Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Naked Winery & Orgasmic Wine Company

Naked Winery & Orgasmic Wine Company -
I just found out about this place, and WOW I'm definitely turned on!
Who?
A family owned winery who produce Washington and Oregon wines. "The grapes for our red varietals (Syrah, Cabernet, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Merlot) are orgasmically grown in the hot and dry Apple Gate and Columbia Valley regions of Oregon and Washington respectively. While our other varietals (Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Muscat and Riesling) benefit from the cool pacific marine layers of the Willamette and Illinois Valley's to produce subtle and complex wines. The vines in Washington's Columbia Valley struggle with just enough drip irrigated water to produce exceptional fruit for our big bold Chardonnays."
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On their wine list:
Naked Winery Pinot Gris,
Sure Thing Symphony,
Foreplay Chardonnay,
Gay Rose,
Tease Riesling,
Cougar Semi-Sparkling White,
Sugar Mama Muscat,
Naked Winery Pinot Noir,
Dominatrix Pinot Noir,
Naked Winery Merlot,
Vixen Syrah,
Penetration Cabernet Sauvignon,
Missionary Cabernet Sauvignon,
Diva Sangiovese
Booty Call Blush
Picnic Table Pink
Escort Pinot Gris
Foreplay Chardonnay
Virgin Chardonnay
Naughty Chardonnay
Fling Gewurtztraminer
...and more...
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And who can resist attending the Erotic Exotic Ball, an adult only party with prizes, catering, and erotic donuts from Voodoo Donuts!
I just might have to make a trip out West for this!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Le Caveau - November 26th, 2011 - Small Business Saturday Tasting



1) 2009 Provenza “Lugana”
Lugana DOC $ 14.99
100% Trebbiano di Lugana
This white wine displays a subtle straw color with green highlights. The delicate bouquet of almonds is enhanced by a slightly salty, semi-sweet, flavor of citrus and almond butter.

Trebbiano is the second most planted grape in Italy, and this sub variety is grown in clay soil around Lake Garda.
(aka the largest lake in Italy)

2) 2009 Laurent Miquel Père et Fils Chardonnay Pays d'Oc $ 9.99
100% Chardonnay
This is early-picked (for the Languedoc) unoaked Chardonnay showing nice citrus acidity, clean white fruit and a hint of aniseed. It’s crisp and fresh with a long bright finish.
Since 1791, eight generations of the Miquel family have worked the vines of their estate high in the Lanauedoc hills. To Pay tribute to his ancestries, he named this range “Père et Fils” (Father and Son) and by looking at the label you’ll see a vine with on its roots all the first names of each of Laurent’s forbearers.

3) 2007 Domaine Duseigneur “Antàres” Lirac AOC $17.99
60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mouvedre
A garnet-coloured robe is draped over spice, licorice and black cherry fruit. With a long, lingering finish that presents hints of raisin, smoke, and garrigue (aka: Herbs from Provence - lavender, etc).
This biodynamically-farmed vineyard is located on the West bank of the Rhône Valley, near the picturesque village of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres, and in view of the slopes of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. On old alluvial terraces the soil is made up of red clay and pebbles on top of a layer of sand. The vine grows through this seemingly uncultivatable soil, the farming of which requires great belief, patience and tenacity.

4) 2009 Chateau Richard “Cuvée Natural” Bergerac AOC $ 17.99
90% Merlot, 10%, Cabernet Franc
This organic Bergerac (near Bordeaux) has pretty cassis, berry fruit aromas and a pleasant supple palate with good acidity and freshness. An everyday red and an excellent value, particularly for a wine made without added sulfites.
This winery is Ecocert organic certified and no sulphur dioxide added to the wine.

5) 2006 Château Garderose “Cuvée Saint-Vincent” Lalande de Pomerol AOC $16.99
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
This red Bordeaux has a crazy complex nose of dark plum, leather, rich black fruits with light oak and tobacco notes. The palate shows firm, but mature tannins and nice balancing acidity with a subtle earthy finish.
The region of Lalande-de-Pomerol is considered a lesser-known “satellite” of the more famous Pomerol appellation, although it actually covers more acreage. Merlot is the dominant grape in the region, accounting for over 80% of the vines planted. (Cabernet Franc is a distant second.) The wines of Lalande-de-Pomerol wine is often compared to the more famous Pomerol appellation, but is sold at a fraction of the price.
I thought it smelled of fresh butter and cranberries
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Interesting people today: Leslie McCain of Total Wine was at this tasting.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

French Red Wines - November 22nd - Ms Abbie

French Red Wines - November 22nd, 2011 - Ms Abbie
"Santé !" Lets toast to the this GORGEOUS Autumn with French Red Wines. Attendees will bring 1 bottle of a French Red Wine. If you have a favorite region, please be prepared to tell us about it and why. BONUS points if your wine pairs well with Thanksgiving Turkey...
Wikipedia: French Wines - "France is the source of many grape varieties (such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah) that are now planted throughout the world, as well as wine-making practices and styles of wine that have been adopted in other producing countries. "
Pairings: Some amazing Pairing ideas for various French wines .

Tasting Notes:
1) 2006 Baron Edmond Von Rothschild - Chateau Malmaison-Medoc-Bordeaux Superior $18.99 @ Minks (on sale)
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Must breathe well, this wine had to open up, so we re-tasted it after the other wines this night.
Color - skin of dark plum (black dark plum), blueberry, opaque,
Palate - smooth, medium bodied, crazy tannins
Aroma - Spray paint/alcohol, musky, smoky berry, earthy mushroom, dry, very dry, "tannic as hell", slight bitterness, sharp finish, some spice, "2 thumbs up" says Deb. kitty litter aroma,
Left-Bank - Rheinallt's guess?

2) 2009 Les Terrasses - Val de Loire - Chinon - Cabernet Franc $19.99 at Le Caveau
Color - magenta
Nose - Licorice, almost sweet on the nose, flowery like roses, floral on nose, smells "French", wet grass, manure, rose petals, horse manure
Palate- rosy, recommend pair with hearty meat or tomato sauce, complex earthy tones

3) 2009 Vieux Chateau Landon - Cru Borgeous - Medoc - Cyril Gilet $12.99-13.99 at CostCo
13.5% alcohol, 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
Color - dark garnet, heavier legs
Nose - caramel on the nose, toffee, honey nectar, malalactic and oak,
Palate - light chocolate, smooth, caramel, pair with chocolate, caramel, apple, soft tannins, good grip

4) 2009 Chateau Arnauton - Fronsac - Grand Vin de Bordeaux $12.99-13.99 at CostCo
Color - dark, less opaque, ruby red
Nose - similar to #2, but not as heavy, spicier, a bit of white pepper,
Palate - medium to full bodied, lighter than others, rounded, more refreshing, strong tannins, earthy

5) 2009 Cotes du Rhone - Chiroubles - Domaine Cheysson Recoultant $16.99 @ Ansley (grouped with Turkey pairing wines) - Gamay
Color - can see through it, candy red, no legs if at all,
Nose - candy cherry, cherry jello, guessing Gamay?, kool-aid aroma
Palate - well balanced, guessing 3-4 varietals in a blend, grown up cherry-grape flavor, easy to drink, good tartness and minerality, soft body, tannic

6) 2009 Minervois - Languedoc - Chateau Coupe Roses - Gamay $16.99 @ Sherlock Wine Merchant in Decatur
13% alcohol, (old vine Carignan/Grenache)
Color - cloudy
Nose - earthy, grapes
Palate - a bit of effervescence (reminds me of La Butte Gamay), crispier, strong minerality, delish earth,
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Tidbits:
Valerie and Rheinallt are starting list of places in ATL that have NO CORKAGE FEE so you can bring your own wines:
Murphy's
Fleming's (if wine is not on their list)
Rathbuns (if you let Chef Rathbun taste it)
Gu's Bistro - Szechuan - spicy - recommend bringing your own glasses and a white wine like a Gewurtztraminer
etc.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Le Caveau - November 19th, 2011 - Thanksgiving Wines & Eric's Picks



1) 2010 René Michel Mâcon-Villages AOC
$21.99
100% Chardonnay
Delicate varietal aromas with flavors of apple and melon offset by citrus notes. Great texture for a Macon, fresh and minerally, with great creaminess on the finish.
Domaine Michel have been making wines from old vines on the best slopes of Clessé in the Mâconnais, south of Burgundy for six generations. The winemaking is deliberately slow and natural, without any addition of commercial yeast or chaptalization. This wine is aged stainless steel tanks (fermentation under controlled temperature) for about eight months, and bottled in the spring following the harvest.

2) 2008 Westrey Reserve Pinot Noir Williamette Valley $33.99
Barrel selected Pinot Noir from: 30% Momtazi Vineyard, 50% La Cantera Vineyard, and 20% Oracle Vineyard.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, July/August 2010, Issue #151
“Bright red. Pungent, expressive aromas of strawberry and raspberry preserves, white pepper, spicecake, rose and blond tobacco. Round and silky, with a firm tannic spine shaping the spicy red and dark berry flavors. The tannins fade into the sweet fruit on the finish, which strongly echoes the darker fruit qualities and leaves spice and floral notes behind. I'd hold onto this for at least a few more years.” 92 points
Amy Wesselman together with co-winemaker David Autrey, the two founded Westrey Wine Company in 1993. Each has had extensive winemaking experience (Amy at Oregon’s Bethel Heights and The Eyrie Vineyards and Burgundy’s Domaine des Comtes Lafon and Domaine de L’Arlot and; David at Oregon’s Adelsheim, Cameron and Burgundy’s Domaine Dujac). The two met while studying philosophy at Reed College in Portland and their philosophy of winemaking is nicely summed up in their tag line: “Texture and terroir amidst post-industrial splendor.” This reserve wine was aged in 25% new wood and 20% one-year old, with the balance coming from neutral wood
.

3) 2008 Château Ollieux Romanis “Cuvée Classique” Corbières AOC $17.99
45% Carignan, 35% Grenache, 20% Syrah (hand harvested with partial carbonic maceration (or fermentation with CO2 and yeast))
The deep ruby/purple-colored 2009 Corbieres Classique exhibits meaty, garrigue, black cherry and black currant notes, medium to full-bodied flavors, abundant fruit and an attractive headiness.
During the middle ages the monks of the nearby Fontfroide Abbey developed their own wine making and growing techniques, continually improving the quality of the wines and consolidating their “savoir faire” in the region. Still visible today on the domain are some of the abbey’s ancient tombs and vestiges.
Ollieux Romanis = Roman Olives

4) 2009 Château d'Oupia Minervois AOC $12.99
60% Carignan (from vineyards up to 100 years old), 30% Syrah and 10% Grenache.
It is densely colored and aromatic with pretty black plum, blackberry and wild herb. The wine is elegant and balanced with good structure and length. A great every day wine value from the Languedoc region in the south of France.
Century-old vines are tough to find, but André Iché has plenty of them on his Minervois hillsides. Iché, , tended his very old vines and made his wines but sold everything in bulk to local négociants. Twenty years ago, a Burgundian winemaker happened to be in Oupia, tasted Iché’s wines, and was so enthused that he convinced Iché to bottle and market his production.
d'Oupia = doo-PEE-uh

5) 2004 L'Arco Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC Ripasso $27.99
Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara and a bit of Croatina
The nose at first shows rich chocolate covered cherry, turning to crushed fall leaves, and herbs. The palate is remarkably finessed and showing , dried cherries, and tobacco. The mid-palate is rich with cherries and finishes with lingering spice note.
This wine is made using the ripasso technique. With this technique, the pomace of leftover grape skins and seeds from the fermentation of Amarone are added to Valpolicella wines for a second fermentation then aged in Slovonian oak barrels.
Thicker-denser

Monday, November 14, 2011

Le Caveau - Taste of Italy DINNER and Wine Tasting - 11/16/2011

Le Caveau - "Taste of Italy" DINNER and Wine Tasting - 11/16/2011 - 6:30pm - $75/person

This Italian themed dinner featured a selection of Italian artisanal wines, each paired with traditional dishes, hand-crafted by a local expert in Italian cuisine, Chef Adam Waller of Sotto Sotto. The dinner was held at Le Caveau 6:30pm.

"Taste of Italy" Menu & Wine Pairings:
NV Ferrari Brut Rosé Trento (375ml - $14.99)
Veal Tartare with iGreco White Truffle oil spritz

2009 Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino ($23.99)
Carmelized fennel soup with Little Neck Clams and crispy Guanciale

1999 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste ($164.99)
Risotto Milanese with Bone Marrow Espuma

1999 Il Macchione Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva ($59.99)
Braised Rabbit Pappardelle with Swiss Chard

2003 Scubla Friuli Verduzzo Friulano Cràtis ($26.99)
Maple Panna Cotta with bacon dust

Some photos:

Veal Tartare with iGreco White Truffle oil spritz
(Quail Egg in center, other ingredients included Red Onion, Capers, Red Watercress leaves, Parsley, and fried Pumpernickel crumbles)

Braised Rabbit Pappardelle with Swiss Chard
(Chef Adam Waller actually made the Pappardelle pasta himself)

Maple Panna Cotta with bacon dust

2003 Scubla Friuli Verduzzo Friulano Cràtis ($26.99)
Maple Panna Cotta with bacon dust

Matthew, my husband, looking so "amused" that I'm Photographing his "gluttony" ;)

Tidbits on the experience:
Chef Adam Waller is simply amazing. He's a quiet, humble, and almost shy man. While he was obviously pleased that everyone enjoyed his food, he truly seems to love his craft and has a quiet pride in his work. I was in awe of him and his fantastic abilities. Currently, he has moved from Sotto Sotto to EScorpion. I love how down-to-earth and approachable Adam is. If you met him in passing on the street, you'd never know he is a famous chef. His creativity is not limited to the kitchen I imagine, and I'm curious to know the stories behind his various tattoos. Someone compared him to the likes of Daniel Boulud last night, and having dined at one of Boulud's restaurants in New York, I would wholeheartedly agree.

Tasting Notes:
1) NV Ferrari Brut Rosé Trento (375ml - $14.99)
Pinot Nero and Chardonnay varietals used to make this Rose.
Photo of the bottle. Paired with: Veal Tartare with iGreco White Truffle oil spritz
This Rose paired perfectly with the Veal. The CantineFerrari website is almost as amazing as the wine itself, and is chock full of wise quotes. "Those who are thirsty for beauty are never satiated by passions." "The historian describes events, the artist brings them to life"
"The legend of Ferrari began with a man, Giulio Ferrari, and with his dream of creating a wine in Italy inspired by the very finest French Champagne. A skilled and painstaking enologist who
had studied at the prestigious School of Viticulture in Montpellier, Giulio created Ferrari in 1902..." go to their site to read more.
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2) 2009 Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino ($23.99)
Fiano di Avellino is the varietal.
Carmelized fennel soup with Little Neck Clams and crispy Guanciale
Words cannot describe this magnificent soup. I think this is the very best soup I have ever tasted. I wonder if I can somehow get Adam to let me see the recipe? The wine paired very nicely as well. and comes from the Campania region. The grapes are harvested in bunches and later spend 3 months in stainless steel. This is a full-bodied white wine, with fresh floral aromas and a palate of fresh minerality.
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3) 1999 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste ($164.99)
Nebbiolo is the varietal
Risotto Milanese with Bone Marrow Espuma
The risotto was just delicious! The Bone Marrow Espuma really gave it a creamy and flavorful taste. It came garnished with a sprig of thyme, which I kept nibbling in between bites. The thyme gave the whole dish a bit of a kick of new flavor. POW!
We were given an special page of notes about Guiseppe Rinaldi, the winemaker, who insists on natural, unmanipulated wines. "Tradition is a constant theme in his thoughts, and he mourns the special connection with the land that he believes has been eradicated by technology". My favorite part about him was the excerpt..."the only concession to anything resembling contemporary is an old fashioned rotary telephone, which seems to genuinely annoy him each time it rang..." - the Barolo is aged in Slovenia barrels, and wine spectator recently gave it 97 points, the highest rated of 1999. Matthew says "it's so light, it tastes like angels dancing on your tongue." Wine spectator says it has a "beautiful perfume of flowers, mushroom, and forest underbrush" with "fine tension and mineral elements, followed by notes of chai spices and sandalwood on the long finish."
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4) 1999 Il Macchione Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva ($59.99)
Prugnolo Gentile is the varietal (a clone of Sangiovese)
Braised Rabbit Pappardelle with Swiss Chard
As stated above, Chef Adam made the Pappardelle pasta himself. It was absolutely delicious. The wine paired perfectly, and I would say this was my FAVORITE wine of the evening. It had an amazing nose, "dry, full, long finish with floral notes of violets and minerality." Il Macchione's site quote is "as long as it takes" - a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with (when it comes to wine). The winemaker's story is fascinating. Swiss dentist, "Azienda Agricola" decided he preferred wine-making to dentistry, and abruptly switched careers. He spent time in California, and apprenticed quite a bit before founding Il Macchione, on a hill in the heart of "Le Caggiole."
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5) 2001 Brigaldara Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico ($69.99)
Corvina Blend (typically comprised of varietals: Corvina 40-70%, Rondinella 20-40%, and Molinara 5-25%)
No food pairing for this one. I believe this wine was more of a "palate cleanser" or "digestif" in between courses. I really enjoyed this wine and would say it was my 2nd favorite of the evening. Brigaldara is located just outside the town of San Floriano, in the heart of Valpolicella (which literally means "valley of many cellars"), just north of Verona. It is situated at the entrance of the Valley of Marano, one of four valleys that constitute the area of "Classical" Valpolicella. The name "Brigaldara" first appears in a deed in 1260 (just to illustrate the history of the name). Wine Spectator says this wine is "a clean-cut Amarone, with a balanced mix of raisin and spicy oak. Medium-to-full-bodied, with fine tannins, and a clean, spicy finish."
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6) 2003 Scubla Friuli Verduzzo Friulano Cràtis ($26.99)
Verduzzo Fruilano is the varietal
Maple Panna Cotta with bacon dust
Good lord, this was a decadent dessert. I'm already a huge fan of Panna Cotta, but this was a heavier, thicker, and creamier version. I compared it to EggNog, as in an EggNog Panna Cotta. that is what I tasted anyway. I think there was vanilla bean in it, which might have been the cause of the beautiful black flecks in this masterpiece. With or without the bacon on the side, the dish was superb. Chef Adam tiptoed out of the kitchen to tell us this was his dessert inspiration of pancakes, eggs,and bacon. The wine paired well again, but was almost too sweet for me. It has a rich golden orange color, and an wonderful nose. One sip was enough for me. It made me think of the "Lumiere" fruit (or Faery Fruit) as it could/should have tasted on True Blood. However, I could not drink very much of the wine. It was just a bit thick, sweet, and juicy for me. According to the Scubla website: "Intense amber colour; acacia honey, walnut husk and vanilla bouquet. Sweet and concentrated, with hints of dry fruit, figs, citrus fruits and caramel combined with the typical tannin content of the grapes." We were also told the wine was very labor intensive and is harvested late, almost into ice wine harvesting time.
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Other thoughts:
We met a lot of people during the dinner, including a gentlemen named Chance and his wife (newlyweds, and she works at a Wine Bistro in Decatur/Stone Mountain area?). Also, a guy named Red was there (who owns/works a Cigar store in Marietta - Tobacco World). We met a nice older couple who had some amazing stories to tell us. The gentlemen was Scottish, a MacDonald of Arnold, who played bagpipes here in town for many years. He told us about "Open That Bottle Night" which is the last Saturday night in February. It was a tradition started by some journalists from the New York Times. He sent in a tidbit about a bottle he and a friend opened that night, and they did an article on him. The wife told us about an experience in Paris (Montmartre area) called "Lapin Agile" featuring a Steve Martin play about Picasso and Einstein. Lapin Agile means Nimble Rabbit.
Another lady there was talking of a place in Scottsdale, AZ called Cowboy Ciao - which I am now convinced I must try! I believe she also said she had a "black thumb" as I do (I cannot keep any plant from dying to save my life). Very cool people!
Before we said "Ciao", the Scottish Man and his Wife did their toast. It went something like (and please forgive me as I was STUFFED with food and a little toasty from wine at this point): "Not above me, not below me, but Beside me."
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Just the caliber of people who attended this dinner made me VERY glad to be a part of Le Caveau's world. I really enjoy the people, the wine, and the unique experiences there.
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When is the next dinner?!? I can't wait!

Le Caveau - Wine Tasting - 11/12/2011

Special Guests: Greg Schlagdenhauffen, the North American Market Manager for Kuentz-Bas and Olivier Savoye of Northeast Sales were at Le Caveau Saturday, showing the following wines:

1) 2009 Kuentz-Bas Alsace Blanc
The cuvée is a blend of 60% Sylvaner, 15% Muscat, 15% Auxerrois and 10% Chasselas and straddles the line of both rich and light. The Sylvaner and Chasselas grapes add to the precision and definition of the blend, while the Auxerrois and Muscat lend aromatic intensity and a lush texture. This wine is dry, but bold and full in flavor with roasted apples, lemon custard, flowers and an exotic spice tone.

2) 2008 Kuentz-Bas Muscat
An explosive nose expresses aromas of white peach, flowers, herbs and apricot .The palate is clean, crisp, full of fruit and finesse.

3) 2009 Kuentz-Bas Riesling
Wine Spectator 92 points: "A firm Riesling, with razor-sharp acidity backing fruit flavors of Granny Smith apple, juicy tangerine and pink grapefruit, underscored by stone and smoke notes and a hint of fresh earth. It's all deftly woven together in a focused, elegant package, with a mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2020. "

Le Caveau staff showed these Red Wines also:

4) 2008 Domaine Vincent and Sophie Morey Maranges 1er Cru La Fussière
This wine has an elegant nose elegant nose with notes of red raspberry and cherry fruit that is echoed on the palate balanced by bright acidity and a wonderfully stony finish.
Sophie and Vincent Morey both come from families of wine-growers. They set up their own domaine in 2006 and had their first harvest in 2007. When Vincent's father Bernard Morey, a leading personality in the village of Chassagne-Montrachet, took his retirement, Vincent took over the a part of the holding. In the same year Sophie was making her first vintage for the Ménager-Belland domaine in Santenay.

5) 2009 Pascal Lambert Chinon "Les Terraces"
Made from a bio-dynamically farmed vineyard, this 100% Cabernet Franc is free of sulphur additives. This is terrific Chinon with dark cherry, blueberry, and herbs on the nose. It is showing and rich dark and ripe red fruit on the palate with crisp acidity and great length.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

We Did It - Sunday Sales!!!

Sunday Sales Referendum - Metro Atlanta

1)See the Google Map for Details
2)11 Alive News
3) AJC News - “The results of today’s election,” Georgia Food Industry Association lobbyist Kathy Kuzava said, “have shown that the vast majority of voters overwhelmingly support the opportunity to purchase all of their groceries, including beer and wine, seven days per week.”
Don't go dropping 12-packs on the checkout conveyer belt just yet. Stores that can offer the sales will be spotty throughout the area, and in places where voters approved, effective dates will vary, ranging from the second Sunday after election results get certified to perhaps as late as February.
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My personal opinion, is why would you let someone drink alcohol in a restaurant on Sunday, with the danger of them driving home drunk... As opposed to letting them buy alcohol and drink at home on Sunday? Seriously, it's backwards thinking.
AND now that we CAN buy Alcohol on Sundays, doesn't mean we HAVE to. It just means we don't have to stop and go "oh crap today's Sunday, I guess I won't have any beer for when my friends come over to watch the Football game..."
I was rather disturbed by the Christian Coalition's effort to stop this from passing. WHY would this be a religious issue? It isn't about religion. If you don't want to buy Alcohol on Sunday, nobody is forcing you to, and it isn't part of a religious requirement. They need to choose their battles a bit more wisely, in my humble Wino opinion.
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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

VOTE! Vote YES for Sunday Sales!!!



VOTE! Vote YES for Sunday Sales!!!
Apparently, since I live in the "Unincorporated DeKalb" part of Atlanta, this item wasn't even ON my ballot. But I still went to vote.
Please if you DO have this item on your ballot in Georgia today, please vote YES for Sunday Sales!

Thank you,
TWITs Wine Club

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Chanson Pere et Fils Tasting - Le Caveau - Nov. 3rd, 2011

Abbie with Gilles de Courcel (jeel dey Core-sell, soft j)

Exciting!
A pre-sale tasting of some of the red and white Burgundies of Chanson Père et Fils from the blockbuster 2009 vintage. Gilles de Courcel, President of Chanson Père et Fils will be on hand. This is a great opportunity to taste and pre-order some wines (they will arrive from France in early 2012) from a specatacular vintage along with some cheeses and charcuterie.
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Gilles de Courcel is as Burgundian as they come: born and raised in Pommard, he has worked in the wine trade his entire life. His family has owned and run the Domaine de Courcel for more than 400 years. Indeed, you could say that Gilles, like the wines, "was born in the vineyard." After completing a degree in business administration in the early 1980s, he left Burgundy to work in Reims as export director for one of the greatest houses of Champagne. The mid-1990s found him in Bordeaux where he worked with top producers in Médoc, Saint-Emilion and Sauternes. In 2002 the Bollinger family asked him to look after their new acquisition, the Chanson estate. Of course, they wanted someone with his vast experience, but they also desired a bona fide Burgundian, an experienced manager and trusted friend who could restore the glory of this once noble Négociant.
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The wine maker, son of legendary winemaker Jean-Jacques "Jacky" Confuron, Jean-Pierre Confuron launched his career working for his family's domaine in Vosne-Romanée (Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot). After studying enology first in Champagne and then in Burgundy, he worked as a consultant to the famed Chateau de La Tour in Clos de Vougeot while continuing his father's legacy at the family's estate. He is a lecturer in viticulture and winemaking at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune and an active member of the Union des Oenologues de France. In 1999, after Bollinger asked him to conduct a study of Chanson's vineyards, he developed and implemented a program to improve growing and winemaking there. A member of an elite Burgundian family and an esteemed winemaker in his own right, Confuron developed partnerships with some of the best growers in Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits.
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Tastings Notes:
Whites:
1) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Puligny Montrachet $55.99
Burghound, July 2011, Issue #43 (7/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
Discreet if not invisible wood does not unduly dampben the expressiveness of the pretty mix of ripe orchard fruit and floral aromas that are in keeping with the notably ripe and seductively textured medium-bodied flavors that possess good fat and volume before culminating in a sappy, mouth-coating, and lingering finish. I like the generosity, but there isn't enough complexity to raise this to the next level. 88 points
Abbie says - "I like this one, it has a scent of soft pine box"

2) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Pernand Vergelesses Les Caradeaux Blanc 1er Cru $64.99
Burghound, July 2011, Issue #43 (7/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
Moderate wood influence still allows the ripe pear, white peach and citrus aromas to be seen. There is very good richness to the supple, forward and fleshy medium weight flavors that finish with fine length if perhaps less depth than might be expected for the appellation. 88-90 points
Abbie says "Pernand Vergelesses (Pair-non Vair-gel-aize) - Les Caradeauex (hill on the left, facing east), slight sulfur, flint scent, but not unpleasant. this is a sweeter wine, perhaps too sweet for me."
3) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Beaune Clos de Mouches Blanc $96.99
Burghound, July 2011, Issue #43 (7/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
Background wood notes mix with mostly floral and citrus hints to serve as a graceful introduction to the rich, round and naturally sweet flavors that exude a fine minerality on the forward finish that possesses just enough grip to suggest that this will require 2 to 3 years of cellar time to arrive at its peak. 88-91 points
Abbie says "Beaune (Bonne), Clos de Mouches (Cloe-day-Moosh) means honey bees."
4) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Corton-Vergennes Domaine Des Héritiers P.Chanson Grand Cru $144.99
Burghound, July 2011, Issue #43 (7/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
A reserved, indeed almost reluctant nose though persistent swirling coaxes notes of white flower, green fruit and distinct stone nuances. There is excellent richness to the powerful and relatively well-concentrated flavors that display plenty of extract on the dry, stony and solidly persistent finish that also exhibits a trace of austerity. 91 points
Abbie says "Corton-Vergennes" (Core-tone Vair-gen)"
5) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Chablis Montmains 1er Cru $39.99
Burghound, July 2011, Issue #43 (7/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
An expressive nose of floral and iodine hints leads to rich, round and textured middle weight flavors that display a discreet minerality on the dry finish and just enough Chablis character to be interesting. This very forward effort should drink well almost immediately. 87 points
6) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Chablis $24.99
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Reds:
1) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Dominode$ 44.99
Burghound, May 2011, Issue #42 (5/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
Here the nose is exuberantly fresh and bright with plenty of Savigny-style earth to the ripe red pinot fruit nose. The rich yet well-delineated flavors are notably firm yet the underlying tannins possess complete phenolic ripeness, all wrapped in a long if only moderately complex finish. 88-91 points
2) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Grèves $59.99
Burghound, May 2011, Issue #42 (5/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
A very ripe and expressive nose speaks of red and black berry fruit that are liberally laced with warm earth nuances that continue onto the rich and quite finely detailed middle weight flavors that possess both good volume and fine complexity on the firm, complex and mildly austere finish. 89-91 points
3) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Fèves $84.99
Burghound, May 2011, Issue #42 (5/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
This appears to be even riper though not surmature with an expressive nose of raspberry liqueur, cassis and warm earth where the latter element also suffuses the rich, mouth coating and relatively powerful medium-bodied flavors that are structured, intense and impressively persistent. There is a robustness to this that will require 12 to 15 years to fully soften. 90-92 points
Abbie says "Clos" refers to closed by walls. Chanson is the only producer of Clos De Feves, we call this a Monopole."
4) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Clos Vougeot Grand Cru $199.99
Burghound, May 2011, Issue #42 (5/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
A deft touch of wood sets off a similar earthy red berry fruit nose in the sense that it is reserved to the point of being mute. The equally earthy and broad-scaled flavors possess excellent volume and the tannins are fully ripe and are buffered by an abundance of dry extract, all wrapped in a hugely long and mouth coating finish. Like the Clos de Bèze, this is unabashedly built to age and will need all of 20 years to arrive at its peak. In a word, terrific. 92-94 points
5) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru $274.99
Burghound, May 2011, Issue #42 (5/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
In contrast to the expressiveness of many of the foregoing wines, this is almost mute aromatically though aggressive swirling coaxes grudging notes of spice and ripe red berry fruit. The cool, restrained and discreetly mineral-driven flavors possess real drive and gorgeous detail on the extremely firm but persistent finish. This classy effort is very much built for long-term aging and as such, will not be for everyone. 91-94 points
6) 2007 Chanson Père et Fils Gevrey-Chambertin $54.99
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"Attention to detail is everything in Burgundy," says de Courcel. "Detail, patience, and minimal intervention in the winemaking process are what make Chanson's wines stand apart," he explains.
"For me it is a great honor and very exciting to have been asked to work for such a historic and illustrious house of Burgundy, one of the original estates of the modern era where it all began."

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Le Caveau - Fall Weather Wines - October 29, 2011

Le Caveau - Fall Weather Wines - October 29, 2011

1) 2010 Banshee Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc $15.99
100% Sauvignon Blanc
This is a slighty grassy, lemon blossom and citrusy Sauvignon blanc, with a rush of melony goodness on the palate. Medium-bodied, this wine has good texture AND acidity, which would come as no surprise if you knew the wine's source. Banshee gets 98% of the fruit from one of the top three Sauvignon Blanc producers in the Napa Valley. Try this with fresh-shucked oysters, a lobster boil or even a Chinese dish.
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2) 2010 Damien Coquelet Chiroubles $21.99
100% Gamay
This wine jumps from the glass with an open and floral nose followed by notes of wild raspberry, ripe cherry, herbs and brown spice. The palate shows the succulence and freshness that is the hallmark of the 2010 vintage along with a smoky minerality and nice grip.
Damien is George Descombes’ son and he’s been working the vineyards of cru Beaujolais since he was five years old. Heis drawing a lot of attention for his beautifully pure renditions of Beaujolais from the cru of Chiroubles. Chiroubles has the highest elevation of Beaujolais' 10 crus, and it is this elevation-coupled with granite-based soils-that gives the wines of Chiroubles their floralperfume and incisive cut.
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3) 2009 La Ferme du Mont Côtes du Rhône Premiere Cote $21.99
60% Grenache, 30% Syrah
The 2009 Cotes du Rhone Premiere Cote is an amazingly sexy, lush, full-bodied, Cotes du Rhone with loads of black cherry and black currant fruit, a deep, concentrated mouthfeel and a silky finish. It should drink nicely for 2-4 years if you can resist it that long.
Stephane Vedeau, one of the young, energetic Turks of Chateauneuf du Pape, has emerged from the woodwork to produce stunning wines in 2007 as well as 2008 and 2009. Something about him reminds me of the obsessive-compulsive St.-Emilion proprietor, Francois Mitjaville. This is a seriously talented winemaker who is quickly emerging as a star of the southern Rhone.

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4) 2009 Domaine Daniel Rion et Fils Bourgogne $14.99
100% Pinot Noir
This Bourgogne presents a moderate crimson color in its youth, then becomes orange/ruby after a few years of aging in bottle. The cherry and blackcurrant flavors are marked in its youth, after wich game and mushroom appear on the nose supported by candied fruits on the palate. The vines are distributed on several parcels located in the bottom of a mineral-rich hillside in Nuits Saint George on a gentle slope of silt and clay. These 2.13 hectars of vines have an average age of 20 years.
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5) 2008 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape
$54.99
75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mouvèdre and 5% Cinsault and others.
Classic notes of kirsch, plum, spice box, cedar, and garrigue are accompanied by deep fruit, an attractive dark ruby/plum color, and surprising body as well as depth for a 2008. It should drink well young, and evolve for up to a decade.
93 points Wine Spectator: "This is rock-solid, with crushed raspberry, kirsch, juniper and smoked apple wood notes, backed by a broad, plush, spice- and anise-filled finish. Nicely rounded and integrated for the vintage. Drink now through 2021."
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We loved #5 (of course), but I was also in love with #2, it was "like drinking roses."