2009 BEAUJOLAIS Nouveau $17.99 Est Arrive!

2009 CHATEAU CHATELARD BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU “Cuvee Vielles Vignes” $17.99 Organic
Just in– VINTAGES’ annual tradition of organic, non- chaptalized old-vine Beaujolais Nouveau! It’s delicious, fruity, very youthful, but definitely “real” wine! No flowers, no sugar. From Violette Imports. Enjoy!

wine dog deals: Chianti & Cotes du Rhone
2007 FATTORIA del CERRO Chianti Colli Senesi $14.99 VINTAGES Exclusive
One of the top Vino Nobile producers in Montepulciano appellation of Tuscany makes a beautiful style of Chianti with ripe cherry fruit and smoother finish.

2007 CLOS du MONT OLIVET Cotes du Rhone “Font de Blanche” $13.99
This Cotes du Rhone from the Sabon family is an outstanding value from a great vintage! Don’t miss out!

sip & quip: “eat local, drink european”
Eric Asimov, NY Times wine columnist, takes on the contemporary dilemma of what to drink with the locally-sourced cuisine. Beyond issues of style — Italian wines with Italian food — is it hypocritical to prefer european wines with locally farmed foods? Is wine the same as a peach? What about the environmental/energy concerns?

  “At many restaurants in the Bay Area, the dedication to using local ingredients does not extend to the wine list. …A surprising number of Bay Area restaurants offer wine lists dominated by European bottles. …it’s a little hypocritical, but we also recognize there’s a certain style and authenticity that you can’t get anywhere else.”

“Not everybody sees wine in the same light as ingredients like produce or meat. Wine is different from a carrot or a peach. .. once the grapes are crushed, fermented, aged and bottled, the wine will not lose its freshness or succulence if carefully shipped.” Continue Reading »

WINE DOG DEAL: Veneto
Angiolino Maule “Masieri” $10.99
Biodynamic Bargain

2005 La Biancara di ANGIOLINO MAULE “I Masieri” Bianco $10.99
Angiolino’s estate, in the hamlet of Biancara, now covers about 9 ha planted principally to Garganega. For more than 16 years now, he has used biodynamic viticulture, as well as non-interventionist vinification using natural yeasts, and without temperature control or fining/filtration. “I Masieri Bianco” is 100% Garganega from the Masieri vineyard aged in stainless steel tanks — a fresh, crsip, authentic expression of grape and place. It’s why we love wine!

Fresh & Local: WEST COUNTY CIDER
Preserving our local heritage

WEST COUNTY CIDER Reine de Pomme $12

WINE DOG DEAL!
Perfect Porch & patio wines

2008 TRERE Pagadebit Frizzante Bianco $10.99
From the mother & son team at the Trere estate in Emilia Romagna. This wine is made from the grapes of an old vineyard called MOSTOSA and locally known as PAGADEBIT ZANTIL. Its fragrance is delicate, aromatic and flowery, dry, and lightly sparkling. Just kick back and sip!

2007 LES PLANTAGENETS Saumur Rouge $9.99
100% Cabernet Franc from the Saumur area of the Loire Valley. 30-year-old vines lend an extra dimension to this charming red. Characteristic green pepper in the nose, medium-bodied, juicy fruit with savory flavors and a smooth finish. Easy-drinking– great barbecue wine!

2008 COTEAUX du VENDOMOIS “Montagne Blanche” $9.99 100% Chenin Blanc from the most northern appellation in the Loire Valley. Thanks to warmer summers in recent years, these vineyards are able to fully ripen and deliver a lighter, more crisp and refreshing dry Chenin than their overheated counterparts. A refreshing white wine in search of its party!

2006 GIACOMO CONTERNO BARBERA $45

2006 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barbera d’Alba  “Cascina Francia” $45  ($38.25/btl for case purchase) NEARLY SOLD-OUT!
Eric & Carolyn visited Roberto Conterno at the GIACOMO CONTERNO estate during our trip to Piedmont. As you can see, Roberto was in fine form, and we tasted several barrel samples from recent vintages and new vineyards he recently acquired. While we wait –and wait– for the Barolos, the 2006 Barbera is a delight — or a “knockout.” Enjoy a taste of this prestigious estate for a special price!

“The 2006 Barbera d’Alba is a knockout. The aromatics alone are worth the price of admission. This rich, sumptuous Barbera tastes just like it did in barrel, which is to say plump, juicy and full of vibrant dark fruit. Notes of iron, tar and smoke that are typical of the Cascina Francia vineyard develop in the glass. The wine possesses stunning length and textural depth not to mention a finessed, harmonious personality. Stylistically it is also remarkably complete, as it combines the richness of fruit found in the 2003 with the greater perfume and finesse of the 2004 and 2005. It is not to be missed. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016. 93 pts.“–Wine Advocate

Rich & Ripe: 2003 whites from northern Italy — special prices!
Not the most obvious place to look for lush, yet perfectly balanced white wines - but what a delightful surprise! And unbeatable for the price. Try these Italian whites with spicy asian foods, grilled shrimp, tuna, lobster, cheese and fruit, anytime you want luscious fruit with your strong flavors.  Great alternative to oaky chardonnay.

WINE SPECIAL: 2006 ALBINO ROCCA Cortese “La Rocca” Bianco Reg. $35; Special price $25!
Why is this man smiling? Because we have found yet another great deal on one of his terrific wines! This week, we’re featuring a favorite, Angelo & Barbara’s lush and delicious Cortese.
“Full yellow color. Aromas of yellow plum, peach syrup, baking spices and coconutty oak. Rich, spicy and dry, with more flavor intensity. The wine’s peach and ginger flavors are supported by surprisingly refreshing acidity. Finishes long and aromatic. 91 pts.” –IWA

WINE SPECIAL: 2003 ST. MICHAEL-EPPAN Sanct Valentin Gewurztraminer Reg. $30; Now $19.99  
very lush expression of gewurz. Golden yellow color. Tangerines aromas with riper suggestions of mango, apricot and canned peaches. Very rich and complex on the palate, with intense flavors of tangerine, passion fruit, peach, cinnamon and white pepper.  The finish is creamy, floral and quite long.

2008 PRADEAUX BANDOL ROSE $30 (Provence) Blend of Cinsault and Grenache with a little Mourvedre. Rich for Rose; dry but full-bodied with a floral bouquet. Chateau Pradeaux is on the outskirts of St. Cyr Sur Mer, directly on the Mediterranean Ocean. The estate has been in the Portalis family since before the French Revolution; the vineyards are cultivated using natural, organic methods.

MAS AMIEL ROSE “Le Plaisir”
Just arrived, the 2008 edition of the delightful rose “Le Plaisir” from the historic Mas Amiel property in Roussillon. southern France.  A blend of 70% black grenache, 20% syrah, 10% carignan picked by hand and aged on fine lees in tank  Aromas of fresh and tart red fruit. Wild strawberry flavors; smooth, yet dry finish.

 Sexy aromas of strawberry, raspberry, peach and fresh flowers are expansive and strikingly pure. Light and fresh, displaying exuberant red berry and pit fruit flavors,