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

LABOR DAY TREATS here @ cleveland park wines   WE HAVE SO MANY things to celebrate with this weekend as we say :  " goodbye " to summer and " hello " to the fall as school starts back up for many households. It's a bittersweet moment as we are all forced to SQUEEZE the very last drops of spirits, fun, summer, sunshine and extra warmth and humidity, the last of the mosquitoes, too ... and turn to a more serious demeanor with more chores, obligations, rituals and jobs that we kept at bay for short periods of time as we relaxed and perhaps even turned off most of our electronic gizmos, too?! Is that even possible in today's day and age? Not as easy as it once was.       I WROTE THE ABOVE on August 28th, 2012, and it still rings true today, the heat today is dangerous and we all must stay hydrated and be careful with this intense heat!          COME SEE US, we have plenty for you here to stay cool and to enjoy some lively spirits even in this heat, like some Portuguese Vinho Verdes, like some cachaca to make  caipirinhas from Brazil, like some Limoncello from Sarento, Italy, like some Macchu to make Pisco Sours, some cider, some beer, some sangria, too - and MORE!       THANKS to both Aretha Franklin for being such a great queen of soul music, and John McCain for being the maverick that you are and staying true to your principles and fighting a fair fight. I liked hearing on the Today show this morning you say in your own words that no one is more fortunate or appreciative to be alive than you - something like that. I feel the same. Even when we as people disagree there are still more things that bring us together that we share than divide us. Cheers!         MARK CONGDON our rep from Bacchus Imports came to taste some great wines from the Peimonte region of Italy ( just like Ari Goldman came to taste, too - more great Piemontese wines coming our and your way first week of September ), Mark told me that Neil Simon the playwright just passed away - what a great loss, too! Such wonderful plays, some turned into memorable movies with Richard Dreyfus and more!    I HAVE RECENTLY been toying around with the idea of having a deli here as we have heard from so many customers how upset they are from losing the deli of Brookville Market.         SO IN THIS INTENSE HEAT here are some concrete suggestions for you all :     BEER -        GRAPEFRUIT is still reigning supreme -   1) Radler Grapefruit from Austria's  Salzburger STIEGL, a 4-pack of 16-ounce cans On Special for $10.49 - sooo refreshing!   2) Hefeweizen Grapefruit Bier from Germany , made by SCHOFFERHOFER, On Special for $8.99 for a 4 16-ounce cans.   ALSO :   1) Dry-hopped Sour Ale " Hopsynth " from UPLAND Sour Ales Brewery, a 500ml bottle On Special for $8.99 a bottle, : " ale aged in oak barrels with fresh hops , " from Bloomington, Indiana.   2) Imperial Barley Wine Ale , a 2015, bottle # 0122 from the Ridgeway Brewing Co., a 330ml bottle, with 10% alcohol by volume, : " a golden fusion of the characteristics of a Russian Stout and traditional barley wine. ... " , $6.99 a bottle.     AND in CIDER :   1) Midlantiky unfiltered , unpasteurized Dry Cider from SPUPREME CORE craft cider, - this is a lemon Shandy cider, a 4-pack of 12-ounce cans , $11.99 from right here in Washington DC, we are thrilled to have these here for you all as I believe there are four different types that we carry here!   2) Browns Lane Classic English dry hard cider from CRISPIN, " made from English bittersweet cider apples ", $9.99 for a 4-pack of 16-ounce cans. YES, tried and true, come get some!   LIQUEUR and LIQUOR By Jagir -   1) Premium Limoncello " Limone di Sorrento I.G.P. " from GIOLA LUISA, $24.99 a 750ml bottle, with 30% alcohol by volume, wonderful for this intense heat, sip slowly and enjoy!   2) MACCHU PISCO the all-natural spirit of the Andes, from Peru, made by our friends, sister Melanie and Elizabeth Asher in Peru with a little help fro their friends, $28.99, a delight, pure, fresh bright, taste and no headache! Cheers!   3) Cachaca of Brazil made by VELHO BARREIRO, a one liter bottle, $16.99 a bottle, a great way to make a delicious summer-heat Caipirinhas ! Cheers!   4) Mezcal Artesanal ALIPUS , a Joven Espadin ' San Luis ', $48.99 a bottle, with 47.6% alcohol by volume, : " produced from 100% Maguey Espadin, a Underground, roasted ic conical stone oven pit, smashed with   mule-driven chilean tahona, fermented in 1500 litre high pinewood natural tubs, and doublediscontinuous distillation in copper stills. "   WINE from Chris and me , Tony -   1) Vinho Verde dry Portuguese white wine , $7.49 a bottle, with 9% alcohol by volume,  with a splash of spritz, this is a great summer bright quaffer!             THESE next FOUR I will taste tonight :   1) 50% Verdejo and 50% Viura dry blend from Spain, $9.99, a lovely refreshing mineral and touch of citrus-honey - yes si si si si si!   2) Rose de Saignee Grenache Noir dry rose, 2017, On Special for $12.99 / 3 for $33, 6 for $60! A treat with a meal.   3) 2014 ALTOS dry red Spanish Rioja, On Special for $9.99 - soft, smooth, bright, velvet and lighter-bodied, and perfect sipping now for this intense heat with a slight chil, yes!   4) a white wine with natural Orange flavor, from BODEGAS MALAGA VIRGEN, , this ' Cartojal Naranja , $16.49 a 500ml bottle, with 15% alcohol by volume, this white wine has a maceration of wild orange peels, known as cachorenas, also used to elaborate the famous English marmalade. "   AND for those wanting a white Sangria -    1) Premium Clarea COPLA, made with organic grapes, On Special for $8.99, I will not be tasting this tonight - off-dry, floral, pleasing on it's own but to add fresh grapes and orange slices would be a real plus! Cheers!   WEEK'S TASTINGS -   Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 ( 5-8pm ) : Tasting tonight with me!   Friday, August 31st, 2018 ( 2-6PM ) : We have Graham here to pour some fine wines of Francois Lurton, from France's Pays D'Oc, a FABulous dry red blend of Syrah and Grenache, a steel-bright-firm-dry rose, and a more complex, layered dry white that works well with food but is perhaps the most of the three that is an acquired taste?!? All sell for $11.99 : come taste all three! Called ' Les Haiuts de Janeil. Cheers, sante, a bientot!   ALSO : Kayla will be here from Jos. A Magnus to pour her local DC FINE spirits, two made by Nicole Hassoun that we love! Cheers!   Saturday, August 1st, 2018 we have a HIRO Japanese sake tasting of the Junmai and the Junmai Ginjo that are showing so well, and are both on deep discount! THERE will also be another tasting that we are currently working on, stay-tuned, cheers! THANKS for everything, you all are the very very top-niveau-level-BEST! WE love you, google loves you, too we hope! TONY   WHAT FOLLOWS below is an old store email that I wrote and sent way back on August 28th, 2012. Read it if you have time, and check for current availability, pricing, vintage-changes, etcetera! TONY 8/28/2018 READ ON : Our Weekly Wednesday, 3-Part Still ( Non-Sparkling ) Wine Sale Tomorrow : 8/ 29 / 12 ALL DAY LONG!      1) BUY any still wine over $20 : SAVE 20% Off the marked sticker price even if it's already On Special/SALE.     2) BUY any 12 still wines or more and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker price, whether On Special or not.      3) Buy 6-11 still wines and SAVE 10% OFF marked sticker prices, whether On Special or not.THIS ALSO INCLUDES : ports, sherries, marsalas, madeiras, sakes, box wines, all size bottles : mix it all up and cover all your needs, wants and desires for this LABOR DAY WEEKEND! IF YOU CAN'T COME : Call : 202-363-4265 and ask for Michel or Tony.WE DELIVER Free in Washington D.C. for orders over $30. CALL!!!   A LADY JUST CAME asking for some Gentiane that she told me her friends was really having trouble locating here in Washington D.C. She prefaced that with the comment that she was turning to us for help as we had always solved many of her searches and requests with the products she was after.   WHEN I HEARD THIS I thought to myself that I hope we have what she is looking for this time? She pronounced the name of what she was looking for and I told her that I had never heard of it. It was a French digestif and I was wondering what it was and explaining that I did not know it but we decided to look at what we had on our shelves. As we were scanning them she said : " what's that?! ". SHE WAS POINTING TO a bottle of our BONAL Gentiane-Quina des Montagnes de la Grande Chartreuse ST. LAURENT-DU-PONT ( Isere ),  " an ouvre appetit depuis 1865 ". It's a QUINQUINA Vin Aperitif ( $19.99 a 750ml bottle, 16% alcohol by volume, once open keep chilled, product of France ? : " It is made by an infusion of cinchona ( Quinine ), gentian, and renowned herbs of the Grande Chartreuse mountains in a Mistelle base. As a Quinquina ( also known as " Kina ", an aperitif wine with chinchona. It is traditionally enjoyed neat, on ice with a twist, and in many classic mixed drinks ." It's called a Toni Aperitif de France. I like that. We only have three bottles left. It was out of stock at our distributor for awhile so come get some now if you are interested and celebrate Labor Day weekend with some BONAL! Cheers.   HERE'S ANOTHER RECIPE :   From our " A Taste Of Cleveland Park " from our old and dear friend Pam The Butcher Ginsberg :             LEMON SOLE FOR YOUR SOLE -    1 lb. filet of lemon sole    one-third c. white wine   2 roma tomatoes, chopped coarsely   Juice of one lemon   2 shallots, chopped finely   black pepper to taste " Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place sole on cooking sheet that has been covered with foil for easy cleanup. All fish expands with heat. Cook sole for 4 to 5 minutes. While sole cooks, saute tomatoes and shallots in white wine, lemon and pepper. Remove sole from the oven. With slotted spoon remove tomatoes and shallots from pan, placing them on top of sole. Return sole to oven 8 to 9 minutes. Reduce heat on sauce by half. When sole is done, place sauce on bottom of plate with sole on top. "   MICHEL. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Did you all ever make this or a version of this at Liliana's? Would you have a Ligurian or a French wine with it? We are out of the Ligurian white that we normally sell here and so I will mention some French wines that I think might work brilliantly with this LEMON SOLE FOR YOUR SOUL recipe of Pam's :      1) 2010 SAINT-BRIS " Clotilde Davenne " dry white Sauvignon Blanc ( On Special for $16.99, 12.5% alcohol by volume, vin de Bourgogne/Burgundy. Made not far from the Chablis Burgundy region this unique Sauvignon Blanc from Burgundy has loads of extra body, flavor and taste to cut through and help frame better the distinct yet refined and aromatic, delicate flavors of sole and herbs and tomatoes to cradle our souls.      2) 2011 " La Renaudie " Sec/ Dry 100% Sauvignon Blanc white from the town of Bergerac ( $14.99 a bottle, 13.5% alcohol by volume, a two-hour drive from the town of Bordeaux driving into the interior and not far from the caves of prehistoric drawings Caves le Lascaux. THIS IS A BRIGHTER, rounder, fleshier-tasting Sauvignon Blanc that is easy-drinking before and with the meal of the lemon sole.      3) 2011 Le Nectar des Fees in Saint-Pourcain from the Gardien Freres/Brothers. Celebrating a famous fairy tale this dry indigenous grape Tressalier only grows in these vineyards of Saint Pourcain that are reputed to be the oldest in France. It's quite dry with great mineral and soaring blasts of acids, too, IT'S DEFINITELY A FOOD WINE, and will cut through all the flavors to be found in Pam's dish. It's also a great value and something unique with a great story. Google it and share it while you enjoy Pam's lemon sole this Labor Day.      4) 2010 Palais Prive dry white from the Rhone Luberon region of France, this ( $20.99. 12.5% alcohol by volume, Caves de Bonnieux, 84480, France,  www.doyleprovence.com ) is also quite dry with bright bursts of minerals and tangy-accenting ripples of acidity , medium-bodied and after a glass as an aperitif you will welcome with open arms and palate some of Pam's lemon sole.      5) 2006 Bourgogne Aligote Vieilles Vignes / Old Vines of DOMAINE Henri NAUDIN-FERRAND in Burgundy ( On Special for $17.99, 12.5% alcohol by volume, www.naudin-ferrand.com ) is mature and complex and richly-layered and a very serious dry white food wine where mineral and even some nut and honey flavors are really turned up high so that they insinuate themselves, subtly infiltrate , permeate and saturate one's palate. THE LEMON SOLE will float effortlessly on everyone's plate. Definitely a food wine : it will hold it's own against many flavorful/well-seasoned dishes. Not so much a sipping wine : too much flavor for that!      6) 2010 Ondenc / Onsec Sec - indigenous dry French white grape variety -  Par Robert & Bernard Plageoles ( $27.99, 14.5% alcohol by volume, jennyandfrancois.com, info@jennyandfrancois.com ( 646 ) 322-4254 ) is a Jenny & Francois Selections' complex, multi-layered, golden-colored white that is rich and full and so thick on the palate with great feel and legs and flesh. THIS IS AN  amazingly-refreshing, powerful mouth-full of wine that must be tasted to be believed. It's an experience all in itself and I include it as it will hold it's own to many a vegetable or side dish and will be a great way to bring closure to an already thoroughly delicious meal and moment.   I MIGHT RECOMMEND that you start with one of the other wines and then finish with this Ondenc? Why not, there are always various tastes in the foods served and it is not always easy to have one wine be the perfect foil or balance for all those flavors? You might even make Pam's dish and serve three or four of these wines and invite family and friends, neighbors, too and see what you all think? It's a simple yet really tasty recipe here that Pam has provided the Cleveland Park community. Thanks Pam. What do you think Michel? Let us know. COME AND MIX these bottles and more and SAVE 20% on those over $20 a bottle. Also save 20% when you mix 12 or more of them - and any other still wines, too. SAVE 10% when you mix any of these or other still wines, you just need to buy 6 or more bottles to SAVE 10% OFF marked sticker prices. Call if you cannot come : 202-363-4265 - or respond to this email. BEERS From Santos :        1) " Wyld " Extra Pale Ale from the UINTA Brewing Company ( On Special for $9.99 a six-pack is certified organic from the USDA/Organic group , unleashed, Salt Lake City, Utah, go to : uintabrewing.com for more info ) is brewed with renewable power and is mighty tasty, too. Try some this Labor Day weekend.      2) " Monumental " I.P.A. India Pale Ale  from the Port City Brewing Company, Alexandria, Virginia ( On Special for $10.99 a six-pack of 12 ounce bottles, 6.3% alcohol by volume, 3950 Wheeler Avenue, Alexandria, VA. 22304, ) is " really local, new and brilliant and inspirational and FUN! Great for this Labor Day weekend : DRINK LOCAL more, more often, with gusto and pride and smiles all around.      3) Special Release Pumpkin Ale from the SCHLAFLY / SAINT LOUIS Brewery, Inc.Company ( On Special for $11.99 a 6-pack, 8% alcohol by volume, St. Louis, Missouri ... " I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than crowded on a velvet cushion " sez Henry David Thoreau .... www.schlafly.com ) : "  Schlafly pumpkin ale - celebrate the bounty of harvest with this rich, malty ale brewed with pumpkin and flavored with spices to invoke the season of plenty. " ALL sounds good to me ...      4) Fire Rock Pale Ale from the KONA Brewing Company ( On Special for $8.99 a six-pack of 12 ounce bottles, 6% alcohol by volume, bottled in Portsmouth, NH, Portland, Oregon, and Woodinville, WA. From Kona, Hawaii. go to : www.KonaBrewingCo.com for more info ) : " Since 1994 Kona Brewing Co. has been committed to making handcrafted ales and lagers of uncompromised quality. We invite you to visit our brewery ... "      5) Maredsous Abbaye - Abdij Triple10Triple Ale ( On Special for $11.99 a 1 Pt. 9.4Fl. Oz bottle, 10% alcohol by volume, Tradition Benedictine,, product of Belgium, Abbaye de Maredsous, www.maredsous-usa.com, ) : " Maredsous Triple is a high fermentation abbey beer, ... refermented in the bottle during the 2-month aging period ... "   LIQUOR/ LIQUEUR From Ravinder Sharma :        1) 15 Year-Old GLENFIDDICH Single Malt Whisky ( On Special for $58.99, since 1887, 40% alcohol by volume, www.glenfiddich.com ) is a great deal for a 15-Year-Old! Try some soon and SAVE. Great gift, also great to celebrate Labor Day.      2) Smooth Ambler established in 2009 , this " Old Scout " Straight Bourbon Whiskey ( $34.99, 49.5% alcohol by volume, aged 5 years, 99 Proof, is made by the SMOOTH AMBLER Spirits Company in Maxwelton, WV.  www.smoothambler.com ) is Batch 1, bottled 10-27-11. Enjoy and cheers!      3) Bloody Mary Macerated flavored vodka from BELVEDERE ( On Special for $32.99, product of Poland, 40% alcohol Polmos, Zyrardow, Polska vodka, 100% neutral spirits distilled from Rye grain, " just add tomato juice and a squeeze of lemon " ) : " No artificial additives or flavors are used. Only Belvedere tastes like this : tomato, horse-radish, black pepper, red pepper and chilis ... " Try some. GREAT for Labor Day!!!!      4) " Skinny Girl Sangria, a golden-white Sangria ( On Special for $12.99, 10.5% alcohol by volume, made with grape wine with natural flavors, ) : Open and serve. Cheers.      WINES By Michel and Tony :        1)  2011 HUGL Weine - Austrian Dry White Gruner Veltliner in the liter bottle ( $10.99 a liter, 13.5% alcohol by volume, product of Austria ) is another great Labor Day weekend wine to enjoy outside with family and friends.      2) " Pink " BUG JUICE Filtrato Dolce. sweet deep rose pink color is sweet from Rinaldi Vini, this is like a lovely pink Moscato and delicious all by itself. For $20.99 this is a treat/ splurge to say " bye-bye " to summer and start getting ready for the fall and cooler weather. It's so smooth and tasty all by itself!      3) Bricco Lorella Rosato/ Rose is dry and made from the Nebbiolo grape in Italy's Piemonte region. This Coste della Sesia 2010 from the Azienda Agricole ANTONIOLO in Gattinara, Piemonte, Italy ( $19.99 , 13% alcohol by volume , ) is smooth, velvety, delicate, silky and WONDERFUL. What a treat to sip slowly and linger and pasue and close your eyes and dream and feel great as you do so. Cheers. Great rose color, too.      4) Barbera d'Alba 2010 from CORINO, estate-bottled, ( $20.99, 14% alcohol by volume, La Morra, Piemonte, Italy ) is bright, fresh , lively and very fruit-forward with bright red toasty cherry and berry flavors. It's an oasis from the heat and the humidity.      5) Piaggia " Il Sasso " Carmignano 2008 ( the " first " Super Tuscan before it was fashionable , $37.99 a bottle, 14,5% alcohol by volume ) from MAURO VANNUCCI is so well-balanced and focused with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot blended with the Sangiovese that you never, ever notice the higher alcohol level. It's a magical red carpet wine ride high up in the sky with views and vistas that cross your palate that you have to pause and take stock of where you are, your life, your accomplishments, etcetera. You ultimately feel grand. Cheers.   SAVE HUGE ON FRENCH WINES from William Harrison Imports coming tomorrow from the Loire Valley, from Bordeaux and from Burgundy. Mostly reds with a GREAT DEAL, too on some more half bottles ( 375ml ) of the Bernard Reverdy Sancerre 2010 that we sold you recently for $10.99 a half-bottle saying that if you bought two of them we would take 10% off and get you two for under $20. Our deal tomorrow will be better than that I believe? WE also have some PIERRE ANDRE red Burgundy from the Hautes Cotes de Beaune 2009, Meursault 2009  and the white Reserve 2009  coming, too along with some exciting CHATEAU FLEUR DE RIGAUD 2009 Grand Cru Saint Emilion. ALL On DEEP SALE. Get them tomorrow and save more with our THREE-PART still ( non-sparkling ) wine SALE detailed above.     WEEK'S TASTINGS :        Friday, August 31st, 2012 ( 5:30-8PM ) : We have Brennan Downey here to taste some of his excellent   1)  Di LENARDO Friuli,  2)  DAL MASO Veneto,   3)  SULIN Piemontese,   4)  TENUTA MAZZOLINO Oltrepo Pavese  and   5)  GROTTA Del SOLE Italian wines with you all : dry reds and whites and maybe a rose and some sweet reds, too? I think so. Call for more info ( 202-363-4265 and ask for Michel or for Tony ). NEVER any charge, join us.      Saturday, September 1st, 2012 ( 2-6PM ) : We have Franceen Khang coming to taste more superlative Italian wines from the Vias Imports portfolio. Michel and I just tried them last Wednesday :   1)  San Michele all'Adige, Pinot Blanc 2010 ( Trentino ),   2) Fattotia del Cerro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2009 ( Tuscany ),   3)  Colpetrone Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2007 ( Umbria ),  4)   Cogno Barbera d'Alba " Bricco dei Merli " DOC 2009 ( Piemonte ) and more still to be decided. This will be a great Italian weekend to taste some of Italy's best to serve later for Labor Day weekend! Join us and enjoy and relax and start celebrating Labor Day early here! BRING FAMILY and friends, neighbors : make AN EVENT HERE of it. Cheers.     IT'S TIME TO POST THIS WEEKLY store email and thanks for everything. Come and SAVE here 20% OFF on the 3-Part Still Wine SALE , Wednesday, August 29th, 2012. Call if you cannot come : 202-363-4265. Let us know what we may do for you. Respond to this email with any questions, concerns, comments. Cheers and check us out at : www.clevelandparkwines.com,  on Facebook at : like us on Facebook at : Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits, follow us on Twitter at : cpwinespirits.    TONY   P.S. We are sorry to say that our dear customer and neighbor Elinor Sachse ( I wrote her recipe here last week : Fabulous Mushroom Soup , remembered by her husband Harry ) passed away last week. Our thoughts are with you Harry

My Tuesday Weekly Store Email I Write and send each week from Washington DC! Read and Enjoy it, cheers!

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

STARTING FRESH and FREE and FANCIFUL and FANCY and here FOR you! FEELING THE MOMENT as the rain promises to come down all day today and into the evening, and that is good for all our thirsty plants and crops , and hopefully will finally remove some of the humidity with it, too?!? FLYING pretty much on my own wings, hope we all are, the feeling is quite splendid and the charge and the jolt and the energy can be exhilarating! ALL GOOD. NOT QUITE AS MUCH connected with the news and social media these days and thus more able to focus on our here and now and the things needing to be accomplished with less interruption. AGAIN ALL GOOD. ARRIVING HERE this morning and walking the aisles and finding some special items to share with you, bring to your attention, get excited about. BEER and CIDER from Santos Rivera -           BEER - 1)Seasonal Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale, from SOUTHERN TIER Brewing Company , On Special for $6.99 a bottle, " pumpkin pie in a glass ", with 8.6% alcohol by volume, from 2018, from New York, Lakewood, for a 1 pint, 9 fluid ounce bottle, ALREADY IN STOCK! Come get some early " Do we brew with magic? Come and see ... " I think so, everyone loves this so. 2) Typecast , a New England farmhouse IPA, starring Sean Lawson, The IPA Guy, from TWO ROADS Brewing and Lawson's finest liquids collaboration, On Special for $15.99 for a 4-pack of 16 ounce cans, a flavorful ale with white cedar and balsam fir ". Come check this out, the art figures remind me of the era of Archie and Veronica and Betty!           CIDER - 1) A Limited Release SPACE Bloody Orange Craft Cider unfiltered from the California Cider Company, On Special for $8.99 a 22Fl. Oz bottle, with 6.9% alcohol, since 1993, certified gluten-free, cloudy and beautiful, looks so tempting, just the color alone draws my eyes closer and closer! A treat, a clear bottle, you can see the color clearly. " A a cantina on a star in a planetary system far far away, the surviving beautiful sister takes a hit on a hookah pipe and listens for incider. " 2) ' The Saint ' Artisanal reserve unfiltered hard cider , from CRISPIN, a 6.9% alcohol by volume, for a 22 fluid ounce bottle, : " Made from fresh-pressed American apples with Belgian Trappist yeast & pure maple syrup, from orchard to bottle. " More flavor, more weight, more rich layers that reverberate with more lasting presence on palate and tongue - great with meals, and gluten-free! Cheers.           BEER - 1) INNIS & GUNN ' Longitude & Latitude Series 001 ' , a raspberry barrel-aged SAISON , taking inspiration from around the world, 6% alcohol by volume, released 2017, for a 1 pint 9 fluid ounce bottle, comes packaged in a nice gift box, a special taste and treat, and perfect to explore new horizons in this hot, humid weather.           LIQUEUR - LIQUOR From Jagir - 1) ROSA 22 Aperitivo Rose , from STELLA ROSA, a  ' handcrafted with natural herbs to create our signature recipe ' , made in northern Italy, On Special for $18.99 a bottle, this is a lighter version of Campari and Aperol, great to mix things, to make a spritzer with some sparkling wine and be thoroughly cleansed and refreshed! Cheers, great value, too : SAVE YOUR MONEY and still drink really well.      THREE From RUSSELL'S Reserve Bourbon - 1) Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, 6 Years Old, 45% alcohol by volume, : " More than 90 years. That's the combined tenure of Master Distillers Jimmy & his son Eddie Russell ... "$48.99 a bottle. JIMMY RUSSELL sat here for two-three hours around our tasting table on some wine boxes and conducted court as he sampled a number of these as well as WILD TURKEY spirits, too! An honor and a privilege, go to Chatwine.blogspot.com and find the pictures and story of this event. Enjoy. 2) Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, non-chill filtered rye whiskey, with 52% alcohol by volume, $68.99 a bottle : " They hand-select barrels only when ready, resulting in a Rye that delivers a balance of spicy pepper, vanilla and tobacco flavors. Their experience guarantees yours. " 3) Single Barrel non-chill filtered bourbon whiskey, with 55% alcohol by volume, ... this has a lovely deep, dark, bold and beautiful color to enjoy right now, maybe tonight as the nights are cooler and the moon does shine through the cloud covers from time to time and is glorious with the cacophany of sounds from cicadas and crickets, toads and more! AND - In  Fine Irish Whiskey - TEELING Whiskey - 1) WE are very sad to say ' bye bye ' to @EoghanHealy of @TeelingWhiskey that has done such a great job promoting these three fine Irish whiskies here over the last year or so, until his visa was taken away like all his team, and so now Eoghan might already be back in Ireland? Anyway he did a great job here tasting these fine TEELING Whiskies here. Single Grain, non-chill filtered, aged and matured, with 46% alcohol by volume, aged for 5 years in ex-wine casks, and bottled on 06/2016. It showed really well this last Friday, August 10th, 2018 from 5-8PM, I liked it a lot, and so this of the three surprised me the most I include the Single Grain. Thanks again Eioghan, travel and be safe and good luck to you in your continued journey in life, love, art, community, family and home! AND - 1) LEOPOLD'S Navy Strength American Gin , Batch No. 1905 : " Becasue it was stored next to gunpowder munitions on naval warships Navy Strength gin was distilled to a proof just high enough that if it spilled during battle, the ship's gunpowder would still ignite. In crafting our version of this maritime spirit, we individually distill each botanical , creating a bold, aromatic gin perfect for classic cocktails. " It sure is smooth and the punch it packs is elegant, bright, pure and beautiful. Cheers! AND IN WINE - from Chris and me ( Tony ) :           TWO Whites -      1) Arinto indiginous white grape variety from Portugal, a 2017, from enologa Martta Reis Simoes, a DOC DO TEJO, estate-bottled from the Quinta da Alorna, desde 1723, with 13.5% alcohol by volume, Chris liked this so much he wanted it included in the tasting we have with our local rep Eddie Janik of Opici Selections, with 13.5% alcohol by volume, this will be so different than a Vinho Verde with alcohol levels as low as 9%, and without the slight spritz, too. I cannot wait to taste it here this Friday, August 24th, from 5-8PM. JOIN US, come discover the distinct flavors of a fine Arinto. Cheers, obregado e ola Martta! 2) Adorada , an eau de California, a hommage, an essence of California that works so well, a scent, a smell, and in this glorious case, a taste, too. A 2016 Pinot Gris with elegance, refinement and finesse that I have enjoyed now twice, $19.99 a bottle, with 12% alcohol by volume _ I LOVE how they have held this alcohol in balance here. A delight to sip or enjoy with a meal, and a great clear bottle and melted-dripped black shiny wax top, head and long slopping shoulders, too. Dare I say s-xy?!? It is, come try some and enjoy it yourselves, and also offer it as gifts!           THREE Dry ROSE Wines - 1) 2017 M MINUTY Cotes du Provence, $21.49, so delicately smooth, polished and whispers and wisps of all things married blissfully together in Provence southern France with the Mediterranean sea there to refresh everything it touches from grapes growing and ripening to lips touched to both wine glass and these sublime contents. 2) EstRosa from Tenuta Pietraventosa, a dry 90% Primitivo and 10% Aglianico dry rose from Murgia, Gioia del Colle, Puglia, 2016, certified organic, a deep rich welcoming rose color that borders on red - so vibrant, so delightful, and the taste is sublime, smooth, rich, full and you bask in the captured sunshine within - lovely, highly recommended to almost guarantee joy and several smiles, a purr or two, a sigh of relief and release ooohhhhh yeah!$18.99 a bottle,. come get some. 3) Tavel dry southern Rhone French rose, a 2017 at $17.49 that over-delivers for this price! From the CHATEAU DE SEGRIES , with 14.5% alcohol by volume, this is a delectable delight, too - more body, more edge, more girth and firm gut, this is fabulous with  many a hot-weather or flavorful or seasoned meal. Oui oui oui! THREE Dry Reds - 1) Carmenere 2013 ' Linen ' from BERGEVIN LANE Vineyards, in Walla Wall, Washington State, On Special for $14.99, this Carmenere has really good medium-to-lighter-body, distinct fruit and acid overtones in balance, a brightness-rightness that with food will work so well, a price that is great, and you can try it here tomorrow when Michele Hunt the national sales manager for the past 20 years comes to taste it with you all from 5-8PM! Michele will also taste other fine wines in her portfolio, so join her and our local owner-rep from GLOBAL WINES, MD, Narayan Campbell, this is so bright and lively and showing so well. I just enjoyed the Linen Sauvignon Blanc this past Sunday and it was really refreshing and bright with just enough acidity to carry all the flavors. 2) 2013 Napa County Meritage red wine from WHEELHOUSE, On Special as well for $14.99 a bottle, with14% alcohol by volume, this is a blend that is hard at first opening but that does inflate and expand and show the hidden fruit within that escaped me at first. I was initially prepared to nix it but then it opened nicely like the tulip does to reveal a glory inside hidden at first. 3) 2016 Red wine The BOATMAN, $16.49, with 13.7% alcohol by volume, : " The Boatman Red is the ideal red wine to open any night of the week. Enjoy it with cheese, or paired with your meat or pasta main - with its notes of bright red fruit and soft tannins, it's a go-to everyday wine you should always have on hand. " Twist-off, will ask Chris what he thought, as it is always good to get different opinions on these wines we offer you. Cheers. WEEK'S TASTINGS and MARK YOUR CALENDARS - Wednesday, September 19th our mini Big Theme Wine-Tasting will celebrate the following : 1) Draai the South African holiday coined by Desmond Tutu that celebrates what all South Africans have in common and not what separates them. We have Ian and Lyss here to taste Eagles Nest and more ... 2) Sparkling wines with Tess Ankeny that will pour California, Australian and French champagnes and sparkling wines! 3) Brazil and the winery that for me started it really all off well here with the Miolo Family Wines of Bento Goncalves and the Vale dos Vinhedos and more AND MORE still in the works , may include Chile, may include Greece, still open and being discussed and evaluated! 5:30-8:30PM, #freewinetasting #Everyonealwayswelcome THIS WEEK : TUESDAY, Aug 22nd, 5-8PM : I will open and taste the 1861 sweey white wine 2017, On Special for $9.49    from Mendoza, Argentina that reminds me of a Monbazillac, from DOS FAMILIAS, a blend of Moscato and Pedro Ximenez that I especially quite like at this price, come try some! TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 23rd, 2018 ( 5-8PM ) : We have national sales manager Michele Hunt here of Bergevin Lane , Walla Walla Washington State, here to taste the fine wines of Bergevin Lane and Linen, mentioned already above, join us here! Friday, August 24th, 2018 ( 5-8PM ) : We have Eddie Janik here of Opici Selections here to taste some fine wines of SAGELANDS in Washington State ( some Chardonnay and some Cabernet Sauvignon , BOTH On Special for $12.99, and also in our 3 for $33, and 6 for $60! ), as well as the Arinto dry white I wrote about above, and more that will be a surprise. ALSO  We have Colt coming to taste the ONE EIGHT DC local spirits of Rye and maybe the gin, too? Saturday, August 25th, 2018 ( 3-6PM ) : We have Sarah here to taste the OLD LINE rum and their whisky, too. AND - We have Jeffrey King from Quintessential to taste a selection of his fine wines, more to follow tomorrow. Call for more information. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, you all are the very best, come join us later today as I taste some fine sweet Mendoza white On Special for $9.49 that really is a treat! CHEERS! You all are the very best ever.  TONY WHAT FOLLOWS BELOW is an old store email that I wrote and sent on August 21st, 2012! Read it if you have time. I made a big typo in the last store email just sent minutes ago : the email and the 20% Off Still Wine Sale for Wed. Aug. 22nd should read :      1) Buy any $20 or more bottle and save 20% off the marked sticker price, not $20 off the marked sticker price. I proofed it but missed it and so I am making this correction ASAP. Sorry, my mistake. Take care and do come to our sale tomorrow or call us at : 202-363-4265. Cheers,  TONY

My Weekly Tuesday Email That I Write and Send, Read and Enjoy it, cheers!

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

I'M SO EXCITED about this beautiful weather today with low humidity and bright baby blue skies and small wisps of white clouds above and hopefully the same for tomorrow's great tasting here of 21 FABulous dry rose wines in bottles, cans and boxes, various sizes, styles, colors, and grape blends or 100% of one grape variety!   WE HAVE also our event with Sherry to RAISE money and awareness for a cure and research for Alzheimers! This is something we all are effected by in one way or another, Give whatever you can help tomorrow.   ALSO Patricia discovered that I speak French when she heard me talking here to some of our customers and she has asked if we can get a group together to speak French and wine, food, art, family and more? I thought what a great chance to get the ball rolling here, so if any of you are interested tomorrow get my attention and I will put you together so that you can meet our five excellent tasters here and sample their fine dry rose wines and also speak French with one another as you do. Cheers!   SO AS YOU READ ON HERE you get the idea that even in vacation mode for many of us we are quite busy! That is good, too, we like being active and not idle.   I HAVE WALKED OUR AISLES and this is what I have found.   BEER and CIDER from Santos -             CIDERS -   1)Browns Lane Classic English dry hard cider from CRISPIN, made with English bittersweet cider apples , a 4-pack of 16 fl. oz cans with 5.8% alcohol by volume, On Special for $9.99, a classic from California, really distinct flavors and taste, love it!   2) Rose style cider - a hard cider from BOLD ROCK, crushed & crafted in the Blue Ridge mountains, On Special for $9.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles.               TWO Raspberry beer selections -   1) Beautitude Raspberry Tart Saison Community & Craftsmanship, a raspberry ale, On Special for $14.99 a bottle, with 4.5% alcohol by volume, for a 750ml bottle, made by COUNCIL Brewing Co.   2) Brainless Raspberries Belgian-style ale , malt beverage brewed with raspberries, from EPIC Brewing , from their Exponential SERIES, for a 1 Pt 6 Fl. Oz bottle, from Salt Lake City, UT, with 8.9% alcohol by volume.   AND -   1) Pure Brewed Organic Lager beer, " a flavorful lager from the PUREST ingredients: organic malted barley, organic hops, yeast and water . " USDA Organic, made by SAMUEL SMITH, a small independent U.K. brewery, $11.99 for a 4-pack of cans 12 ounce. Cheers!     IN LIQUOR LIQUEUR from Jagir -             TWO From Mexico, a Tequila and a mescal -   1) 100% de Agave SILVER from Leyenda del MILAGRO, On Special for $25.99 a bottle, with 40% alcohol by volume.   2) Alipus Mescal joven 100% Agave with 47.1 % alcohol by volume from San Juan, $45.99 a 750ml bottle, the one with the red necker and the black and white label, and you must read carefully the little booklet around the neck for the specifics! Cheers! Get your reading glasses, tell stories, amplify, enjoy!   3) Roundstone Rye Whiskey Single Barrel from CATOCTIN CREEK made locally in Virginia, 80 proof, $41.99, so flavorful and distinct, a great way to taste Purcelleville, ... owned by a family, husband and wife that have poured heart and soul into this independent small quality project!   4) Maple Finished - fine deluxe Maple-flavored whisky from CROWN ROYAL, On Special for $29.99 a bottle, with 40% alcohol by volume, - natural maple flavor, maple toasted oak! Cheers, come try some.   WINES from Chris & Me ( Tony ) -   1) Reserva 2017 Pedro Ximenez from Chile's Valle de Elqui, from Chile, this is made by an Italian that makes fine wines in Italy, too. This dry version of the grape Pedro Ximenez is better-known for the sherry it makes, but here this is so rich and flavorful and a great food wine. Mark Congdon will taste it here this Saturday from 2-6PM, and it is On Special for $12.99 a bottle, with a 3 fro $33 mix-or-match program here!   2) 2016 Sauvignon Blanc D.O. Leyda Valley, Chile, $15.49, this dry white has overtones of cilantro and jalapeno and so is great with more spicy, mild heat flavors in your foods - which are many choices and possibilities here. Best with food. Cheers!   3) Rosa do Mencia ( an indigenous grape from Spain ), made by Armas de GUERRA, On Special for $12.99, 3 for $33, come taste this, too on Saturday, 2-6PM, cheers, beautiful color, distinct, balanced, flavorful!   4) Malbec dry French red from the Lot region where Cahors is, made by MARC ROMAN, On Special for $12.99 / 3 for $33 - a Frederick Wildman selection, 2016 - classic French Malbec - a real treat! Limited availability - come get some while we still have it. Fine food wine. Burgers for a starter, sliders take-out from Cleveland Park Sports Bar & Grill! Yum! Get a slice of bacon put on top of that slider and you are off on a great adventure!   5) 2013 dry red Chilean blend from the Cachapoal Valley, this AMALGAMA, $15.49 with 14% alcohol was just tasted here this past Saturday by our local rep Andrea Shank and it is showing really nicely now with some bottle-age, and with anything well-seasoned or marinated/grilled you have a great winner here for this heat and sun now!           AND FOR A SPARKLING TREAT  -   1) ' Le Rose ' brut non-vintage French sparkling from M. de LIGNY, $13.49 a bottle, this is a delight to sip - so rich and generous in flavor, so soft and bright in taste - and a fine value, too!   WEEK'S TASTINGS -   Wednesday, tomorrow 8/15 ( 5:30-8:30PM ) : Our mini Big-Theme Dry Rose Tasting with 21 roses to taste with five really talented and passionate individuals pouring for you. Everyone welcome. Come taste, come support Alzheimer's cure and research with Sherry, and come speak French, too with Patricia, me and more if you care! JOIN US, free wine-tasting, join us, everyone always more than welcome!   Friday, August 17th, 2018 ( 5-8PM ) : We have THREE tastings :   1) Sam from International Cellars will pour some a) Super Tuscan Merlot from Italy On Special for $12.99/3 for $33 by Agricola SAN FELICE, their " Perolla " 2013 ... b) Lebanese Liban 2010 Chateau Kefaya red blend, 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, 7.5% Carignan and 4.5% Mourvedre, with 14% alcohol by volume, On Special for $29.99 a bottle! c) Pariso French Blanc de blancs brut sparkling wine $10.99 a bottle. d) Pamplune French grapefruit-accented rose, $10.99 - really balanced and bright and very pleasing! e) Pecorino dry white from Italy and made by TALAMONTI, 2016, flavorful, dry, great mineral and taste and flash and flair! Yes!   2) Kayla of Jos. A. MAGNUS our local fine distributor here in Ivy City, Washington D.C. will pour Nicole Hassoun's regular and Navy Strength gins, Nicole's vodka, and maybe the whiskies. too?!? Join Kayla!   3) Jen of LEFT HAND Brewing will pour four :    a) Milk Stout Nitro b) Juicy Goodness c) Travelin' Light Kolsch d) Wheels Goose Around   Saturday, August 18th, 2018 ( 2-6PM ) : We have TWO tastings -   1) Two sakes from HIRO,   a) the Junmai sake - Tokubetsu Junmai sake ( traditional brew ), Rice polishing 60% Seimai buai, SAKE METER VALUE ( SMMMV ) +4 dry, and ACIDITY : 1.6 alcohol 15% by volume ... b)  and the Junmai Ginjo sake, imported from Japan, a sapecial brew, RICE POLISHING ( seimai buai ) 55% , SAKE METER VALUE ( SMV ) : +3 ( dry ),  ACIDITY 1.3  alcohol 15% by volume   AND Mark Congdon will pour some fine German off-dry Riesling as well as some VINA FALERNIA Chilean Pedro Ximenez mentioned above already, and some dry Mencia Spanish rose, too - also mentioned above.   AND MARK YOUR CALENDARS now -   Wednesday, August 22nd, 5-8PM : Michele Hunt the national sales manager for BERGEVIN LANE in Columbia Valley , Washington State will be on hand to sample you all on some of the BERGEVIN LANE and also their LINEN wines, made by the two owners Annette Bergevin and Amber Lane. The LINEN Carmenere dry red On Special for $14.99 a bottle is a real treat, as well as the LINEN Sauvignon Blanc, the BERGEVIN LANE Vineyards ' Love Struck ' 2014 Viognier Walla Walla Valley, $22.99 a bottle, and more!   Wednesday, September 19th, 2018 ( 5:30-*:30PM ) our next mini Big Theme Tasting of Sparkling Wines & More including South Africa's Draai ( once called National Heritage Day, initiated by Desmond Tutu with the idea that everyone comes together to celebrate their shared interests and not the things that divide. Lyss and Ian Wolf of Red Wolf Wines will be here with four great South African wines to teach us all more about this special day that we will start and which will continue all the week of Sunday 24- Saturday 29th September! Cheers!   JOIN US - ALL our tastings are free, everyone always welcome.     THANKS for everything, you all are the very best!   JOIN US TONIGHT, tomorrow night to taste 21 dry rose wines, and all week!   WE HAVE PLENTY here for you.   WHAT FOLLOWS below is an old store email I wrote and posted on August 20th, 2014 .. cheers, TONY 8/14/2018   INVITE YOUR Family and friends to join us, too - the more the merrier.   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