Gnarly Vines

Art Opening & Wine Tasting – Wednesday, September 1st

Join us at Gnarly Vines this Wednesday September 1st, 6-9pm, to welcome local artist Lionel Carre, Jr.

We will, of course, also be tasting wine…see below for the lineup – 15% off during the event.

Work by Lionel Carre, Jr. Gnarly's new artist

2008 Alois Lageder Lagrein Rosé – Alto Adige, Italy – $14

A fresh and fruity rosé from the Lagrein grape, which makes its home in Alto-Adige. Smooth red-fruit flavors linger through a long finish that carries an interesting, elegant twist. Drink as an apertif with starters like smoked fish and pâtés, or add some nice color alongside an everyday chicken dish.

2007 Sawbuck Chardonnay -  Mendocino County, CA – $12.50

Ripe, buttery CA Chard nice pineapple/peach fruit and creamy vanilla flavors. Try with chicken, swordfish, grilled veggies.

2008 Alois Lageder ‘Vogelmaier’ Moscato Giallo – Alto Adige, Italy – $24

Moscato Giallo is a mutation of the more well-know Moscato grape, which often makes sweet wine. Not in this case. From a vineyard named Vogelmaier, alongside Lake Caldaro, this wine is medium-bodied and dry. Fresh, floral aromatics with intense tropical fruit flavors make this an excellent match with a Tuna steak or Pad Thai. For a more geographically correct pairing, try it with a hunk of Speck.

2008 Cline Ancient Vines Mourvedre – Contra Costa County, CA – $18

Sustainably-produced Mourvedre with delicious ripe berry and plum flavors. Full-bodied with dry tannins and some peppery herbacious notes.  Great wine with lamb, grilled pork and steak, or even a square of dark chocolate. Otherwise a treat all by itself.

15% off featured wines at the tasting

More about the artist: Lionel Carre, Jr. was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY.  His paintings reflect a profound knowledge of the history and development of New York graffiti, as well a nod to early, hard edged, abstract expressionists. He explores letter forms through compositions built from multiple perspectives, and playful juxtapositions of bold color. He’s challenging himself to translate wall to canvas and brush, while maintaining the very essence of the graffiti art form. In the show, entitled Lineage, Lionel reflects on his life’s influences – an upbringing in a Haitian family, the drive necessary to develop a successful career as a self trained artist, and loved ones who have been there to support the solidarity of his vision.

Think Inside the Box

Box Wine used to be pretty insipid stuff, but it’s time to take another taste – for a number of reasons:

It’s Conscientious
A box’s carbon footprint is 80% smaller than a bottle’s. It takes more energy to manufacture, transport & recycle glass.

It’s Tasty
Winemakers are now boxing high-quality wines. The world’s best vignerons know that environmental responsibility is good for their terroir – and ours.

It’s Convenient
Some of our box wines hold up to 3 Litres – that’s 4 bottles – and the bag-in-a-box packaging means the wine doesn’t oxidize, so it’s good for 3 weeks. Sneak a sip whenever without opening a whole bottle.

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2009 Yellow & Blue Torrontes – Cafayete, Argentina (1Ltr) – $12.50

Organic, aromatic white from Yellow + Blue, the makers of our popular Malbec in a tetra-pack. Full-bodied lychee fruit flavors and crisp acidity – round, rich fruit gives the impression of sweetness with a dry finish. Feel great about an 80% reduction in the carbon footprint of the wine with no glass bottle and less weight during shipping.

2009 Yellow & Blue Malbec – Cafayete, Argentina (1Ltr) – $12.50

100% organic box wine with berry and plum intensity and herbal freshness. Complex and firm struture with sweet tannins. 1 liter size makes this an excellent value. Pair with grilled meats and garlic – think Argentinian Parillada with chimichurri!!!

2009 Les Comptoirs de Magdala Rose Bag in a Box – Vin de Pays de Mont Caume, Provence, France (3L) – $32

Another boxed wine from the Cotes du Rhone cooperative Estezargues, which is the only co-op in France to make “natural” wines (no commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no filtering, minimal sulfur before bottling). Great for summer parties, picnics, or for people who want only a glass of wine a day (the conservation is much longer than for bottles once opened). And it is light to carry!

2008 Estezargues ‘From the Tank’ White – Rhone Valley, France (3L Bag in a Box) – $35

One, eco-friendly bag-in-a-box at a time, the crew at From the Tank is deplonking boxed wine of its bad rap. This clean, easy-drinking Chardonnay carries a touch of refreshing minerality, making it a perfect grab for a picnic or party. If you’re bashful about being seen with it in public, sneak a box home and pour yourself a glass or two every night for the next 3 weeks. By then, you’ll be proselytizing with us – no zealot like a convert.

2007 Estezargues ‘From the Tank’ Vin Rouge – Cotes du Rhone, France (3Ltr Bag in a Box) – $40

A Grenache/Syrah/Carignan blend that is co-operatively produced and sustainably packaged in plastic and cardboard, and at just the right price. This perfect party wine is from Cotes du Rhone cooperative Estezargues, which Jenny & Francois claim is the only co-op in France to make “natural” wines (no commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no filtering, minimal sulfur before bottling). The red, a big blend of grenache, syrah and carignan, has a similar ripe, juicy quality typical of the region.