Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Taste BUBBLY Tomorrow,, Taste Close-Outs on Wine Friday, Happy December 2018 ALL!

 
 
 
Cleveland Park WineCleveland Park Beer, Liquor & Wine
Featuring a wide, international selection of fine wines, micro-brews and spirits
 
 
 
IT'S SAVINGS TIME HERE @ CLEVELAND PARK WINES & SPIRITS : 20% OFF 12 Or More  Bottles Of Wine EVERY WEDNESDAY: 3-Part Wine SALE : Read On...
 
 
 
 
     THE WEATHER IS PRETTY GORGEOUS NOW ( also very un-seasonal  - that was yesterday! ), today the weather is back to it's old self and bbrrrrrr cold and windy and biting! If this continues tomorrow it will be perfect for our Bubbly Wine-Tasting tomorrow when we taste some amazing ( 20+ different ones - Part ONE of a Part TWO Bubbly wine-tasting , the other on Dec. 19th, 2018 , 5:30-8:30PM, $15 cost that gets used when you purchase whatever sparkling wines you tasted and would like to have for the holidays.
 
JOIN US TOMORROW for Part ONE of our two-part BUBBLY-Sparkling Wine-Tasting, 5:30-8:30pm. $15 that gets applied to your purchases tomorrow. Join us, taste, smile, smirk, relax, feel warm and part of our community. 



 
THE HOLIDAYS are gearing up!
 
 
 
 
 
HAPPY HANUKKAH to you and your family and friends, enjoy these special days.
 
 
 
 
 
GO SEE the movie GREEN BOOK - loved it, cried. The ending is priceless. What an open, generous, loving way to be, what great friendships forged and unexpected, loved it all.
 
 
 
 
 
SO : yesterday I raked the leaves in the front yard and our dog kept me company, was in long shorts and a t-shirt, today I am bundled up once again! So goes it.
 
OUR Recommendations -
 
BEER : From Santos Rivera, we have -
 
1) SINGLE CUT Mastery Knows No Short Cut , a Kim hibiscus sour lager, a one pint with 4.2% alcohol by volume, a 4-pack of cans at $15.99 - try some!
 
2) Happy Hour - a crushable Pilsner, from PEAK Organic Brewing Co., a 4-pack of 16-ounce cans, with 4.7% alcohol by volume, a fun refreshing, vibrant taste from Maine that is a great palate-cleanser to enjoy watching games, playing games, while gaming! Go! On Special for $9.99.
 
3) IPA India Pale Ale from SWEET WATER Brewing Company, " A hophead's beery dream " sez BEERADVOCATE , On Special for $9.99 , from Atlanta, Georgia. With 6% alcohol by volume - " This mamoth IPA is dry hopped to the gils, delivering a kick-you-in-the-teeth hop chop. This beer is unfiltered, as with all SweetWater's brews, to leave all the natural flavors intact. " Oh yeah, true pure and perfect!
 
 
CIDERS From Santos Rivera -
 
1) Austin " East Ciders " , " How do you like them apples? " here we have the Pineapple Cider, $10.99, with 5% alcohol by volume. Hard apple cider, filtered water, Pineapple concentrate, Cane Sugar, Brown sugar, Malic acid , sulfites to preserve freshness, Carbon Dioxide : wow, this is informative and helpful - thanks for such transparency of ingredients - bravo!
 
 
SPIRITS - Liquors & Liqueurs from Jagir -
 
1) Ouzo of PLOMARI, since 1894, Isidozos Azvanitis , $21.99 A BOTTLE, lESVOS, $21.99, WITH 42% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME, THIS IS WHAT OUZO should taste like, really bright, round, rich on the tongue, a treat! Made since 1894.
 
2) Two by Two Rye from BASIL HAYDEN, a Kentucky Straight Rye whisky blended with Straight Bourbon whisky, On Special for $48.99, regularly $53.99 - tasty, good mouth-feel, makes a strong and reflective impression on our tongue!
 
3) Ron Gran Reserve Doblemente Anejado rum from BRUGAL 613 Barricas, On Special for $43.99, regularly $49.99 a bottle.
 
TWO $12.99 Specials , 3 for $33, and 6 for $60 - steals! Will we have a steal?!?
 
1) Frappato & Nero D'Avola blend, Terre Siciliane, a 2014 that is showing all the flavors in complete harmony now with one another!
 
2) Aglianico from NARDONE, DOC, 2010, from Vigna Palatelle, an Irpinia Aglianico, this tastes like so many wonderful aromas you get in a stew, I loved it, Dan thought is smelled and tasted like many feet! Go figure, the bouquet is redolent and strong, the taste is sooooo smooth. It has all the bottle-age it needs, come and see if this bottle fits your feet?!? It did mine, with plenty of room to dance and jump and squat and walk well!

 
 
NOW For my notes on tomorrow's Bubbly Wine-Tasting - JOIN US -
 
THESE NOTES of mine will be to include you and encourage you more to feel free to express your thoughts and tastes as those are really the only ones that should matter to you anyway. Here goes -
 
TABLE # ONE : Robert Kennedy the owner of RWK Imports ( Robert provides his own glasses and shares them here with us all - grazie Robert, thanks for loaning them to us ), they make our tastings that much better! Robert specializes in Italian sparkling wines
 
1) Bianco dell'Emilia Vino frizzante secco, from owner and winemaker Alberto Paltrinieri. Tasted it here with Robert this weekend and we sold out! Bright, round, full and firm, so deliciously-appealing! But what do you taste? Does the fruit remind you of any special fruits? Do you like this lush magic carpet ride of tastes soaring high above the clouds ?!? I do, very much. $14.49 a bottle. 50% Trebbiano e 50% Lambrusco Sorbara.
 
2) Valdobbiadene Prosecco D.O.C.G. Brut from RONFINI, $18.99 a bottle, a loveliness, delicateness that is angelic. But what do you taste? Do you find enough taste? Do you want more taste for the $19 a bottle?!? These are questions you should ask yourself and wonder whether tasting more variety will help you understand better what gives you the most bang for your buck!? Subtle and refined is good, it is not a negative, do you agree?
 
3) Dry Romagne rose " Villa Zappi ", named after one of the men that discovered the North Pole, his home is by the winery of Silvia & her family. This deeper-skinned rose has a more intense blush of color and more of a lush carpet of appealing textures and flavors. Nice to sip, do you agree, or would you prefer something heavier or more delicate? I like this " just the way you are " Thanks Billy, is your family originally from this region of Italy. " A bottle of white, a bottle of red, a rose instead. " Made with the Sangiovese  , 11.5% alcohol by volume.
 
4)  " Rosanna " Brut rose from Serghio in Piemonte, Italy, made from 100% Nebbiolo, $32.99, using the Metdo Classico, , a S.S.Q.R. German Etore, with 12.5% alcohol by volume, I was blown away the last time I tasted it, it floored me, so much impact, so much " the Force is with me taste ! " This is a really great bottle of sparkling wine that sparks me onward to greater things, purposes, porpoises - I like swimming in the same water, respecting our healthy distance 'tween one another - free my palate glides through the liquid and surf and bubble that is Ettore Germano here! Do you agree? What do you taste?
 
 
TABLE # TWO - With Narayan Campbell of GlobalWineMD pouring -
 
1) Domaine MongeonCremant de Bourgogne , a blend of Pinot Noir, richer, deeper, more of that yeast and bread qualities, more developed and with a great appeal and " weight-mmmm-ness "! But do you like these extra layers of flavor and taste, if not, there are more to choose from. Nice, too with many a meal..... $26.49 a bottle, a treat.
 
2) " Tradition " Brut a a Grier Family Wine, from VILLIERA, South Africa, $24.99 a bottle, using the Methode Cap Classique, using the blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes ( just like in many fine French champagnes ). Here I am intrigued and challenged and pleased with the natural effervescent brightness, the tastes of mineral and fruits I cannot put my finger on make me taste more closely! It adds to the equation of what is already available and I like that, the price, too......
 
3) : Trus Colors " brut Cava from Spain, $19.99 a bottle, a dry white made from the indigenous grape Airen, and the Sauvignon Blanc grapes, this is a celebration for everyone, love the rainbow colors, I cannot wait to taste it tomorrow, you cannot miss the bottle : it screams : here we are, join us in all our glory and celebrate the holidays with us! Do you like this fun and unique blend for a Cava? I do not think I have ever seen this blend before, maybe that alone is the point - include it, too in your hearts and vocabularity!
 
 
TABLE # THREE - with Noah Wallace Stevens of Global Wine Maryland. Noah will taste four -
 
1) " Cuvee Tradition " MIOLO  Brut from Sierra Gaucha, Vale dos Vinhedos, southern Brazil, $17.99 a bottle, 12% alcohol by volume, a treat always. I like the blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it worked ten years ago when I first discovered and sold it, and now, too. A lean dryness, a spryness, a spreeness - really quite impressive. Made by Italian immigrants that came from the Veneto region where Prosecco is made. They know what they are doing it, that knowledge runs through their blood as the fine flavors run through and with these defining bubbles.
 
2) Extra Brut estate-bottled Armenian brut from KARAS, $17.99,  a really impressive-tasting blend of    50% Chardonnay, 40% Colombard, and 10% Kangun, with 11.5% alcohol by volume. I smile when I taste this, it always surprises me in a great way. Is happiness a warm-no-chilled Kangun ?!? Too bad the Beatles never tasted it, or maybe they did. I like this and I like the song, and I will write my own song sipping this!
 
3) " Cuvee Tradition " Brut rose from MIOLO is a blend like the Brut above, with more weight, more power, more impact, more to contend with, but as you as contented by it? Does it need a meal? How about the wild Sokeye salmon I had for lunch that I grilled Sunday night, but smoked instead?!? That would be amazing. There is room for both, which do you prefer?
 
4) Dyutich off-dry sparkling Armenia blend of Colombard, Folle Blanche and Chardonnay ( clear that they love white Burgundy, French champagne and either or both French Cognac and Bas-Armagnac ! ), I love how easy to sip this is. It is pure pleasing delight! I highly recommend it for just chilled. And the aquamarine capsule is soothing. Wrap it around your finger and make a impromptu ring and make a wish.
 
TABLE # FIVE - With Tom Crotteau of RNDC distributors - Tom will taste five - 2 from CODORNIU Spain, 3 from Limoux,France
 
1) Anna de Codorniu brut Cava, $11.49 - need to try it once again, liked it before, hoping to still like it! I am taking a leap-of-faith here and we will taste what we will each individually taste. Let's hope that collectively we all like it enough to have it here for you all. What do you think?
 
2) COTE MAS a dry Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs, $20.99, again I take a leap-of-faith as I want to taste these with you, I want to like them, and I am hoping that these three Limoux sparkling Southwest French wines are as fine as many others made in this region. WE will taste together tomorrow and evaluate. When Thomas Jefferson died he has I believe seven cases of sparkling wines in his cellars from Blanquette de Limoux! This was the famous bubbly way back then.
 
3) COTE MAS Cremant de Limoux , also $20.99 should be a step-up from the Blanc de Blancs here, but only if it tastes that way to you. What do your taste-buds say?!?
 
4) COTE MAS Cremant dry rose , $20.99 - should have more mouth-feel, more weight and a wider girth on your tongue, what say you tongue?!?! Cheers!
 
5) Anna de Codorniu dry Cava rose, $11.49 - what will the color reveal? Will it please, how many flaves does it hide withing it's seeming transparency? It showed so well last time, we need to try it on for size, fit and feel and squeal and fast-swimming, playful National Zoo seal!!!!!
 
TABLE # FIVE - with Jaren Keller of Lanterna Imports pouring a selection of five fine wines - with French champagne!
 
1) " Origins " from KEUSH, a methode traditionelle Brut from Armenia, $ $23.99, with 12% alcohol, I am blown away by this sophistication and delicate elastic transparent and fluid-flying-gravity-defying taste that is subtle and delicious to say the very least! Please elaborate for me?!? How do you find it?
 
2) Dante Robino NOVECENTO Extra Brut from Mendoza, Argentina , $14.49 is a bit more hearty and robust and will warm you, steel you a bit more, rough and tumble and contact, wrestle with your taste-buds a tad more, si si si venga aqui spumante seco!
 
THREE French small grower champagne houses -
 
1) 2009 Jean-Noel HATON, French champagne, NM, the Noble Vintage, a complex bready, doughy yeast yes yes blend of 40% Pinot Meunier, - this is something to really plan a little more time to luxuriate and saturate slowly, lovingly all your palate and taste-buds, senses, limbs, toes and fingers, hair follicles to hair-ends! Oh yeah. $56..99 a bottle - a very special treat, probably beast with some smoked salmon or trout, yum. Maybe some delightful Tennessee orange caviar-style?!?
 
2) Champagne COLLON from Landreville, France, an RM ( Recoltant Manipulant ), brut champagne. with 12% alcohol, this is another champagne to enjoy and take seriously, a real treat that will be lighter and brighter and more gravity-free than the HATON 2009 Vintage champagne, like a breath of fresh air. $54.99 - a lovely steal.
 
3) DEVAUX Grande Reserve Veuve A. DEVAUX, Bar-Sur-Seine,  CM, with 12% alcohol by volume, this brut should be the brightest, lightest, more spacious and blythe-faerie-spirited of all -! $59.99 , try this Cuvee Classique Grande Reserve and see what your tongue, heart, mind and guts tell you!?! Cheers.
 
 
WEEK'S TASTINGS -
 
Wednesday, Tomorrow - surround yourselves with bubbles - 20+! 5:30-8:30PM $15 cost.
 
Thursday, Close-Outs of wine flood the store - come see what we have!?!
 
Friday, December 7th, 2018 - 5-8PM, Come for our TWO tastings -
 
1) John tastes the Port City beers with you, Porter, Wheat and a Pilsner!
 
2) Fernando Silva tasting some of these amazing close-outs we get here on Thursday! Wow, what fun!
 
Saturday, Dec. 8th we have from 2-6PM Narayan tasting some fine West Coast wines of IDYL Cellars, Sonoma, CA :, BURGEVIN LANE, WA State, and BRYN MAWR, Willamette Valley, Oregon, and PICO & VINE, CA. Yes yes yes! JOIN US.
 
THANKS for everything, you all are the very very best, creme de la creme! Cheers, TONY 12/4/2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I WROTE and posted the below in December 2012 - read and enjoy it if you have time! Times move on and we are all just trying to keep up. Cheers, TONY Thanks for your business. 12/4/2018
 
THE WEATHER IS PRETTY  GORGEOUS NOW ( also very un-seasonal and all our hearts are heavy with the recent tragedy and senseless loss of so many precious lives. young and old in Connecticut. Last night at home after a very busy day my wife and I sat down to watch the latest episode of " The Voice " and were greeted by country singer singing with the group of judges and current contestants this year a holiday song. He was holding a card with the name and the year of one of the children that was lost this past week. The camera went from him to the other judges and there was a warmth and a beauty and a calming influence with lighted candles and the soothing sounds of all the singers. It was a lovely tribute to those that died recently in Connecticut. It may have been my favorite moment ever watching " The Voice " and brought tears to me. I also enjoyed very much the songs that followed after that were comforting as well as Bill Wither's famous : " Lean On Me ". I WANT TO THANK ROGER the owner of the Ripple restaurant here for this past Saturday when he was kind enough to bring me a cup of hot coffee. I had tried to get one at the Firehook Bakery quickly but it was too crowded! I saw Roger in his coffee shop and was thrilled that I might get a cup there? It was too early but when he heard my plight he said : " Give me a few minutes and I will bring some to the store for you ". Good to his word, as I was helping a customer he showed up with a cup for me and I was feeling better already as I smiled, took the cup, offered to pay him, but he would have nothing of that. Thank you again Roger. That's what good neighbors are, here to help one another when they can and I appreciate the cup. It was just what I needed as I continued to help our customers. Cheers!
 
THE  "  New "   STREET DECORATIONS up and own our two blocks and lining the poles on either side of Connecticut Avenue look great. That was done by our Cleveland Park Business Association that has been making steady strides for the last two years to improve our neighborhood and to make it look more attractive, clean, appealing and : more of a destination for everyone. It takes a whole lot of patience and grunt work and it makes me happy to see THE THREE WORDS :    DINE  SHOP LIVE !    and ...   Live It Uptown ! It's all a nice touch and we hope that people walking and driving here notice them, stop, shop, dine and live a bit more here in this great neighborhood of ours :   CLEVELAND PARK  that we are all so proud of, that do add to our lives immeasurably.  CHEERS!!!
 
OUR SWEDISH NEIGHBOR at home complained to me yesterday that she missed the snow and the colder weather. She remarked that it's either a deluge of bad weather here or hardly anything at all : and that she wanted some of the " in-between " weather. I second that motion. I do love this weather in some ways , it's so pleasing. It's easier to get around and to do things in this nicer weather. We all must have pretty big " to do " lists to constantly be adding to, and subtracting from? I know that I do. That's how I exist these days and feel fortunate to remember to put many of the things that I need to accomplish on the list so that I do not so easily forget.
 
AS I TYPE THIS we are listening to Christmas music and it's comforting. I do like it. It's easier to type this store email and to feel " in the spirit " as I do with everything corresponding except this unseasonably warm and calm/peaceful weather. This past weekend I spoke to some of our customers and they will be heading down south to Florida. I guess that that feels like a whole different experience than the one we enjoy here? Except that the holiday experience of being with family and friends and celebrating as we do transcends where any of us are. We can enjoy the experience no matter where we are. That's a good thing as so many of us are scattered all around the world and travel for our jobs and spend more time traveling than being here in Washington D.C.

BUT WE ARE GEARING UP here and I had a message waiting from a good customer planning a holiday party for 150 people. My first job was to see what wines we had in stock that I know David likes and I then called him back to discuss more of the specific details as everyone has their likes and their preferences. That's normal. It's not easy to change our colors or our stripes. I read an article in the New York Times Sunday magazine about that and watching the show : " Survivor ". and how people could not easily change no matter how much they wanted! Anyway, we are here to help you all and to get for you what works best for you : simple as that!
 
 
 
      THIS SALE is the regular THREE-PART SALE that we like to run here at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits :
 
       1) PART ONE : BUY ANY NON-SPARKLING WINE OVER $20 a bottle and SAVE 20% OFF The Sticker-Price. That includes ports, sherry, Marsala, madeira, sake, all-size bottles and shapes including box wines, too.
 
       2) BUY ANY 6 Or More Bottles Of Still Wine and SAVE 15% OFF the marked sticker prices.

       3) PART TWO : BUY ANY 12 BOTTLES Of Non-Sparkling Wines ( includes the ports, sherry, marsala, madeira, sake, all size bottles and boxes ) - EVERYTHING non-sparkling that is still wine, any size, boxes, too may be included in the mix.
 
     MIX IT : GOOD FOR EXISTING MERCHANDISE HERE in the store : not for special orders. Come have some fun mixing some things up to taste and try and SAVE, SAVE, SAVE SOME MORE. Wednesday , December 19th, 2012. If you cannot come call Michel or me ( 202-363-4265 ) and we can get your orders together for you and even arrange to have them delivered to you if in Washington D.C.
 
 
     HERE ARE SUGGESTIONS FOR You To TRY :
 
       BEER From Santos :
 
     1) III Avec Les Bons Voeux de la Brasserie DUPONT Vieilles Bieres sur lie/ non filtre ... lots of French here : means : Old Vines, non-filtered and kept on it's own lees to add flavor, complexity and taste ( $10.99 for a 1 Pt. 9.4Fl. Oz bottle, 750ml bottle, with 9.5% alcohol by volume, product of Belgium, Belgian Saison Ale ) : " Les Bons Voeux means best wishes, which is what Brasserie Dupont sends with this very special saison ale brewed only for the holidays. Redolently aromatic, rich and velvety, this is an ale to toast the season and welcome in the New Year! "
 
     2) Imperial Porter from SHIPYARD Brewing Company in their Pugley's Signature Series ( $10.99, 1 Pt. 6 Fl. Oz bottles, 7.1% alcohol by volume, Portland, Maine, ) : " ... Imperial Porter is a full bodied, very dark, malty beer with a good roasted character coming from the Crystal, Chocolate and Black Patent Malts used in the mash. ... ".
 
     3) Imperial Helles Lager KRAMPUS from the SOUTHERN TIER ( $7.99, 1 Pt. 6 Fl. Oz 650ml bottle, 9 % alcohol by volume, Lakewood, New York, southerntierbrewing.com ... Are You Naughty Or Nice ? ) : " St. Nicolas, aka Santa Claus, is a magical figure, the bringer of gifts and an icon of holiday spirit. Forgotten by most is his evil side kick and enforcer of ' the list '. Dark malts and aromatic hops create the diabolical spirit of this brew. It is finished with lager yeast ... will warm even the coldest hearts ".
 
     4) Winter Ale by SMUTTYNOSE :  Let Snow Wash Away Your Cares ,  Handcrafted in New Hampshire  ( $9.99 a 6-pack, Portsmouth, New Hampshire ) : " Here's to winter in New England : short days & long, cold nights : scratchy wool mufflers & soggy, wet boots : getting up early to dig your car out from under two feet of heavy snow. ... Why do we do it? Hell, what else can we do? ...  warming , mellow, & full-bodied, Smuttynose Winter Ale is your perfect cold weather companion".  WE MAY GET SOME OF this weather, but not right away so be patient everyone. Cheers.
 
     5) BEAR REPUBLIC " Hot Rod Rye " Specialty Ale - Alcohol Burnin' Monster Ale ( $8.99 a 4-pack of 12 Fl. Oz bottles, 8% alcohol by volume, from Healdsburg, Cloverdale, California ) : " Don't drink & drag. Sediment at bottom of bottle may be a result of the truckload of hops in this non-filtered ale. ". Since 1995 and still going strong! Come check it out. this high performance, turbo charged, alcohol burnin' monster ale ...  Cheers.
 
 
LIQUOR / LIQUEUR  From Ravi :
 
     1) Terroir Gin from ST. GEORGE, Handcrafted in California, ( $36.99, 45% alcohol by volume, Mt. Tam, CA. artisan distillers since 1982 ) : " Uniquely Californian gin with a sense of place and poetry, distilled from sustainably sourced botanicals ". 100% neutral grain spirits, Alameda, CA. USA, www.stgeorgespirits.com.
 
     2) Private Stock Fine Puerto Rican Rum with spice and other natural flavors ( $21.99, 40% alcohol by volume, Ponce, Puerto Rico, www.rum.com ) is something " new and exciting " for all of us. Great deep golden color, too : very attractive.
 
     3) Petite Liqueur de Poire Williams Pear Liqueur / Birne Likor of ELIE ARNAUD DENOIX ( On Special for $19.99, 24% alcohol by volume from France ) is in a beautiful hand-blown decanter that makes a great gift. We have sold them for years : a big favorite, and so smooth, bright, rich and silky and with no burn, just warm cream pear flavors on your tongue! Cheers.
 
     4)  XRated Fusion Liqueur ( On Special for $26.99, 17% alcohol by volume, 12043 Canale, Italy, I would put in the web page but it might pick it up as spam as the letter " x " and the word " ratedfusion " and put together to then add the .com! ). I do not want to have this email not be sent because they think it's spam!  It's got a beautiful deep red-pink color that is beautiful.
 
     5) Banana Liqueur , the " Genuine " one from JACQUIN'S ( $12.99, a 750ml bottle, 25% alcohol by volume, made and bottled by Charles Jacquin et Cie, CO., in Philadelphia, PA ) has got a great banana color and sure does look appealing - draws one's attention. Made since 1884. what can you think to mix with this banana liqueur this holiday season? Good to have it back, it's not always available sadly.
 
 
WINE From Michel & Tony :
 
          WHITE :
 
     1) Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley's Touraine region from Jean Sablenay ( $10.99. 2011 ) really tastes like Sancerre and both Michel and I love it, especially when you consider the ridiculous price! Cheers.
 
     2) 2011 Bourgogne Blanc 100% Chardonnay from CLOTHILDE DAVENNE is an " overproduction " in Chablis by CLOTHILDE so it must be called " Bourgogne " and not " Chablis " and yet it's a dead-ringer for a good bottle of clean, crisp, bright, MINERAL-accented Chablis,and for ONLY $14.99. This is a " must-buy ". You will love it. Cheers.
 
     3) Riesling 2006 from PADDY BORTHWICK Vineyards, in New Zealand's Wairarapa region is bone-dry yet developed and flavorful and has great minerals and is a fine food wine. it's too flavorful to drink all by itself, best with a meal. It sells for $20.99 a bottle and will hold it's own well against many a flavorful sauce or a more well-seasoned fish, shellfish or even a nice fresh-water Rainbow trout. Cheers. Was tasted here this past weekend by Scott of Monument Imports and it showed really well.
 
     4) " Adriatico " Ribolla from BASTIANICH ( $18.99, 2009, 13% alcohol by volume, estate-bottled by Marian Simcic, Ceglio, Slovenia , www.adriaticowine.com ) is full and rich and forward and has a very specific nutty quality that is natural and fresh and not oxidized. This region is famous for this. It's lovely and creamy and a delight to sip with or without food. Scott of Monument Imports tasted this also this past Saturday here in the store with some of you lucky enough to have been here.
 
     5) Morava 2011 from MILIJAN JELIC is a dry and very flavorful white from western Serbia ( $24.99, 14.5% alcohol by volume, www.milijanjelic.com ) that has real body and really needs a meal to flesh out it's flavors that have mineral and richness and dense fruit, too that is accented by flavorful spicy notes. What a treat : just tasted it here this past week with Alex that will come to taste it here in January 2013. Cheers. Made from 100% Morava indigenous grapes to this region of Serbia.
 
     6) Roxanich white Orange wine, 2008 called " Ines In White " ( $44.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume, www.roxanich.hr, ) is a UNIQUE white, a one-of-a-kind that is flavorful, complex, filled to the brim with nutty nuances, vanilla, cream and richness, ) : " Cuvee seven grapes ( Sauvignon blanc, Vermentino, Riesling Italico, Glera,, Friulano, Pinot Gris ) aged in oak vbarrels 36 months. After 100 days of maceration and 3 years of aging in large wooden vats it is bottled without filtration or any other intervention". It's pretty amazing : a must-try! Cheers. From Croatia.
 
 
          SPARKLING WINES :


     1) Champagne JANISSON & FILS Grand Cru a Verzenay, Rose, since 1923 ( $50.99, 12% alcohol by volume , ) , a dry and elegant blend of 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir is one of the great champagnes " tache " with a splash of rose or salmon color. Lovely, a treat.
 Glad to have it back. Using 5% of the finest grapes grown in Champagne.
 
     2) NEIGE Premium Sparkling Apple wine from Canada that uses some of their ice-apple-wine in the blend, $27.99, this is pretty creamy and bright and soft and round and filling on one's palate! Cheers!
 
     3) Champagne from GIMONNET-GONET from Mesnil-Sur-Oger : Tradition " ( $49.99, dry brut, 12% alcohol  by volume, RM - recoltant-manipulant-owners-harvesters-blenders-makers-they-do-it-all/own-it-all! This is what you want : small families that control everything from start-to-finish and do the job really well. Cheers.
 
     4) Cuvee TSARS LEGEND Methode Traditionelle Brut 2009 sparkling wine from Bulgaria ( $27.99, blanc de blanc, 12.5% alcohol by volume ) is smooth and light and gravity-defying and a real treat! I love it! No better, what a fun treat to introduce your friends to : it tastes GREAT ALL BY ITSELF! Cheers.

     5) Prosecco Bosco di Gica from Azienda ADAMI, from Italy's Veneto region - the best - Valdobbiadene, ( $12.99, for a half bottle ), it does not get much better than this : so lovely all by itself, just melts effortlessly away on the palate!Go to : www.adamispumanti.it for more info. A lovely half-bottle to enjoy, one after the other, pace yourselves, stop when you want : don't feel guilty with these tasty half bottles of some of the best Prosecco. Cheers.
 
 
          REDS :
 
     1) 2009 Vacqueyras dry red from XAVIER ( $29.99 ) : a real Rhone treat from a great vintage.
 
     2) ACORN 2008 Cabernet Franc from California's Alegria Vineyards, Russian River Valley ( $29.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume ) is smooth and bright and very silky and has some delicate Cabernet Franc traits. Great to sip, with finesse and balance.
 
     3) Pinot Noir 2010 Sonoma County, California dry red ( On Special for $19.99, 14.5% alcohol by volume ) is a real treat from California. Cheers : fun, warm wood-fire label, too.
 
     4) Altos Del CUCO Spanish dry red Monastrell/ Mourvedre grape/Syrah and Tempranillo blend ( $11.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume ) from Jumilla, Spain. This 2011 is a real treat and a value, too.
 
     5) COLIMAN Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina, this 2011 ( $8.99, 12.5% alcohol by volume ) is a light and very fresh and bright style, easy-drinking for anytime.
 
     6)  Svb Rosa Vino Budimir, Aleksandrovac Zupaki , Serbia dry red ( $42.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume ) is made from 60% Prokupac and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and is a really full-flavored, spicy, earthy and tasty wine from southern Serbia to combine with a good, hearty, robust meal that includes some meat or at least really well-seasoned-spiced foods. Cheers! What an amazing wine!!
 
 
     WEEK'S TASTINGS :
 
     Friday, December 21st, 2012 ( 5-8PM ) : We have Chris of Lanterna here to taste some great Spanish and Washington State wines.
 
     RAVI has lined up a GLENLIVET, ABERLOUR, Single Malt Scotch tasting at the same time.
 
    Saturday, December 22nd, 2012 ( 2-6PM ) : We have Chris Bartha here to taste some really fine selections from around the world that will be great for our weekend and our Christmas meals. More info tomorrow as we decide what would be the very best to taste with you all.

     JOIN US,NEVER any charge for any of these tastings!

     JUST SPOKE TO OWNER FLORENCE of Lavandou restaurant and they have changed back their " no corkage " day to Monday. So remember buy a bottle here on Mondays and take it down to the restaurant. Tell us you are doing this and we will give you a 10% off on whichever bottle you take there, that pays your tax. Cheers.
 
 
     I AM SURE I FORGOT SOMETHING ... oh well,  and DON'T FORGET TO COME tomorrow for our 3-Part Weekly Wednesday  20% OFF still wine ( non-sparkling ) Wine Sale Wed. Dec. 19th, 2012 event on 12 or more bottles of non-sparkling wines.
 
     SAVE, SAVE MORE, SAVE EVEN MORE Here At Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits. Cheers and Thanks For All Of Your Business. We are nothing without you and we know this. Thank you, be safe, be sound, be merry, be wiser and happier and more satisfied ... and do come and chat and hang with us. We love it when you do. You are the very best. Happy Holidays to one and to all!! It's been a difficult year and I, for one am really looking forward to this 2013!  Cheers ...  TONY
 

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