Weekly Wine Tastings

12th-13th of March, 2010

Please join us for our FREE Wine and Beer Tastings  - Friday from 3-7 pm and Saturday 1-6; this week we are tasting:

WINE 

Wine is the life-blood of Italy. From the northern border at the foot of the Alps to the southern most shores of Campania and Sicily EVERY region makes wine. Some are the stuff of legends and are priced accordingly. However, there is a shocking amount of wine that is equal in nobility with out the "regal" price tag. Best of all these wines, particularly as you move to the south, show a richness that lovers of California wines can really sink their teeth into. This week we show you some of these very same wines from our good friends at Grappoli Imports. These wines are great "year round" wines that work brilliantly with food as well as on their own and will make for some great drinking even into the warmer months.

2008 Muller Thurgau "San Thoma", Pravis
Trentino, Italy
Dry and medium bodied with ripe fruit aromas, it is light straw in color with pretty notes of jasmine, minerals, smoke, and earthiness that show through to the palate and complement flavours of honeyed ripe fruits.
Bottle: $15.99  Special: $14.39  Case: $13.59 

2007 Carato, Erik Banti
Tuscany, Italy
This well-balanced Sangiovese has Merlot and Syrah in the blend to give it more flavor and structure. Beautiful dried cherry fruit and some vanilla from the oak, it is medium bodied with smooth tannins and a lengthy finish.
Bottle: $14.99  Special: $13.49  Case: $12.74 

2006 Primitivo "Vigne Vecchie", Duca Carlo Guarini
Puglia, Italy
A deeply-colored, opulent effort with rich well-defined flavours of super-ripe dark fruit, chocolate, spice and raisin. Persistent yet balanced with firm, ripe tannins, the wine has a wonderfully long, rich finish that cries out for big richly flavoured foods.
Bottle: $19.99  Special: $17.99  Case: $16.99 

2005 Rosso Veronese "Testal", Nicolis
Veneto, Italy
A dizzying blend of 94% Corvina/3%Cab/3%Merlot with a fragrant nose, offering compact raisin, citrus peel and flowers, with a lightly polished oak underlay. Full- bodied, with intense, spicy character, firm tannins and a tangy vanilla finish.
Bottle: $19.99  Special: $17.99  Case: $16.99 

BEER

We're celebrating St. Patrick's Day with 2 Irish Beers and a big dark ale.

Celtic Ale
Harpoon Brewing (Boston, MA)
Harpoon Celtic Ale is an Irish red ale. This is Harpoon's salute to and the celebration of St Patrick. Harpoon Celtic Ale features a deep amber color with a malty and complex flavor. Celtic Ale has a moderate hop finish that, along with the generous amounts of malt, makes for a medium bodied, smooth, rich beer. Try serving Celtic Ale with a hearty stew -the beer's robust character will complement the bold flavors.
$9.99 6pk. 

O'Hara's Irish Stout
Carlow Brewing Co. (Carlow, Ireland)
Brewing since 1998, Carlow Brewing Company is situated in the historical hop and malt growing region of Ireland, the "Barrow Valley" region, evident by the many malt houses dotted throughout the county landscape. Brewery founder, Seamus O'Hara, aimed to revive not only that culture but the qualities found in Irish beers from that era and beyond. As Seamus puts it, "At Carlow Brewing Company we have gone back to basics and brew our beers as they used to be brewed - with natural ingredients and no artificial additives. We believe this leads to a superior quality product, with robust body, taste, flavour and aroma. Compare these characteristics with any of the mainstream brands and you will taste the difference." This is particularly evident by the many accolades and awards bestowed on the brews and in particular the O'HARA'S IRISH STOUT.
$8.99 4pk 

Quad
Weyerbacher Brewing (Easton, PA)
Big and delicious, QUAD is an elegant dark ale. Rich with complexity and flavor, try savoring it with a fine dinner. You also might enjoy it as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to a dessert, but QUAD stands alone quite well. Enjoy QUAD in a brandy snifter or wineglass so you can drink in the aroma of this fine ale. As with many higher alcohol beers, QUAD will be at its best after a period of 12 months or so in the bottle, perhaps longer. We expect a shelf life of 3-5 years, but go ahead, we know you can't wait. Enjoy one now, and another every month or two, and you'll be truly amazed as QUAD gains smoothness and complexity over time as it ages.
$11.99 4pk.

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