Tag Archives: France

European Wines Saturday April 25th: 4-7pm

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2008 Mas Que Vinos Ercavio Blanco, Castillo, Spain – $12.50

90% Airen, 10% Sauvignon Blanc from old vines. Green straw and citrus fruit make this a good choice for the upcoming warm weather.

2004 Mas Que Vinos Ercavio Tempranillo, Castillo, Spain – $30 per Magnum

100% organic Tempranillo which sees some oak, and some clay in the form of Spanish amphoras. Full and fleshy wine with ripe black cherry fruit and a long finish.

2007 Gilles Bonnefoy La Madone ‘Gamay sur Volcan’ Cotes du Forez, Loire Valley, France – $18

100% Gamay from a certified organic and biodynamic producer.

2007 Domaine du Cros Marcillac “Lo Sang del Pais,” Southwest France – $15

Made from Fer Servadou, an obscure grape from this region east of Cahors with a nose of black cherry, white pepper and earth. Pairs well with grilled meat and sausage.

2005 Cantine Valpone Barberra “Rosso Pietro,” Monteferrato, Piedmont, Italy – $20

Dry, medium bodied, “chewy” old world style Barbera that goes with regional dishes such as lasagna and earthy mushrooms.

tasting wines from europe

Whites from Piedmont and Reds from the Loire Valley – Saturday, April 11, 4-7pm

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Enjoy these versatile wines that pair beautifully with springtime, Easter meals – traditionally-made, hand-harvested from old, gnarly low-yielding vines, fermented with indigenous wild yeasts, minimal sulfur, unfiltered and made by responsible stewards of the earth – a great way to end Lent.Orthodox Easter is Sunday, April 19.

2007 Cascina degli Ulivi ‘Montemarino’ Bianco – Piedmont, Itay – $25.00

biancaGolden straw color, pretty floral aromas, lavender, vanilla, caramel and butterscotch. Soft and rich, brazil nut flavors, touch briney and complex, floral, fascinating. Old-vine Cortese (some from over 100 year old vines and the rest around 40-50 years old) from a high hill in Gavi, aged 1 year in oak.

2007 Vittoria Bera and Figli ‘Arcese’ Bianco – Piedmont, Italy – $14

Light and fresh white blend of Arneis, Cortese and Favorita (Vermentino). It’s slightly perfumed but subtlety and has a frizzantino style…meaning it has a light amount of spritz.

2007 Domaine de la Pepiere ‘Cuvee Granit’ VdP – Loire Valley, France – $15.00

loirevalley-red-whiteLoire Valley red table blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cot (Malbec) and Gamay.  Delicious earthy flavors with light currant and berry fruit.  Soft stony minerality, dusty tannins, fresh and elegant. Winemaker Marc Ollivier is pictured at left – talk about responsible stewards of the earth, this guy just reeks of environmentalism, doesn’t he?

2007 Le Clos du Tue-Boeuf ‘La Guerrerie’ – Touraine, Loire Valley, France – $22.50

le clos du tue-boeufOrganic and bio dynamic blend of 60% Cot (Malbec) and 40% Gamay from winemaker Thierry Puzelat in the village of Touraine. Light, juicy red with very soft tannins and delicate rose and berry flavors. A hint of earth and herbs gives depth.