Wines for Spring and Summer-Time Parties
May 02, 2009Saturday 4:00pm until 7:00pm (or until it's gone)
$5 per person
2007 Domaine des Cadastres, Picpoul de Pinet $9.95
France, Languedoc RoussilonA delicious, springy wine from the South France, Picpoul de Pinet means "lip stinger" because the grape variety's crisp, fresh acidity. Floral, unripe pineapple, apricot and white grapes on both the nose and palate; medium body, balanced acidity, some white pepper on a mouthwatering finish. Perfect for summertime luncheons, seafood, and salads.
2007 Thorn-Clarke Eden Valley Single Vineyard Chardonnay $11.95
Australia, Terra BarossaThe winery owners are David and Cheryl Clarke (born Thorn) and their son Sam is the manager of the winery. The Thorn-Clarke family has a long history in the Barossa — six generations of involvement in the region's world famous wine industry. The Thorns have been grape growers in the Barossa since the 1870's. David Clarke's passion for the wine industry lead to the planting of the Kabininge vineyard outside of Tanunda in 1987, which represents the start of a deeper involvement by the family in the Barossa wine industry.
"Sourced entirely from our vineyard in Eden Valley (the higher altitude, cool climate sub region of the Barossa), the 2007 Chardonnay is vibrant light green. The vibrancy is reflected in the bottle with great peach and tropical flavours. The lees contact and French oak has given the palate creaminess and rich, long finish. Our vinemaker recommends trying this wine with chicken teppanyaki." — David Clarke, Vigneron
Wine Spectator (Issue: Nov 30, 2008) — 91 points:
This sneaks up on you. A pretty, open-textured wine at first, but the pear, melon and spice flavors just keep sailing on, getting deeper and longer. It has elegance and restraint, but won't shortchange on flavor. Drink now through 2012. 2,000 cases made. –HS
2007 Kotrotsos Chardonnay $10.95
Greece, PeloponnisosThis Chardonnay comes from Peloponnesus, and from the sub-region of Nemea. Clean and crisp white wine that is perfect for spring and summer-time entertaining.
A bright, gentle soft-bodied wine with fruit flavors, aromas of flowers and citrus fruits from mountainous Achaia.
2008 Les Vignerons Tavel Sol Angelys Rose $13 .95
France, TavelTavel, situated in the heart of the best Rhone valley land, has, for centuries and for generations of vintners, been an elite wine, the wine of kings. Wine for those whose pleasure requires passion and authenticity; an exceptional wine, an exceptional soil, an exception in history and mankind, an exception of taste.
You can't mistake a Tavel. As a matter of fact everything singles it out. It is the only A.O.C. wine to have refused producing red and white wines and remained faithful to its secular specialization. Rose pink is not a fashionable color here, but rather an original identity.
Historically it has been at the 'avante garde' compared to its neighbors, with whom it exists harmoniously, taking the role of pathfinder in matters of a judicial, commercial or technical nature. It stands out from other French rosé wines with its gustatory characteristics, its history and techniques and, to be quite honest, there are few that can compare in this category.
This is a bone dry rose, it has an amazing nose full of fresh red berries. Nice, zesty acidity and fruit on the palate. A wonderful wine for a hot summer day. Goes well with barbecue, with salmon, fruit and cheese plates.
2006 Klinker Brick, Old Vine Zinfandel $18.95
US, CA, LodiSteve and Lori Felten, fifth generation grape growers in the Lodi region, continue the tradition of cultivating "Old Vine" Zinfandel vineyards that their ancestors planted in the early 1900's.
In 1996, the family began to produce Zinfandel for the bulk wine market, selling wine to a number of prestigious, benchmark producers of Zinfandel in Napa and Sonoma Counties. In 2000, Steve and Lori made the decision to start their own winery with the mission to produce exceptional Zinfandel. They continue to make wine from all of the vineyard blocks, culling only the very best lots for bottling Klinker Brick and designated vineyard wines. They have one goal...to produce world-class wine.
The 2006 vintage of Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel is produced from an amalgam of 14 different vineyard blocks, ranging in age from 37 to 112 years old. This vintage saw lower yields than 2005 (averaging less than 3 tons per acre), producing a wine that is both complex and bold. Showing typical Klinker Brick cherry/berry/plum fruit components with aromatic spices on the nose, this wine is incredibly well balanced with a silky smooth texture and a long lingering finish. Pair with your favorite barbecue.
