gold Label, also available here in a 17 Yr. Old version ( On Special for $42.99 a bottle, 40% alcohol by volume, from Cork, Ireland ) : Since 1781 - a very special treat indeed, and yet WHAT A VALUE!       6) " Elit " Ultra Luxury vodka from STOLICHNAYA ( $68 a 750ml bottle, 40% . produced in Latvia, 100% grain neutral spirit ) : Get ready for the ride of your lives : you know you want it!        7) BAR KEEP Lavender Organic aromatic Bitters ( $17.99 , 48% alcohol by volume, 8 Oz bottle, USDA organic, Los Angeles, CA. , go to : www.greenbar.biz for mor info ): Make " True Outlaw with one and a half TRU GIN, three-quarters Fruitlab Orange liqueur, 1 Oz fresh lemon sour, 6 dashes lavender bitters , then shake  strain into coupe. Cheers, sounds tasty to me, what do you all think?   HOT NEWS OFF THE PRESSES : Just in, my second talk with the Washingtonian Magazine this morning. Looks like they will be featuring soon an article on the availability of the local Virginia wines here in Washington D.C.? Since we sell these all day, all week long we are thrilled to get some more attention for them. Owner, sparkling winemaker Claude Thibaut was here in the store when the first call came and that was good. Come check out what we have locally : always a fun assortment here. Look for the article, too in the Washingtonian magazine. Cheers.     WINE From Michel & Tony :             WHITE :      1) Dry D.O.C.  white Italian Orvieto from Umbria and made by ARGILLAC , this 2010 ( On special for $18.99 a bottle, 13% alcohol by volume, ) was delicious a couple of night's ago as my family sat out on our back deck with some crackers and cheese and talked about how wonderful Italy is! The wine was flavorful, broad and rich, refreshing and open and quite forward, nothing really holding back here : this Monty was feeling quite pleased with itself and it showed in the flavors! We all really enjoyed it before heading off for dinner. Great when you're in an Italian state-of-mind!        2) " La Rustia " 2010 dry Piemontese white from ORSOLANI made with the indigenous grape variety called Erbaluce di Caluso  ( $11.99 for a half-bottle/ 375ml bottle size, perfect for Wolf Trap, perfect for a picnic, on a hike , 13% alcohol by volume, S. Georgio, since 1894 ) : this is tasty, dry, flavorful, charming and what a conversation it will have going along the contours of your palate. Strap yourselves in, this march will be a march to be a standard for many to follow!        3)  Vermentino indigenous dry white ,  PLINIO from BRUNI , made in Tuscany's Maremma region of Italy ( $20.99 a bottle, 12.5% alcohol by volume ), this 2011 is a great summer, a great August wine, and both Michel and are thrilled to have it. We just keep ordering it and it just keeps selling out! Cheers.        4) Blanc De Blancs from Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula , from L. MAWBY winery ( $55.99 a magnum, 1.5ml bottle-size, 11% alcohol by volume . Traditional Method ) this dry brut is elegant and polished and fine and such a value and a special treat. It was great to have Larry himself pouring it this past Saturday. The bottles are here and signed for gifts and other celebrations like tomorrow. March right on over here and get yourselves a bottle or two of this!              ROSE :        1) Shiraz dry rose from DE MEYE in South Africa's Stellenbosch region ( $13.99 a bottle, 2012, 13.5% alcohol by volume,www.demeye.co.za ) : this is so deliciously bright and so frightfully engaging , and the marches you will plan and will make while enjoying a bottle will certainly lead to the next, as there is so much to organize, so much to philosophize about, so much to pontificate about, ... oh yeah, on a roof top, planning your bucket list, whatever .... enjoy.             RED :        1) 2012 PADRILLOS Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina ( $10.99 a bottle, 13.5% alcohol by volume, go to :www.vineyardbrands.com ) : Michel and Tony don't buy anything marginal, Danny and Olivie don't sell us anything that's not exemplary! Tasty, flavorful, a fine food wine, try it tonight when you grill : BE AMAZED at the value it represents!   Cheers.        WEEKEND TASTINGS :      Friday, August 30th, 2013 ( 5-8PM ) : We have Jim Reeves here of his Comete Selections Imports here to taste and assortment of his excellent French wines starting at $14.99 On Special bottles of Burgundy red and whites and moving - marching on, along, covering important bases and spice points with FABulous tastes, too!        Saturday, August 31st, 2013 ( 2-6PM ) : We have Mark Congdon with the fine Italian wine selections of Diego that include some sinfully delicious, refined, brilliant, sun-sky-drenched ENRICHED DEFINED Prosecco : and so much more in both reds and whites. I'm in an Italian state-of-mind. What a fine state that is, too.       HAVE A GREAT DAY ( it sure is beautiful today - a near-perfect summer day! ), I know I have forgotten many things but it's time to post this now as time is running out. Hope this finds you all well as I feel. Cheers. Check out our Facebook page and " Friend " and follow us ( Cleveland Park Wine & Spirits - ALSO follow us on Twitter at : cpwinespirits and also at : wineenabler )  as we do go some fun and exciting places. We include everything as well love you and you love everything and so thus we, too LOVE everything! Take care,