Written by Jane Gross

Friday July 30, 5-7pm

Martin Sepp Wines

Once again, a visit to Austria. Somehow Austrian wines seem to make so much sense in the summer, especially with the cuisine here in Rhode Island. This family owned winery produces sustainably grown, fresh, easy-drinking wines, that are low in alcohol and come in funky liter bottles so there’s enough for everyone.

The Gruner Veltliner is fresh and snappy with a clean citrus acidity that pairs perfectly with those little necks you captured in the salt pond this morning!

The Zweigelt, which is a grape made from the marriage of Blaufrankisch and St Laurent, is very similar to Pinot Noir. It is a soft, aromatic red wine offering cherry-raspberry for your nose and your palate. Serve slightly chilled, a real summer go-to red!

Friday July 23 5-7pm

Kuentz-Bas Alsace Blanc

This thirst-quenching understated wine really captures the essence of the region. A true.  Alsatian blend of 60%  Sylvaner, 15% Muscat, 15% Auxerrois, and 10% Chasselas offering bright, mineral flecked green apple flavors. This is a dry and versatile wine that will pair perfectly with light summer salads and seafood.

Dominio de Tares Bierzo Baltos

Bierzo is a region bodering Galacia in Northwest Spain that is considered by some to be the next Priorat. It could become even better thanks to the early ripening Mencia grape, with its concentrated flavors without high levels of alcohol.  Dominio de Tares harvests the Mencia grapes from 25 to 40 year old vines and ages the wine in new to 3 year oldFrench and American oak barrels for 4-7 months, giving the dark cherry, cassis flavors a Hint of smoke and warmth. This will pair wonderfully with grilled meat and/or veggies.

Friday July 9 5-7 pm

Notios

You think it’s hot here? Try Greece! That’s just what we are going to do on Friday evening. Notios means the one that comes from the South. The red is an unoaked, light in alcohol and can be served with a slight chill. What could be better in this weather when you really have a hankering for a red to go with your grilled lamb shishkabab. The white is lovely and light, again, unoaked and cleansing, great with shellfish or if you just want a salad with some feta. Come try a taste of island get-a-way..

Friday June 18 5-7pm  BEER!!!

The beers that we will taste this week are Long Trail IPA and Brooklyn Lager. Both beers are great for an afternoon of barbequing, hanging out with friends, or just enjoying a lazy day on the hammock.

Brooklyn Lager, as you may have guessed it, is brewed in Brooklyn, NY and headed by brew master Garrett Oliver. Garrett is not only known as the foremost expert on traditional beer styles, within the United States, but is brilliant at matching great food with flavorful beers. This Lager is classified as an American Lager/ Red lager.  It pours with a clear amber color with a solid white head. The taste is sweet and malty and finishes mildly dry and a tad bitter without being overwhelming. Very well balanced profile overall and a great everyday beer, perfect accompaniment to go with a gorgonzola burger or a hotdog smothered in sautéed onions.

Long Trail is brewed in Bridgewater Corners, VT. With the location comes a strong commitment to the environment and ecosystem. They have made huge strides in conservation efforts, from giving the spent grain to farmers, to using less water than other brewers.  That being said, you can taste the time and effort put into their beers. Their IPA pours a light amber color with a generous amount of citrus and hop on the nose.  It tastes just as good as it smells, with a light lemon flavor and a clean finish. Longtrail begs to be drank with any summery type food you can throw at it.

Friday June 11  5-7 pm

Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc

In anticipation of WWII, Nikola Nobilo immigrated from Croatia to New Zealand in 1937. His family had made wine in Croatia for over 300 years, so when he arrived, he did what came naturally: harvest and vinify. His Sauvignon Blanc offers a ripe tropical citrus flowered nose and a palate of lemon, passion fruit and melon. Zesty and balanced, it lingers with a refreshing finish. A great summer house wine at a value price.

Toad Hollow Merlot

Founded by both Todd Williams, who worked for White Hall Lane and Shafer vineyards, along with Rodney Strong, who had sold  the winery that bears his name, Toad Hollow Vineyards produces some wonderful unpretentious wines. Their Merlot is big, bold and juicy with ripe plum and cassis before you even get it on your palate. It offers smooth drinkable black cherry, balanced by an elegant lingering finish. Pair with all your grill favorites!

Friday May 28 5-7 pm

Clare Valley Pikes Dry Riesling

For those skeptics, who will inevitably refuse when I offer them a taste of Riesling on Friday, don’t miss out! This is a wonderfully dry crisp wine, from ideal growing conditions where slate and temperture have worked their magic. This is a mineral driven Riesling that offers the nose citrus blossom and ripe pear, and is crisp and  clean on the palate. No syrup! This wine can be cellared for at least 10 years to come, but if you’re eagerness overcomes you, drink it now with your favorite seafood or Thai.
Sepp Moser Z Blauer Zweigelt Reserve

We’re talking quality not quanitity. Most vineyards in Austria are family owned with limited acerage and regional grape varietals that are not found elsewhere. The Moser family has been making wine since 1884 and this wine from the Neusiedlersee really gives us a good taste of what experience and special vineyard conditions can offer. Ruby black with sour cherry and vanilla, velvety with a long finish, this is another cellar keeper, the vineyard says until 2017. We drank it recently with a rabbit ragou, it was a dream. For those who are skiddish about rabbit, it goes just as well with roast beef or lamb.

Friday May 21 5-7pm

Fournier Sauvignon

I just can’t seem to get enough of these wines from the Loire Valley lately. There’s something about the ground there, packed with fossils from an ancient sea, that give these wines, white and red, an incredible minerality that keeps me coming back for more. Fridays wine is produced by Claude Fournier who owns many of the best vineyards in Sancerre, Poully Fume and Menetou Salon. This wine is a blend of 100% Sauvignon Blanc from each of these regions. Again, it’s another one of those wines that screams for shellfish, especially oysters, but could go just as well with the rosemary and olive oil Asiago that I will inevitably serve with it on Friday.

90 Plus Cellars Carneros Pinot Noir

This whole concept sort of freaks me out a little, but I thought I would put it out there and see what sort of feedback I get on Friday. This company purchases wine directly from wineries who have received a rating of at least 90 points from a respected wine authority or publication. These wineries have either produced more than they need or sales have been slow, probably due to the current economic conditions. The wineries are promised complete anonymity, and we get a chance to try some quality wines at value prices. Come taste on Friday and lets try to guesse who it could be. It’s sort of like a masquerade party……

Friday May 14 5-7pm

Chateau Fondarzac

I just really seem to be in the mood for these white Bordeauxs recently. Entre-Deux-Mers, a region, that lies between the rivers Dordogne and Garonne, hence the name ‘between two seas’, gives us wines that seem to really capture the hope of the approaching summer on the deck. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon (and a bit of Muscadelle in the 08) offers honeysuckle and peach for the nose and a citrusy, light on its feet sort of tang for the palate. This would be lovely with any catch of the day.

Chateau Los Boldos Momentos de Chile Carmenere

Carmenere, a grape that originated from the Medoc area of  Bordeaux, was one of the 6 original Bordeaux blending grapes. A member of the Cabernet family, it is refered to as Carmin in French, meaning crimson, because of the brilliant red the leaves turn in autumn.

It is pretty much nonexistant in France today, but turned up in Chile where it was thought to be Merlot for many years. It wasn’t recognized as a distinct varietal in Chile until 1998. Come and try this elusive grape that had so many fooled for so long.

Friday May 7 5-7pm

Ca’ Montini L’Aristocratico Pinot Grigio

Last week we tried a California Pinot Grigio from the the Russian River. This Pinot comes from the heart of Valpolicella, from an estate that was established in the 1700’s. The wine makers have mananged to balance traditional skill with modern techniques. It’s all about the characteristics of the soil and the climate. This wine offers the nose honeysuckle and pear, which continues onto the palate combining with a touch of apple and pineapple. There’s an undertone of minerality which keeps this wine light on it’s feet, crisp and flinty. What a great alternative to the more expensive, better known competitors. Get ready for the Summer!

Eckhof Zweigelt

Light, juicy and slightly spicy, just like Dr. Zweigelt ordered when he developed this grape in the early part of the last century. Zweigelt is a grape that came from the marriage of Blaufrankisch and St. Laurent. The Vinyard is nestled in Kirchberg-Mietterstockstal(Tal means valley)  near the Donau River in the northeast corner of Austria, where the Ecker family has been making wine for over 300 years. I guesse they have it figured out. This is a perfect picnic red. Bring along your favorite hard cheeses and some cured meat. Yum.

FRIDAY APRIL 30 5-7PM

Charlestown Package in New York City!

Yes, you’ve heard correctly. Yesterday, I spent the day at a Kermit Lynch Portfolio tasting. OMG! So many wines so little time. Everything from the Loir Valley, Borgogne, Languedoc, Provence, Toscana, Bodeaux…. He is certainly quite an importer, and from what I tasted, has a palate which can only be brought about by natural talent plus many years of experience. I’ll let you know when we’ll be tasting from this portfolio, I’ll certainly be bringing some of this New York tasting to Charlestown!

Ferrari Carano Pinot Grigio

Okay, let’s start talking summer. I don’t mean to force it, but it’s time. This wine offers your nose a delicate citrus bit of honeysuckle, which lands on your palate with a touch of peach and green apple. Crisp, clean yet round melon is the follow up which  leads to the inevitable next sip. The vineyard rccomends serving this with a smoke salmon, goat cheese quiche. Oh Yeah!

Chakalaka

Wine maker Charles Back, from the Spice Route vineyards, with his flair for innovation, has created a wild and crazy blend, with a fitting name. This is a South African blend of Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan, Tannat, Petit Sirah and Souzao (a Portuguese grape). It received a five star rating from the February issue of Decanter Magazine, one of the UKs leading wine publications.Chakalaka is  actually a term that refers to a spicy South African relish, reflecting the interesting fusion of flavors this wine has to offer. It’s like a Rhone wine on steroids. Come try it with me on Friday!

FRIDAY APRIL 23rd 5-7pm

Chateau Bonnet

Dry white wines from Bordeaux have been called the “forgotten wines”. They are not as well known as the reds, but some from the best vintages, at their peak can rival the best Burgundy whites. This wine is no exception. It offers a delightful and refreshing blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle. With aromatic peach and melon scents and a crisp, dry finish, it’s a treat on its own, or before dinner with some delicate appetizers.  I thank our friend Pierre for introducing us to this wine at a wine dinner at his home, where he and his wife Marisse   prepared a meal from Bordeaux that had us dreaming of going there for days.

Match Book Syrah

A full bodied blend of 82% Syrah,  10% Malbec, 7% Napa Cab, and 1% Tempranillo. We have an older vintage in the store 2004, and I’m really curious to see if has withstood the test of time and maybe even bloomed into something truly beautiful.  It’s a nice blend that pairs well with spicy sausage, grilled lamb with roasted veggies. Come try it out

FRIDAY APRIL 16th 5 – 7 pm

Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc

Named after the Chilean winemakers wife (how romantic), this refreshingly crisp Sau Blanc offers citrus and tropical fruit, a bit of fresh cut grass and a hint of green pepper. It has received “Best Buy” from the Wine Enthusiast as well as the Wine Advocate with almost every vintage, including this one. A great summer picinic pick.

Hangtime Pinot Noir

Made by the collaberation of a third generation Mondavi (Rob Mondavi Jr.) and their long trusted winemaker Tony Coltrin, this “long hanging” Pinot certainly offers great bang for your buck. Hang time refers to the period between flowering and picking. The concept is that this extended period of time on the vine results in greater flavor. I’ll be hanging out on Friday, come try some with me.

FRIDAY APRIL 9th 5-7pm

Michael David Petite-Petit

Big and friendly like the circus elephants that grace its label, this Petit Sirah, Petit Verdot blend (hence Petite-Petit) offers the nose violets, plum, blueberry and nutmeg. On the palate, it’s rich velvet decadence with blackberry pie and dusty cocoa. Now, what could you possibly pair with something like this??? Break out the grill. Big fat hamburger heaven is probably your best bet. As a quaffer it’s a great party starter, and the label should inspire some lively analysis as to what the wine maker was thinking….

Casa Santos Lima Arinto White

I blind tasted some friends on this wine, and they all guessed that it cost at least twice as much as the actual price. In other words GREAT VALUE. Arinto is a traditional Portugese varietal and is grown with care at the Casa Santos vineyard which has been family owned for several generations. Pairs wonderfully with seafood or some homemade artichoke dip and crusty bread. It could be your new favorite summer white…..

FRIDAY APRIL 2nd 5 – 7 pm

2008 Wieninger Wiener Gmischter Satz

Located in Vienna, Austria, Fritz Wieninger has led the quality wine movement in this region since the late 1980s, and his name is now synonymous with Wiener Wein, or Viennese Wine. Wieninger has been instrumental in reviving the Viennese tradition of Gemischter Satz, (mixed set), a classic field blend of native white varieties. A wonderful addition to your celebration this weekend, it goes well with everything from a light brunch to an Easter Ham.

2000 Terre Rouge Sierra Foothills Noir

Produced by Bill and Jane Easton, this wine is hand-crafted in the spirit of Chateauneuf-du Pape. A silky complex blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah, combined with the 10 years of proper aging, has made this wine into something truly special. I almost don’t want to share it since only 1100 cases have been produced, but if you’re there early enough on Friday there may still be some left.

FRIDAY MARCH 26th 5 – 7 pm

Bio Weingut H. U. M Hofer Gruner Veltliner 2009

This refreshing fun picnic wine from Austria was chosen as one of the top 10 on Whole Foods wine list. It hails from Viennas’s northern suburbs where the vines grow in a sleepy secluded village. Hofer, the wine maker, belongs to a group called Bio-Ernte (Orangic-Harvest) which has standards above that of the European Union guidelines. The presentation of this wine is really something to come and check out. A litre sized green bottle with a  beer lid closure seems the perfect summer porch wine. Get a head start.

Chateau Millaud Montlabert Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2004

The oldest of the 4 major French wine regions in Bordeaux appellation,  St Emilion  lies 25 miles north-east of Bordeaux. Wines from this region are made to be enjoyed sooner than many of the others from Bordeaux, but still maintain their staying power when allowed to mature. This Friday nights wine offers balance, finesse and a solid core of ripe fruit. It is medium to full bodied with good texture and finish, and paired wonderfully with the duck breasts with butternut squash, brussels sprouts leaves and chestnut sage sauce. (It’s great to have a husband who’s a good cook!)

FRIDAY MARCH 19TH 5-7pm

Think globally and drink locally

Susan Denice from the Jonathan Edwards Winery will be at the Charlestown Package Store offering a taste of both handcrafted premium Napa wines as well as estate made Connecticut wines. This is a wonderful opportunity to taste the highlights of each coasts’ unique climate. Come join us!

FRIDAY MARCH 12th 2010 5-7 pm

Tintero Moscato d’Asti Sori Gramella

It’s been said that instead of working out at the Y, go work the harvest at Tintero vinyards where this wine is grown. You’ll get more exercise and certainly drink better. This light bubbly Moscato will make you feel like a queen (or a king) bee buzzing around some honeysuckle. It’s off-dry and frothy, with hints of pear and tangerine. Light on it’s feet and only 7% ALC, it manages to avoid being tooooo cloying. This is a wonderfully fun intro to  Sunday brunch.

Lapostolle Casa Carmenere Rapel Valley

A brand new effort from this originally French and Chilean operation. Founded by the Marnier Lapostolle family (yes the producers of Grand Marnier), a good portion of their Chilean vineyards were established  using French vine cuttings.

The Carmenere that we’ll be tasting on Friday is a blend of 85% Carmenere and 15% Merlot. It offers plums, black cherries and a hint of pepper. The tannins are soft which make this a great quaffer, something to pair with pastas or, if the weather has motivated you, something from the grill.

FRIDAY MARCH 5TH 2010 5 – 7 pm

2007 Churchill’s Estates Douro

I tried this wine at Perks and Corks in downtown Westerly. When I requested a glass, they didn’t have one opened, so they popped one for me. I love that. It gives you a great perspective on how the wine evolves in your glass.

In the glass, it is a deep dark ruby, almost stormy. It offers the nose stewed plums and baking chocolate with a hint of cedar. The first sip seemed a bit austere, but after a few minutes of dancing in my glass, it opened with ripe fruit, pepper, and fresh tobacco. Great structure and a silky follow-up made this wine a great quaffer for a night of gabbing and laughter, or a night at home with grilled steak topped with herb butter.

2007 Woop Woop Chardonnay

Woop Woop is simply Australian slang for the middle of nowhere (a little language lesson for those planning a trip down under). For those of us who have to tough it out through the New England winter, here is a breezy unoaked chard made with grapes sourced from some of the best wine areas in Australia. This chardonnay offers fresh melon and peach aromas with a hint of anis. It is a crisp and focused chard with pears for your palate, a snap, and some nice minerality lending itself to pairings with food from the ocean. Almost like a day at the beach…

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19th 2010 5 -7 pm

White – 2008 Cave de Pomerols Coteaux du Languedoc Picpoul de Pinet. PIcpoul (translated form the local vernacular: lip stinger) is a grape that thrives in the warmer climates of southern France, in this case Languedoc.  Cave de Pomerols has produced a lively fresh wine with notes of Meyer lemon, lime, green apple, and a nice mineral base.

Well balanced and a wonderful value that screams for mussels and oysters.  Other great pairings: Charcoal grilled garlic shrimp; Flounder and spinach sauteed in olive oil; Extra creamy Brie like cheeses.   $9.99 per bottle and $8.99 if you buy a case.

Red – 2007 Belleruche Cotes-du-Rhone M. Chapoutier.  Chapoutier is a living legend in the French wine industry and a pioneer in the field of organic wines.  This particular Syrah-Grenache blend in not labeled organic, but shows  his respect for the earth and desire to let the soil speak through the wine.

An amazingly warm growing season for Cotes-du-Rhone produced wines that offer tons of bodacious fruit – cherries, blackberries and warm earth.  Enjoy on its own or with your favorite meatloaf (we did this last Tuesday and it was a hit).  A great value at $11.49.

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