Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits 3423 Conn. Ave. N.W. D.C. 20008
I HEARD MORE this past week from you all about the mandatory furloughs and how
it is effecting you. We here @ Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits are working to
bring more of our costs down to help you get through this difficult time. Let us
know if you are effected and we will do whatever we can, one-on-one,
situation-by-situation, working together with you to lessen your financial loads
where we can by offering you ways to save and still enjoy what you like.
THE TOUR DE FRANCE ends today at the Arc du Triumph on Paris' famous Champs
Elysees and that's inspiring and wonderful and still an incredible event and
show of strength and perseverance, of character and resolve and fighting and
racing, pedaling, steering, climbing, turning and continuing on ...
I LOVED WATCHING THIS yesterday on t.v., the rush, the swoop, the dash, the
bike swaying back and forth, the seemingly effortless thrust forward of the
bikes, the light metal and steel, the helmets, the BRIGHT colors, all the
endorsements BLAZONED everywhere across the bikers as the sped past us and the
cameras that captured them so close and so well. I saw all this and was swept up
into it and felt so positive from it all.
IT WAS GREAT INSPIRATION for me to get back outside and continue to work in our
yard and to be outside on an absolutely gorgeous, low-humidity, bright, breezy,
fresh and brilliant baby-blue-skied day. I had so many errands to run and one
was at the grocery store where I heard several of the employees talking about
how rare this day was here in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. One lady
announced: " I've got my bathing suit and as soon as I'm out of here I'm off to
swim at the pool! " I LOVED hearing all of that, so true to real life.
I CAN IMAGINE that here at the store Michel, Ravi, Luis and Santos were having a
similar conversation?! I felt very lucky and blessed indeed to have been
fortunate to have been off on such a day. I resolved to appreciate it fully and
to not miss out on one glorious second outside. Mission accomplished.
IT SEEMS THAT TODAY is starting off very much as yesterday did. I loved my drive
to work earlier and I am all set to get this weekly store email written and off
to you all in record time today.
WHAT TO DRINK ON this TOUR DE FRANCE finish?!? There are many choices indeed? I
have not heard much talk about any of this and will include some ideas here. The
wonderful thing is that racers come from all over the world to compete in this
annual event and so the world of beer, cider, liquor and wine is open to us for
choices.
WHEN I LIVED IN FRANCE back in the seventies I was there for a number of these
finishes at the Arc de Triumph. When I took my family to France for a two-week
visit back in 2002 we were there and had to fight the traffic coming into the
city to see our friend Marco Riminelli and to get to his apartment. We came in
through Saint Cloud where my mother used to have an apartment so many glorious
moons ago.
SO I KNEW that way a bit better, and we did make it in one piece, and we did
find parking for our rented SKODA. Both my wife and I remarked that on some of
the jerseys worn by the racers that SKODA was plainly visible as sponsors. And
being a stick-shift I had a hard first day getting into the small villages of
Normandy when we first landed and had to navigate the round-abouts and not burn
the engine up as I shifted from neutral to first. I should have practiced some
first, the Autoroute there was a breeze and I was caught unprepared. Oh well, I
am a better person for that experience I am sure.
2002 WAS A HEAT WAVE for that period of time in Paris when the Tour De France
ended. I heard that there will be a lot of rain today? I wish all the riders
well today as that can be even more challenging with rain.
SO : WHAT To Drink? What BEER ?
1) A HONEY OF A SAISON From BOULDER BEER COMPANY, a Malt Beverage Brewed
With Honey ( On Special for $8.99 a 1Pt. 6-Fluid Ounce bottle, 11.5% alcohol by
volume, from Boulder, Colorado,
www.BoulderBeer.com ) :
" A Honey of a Saison is a swarm of flavor and a stinger at 11.5% alcohol by
volume. The French Saison yeast produces big, estery, phenolic aromas and
flavors, while the Wildflower Honey from Madhava Natural Sweeteners in Longmont,
CO, lends a spicy, sweet aroma with essence of dried fruits. Champagne Yeast is
also used to complete fermentation and create a dry finish, and a strong malt
bill imparts a rich, golden honey color to the ale ."
WOW, I could not have reached earlier for a better beer to start this ball
rolling, this liquid flowing to celebrate today : French Saison years and
Champagne Yeast and Wildflower Honey, golden honey color : all to celebrate, all
tasty, all adding their own character, all working together in team effort. I am
thrilled. It must have been there in my thoughts as I reached for it. It's also
easy to transport, one glass bottle, to keep it cold, easy to hold, a fabulous
label, too of yellows and reds and browns, and a place that is mountainous and
trying just as it was yesterday for all these riders to navigate on their
second-to-last stretch.
2) HOG HEAVEN Dry-Hopped Barleywine-Style Ale from AVERY BREWING CO. ( ON
Special for $9.99 a 1 Pt. 6 Fl. Oz bottle, from Boulder , Colorado, 9.2% alcohol
by volume, The Holy Trinity of Ales, ) : " Or is it Hop Heaven? This dangerously
drinkable garnet beauty was designed to satisfy the most zealous of hop devotes.
Intense bitterness and the dankest of dry-hopped aromas are intertwined with a
rich caramel candy-like backbone. Drink!"
THIS HOG HEAVEN provides a great contrast to the HONEY OF A SAISON and BOTH are
in glass bottles that are easy to hold, keep the cold and easy to transport.
They provide two nice extremes and will appeal to a broad spread of tastes
today.
TO COMPLETE The Cycle We Also Have IN CANS :
3) Pumpkinhead " It Comes Once A Year! " from SHIPYARD ( On Special for
$9.99 a 6-pack, from Portland, Maine, in 12-ounce cans ) : this is fun and
seasonal and released now so early! get some NOW while you can as it disappears
quickly once people know it has been released. Beat the rush. Come here early.
Easy to transport, lighter, nice for picnics and when outside, don't have to
worry as there is nor glass to break. LAST YEAR we sold-out quickly and we had
many very unhappy customers!
DO YOU HEAR that SHIPYARD! Make more, be there for more of your customers. Don't
let us run out. Cheers.
JUST SPOKE TO ALEX one of our customers about the wines of Georgia. He wants
more dry white Georgian wines. He bought the COLOSSI Bianco ( $11.99 ) dry white
to make a kir that he just recently discovered.
KIR :
THAT'S DRY WHITE WINE and a splash of creme de Cassis - a very famous French
aperitif, so it sounds appropriate to add this here now. I mentioned that he
might buy a bottle of the LES COSTIERES DE POMEROLS HB 34810 2012 Picpoul de
Pinet, $8.99 , 12.5% alcohol by volume ( ALWAYS one of the best-seller-EVER-here
@ Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits - EVERYONE almost loves this! ) and make a kir
with it. I did mention to Alex the Tour De France.
KIR ROYALE :
I SHOULD HAVE mentioned to him making a kir royale that uses sparkling wine
instead of dry white wine with the creme de cassis. That would be another great
idea to celebrate the Tour de France today!OF COURSE with BOTH : you may
substitute some Framboise/ Raspberry when you make either. It will be lighter
this way and maybe more enjoyable if it is especially hot outside.
I JUST TALKED WITH MICHEL that is off and at home now and he tells me who won
the Tour De France! I will not reveal that here, I will let you all see or hear
it on your own as that is pasty of the joy and excitement. I have two more to
add here : and one of the ales/ beers mentioned are from the home of the winner:
4) FULLER'S " London Pride " Outstanding Premium Beer from Griffin Brewery
( On Special for $12.99 a 11.2 Fluid-ounce 6-pack of bottles, 4.7% alcohol by
volume,
www.fullers.co.uk , England ) : " Fuller's London Pride is an
award-winning English classic premium beer, rich and smooth, with a good malty
base and well-developed hop notes in the finish." Nice to enjoy with the lower
alcohols as well.
5)TUSKER Finest Quality Lager Brewed and bottled by East African Breweries
LTD. ( $2.49 a 12 Fl. Oz bottle, P.O. Box 30161-00100, Mairobi- Kenya , go to :
www.eabl.com for more info ) : excellent and brewed in East Africa since 1922,
that's almost one hundred years ago!
HARD CIDER For The Tour De France :
1) Virginia Draft from BOLD ROCK Hard Cider , this hard cider ( On Special
for $9.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles, 4.7% alcohol by volume, easier to enjoy
with the heat of the summer, from Nellysford, VA. Go to :
www.boldrock.com for
more info ) : " This smooth and distinctive Hard Cider combines its apple
heritage with superb drinkability. ... Virginia Draft is perfect anytime
anywhere... " NEW & EXCITING here in Cleveland Park. This is a " Must-Try " for
you all. Hard cider is a very hot category today!
BUT HEY LET"S LOOK @ LIQUEUR/ LIQUOR, Too From Ravi :
1) Guava Rum From CRUZAN Premium Cruzan rum from the island of St. Croix,
with natural Guava flavor ( $14.99 a 750ml bottle, 21% alcohol by volume, go to
:
www.cruzanrum.com for more info ) : " In 1760, a sugar mill began crushing
cane at the current site of the Cruzan Rum distillery on the island of St.
Croix. Since the early 1800's, the Nelthropp family has lived on and been an
integral part of this legendary island's rich history." I like the taste of
Guava, check this out. Perfect for this hot weather!
2) Cherrykran from ABSOLUT Country Of Sweden , a Vodka with Cherry, White
Cranberry & Plum flavors ( On Special for $19.99 a 750ml bottle, 40% alcohol by
volume, from Ahus, Sweden, go to :
www.absolut.com ) : Just add cola! Cheers.
3) Vermouth PERUCCHI GRan Reserva from Montana Perucchi - the ULTIMATE in
fines, distinctive, elegant and polished Vermouth ( $19.99 a bottle, from
Badalona, Spain, from LA REAL CASA ESPAGNOLA, since 1886, 15% alcohol by volume,
1 LITER bottle, ) : YOU HAVE to TASTE IT to BELIEVE IT! Wonderful, highly
recommended, both the sweet red and the dry white : both are here for you try on
for size, fit and feel. Cheers. NEW! Exciting!!
4) Single Estate TEQUILA OCHO 100% Puro De Agave Tequila Anejo, hecho en
Mexico LOS CORRALES Vintage-Dated 2010 ( On Special for $59.99 a 750ml bottle,
40% alcohol by volume, Mexico ) : " Ocho is a one of a kind tequila : A
departure from the traditional objective of distilling which delivers "
complexity of character " instead of " consistency of character ." This is
accomplished by featuring a single estate. Taste it and see/ taste/ experience
what all the BUZZ is about now. It's very special indeed.The altitude of Los
Corrales is 2166 m with deep, red soil ... " light and broad, not deep,
earthiness and subtle oak persist on the finish." A MUST-TRY.
5) SKINNY GIRL Vodka with Natural Flavors " Bare Naked " ( On Special for
$19.99 a 750ml bottle, 30% alcohol by volume, Deerfiled, IL. USA , go to :
www.skinnygirlcocktails.com for more info ) : " ... Skinny GirlBare Naked is low
in calories and contains no added sugar. Become a " fixologist " and make your
favorite guilt-free cocktail " writes Bethenny Frankel. Cheers, we also have the
Cucumber-flavored vodka here for you all. Ravi says that both sell really well.
AS YOU MAY HAVE READ or seen on our Facebook page at : Cleveland Park Wines
& Spirits that I am trying to convince Bethenny that it would be in her
best-interest to come here and do an in-store tasting! We will see, you never
get anywhere if you do not make the initial effort with follow-through. Cheers.
WINE By Michel & Tony :
TWO FINE VALUES -
1) Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from the WINE MEN of GOTHAM ( $8.99. 11.5% alcohol
by volume, from owners Bruce and Kate, Adelaide 5000, SA , go to :
www.gothamwines.com.au for more info ) : both Bruce and Kate have been here
doing tastings of their wines that have done so well here over the past years.
The Wine Men of Gotham are doing really well now . especially with tough times
and more people having to take extra furlough days. Cheers. Dry, crisp, bright
and refreshing.
2) Shiraz / Grenache 2011 dry red Aussie blend from the WINE MEN of GOTHAM
( $8.99 a 750ml bottle, 13% alcohol by volume, ) : this is a 75% Shiraz and 25%
Grenache dry red blend - this drinks really nicely, balanced, distinct,
flavorful. Thanks Bruce. I always thought that you named these wines because you
were the Bruce in Batman! I did not think it was after the Gothamites - the
villagers of Gotham, England!
IF, as I hear an Englishman won the Tour de France earlier than this could
also be a great homage to him and to England? What do you think Bruce and Kate,
will you sign-off on this idea of mine now? I hope so.
DRINK GOTHAM, we have the GOTHAM label here, too at $18.99 for the 2009
McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.9% alcohol by volume... that has always
impressed me, now even more than before as it continues to evolve in the bottle
to near-perfection! Cheers.
3) Syrah 2011 from CHANARMUYO Estate, Argentina's La Rioja region. Both
Michel and I love this because it is fruit-forward, balanced, tasty, broad and
very appealing and Balanced most of all, not to mention On Special for only
$9.99 a bottle, 14% alcohol by volume. Go to :
www.chanamuya.com.arfor more
info. Thanks Estebe, thanks Fernando for pouring it here this past Saturday
afternoon for all our customers.
MORE WINE FROM Michel & Tony :
THREE From Franceen & Vias Imports :
1) Pinot Grigio 2011 from Trentino, Italy from MASO POLI ( $22.99 , 13.5%
alcohol by volume, go to : Maso Poli for more info, on Facebook at Maso Poli ) :
it does not get much better : distinct, mineral and citrus flavors, structures,
monuments to taste and depths that plumb the soul and character that defines the
human spirit! This is magical, really a wonder, a work of art, so much here.
WOW! Did I say WOWWWWWWWWWW!
2) Teroldego Rotaliano dry red 2010 from LECHTHALER, Italy ( $17.99, 13%
alcohol by volume, ) was opened and taste here this past Friday by Franceen
Kahng pf Vias Imports. I LOVED it, absolutely LOVED it! What grace, what
finesse, what delightfully , ultimately wicked flavors and stories it spun
seductively and seemingly unaware of it's effect or what it was doing to play
with my senses. It amused and very much pleased me.
I THINK IT SHOWED magically this past weekend, and I HIGHLY, highly, HIGHLY
recommend, RECO(me-to-you)MEND it. Great wine, great everything : completely
balanced, medium-to-light-bodied, like a Pinot Noir with a splash of Grenache
thrown in for good spice and measure.
3) Sicilan Nero D'Avola dry red blend from COLOSSI, this Rosso 2010 (
$11.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume ) was also poured here this weekend by Franceen.
It, too has all the character and flavor and taste, the energy and presence to
delight and to cajole, to reach out and make a very positive impression without
any doubt on our palates. It showed beautifully here this past weekend and it's
a delight to enjoy with the idea that it will complement ultimately one's palate
and marry really well with some food, too. Cheers.
4) 2008 Chianti Colli Senesi dry Tuscan red Sangiovese blend from
VALDIPIATTA ( On Special for $13.99, from Tenuta Valdipiatta, from
Montepulciano, Italy ) this wine from owners Guido and Miriam is a pure delight
to drink with or without a meal. Sure to please, sure to entice a smile from
you, sure to draw your avid attention, you will be pleased. Highly recommended,
too!
5) " Velvet Revolution " 2011 Virginia Monticello dry red Reserve Blend of
25% Cabernet Franc, 25% Chambourcin, 25% Merlot, and 25% Petit Verdot , $19.99,
13%% alcohol by volume, was poured here two weekend's ago by owner Jim. It
impressed me even more than the first time I tasted it.
IT WAS THEN fruit-forward and very rich and pleasing on the palate. ALL those
flavors have intensified, grown and expanded to become EVEN MORE and I like
that, I like it a whole lot as the vines are still very young and it shows the
tremendous promise here with this 2011 and with all the following vintages. Made
by Michael Shaps, owners Jim and Susan are on a fine roll these days.
Recommended.
I WANT TO WELCOME Matilda from England here to our store as well as to
Cleveland Park. She's English and came here a bit earlier looking for a good
local white wine and I showed here both the STONE MOUNTAIN VINEYARD and the
DEMOCRACY VINEYARD dry white Viogniers, BOTH at $19.99 a bottle.
SHE PICKED the DEMOCRACY for it's name, I gave her two Virginia road maps with a
list of many of the Virginia wineries on it with addresses and phones, emails,
times of operation, ectetera that I am sent yearly - thanks - and I just have to
wait now and hear if she likes it or not?
I DO KNOW THAT in England that in London, for example that they have readily
embraced the wines of Virginia. What great music that is to these ears. WELCOME
Matilda!
WEEKLY WEDNESDAY 3-Part Sake-Port-Sherry-Marsala-Madeira-Still/Non-Sparkling
Wine SALE :
1) BUY ANY bottle of These above and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker
price.
2) BUY ANY Six Or MORE of the categories listed above and SAVE 15% OFF the
marked sticker prices.
3) BUY ANY TWELVE ( 12 ) of the categories above and SAVE 20% OFF the
marked sticker prices.
IF YOU CANNOT COME BY call us at : 202-363-4265 and we will help you, Pay
on Wednesdays and SAVE BIG on non-sparkling wine purchases. Cheers. Ask for
Michel or for Tony.
WEEKEND TASTINGS :
Friday, August 2nd, 2013 ( 5-8PM ) : We have Scott of Monument Imports to
come and taste an assortment of his FABulous California, French, Italian,
Croatian, Kiwi wines : to be decided tomorrow. Call if you want to know what we
have decided. Or check us out on our Facebook page at : Cleveland Park Wines &
Spirits.
Saturday, August 3rd, 2013 ( 2-6PM ) : We have Chuck Waldman of Robin
Cellars here to taste some of his small West Coast wineries that over-deliver
for the money, and provide us all with some really exceptional taste experiences
when we thought we have already tried or experienced it all : we have not!
JOIN US for both, NEVER any charge. EVERYONE always welcome.
THANKS For ALL that you do and mean to us. Without you we could not exist and be
open to serve, help, and suggest things to do you. Have a great day and enjoy
this beautiful weather. Thanks again for all your belief and support in us. It's
mutual. TONY
CHECK US OUT ON Facebook at : Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits and FOLLOW US on
Twitter at : cpwinespirits and also at wineenabler.
Please visit our website below for more information, events and specials, and
our calender of wine tastings!
If you have any orders, suggestions or questions, you may e-mail us at
[2]sales@clevelandparkwine.com or call (202) 363-4265.
References
