Michel Torino/The Chocolate Block/Big Tattoo Red/Tapestry

NEW YEARS EVE
Wow - what a night! - I still have confetti in my shorts.

I happen to know for a fact that there are a FEW of you out there that remember when Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians played Auld Lang Syne at the stroke of midnight during their annual New Year's Eve Party at Waldorf Astoria in New York. That's when Ben Grower was the countdown host and there was basically only one channel to watch all of the excitement on TV.
Well get a hold of yourself - times have changed. The good news is - a nice bottle of wine is still a great way to celebrate in the new year.
And this Friday night we have four wines for you to try - the information is highlighted in RED just below the news.

Also - We are accepting reservations for ALL of the posted wine dinners.
Please check the calendar of events for more information and call early to reserve because seating is limited.

BEER TASTING January 5th - 5-8 p.m. No Charge

We will visit with the folks from Thomas Hooker - http://www.troutbrookbeer.com/index.html

1 - American Pale Ale
The American Pale Ale won 3rd Place in the Great International Beer Festival for the American Pale Ale category.
The GIBF is held annually in Providence, Rhode Island.

2 - Blonde Ale
Fermented at cooler temperatures, the flavor is accentuated by a subtle malt sweetness and a delicate crispness from American and Czech hops.

3 - Hop Meadow IPA
Hooker's creamy IPA emphasizes traditional West Coast Chinook and Cascade hops which produces a hophead's delight of a brew: just-right complexity that's not too sweet or over-the-top with hops.

4 - Blind Tasting - see if you can name that beer.

WINE TASTING FRIDAY - January 6 - 6 -9 p.m. NO CHARGE

1- Michel Torino Torrontes Argentina 2003 - $17
This has a very expressive, floral perfume with notes of overripe peaches, candied pears. A heavy, almost oily texture covers the palate, giving significant weight and body. A long tangy finish & the acidity is in good balance with the supple fruit and alcohol level. With such distinctive and overpowering flavor, food matching can be a challenge with Torrontes. However, its high acidity can cut through buttery, creamy dishes, and the tropical fruit flavors give it a perception of sweetness than can temper a spicy dish. Therefore, I would suggest similarly exotic and spicy-flavored cuisine, such as Asian, Indian, and the like. Or enjoy it by itself, as a contemplative aperitif -- it will surely initiate conversation.

2 - Big Tattoo Red - Springfield Virginia $9 - http://www.bigtattoored.com/
This wine comes from two brothers, Alex, a wine importer, and Erik, a tattoo artist, who wanted to pay homage, in a non-serious way, to their late mother who suffered from cancer. They decided to label and bottle their own wine and donate the proceeds to a good cause. With their combined talents and effort, they created Big Tattoo Red. For every bottle sold, 50 cents is being donated to the Arlington, Virginia Hospice and a breast cancer research foundation in the name of Liliana S. Bartholomaus. Introduced in the Winter of 2002, donations from Big Tattoo Red will surpass $75,000 by the end of the year. The vineyards are located in Colchagua, in the Central Valley. Vineyard management is ecologically friendly. The vines are vertically-trellised and yields are controlled in order to maximize the quality of hand-picked fruit. This blend packs a powerhouse of fruit. Aromas of ripe berry fruit and plums set the stage for an explosion of fruit in the mouth with flavors of blackberries, black cherries, and cocoa that all come together on the rich and lingering, finish.

3- Boekenhoutskloof South Africa The Chocolate Block - $30
The next time you want to spend thirty or forty dollars on a bottle of wine in a restaurant - stay at home, buy some lamb chops and uncork a bottle of Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block - this is "wine heaven". Marc Kent the man that makes this wine has been to our store. He told me this wine is a particular favorite of his. The name comes from the vineyard "block" where the grapes are grown. This is a multi-dimensional sensory experience; resonating lilies, spice fragrance with plenty dark, creamy chocolate & sleek concentration too, but richness contrasted, lightened by bright red fruits, peppery lift. This has very good flavor intensity. Finishes sweetly tannic and long, with a flinty element. One of the great examples from the Cape and I would rank it in the top tier. Long live Boekenhoutskloof!

Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Valley Reserve - Tapestry $50 http://www.bvwine.com
Classic black-ruby color typical of this blend. Ripe, brambly, coffee and black cherry aromas showcase the varietal, while black olive and dark cocoa scents suggest the wine’s Rutherford origin. Medium full-body and firm structure dominant, with the cherry-plum and herb Merlot adding nuance in the finish. Chewy tannins, fine minerality, with vanilla oak-spice adding an elegant touch of sweetness.
You can enjoy this now with everything from grilled lamb to dry-rubbed baked salmon

We have lots of events and special guests scheduled for the new year.
All are the result of your input and suggestions, thank you for all of the interest and support that you have shown to us.
Thanks for making it so much fun - and for spreading the word - it really makes a difference.
Our best wishes to everyone for a healthy, safe and very Happy New Year.


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