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WITH MARK NORMAN and ROBERT KENNEDY'S help this Tuesday morn, June 3rd, 2014 I
start this week's email :
Mark Norman
23 hrs · New Milford, CT
What is the Future for Small US Wine Importers?
Two key issues has to be affecting the sale of small production, hand crafted
wines from producers outside of the US. The first is the significant growth of
DtC sales. The last report by Wines & Vines from IRI data shows that once again
the DtC sales channel grew at 11% compared with 6% for 3-tier sales (scanned
wine sales only).
The second factor is the ever increasing discounts being offered by flash sites
(like WTSO), some now over 75%, with many non-domestic wines discounted over
50%. This indicates to me that there is an oversupply of unsold imported wines.
It also provides great opportunities for wine lovers to pick up great deals on
non-current releases of wine..some bottled aged several additional years.
The key segment of wine drinkers who make up the 10 million core wine drinkers
are crucial for importers to connect with.
Yet I only see a handful really trying.
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You and Alexandra Malo like this.
Anthony Quinn Thanks for these updates Mark ( Norman ) , I appreciate seeing and
reading them, and am sorry that I do not comment more. It's hard for all of us
to keep our slices of the pie that we have long ago traditionally had. Today
everything happens as quick ,...See More
21 hours ago · Like · 1
Mark Norman Tony...great comments...my wife and i try to support our local wine
shop the best we can...do we buy all our wine there? No. Every Saturday the wine
shop manager has a tasting event of 4 wines...uses nice wine glasses....is full
of information about each wine...if Jeff doesn't know he researches and makes
sure he is prepared...we missed the past two weekends (for several reasons) but
wanted to make sure we made this one...we usually buy at least one
bottle...usually two or three and sometimes more...Jeff also tracks how many
people attend each tasting...the other day I asked him...it was usually 30 or
more people but over the winter it has slowed down and has not picked up...my
wife and I were #'s 6 and 7...this is from the largest wine shop in town (and
one of the largest in CT @ 7,000 sq ft in a town of over 26,000...its a great
opportunity to try wines...Jeff is about as low key as possible...NEVER...NEVER
asks people to buy anything...so why aren't people taking advantage? More and
more Americans are drinking wine...so what is the problem? Not enough is being
done to break through the noise to let people know.
21 hours ago · Like
Cleveland Park Wine & Spirits
21 hours ago
Thanks for these updates Mark ( Norman ) , I appreciate seeing and reading them,
and am sorry that I do not comment more. It's hard for all of us to keep our
slices of the pie that we have long ago traditionally had. Today everything
happens as quick , it seems as does the internet and I can say from a small
boutique wine store's perspective it's both challenging and frustrating and
exciting all in one as we continue to buy largely from the small importers ,
especially those that devote time and energy, samples for tasting, and manpower
from time-to-time as we need it being small and fighting all the uncaring
business Goliath's out there that hire lawyers like Wallgreens that go to local
town meetings and say that they are just doing what their customers ask for ,
adding on other items that are not a part of their core business or expertise. I
responded to such a lawyer : " So, why don''t I start selling some drugs to make
up for the lost revenue that you are taking from us so that we may then be even?
" He thought it was unfair this comment. Unfair?!? Who's he kidding! The minute
that businesses respect boundaries once again as it was years ago then that
bring a balance and an order back to retail and I expect wholesale life, too.
Boundaries should be respected. I know, I'm a dreamer, I am trying hard to keep
alive the small wine owner's dreams and sell their excellent products and not
just the cute labels that are out there now enticing people to drink good wines
sometimes but in many cases quite marginal wines, too : where when I taste them
I wonder what happened to the grapes that they started with? Where did they go?
They used to be front and center stage and not taste like lab experiments.
Harsh, I know, just my opinion with thirty-plus years of tasting wines here now
in Washington D.C. as I have seen the wine world we know today grow up
practically from scratch. Cheers, thanks again, Anthony ( TONY ) Quinn 6/2/2014
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Daniel Schoeff Precisely why we buy 90% of our wine here. And a little bit
because you are 150 feet away... But mostly because of the wine and the expert
guidance
13 hours ago · Edited · Like
Cleveland Park Wine & Spirits Thanks Daniel, and Sarah, I appreciate this
comment very much, thanks for writing it here, shows we are doing what we can to
keep whatever business we can here and not in the large stores that do not
specialize in wine. liquor, beer, ciders as we do. Cheers, tasting now with
Robert some of his excellent Primitivo ALLEGORIA Gioia Del Colle PIETRAVENTOSA ,
2012. 100% Primitivo, $21.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume, and three of the Romagna
region's Sangiovese, from TENUTA CASALI 2012, ' Palazzina 'stainless-steel
Sangiovese Romagna 95%, and 5% Merlot, $19.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume ... 2) "
Baruccia " 2011 Sangiovese Superiore 100% Sangiovese, 14% alcohol, $21.99, ...
and the 3) the ' Quarto Sole ' Riserva 2010, Sangiovese Romagna - my fave -
$32.99, 14% alcohol by volume, - all above are unfiltered! You are missing out
now Dan, sorry!! That's the rub, will have the wines soon for you all to taste
with Robert on a Tuesday evening here. Dan, do you like the way I start my
Tuesday mornings here?!? Nice. Here's Robert for you : Was great seeing you and
your better half after our rainy bubbly tasting and look forward to seeing both
of you when you return from your journeys and come in to Cleveland Park for a
journey through the hills of Italy. A presto!! Check out all the info on the
wines with tech sheets on www.rwkimports.com
SO " YOU ALL SEE some of what goes on here. Yesterday I responded to Mark
Norman's blog to me and so I thought with Robert Kennedy here and him being a
small importer and us being a small store I thought it all fit here as a
launch-off for today's weekly Tuesday store email. A bit unusual I grant you but
it all ties together and shows how we all work together, or don't as a team to
get you all the best selections available to take home and enjoy daily.
TONIGHT'S Portuguese Wine-Tasting with Bill Blacken: No charge , join
us, from 5-8PM. Cheers. Everyone always welcome.
SPEAKING OF THAT I JUST GOT A CALL from Bill Blacken that will be here tonight
pouring our three Vinho Verde wines for you all :
1) Vinho Verde D.O.C. Branco/white VALE DO HOMEN , $9.99, 11.5% alcohol by
volume, a dry and flavorful white blend of 80% Loureiro indigenous grapes, and
20% Arinto grapes. 2011. Good when you want more flavor, body and taste. Perfect
for a night tonight that will be 85 degrees outside with thunder showers, too
...
2) Vinho Verde of GATAO , $9.99 a bottle, 9% alcohol by volume : lean,
crisp, bright, a touch rtart and tangy and very refreshing.
3) Vinho Verde dry white from SANTOLA, $7.99 a bottle, 9% alcohol by
volume, a fuller, richer, more fruit-forward and lush taste that is ideal to sip
all by itself, with or without food.
JOIN US, LEARN about the excellent Vinho Verde wines that are perfect for this
hot weather of this week. It will be fun to have Bill Blacken here, too for the
first time. Cheers.
TUESDAYS :
1) BUY ANY sparkling wine bottle over $20 a bottle and SAVE 15% OFF the
marked sticker price ( except for VEUVE CLICQUOT ).
2) Mix six or more bottles and save 10% OFF the marked sticker prices.
3) BUY 12 or more bottles of sparkling or still wine and SAVE 15% OFF the
marked sticker prices.
Includes Port, Sherry, Marsala, Madeira, Sake.
WEDNESDAYS :
1) BUY ANY Still Wine over $20 a bottle and SAVE 20% OFF the marked
sticker prices.
2) BUY SIX or MORE bottles of still ( non-sparkling wine ) and SAVE 15%
OFF the marked sticker prices.
3) BUY TWELVE OR MORE non-sparkling wines and SAVE 20% OFF the marked
sticker prices.
INCLUDED are Port, Sherry, Madeira, Marsala and Sake.
MIX THINGS UP. Have fun, get more of what you want this way. spread out
your experiences, too.
SAVE , SAVE, SAVE MORE @ CP WINES!
SUPER BOWL EXCITEMENT! We have a couple of ' Big Tastings ' for you this
Saturday, June 3rd, 2014 from 2-6PM with 1) Michael pouring the SALTON wines of
Brazil and ... 2) Fatima from Brazil - that also has a dance company - pouring
the LEBLON Brazilian cachaca, $32.99, ... the ' aged ' cachaca and the '
Cedilla ' liqueur Acai : all made by LEBLON and all sold here! This will be a
great way to start the celebrations for the World Cup in Brazil that officially
starts of Thursday, June 12th, 2014 : and we will begin our celebration on
Saturday June 7th, 2014. JOIN US, Never any charge, everyone welcome.
BEER From Santos :
1) Moulins D'Ascq Blonde French Craft Organic Ale ( On Special for $3.49 a
11 Fl. Oz bottle, 6.2% alcohol by volume, product of France, USDA Organic, go
to : www.moulinsdascq.fr for more info ) : new and very exciting indeed.
2) ' Peeper Ale ' Do What's Right from the MAINE BEER COMPANY ( On Special
for $6.99 a 1 Pint .9 Fl. Oz bottle, 5.5% alcohol by volume, 1% For The Planet,
go to : www.mainebeercompany.com for more info , Portland, Maine ) : " Drink
within 90 days of stamped born on date. Enjoy this beer fresh. Hoppy beers do
not age well. Bottle-conditioned. A fine layer of yeast on the bottom of the
bottle. Please chill upright. "
3) ' Royal Weisse Ale ' from SLY FOX Brewery ( On Special for $9.99 a
6-pack of 12-ounce cans, from Pennsylvania ) : it was poured here this past
Saturday by our local SLY FOX Brewery rep Mike Sollom and I must say out of the
four that he poured this Royal Weisse Ale was the clear-favorite for me :
smooth, silky, soft, rich mouth-feel, the hops in check, I liked it. Thanks
Mike, come again soon!
4) ' Fresh Slice ' White IPA from Brewmaster Mike Gerhardt's from OTTER
CREEK Brewing, Middlebury, VT ( On Special for $9.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce beers,
go to : www.ottercreekbrewing.com ) : " Brewed with a dose of coriander and a
hit of natural clementine flavor." Sounds perfect for this heat this week!
LIQUEUR and LIQUOR from Malkit and JAGIR :
1) Premium 80 STRONG Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Fully-Matured -
new and exciting here for the very first time ever ( $23.99 a 750ml bottle, 40%
alcohol by volume, distilled in Kentucky , Bardstown, 40004 , go to :
www.80strong.com ) : " Think when you drink. " A small-batch Premium product.
Great color, too. Fun graphics on the label as well.
2) Imported ' Cinnamon Rush ' Whisky from BLACK VELVET ( $13.99 a 750ml
bottle, 35% alcohol by volume, Canada ) : " Whisky infused with natural cinnamon
flavor and blended with Black Velvet Canadian whisky." Check it out.
3) Blended Scotch Whisky from STAG'S LEAP ( On Special for $19.99 a 750ml
bottle, from the GLENADEN Distilling Company, East Kilbride Scotland , 40%
alcohol by volume ) : " Masterfully distilled & slowly matured, judiciously
blended & bottled in Scotland."
4) ' Botanical ' Organic USDA from SQUARE ONE Vodka ( $32.99 a 750ml
bottle, made from 100% organic rye , 45% alcohol by volume, from Rigby, Idaho,
certified organic by Oregon Tilth, go to : www.squareonevodka.com for more info
) : " This enticing composition of organic fruit, floral, spice and herbs mingle
together in a distinctly aromatic blend, creating a sophisticated taste
experience and offering a unique twist to both classic and contemporary
cocktails. "
HOT OFF THE TASTE-BUDS :
Malcolm Riddle just came by with the ' new " Adam Carolla MANGRIA wine cocktails
( dry red, white and brose/rose , $19.99 a 750ml bottle with nice labels, some
punch, some kick, some pizzaz and real flavor, best with meals for me, I really
like the brose the best because to me it's the smoothest, all chilled of course,
and served on the rocks - as in at the beach ' rocks ' on ice, ). Malcolm and I
are working on a Tuesday tasting of all three flavors for perhaps for the 24th,
2014. Call to be sure... Here's Malcolm to tell you about the ' Mangrenade '
cocktail he just made me : The 'Mangrenade' is a blend of half Mangria Red and
half Sanpellegrino Limonata served in a wine glass over ice. It makes a
delightful summer cocktail. Trust me, you'll be the hit of the party with
Mangria. It's to be chilled and killed, just for fun, not to be aged, so leave
the complex stuff in the cellar. For more information about Adam Carolla and
Mangria visit www.adamcarolla.com and www.carolladrinks.com. I liked the
cocktail Malcolm, it's smoother with less bite, nice. Now we will see what Adam
Corolla does when we get it here soon.
5) ' Original Ginger ' STONE'S Established 1740 . Imported, from the UK (
On Special for $15.99 a 750ml bottle, 13.5% alcohol by volume, produced and
bottled for Accolade Wines, Lmt, Guildford, GU3 ) : " Grape wine with sugar beet
neutral spirits natural ginger flavor and Caramel color. Refrigerate after
opening."
WINES :
1) HACIENDA ' Los Haroldos ' 2013 Torrontes ' Vonos Con Angel ' ( $9.99 a
750ml bottle, Mendoza, Argentina 13% alcohol by volume ) : when I was taklking
with Marcie our rep the other day I told her to send us some of the Torrontes
dry white from Los Haraldos as the Cabernet Sauvignon does so well for us. We
like the Torrontes and find it very appealing, especially at this time of the
year considering the heat now and the thunderstorm predicted for this week. This
will be dry and refreshing and distinct. Nice.
2) California Chardonnay FINIS, $9.99, 13.4% alcohol by volume, St. Helena,
CA. : Joe tried and liked this and bought it for the store. I will taste it and
tell you what I may think but for the time-being Joe liked it and has added it
here to our selections.
3) ' Villa Doluca ' dry red blend from DOLUCA of 40% Okuzgozu, 40%
alicante, and 20% Carignan from KLASIK ( $9,99 a 750ml bottle, 14.5% alcohol by
volume, from Turkey's Anatolia, Aegean region ) : flavorful, distinct, tasty,
earthy, pithy, great acidity and toasty-srisp red flavors, medium-bodied, a fine
dry red at a fine price to enjoy with meals, anything grilled like my chicken
thighs last night would be great! Thanks Danielle for bringing us samples awhile
back, happy to have the dry red and the dry white to enjoy with our meals.
4) DREYER'S Sonoma Winery ' Compass ' 2012 California Chardonnay ( $12.99 a
750ml bottle, 12.5% alcohol by volume, Graton, California, go to :
www.dreyerwine.com for more info ) : showing really soft and round and pleasing
with a good measure of butter with oak accents on this past Saturday when both
John and Theresa Morrison poured it for our customers. We've had it before and
are happy to have it back again. We also had the ' Il Cuore ' Zinfandel poured
by John and Theresa, $14.99 a bottle : and drinking so beautifully and silkily
and velvety, perfect for this hot weather with a slight chill of no more than
thirty minutes : and the label is gorgeous, too!
5) ' Little River ' 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa's
Stellenbosch region from DE MEYE ( $12.99, 14.5% alcohol by volume, go to :
www.demeye.co.za for more info ) : it's a classic dry medium-bodied food wine
that that is best as it ages and it ages slowly so don't be in a rush to enjoy
it's flavors. Hold a bottle back a couple more years and see how much better it
will be then? It's pretty good now, it's become smoother and silkier and more
fruit-forward and rounded and pleasing, showing the best this weekend that it
has ever shown!
6) ' Perla Real ' 2010 Merlot Monvarietal from Jumilla, Spain ( On Special
for $14.99 a 750ml bottle, regularly $19.99 a bottle, 14% alcohol by volume,
from BODEGAS FERNANDEZ ) " Joe tasted this and liked and ordered it, I have not
tasted it yet and so will get back to you. However, I like the importer and
trust his palate and so know it will be to a certain standard of quality and
represent well the region of Jumilla, Spain and the style that they make. I am
not so used to seeing Merlot wines from here but more are coming to our market
these days. The back label reads : " Perla Real Merlot is a red wine with
intense color and fruit-forward aromatics. Our Merlot offers subtle notes of
spice and honey but above all is characterized by soft, fine, velvety tannins,
and a fleshy mouthful."
SAKE :
1) Eikun WATER Junmai Ginjo Shu LORDS Premium SAKE from Kyoto, Japan (
$29.99, Saito Shuzo Co. LTD, Japan, 15.3% alcohol by volume ) : I liked this a
whole lot, excellent quality, some of the best I have tasted : " This elegant
and well-balanced sake pairs well with seafood, salads, tofu or the Japanese
type of skewered & grilled chicken called Yakitori."
JODY JACKMAN came by just now with Eduardo Hidalgo that works with her @ Winebow
and we are adding some of the South American portfolio of wines that begin with
the COUSINO-MACUL winery wines of owner Arturo Cousino that has been here many
times over the years. How great to try the ' new ; vintage of the ' Antiguas
Reservas ' Cabernet Sauvignon that reminds me more today of a dusty-dry Italian
wine, an old-world style Cabernet Sauvignon that is perfect with food. Loved it
as well as the more rich and full-on-the-palate-withou-any-heaviness Sauvignon
Gris that is such a delight to sip with a fullness of taste that is so pleasing
to hold and cradle in one's mouth - lovely! A real treat. Both will be back this
week and it was so nice to taste with Eduardo that has moved to New York City to
work there. Cheers, gracias Edouardo e Jody e Alfredo e Arturo ... una famillia
nosotros ...
WEEK'S TASTINGS :
Tuesday, TONIGHT, Vinho Verdes with Bill Blanken from 5-8PM . No charge,
join us.
Friday, June 6th, 2014 ( 5-8 PM ) : A French Burgundy ALBERT BICHOT tasting
with Chuck : Macon Villages, 2012, Saint-Veran 2012, and the red burgundy, too
... what great flavors, classic, at great prices, too. No charge.
Saturday, June 7th, 2014 ( 2-6PM ) : We have our Brazilian Soccer Cup Wine
and Cachaca tasting here with Mike Cavanagh ( SALTON Wines ), and Fatima ( with
LEBLON Cachaca, aged cachaca, and Cedrilla aqai liqueur, too ). No charge, join
us.
I KNOW I HAVE FORGOTTEN many things but it is time to post this now. Come join
us tonight with Bill Blacken and try three excellent wines from Portugal, all
dry white partly sparkling, low-alcohol white wines! Cheers.
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING ... we appreciate everything , take care, TONY 6/3/2014
THIS IS FROM our store email two years ago : enjoy it, cheers, TONY 6/3/2104
SO " YOU ALL SEE some of what goes on here. Yesterday I responded to Mark
Norman's blog to me and so I thought with Robert Kennedy here and him being a
small importer and us being a small store I thought it all fit here as a
launch-off for today's weekly Tuesday store email. A bit unusual I grant you but
it all ties together and shows how we all work together, or don't as a team to
get you all the best selections available to take home and enjoy daily.
TONIGHT'S Portuguese Wine-Tasting with Bill Blacken: No charge , join
us, from 5-8PM. Cheers. Everyone always welcome.
SPEAKING OF THAT I JUST GOT A CALL from Bill Blacken that will be here tonight
pouring our three Vinho Verde wines for you all :
1) Vinho Verde D.O.C. Branco/white VALE DO HOMEN , $9.99, 11.5% alcohol by
volume, a dry and flavorful white blend of 80% Loureiro indigenous grapes, and
20% Arinto grapes. 2011. Good when you want more flavor, body and taste. Perfect
for a night tonight that will be 85 degrees outside with thunder showers, too
...
2) Vinho Verde of GATAO , $9.99 a bottle, 9% alcohol by volume : lean,
crisp, bright, a touch rtart and tangy and very refreshing.
3) Vinho Verde dry white from SANTOLA, $7.99 a bottle, 9% alcohol by
volume, a fuller, richer, more fruit-forward and lush taste that is ideal to sip
all by itself, with or without food.
JOIN US, LEARN about the excellent Vinho Verde wines that are perfect for this
hot weather of this week. It will be fun to have Bill Blacken here, too for the
first time. Cheers.
TUESDAYS :
1) BUY ANY sparkling wine bottle over $20 a bottle and SAVE 15% OFF the
marked sticker price ( except for VEUVE CLICQUOT ).
2) Mix six or more bottles and save 10% OFF the marked sticker prices.
3) BUY 12 or more bottles of sparkling or still wine and SAVE 15% OFF the
marked sticker prices.
Includes Port, Sherry, Marsala, Madeira, Sake.
WEDNESDAYS :
1) BUY ANY Still Wine over $20 a bottle and SAVE 20% OFF the marked
sticker prices.
2) BUY SIX or MORE bottles of still ( non-sparkling wine ) and SAVE 15%
OFF the marked sticker prices.
3) BUY TWELVE OR MORE non-sparkling wines and SAVE 20% OFF the marked
sticker prices.
INCLUDED are Port, Sherry, Madeira, Marsala and Sake.
MIX THINGS UP. Have fun, get more of what you want this way. spread out
your experiences, too.
SAVE , SAVE, SAVE MORE @ CP WINES!
SUPER BOWL EXCITEMENT! We have a couple of ' Big Tastings ' for you this
Saturday, June 3rd, 2014 from 2-6PM with 1) Michael pouring the SALTON wines of
Brazil and ... 2) Fatima from Brazil - that also has a dance company - pouring
the LEBLON Brazilian cachaca, $32.99, ... the ' aged ' cachaca and the '
Cedilla ' liqueur Acai : all made by LEBLON and all sold here! This will be a
great way to start the celebrations for the World Cup in Brazil that officially
starts of Thursday, June 12th, 2014 : and we will begin our celebration on
Saturday June 7th, 2014. JOIN US, Never any charge, everyone welcome.
BEER From Santos :
1) Moulins D'Ascq Blonde French Craft Organic Ale ( On Special for $3.49 a
11 Fl. Oz bottle, 6.2% alcohol by volume, product of France, USDA Organic, go
to : www.moulinsdascq.fr for more info ) : new and very exciting indeed.
2) ' Peeper Ale ' Do What's Right from the MAINE BEER COMPANY ( On Special
for $6.99 a 1 Pint .9 Fl. Oz bottle, 5.5% alcohol by volume, 1% For The Planet,
go to : www.mainebeercompany.com for more info , Portland, Maine ) : " Drink
within 90 days of stamped born on date. Enjoy this beer fresh. Hoppy beers do
not age well. Bottle-conditioned. A fine layer of yeast on the bottom of the
bottle. Please chill upright. "
3) ' Royal Weisse Ale ' from SLY FOX Brewery ( On Special for $9.99 a
6-pack of 12-ounce cans, from Pennsylvania ) : it was poured here this past
Saturday by our local SLY FOX Brewery rep Mike Sollom and I must say out of the
four that he poured this Royal Weisse Ale was the clear-favorite for me :
smooth, silky, soft, rich mouth-feel, the hops in check, I liked it. Thanks
Mike, come again soon!
4) ' Fresh Slice ' White IPA from Brewmaster Mike Gerhardt's from OTTER
CREEK Brewing, Middlebury, VT ( On Special for $9.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce beers,
go to : www.ottercreekbrewing.com ) : " Brewed with a dose of coriander and a
hit of natural clementine flavor." Sounds perfect for this heat this week!
LIQUEUR and LIQUOR from Malkit and JAGIR :
1) Premium 80 STRONG Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Fully-Matured -
new and exciting here for the very first time ever ( $23.99 a 750ml bottle, 40%
alcohol by volume, distilled in Kentucky , Bardstown, 40004 , go to :
www.80strong.com ) : " Think when you drink. " A small-batch Premium product.
Great color, too. Fun graphics on the label as well.
2) Imported ' Cinnamon Rush ' Whisky from BLACK VELVET ( $13.99 a 750ml
bottle, 35% alcohol by volume, Canada ) : " Whisky infused with natural cinnamon
flavor and blended with Black Velvet Canadian whisky." Check it out.
3) Blended Scotch Whisky from STAG'S LEAP ( On Special for $19.99 a 750ml
bottle, from the GLENADEN Distilling Company, East Kilbride Scotland , 40%
alcohol by volume ) : " Masterfully distilled & slowly matured, judiciously
blended & bottled in Scotland."
4) ' Botanical ' Organic USDA from SQUARE ONE Vodka ( $32.99 a 750ml
bottle, made from 100% organic rye , 45% alcohol by volume, from Rigby, Idaho,
certified organic by Oregon Tilth, go to : www.squareonevodka.com for more info
) : " This enticing composition of organic fruit, floral, spice and herbs mingle
together in a distinctly aromatic blend, creating a sophisticated taste
experience and offering a unique twist to both classic and contemporary
cocktails. "
HOT OFF THE TASTE-BUDS :
Malcolm Riddle just came by with the ' new " Adam Carolla MANGRIA wine cocktails
( dry red, white and brose/rose , $19.99 a 750ml bottle with nice labels, some
punch, some kick, some pizzaz and real flavor, best with meals for me, I really
like the brose the best because to me it's the smoothest, all chilled of course,
and served on the rocks - as in at the beach ' rocks ' on ice, ). Malcolm and I
are working on a Tuesday tasting of all three flavors for perhaps for the 24th,
2014. Call to be sure... Here's Malcolm to tell you about the ' Mangrenade '
cocktail he just made me : The 'Mangrenade' is a blend of half Mangria Red and
half Sanpellegrino Limonata served in a wine glass over ice. It makes a
delightful summer cocktail. Trust me, you'll be the hit of the party with
Mangria. It's to be chilled and killed, just for fun, not to be aged, so leave
the complex stuff in the cellar. For more information about Adam Carolla and
Mangria visit www.adamcarolla.com and www.carolladrinks.com. I liked the
cocktail Malcolm, it's smoother with less bite, nice. Now we will see what Adam
Corolla does when we get it here soon.
5) ' Original Ginger ' STONE'S Established 1740 . Imported, from the UK (
On Special for $15.99 a 750ml bottle, 13.5% alcohol by volume, produced and
bottled for Accolade Wines, Lmt, Guildford, GU3 ) : " Grape wine with sugar beet
neutral spirits natural ginger flavor and Caramel color. Refrigerate after
opening."
WINES :
1) HACIENDA ' Los Haroldos ' 2013 Torrontes ' Vonos Con Angel ' ( $9.99 a
750ml bottle, Mendoza, Argentina 13% alcohol by volume ) : when I was taklking
with Marcie our rep the other day I told her to send us some of the Torrontes
dry white from Los Haraldos as the Cabernet Sauvignon does so well for us. We
like the Torrontes and find it very appealing, especially at this time of the
year considering the heat now and the thunderstorm predicted for this week. This
will be dry and refreshing and distinct. Nice.
2) California Chardonnay FINIS, $9.99, 13.4% alcohol by volume, St. Helena,
CA. : Joe tried and liked this and bought it for the store. I will taste it and
tell you what I may think but for the time-being Joe liked it and has added it
here to our selections.
3) ' Villa Doluca ' dry red blend from DOLUCA of 40% Okuzgozu, 40%
alicante, and 20% Carignan from KLASIK ( $9,99 a 750ml bottle, 14.5% alcohol by
volume, from Turkey's Anatolia, Aegean region ) : flavorful, distinct, tasty,
earthy, pithy, great acidity and toasty-srisp red flavors, medium-bodied, a fine
dry red at a fine price to enjoy with meals, anything grilled like my chicken
thighs last night would be great! Thanks Danielle for bringing us samples awhile
back, happy to have the dry red and the dry white to enjoy with our meals.
4) DREYER'S Sonoma Winery ' Compass ' 2012 California Chardonnay ( $12.99 a
750ml bottle, 12.5% alcohol by volume, Graton, California, go to :
www.dreyerwine.com for more info ) : showing really soft and round and pleasing
with a good measure of butter with oak accents on this past Saturday when both
John and Theresa Morrison poured it for our customers. We've had it before and
are happy to have it back again. We also had the ' Il Cuore ' Zinfandel poured
by John and Theresa, $14.99 a bottle : and drinking so beautifully and silkily
and velvety, perfect for this hot weather with a slight chill of no more than
thirty minutes : and the label is gorgeous, too!
5) ' Little River ' 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa's
Stellenbosch region from DE MEYE ( $12.99, 14.5% alcohol by volume, go to :
www.demeye.co.za for more info ) : it's a classic dry medium-bodied food wine
that that is best as it ages and it ages slowly so don't be in a rush to enjoy
it's flavors. Hold a bottle back a couple more years and see how much better it
will be then? It's pretty good now, it's become smoother and silkier and more
fruit-forward and rounded and pleasing, showing the best this weekend that it
has ever shown!
6) ' Perla Real ' 2010 Merlot Monvarietal from Jumilla, Spain ( On Special
for $14.99 a 750ml bottle, regularly $19.99 a bottle, 14% alcohol by volume,
from BODEGAS FERNANDEZ ) " Joe tasted this and liked and ordered it, I have not
tasted it yet and so will get back to you. However, I like the importer and
trust his palate and so know it will be to a certain standard of quality and
represent well the region of Jumilla, Spain and the style that they make. I am
not so used to seeing Merlot wines from here but more are coming to our market
these days. The back label reads : " Perla Real Merlot is a red wine with
intense color and fruit-forward aromatics. Our Merlot offers subtle notes of
spice and honey but above all is characterized by soft, fine, velvety tannins,
and a fleshy mouthful."
SAKE :
1) Eikun WATER Junmai Ginjo Shu LORDS Premium SAKE from Kyoto, Japan (
$29.99, Saito Shuzo Co. LTD, Japan, 15.3% alcohol by volume ) : I liked this a
whole lot, excellent quality, some of the best I have tasted : " This elegant
and well-balanced sake pairs well with seafood, salads, tofu or the Japanese
type of skewered & grilled chicken called Yakitori."
JODY JACKMAN came by just now with Eduardo Hidalgo that works with her @ Winebow
and we are adding some of the South American portfolio of wines that begin with
the COUSINO-MACUL winery wines of owner Arturo Cousino that has been here many
times over the years. How great to try the ' new ; vintage of the ' Antiguas
Reservas ' Cabernet Sauvignon that reminds me more today of a dusty-dry Italian
wine, an old-world style Cabernet Sauvignon that is perfect with food. Loved it
as well as the more rich and full-on-the-palate-withou-any-heaviness Sauvignon
Gris that is such a delight to sip with a fullness of taste that is so pleasing
to hold and cradle in one's mouth - lovely! A real treat. Both will be back this
week and it was so nice to taste with Eduardo that has moved to New York City to
work there. Cheers, gracias Edouardo e Jody e Alfredo e Arturo ... una famillia
nosotros ...
WEEK'S TASTINGS :
Tuesday, TONIGHT, Vinho Verdes with Bill Blanken from 5-8PM . No charge,
join us.
Friday, June 6th, 2014 ( 5-8 PM ) : A French Burgundy ALBERT BICHOT tasting
with Chuck : Macon Villages, 2012, Saint-Veran 2012, and the red burgundy, too
... what great flavors, classic, at great prices, too. No charge.
Saturday, June 7th, 2014 ( 2-6PM ) : We have our Brazilian Soccer Cup Wine
and Cachaca tasting here with Mike Cavanagh ( SALTON Wines ), and Fatima ( with
LEBLON Cachaca, aged cachaca, and Cedrilla aqai liqueur, too ). No charge, join
us.
I KNOW I HAVE FORGOTTEN many things but it is time to post this now. Come join
us tonight with Bill Blacken and try three excellent wines from Portugal, all
dry white partly sparkling, low-alcohol white wines! Cheers.
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING ... we appreciate everything , take care, TONY 6/3/2014
WEATHER LIKE THIS We All Have To Be Really Smart About taking advantage of any
time that you possibly can and either be outside or at least ready when you can
chill. It's all about keeping a healthy balance on things and seeing the larger
picture as often as possible. We can help you when you can sneak a few minutes
here and there or even those longer stretches of time when possible. You know
that feeling when you come to the end of your two days' off and begin to feel
really comfortable , relaxed and at ease?!? It pretty much happens to me each
weekend and I get that knot in my stomach and sometimes I swallow quickly, too
as I have a real gut reaction to the realization that I will soon be back at
work.
WE HAVE MORE AND MORE to make you all aware of as the world of liquid choices
expands and becomes almost too much to absorb even if you chip away at it
daily!?! It's a real challenge and we face it just as you do when our various
sales people come to show yet another " new " vodka, gin, single malt, white
whiskey, rye whiskey, etcetera. Think about it : SKINNY GIRL alone has three "
new " flavored vodkas that we have just added here and this past weekend being
an artist myself I was admiring the slick packaging and marketing of these many
new SKINNY GIRL products. It's a good thing we have them, too as we all seem to
be riding the wave a very popular SKINNY GIRL surge in popularity. The Margarita
that they started with is still really popular and we still have many requests
for it. The recent " crisis " with SKINNY GIRL is their Pina Colada "
Ready-To-Drink " that Ravi tells me the company is still out of. That's really
bad news, especially on the weekends when we have many people coming in search
of it, specially considering the wonderful and refreshing weather that we have
had. We will keep you up to date on this most recent situation.
AND I HAVE ONLY JUST COVERED some of the liquors : just think about the
explosion of " new " and various beers that are becoming available to us here in
Washington D.C. and our surrounding neighborhoods. I will start, however with
some of Ravi Sharma's various liqueurs and liquors as I spend so much time on
wine here in these emails that I have been writing now for ten or more years.
FUNNY, there was a time when the emails were almost all about wine. Remember
those days when the liquor business was almost dead? It was not so very long
ago. Everyone was scared that when the older generation died off that the liquor
business would die with them?! That was a real reality check- a scary wake-up
call that many were dreading.
MARKETING SAVED THE DAY in many ways. Marketing and an expansion , relabeling,
and a broadening of almost all brands that already existed as well as those that
were being created and conceived in many offices and boardrooms around the
world. How can a " new " brand be brought to the market and advertised and
promoted? What bottle shape, what label, what size, what demographics would be
targeted?!? So many questions to consider, so many " new " possibilities to tap
into the modern psyche and thirst for something " new " to share with others. So
many want to discover something original and new and bring it to the attention
of their friends. To do this in our age of immediacy and everything being
available and posted, blogged, tweeted and twittered in nano seconds now the
ability to introduce things before someone else did it before you somewhere in
the world depended and depends still on more things being created by the old and
the established as well as by the " new this week " people.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE great liquors from Ravi that I will mention now.
1) BRANCA MENTA Fratelli Branca Distillerie, The Mint Liqueur ( $30.99, 30%
alcohol by volume, 750ml bottle, Casa Fondata Nel 1845, Milano, Italy ) from
FERNET BRANCA has always stood in the shadows. I don't think as many of you know
about it as you do of the FERNET BRANCA. Anyway, as they write on their back
label : " Excellence knows no oceans, no frontiers " we think you should all try
some. Google it and see what fun cocktails they suggest for you all. Add a
splash of it in one of your favorite cocktails where you think mint might add
that something special? Yeah, rub your brains together and invent yourselves the
" next new cocktail " using the BRANCA MENTA as an integral ingredient. Cheers
and good luck and share what you achieve with us soon.
2) Elderflower made by CHASE ( $23.99, 750ml bottle, 20% alcohol by
volume,, www.chasedistillery.co.uk from the Chase distillery Ltd, Rosemaund
Farm, Hereford, HR1 3PG ) : " Achieved by using our own award winning, luxurious
Chase potato vodka freshly infused with pressed Elderflowers of Herefordshire,
to create this delicate and fresh liqueur ". The price is great : what a great
value! You should all check this out. This CHASE & Elderflower may become the
next rage and " must-have " liqueur available. get some while you still can.
3) " La Diablada " PISCO ( $39.99, 40% alcohol by volume, product of Peru,
MACCHU PISCO, Calle La Huaca 118 Pueblo Libre ) is made for our friend Melanie
Trindade-Asher and her sister. We have sold it here for years and many times
Melanie came by herself or with her Aunt Rosa to make us her diving Pisco Sours.
Once her sister came and joined her here and that also was a treat for all of
us. They have for you to try : ANDEAN ROUSER recipe : Mix 2 cups of the La
Diablada Pisco with 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of fresh lime juice and a shot of
eggwhite. Add 10 ice cubes and blend. This will serve 8 drinks. Add a drop of
Angostura bitter on the top. Hopefully Melanie will return soon to taste the two
MACCHU Piscos that she sells, this being the highest quality of the two. We
carry both here and both are available usually on a regular basis here.
4) Gold Bermuda rum of GOSLING'S ( $19.99, 750ml bottle, 40% alcohol by
volume, est, in 1806,go to : www.goslingsgold.com, Hamilton, Bermuda ) has a
really nice golden color and will add something for those of you wanting to
support GOSLING'S but not use their dark rum as you are enjoying something else
than a " Dark & Stormy ". We are pleased to have it here to add to the dark rum
that is already so popular with many of you.
5) VYA Vermouth Aperitif ( comes in both Sweet and Extra Dry, in 375ml
bottles as well as 750ml bottles - we have both, the 375ml bottles are both
$14.99 a bottle,, 17% alcohol by volume, made by Andrew Quady in Madera,
California Go to www.vya.com 800-733-8068 for more info ). Andrew writes of the
Extra Dry : " Imagine a forest after the rain. This is the idea behind Vya extra
dry ... "
Andrew writes of the Sweet : " Imagine a warm tingling sensation and a spicy
aroma. This is the idea behind Vya sweet vermouth ". You will have to come and
read the rest of the back labels to see where Andrew is going with both of
these. I have met Andrew, he has been here. These are both really superb and
lovely to sip all by themselves as well as to add to many cocktails and drinks.
Cheers.
BEER From SANTOS RIVERA : So Many Wonderful Choices :
1) Damn INEDIT from ESTRELLA ( $10.99 , product of Spain, Barcelona, 750ml
bottle ) is a malt beer brewed with spices. Love the packaging and the bottle
and the producer. Fun for this beautiful weather.
2) Mogul Madness Ale by ROGUE ( On Special for $5.99 a 1 Pt. 6 Fl. Oz,
650ml bottle, from Newport, Oregon 97365 ) is " a lively seasonal ale,
assertively hopped, dark in color and festive in taste ". No chemicals,
preservatives or additives. Another fabulous ROGUE beer/ ale to enjoy! Cheers.
3) Whole-Cone Imperial IPA " Hoptimum " 2012 from SIERRA NEVADA ( On
Special for $10.99 a 4-pack , Chico, California, 12 Fl Oz bottle, 10.4% alcohol
by volume ) is : " the ultimate whole-cone imperial IPA experience ". Anyone
care to add to this? It would be great to hear your thoughts. The hops that make
up the head in the illustration reminds me of a artichoke and I wonder if there
are any of those flavors in this IPA? Any possibility of that?
4) " Hyve " Honey Ale USDA Organic from UINTA Brewing Co. ( On Special for
$9.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles , from Salt Lake City, Utah. go to :
uintabrewing.com for more info, ALSO KOSHER ) contains water, organic barley,
malt hops, yeast and organic honey. It's also new and a real treat for us.
Cheers.
WINES From Eric, Michel and Tony :
WHITES :
1) Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from ESSAY, South Africa ( $9.99 ,
www.essaywines.co.za, 13 % alcohol by volume, Western Cape of South Africa ) is
bone-dry, clean, crisp, steely, tart, tangy and a perfect wine to enjoy with a
goat's cheese, a salad and vinaigrette, and many warm-weather meals. Tasted to
Eric and me ( Tony ) recently by our rep Sal of Bacchus and Danny Haas of the
Vineyard Brands import company. Excellent.
2) Chardonnay Vin de Pays du Val de Loire dry Chardonnay 2010 from the
DOMAINE De BERNIER ( $10.99, 12% alcohol by volume, proprietaire-recoltants of
la Regrippierre44330 , www.freres-couillaud.com ) is made from 100% Chardonnay
by the Couilaud family that makes great Muscadet ( Domaine de la Ragotiere ).
Serve this " crisp, fruity Chardonnay with fish or chicken or as an aperitif ".
It really over-delivers for this price. You get a whole lot of really flavorful
and focused wine for only $11 a bottle! Cheers. This also comes from Danny Haas
of the Vineyard Brands portfolio.
REDS :
1) 2010 Barbera Piemonte dry Italian red from the BRICCO DEL TATI ( $8.99,
www.briccodeitati.com ) : " From our little vineyard on the edge of the village
of Treiso in Piemonte, we proudly make this delightfully fresh Barbera. We make
it for ourselves, friends, and family. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do! "
Mary Beth and Manu. Michel that works here cannot say enough great things about
it. He loves and believes in it. Cheers.
2) Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from ESSAY in South Africa ( $9.99, 14% alcohol
by volume, www.essaywines.co.za ) is bright. lively , lighter-bodied and a
delight to sip with or without a meal. I really enjoyed it a couple of weekends'
ago and would gladly drink some more anytime. Great to take on a picnic or when
you visit friends enjoying a barbecue or grill outside. Even with the humidity
you can chill this and enjoy it thoroughly. It has a stelvan closure and so
needs no corkscrew.
3) 100% Cabernet Franc from France's Loire Valley in the town of Chinon,
this CHINON 2008 from the DOMAINE GOURON ( On Special for $16.99, regularly
$22.99, 13% alcohol by volume, www.promexwines.com ) is made from 20-35 year-old
vines. It has really good color and is forward and flavorful and really quite
refreshing. Chill 30 minutes or so and enjoy inside or outside with grilled and
well-seasoned meals. This wine will cleanse your palate as well as refresh you
as you enjoy your meal in the heat and the humidity that Washington D.C. has
off-and-on. It's a pure joy and many of you loved it last weekend when John and
Theresa Morrison poured it this past weekend here. Cheers.
4) Barbera dry red from Italy's Piemonte region, called QUATTRO MANI (
$16.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume, Serralunga D'Alba, www.domaineselect.com ) : "
Quattro Mani, or " four hands " , showcases Italian wine-making and the
expression of the character and strength of Italy's indigenous grape varieties.
The winemakers were selected for their skill in allowing vineyards to speak
through the wine... ". We concur : this is classic, flavorful and balanced
Barbera that will marry really well with a meal. Go to : www.4mani.com for any
further questions. This will make a great addition to any party for those of you
that love Italian dry, and flavorful and that are always best when paired with
food. Cheers.
5) Malbec 2010 from Argentina's Mendoza region, this Ernesto Catena Malbec
from TAHUAN winery ( $17.99, 13.7% alcohol by volume, www.siestawines.com.ar )
is a really well-balanced, focused dry red Malbec that does not lose sight of
the Malbec fruit from which it started. Bravo : it tastes like classic wines
made in Europe and will make a great wine-food pairing on many a table whether
inside or outside. It will hold it's own against many a food seasoning, flavor
or spice. Ernesto came here perhaps a couple of years ago with Alfredo
Bartholomaus and we were then all enthralled with his sparkling wines.
6) Nero D'Avola 2009 dry red from Sicily's ( $17.99. 13.5% alcohol by
volume ) : this indigenous dry red made from the Nero D'Avola grape variety is
really flavorful and tasty and pretty amazing. I remember really liking it and
thinking how classic it was in style. It's another winner for us and the price
is very reasonable for all the taste and character-attitude that you get here.
7) Cote de Nuits Villages 2007 from SHAPS & ROUCHER-SARRAZIN ( On Special
for $19.99, regularly $29.99 ) is subtle and velvety and so marvelously silky. I
love the flavor, there's some charm and a touch of sunshine absorbed by the
grapes and held firmly in place to be released finally as the bottle opens and
the wine touches your palate. You will taste the spice and the minerals of the
land from which these Pinot Noir grapes were sprung and you will fall in love
all over again.
8) Pinot Noir 2001 from New Zealand's Marlborough region ( On Special for
$19.99, regularly $44.99 , Fromm winery, Godfrey Road, Blenheim, 14% alcohol by
volume, www.frommwineries.com ) is from a great year and all the flavors are
fully-developed and this dry red is showing all it's magnificent colors and
flavors now and at more than half off the original price! What a steal!!
9) Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso Grave, Friuli Vigneti Sant'Helena 2006 dry
red from VIGNETI FANTINEL ($22.99, dal 1969, 13% alcohol by volume, ) is
classic, dry, spicy, earthy and balanced, classic Italian wine country flavors.
This is another great Italian food red. Medium-bodied and really makes a strong
statement that is best balanced against the backdrop of a well-seasoned,
marinated meal. Cheers.
SPARKLING WINES :
1) Sparkling off-dry light red Saperavi, Chinebuli and Tsitska grapes,
this BAGRATIONI from Georgia ( $16.99, 12 % alcohol by volume, www.bagrationi.ge
, Tbilisi, Georgia ) is so pleasing and fresh and bright and easy-sipping : an
absolute delight with or without a meal. Try some soon before we sell out!
2) Brachetto d'Acqui 2010 BRICCO RIOGLIO from RINALDI ( $20.99, 6% alcohol
by volume ) is marked sweet on the label. This light red from Italy's Piemonte
region is a delight and had little acidity and little tannin and focuses most of
it's attention on the nuances of slight sparkling fruit flavors that are toasty,
roasted and with touches of spices and warmth, earth and mineral, too : a real
slice of Italian Piemontese life as filtered through these vines and now wine.
Fun to just relax with a glass of Brachetto - an experience everyone needs to
experience.
WEEK'S TASTINGS :
FRIDAY, June 8th, 2012 ( 5-8PM ) : An evening with Jody Jackman of Winebow
Imports. We will select something really exciting to taste with Jody, perhaps
some really exciting Portuguese wines? YES : just spoke to Jody and we are
working on a series of wines from both the LOIOS and the PASSA DOURO wineries in
Portugal which will include both reds and whites for you all to luxuriate in.
SATURDAY, June 9th, 2012 ( 2-6PM ) : We have Nolan Hale of Mondo Vino wine
selections coming to taste perhaps some new Italian wines? Perhaps some
excellent Chilean wines/ Perhaps some French wines? We will get our signals
aligned tomorrow when Nolan returns from vacation and so you may always call and
ask either Michel or me what we will be tasting at : 202-363-4265. JOIN US :
EVERYONE always welcome and there is never any charge.
I KNOW I HAVE FORGOTTEN MANY THINGS but it is time to proof and send this
email early to you all so that we may give you reason to pause and reflect and
decide that you simply must come and see us ASAP! That's the idea anyway. Thanks
for everything, we appreciate all that you do for us and your belief and trust
in us. It humbles us. Thanks again and see you really soon. Cheers, TONY
If you have any orders, suggestions or questions, you may e-mail us at :
anthony.quinn@clevelandparkwines.com or call us at : 202-363-4265. Check us out
at : www.clevelandparkwines.com and on Facebook at : Cleveland Park Wines &
Spirits and on Twitter at : cpwinespirits. Cheers, Eric, Michel,Nelson, Ravi,
Santos , Ved and me, Tony
SO " YOU ALL SEE some of what goes on here. Yesterday I responded to Mark
Norman's blog to me and so I thought with Robert Kennedy here and him being a
small importer and us being a small store I thought it all fit here as a
launch-off for today's weekly Tuesday store email. A bit unusual I grant you but
it all ties together and shows how we all work together, or don't as a team to
get you all the best selections available to take home and enjoy daily.
TONIGHT'S Portuguese Wine-Tasting with Bill Blacken: No charge , join
us, from 5-8PM. Cheers. Everyone always welcome.
SPEAKING OF THAT I JUST GOT A CALL from Bill Blacken that will be here tonight
pouring our three Vinho Verde wines for you all :
1) Vinho Verde D.O.C. Branco/white VALE DO HOMEN , $9.99, 11.5% alcohol by
volume, a dry and flavorful white blend of 80% Loureiro indigenous grapes, and
20% Arinto grapes. 2011. Good when you want more flavor, body and taste. Perfect
for a night tonight that will be 85 degrees outside with thunder showers, too
...
2) Vinho Verde of GATAO , $9.99 a bottle, 9% alcohol by volume : lean,
crisp, bright, a touch rtart and tangy and very refreshing.
3) Vinho Verde dry white from SANTOLA, $7.99 a bottle, 9% alcohol by
volume, a fuller, richer, more fruit-forward and lush taste that is ideal to sip
all by itself, with or without food.
JOIN US, LEARN about the excellent Vinho Verde wines that are perfect for this
hot weather of this week. It will be fun to have Bill Blacken here, too for the
first time. Cheers.
TUESDAYS :
1) BUY ANY sparkling wine bottle over $20 a bottle and SAVE 15% OFF the
marked sticker price ( except for VEUVE CLICQUOT ).
2) Mix six or more bottles and save 10% OFF the marked sticker prices.
3) BUY 12 or more bottles of sparkling or still wine and SAVE 15% OFF the
marked sticker prices.
Includes Port, Sherry, Marsala, Madeira, Sake.
WEDNESDAYS :
1) BUY ANY Still Wine over $20 a bottle and SAVE 20% OFF the marked
sticker prices.
2) BUY SIX or MORE bottles of still ( non-sparkling wine ) and SAVE 15%
OFF the marked sticker prices.
3) BUY TWELVE OR MORE non-sparkling wines and SAVE 20% OFF the marked
sticker prices.
INCLUDED are Port, Sherry, Madeira, Marsala and Sake.
MIX THINGS UP. Have fun, get more of what you want this way. spread out
your experiences, too.
SAVE , SAVE, SAVE MORE @ CP WINES!
SUPER BOWL EXCITEMENT! We have a couple of ' Big Tastings ' for you this
Saturday, June 3rd, 2014 from 2-6PM with 1) Michael pouring the SALTON wines of
Brazil and ... 2) Fatima from Brazil - that also has a dance company - pouring
the LEBLON Brazilian cachaca, $32.99, ... the ' aged ' cachaca and the '
Cedilla ' liqueur Acai : all made by LEBLON and all sold here! This will be a
great way to start the celebrations for the World Cup in Brazil that officially
starts of Thursday, June 12th, 2014 : and we will begin our celebration on
Saturday June 7th, 2014. JOIN US, Never any charge, everyone welcome.
BEER From Santos :
1) Moulins D'Ascq Blonde French Craft Organic Ale ( On Special for $3.49 a
11 Fl. Oz bottle, 6.2% alcohol by volume, product of France, USDA Organic, go
to : www.moulinsdascq.fr for more info ) : new and very exciting indeed.
2) ' Peeper Ale ' Do What's Right from the MAINE BEER COMPANY ( On Special
for $6.99 a 1 Pint .9 Fl. Oz bottle, 5.5% alcohol by volume, 1% For The Planet,
go to : www.mainebeercompany.com for more info , Portland, Maine ) : " Drink
within 90 days of stamped born on date. Enjoy this beer fresh. Hoppy beers do
not age well. Bottle-conditioned. A fine layer of yeast on the bottom of the
bottle. Please chill upright. "
3) ' Royal Weisse Ale ' from SLY FOX Brewery ( On Special for $9.99 a
6-pack of 12-ounce cans, from Pennsylvania ) : it was poured here this past
Saturday by our local SLY FOX Brewery rep Mike Sollom and I must say out of the
four that he poured this Royal Weisse Ale was the clear-favorite for me :
smooth, silky, soft, rich mouth-feel, the hops in check, I liked it. Thanks
Mike, come again soon!
4) ' Fresh Slice ' White IPA from Brewmaster Mike Gerhardt's from OTTER
CREEK Brewing, Middlebury, VT ( On Special for $9.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce beers,
go to : www.ottercreekbrewing.com ) : " Brewed with a dose of coriander and a
hit of natural clementine flavor." Sounds perfect for this heat this week!
LIQUEUR and LIQUOR from Malkit and JAGIR :
1) Premium 80 STRONG Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Fully-Matured -
new and exciting here for the very first time ever ( $23.99 a 750ml bottle, 40%
alcohol by volume, distilled in Kentucky , Bardstown, 40004 , go to :
www.80strong.com ) : " Think when you drink. " A small-batch Premium product.
Great color, too. Fun graphics on the label as well.
2) Imported ' Cinnamon Rush ' Whisky from BLACK VELVET ( $13.99 a 750ml
bottle, 35% alcohol by volume, Canada ) : " Whisky infused with natural cinnamon
flavor and blended with Black Velvet Canadian whisky." Check it out.
3) Blended Scotch Whisky from STAG'S LEAP ( On Special for $19.99 a 750ml
bottle, from the GLENADEN Distilling Company, East Kilbride Scotland , 40%
alcohol by volume ) : " Masterfully distilled & slowly matured, judiciously
blended & bottled in Scotland."
4) ' Botanical ' Organic USDA from SQUARE ONE Vodka ( $32.99 a 750ml
bottle, made from 100% organic rye , 45% alcohol by volume, from Rigby, Idaho,
certified organic by Oregon Tilth, go to : www.squareonevodka.com for more info
) : " This enticing composition of organic fruit, floral, spice and herbs mingle
together in a distinctly aromatic blend, creating a sophisticated taste
experience and offering a unique twist to both classic and contemporary
cocktails. "
HOT OFF THE TASTE-BUDS :
Malcolm Riddle just came by with the ' new " Adam Carolla MANGRIA wine cocktails
( dry red, white and brose/rose , $19.99 a 750ml bottle with nice labels, some
punch, some kick, some pizzaz and real flavor, best with meals for me, I really
like the brose the best because to me it's the smoothest, all chilled of course,
and served on the rocks - as in at the beach ' rocks ' on ice, ). Malcolm and I
are working on a Tuesday tasting of all three flavors for perhaps for the 24th,
2014. Call to be sure... Here's Malcolm to tell you about the ' Mangrenade '
cocktail he just made me : The 'Mangrenade' is a blend of half Mangria Red and
half Sanpellegrino Limonata served in a wine glass over ice. It makes a
delightful summer cocktail. Trust me, you'll be the hit of the party with
Mangria. It's to be chilled and killed, just for fun, not to be aged, so leave
the complex stuff in the cellar. For more information about Adam Carolla and
Mangria visit www.adamcarolla.com and www.carolladrinks.com. I liked the
cocktail Malcolm, it's smoother with less bite, nice. Now we will see what Adam
Corolla does when we get it here soon.
5) ' Original Ginger ' STONE'S Established 1740 . Imported, from the UK (
On Special for $15.99 a 750ml bottle, 13.5% alcohol by volume, produced and
bottled for Accolade Wines, Lmt, Guildford, GU3 ) : " Grape wine with sugar beet
neutral spirits natural ginger flavor and Caramel color. Refrigerate after
opening."
WINES :
1) HACIENDA ' Los Haroldos ' 2013 Torrontes ' Vonos Con Angel ' ( $9.99 a
750ml bottle, Mendoza, Argentina 13% alcohol by volume ) : when I was taklking
with Marcie our rep the other day I told her to send us some of the Torrontes
dry white from Los Haraldos as the Cabernet Sauvignon does so well for us. We
like the Torrontes and find it very appealing, especially at this time of the
year considering the heat now and the thunderstorm predicted for this week. This
will be dry and refreshing and distinct. Nice.
2) California Chardonnay FINIS, $9.99, 13.4% alcohol by volume, St. Helena,
CA. : Joe tried and liked this and bought it for the store. I will taste it and
tell you what I may think but for the time-being Joe liked it and has added it
here to our selections.
3) ' Villa Doluca ' dry red blend from DOLUCA of 40% Okuzgozu, 40%
alicante, and 20% Carignan from KLASIK ( $9,99 a 750ml bottle, 14.5% alcohol by
volume, from Turkey's Anatolia, Aegean region ) : flavorful, distinct, tasty,
earthy, pithy, great acidity and toasty-srisp red flavors, medium-bodied, a fine
dry red at a fine price to enjoy with meals, anything grilled like my chicken
thighs last night would be great! Thanks Danielle for bringing us samples awhile
back, happy to have the dry red and the dry white to enjoy with our meals.
4) DREYER'S Sonoma Winery ' Compass ' 2012 California Chardonnay ( $12.99 a
750ml bottle, 12.5% alcohol by volume, Graton, California, go to :
www.dreyerwine.com for more info ) : showing really soft and round and pleasing
with a good measure of butter with oak accents on this past Saturday when both
John and Theresa Morrison poured it for our customers. We've had it before and
are happy to have it back again. We also had the ' Il Cuore ' Zinfandel poured
by John and Theresa, $14.99 a bottle : and drinking so beautifully and silkily
and velvety, perfect for this hot weather with a slight chill of no more than
thirty minutes : and the label is gorgeous, too!
5) ' Little River ' 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa's
Stellenbosch region from DE MEYE ( $12.99, 14.5% alcohol by volume, go to :
www.demeye.co.za for more info ) : it's a classic dry medium-bodied food wine
that that is best as it ages and it ages slowly so don't be in a rush to enjoy
it's flavors. Hold a bottle back a couple more years and see how much better it
will be then? It's pretty good now, it's become smoother and silkier and more
fruit-forward and rounded and pleasing, showing the best this weekend that it
has ever shown!
6) ' Perla Real ' 2010 Merlot Monvarietal from Jumilla, Spain ( On Special
for $14.99 a 750ml bottle, regularly $19.99 a bottle, 14% alcohol by volume,
from BODEGAS FERNANDEZ ) " Joe tasted this and liked and ordered it, I have not
tasted it yet and so will get back to you. However, I like the importer and
trust his palate and so know it will be to a certain standard of quality and
represent well the region of Jumilla, Spain and the style that they make. I am
not so used to seeing Merlot wines from here but more are coming to our market
these days. The back label reads : " Perla Real Merlot is a red wine with
intense color and fruit-forward aromatics. Our Merlot offers subtle notes of
spice and honey but above all is characterized by soft, fine, velvety tannins,
and a fleshy mouthful."
SAKE :
1) Eikun WATER Junmai Ginjo Shu LORDS Premium SAKE from Kyoto, Japan (
$29.99, Saito Shuzo Co. LTD, Japan, 15.3% alcohol by volume ) : I liked this a
whole lot, excellent quality, some of the best I have tasted : " This elegant
and well-balanced sake pairs well with seafood, salads, tofu or the Japanese
type of skewered & grilled chicken called Yakitori."
JODY JACKMAN came by just now with Eduardo Hidalgo that works with her @ Winebow
and we are adding some of the South American portfolio of wines that begin with
the COUSINO-MACUL winery wines of owner Arturo Cousino that has been here many
times over the years. How great to try the ' new ; vintage of the ' Antiguas
Reservas ' Cabernet Sauvignon that reminds me more today of a dusty-dry Italian
wine, an old-world style Cabernet Sauvignon that is perfect with food. Loved it
as well as the more rich and full-on-the-palate-withou-any-heaviness Sauvignon
Gris that is such a delight to sip with a fullness of taste that is so pleasing
to hold and cradle in one's mouth - lovely! A real treat. Both will be back this
week and it was so nice to taste with Eduardo that has moved to New York City to
work there. Cheers, gracias Edouardo e Jody e Alfredo e Arturo ... una famillia
nosotros ...
WEEK'S TASTINGS :
Tuesday, TONIGHT, Vinho Verdes with Bill blanken from 5-8PM . No charge,
join us.
Friday, June 6th, 2014 ( 5-8 PM ) : A French Burgundy ALBERT BICHOT tasting
with Chuck : Macon Villages, 2012, Saint-Veran 2012, and the red burgundy, too
... what great falvors, classic, at great prices, too. No charge.
Saturday, June 7th, 2014 ( 2-6PM ) : We have our Brazilian Soccer Cup Wine
and Cachaca tasting here with Mike Cavanagh ( SALTON Wines ), and Fatima ( with
LEBLON Cachaca, aged cachaca, and Cedrilla aqai liqueur, too ). No charge, join
us.
I KNOW I HAVE FORGOTTEN many things but it is time to post this now. Come join
us tonight with Bill Blacken and try three excellent wines from Portugal, all
dry white partly sparkling, low-alcohol white wines! Cheers.
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING ... we appreciate everything , take care, TONY 6/3/2014
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