Gnarly Vines

Opening Reception and Wine Tasting with Kid-Friendly Drawing Class This Sunday, October 25, 2-6pm

KK Raghava will do a cartoon workshop activity for kids. He is one of the show’s featured artists and was previously a well-known cartoonist in India, where he ran children’s programs through support from the Robin Hood Foundation.

Wine Tasting: 3-6pm

NV Familia Schroeder ‘Deseado’ Sparkling Torrontes – Patagonia, Argentina – $17

Unique Charmat-method, sweet 100% Torrontes from the southernmost region of Argentina – Patagonia. Fruity and elegant, with aromas of flowers and citrus fruits, with good acidity for balance.

2008 Semeli ‘Mountain Sun White’ Moschofilero – Nemea, Greece – $12.50

Moschofilero is an ancient white wine grape with elegant floral and spice aromas. The flavors are sweet peach, orange blossom, and rose petal with mineral notes and crisp acidity.

2008 Chateau Kefraya ‘La Dame Blanche’ – Bekaa Valley, Lebanon – $16

40% Ugni Blanc, 30% Bourboulenc, 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Chardonnay, 5% Clairette. Aromas of lemon, grapefruit, white flowers and pear. An ideal accompaniment to Middle Eastern food, this white would also work nicely with grilled fish or raw clams and oysters.

2008 Pago de Valdoneje Bierzo – Mencia, Spain – $14

These Mencia grapes come from 50-100 year old vines, providing rich and robust dark fruit. A modern-style full-bodied Spanish wine with delicious, ripe blackberry flavors, firm structure and medium body.

2001 Cantarutti Schioppettino – Collio Orientali del Friuli, Italy – $38

Dark color, deep fruit and black pepper flavors – the 2001 is now perfectly ready to drink. Lovely flavor, medium body, with a ferociously dry finish. A real ‘foodie’ wine served almost exclusively in restaurants.

Reminder: Tastings This Thursday & Friday

Italy III: Alois Lageder Thursday, October 22, 6-9pm

Lageder wines are produced in balance with nature — with biodynamic techniques, renewable energy sources and a holistic approach to managing the vineyards. No pesticides or herbicides are used. The wines are very expressive of the hilly Alpine region in Alto Adige, Northern Italy where they are made.

Calera Wines Friday, October 23, 6-9pm

In the late 1970s, Josh Jensen returned from a winemaking stint in Burgundy, France and with a bottle of hydrochloric acid began testing the soil in his native California! His chemistry tests found rare patches of alkaline limestone soil in California on Mt. Harlan – a geographic characteristic that makes Burgundy-style wines possible there. Check out Calera’s Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, plus two new Halloween-themed wines from Washington state we think you’ll love.

Coming Up…

Vya Vermouth Cocktail Tasting Next Thursday, October 29, 6-9pm

California winemaker Andrew Quady will be on-hand sampling his amazing sweet and dry Vya Vermouths. His innovative spirits will change the way you think of Vermouth – herbs from the Sierra Foothills make a pure, tasty flavor you’ll want to savor on the rocks, not just rinse in your martini glass!

Vya Sweet Vermouth – California – $14 (375ml)

Vya Extra Dry Vermouth – California – $14 (375ml)

Featuring:

2007 Arche Trebbiano d’Abruzzo – Abruzzo, Italy – $7.50

Very light-bodied Trebbiano with soft peach and melon fruit flavors.
If you like Pinot Grigio, check out this grape.

2008 Arche Sangiovese Rubicone – Abruzzo, Italy – $8

An easy drinking Sangiovese with plenty of jammy fruit flavors.
Nicely balanced with soft tannins.

2006 Vistamar ‘Sepia’ Pinot Noir – Casablanca Valley, Chile – $10

A light, very peppery Pinot with some wild flower aromas and savory flavors.

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.

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

Golden 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

Loire 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

Organic 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.