HEAT
& HUMIDITY KNOCKING : How to DEAL?! COME HERE! We are here for you!
and we have the whole store filled with promise and great new horizons
and vistas! cheers to you all!!!!
COME SEE MY ART at my home this Saturday, August 4th, 2018 7:30pm, if interested please contact me at : tonythewineguy@gmail.com and I will include my address and phone number, cheers, TONY
THIS IS a puzzling time with our
weather and hard to know what to do exactly as it seems to constantly
change and so we have to, too. The humidity has been hard, too on both
my and my wife's joints as that is humbling and hard both. We still have
for each of us our superman and superwoman outfits on hangers on our
wall, and we done them as often as we are able and feel the excitement
and energy that both evoke and require from us. Great moments all, life
has and still has so many glorious rewards. Let you superman and
superwoman selves fly as often as you can.
ON A VERY SAD NOTE INDEED, this Saturday
Santos told me that one of our most loved and cherished customers - a
fixture to many of us here - Bobby O passed away last week in his
apartment. Laura came by later and confirmed this as she lives in the
same building. She was in real pain over this and almost cried several
times. Olivia of Olivia and Nora called Bobby ' the mayor of Cleveland
Park ' more than once here as she would stand here at our tasting table
and Bobby would pop in for whatever suited his desires of that moment.
BOBBY had some Austrian blood in
him and when I discovered this I would always tell him he needed to buy a
bottle of Gruner Veltliner from PAUL D or from ANTON BAUER or HUGL.
Sometimes we were tasting them and I would invite him to sample with us?
Other times he would walk in smiling and grinning sometimes, too and
ask me what we were tasting? Our conversations were always cheerful and
overall quite positive and uplifting, even though some of the subject
matter could depress both of us entirely.
I KNOW BOBBY is in some of the
pictures I have taken and so this morning I was scrolling down some of
them on our Facebook page at Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, and so far
I have not found them, but will continue to look as time permits.
COME IN and share your Bobby O stories here with us. That would be really nice.
SO MUCH TO SHARE HERE -
BEER and CIDER from Santos -
1) Halia 2015 Belgian-Style
Farmhouse Ale, from GOOSE ISLAND, $27.99 a 750ml bottle, made in
Chicago, drink it out of a big glass and enjoy! This is a very serious
beer for someone that knows the style and realizes how great it is, even
at this price, cheers!
2) Cidre Bouche Brut de
Normandie, 2016, Etinene Dupont, unfiltered, unpasteurized, On Special
for $12.99, a 750ml bottle, with a lovely low alcohol of 5.5% alcohol by
volume - this is the real dry and refreshing and wonderful cider that
will blow you all away1 Love it, love it more, really special.
Liqueur and Liquor from Jagir -
1) St. Elizabeth Allspice Fram,
$35.99, a liqueur , a tradirional blend from the West Indies, 750ml
bottle, something tasty and special and used in a number of cocktails
today. Kyle, a customer of ours was up in New York where they made him a
mixed cocktail using this and so he immediately sent us an email asking
if we sold it or knew about it? I emailed him and told him that not
only did we know about it but that we used i and sold it here now for
awhile! Love this kind of scenario.
2) "A cult gin from HAHON in
Menorca, Xoriguer is one of the only gins in the world ( alongside
Plymouth ) to have a geographical indication, Gin de Menorca. Gin has
been made on Menorca since the 18th century British occupation and
Xoiguer commands a devoted following of happy travellers. Unusually,
Xioguer is made in wood-fired pot stills from distilled wine (
eau-de-vie ) rather than the more usual grain-based disillate, and is
rested in oak barrels before bottling. " a full liter bottle ,
gluten-free, with 41% alcohol by volume, $42.99, ... come get some quick
before we all set out!
3) Traditional Jamaican rum from
SMITH & CROSS , London, a fine pot still , $31.99,this is the
wonderful navy strength, ' new and exciting ', a lovely deep golden
amber color to transfix your gaze even before you taste any!
4) Grand Old Parr blended Scotch
Whsikey , aged 12 years, distilled and blended and bottled Scotland, On
Special $33.99, 40% alcohol by volume, an old favorite that we are
thrilled to have back here once again.
AND IN WINE from Chris & Tony - 7 Fine Wines -
1) 2016 LEYDA Winery D.O. Leyda
Valley ( by Casa Blanca ) Sauvignon Blanc, $15.49 - shades of jalapenos,
nuances of cilantro - great for your more flavorful meals!
2) White Label Dry Sec from
Champagne LANSON, $49.99 a bottle : reminds me of something not as
intense or fruity as the Demi-Sec, softer, brighter, more gentle, a
lovely way to sip French champagne with or without food. And if you are
an artist like me you can paint the white shiny empty bottle afterward
with acrylics and both savor and remember the occasion! Cheers.
3) CHATEAU RAMPEAU 2015 Bordeaux
dry red blend, $11.99 : I love this for the delicate, lovely, lulling
and smooth nuances of the blends of the two Cabs here with Merlot and
splashes of Malbec and Petit Verdot - your sipping dry red Bordeaux.
4) Chateau Macon-La-Grange 2015
Bordeaux Superiore, $11.99 : this dry red blend is heartier, more edge
and a thicker wall of flavors that will smack and bounce your palate
around more and not coddle it. This will suit a meal very well.
5) ' Vignals ' 2016 from
France's Southwest, from Chateau Coupe-Roses, a blend of 60% Syrah, 30%
Grenache and 10% Carignan , $19.99 a bottle, this has some heft, power,
flavor and real center-stage presence, love it, a fine
Rhone-Ranger-Style dry red bland to enjoy with your next meal,
hand-harvested, love the earthy and spicy finesse of flavors. Si oui oui
si si si!
6) ALMA NEGRA dry M Blend from
Ernesto Catena, $21.99 a bottle, a 2014, the charm, the round soft
supple flesh and flowing, flowering free-spirited qualities of this
easy-sipping red are so pleasing and immediate - medium-to-light-bodied,
a real treat! Cheers, tasting brilliantly now.
7) Pezzo Morgana Salice Salentino
Riserva 2012 from Italy's Famiglia Falvo, On Special for $21.99 (
regular price is $24.99 ) : this is a wine that we used to sell all the
time, a favorite of many. Now back after awhile and showing really
nicely, best with a meal. Recommended.
WEEK'S TASTINGS :
TONIGHT, Tuesday, July 31st, 2018 ( 5-8PM
) : I will open some of the South African wines of FAT BARREL from
Stellenbosch ( Chardonnay, OTB red, Sauvignon Blanc ), and a great dry
white Verdejo available tomorrow. JOIN ME, cheers!
Friday, August 3rd, 2018 ( 5-8PM
) : We have Eric of Tradewinds Specialty Imports here to taste some
fine wines of La Gitana Sherry, some of the dry red Rioja, Reserva 2009,
$24.99, with 14% alcohol by volume, this really drinks well now, a real
treat - and some excellent dry Viognier 2015 from CHANARMUYO, La
Rioja, Argentina, that is bright and refreshing and filled with lovely
life and vitality too, $10.99, and maybe more like the dry white
Torrontes 2017, Valle de Cafayate, $12.49, dry Argentina white.
ALSO :
Santos and Jagir have set up with
Will of Republic Restoratives and he introduced us to Emily Filkins
that will do the tasting here, 5-8PM
and taste the Civic vodka, the Borough Bourbon and the Rodham Rye, all
made here in Ivy City, Washington DC. JOIN US - NEVER any charge.
Saturday, August 4th, 2018 ( 2-6PM ) : We have TWO TASTINGS for you all -
1) Jean Gagliolo will be here to taste the fine Spanish wines of Jorge Ordonez, and we will try four :
1) Kila Spanish Cava, $16.49 - blew me away, loved it!
2) Rio Madre Rosado 2017 made
with the Graciano that is blended with Tempranillo to make fine dry red
Rioja, this Rioja dry rose, $14.49 a bottle, ...
3) Bodegas La Cana, Las Baixas
Albarino 2016, $19.99, a real bright luscious, creamy now with subtle
pricks of acidity, too. 4) Bodegas Breca, Calatayud Garnacha de Fuego
Old Vines, 2016, Plums and prunes, fairie godmothers, medium-to-lighter
bodied, very rich and engaging, yes very pleasing, a delight, can sip as
well as have with a meal, great deal! $9.99 a bottle, cheers!
ALSO : Santos and Jagir have arranged for our local rep from SAGAMORE SPIRIT to come and taste their
1) Rye Straight Whiskey, $45.99 a bottle.
2) Reserve Rye Straight Whiskey, too, Double Oak, $45.99
3) Vintner's Finish , a blend of Straight Rye Whiskies, $45.99 ...
COME TASTE all three !
JOIN US - everyone always welcome.
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, you all
are the very best and we are thrilled to be here for you still with all
the changes, hard times, injustices, raises again proposed today by the
White House for the super rich bypassing Congress to do this, and so
much more.
THERE IS STILL HONOR, INTEGRITY,
HONESTY< community, selflessness, care and awareness by many that
benefit many and not just the filthy rich. Sorry to end with that last
line, pains me greatly, and we as a group can change this if we all work
together to effect the changes we need. Cheers!
WHAT FOLLOWS BELOW is an old
store email that I wrote back on July 24th, 2012 and sent to you all.
Remember it?!? Enjoy reading it if you have time to see how things have
evolved and changed? Cheers! TONY 7/31/2018
THIS IS TWO EMAILS IN ONE : From Tuesday, July 24th, 2012 through Saturday, August 4th, 2012. SAVE IT, REFER to it!
IT WAS HOT GETTING TO WORK and
yet it's also really beautiful all around with all the green and the
blooming flowers and I am sure the sun will break through sometime
today. It may be that we all have to begin getting up super early and
getting as much done as possible, returning inside for the worst of the
heat of the late morning and afternoon and then going back outside again
as the sun starts to drop in the sky? We all need to find our own
solutions if we are still working and not at the beach or in the
mountains by some cool and refreshing lake. It's a challenge to rise to
as this is our times, these are our moments.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE INVITED KEVIN of Margaux and Company here this Saturday to taste some of the FOGGY RIDGE Hard Ciders from Dugspur, Virginia, www.foggyridgecider.com.
We have a selection here and I have a bottle of the " Sweet Stayman "
here by my side with 7% alcohol that we sell for $21.99 a bottle. It's
delicious and when we tasted it last with our customers everyone loved
it as well as the drier ones. Everyone had their favorite. We are asking
Kevin to taste at least one if not two for a great contrast and to
satisfy as many people as possible. That's always our idea : seems to
work. You can join us on this 28th from 2-6PM. There is never any charge.
WE WILL ALSO ASK KEVIN TO TASTE
some wine as well and we are looking at some great French wine like the "
Dentelles " VENTOUX southern Rhone valley red from XAVIER. This 2010 (
$16.99, 14% alcohol by volume from the small town of Courtthezon is
charged with explosive flavors, great electrifying spice and baked fruit
flavors, intense raisin-dry-squeezed jolts of taste, a thick ruby red
carpet and coating, too - as well as a long, lingering, satisfying
finish. Have I said enough to interest you? I hope so. This is fabulous
wine and not one that should be missed. Give it a slight chill of up to
thirty minutes. Most everyone is always shocked when I recommend
chilling and respond with : " Can you chill reds? ". I quickly respond
that I chill most all my reds for 20-30 minutes.
I TELL THEM THAT IT BOTH focuses
the flavors and energizes them. Of course I tell them that this is only
my suggestion and opinion. I often add that I want them to taste some
before chilling and then some after chilling to decide for themselves.
The wine can always warm up this way to the right temperature for your
palate but it can never chill down by itself to the right temperature.
Try this experiment, especially now as the temperatures are soaring so
often out of control. Cheers. You can always let me know when you see me
what you thought?
HONEY VODKAS FROM ALASKA tasted recently and to much applause : and here
I see that STOLI has a STOLI Sticki Honey-Flavored Premium vodka
($23.99 a 750ml bottle, 37.5% alcohol by volume, Go to :
Stoli@Stickiberry, try the drink , too : one one-half parts Stoli
Sticki, three-quarters parts white cranberry, soda water and mix and
serve over ice ). Which came first? Which inspired the other? Is there
now a trend afoot to produce more honey vodkas as there has been to
produce Honey Whiskies ever since the success of the WILD TURKEY? The
honey does take the bite or edge away and make the sipping of them so
pleasing and agreeable.
I THINK FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD
for the whiskies at least that both men and women are responding
favorably to them. There was just a young man here last week waxing
poetic over the WILD TURKEY version. We had just sold out of it and so
we gave him the choices of either the EVAN WILLIAM'S or the SEAGRAM'S 7
Canadian version and he picked the EVAN WILLIAMS because it would be the
closest in flavor.
SUMMER SESSION ALE from
Evolution Craft Brewing Co. ( On Special for $10.99 a six-pack of 12 Fl.
Oz bottles, 4.6% alcohol by volume, made in Salizbury, MD.) is local,
new and exciting. SUPPORT LOCAL. Go visit them if they give tours. Go to
: www.evolutioncraftbrewing.com
to get more information on this and their whole line of beers. So many
people are asking for our summer beers and our choices keep changing as
we sell through some of them and find new ones, too. That keeps it all
fresh and exciting. Do ask Santos when you are here what our
availability on any of them is as we have access to limited quantities
from what I understand and so it may be in your best interest to buy
more when you see them here as we may be out soon. Cheers.
SPEAKING OF LOCAL, NOTHING could be more local than the " new " DC BRAU
" The Citizen " Belgian-Style Pale ( $11.99 for a six-pack of 12 Ounce
cans, 7% alcohol by volume) that seems to be all the rage now. Everyone
is curious to try it as well as the others when available. There is very
limited availability and we get one drop a month and no more than that
so you should definitely buy as much as you can when you see what we
have as that is it for any particular month. This beer commemorates the
historic vote in 1963 that gave the citizens of Washington D.C. the
right to vote for the President and the Vice-President of the United
States when the 23rd Ammendment was ratified.
RIESLING 2011 Washington State from The KINGFU GIRL ( $14.99 a
750ml bottle, 11% alcohol by volume ) that tells you it is drier and not
so sweet. If the alcohol level was under 10% and closer to 6-8% it
would definitely be much sweeter. Always ask to see the alcohol label
when you are not sure. Then you simply have to taste the wine and see
whether it is right for you or not.
THIS RIESLING COMES the Columbia valley and is vinted and bottled
by CHARLES SMITH WINES, Mattawa, Washington State. We are always getting
requests for it : it has really made an impression on many people
already. The labeling is rather bold and stark and in black-and-white.
BEERS From SANTOS :
1) Smoked Porter W/ Vanilla Bean from STONE Brewing Company ( On
Special for $4.29 a 12 Fluid Ounce Bottle, 5.9% alcohol by volume , www.stonebrewing.com/VanillaorChipotle
) that includes whole Madagascar vanilla beans into small batches. This
was the idea of Laura Ulrich and it has created a whole new flavor
component and taste.
2) Farmhouse Ale TANK 7 From BOULEVARD BREWING Company, Kansas
City, Missouri ( On Special for $10.99 a 1 Pt. 9.4 Fluid Ounce, 8%
alcohol by volume ) : " Most breweries have at least one piece of
equipment that's just a bit persnickity. Here at Boulevard's it's
fermenter number seven, the black sheep of our cellar family. ... " You
have to come read the back label for the rest to find out more ...
sorry for this tease. Oh well, we want you to come by and visit us. A
bit unfair, O know, and I can find no web page on the labels to share
with you to make this task any easier for you. See you soon.
3) Domesticated Wild Ale BRUX from SIERRA NEVADA Brewing
Company and Russian River's Cilurzos - A Collaboration between the two (
On Special for $15.99 a bottle, Chico, CA. ) is a refermented ale in
the bottle with " Brettanomyces bruxellensis that will change and
develop over time. Copper-colored, dry and complex with slightly tart
notes of green grass, pear, spice and lemon - this ale will progress in
the bottle for many years ". Very interesting,
really.
LIQUOR From Ravi :
1) Grand Reserve Oak Cask Aged Rum from RON Viejo De CALDAS (
$25.99 a bottle, 40% alcohol by volume, from Columbia ) : " ...
secrets of the Caribbean and the traditions of Spain. The special
process of aging in oak casks, used by the aristocratic lineage produces
the smooth taste, body and flavor of Ron Viejo De Caldas Grand Reserve
".
2) 70% BLACK Caribbean Rum with Coconut Liqueur from MALIBU (
On Special for $24.99 a 1.75ml plastic white-colored bottle- lighter,
easier to carry around to parties , www.malibu-rum.com
) can make a great MALIBU Storm : 1 Part MALIBU Black, 2 Parts Cola,
Serve over ice in a tall glass and garnish with a lime. Sounds so like
this heat, so like summer , so refreshing.
3) 10 Years Old Fine Oak Triple Cask Matured MACALLAN Highland
Single Malt Scotch Whisky ( $46.99, 40% alcohol by volume,
Graigellachie, Scotland, www.themacallan.com
in Speyville ) : " ... this legendary single malt is triple cask
matured in a unique, complex combination of exceptional oak casks. ...
". American oak casks with sherry, also with bourbon, and European
casks, too. Such complexity of flavors.
WINES From Michel and Tony :
REDS :
1) O.P.P. ( Other People's Pinot ) 2010 Oregon Pinot Noir,
Willamette Valley ( $26.99, 13.4% alcohol by volume, is bottled by
MOUTON NOIR in McMinneville, OR. www.moutonNoirWines.com
) has really got some nice, deep, toasty-roasted Pinot flavors that
simmer and linger so nicely over the full extension of one's palate.
Nice.
2) 80% Garnacha, 15% Syrah and 5% Merlot Dry Red Spanish blend
from Carinena, by ESTEBANMARTIN ( $10.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume ) is
racy, spicy, earthy, pithy, medium-to-light-bodied and with a slight
chill will be great to enjoy when you grill outside or with
well-seasoned or marinated dishes. It's got character and balance for
such an inexpensive wines. Great hot-weather wine selection where food
is involved.
ROSES :
1) Tocai Rosso Indigenous red grape variety, this TAI ROSSO
Colli Berici from DAL MASO in Italy's Veneto region ( $13.99, 12%
alcohol by volume ) is drinking really well now. It's got good
extraction and thus color and really nice with or without a meal. It
will also complement many meals, especially now that it is so hot.
Lovely.
2) Garnacha Spanish Rose from the Campo De Borja, 2011 is dry
and deep colored and tasty for grills and On Special for $8.99 a bottle,
down from $11.99 a bottle just a month ago! Great value.
3) Pinot Noir red Burgundy rose , this 2011 Macon-Rose from
Jean Curial is bone-dry and clean and crisp and tart and a touch of
tang, too. It's a great food wine : medium-to-lighter bodied, good rich
color and $17.99 On Special now : really fine, used to be $20.99 a
bottle when we bought our first drop of this vintage. Great with a meal.
MORE RED :
3) Syrah Columbia Valley called " The Eye Of The Needle ", ( $15.99, info@hsnwinery.com
, Woodinville, WA ) : " Pacific Wine ( PWE ) is a small family-owned
winery committed to offering superieor Washington State wines at an
excellent value ". This one is packed with extra flavor, spice, zipping
toasty berry flavors and an energy that churns constantly. Really nice.
SPARKLING :
1) Semi-Seco sparkling Spanish Cava from MONT PARAL ( $16.99 )
is rich and complex and full on the palate and generous and with a
softer dry that has fewer tart and acidic moments so it is perfect
sipping when you want to have more weigh and gravitas. Lovely!
2) Moscato Mango Natural Flavor from Italy's PICCOLO TESORO,
from Canelli, Italy this is made from more than 75% Prosecco grapes and
is a delight for anyone that is a Mango fan like myself. Fruity enough,
also with some good moments of dryness; lingering flavors that are not
sweet and that do not weigh the palate down. This at 6% alcohol by
volume is a perfect summer heat refresher : golden color - lovely.
WHITES :
1) 2009 CA. Chardonnay from LAMPLIGHTER Vineyards ( $8.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume, www.lanmplightervineyards.com
) is beautifully balanced and just slightly oaked with older barrels I
believe. It's flavorful and really quite nice for only $8.99 a bottle
and Michel and I are happy to include it here for you all. Cheers.
2) Moschofilero 2011 indigenous Greek white grape varietal (
$9.99, 11.5% alcohol by volume, Rizes, Arcadia, Greece ) is very
pleasing much like the French Picpoul from the southwest of France that
everyone loves so much. This Moschofilero has the same pleasing charm
and smooth, lilting and satisfying flavors that you taste in the Picpoul
: perhaps even a bit lighter and thus even easier for all this summer
heat and humidity? Great summer white, nice all by itself : nice label,
too.
3) Gruner Veltliner indigenous white grape variety from
Austria, from the WEINGUT WIMMER ( $11.99 for a liter bottle, 13.5%
alcohol by volume, from HUGL-WIMMER GmbH ) is the same as the HUGL that
we normally have and that we are waiting on to arrive from Austria as it
is the label that is better recognized here.
4) Sauvignon Blanc from Western Australia's southernmost
region called Denamrk, this " Zeepaard " made by WEST CAPE HOWE
Vineyards' 2010 is vibrant and lively and angaging and still so complex
and flavorful. Chris Pigott and I walked the vines that make this wine
with winemaker Gavin Berry and this showed beautifully last Saturday
here when Arielle Monaco our rep poured if for you all. It sells for
$13.99 and it's really quite tasty and very distinct and very appealing,
too.
5) 2007 Barossa FSR Valley, South Australian LOOSE END dry and
smooth and aromatic blend of 50% Frontignac, 36% Semillon and 14%
Riesling. It's creamy and distinct and nice-sipping and when Arielle
poured it here this past Saturday
afternoon for you all our sales were split evenly between it and the
more recognized " Zeepaard " Sauvignon Blanc for the same price. You
should try both.
WEEKLY WINE-TASTINGS :
Friday, July 27th, 2012 5-8PM : Michel and I will open some of
our favorite wine selections - some listed above her to see what you
all think. We will open the Moscato Mango for example! That will be fun
and probably the Jean Muriel dry rose of Burgundy, too for example.
Saturday, July 28th, 2012 ( 2-6PM
) : We will open Kevin of Margaux Imports pouring two of the ciders/
wines listed above : the FOGGY RIDGE VA. apple cider and the XAVIER
Ventoux dry Rhone red and more.
Friday, August 3rd, 2012 : We have Estebe of Tradewinds
Specialty Imports here to pour some of his excellent Spanish and
Argentinian wines that will span the sherries of ALEXANDRE and the
sparkling wines of ROSSIGNOL De Moragas ( $19.99 for the brut ) and the
BOHIGAS ( $24.99 for the Brut Nature - no sweetness added in the dosage ,
Gran Reserva ), and the CHANARMUYO Estate Malbec from La Rioja in
Argentina ( the Malbec 2010 Chamas Honnorat Family wine is $10.99 for
example ). ALL are excellent.
Saturday, August 4th, 2012 : We have James Byus III from Vinifera Imports here from 2-6PM
pouring some outstanding Vinifera wines like the BARBERANI 2011 dry
Orvieto from Umbria and the ICARDI Barbera D'A;ba 2006 dry red from the
Piemonte region. Both are first-class acts. Michel and I just tried them
here last week and really enjoyed the, Real treats!
JOIN US : NEVER any charge for any of our wine-tastings,
everyone is always welcome. Bring family and friends and neighbors and
meet people here and relax and enjoy yourselves. This is a great
opportunity and a really energized experience. Everyone is always super
friendly. Cheers, see you soon.
THANK YOU for all your business and support of us and our neighborhood. We appreciate it all. For more info on us go to : www.clevelandparkwines.com and onto our Facebook account at : Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits and also follow us on Twitter at : cpwinespirits.
DON'T BE A STRANGER, come on by, tell us what you need, want,
what we may be doing to serve you and your needs and desires better?!
Cheers, TONY
| 
Cleveland Park Beer, Liquor & Wine
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