Thursday, April 22, 2010

"Grill Time" Wines at the Tasting Bar this Weekend

With the spring fever that is going around I have a feeling that a few of you have fired up the grill. This week at Stephanie’s Tasting Bar we are going to feature delicious “Grill Time” Reds! The tasting will be this Thursday, April 22nd from 4-7pm, Friday, April 23rd from 4-7pm, and Saturday, April 24th from 2-5pm at the Tasting Bar.
A couple of the wines that are going to be featured have received some great press. Here’s the tasting line-up:

Perrin & Fils Cotes-du-Rhone 2007 $12.94 90 points Wine Spectator!!
"Very pure, with gorgeous plum and black cherry aromas and flavors laced with enticing spice, graphite and violet notes, followed by a long, silky finish. Delicious. Drink now."

Twisted Douro Portugese Red 2007 $15.99
This is a new addition to Georgetown and is absolutely delicious. If you have not tasted many dry Portuguese reds this is a must try!

Ben Marco Malbec 2008 $18.77 90 points Robert Parker!
"The 2008 Malbec, which contains 10% Bonarda, spent 11 months in 50% new French oak and 50% first use American oak. Purple-colored, it reveals an expressive nose of wood smoke, cinnamon, incense, and black cherry. Round, ripe, medium-bodied, and savory, this layered effort has a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Enjoy it over the next 5 years."

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Upcoming Wine Tastings

Hello Everyone!

This week at the Tasting Bar Stephanie is going to have three “Bang for your Buck” wines open! These wines are some of our best wines under $15 and deliver some serious wine for the price. All three wines are red and come from Spain, the Rhone Valley, and California. Here’s the lineup:

Mark West Pinot Noir 2008: I tasted the 2008 Mark West Pinot last week and was really impressed with the quality of this wine. It showed a lot more depth and integrity than I was expecting for a California Pinot Noir priced under $15!! All of the fruit for this wine comes from California’s central coast, and from the tastes of it, we’re talking pretty good quality fruit! Robert Parker gave the wine 87 points, here’s the review:

“The medium ruby-hued 2008 Pinot Noir (100% Pinot Noir) offers notes of pomegranates, plums, cherries, underbrush, and herbs in a round, tasty, authentic style. Its lightness and softness are endearing, and the price is nearly unbelievable. There are plenty of domestic Pinot Noirs and French red Burgundies priced five to ten times higher that are not as good as this effort from Mark West. It should drink well for 1-2 years.”

La Mano Roble Mencia 2007: This is a red from the Bierzo region in Spain. The wine is made from 100% Mencia and delivers some serious intensity for not only a wine made from this grape but also for the price! Robert Parker gave it 90 points, here’s the review:

“The 2007 La Mano Roble is 100% Mencia from the increasingly prestigious DO of Bierzo. Deep crimson-colored, it delivers a fragrant perfume of earth notes, mulberry, and blueberry. Layered on the palate, it has extraordinary depth and concentration for its humble price. Spicy, smooth-textured, and pleasure-bent, this awesome value is worth buying by the case. Drink it over the next three years.”

Domaine La Montagnette Cotes du Rhone Villages 2007: This wine is a personal favorite of mine and a Georgetown staff favorite! It offers up some seriously intense, ripe, bold fruit and spice. It’s basically like a “baby Chateauneuf-du-Pape” and comes from, according to Robert Parker, “the best vintage, anywhere, ever”! If you haven’t tasted this wine yet then you definitely have to stop in this weekend. Not to mention this wine is an insane deal, so you’d be crazy to miss out on it (we bought the last 10 cases of this vintage)!

Stephanie will have these wines open at the Tasting Bar Thursday, Feb. 4th from 4-7, Friday, Feb. 5th from 4-7, and Saturday, Feb. 6th from 2-5pm.

See you this weekend!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Wine News

Hello Everyone! I hope everyone enjoyed the Superbowl and were able to indulge in some delicious food and drink. I had the good fortune of enjoying a classic bubbly favorite, a bottle of Duval-Leroy Brut NV (I just can’t get enough Champagne!)

I have some exciting Georgetown Wine News to report, two new wines will be arriving this week and there’s some great press on a new vintage of a store favorite.
As many of you know Stephanie is our resident Italian Specialist and she does not hesitate suggesting some of her personal Italian favorites as well as some wacky, hard-to-pronounce grape varieties. One of her favorite regions (among many) is Montefalco in Umbria. It is an area that is somewhat under rated locally and throughout the states. The most prominent red grape grown in this region is Sagrantino. This grape produces the prized Sagrantino di Montefalco, a wine that can be produced in a range of styles from a sweet dessert style to a rich, full-bodied dry red. This wine is a beautiful and unique example of its terroir, as Sagrantino only grows in Umbria and the best in Montefalco (think Sangiovese to Montalcino). Arnaldo Caprai is one of the pioneering winemakers of fine wine in this region and produces exceptional Rosso di Montefalco and Sagrantino di Montefalco.

Arnaldo Caprai’s 2007 Montefalco Rosso DOC is showing beautifully, with an unbelievably aromatic nose of ripe red fruit, vanilla, mild herb, tobacco and liquorice notes. For an introductory level Montefalco Rosso the structure, harmony, and length on this wine is unbelievable. Robert Parker gave this wine 89-91 points, here’s his review:

“Caprai’s Montefalco Rosso, the entry-level wine, is made of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Sagrantino. Although the wine is clearly made to be enjoyed on the young side, in exceptional vintages the Rosso is also capable of developing quite nicely in bottle. The 2007 Montefalco Rosso reveals lovely fragrance in its fruit and an expansive, caressing personality. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014.”

The next wine I have to report on is also Italian. This is an unbelievable Italian white wine coming from Alto Adige. Alto Adige is one of the most northern regions in Italy and borders Austria. The region, Trentino-Alto Adige produces both red and white wines with Alto Adige specializing in the white production (although there are some awesome classic method sparklers coming from Trentino). The Kofererhof Kerner is a wine that we have had in the past and has been a long standing staff favorite. Their 2008 Kerner is showing better than ever! Kerner is an intriguing white grape variety of Germanic origin. It usually produces more medium-bodied, rich wines with wonderful acidity. Robert Parker gave this wine 93 points! Here’s his review:

“The 2008 Kerner flows with the essence of passion fruit, lime, honey and jasmine. The expansive, generous style suggests notes of botrytis-like sweetness that add wonderful complexity. The 2008 is an especially rich, generous vintage for this wine. This is a gorgeous effort from Kofererhof. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012.”

Okay, switching countries…

The last bit of wine news I have is on a new Spanish wine that will be arriving this week. I just tasted this wine for the first time a couple days ago and was really pleasantly surprised. The wine is ‘Care’ 2008 Syrah Tempranillo blend. This is an awesome value Spanish wine from the D.O. Cariñena. It’s a youthful red showing amazing depth, with black cherry, intense floral notes and intriguing spice.

Ask Ryan or Stephanie to show you any of these wines next time you’re in the store. We hope you’ll love them as much as we do!

P.S. Try the Kerner next time you dine at Thai Orchid, this wine is sure to make a dynamite pairing with most of their menu!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Upcoming Tastings

Hello Everyone,

It’s officially February! A month of chocolate, wine, skiing, and groundhogs day (I really hope he sees his shadow tomorrow!). We have a bunch great tastings coming up this week and for the rest of the month for you to look forward to.

This Wednesday we will have Boyd & Blair Vodka in the store for a private vodka tasting. Barry Young, co-owner and Still Master of Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries will be showing his new high-end vodka, Boyd & Blair. This is an artisan Potato Vodka that is distilled from an original mash using only locally grown potatoes. During the tasting we will have demonstrations on cocktail mixing and infusing vodka at home with ingredients like fruits, herbs, coffee, etc. There are still some seats left for this tasting and it is sure to be an incredible unique and exciting experience. The tasting is free and will be from 6:30-8:30 pm on Wednesday, February 3, reservations are required. Call the store to reserve your seats today!

On Friday of this week we will be welcoming back a former Georgetown employee, Paul Clear, who will be showcasing a new Spanish wine. In 2009 Paul started his importing company, Terroir Wine Cellars, and is making big strides to build a thriving importing company. This is one of the first wines in his portfolio, so this tasting will provide you the experience of tasting a wine that is just now hitting American soil! The wine is Palarea 2005 Tierra de Castilla and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. We will have the opportunity to taste this wine with Paul as he discusses the winery, terroir, and his future plans with his importing business. The tasting will be on Friday, February 5th from 4-7pm at the Tasting Bar. Don’t miss out on your chance to taste this brand new Spanish import!

For all of you who have been visiting Stephanie at the tasting bar, Thank You! I hope you are enjoying the wines, and if you have any requests, please do not hesitate to ask. This week we will taste Cabernet Sauvignon from different world wine regions. Stephanie will have these wines open at the Bar Thursday from 4-7pm and Saturday from 2-5pm (the wines will not be available on Friday due to the Paul Clear Tasting).

Also on Saturday there will be a Bully Hill Tasting from 1-4 pm. Stop by and taste these very popular New York State Wines.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Upcoming Tasting Events

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone has been enjoying the month of January, I can’t believe we’re almost a full month into 2010! We have a bunch of really cool tastings coming up that you should definitely mark on your calendars.

Let’s start with ‘Stephanie’s Tasting Bar’, last week I started with a selection of 3 Southern Italian Value Reds. Thanks to everyone that came over and tasted the wines! This week Thursday (01.21) from 4-7pm, Friday (01.22) from 4-7pm, and Saturday (01.23) from 2-5pm I am going to have 3 value Pinot Noirs from around the world open at the Tasting Bar. We will show a Pinot from France, California, and Chile. These wines will showcase the impact of terroir on the aromas and flavors of the wine, and also that you don’t need to break the bank to have a tasty bottle of wine!

The tasting bar wines will rotate weekly, so look for next week’s e-mail to see what we will taste next week!

Friday, January 27th we will have Joe from Lauber Imports showing some of his new wines that we have recently brought into the store. This tasting will be at the Tasting Bar from 4-7pm.

Coming up the first week of February we have some really interesting tastings coming up.

Wednesday, February 3 we will have Barry Young, co-owner and Still Master of Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries in the store showing his new high-end vodka, Boyd & Blair. Boyd & Blair is an artisan Potato Vodka that is distilled from an original mash using only locally grown potatoes. During the tasting we will also have demonstrations on cocktail mixing, infusing vodka at home with ingredients like fruits, herbs, coffee, etc. This tasting will be from 6:30-8:30 pm on Wednesday, February 3 and reservations are required. This is sure to be an exciting and unique tasting experience, so make your reservations ASAP!

Also that week we will be welcoming back a former Georgetown employee, Paul Clear, who will be showcasing a new Spanish wine. In 2009 Paul started his importing company, Terroir Wine Cellars, and is making big strides to build a thriving importing company. This is one of the first wines in his portfolio, so this tasting will provide you the experience of tasting a wine that is just now hitting American soil! The wine is Palarea 2005 Tierra de Castilla and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. We will have the opportunity to taste this wine with Paul as he discusses the winery, terroir, and his future plans with his importing business. The tasting will be on Friday, February 5th from 4-7pm at the Tasting Bar. Don’t miss out on your chance to taste this brand new Spanish import!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

New Years Sparkling Wines

Hello Everyone!

The Holiday season is winding down with New Years right around the corner, and what other way to ring in the New Year than with some BUBBLY!!! Sparkling wines are a New Years Eve staple and overall, the most exciting wine for celebrating. Georgetown LOVES sparkling wines, from unbelievable Grower Champagnes to Italian Prosecco. Here’s some different sparkling wines to think about for your New Years Eve:

Silver Cap Blanc de Blanc – This is a simply, fruity sparkler from France, and one of our top values!
Price: $6.77

Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut NV- This wine is a domestic, Methode Champenoise sparkling wine that has recently received some amazing press! 90 points Wine Spectator AND # 78 on the 2009 Wine Spectator Top 100 list! Here’s what they have to say about this wine:
“Lively and fun to drink, with creamy Asian pear and citrus aromas that lead to crisp, easygoing apple, yeasty cinnamon and mineral flavors. Drink now through 2012.”
Price: $14.77 ON SALE

Domaine St. Vincent – This is Methode Champenoise sparkling wine from, who would have guessed, NEW MEXICO! It is a delicious wine, especially at this price point. It’s bright and lively with crisp fruit and classic toasty elements. TRY THIS.
Price: $9.77

Raventos I Blanc l’Hereu Reserva Brut
– This wine has been a Georgetown favorite for quite some time now. This is a DELICIOUS Spanish Cava, which means that it too is produced in the classic method (Methode Champenoise) but does not use the traditional French grapes (Cava uses cool indigenous Spanish varieties to make this sparkler). This is another wine that can be classified in the sparkling value pile and DEFINITELY worth a try. Surprise your friends with this Spanish treat!
Price: $16.77

Jean Louis Denois Brut Blanc de Blanc
– This is an awesome little Classic Method Bubbly from Limoux in the Languedoc region in Southern France. This is a Blanc de Blanc (100% Chardonnay) making this a bright and lively sparkling wine with gorgeous acidity, fresh fruit flavors, and notes of toasted almond.
Price: $19.99

Domaine Carneros by Taittinger – We’re back to a fine example of Domestic Classic Method Sparkling wine. This is a special winery because it has a rich history in California Classic Method Sparkling Wine production and is part of the Taittinger family of Champagne wine makers. This wine recently got 91 points Wine Spectator, here’s what they have to say about it:
“Festive and vibrant, but rich and complex, with bright aromas of fresh cherry and lemon that lead to luscious flavors of raspberry, yeasty pear and crisp mineral. Drink now.”
Price: $21.77

Schramsberg Mirabelle Rose – This is a GORGEOUS Rose from the Schramsberg Family of Wine Makers in California. Schramsberg was one of the pioneering Classic Method Producers in California and continue to produces incredible Sparkling wines. This rose received 93 points Wine Spectator, here’s their review of this luscious rose:
“A rosé with serious intentions, this has a delicate pink hue and floral strawberry and spicy yeast roll aromas. The flavors show good focus, offering raspberry, Gala apple, ginger and fig flavors. Drink now through 2012.”
Price: $23.77

H. Billiot et Fils Rose – GROWER CHAMPAGNE, a concept dear and true to any Champagne lover. Grower Champagne is basically defined as a wine that is produced from sustainably farmed, estate grown fruit. These wines tend to have a much lower production and is produced from the same farmers/wine makers that grow the fruit. This particular Grower Champagne comes from Henri Billiot et Fils and is an unbelievably delicious rose! This wine has also received some press, Wine Spectator gave it 91 points and here’s their review:
“Floral, yeasty and nutty aromas and flavors mesh with the rich texture in this radiant rosé. Elegant and beautifully balanced. The flavors just keep coursing through the lingering finish.”
Price: $56.00

Duval-Leroy – We have 2 different styles of Champagne from this wonderful Champagne producer this New Years, each of them unique and DELICIOUS.

Duval-Leroy Brut NV
– This has been a long standing Georgetown favorite, and happens to be one of our best value Champagnes! This wine has received a lot of acclaim from Wine Spectator with a 93 point rating as well as being listed on their Top 100 list in 2005, 2006, and 2008. Here’s their review on this wine:
“This rich, sumptuous bubbly is marked by clover honey, candied citrus and hints of malt and mineral. It's beautifully integrated, with medium weight and a lingering, ginger-infused aftertaste.”
Price: $32.77

Duval-Leroy Brut Rose – On to Duval-Leroy’s Rose… this is another amazing effort by this Campagne house and received 90 points Wine Spectator:
“A mix of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg highlight this delicate rosé. A hint of cherry enters as the fine texture and bright structure drive the flavors to a long finish.Well-integrated.”
Price: $53.77

Vilmart e Cie ‘Grand Cellier’ Brut – Vilmart is another one of the fine Grower Champagne producers and their Grand Cellier is EXCEPTIONAL (and not to mention a Georgetown favorite!). This wine received 93 points Wine Spectator:
“Alluring toasty aromas of vanilla, coconut and coffee mingle with fresh citrus, rhubarb and red currant flavors. Beautifully integrated with the refined mousse, this lingers with citrus and spice notes on the long finish.”
Price: $64.99

Pierre Gimmonet Blanc de Blanc- This is a gorgeous, refined Blanc de Blanc Grower Champagne. It is beautifully long and lean and packed with green apple and crisp fruit. Wine Spectator gave this wine 90 points, here’s their review:
“Brisk and compact, exhibiting apple, floral and lemon notes on a lean profile. Nicely balanced and crisp on the finish.”
Price: $47.99

A Margaine Demi-Sec – This wine also falls into the family of Grower Champagnes, but holds it’s own spotlight being the only Demi-Sec Champagne in our selection. This wine also received 90 points by Wine Spectator:
“Elegant and lightly sweet, with ginger, lemon and honey notes. It has good structure and length, with vanilla pastry accent on the lingering finish.”
Price: $41.99

We hope that these reviews have been helpful and that everyone enjoys a healthy and happy New Year!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

HUGE THANKSGIVING TASTING THIS SATURDAY

Hey Everyone! Georgetown will be hosting a huge Thanksgiving Tasting this Saturday, November 21st from 2-5pm. A bunch of our reps will be in the store serving up some great, must-try wines. Here's the line-up:

Mark from Empire
-Sophia Lorenz Gruner Veltliner 750mL $11.99
-Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay 750mL $15.99
-Grand Cassagne Rose 750mL $8.99
-Tamari Malbec 750mL $10.78
- Domaine Carneros Brut 750ml $21.77
- Wild Rock Pinot Noir 750ml $18.99

Joe from Lauber
-Dr. L Riesling 750ml $9.99 ON SALE $8.99!!
-Oxford Landing 750ml $7.99
-Nino Franco Prosecco 750ml $15.77
-Ridge Three Valley Zinfandel 750ml $19.77
-B.R. Cohn Olive Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml $44.99


Curt from Southern
-Blackstone Merlot 750ml $8.77
-Estancia Meritage 750ml $24.77
-Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml $14.77
-Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 750ml $8.99 ON SALE $7.49
-Salmon Run Chardonnay 750ml $9.77
-Hayman & Hill Riesling 750ml $8.99


Chris from Southern
- Brancott Sauvignon Blanc 750ml $11.99
-Jacob’s Creek Shiraz/Cabernet 750ml $7.99
-Jacob’s Reserve Shiraz 750ml $12.99
-Cono Sur Viognier 750ml $9.99
-Francis Coppola Claret 750ml $14.44
-Dona Paula Los Cordos Cabernet 750ml $7.77
-Chateau St. Michelle Riesling 750ml $11.89
-Cuena Vista Chardonnay 750ml $13.77 ON SALE $10.77

John from Bowler
-Johnson Family Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml $19.77
-Gunderloch Diva Spatlese 750ml $16.77
-Pecina Rioja Joven $11.99
-Benaza Godello 750ml $11.99
-Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape 750ml $44.99
-Jean-Louis Denois Brut 750ml $19.99
-Domaine La Montagnette Cote du Rhone 750ml $12.99

Paul from Bayfield
-Chateau Lamothe White Bordeaux 375ml $6.99, 750ml $11.77, 1.5L $23.44
-Chateau Lamothe Premieres Bordeaux Rouge 750ml $18.99
-Camille Cayran Rasteau 750ml $14.99
-Albert Bichot Bourgogne Rouge 750ml $16.99
-Henry of Pelham Reserve Riesling 750ml $12.99
-Winzer Krems Gruner Veltliner 750ml $10.77

Joe from Opici
-Angeline Chardonnay 750ml $10.77
-4 Vines Zinfandel 750ml $11.77
-Cycles Pinot Noir 750ml $10.77
-Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml $9.99
-Bleasedale Sparkling Shiraz 750ml $16.77
-Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml $17.99
-Ksara Blanc de Blanc 750ml $10.99

Arrowhead Springs Vineyard

Don't miss this great opportunity to taste some excellent wine, have some snacks, and stock up on the real holiday essentials!