Wine Tasting (at Colonial)
Sat. April 10th 2 - 5 PM
Caroline will be sampling some of our ‘new arrivals’.
Make sure you stop by to experience some of these outstanding wines!
Café Fresco April 14th 6-9PM - 16 Wines w/Food
Hot & cold hors d’oeuvres accompany 16 wines - $45/pp
RSVP Colonial at 294-4623 by April 12th
Beer Tasting April 22nd
Thurs, 4 – 7PM with rep
Sam Adams' ‘Summer', Palm Belgium & more with industry rep.
Wine Tasting
Tues. April 27th 5 - 7PM
Peter will sample & discuss selected Merlots from France, California, and Chile.
Fri. FREE In-Store Tastings 4 – 7 PM
Learn from Guest Industry Experts
Spend a few minutes to sample one red and one white wine.
April's 'Wines of the Month'
Case discounts on each btl!
White: Westport River RJR sparkling wine (Mass.)
Red:. Estancia Pinot Noir (Central Coast, Calif.)
Carmenére; #1 in Chile
The grape, Carmenére, is now the ‘signature’ grape of Chile. It was mistaken for Merlot until 1994 when DNA-testing identified it. The origin of the Carmenére vines was French (Bordeaux). The grape was thought to be ‘extinct’ since the late 1800’s (phylloxera). It rose from a blending grape to it’s ‘coveted’ status in the only in Chilean valleys. Nestled between the Andes mountains and the Pacific coast, the vines enjoy warm, dry, sunny days and cold, nights—an ideal environment for growing full, rich, and flavorful grapes where it is the main grape in the top rated wines of Chile.
Carmenére wine is full-bodied and has the distinctive aroma and taste of bell pepper. It exhibits red fruit flavors, with smoky, spicy and earthy notes as well as dark chocolate, tobacco, and leather. It is a perfect food wine, with good acidity and soft tannins. Top chefs are enthusiastic about recommending Carmenére because it brings out the flavors of herbs, spices, and seasonings.
Enjoy a bottle of Carmenére with your next meal; you’ll also be helping to support the wine industry which could use a boost right now (they estimate 14 million cases of wine were lost in the recent earthquakes)!
FOOD & WINE PAIRING
Select the best wines for your holiday feast. Typically the main course on Easter is ham or lamb - they require completely different wines.
Starters – Champagne with appetizers is the ‘classic’; but for ‘budget’ purposes, I’d suggest Italian Prosecco – (light peach aromas and less carbonation). I also like a Spanish Cava; sparkling wine made from Spanish grapes vinified in a method identical to French Champagne (at 1/4th the price).
HAM (or white meats)
White Wines & Ham - Ham has a degree of saltiness which is offset beautifully by the hint sweetness of a Gewurztraminer or Riesling (Germany or Calif). Other whites that pair well are: White Bordeaux, California Chardonnay (not oaky), Soave (Italy) and Torrontes (Argentina).
Red wines and Ham include: Pinot Noir (France, Calif., or Oregon) Tempranillo (Rioja), Chianti (Italy), and Beaujolais (France). Wines with low tannin and high acidity make vibrant combinations with ham; pairs well with yams and sweeter dishes.
LAMB (and red meats)
White wines and Lamb Pick a heavy-bodied white; a ‘big’ California Chardonnay - spend enough to get a really good one!
Red wines and Lamb – A nice meal deserves a ‘good’ wine. Full-bodied wines pair best with Lamb. Suggestions include: Zinfandel (old vines), Cabernet Sauvignon or blends(California), Malbec (Argentina), Carmenére (Chile), Tempranillo Rsv. level (Spain), Super Tuscan blends (Italy), Bordeaux blends (France) or Shiraz (Australia).
The structure and tannin of the wine helps cut through the fat in the lamb. From Chile comes a favorite of mine; Viňa Von Siebenthal Carrabantes (100% Syrah). It has aromas of blackberry and eucalyptus (mint), making it a ‘feminine’, aromatic wine that’s perfect with lamb!
Desserts fruit pies pair well with late-harvest Riesling (Germany), and Sauternes (France) but the silky texture of cheesecake blends best with the richness of Port.
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'Wine Word'
Masculine/Feminine
On the taste buds, a ‘masculine’ wine will be heavy, bold, and tannic with powerful flavors. A ‘feminine’ wine will be elegant, rounder and softer on the palate. Feminine wines have pronounced aromatics that are enticing and often ‘heady’. This is a matter of personal preference, but it’s nice to be able to put a label to what ‘style’ of wine you enjoy!
BEST of Rhode Island
Vote for us!
Please vote for us as your favorite wine shop in SOUTH COUNTY www.rimonthly.com click on ‘Vote Now’ and scroll down to South County.
Our staff is highly competent at food and wine pairing; we’ve build our reputation on SERVICE! Our SELECTION is second to no one! We’ve culled out the ‘great’ wines from the sea of ‘mediocrity’! Adam & Eric (our sons) give feedback from California where they work in the industry. No wonder we’re on the ‘leading edge’!
Wine Quote
“Wine to me is passion. It’s family and friends. It’s warmth of heart and generosity of spirit. Wine is art. It’s culture. It’s the essence of civilization and the art of living.” – Robert Mondavi, Harvests of Joy
Monthly Wine Specials
This month we are featuring:
Estancia Pinot Grigio at $11.99!!
Gnarley Head Zin at $7.99!!!
There are many great bargains on numerous liquor items (some sizes are being discontinued).
Save money on our '2 - for' section’ ($12, $15, $20 and $25) it is filled with 'current’ vintage year wines - OVER 600 wines under $20!
Boutique Wine Offerings – Sign UP
Looking for something ‘special’ to put in your wine cellar or give as a gift? You’ll want to connect with Caroline (our wine goddess) to find out about these ‘allocated’ gems! They rarely reach the store shelf, so ask for assistance to find out what’s coming.
Exciting Events Coming Up!
I networked at the Boston Wine Expo and will be bringing ‘industry’ guests and ‘new’ wines for YOU, our valued customers.
Join our Bacchus Wine Club to experience the joy of food and wine pairing – a little education with a lot of fun!.
Check out our ‘STAFF FAVORITES’ section for more ideas. Our weekly tastings help introduce you to many ‘exotic’ wines you might otherwise never experience.
I have a keen ‘nose’ and ‘palate’ plus the chance to sample over 1,000 wines a year to buy for Colonial. You’ll get more for your money at Colonial. That’s a promise!
Look for upcoming event!