Gnarly Vines

The 4 wines on our docket Friday are all authentic expressions of the grapes that made them and the places they came from. Each wine also happens to be a good choice with autumn weather and the rustic foods of Fall.

The Thivin Family - Does it get any more French than this?

Featured wines 15% off at the tasting

2009 Argiolas ‘Costamolino’ Vermentino – Sardinia, Italy – $14.50

90% Vermentino blended with 10% of other native Sardinian white grapes. Intense fruit aromas and an elegant, fresh style are typical of Vermentino. Crisp acidity with orange blossom and lemon cream flavors pair well with simple chicken dishes or roasted vegetables.

2008 Domaine Ostertag ‘Epfig’ Riesling – Alsace, France – $28.50

Alsatian Riesling is a delicate and sensuous counterpart to neighboring German Riesling. This dry version from the biodynamic vineyards of Andre Ostertag illustrates the perfect balance of floral aromas, stony elegance, and voluptuous texture. It practically screams for food- try with smoked fish, white meats, or hard-to-pair asparagus or artichoke dishes.

2007 Thivin Cote de Brouilly – Beaujolais, France – $18.50

100% Gamay from the steep slopes of Mont Brouilly. Fruity, round, and complex with a distinct earthiness that can be traced back to the ancient volcanic soil covering the hillsides. With a kick of white pepper and elegance to spare, this is a fantastic example of Cru Beaujolais. Try it with poultry, hard goat cheese, or homemade pate (ask Josh for his favorite recipe).

2009 Domaine Faury Syrah – Rhone Valley, France – $22.50

Smokey, supple, spicy Syrah at its finest. Although classified as a vin de pays, it drinks like a baby St. Joseph (in fact, there is a small percentage of young-vine St. Joseph in the final blend). Perfectly balanced, plummy, and ripe, but never overwhelming, it is just right along side a plate of smokey Serrano ham or glazed squash.

From the casks to you...

Drop by to taste the finest bourbon to come out of Versailles……Kentucky – home of Bluegrass, Thoroughbreds, and the Mint Julep. We’ll also have an engraver on hand to personalize your bottle of Woodford Reserve – a great gift for the holidays (hint, hint).

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10 % off during the tasting

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Woodford Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon – Versailles, KY (750ml) – $42 & (375ml) – $24

No wonder this is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. Woodsy, with classic toasty vanilla flavors that can stand alone, but mild enough to make the perfect addition to a classic cocktail… like a Mint Julep to enjoy at the races.

Saturday night we’ll continue our tour of Pinot Noir with two stops off the beaten path – Hungary and Germany. Plus, since it’s Fall, there will also be offerings from Piedmont and Tuscany – two places that wear autumn awfully well.

Here’s Saturday Night’s Lineup

15% off during the tasting

2009 Roero Arneis Matteo Correggia – Piedmont, Italy – $18

Literally meaning little rascal, the Arneis grape earned its name because it ripens erratically. It has also earned its place on the list with other Piedmontese beauties like Barolo, Barbaresco, Tagliatelle and white truffles. This is a strong-willed wine. The bristling minerality is balanced by a slightly creamy texture that folds-in flavors of apple, stonefruit, melons and a little Marcona almond.

2007 Pannonhalmi Apatsagi Pinot Noir – Hungary – $22.50

It seems obscure and even a little bizarre – a Pinot Noir from Hungary? But this isn’t a novelty item. Monks have been growing grapes on these hills since 996, and the winemaker is Tibor Gal, one of the founders of the landmark Super Tuscan, Ornellaia. Thanks to its parentage, this wine is intense and well-balanced. Fresh red fruit aromas mix with a little soulful earthiness and minerality – a classic nod to the limestone-rich soil here, which is similar to Burgundy.

2008 Messmer Spatburgunder – Pfalz, Germany (1L) – $17.50

Spatburgunder is the German name for Pinot Noir. Fresh, light-bodied with restrained, somewhat earthy, dark berry flavors and a hint of pepper. Great party red!

2008 Chianti Colli Senesi, Fontaleoni – Tuscany, Italy – $14

Despite the name recognition they’ve achieved in the US (and perhaps because of it) many Chiantis fail to live up to the hype. Sangiovese is a fickle grape and it only produces good to great wines in a few small areas within the Chianti region. This Chianti from Colli Senesi, however, is a classic example of Sangiovese’s excellent potential in Tuscany. It’s soft but dry, with bright cherry fruit, a little spiced vanilla and a whiff of cedar. A killer cheese wine!

Vodka used to be a simple spirit simply served: Distill until pure. Pour over ice.

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But today vodka is just another battlefield for the brand wars. What should be crystal clear has been muddled by nonsense notions of status and bankrupt images of success. Substance became subordinate.

Enter Reyka above the fray. Cleansed by the Icelandic cold and set apart by its devotion to remain solely what it set out to be – vodka – simply vodka. Not something people pay extra for to prove who they are.

Reyka. It’s for those who know the difference. For those who define themselves. Buy your own little piece of integrity Friday night for 10% off the regular price of $22 a bottle. (How’s that for brand-talk?)

Reyka comes from the Icelandic word for steam