Weekly Wine Tastings
June 11th-12th, 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
Starting tomorrow and over the next month the world will turn it's attention to South Africa for the World Cup Final. So what better time than now to check out the wines from this relatively newcomer (primarily due to the world embargo of South African goods during the Apartheid era) to the world wine market. In actuality, there has been cultivation of wine grapes here since 1659 (that's 21 years BEFORE the founding of Ch Lafite Rothschild.) Today these wines are quickly being recognized for their wonderful fusion of old world and new world styles that make for great drinking.
So stop on by this weekend and taste wines to cheer on your favourite team in the World Cup Final.
2009 Chenin Blanc, Mulderbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Wonderfully quaffable, this wine bares a strong resemblance to its drier, complex cousins from the Loire Valley. Fresh, with nice cut to the chase directness with flavours of white peach and chamomile notes, backed by a hint of lime on the mouthwatering finish.
Bottle: $15.99 Special: $14.39 Case: $13.59
2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Buitenverwachting
Constantia, South Africa
A full, rounded nose of honeyed spice and citrus gives this wine a sexy vibe from the start. The palate shows curvy floral notes mingle perfectly with zesty flavors of gooseberry, passion fruit, caraway, and lime backed by pronounced herbal notes and a minerally tang.
Bottle: $15.99 Special: $14.39 Case: $13.59
2005 Three Cape Ladies, Warwick Estate
Stellenbosch, South Africa
A "Cape blend" comprised of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 20% Pinotage. Medium-bodied, ripe, and juicy. It's immensely appealing sweet red and black fruit is expressive, well-balanced, and fresh with ripe tannins with an innate softness that will mature with cellaring.
Bottle: $19.99 Special: $17.99 Case: $16.99
2008 Pinotage, Wildekrans Estate
Walker Bay, South Africa
A bright, deep garnet red in color, with a nose of plums, cherries, vanilla, spice and earth. Medium-full in body with moderate acidity with a silky texture. Flavors of raspberries, jammy plum, cherry, mocha and spice that linger on the palate.
Bottle: $15.99 Special: $14.39 Case: $13.59
2008 Shiraz, Faraway Farms Wines
Western Cape, South Africa
Rich, round and robust black and red berry fruit compliment this fruit-driven wine. Ripe plum, a dash of pepper and a hint of mocha drive this wine through to the mid palate. Pretty vanillin oak tones punctuate the smooth fruit and provide a suggestion of maturation potential that lead to a long lingering finish.
Bottle: $11.99 Special: $10.79 Case: $10.19
BEER
We offer three delicious beers for your warm weather enjoyment this week. There's one from an older craft brewery that doesn't get enough attention, and two from younger, upstarts that have been making big waves in just their few years in the business.
Weyerbacher was founded in 1995 by Dan and Sue Wierback (the brewery's name comes from the old German spelling of their name). Dan began as an avid Homebrewer in the early 90's, and after taking the plunge into professional brewing was quickly recognized for his creative, boldy flavored, big beers.
Verboten Belgian Pale Ale
Weyerbacher Brewing (Easton, PA)
It is a Belgian-style Pale Ale with an American twist. It is brewed with pale, carahell, and wheat malts, and hopped with centennial and Cascade hops to give it a distinctly American character. The medium bodied beer has a crisp palate and moderate bitterness coupled with the fruity esters from the abbey yeast strain. It is bottle and keg conditioned so expect a tall fluffy head and a small amount of sediment. 5.9% ABV
Regular $12.99 6pk. Special $11.69 6pk.
The Bruery has only been in business for a little more than 2 years, but in that time Patrick Rue has gained quite a following for his creative, eccentric, mostly Belgian styled beers. Initially starting brewing as a diversion from law school, Patrick found that brewing held far more interest for him than the law, and craft beer lovers around the U.S. rejoiced. (Or at least they would when they tasted his beer.)
Trade Winds Tripel
The Bruery (Placentia, CA)
The Bruerys Summer seasonal, Trade Winds Tripel is a Belgian-style Golden Ale with a Southeast Asian twist. Instead of using candi sugar (typical for such a beer), they've used rice in the mash to lighten the body and increase the gravity, and spice with Thai Basil. The result is an aromatic, digestible and complex beer made for a lazy summer evening. 8% abv
Regular $11.99 750ml. Special $10.79 750ml.
Opening for business in 2002,Southern Tier has experienced unprecedented growth and is now among the 50 largest breweries in the U.S. Owners Phin and Skip originally started with a basic lineup of well crafted common beer styles, but much of their popularity has come with the advent of their imperial series beers which are high octane but dangerously drinkable.
Iniquity Black Ale
Southern Tier Brewing (Lakewood, NY)
"The hexagram talisman has been used around the world for centuries to invoke magic and good luck. The six-point star is also the customary symbol of the brewer, representing the essential aspects of purity: water, hops, grain, malt, yeast, and of course, the brewer. Wishes of good fortune often collaborate with the brewer's creativity to yield dramatic results. We carefully chose the name for this Imperial India Black Ale, Iniquity - a word opposing goodness. Why? This beer is contrary to what one may expect from an IPA; this is an ale as black as night. It is the antithesis of Unearthly. Some may consider it an immoral act to blacken an ale. We suggest they don't rely on conventional standards. Allow the darkness to consume you. Cheers! "8.9% abv
Regular $8.99 22 oz. Special $8.09 22oz.
View tastings archive
|
