Sangria Saturdays, Week-O-Wine, and Smells Like Teen Spirits

     This month's Week-O-Wine was born in the beginning of July making it a Cancer.  If you haven't tried it, the Week-O-Wine is a 4-pack box of 2 reds and 2 whites which change each month.  It's fast, fancy lookin' and discounted for your fiscal pleasure.  As we all know, Cancers often want a life partner who will be able to help them achieve the secure home life they've been seeking.  This 4-pack is crying out to be brought home and made your life partner.  Or at least your week partner.  In fact there have been quite a few critical comments made regarding what we consider a "week of wine" to be.  Now, if we called this "Night of Wine" or "Hour of Wine" or "Wine for the Walk Home", it would have raised a few eyebrows, wouldn't you say?  So let's leave it at that and you can decide what the shelf life is for four bottles of wine in your abode.

July 2005 Week-O-Wine 4-Pack - $37.99 

Can’tele Chardonnay 2003, Puglia, Italy
The heel of Italy’s boot (Puglia) is producing fantastic deals in both reds and whites.  This $8 chardonnay can rival most chardonnays twice its price.  This is not a big butter bomb, but rather a well-balanced, clean and crisp Chardonnay with an element of oak to give it some creaminess without dominating the whole wine.  We get an intense tropical nose with notes of apple, grapefruit and spice, followed with an unexpected crisp, light, dry finish.  Try this one with light chicken or heavier fish dishes.

Bodegas Pirineos Macabeo 2002, Somontano, Spain
Bodega Pirineos is a modern winery which brings together more that 200 growers, and accounts for about half of the DO Somontano production.  This 100% Macabeo (sometimes called Viura) gives off notes of pineapple and apple with a background of aromatic herbs making it an ideal pairing for grilled shellfish or salty ham dishes.  

Chateau Grand Cassagne “G.S.” 2003, Costieres de Nimes, France
The “G.S.” stands for Grenache (old vines 44%) and Syrah (56%) which make up this pretty blend.  Very dark garnet in color, this rustic red has notes of plums, pepper and a distinct note of spice.  Though it is very sippable on its own, its well-balanced acidity and slight tannic end make it a good food wine as well.  Try with robust, hearty meats such as grilled steaks, pork and lamb.   

El Felino Malbec 2003, Mendoza, Argentina
The Malbec grape is the perfect pairing for grilled steak. Not a big surprise when you consider that this grape is a staple of Argentina and they definitely know their beef. Big and balanced, you get some dusty, leather aromas along with flavors of earth (yes, we've all eaten dirt at one point) and plums.

Wine Tasting Schedule

****The wine store is open tonight, Wednesday the 20th, but the wine bar is CLOSED for a private party.  We will however have two reds open at the front desk available by the glass so no one goes thirsty*****  

Friday Night's Alright for Flighting

This Friday the 22nd 

Time: 5:30-8:30 (but you can show up anytime before 8pm)

Cost: $15/person

Cheeses, Breads and Crackers

(reservations Recommended)

This Friday another one of our favorite wine guys, Michael Smith, will inaugurate his new position with Epic Wines by pouring 5 tasty selections from around the world including a completely delicious Cabernet Franc from Bedford Thompson winery in Santa Barbara.
Wines

Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2003, South Africa

Terlan Pinot Grigio 2003, Italy

Crios Malbec Rose 2005, Argentina

Bedford Thompson Cabernet Franc 2000, California

Angus the Bull Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Australia

Sangria Saturdays 

This Saturday the 23rd 

Time: 1:00-9:00pm  

As always, the bar is open from 1-9pm this Saturday with glasses of wine ranging from $4-$9/glass.  But you may have guessed from the title above that we're trying something new.  Once a month we're going to offer a new Sangria recipe and have a full, cold pitcher at the bar for any and all to enjoy (while it lasts!).  Is there a more civilized way to spend a hot Saturday afternoon than with a Sangria buzz, friends and good music?  We don't think so, either.    

Santa Barbara Wines 

This Sunday the 24th 

Time: 1:00-4:00

Cost: $10/person

Cheeses, Breads and Crackers

(no reservations necessary)

Want a trip to Santa Barbara wine country without all the traffic?  We're pouring 2 whites and 2 reds from Santa Barbara County this Sunday and if you concentrate real hard, maybe the cheese and crackers will taste like a Hitching Post steak.    
Wines

Koehler Chardonnay 2003, Santa Ynez, CA

Foxen Chenin Blanc 2001, Santa Barbara, CA

Verdad Tempranillo 2002, Santa Barbara, CA

Curtis AV Syrah 2001, Santa Barbara, CA

Smells Like Teen Spirits  

     Alright, so you walk through our store or any wine store for that matter and you immediately go to the "California" section because it's familiar and you have an idea what to expect or you go to "Italy" or "France" because they're supposed to be the molds from which all great wines are made, right?  Well, it's one way of navigating the expanding wine world but you would be missing out on a whole lotta great grape juice.  A better way is to find out what each region/country is famous for and see if that coincides with what YOU like.  We're going to begin featuring a region, state or country in our newsletters to give you an idea what to expect from those wines and hopefully spur you on to try something new.

     Washington state is known for Mount St. Helens, the Space Needle, Grunge music and to an increasing number of people, wine.  Washington shares the same latitude as the prized wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, meaning the grapes generally get long summer days and cool nights.  Why does this matter?  Because the keystone to grape growing is a balance between consistent sun, allowing the grapes to ripen fully, and cool nights to slow the process down and keep the fruit acids high.  This golden combination can and often does result in balanced, rich, flavorful wines.  The other major contributor to the unique taste of Washington wines is Mount St. Helens itself.  Centuries of volcanic activity has layered ash in the soil making it rich and full of nutrients.  This ash and lava element oftentimes gives Washington whites a steely minerality profile and many reds, an actually smoky, subtle ash flavor. 

     So, if you can't stand Mudhoney's music, don't like heights, and hated Tommy Lee Jones in Volcano , our recommendation is to try a Washington Cabernet Sauvignon or red blend.  Below are a few items in our store to consider.

Powers Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 -- $11.99  

Bold, black cherry, black pepper and cassis fruit balancing vanilla spice and toasty aromas. Hedges Cellars CMS 2003 (Cabernet/Merlot/Syrah) -- $12.99

Dusty, cloves, cinnamon and brown spices with hints of chocolate.

Waterbrook Melange 2003 (Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese) -- $11.99

Huge cigar on the nose with leather, black fruits, spice and cedar and a smooth finish (90 points in Wine Spectator).

Kiona Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 -- $19.99  

Earthy aromas with hints of tar and chocolate, black cherries and plums.

See You Soon,

John and Jen

"I shall drink no wine before it is time!

OK, it is time."
~ Groucho Marx