   |  Newsletter ArchiveMein, Mein, All Mein, Cheese Glorious Cheese, Almost Kelly Clarkson, and Is That All You Gott?
Mein, Mein, All Mein, Cheese Glorious Cheese, Almost Kelly Clarkson, and Is That All You Gott?Mein, Mein, All Mein I read a great article this week where the writer admitted, "When my in-laws come over for dinner, I open my best red wines... Because they only drink white." We've overheard and been part of quite a few conversations in the store about which wines to pour for the guests and which ones the party throwers would keep for themselves. Some have even made two groups of wine on the checkout counter, the above $15 group for them and the below $15 group for the guests. So, is this ok? Does this make you a wine Nazi? One school of thought says that if your guests are not wine fans with educated palates, an expensive, subtle wine may not be appreciated, and therefore, wasted. Former President Richard Nixon used to keep a bottle of Chateau Margaux wrapped in a cloth with the label covered. The waiters were instructed to only pour the Margaux in his glass, and fill the guests' glasses with a lesser French red, Mouton Cadet (nothing to sniff at, either). The opposing school of thought is that this is sneaky and ethically wrong. I don't know about the ethical implications, but there does seem to be an element of greed involved. Our 2 cents: wine is meant to be enjoyed with food, family and friends. If you're a wine fanatic, by all means keep your fancy, more expensive wines hidden away in the wine cellar or jammed in the linen closet until the coast is clear. Or better yet, open just one, pour a round and see if you can coax an amateur wine enthusiast into the world of fine wine. But serving yourself different wines in front of the guests? You may as well put a Happy Meal on the guests plates while you snuggle up to your filet.
The 4-Pack is Back! Every month (except this last one apparently...sorry), we pick 4 new wines we think are underpriced for their quality, throw 'em in a cute, compact, some say "dashing" little box, take off a few bucks and set them free in the store.
October/November 4-Pack $37.99/4-pack
Domaine de Pouy Vin de Pays Des Cotes de Gascogne 2003 When you see "Imported by Robert Kacher", you can already assume the wine isn't going to suck. Kacher has been importing French wines into the U.S. for over 25 years and is known for finding amazing values oftentimes under $10. 80% Ugni Blanc and 20% Columbard, this dry, white is a great follow up to the now sold out Columbelle white which was made up of the same grapes. We a great floral aroma followed by tastes of green apple and citrus. Try pairing with fresh herbs and grilled fish or a seafood salad.
Pepperwood Grove Viognier 2004, California This is one of our rehabilitation wines to ween Chardonnay devotees off their regular wine diet and try something new. Like something luscious, aromatic and little sweet? This is the white for those who think they don't like white. Strong aromas of tropical fruit and spice hit you first, then a full, viscous weight with tastes of apricot, guava and clove. Try pairing with spicy Thai or Mexican cuisine.
Castle Rock Pinot Noir Monterey County 2004, California Castle Rock has become a household wine name at this point, producing Pinots at the under-$10 price point and gaining strong press repeatedly year after year. Take a look at the Pinot prices in any wine store and you'll know this is not an easy thing to do. This Pinot is 100% Monterrey fruit with a soft, silky texture and tastes of cherry, spice and plums. Try pairing with lamb or salmon.
Casa de la Ermita Monastrell 2004, Jumilla, Spain Monastrell is yet another name for the grape Mourvedre, better known as a blending grape in French reds from the Rhone Valley, even though its native country is actually Spain. This red is easily the best value we have found in months. Big, dry and bold, we get aromas of vanilla, smoke and spice with flavors of coffee and dark fruit.
Wine Tasting Schedule 10/21 - 10/30
Is That All You Gott? - The Wines of Joel Gott This Friday the 21st 5:30-8:30pm $15/person 5 wines, cheeses, breads, crackers Reservations recommended: info@cowineco.com or (323) 478-1985
He's a fifth generation farmer, he owns a winery, a burger stand and a specialty food market in Napa, and he's producing some of the absolute best under $20 California wines you can get your hands on.
IF
you can get your hands on them, that is. His wines, especially his Zins, are known to go the way of the DoDo (man, I love that expression) early in the year because of their popularity. Food & Wine Magazine has rated his wines in the top 100 of the "drink now" category for two years running and he's in nearly everyone's "best value" Wines Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc 2004, California Joel Gott Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2004, Napa Valley, California Joel Gott Gewurztraminer 2003, Napa Valley, California Joel Gott California Zinfandel 2004, California Joel Gott Dillian Ranch Zinfandel 2004, Amador County, California
Blind Faith: CoWineCo's 1st Blind Tasting This Sunday the 23rd 1:00-4:00pm $10/person 4 wines, cheeses, breads, crackers No reservations necessary Come bask in wine nerd-dom and take part in CoWineCo's first blind tasting. The bottles will be covered (maybe even wearing costumes..who knows) and you will have to read the descriptions of the wines and figure out which is which. Unless you don't like games, in which case you can just drink the wine and make fun of the rest of us. That happens all the time anyway. Ok, now I'm depressed. Thanks a lot. Wines A complete, big friggin' secret
Almost Kelly Clarkson: The Wines of Brophy Clark Cellars w/ Viticulturist and Co-Owner, Kelley Clark Friday, October 28th 5:30-8:30pm $15/person 5 wines, cheeses, breads, crackers Reservations recommended: info@cowineco.com or (323) 478-1985 Brophy Clark Cellars is one of CoWineCo's absolute favorite wineries in California and we're proud to be hosting viticulturist and Co-Owner of Brophy Clark Cellars, Kelley Clark. We've turned a lot of you onto their Santa Maria Valley Pinot and their Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc, and the rest of their offering is just as stellar. We thought about renting 100 buses and bringing all of Eagle Rock to their home in Nipomo, but bringing the wines and brains behind the wines to Eagle Rock seemed a tad easier. Wines Brophy Clark Sauvignon Blanc 2003, Santa Ynez Valley, California Brophy Clark Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir 2001, Santa Maria Valley, California Brophy Clark Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2001, Santa Rita Hills, California Brophy Clark Lone Oak Vineyard Zinfandel 2003, California Brophy Clark Edna Valley Syrah 2001, Edna Valley, California
HalloWINE...Get it? Not Halloween but HalloWINE...heh....Tasting Sunday, October 30th 1:00-4:00pm $10/person 4 terrifying wines, bloody bread, ghoulish cheeses and murderous crackers No reservations necessary Yes, murderous crackers. This will be the most terrifying wine tasting you have EVER been to. Seriously. You'll probably be killed. Or at least wounded. Wines will be opened with chainsaws and instead of glasses we will be using the skulls of dead monkeys. Seriously. I'm not kidding. Boo! See? And if you come in a costume, you get $2 off the tasting. A REAL costume. Not a T-shirt that says "I'm Tattoo from Fantasy Island." A REAL costume. So, let's recap, you could be frightened out of your gourd AND buzzed on a Sunday afternoon for $8. Not bad. It will definitely be a good day to die. Seriously. Wines Scaaaaaaaarrry White Spoooooooky White Blood Curdling Red Terrifying, Screaming Red (ok, we haven't picked them yet. Check back on the website next week www.cowineco.com/calendar )
Auntie Em's Marketplace in Partnership with Colorado Wine Company Yay! We finally have a cheese shop! Eagle Rock's own Auntie Em's is opening "Auntie Em's Marketplace" beside their current restaurant (4616 Eagle Rock Blvd) on Wednesday, October 26th where they will be holding a grand opening party from 7-10pm featuring artisanal cheeses, gourmet items, and wines paired by, you guessed it, Colorado Wine Company (that's us). Jen and I will also be pairing different types of wines to go with Auntie Em's cheeses to make your entertaining a little easier and your mouth much, much happier (pairings will available at the marketplace in the near future). Also, our weekly Friday and Sunday tastings will soon be featuring cheese selections from the Marketplace and boy, are we excited about that. The cheese will be better which will make the wine better, which will make you and me better and eventually make the world a better place to live. We're sure of it. If you want to attend the Auntie Em's Marketplace Grand Opening, please RSVP to Auntie Em's at contact@auntieemskitchen or (323) 255-0800.
New Arrivals! Chasseur Cazar Syrah - $18.99 This wine is a conversation piece. Big, rustic, gamey and barnyardy. Owen Roe Ex-Umbris Syrah - $24.99 McManis Petite Sirah - $10.99 Laetitia Chardonnay - $17.99 Meyer Family Zinfandel Port - $30.99 Casa de la Ermita Monastrell (see 4-pack description above) - $9.99 Domaine de Puoy Ugni Blanc (see 4-pack description above) - $8.99 New Vintage! MacMurray Pinot Noir 2004 - $12.99
REMINDERS **Our bar is open 6 days a week until 9pm with glasses ranging from $4-$9 a glass.** **Any 12 bottles in the store combine for a 10% case discount** **Come by any non-tasting night (tues,wed, thurs, sat) and order food in to go with your wine!** **in virtually every other country besides the U.S., wine is as everyday as water. Don't be intimidated by the wine snobs!**
See You Soon, John and Jen
"I only drink fortified wines during bad weather. Snowstorm, hurricane, tornado--I'm not particular, as long as it's bad. After all, any storm for a Port." |