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I'M Back From My Vacation and my drive to work this morning bathed in a cooling
breeze, baby blue skies and sunshine sure did help. Less traffic, too. I don't
even have ' vacation blues '. Yes, I would have loved to have another week off,
that would have been glorious, very marvelous. But I'm thankful for the time
that I had with family and friends, that wonderful serendipitous realization of
things planned, expected and totally spur-of-the-moment.
YOU JUST NEVER QUITE know what will happen : washes over you, knocks you down
sometimes, makes you stand up sometimes, too. My immediate family journeyed once
again to the ocean, the pull was irresistible, always is. And we had the added
treat of having everyone still want to be with us for a week there protected by
the gentle sway of the sea oats, the sand dunes and the seagulls, sandpipers,
pelicans, sand crabs, cocinas and dolphins, too. Each year brings different
groups, times, places and experiences for us all.
THE BEER, FOOD, WINE, ... the books, the pool and the hot tub, the day and night
excursions to the beach. I rediscovered the night treks to the beach and was
surprised to see how few others were out and about once the sun said adieu to us
all and the many bog and small crabs scurried along the white sands and even
dared to venture up and down the ever-changing yet constant attack and retreat
of the waves.
JUST LIKE IN THE DAYTIME the sandpipers would scurry quickly up-and-back from
the edge of the waves and try their luck at plucking quickly tasty treats
revealed in the shifting sands. They clearly did not like to get their feet wet
and were all very adept and expert and accomplishing their purposes.
THE CRABS did the same at night but were inconvenienced by both the bright
flashlight glare from Mark and me, being forced to suddenly protect their sand
turf! If they had fur like cats that would have been standing at attention,
instead here it was just their two beady eyes multiplied by many others all
around them that glared boldly-intently back at us. I was smart to have not
picked one up, to have dared to have held one. Mark was more daring that I was
and he paid the ultimate painful price of having been pinched deeply by an
indignant yet strong big white crab.
THE BEER & THE WINE tasted good along with the food. I took lots of wine, Mark
took care of the beer. No one went thirsty, no one went hungry as we all chipped
in and made our individual signature meals to share with one another. You know,
family, we love one each other, we share with each other.
THE PUZZLE WENT QUICKLY this year, there were also card and board games, which
are your favorites? You can do those anywhere, anytime, you can read, you can
laze, you can push your limits, you can craze , too a bit more than usual if you
wish. It's nice and comforting to know that the distance is short to get back to
your bed as well, only the distance of the sand dunes and those gentle swaying
sea oats to brush and push you along with their comforting and soft sway.
I TOOK WINE pretty much for any occasion, and the beer went from Budweiser cans
to DOGFISH HEAD, NEWCASTLE Brown Ale, diet coke, lots of coffee, bottled waters,
tea : pretty much a constant low-flame party all the time, with ring leaders and
players, watchers, those that doze through it all, you know - cat naps - the
very young, the teens, the older, the whole span of years. The ease and the
comfort and the time to finally relax.
I DID MY ART through all of this, notebooks of oil pastels and some real
experimenting, putting things to the test, pushing the limits and myself and
working both at night and at day, always outside, subject to the weather and the
winds that twice blew my pages off into the landscape below and even into our
pool. Everything survived, it was all okay to me, whatever happened happened and
whatever bruises were incurred through it all were the badges of bravery and
daring that I champion and treasure.
BUT HEY, Let's see what I found when I walked the aisles here to bring you all
some of this past week's " goodies ". Here is what I find from :
ALE, BEER, CIDER From SANTOS :
1) " King Crimson " from PEAK Organic Brewing Company , An Imperial Ale (
On Special for $6.99 a bottle, 1 Pt. 6 Fl. Oz, 9% Alcohol by volume, USDA
organic, Portland, ME. www.peakbrewing.com ) : " King Crimson is an Imperial Red
Ale that delivers a royal bounty of luscious, fruity American hops on top of a
sturdy, deep red malt backbone. This beer is lavishly dry-hopped with Simcoe,
adding a citrusy and piney flavor and aroma to the toasty, sweet malt notes.
This special treat is a very limited release, so enjoy it while you can. "
AND FOR ME it is also the name of a great album that came out in the sixties
called : " King Crimson, In The Court Of The Crimson King " that I highly
recommend that you listen to as you enjoy this Red Ale. I will have to do this
myself. Just look at the cover of the album and you will get the immediate idea
that you are in for an experience that may literally blow your mind and senses!
2) Grand Cru Ale Brewed With Agave Nectar & Aged In Bourbon Barrels from
the NORTH COAST Brewing CO. ( $16.99 a 1 Pt. 9 Fl. Oz bottle, 12.9% alcohol by
volume , from Fort Bragg, CA. 95437, go to : www.northcoastbrewing.com for more
info ) : something hearty and robust, rich and special, enjoy with a meal.
3) Imperial Pumpkin Ale Brewed With Pumpkin & Spices from LONG TRAIL , the
Brush & Barrel Series Celebrating the Art Of Vermont ( On Special for $7.99 a 1
Pt. 6 Fl. Oz bottle, Bridgewater Corners, VT. 05035 , go to : www.longtrail.com
for more info ) : " Imperial Pumpkin Ale is the first offering in our Brush &
Barrel Series. ... a seasonal, small batch treat brewed with pumpkins, cinnamon,
ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, with ample malts and a touch of bitterness for the
perfect balance. "
YOU HAVE TO READ the neck label, too much for me to type here for you all about
the Series and about the brewmaster Dave Hartmann, but all worth reading!
Cheers.
4) 1906 Reserva Especial Cerveceros Desde 1906 ( On Special for $12.99 a
6-pack of 12-ounce bottles, Coruna, Spain, www.estrellagalicia.es ) : " ...
ideal para los que prefieren un sabor y caracter mas acentuado su elaboracion se
realiza a partir de maltas tostadas y lupulos aromaticos equilibrandose tras una
guarda prolongada hasta alcanzar su especial color, aroma y sabor ."
SOUNDS GREAT to me, I'll have to try this again! Great vacation beer, all these
listed so far are great ANYTIME, ANY PLACE and will all make you feel like you
are on vacation even if you are not. Cheers.
MORE TO FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ON VACATION :
FROM RAVI in LIQUEUR & LIQUOR :
1) Premium Limoncello Lemon Liqueur from GIOLA LUISA ( $24.99, imported from
Sorrento, Italy, 30% alcohol by volume, 60 Proof, 750ml bottle, go to :
www.golimoncello,com for exciting culinary and cocktail recipes ) : " ...
created by using exclusive ' Ovale di Sorrento ' lemons that were sun drenched
in the Mediterranean orchards and grown in the cultivated enriched soil created
centuries ago by Mount Vesuvius's famous eruption. ... Best enjoyed when served
chilled. "
What a treat! Come check it out quick, perfect vacation liqueur.
2) ST. ELIZABETH ALLSPICE DRAM Tradition of the West Indies ( $34.99 a
750ml bottle, 22.5% alcohol by volume , Austria , www.alpenz.com ) : " From
its origin in the tropical hills and valleys of Jamaica, the allspice berry has
for generations been prized for its exceptional tastes of clove, cinnamon, and
nutmeg and a pepper note that dazzles the palate. The allspice liqueur, known in
classic cocktails as " Pimento Dram , brings together the fine pot-still rum and
allspice berries of Jamaica... " Cheers.
3) " La DIABLADA Pisco " of MACCHU PISCO From Peru ( $39.99 a 750ml
bottle, 40% alcohol by volume , GOLD 2010 at the Beverage Testing Institute,
from Melanie da Trinidade-Asher, Jacipa, Peru, www.macchupisco.com ) : " Andrean
Rouser Punch recipe - 2 portions of pineapple juice, 1 portion La Diablada
Pisco, three-quarters of lime juice and one-half sugar : serve in a punch bowl
and top with sparkling wine ".
SOUNDS MARVELOUS, simply marvelous!
SOUNDS LIKE VACATION to me whether on vacation or not!
4) Malt & Grain Blended Scotch Whisky from ASYLA : Finesse, Softness &
Sweetness on the Palate ( $46.99 a 750ml bottle, 40% alcohol by volume, product
of Scotland, St. Edinburgh, from the COMPASS BOX Whisky Company ) : " ' What
your fathers have bequeathed upon you, earn it anew to make it truly yours '
Goethe ... our multiple award-winning ' Asyla ' is made from perfectly mature
malt and grain whiskies from hand-picked American oak casks. - John Glaser,
Whiskymaker " ...
Innovation of the Year from Whisky Magazine.
5) Chrysanthemum & Honey Liqueur - Organic & Kosher from KOVAL ( $26.99 a
375ml ( half-bottle ), 20% alcohol by volume, from Chicago, Illinois, 60640 ,
Batch #21,certified organic by the Midwest Organic Services Association, Inc. )
: natural sediment may form. That's okay. Lovely golden color, ...
SOUNDS LIKE a perfect way to be on vacation whether you are or are not!
WINES From Michel & Tony :
WHITE :
1) Sauvignon Blanc 2012 from CONO SUR, the " Bicicleta " Series from Chile,
Valle Central ( $9.99 a bottle, 12.5% alcohol by volume, certified carbon
neutral, www.conosur.com for more info ) : dry, clean, crisp and refreshing : a
bristlingly lively wine!
2) CHABERT 2012 Roussanne dry Fremch white from the Pays D'Oc ( $8.99 a
bottle, 12.5% alcohol by volume, from the Caves de la Cessane ) : using one of
the Cote-Du-Rhone white grapes, this is flavorful, distinct and a really fine
food vacation wine, whether on vacation or not! WHAT A DEAL, too!
3) " Sincerite " 2012 Sauvignon Blanc from Joseph Mellot , Loire Valley,
France ( $9.99, Vin de Pays du Val du Loire , 12% alcohol by volume - from a
Sancerre producer ) : dry and refreshing and bright and a true delight, and
balanced and inexpensive : EVERYTHING for a delightful vacation!
4) 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Burgundy's Saint-Bris , from the CLOTHILDE
DAVENNE , 2011, ( On Special for $14.99 a bottle, 12.5% alcohol by volume ) :
crisp and lively with great mineral tones and citrus accents, and a great value,
too. Fun and rare and exciting and another GREAT VACATION dry white that will
lively, define, light-up and DELIGHT all gathered. Great, too even if you stay
home and combine it with some goat's cheeses and a lovely spinach salad with a
oil and vinegar vinaigrette , perhaps some chopped walnuts sprinkled on top with
some goat's cheese as well?!? Oui, bien sur, c'est bien ca.
5) Sancerre white Loire Valley 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the DOMAINE De
CHEZELLE, 2012, classic Sancerre ( $22.99 a bottle, 12.5% alcohol by volume ) :
a real treat to be enjoyed with a meal or again with some goat's cheese and a
salad and vinaigrette, some fresh mussels, some fresh sardines, other shellfish
...
ON VACATION baby, all the way !!!!! Enjoy, feel like a million bucks! Go
forward, take a risk, take a chance, push yourselves to relax and be as open to
an experience, don't look back, be swept off your feet and away, ... during the
day, at night ... at the beach, by the lake, on a trail, on a road, a path, a
peak, a bike, a boat, ... flying high, wind-swept, off the ground, off your
feet, just take-off with this fine Sancerre white!
ROSE :
1) Dry Shiraz Rose 2012 from DE MEYE in South Africa's famously-good
Stellenbosch region ( $13.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume, go to : wine@34south.com
and www.demeyeco.za and www.34south.com for more info. ) : This dry rose is
vobrant, enthralling, lovely, extroverted : the start to a lovely party whether
on vacation or simply with family and friends! IT'S A GREAT star/start!!!!
RED :
1) Barbera del Monferrato 2012 from the TERRE D'ALERAMO, from owner Mauro
that's been here before tasting with you all ( $8.99 a bottle, 13% alcohol by
volume, Grazzano, Piemonte, Italy ) : this is a perfect VACATION easy-drinking,
fruit-forward, high-flying, wave-riding, boogie-board coasting, raft-floating
bright and toasty-boasty-BRILLIANT engaging red! What a value, what a deal, what
a treat : BUY AT LEAST 2 bottles, better if you buy four or even six bottles.
SURE to please many a palate on vacation or pining to be. Cheers.
2) 100% Gamay red Burgundy grapes from the famous southern Beaujolais town
called Brouilly, this " Combiaty " Vieilles Vignes-Old Vines 2011 from Laurent
MARTRAY ( $18.99 a bottle, 12.5% alcohol by volume, ) has got some really nice
toasty berry definition, great bristling acidity that delineates and defines and
broadcasts a tartness and floats a tanginess that must be buttressed and
fleshed-out by the more solidifying weight and body of food to make it : ONE "
with the experience at hand...
AND NEVER FAR FROM one's curious and wanting palate! A treat on vacation with a
meal and family and friends, equally good as the night extends to gently embrace
the start of the next day as you settle yourselves into a slumber that will wash
an recuperate the well-vacationed soul and spirit that has allowed itself to
keep the flame and embers alive way past their normal bedtimes.
LOVELY, WORTH IT, yes, whatever the consequences, be damned, allow yourselves to
stretch farther and dream longer and have your daydreams melt into your
night-dreams and refresh and cleanse and brighten your flagging spirits and soul
that are so worth fighting for and saving. You save another and they save you
right back. Sounds perfectly logical to me, don't you agree?!?
3) " Book Ends " 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon from Western Australia's Denmark
region and made by WEST CAPE HOWE ( $21.99, 14% alcohol by volume , go to :
www.westcapehowewines.com.au for more info.
Winemaker Gavin Berry has often been here in the past ) : This is what dreams
are made of - pure silky melting, wafting, lilting, a waterbed of ease, a tease
of a swing in a rope hammock made of a grape's silk that will offer no
resistance, just the purity of liquid taste and one's taste buds meeting
effortlessly, and with surprise and ripe pleasure, discovering something new,
discovering a part of you that you had forgotten you had.
Wonderful. I should have taken a bottle to the beach, it would have been
well-received indeed, of that I am sure.
4) " La Croix Blanche " Bourgogne Rouge 100% Pinot Noir from the DOMAINE
Armelle et Bernard Rion Vielle Vignes - Old Vines 2009 that was tasted with us
with owner Armelle ( $22.99, 12.5% alcohol by volume, ) : Michel and I were very
impressed with it three months ago. It must have been delightful when tasted
here this past weekend? I am sorry I missed it, should have taken a bottle of
it, too to the beach with me. What a treat with our shrimp or decadent
homemade-by-yours-truly it would have been!
5) AN/2 by ANIMA NEGRA, vin de la terra Mallorca , 2010 ( $24.99, 13.5%
alcohol by volume, Falanis, 07200 ) : made with a blend of indigenous grapes :
Callet, Manto Negre and Fogoneu - 80% of the wine, using both American and
French oak.
THIS IS an experience to be treasured, taken slowly as the flavors, the bouquet,
the essence of the red and beefy, earthy, pungent, perfumed, tarred, leathered,
feathered, furnished, fleshed-out flavors and savors have a chance to take
center stage and center-palate and perform and blossom and blazon a trail all
their own along the surface and nooks and crannies of your palate, gullet,
stomach, soul, head, fingers and tippy-tip-toes ...
AND SETTLE AS A FINE EMBER in the pit of your guts with the time they need,
NEVER to be rushed, can't do that, can't rob yourselves of the full experience.
This is a full-Monty experience indeed. Try it on for size, fit and feel and
have some food, too as it's foremost a food wine - from Mallorca.
YOU WILL BE WASHED BY THE WAVES, you will be challenged, you may sleep on the
sands, you may have that chance finally under the protective wings of these
indigenous grapes from Mallorca, and the fine breezes that move ever so
gracefully the sea oats of our beaches here, too ...
ON VACATION or not, no matter, enjoy this incredible AN/2 dry red from Mallorca,
$24.99.
SPARKLING :
1) Butterfly Moscato Sparkling white from Moldova's Cahul region ( On
Special for $9.99, reg. $12.99, 11.5% alcohol by volume , go to : www.acorex.net
for more info ) : Michel and I liked this a whole lot both for the price, the
lightness and the refreshing quality of the Moscato grape here that is not as
sweet as it usually is. It holds a bit back, it tempts and teases and pleases,
but it always stays enjoyable. Really great balance. What a VACATION DEAL!
SAKE :
1) " Pearl " Niguri unfiltered/ unfined sake from MOMOSAKA ( $15.99, Junmai
Ginjo Nigori Genshu sake, 18% alcohol by volume, shake well before serving, go
to : www. momokawa.com, from Forrest Grove, Oregon ) : " Sweet, full-bodied,
coconut, pineapple and anise flavors, creamy and sweet. " A delight. FUN, take
some on vacation!
WEEKLY WEDNESDAY Still-Non-Sparkling Three-Part SALE :
1) BUY ANY $20 Or More Still-Non-Sparkling Wine & SAVE 20% OFF the marked
sticker prices.
2) BUY ANY 6 Or More Non-Sparkling Wines & SAVE 15% OFF the marked sticker
prices.
3) BUY ANY 12 Or More Bottles Of Non-Sparkling Wines & SAVE 20% OFF the
marked sticker prices.
THIS SALE INCLUDES ALL Sake, Marsala, Madeira, Port and Sherry.
SAVE BIG WEEKLY HERE at CP Wines & Spirits! Call if you cannot come. Pay
tomorrow and SAVE BIG with us. 202-363-4265. Michel or Tony will be happy to
help you.
WEEKEND TASTINGS :
Friday, August 23rd, 2013 ( 5-8PM ) : We have Javier Molina of the
BULGARIANA Winery here to taste both dry reds and whites including both Syrah,
Merlot and Cabernet dry red blends, and a dry Sauvignon Blanc, as well as an
exciting " new " white blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and
Gewurztraminer : all wines sell for between $10-$15 a bottle :...
ALL ARE FINE food wines - dry, complex, hearty, gutsy, a bit raw and rugged and
flavorful to be enjoyed with meals- when you grill : perhaps a bonfire down by
the beach on the sand? Sounds like a winner, or at the lake? Join us, never any
charge!
SANTOS has also organized a HARPOON Beer Tasting with the Pumpkin, the
Octoberfest and the IPA for you all to sample and buy if you like them.
SATURDAY, August 24th, 2013 ( 2-6PM ) : We have owner Larry Mawby here of
the L. MAWBY winery in Suttons Bay, MI here himself to taste and assortment of
his fine American sparkling wines. Michel and I love these sparkling wines and
are thrilled to finally have Lawrence here himself. I am looking at a half
bottle of the Blanc de Noirs now fro the Leelanau Penninsula, a Brut, #0190,
$16.99 a bottle, 11% alcohol by volume. This would be great to take on vacation
and drink outside at night by a bonfire or at the water's edge wherever you
might be, feet dug in the sand, on your backs, looking up at the starry night
and all the sparkles above as well as those in your glasses and on your palates,
too : what more could anyone ever want?!? Someone to enjoy the experience with
of course.
JOIN US, NEVER any charge, come meet Lawrence and get some bottles signed for
special treats : and be prepared for the vacation-ride of your lives with these
exciting flavors and tastes. Cheers.
I KNOW I HAVE FORGOTTEN MANY THINGS but it's time to post this store email now.
Check us out on Facebook at : Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits, LIKE us, : ALSO :
follow us on Twitter at : cpwinespirits and also at : wineenabler. Cheers and
thanks for everything - you all are the very , VERY BEST. TONY
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