The Grapevine - November 2009
Novembere Events
10th Annual Holiday Wine Tasting & Class Sunday 2 – 5PM, Nov. 8th
Includes Class, 25 wines, FOUR Culinary Artisans, show discounts, door prizes, and appetizers - great fun! Discover new favorites, buy for holiday meals and gifts! Reserve through Colonial at 294 – 4623; $50/pp (Bacchus members $45). At door on day of show - $55/pp
Argentinean Winemaker was at Colonial in Oct.
Debut of Las Perdices Pinot Noir & Syrah/Viogier was attended by Carlos Muñoz (winemaker, owner) who flew in from Argentina to be at Colonial. A couple of ‘signed’ bottles are available. His ‘Don Juan’, a Malbec blend, just got rated 90 pts by Robert Parker!
Host your own Julia Child French Dinner
Our Oct. Bacchus wine dinner was ‘culinary heaven’! A dinner menu and list of wines (tasting notes) are available to those who might want to host their own wine dinner! It was a blast!
FREE In-Store Tastings
Learn from Guest Industry Experts
Fridays 4–7 PM we continue to host a weekly wine tasting. Spend a few minutes to sample one red and one white wine paired with wonderful cheeses.
Wine Pairings with Turkey Dinner
The question is, how to narrow the choices? Avoid ‘oaky’ Chardonnay or ‘tannic’ reds (Cabs) – did you already know that?
Pairing depends on the stuffing and sauces not just the entree (sweet side dishes guide you also). Like white wines?, Good choices include Gewȕztraminer, ‘dry’ Riesling, unoaked Chardonnay or Torrontes (Argentina). Pinot Noir (called the ‘universal’ pairing wine), Beaujolais or Merlot pair very well. Heavier stuffing (sausage) or sauces stand up to ‘bigger’ reds like Syrah, Malbec, Carmenére, or Zinfandel. If you have an ‘Old World’ palate, try Chianti, Dolcetto, Tempranillo, or Cotes-Du-Rhone. Our ‘Staff Picks’ will include many excellent choices to check out. Here are a few favorites from our ‘expert staff’:
Anna: Las Perdices Malbec & Las Perdices Viognier (Argentina)
Carol: Tangley Oaks Napa Merlot & In Situ Chardonnay (Chile)
Caroline: Foppiano Pinot Noir CA
& Sakonnet Gewurztraminer (RI)
Claude: Cht. De Pizay Morgon (Gamey) & Vouvray (Domaine de Vaufuget) (France)
Fred: King Estate PN (Oregon); D’Arenberg Hermit Crab Wht Blnd
Peter: Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertine.(France) & Dr Konstatin Frank Dry Riesling (NY)
'Old Vine' Zinfandel
Red Zinfandel is an "American Classic" wine. It was even originally thought to be made of native Californian grapes. Research has now shown that the zinfandel grape originated in Croatia, and then made famous in the early days of Italy and the Roman Empire. The original wine is now known as "primitivo". The original Croatian name for this grape is Crljenak. Zinfandel first came to California in the early 1800s.
Look for ‘Old Vines’ on the label of Zinfandel. At around 40 years old, the vines conserve energy by bearing less fruit. BUT, the fruit it does bear is often concentrated and coveted as producing the best wines. Throughout California we are fortunate to have many old vines that are 40 to 120 years old! Many have deep roots; making bad weather less of a problem.
It delivers black spicy fruit with a slight pepper kick on the finish. A chameleon, Zinfandel can be zesty, berry-fruity reds, or spicy tannic beasts; sometimes nouveau, and tart with aromas of roses. Some are also soft, sweet blushes, unusual sparklers, dessert or fortified wines, and highly-alcoholic versions. It’s the ‘Heritage Grape’ of the US – and we produce the most in the world. Try a few bottles before deciding if you like Zinfandel.
November's - Wine of the Month
Case discounts on each btl!
White: Sakonnet Gewurztraminer RI
Red. Las Perdices Pinot Noir (Argentina)
100 New Wines and Lower Prices!
We stock OVER 500 wines under $20! We’ve added over 100 new wines in recent months, AND reduced prices on many wines, beers, and liquors. Our ‘2 for’ section ($12, $15, $20 and $25) is filled with ‘current vintage year’ wines – NOT ‘old’ closeouts typically found in most stores. Life’s too short to drink ‘bad’ wine!
‘Grape Quotes’
‘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.
One Case (12 btl) Wine Cellar!
Give the gift that keeps giving all year long! The ‘COMPLETE ONE CASE WINE CELLAR’ includes wines for every meal (everyday or special occasion,). Tasting notes allow you to understand what you’re drinking and record your comments – bring us your feed-back to better help us make future selections.
· $99 (value $135)
· $150 (value $180)
Holiday Gift Ideas
A ‘gift of distinction’, wine reflects a ‘personalized’ gift, and a simple indulgence – especially needed in these tough times. Wine is a ‘living,’ changing entity which tells a story. I love a good story and traveling to the ‘source’ visiting vineyards and winemakers; I’ve learned a ton! I also sample over 1,000 wines a year (selecting only about 10%). Narrowing down my gift ideas to just a few recommendations is extremely difficult but I’ll try!
Connoisseur:
Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir 2006 (winemaker of famous OPUS 1)- I visited his 'new' vineyard in 2005; vines matured and are producing one of the best Pinots I've ever had! Mondavi 'Opus One' (limited allocation - still an ICON and one of the best Cab. blends I've had).
Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz (Australia) WS Top 100 - intense, but smooth!
Taylor Fladgate Port 2000 - a perfect year and ending to a holiday meal; my favorite!
‘Wine Enthusiast’
Viña Von Siebenthal Carrabantes (the most aromatic wine at Colonial & ideal with lamb). Las Perdices 'Don Juan' Malbec blend (it will seduce you). In Situ Gran Rsv. Cabernet (value & quality).
‘Novice’
Two Princes Riesling (not as ‘dry’ as many wines), J. Lohr ‘Wildflower’ (grape is Valegueie); light, fruity, and soft on finish.
Non-wine Gifts
Vinturi Aerator: A high tech device equivalent to 2 hours of decanting - immediate gratification! Bacchus Wine Club (Dinners) Membership - enjoy 'Private' Wine Dinners, Winery Tours, and Discounts.
Wine Wheel Pairing Guide $10 & $20 easy to produce ideal pairings. Wine Funnel & strainer ($30). Lolita wine, martini & pilsner glasses (hand-painted.) Themes to match any personality ($25).
Wine Label Savers ($10).
Wine for Dummies Tasting Game ($10). Appetizer Wine Plates - stemware cut-out holds wine glass ($8).
Look for e-mails inviting you to 'private' wine sales with Caroline. The 'gems' come out of our climate-controlled storage! Watch for 'event alert' by e-mail.
New Website
So many events, classes, and dinners - now you can check us out by visiting our new website at www.colonialwines.com! We select ‘unique’ wines with passion and provide helpful information to our customers.