Thursday, October 20, 2016

Evelyne de Pontbriand Tasting at Le Caveau

Wine Tasting with Winemaker Evelyne de Pontbriand of the legendary Domaine du Closel in Savennières.  

Domaine du Closel produces some of the worlds finest organic Chenin Blanc in the appellation of Savennières, the Grand Cru of the Loire Valley. The family has been has been producing wine at the Château des Vaults since 1495. We tasted through a selection of wines from the domaine including the Anjou red, the sparkling wine and the 2005 Clos du Papillon cellar selection which are available for the first time in Georgia! This is a rare opportunity to meet Evelyne who is one of the most delightful vigneronnes in the wine business!

NV Domaine du Closel 'Sauvage' Brut Non Dosé
2014 Domaine du Closel 'La Jalousie' Savennières
2005 Domaine du Closel 'Clos du Papillon' Savennières
2013 Domaine du Closel 'Clos du Papillon' Savennières
2012 Domaine du Closel 'Une Emotion' Rouge Anjou
2011 Domaine de L'Oubliée 'Tenue de Soirée' Bourgueil














Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Peter Wasserman Tasting at Le Caveau - Oct 12th


Peter Wasserman (importer) Tasting at Le Caveau - Oct 12th

Nicole, Peter, and Abbie

Abbie, Nicole, Heidi



Saturday, October 8, 2016

Spooky-good-to-be-true Bargain Bin Wines - Saturday October 8th, 2016


Spooky-good-to-be-true Bargain Bin Wines - Saturday October 8th, 2016

Happy HalloWine!  


When:  Saturday October 8th, 2016 - 2 pm - 5pm ET   

Theme:  Spooky-good-to-be-true Bargain Bin Wines

Where:  
Le Caveau Fine Wines
5256 Peachtree Rd. 
Suite 102
Atlanta, GA 30341
770-837-0710

Recipe:   Chilled Creamy Cucumber Soup - Deb said she didn't need to add water to it.
All cheese purchased at CostCo, Whole Foods, Kroger (on Hammond in Sandy Springs)


Cheese to Wine Scale:
(Affinage is French term describing the aging and maturity level of cheeses)
Soft Cheeses  <------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Hard Cheeses
Fresh, High water, milky                                                  Affinage                                     Moisture evaporates - leaves
delicate,                                                                                                                                        behind the fat and protein (flavors) 
                                                                                                                                                       older more rich and savory

Delicate Wines  <-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Bold Wines
Young wines have primary                                                                                                      Time spent in cask or bottle knit
notes: fresh, spirited, lively aromas                                                                                       together and acquire nuance.
bright flavors of fruits, flowers, citrus,                                                                                  Secondary notes of oak, toast, 
herbs and spice                                                                                                                           earth, oxidation, minerals, umami
                                                                                                                                                        more complex and savory


Tasting Notes:
1) 2014 La Grange Tiphaine 'Noveau-Nez' Petillant Montlouis-sur-Loire - $28
13% alcohol,
100% Chenin Blanc farmed organically (certified ECOCERT in 2008) practicing biodynamic.  Damien and Coralie Delecheneau are based in Touraine-Amboise but work many vineyards in Montlouis.  This petillant naturel is made in the typical, minimal-intervention manner. The grapes were picked at a potential alcohol of 13.8%, Still in fermentation, the wine is bottled with 14 g/l of residual sugar after which secondary fermentation happens naturally in the bottle.  In the glass it has a vibrant gold with a fine yet plentiful bead.  There is a nose of grilled peaches and rose petals, peppered with nuances of marzipan and a touch of baked apple, yet despite this, it feels fresh with bright and powdery edges.
Cheese Pairing:  Blue Castello St. Agur

2) 2015 Chateau Ducasse Blanc Bordeaux  - $17
12% alcohol,
60% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Muscadelle.
Made from 45+ year-old sustainably farmed vines planted within the Graves appellation of Bordeaux in limestone and clay soils, the wine is a blend of 60% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc, and 5% Muscadelle.  Aged entirely in stainless for 6 months before bottling, the wine displays fresh fruited, lively mineral character.  Fresh citrus, honeysuckle, and a bevy of tropical fruits, green mango, papaya, passion fruit, plantains.  The finish is long and oily lingering for some time.
Cheese Pairings:  Dubliner Aged Cheddar, Lancashire, Mahon, Derby, Brie

3) 2015 Domaine du Couron Rose Ardeche - $ 11
14% alcohol
100% Grenache
Jean_Luc and Marie-Lise Dorthe produce this dry rose exclusively from their 39-year old, sustainably farmed vines of Grenache.  The juice is rested on skins for precisely 8 1/2 hours to get this exact color and fresh-fruited aromas of strawberry, watermelon, and citrus.  With a rich, fresh-fruited palate and a slightly honeyed texture, it is easy to understand why this was handily our best-selling rose last summer, selling out in 3 weeks.
Cheese Pairings:  Oussau-Iraty, Azeitao, Tete des Moines, Gruyere, Cheshire

4) 2013 Bodega de Pinoso 'Flos de Pinoso' Alicante - $13
14% alcohol
100% Monastrell
Vinified from 100% organically farmed Monastrell entirely in stainless tanks, the 'Flos de Pinoso' boasts a remarkably perfumed, fresh-fruited nose.  Wild red and black berries along with dark spice, combine with integrated tannins and acidity on the palate.  Decidedly fresher and more toned than a lot of the chewy, dense Monastrell coming from this eastern Spanish region, the wine is an easy match with BBQ
Cheese Pairings:  Manchego

5) 2015 Domaine Duseigneur 'La Chapelle' Cotes du Rhone  - $14
14% alcohol
50/50% Grenache/Syrah Blend
composed of equal parts biodynamically farmed old-vine Grenache and Syrah, this delightful fruit-driven Rhone is easy to love.  The grapes are sourced from clay hills above the Rhone river, just across from Chateauneuf du Pape.  Fermented entirely in stainless, the wine has wonderful freshness. Founded in 1967, the domaine's principles of respecting soil and environment lead it to be among the first to embrace organic farming in the Rhone.
Cheese Pairings:  Dubliner Aged Cheddar, Cheshire, St. Nectaire, aged Gruyere, Manchego, Gouda

6) 2010 Quinta do Mondego 'Mondeco' Tinto Dao  - $11
13.5% alcohol
Blend of Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen & Baga
Made from hand-harvested Tinta Roriz (aka: Tempranillo), Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen & Baga.  Fermentation in small stainless steel tanks, with 10% of the blend aged in French Oak casks for 12 months.  Intense, dark garnet color and elegant aromas of fresh dark fruits with a touch of mint and cigar box.  A full bodied palate of rich, ripe dark fruits is balanced with good acidity and firm tannins.  91 pts from wine enthusiast.
Cheese Pairings:  sharp cheddar, Azeitao, Mahon, Manchego

(not planned, but Marnie brought a bottle to share)
7) 2014 Cooper & Thief Cellarmasters Select Red Wine Blend  ~ $30
17% alcohol
Cooper & Thief is a dark and jammy red blend comprised of 38% Merlot, 37% Syrah, 11% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% other red varieties, and loaded with bourbon-inspired flavors and aromas. Aging for three months in ex-bourbon barrels gives way to soft velvety tannins, with a subtle heat. The combined result is a rich flavor with a long, lingering finish.
Reminded me of Orin Swift's The Prisoner but with more Port-like notes.
Cheese Pairings:  Blue cheese

Photos:











Sunday, September 25, 2016

Georgia Mountain Winery Bus Tours

Georgia Mountain Winery Bus Tours: 

Marilyn, Vicki, Jaffet, & Deb @ Wolf Mountain Winery


We have a rare opportunity to join the Marietta Wine Market on a Georgia Mountain Winery Tour. This usually sells out fast.  The good news is that they have not announced it to the public yet, so we have a chance to get on board.  Time is of the essence if you are wanting to go.  So far, I believe 4 of our TWITs have already signed up for this trip.

WHAT:  Georgia Mountain Winery Bus Tour
WHEN:  Sunday September 25th, 2016 - all day event.
COST:  The cost is $95 per person and must be paid in full when reserving your seat.
WHO DO I CALL:  Call Marietta Wine Market at 770-919-1574, tell them you want to join the September 25th Winery Tour, and they will sign you up and take your payment information over the phone (you can use credit/debit, etc).
Join us for a day on the North GA Wine Trail.
We will meet at the Marietta Wine Market at 9:30am. and begin the day with pastries, coffee & mimosas.
Then off to Dahlonega, GA and our first stop the Wolf Mountain Winery.
There we will enjoy their  Fall Brunch and take a tour of their winery.
From there it’s off to visit The Cottage and Yonah Mountain Wineries.
Arrival back at the Marietta Wine Market expected 6:30pm.
Only 55 seats available Call 770-919-1574 for more information or to reserve a spot today.

ALSO - a 2nd trip is available on October 2nd.

WHAT:  Georgia Mountain Winery Bus Tour
WHEN:  Sunday October 2nd, 2016 - all day event.
COST:  The cost is $95 per person and must be paid in full when reserving your seat.
WHO DO I CALL:  Call Marietta Wine Market at 770-919-1574, tell them you want to join the October 2nd Winery Tour, and they will sign you up and take your payment information over the phone (you can use credit/debit, etc).

Join us for a day on the North GA Wine Trail. We will meet at the Marietta Wine Market at 9:30am. and begin the day with pastries, coffee & mimosas. Then off to Dahlonega, GA and our first stop the Monteluce Winery. There we will take a tour of their winery and have Lunch.  From there it’s off to visit Chateau Meichtry Winery where we will have a vineyard and winery tour. Arrival back at the Marietta Wine Market expected 6: 30pm.  Only 55 seats available Call 770-919-1574 for more information or to reserve a spot today. S

Itinerary
9:30 am – Begin the day with pastries, coffee & mimosas at the Marietta Wine Market
10:00 am – Depart to Dahlonega, GA and our first stop the Monteluce Winery.
11:30 am – There we will take a tour of their winery and enjoy lunch in their restaurant. 2:00 pm – Depart to  Chateau Meichtry Winery
3pm pm – Arrive at Chateau Meichtry for a tour of the Winery and Vineyards and tasting or get a glass of wine and relax on their deck and enjoy the views overlooking their vineyards and the North Georgia Mountains.
5:00 pm – Depart for return to Marietta Wine Market
6:30 pm – Arrive Back at Marietta Wine Market

Note:  Don’t delay we expect this trip to sell out fast.

Friday, August 26, 2016

TWITs Albarino - August 26th, 2016 - hosted by Abbie & Matt

TWITs Albarino - August 26th, 2016 - hosted by Abbie & Matt

When:  Friday August 26th, 2016 - 7:00pm ET

Theme:  Albarino, a white grape varietal

Bring:  TWITs should bring a bottle of Albarino within the specified price range (Up to $20/bottle for Singles, between $20 - $40/bottle for Couples)

Food Pairings:
Saffron Salmon, Mustard sauces, Cheeses (Dubliner aged cheddar, Manchego, Goat Cheese with honey), watermelon, goat cheese stuffed peppadews, olives, gluten-free crackers, rosemary crackers, Romaine and Tomato salad, Spicy Thai ice cream,

Tasting Notes:
Welcome Wine:  2015 Pazo de Senorans Camino del Peregrino Albarino - $7.99 @ Jett Ferry Kroger

1) 2015 Burgans Albarino - $12 at Toco Giant, others found it around town for $14-15.
12.5% alcohol
light nose, delicate floral palate, minerality, less citrusy, apple, pear, herbacious, laundry detergent, refreshing, easy, floral, diet sprite, more complex.

2) 2014 Eladio Peneiro Envidia Cochina - $24 @ Le Caveau Fine Wines
12% alcohol, means the slow is beautiful, has photo of a snail on the label, uniquely shaped bottle.
perfumey, white floral, beer, funk, some stank, darker yellow color, toasted butter, oaked, yeasty, cider nose, mead-like, chalky, pinot grigio - like, more sophisticated, leather, saline neutral, rough finish, bug spray, don't love it.

3) 2015 Lagrima Bagoa do Mino - $24 @ Total Wine
13% alcohol
fruity, laundry detergent, crisp granny smith apples, pear, stone fruits, viscosity, licorice, gala apples, super dry, vanilla ice cream, sort of effervescent, sour, smells like Val's face cream.

4) 2013 Peitan Albarino, Minho River Galicia Spain - $19 Marietta Wines or Naked Wines
13% alcohol
honey, licorice, magic marker, soapy, tart, peach, so deep it may never be there, freshly erased white board - specifically expo brand, pineapple, liquor - a thin liquor, oxidized, bitter leaves, vermouth, bitter but rich, charcoal, good hot tub wine, trying its best to be fruity but it's plasticy, latex, nose completely different than the palate, this terroir is near an ancient Celtic fortress.

5) 2015 Val do Sesego O'pucha Arbo - $14.99 @ Total Wine
12.5% alcohol
lighter in color, mineral and chalk, juicy fruit gum nose, light, crisp, honey, straight up pinot grigio, Mott's applesauce, nose is different than the palate, larger finish, thicker, nose of cheddar cheese, mild cheddar not sharp, it feels in my mouth like a silk wave, not a liquid, more thick, liquid-esque.

6) 2015 La Cana Albarino - $17 @ Whole Foods
13% alcohol
stone fruits, non-existant nose, biscotti, floral, flower, no scent, lavendar, the most different, effervescent, christmas, citrus, lemon grass, green things, cardamom, lime nose, white flowers, best of the night, pair with fish tacos or seafood.

7) 2015 Imagery Albarino (Sonoma California) ~ $24 @ the Imagery Estate Winery
14.1% alcohol
floral soap, depth, sweeter, not too sweet, stone fruits, floral, more complex, fried ripe plantains, banana with grass, pineapple, tropical, mango, pithy, LOVE IT! most complex, tropical fruit punch, more acidic, more alcohol, bitter, dry, showing very well,
TWITs anecdote:  Corinna and Daniel got engaged at Benziger (per Rheinallt's recommendation), then they announced their engagement at Imagery.   And then later, Rheinallt officiated their wedding.

8) 2015 Quinta da Aveleda (Portugal) - $12 @ Toco Giant
11% alcohol
70% Loureiro, 30% Alvarinho
lemon meringue pie, smooth, vanilla, desserty, graham cracker crust, citrusy, lemon, lite lemonade, 2 dumpers, sparkling wine, tart, almost too tart, 10 molar sulfuric acid, worst wine of the night by far, fermented Mt Dew by the pool in 90 degree weather, I wouldn't serve it to my worst enemy, fruit piss.

9) 2015 Quinta da Aveleda Alvarinho (Portugal) - $14 @ Toco Juice Box
12% alcohol - 100% Alvarinho
pineapple, oaky afterbirth, Vicki dumped hers (1st time she's ever dumped one), bouquet of Ty-D-Bol, it's too much, stone fruits, the taste is worse than the smell, 2 dumps, swipe left! it's not for everyone, watered down lemonade from Chick-Fil-A, too citrusy, like caviar you buy at the gas station and we only go to the best gas stations, meh, crisp and palatable, would pair with fish (shellfish or mild fish), very bright, wakes you up, maybe with the right food? prawns or oysters, it might be good? the penultimate.

10) 2013 Terra D'Alter (Portugal) - $15 @ Minks
12.5% alcohol
nice nose, fishy, rotten, apricot, paper, more fruits, stone fruits, pineapple with pear, herbacious, cilantro, Matt dumped it, burnt tires, doing a donut on I-285 - which you should never do, sulfur, like a volcano and asphalt, tar, barbie doll heads, pairs well with the manchego.



The Lineup

JPP our newest TWIT

Our Imagery Lovebirds

Christy, JPP, and Marilyn having fun



Lauren's home made, vegan, Spicy Thai Coconut ice cream

JPP's Daddy feeding JPP (not wine though, he isn't ready yet)

Thursday, June 30, 2016

TWITs June/July - Shining Stars Charity tasting - South African Wines -July 9th, 2016

TWITs June/July - Shining Stars Charity Wine Tasting - South African Wines - Saturday, July 9th, 2016 2pm - 4pm ET

Host or Hostess: Ms Marilyn with Randall & Karen of Marietta Wine Market

Where?  Marietta Wine Market
18 Powder Springs St. SE
Marietta, GA 30064
770-919-1574

Theme:  Shining Stars Charity Wine Tasting - Wines of Portugal - whoops surprise!  we thought we were tasting wines of Portugal, but when we arrived it was South African wines. still delicious either way.

Bring: TWITs should bring $20/person for cost of the wines, and any other amount they wish to donate to the charity.

Wines We Tasted:  
2015 David Frost Sauvignon Blanc
2015 Boschendal The Rose Garden Rose (blend of Merlot, Shiraz, and Pinotage)
2012 Brampton Old Vine Red (blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carignan and Shiraz)
2014 Ruse en Vrede Stellenbosch Merlot
2013 KWV Classic Collection Pinotage






Monday, May 2, 2016

May "Pet-Nat Wines" - hosted by Ms. Lauren

May "Pet-Nat Wines" - hosted by Ms. Lauren

When: Monday May 23rd, 2016 - 7:00pm ET

Theme:  Pet-Nat is a nickname for Petillant Naturel (pet-tay-ahn Nat-tur-rell), or "Methode Ancestrale", a method of producing sparkling wine by bottling the wine during the the primary, alcoholic fermentation to capture the carbon dioxide that is naturally released. This differs from wines like Champagne that undergo a second, bubble-producing fermentation.

Documented by the monks of the Abbey Saint-Hillaire in 1531, Petillant naturel is considered to be the first sparkling wine pre-dating methode champenoise by nearly a century.

Articles about Pet-Nat
What is Pet-Nat Wine ?  An Ancient Winemaking Style on the Rise
Pet-Nat, Champagne's Hip Younger Sister
Pet-Nat, Champagne's Cool Kid Sister is the Bubbly You Want to Party With
Pet-Nat, the Alcoholic Soda of My Dreams

Bring:  Bring a bottle of Pet-Nat wine within the specified price range (Up to $20/bottle for Singles, between $20 - $40/bottle for Couples)


Tasting Notes:

Welcome Wine) 2014 Pet'Sec Les Capriades ~ $28 @ Hintons Savvy Cellars
11% alcohol, made from a majority of Chenin Blanc with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc
green, light grassy nose, almost like urine but in a good way, effervescent pinot grigio-like, filtered, light, not too sweet.

1) 2015 Vitae Springs Vineyard "Minimus" Petillant Natural, Williamette Valley $25.99 @ Le Caveau
12.3% alcohol, 100% Muller Thargau
cidery, cider & wine, dry as a bone, bitters, cloudy, bubbles quickly dissipate, "miller lite left too warm at the poolside", it's gone dull, needs to be ice cold, with mint sprig

2) 2013 Dirty & Rowdy Pet-Nat Pinot Blanc, El Dorado County in Santa Rosa, CA $42.99 @ Le Caveau
11.2% alcohol, 100% Pinot Blanc
sweeter nose, more golden, asian pear kombucha, good pool wine, easy drinking, not a lot of finish, great for summer, serve cold, clear gold color, peachy keen, could be dangerous.

3)  NV Quentin Bourse Le Sot de l'Ange (The Idiot Angel) Azay-le-Rideau La Couture $22.99 @ Le Caveau
biodynamic, 11% alcohol, 100% Grolleau (vines planted in 1954)
I'm a pink owl, lambic, pickle juice, tomato, vinegar, "it's very fruit forward, specifically tomato", fun times, orange/rose color, peachy hue, tart, pickle juice, sweet tart, refreshing, it has character, you're 3rd bottle, watered down kool-aid with pop rocks

4) NV Patrick Bottex "La Cueille" (The Pick) Bugey-Cerdon $15 from WineLibrary.com
8% alcohol, 90% Gamay, 10% Poulsard
"a million degrees different", foamy, it has good head, a ton more sugar, deep, a fruit basket, too sweet, melon, lots of peaches, watermelon, jolly rancher, "does this come in lite?", get diabetes afterwards, better as a slushy or champagne popsicle, this is a "gas station wine", melted sorbet

5) 2014  Francis Coppola"Sofia" Blanc de Blanc, Monterey County ~ $16 @ Briarcliff Kroger
12% alcohol, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat blend.
foamy gold, clearer, light, harsh, sweet-ish, one-dimensional, bitters on it, mild, starter wine only, if I was out of beer, the "shake-weight" wine.

6) 2014 Pet'Sec Les Capriades ~ $32 @ Brookhaven Wines
11% alcohol, made from a majority of Chenin Blanc with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc
butterscotch, oaky, caramel, I Like It!, tart, vinegar nose, I'm on an emotional roller coaster, mostly downhill, it's morphed, sour, flawed

7) 2014 Eric Texier Rouletabulle Petillant Naturel $24.99 @ Le Caveau
9% alcohol, 100% old vine Chasselas
foamy, effervescent, dry wine, pairs with the avocado/coconut ice cream so well!

8) 2015 Castello Banfi Rose Regale ~ $19 @ Publix
7% alcohol, 100% Brachetto
ruby red, super sweet, strangely also sour, holy moly, pickled strawberries, "a bit of bananar in it", would pair w/chocolate well.