Wine & Words

A few weeks ago we traveled to the small and ancient village of Paulhan in the Languedoc region of southern France to visit Chef Yvonne’s sister and husband. Yvonne’s brother and wife live not far away in the neighboring village of Montady, all of them pensioner refugees from London’s miserable weather. It was to be a long-delayed family visit, as well as a return to the European ways of food and wine we love so much. Knowing that some of the Languedoc wineries that produce some of our favorites are close by to where we were staying, I was hoping to see some of them.
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As I rode through the rows of late winter pruned grapevines, I tried to envision them in late summer, laden with heavy clusters of fruit. I’d love to go back to Languedoc just before harvest and tour the area with an expert “wine farmer” who could point out which fields hold which varieties of grape. We could stop and taste the different grapes just before they get trucked off to the winery for the magic that turns them into wine. Maybe next time.
 
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Last week we Featured wines we called "New For You."  This week, we continue the parade...with "New For You Two."
 
Sigalas Santorini Assyrtiko 2011 (Santorini, Greece) Regular Price $28.50/ Feature Price $24.23
This a a new white from our friend Jim Stock of The Haw River Wine Man. He’s not the importer, but he carries it because he has family connections with Greece. Also, the 2010 vintage of this wine got 91 Points from Wine Spectator magazine and was included in last year’s “Top 100.”
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The last time I did a “two grapes” tasting, we did the two most common (and popular) - Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. This week, I want to review some great alternatives to the old standbys - Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel.
 
Sauvignon Blanc
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We're always looking for new wines from Spain.  Lately, we've tapped into a new source.  We bring a few of them in now...but there are still more beauties on the horizon.
 
La Cigarrera Manzanilla (San Lucar de Barrameda, Jerez, Spain) 375 ml, screwcap bottle, Regular Price $13.25/ Feature Price $11.26
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Feasting Whites
 
E. Guigal Côtes Du Rhône Blanc 2010 (Rhone Valley, France) Regular Price $18.25/ Feature Price $15.52
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It's that time of year again. As I write this, the temperature is near 80 degrees with a warm breeze. Tonight, the cold front hits, bringing rain and a drop in temperatures. It's time to think about holiday feasts. In this first round of feasting wines, we bring back new vintages of old favorites, as well as a couple of newbies. Sharpen your pencil and your taste buds and start making notes on what you'll serve for Thanksgiving or Christmas or Hannukah or New Years...or what you'll take to somebody else's house as a guest. Life is too short to drink bad wine.
 
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Classy Whites from Dr. Loosen
We’ve carried the “Dr L” Riesling from Dr. Loosen for many years, and it is many customers’ “go to” white with a little sweetness. A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure to meet with Dr. Loosen’s East Coast sales rep and taste some more of their wines. Here are two that I think are a fine addition to our store.
As far as introduction to the Dr. Loosen winery, no one says it better than they do on their website:
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