Wine Club Newsletter - October 2018
Watching the Green
The alcohol industry keeps its eyes on Cannabusiness as support for legalization grows
Here is a fascinating perspective on how the huge industry of alcoholic beverages is eyeing the fast-growing cannabis industry. (GP)
It’s no surprise that the alcohol industry giants are keeping close tabs as newsworthy as legal cannabis, especially as it continues to gain ground across the United States. Considering there’s a lot of money to be made in this emerging marketplace, news of established beverage companies publically eying cannabis continues to grab headlines.
Such was the case in mid-July, when newsfeeds lit up after the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) – among the industry’s most influential voices – announced its support for the legalized regulation of cannabis in the U. S.
It’s big news for sure, but don’t expect WSWA to make its own foray into the cannabis just yet.
“Our postion is that if your state is going to legalize cannabis, Congress and the federal government should give them a path to do so.,” says Dawson Hobbs, the organizations acting Vice President of External Affairs.
Instead, as Hobbs explains, WSWA aims to send a message that “legalization is here to stay and following regulatory model similar to alcohol will help resolve the conflict between state and federal laws.”
“What is not good for communities is an unregulated marketplace,” he adds. “The best thing would be to have the market regulated in a safe manner. Take alcohol for example – counterfeit product is almost unheard of, thanks to these regulations. Don’t we also want to offer the safest cannabis marketpalce in the world?”
Of course, the alcohol industry’s eyes are also on its own bottom line, as fears of legalization potentially cannibalizing consumers and revenues have churned around for several years now.
“The data is inconclusive,” admits Hobbs. “Some studies show it competes, some say there’s no effect, and some say it’s complementary and can even help alcohol sales.”
One supplier seems to be taking anxiety out of the equation by jumping in feet first: In early August, Constellation Brands made a $4-billion (yes, that’s billion with a “b”) investment in Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth. If that’s not aking the bull by the horns, then we don’t know what is.
Rachel Burkens
The Tasting Panel
Upcoming Events
Cabaret of Cabernets
Saturday, October 27
3:30-5:30 PM
Our next Walk-Around Tasting will be a Cabaret of Cabernet featuring show-stopping, lyrical Cabernets from all over the world! We will be pouring 15 different wines and will also be offering a special VIP Premium Bonus Table experience that will feature Cabernet Sauvignons from the 1980’s!!!
$35 per person / $30 Club Members
(The Bonus Premium Table will be an additional cost)
Stars and cost of the Bonus Premium Table...Coming Soon!
Le Grande Champagne Tasting
Saturday, November 10
(Time to be determined)
This is our biggest event of the year! We throw one of the most grand Champagne and Sparkling wine tastings around! This event will include a special Tete de Cuvees table from the world's most renowned producers (price determined in a few weeks for both the general admission and the Tete de Cuvees table).
Deep discounts on all our Champagnes and Sparklers will be in effect for this day only! It's the ideal way to stock up for the Holiday Season!
Reminder! Sparkling Champagne Club Members will get VIP early access to the event!
For more information, about these and other upcoming events, check out here
2016 Vourvoukeli Limnio
Growing Region: Advira, Greece
Varietal Composition: 100% Limnio
Fermentation: 6 Months Barrel Aging
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Suggested Retail: $30.00
WineSellar Club Price: $24.29
Broad Strokes:
Winery Says: The Vourvoukeli Estate began in 1999 by the late Dr. Nikos Vourvoukeli. He had grown up surrounded by vineyards, with wine a significant part of his family life, and in fact, his grandparents owned a winery. With this, the good Dr. decided to stake his ground in Advira, an area that had grown grapes hundreds of years ago. The first vineyard was approximately 5 acres, today spreading out to nearly 25 acres of plantings of indigenous grapes. The winery was complete in 2005, and set the scene for the two older Vourvoukeli sons to carry on the tradition.
Appearance:
It was hard to get a lot of information on this wine. I am not sure of the meaning of the “goat shadow” on the label, besides the fact there are a lot of wild goats on the Island. It’s fun and whimsical anyway. Some of the label looks Greek to me. The wine has a dark center with garnet edges.
Nose:
One of the most perfect calls on a wine aromatic was made by my wife Lori on this wine: Sarsaparilla! The plant root that tastes like root beer. Very cool! I got more traditional, with blueberry, lead pencil, black pepper, cardamom and eucalyptus. Note: the nose is somewhat reserved and takes awhile to open up.
Texture:
Medium to medium full in body and weight. Tannic, but balanced, with a big feel I call “chunky.” That means it has solid fruit without being blobby or too acidic. There is a long finish that is quite nice. It is not a wine that presents a myriad of flavors, but it is so agreeable in the palate you gotta love it!
Flavors:
Sweet and tart cherry, with tree bark, herbs, pomegranate, chocolate, chocolate nibs, cola (root beer) and a touch of curry / cardamom.
Serving Suggestions:
The winery says aging it for 6 years from now is optimum. I tend to agree, and I would love to open this in 2024 and check it out. It really comes alive with food!!!
2014 Hope & Grace Cabernet Sauvignon
Growing Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation: 24 Months, 30% New French Oak
Alcohol Content: 14%
Suggested Retail: $85.00
WineSellar Club Price: $71.99
Broad Strokes:
Winery Says: Derived from a dream over a decade ago to a thriving artisan winery and Yountville tasting room in Napa Valley … hope & grace began its journey as a winery in 2001 with a small production of Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Today we are a modest producer of 3,000 cases annually; focusing on limited production, single vineyard, 100% varietal Pinot Noirs, Cabernet Sauvignons, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay & Dry Riesling.
With the passion, talent and expertise of 30 years of winemaking, Charles hand selects the finest grapes, combined with premium French Oak barrels to craft balanced, elegant, cellar worthy wines. Charles and business partner Tiffani opened their tasting room in the charming town of Yountville, in 2006, creating a beautiful and warm atmosphere for guests to visit and enjoy the hope & grace wine collection.
Appearance:
Solid looking package, heavy bottle, all black, stealthy looking, classy too! The wine is very dark, black at the core, and crimson around the edges. The wine is quite viscous, and it drips slowly down the glass.
Nose:
Very complex, heady, rich nose breaks out a couple inches above the glass. Ripe blackberry, solid vanilla oak/wood notes, black pepper, excellent Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. Lengthy and lovely!
Texture:
Rich and smooth, a GREAT mouth feel. Lush, smooth, ripe, balanced with the tannins, the wine seems to broaden in your mouth the more you drink it. Fabulous!!!
Flavors:
Notes of cassis, black cherry, black berry, sweet vanilla oak, baking spices, Indian spices, cola, black pepper, and roasted nuts. A total delight!!!
Serving Suggestions:
I think aging it for 15 years would do wonders, however it is so lovely and smooth right now, it’s hard to keep my hands off of it. It’s great with grilled steaks, rack of lamb, prime rib.
2015 Mignanelli Pinot Noir, Central Coast
Growing Region: Central Coast, California
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation: 20% New French Oak, Unrefined & Unfiltered
Alcohol Content: 13.4%
Suggested Retail: $30.00
WineSellar Club Price: $26.99
91 Points Cellar Tracker, 90 Points Burghound
Broad Strokes:
Winery Says: Mignanelli Winery was founded in 2011 and is based outside the town of Sonoma, California. Winemaker and owner, Byron Mignanelli, crafts distinctive small lot Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Byron’s winemaking philosophy focuses on the vineyard and showcasing the unique time and place of each vintage rather than modern day production techniques. We strongly believe at Mignanelli Winery that the best wines are vine to table.
We have started small and remain small so the best way to hear about our wines is through our mailing list.
Appearance:
I like the minimalist design on the front label, it is straightforward and easy to see what it is. The back label gives pertinent, useful information, which is great. Heavy bottle, the wine is ruby colored with strawberry hued edges, where the wine drips slowly down the glass.
Nose:
Perfect, Pinot Noir varietal nose. Dark berry, red & black cherry, smoke, roasted nuts, tar, asphalt, black walnut. It makes me full of glee with anticipation to look at this wine and take in its aromatics...
Texture:
Medium to medium light in weight, this is more of the feminine style of Pinot Noir that many people go crazy for. The tannins are soft, yet present, in the long and velvety, mouth-coating texture.
Flavors:
Black and red cherry fruit is elegant and mouth-watering. Notes of black and white pepper, smoke, (BBQ), roasted nuts, some earth tones, including dark, wet soil, tar and asphalt. Just a totally lovely, sophisticated Pinot Noir.
Serving Suggestions:
Ready and lovely now, it will go well with roasted meats, soft cheeses, pate, anything with mushrooms. Keep it simple and let the wine shine. Will age a few years if you want to see it gain additional complexity.
2017 Pios Branco, Quinta de Vale de Pios
Growing Region: Douro, Portugal
Varietal Composition: 50% Viosinho, 50% Rabigato
Fermentation: Spontaneous Fermentation, Steel Tanks
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Suggested Retail: $24.00
WineSellar Club Price: $19.79
Broad Strokes:
While conducting our tour groups in Portugal last year, I fell in love with many of the white wines that had unique mineral and zesty acid qualities that made my mouth water. The Pios is one of those. The winery is located in Douro National Park, and is a habitat for many local birds. When standing in the vineyards of Pios, you can hear little else but the chirping, which translates to “Pios”, giving the winery its name. This particular area sees daytime highs up to 95 degrees, but cools down at night to the upper 50’s, which provides the freshness and acidity that makes this wine so special.
Appearance:
Clear bottle with dark silver capsule, and a great touch having the birds lined up on the label. Just the overall package makes me think it is going to be an excellent wine. The liquid has a white-corn hue, with shades of metal/silver, and drips down the glass slowly.
Nose:
It sort of reminds one of a fine Albariño (from Spain) when you get your first whiff. Ripe, white tree fruit, with mineral and a touch of citrus keeps opening up, revealing Mandarin orange, Indian spices, hazelnuts, white flower blossoms (gardenia) and even a hint of butter-cream.
Texture:
Seemingly multi-textural (new word for Webster?), it starts with a fresh, rainwater feel, then gets a bit creamy in the middle. On the finish, the mineral and racy acid edges out the roundness of the fruit, keeping everything clean and in check.
Flavors:
The white tree fruit is dominant on the palate, but tropical fruits emerge and widen the profile. Fear not, that is trimmed in by notes of mineral, grapefruit acidity, and a touch of salinity, leaving the palate with a rush of sensational flavors.
Serving Suggestions:
Drink this at an afternoon lunch with your wine friends. This unique, noteworthy, conversation inducing wine is great with composed salads featuring goat cheese, fish, and tropical fruits.
2015 Ventoux, “Altitude 450”, Selection Terroir, Vignerons du Mont Ventoux
Growing Region: Ventoux, France
Varietal Composition: 75% Grenache, 25% Syrah
Fermentation: Large Concrete Vats
Alcohol Content: 15%
Suggested Retail: $00
WineSellar Club Price: $19.79
Broad Strokes:
Winery Says: From the plain of Carpentras up to the slopes of the 'Giant of Provence', with an elevation as high as 500 metres (1'640 ft) above sea-level, the wine territory of the VIGNERONS DU MONT VENTOUX winery boasts an exceptional wealth of soils and microclimates. The most spectacular variations depend mainly on the differences in level owing to the climatic changes related to the altitude and to the transformations of the ground structure consequent to the erosion process. It was important that these outstanding wine areas be valued. It is now accomplished with the collection 'LES ALTITUDES’. Altitudes 450 derives from a consistent selection of vineyards located at an elevation of 450 meters.
Appearance:
I love the Bronze medal, the font type of “450”, and of course the embossed bottle with the image of the Chateau and its initials, VMV. It feels like getting a Chateauneuf-du-Pape at less than half the price! Dark red/black at the core, lightening up around the edges.
Nose:
Lovely, fantastic nose that speaks to the region: dark berry, strapped leather, hints of smoke, forest, herbs and some seriously ripe plum. Followed by black cherry, roasted nuts, fine herbs, and a touch of anise, mint and rosemary.
Texture:
Lovely, unctuous fruit is embattled by high levels of well-melded, supple tannins, ending in a wonderful, definitive structure that is to die for. After a couple hours open, it took on a sweet and cedary feel.
Flavors:
Deep, deep black cherry and very ripe plum. Kirsch. Some notes of strawberry, raspberry, smoke, rich vanilla, spices and herbs. A bit after airing, red brick nuances, tar, earth elements, a dose of white pepper.
Serving Suggestions:
Gary Says: This is one of my favorite red wines in the WineSellar Club, EVER!!!
I am going to stock up on this wine at home, it is so gorgeous and reasonably priced. It will go great with most foods and improve with a few more years in the bottle.
NV Champagne Vincent Couche, Elegance, Brut
Growing Region: Côtes des Bar
Varietal Composition: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
Vinification: 10% vinified in old oak barrels from Drouhin ( in Chablis ), stainless steel tanks
Dosage: 4 g/l
Base wines: 2010, 2011
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Suggested Retail: $48.99
WineSellar Club Price: $44.09
From the Winery:
Vincent Couche ( pronounced Koosh ), a 3rd generation winemaker, produces his Organic / Biodynamic Champagnes from 13 hectares in the Côtes des Bar. Vincent has been practicing biodynamics since 1999. The Pinot Noir is sourced from the village of Buxeuil and the Chardonnay from Montgeaux.
Appearance:
Light gold with tight, fluid beads
Nose:
Yellow plums, pears and quince fruit, white flowers and lemon zest.
Texture:
Rich texture that finishes fresh and bright.
Flavors:
Orchard fruit; pears, plums and more quince, black currants, a hint of vanilla, and fresh squeezes of lemon.
Serving Suggestions:
Pair this with aged Parmesan….or perhaps a Parmesan Risotto!
NV Champagne Dhondt-Grellet, Les Terre Fines, Premier Cru, Blanc De Blanc, Extra Brut
Growing Region: Cote de Blanc
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Fermentation: left on the lees for 8 months, aged 2 ½ years in the cellar before release
Base wines: 70% 2013 Vintage, 30% Reserve wine that goes back to 1986
Dosage: 3 g/l
Alcohol Content: 12%
Suggested Retail: $59.99
WineSellar Club Price: $53.99
Broad Strokes:
93 points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
From the Winery:
Eric Dhondt and Edith Grellet decided in 1986 to stop selling off their grapes to negotiants and created Dhondt-Grellet. Their son, Adrien, now 25 years old has taken over the winemaking. Les Terres Fine comes from 9 different plots in the village of Cuis .
Appearance:
Light persistent bubbles
Nose:
High-toned and expressive. Almonds and orchard fruit. Wild flowers.
Texture:
The texture is so fun! It’s crispy and almost crunchy. Long lingering finish.
Flavors:
Lemon juice, zest, green apple, white peach and brioche.
Serving Suggestions:
This Champagne would be amazing with calamari fritti and fresh squeezes of lemon. Oysters or caviar!
Aunt June’s Spicy Italian Soup Recipe
This comes from Lori’s Aunt June, whom brought this recipe from her hometown in Italy. We loved it, and hope you do too!
Serves 4-6 people!
Soup Ingredients:
- 1 package of Hot Italian Sausage
- 1 Cup carrots
- 1 Cup celery
- 1 Cup Onion chopped fine
- 2 small cloves of Garlic
- 1 to 2 Yukon gold potatoes steamed, then cut in thicker slices, sauté and set to the side
- 3 Cups stock
- 1 ½ Cups of chopped baby kale or spinach
- 1 Can of white beans
- 1 Cup Pepper sauce (see below)
Soup Method:
- Lightly cook sausage and then degrease the pan. Let sausage cool.
- Use the degreased pan and add in stages in this order:
- Carrots Cook until just starting to get tender
- Celery Cook for 5 minutes
- Onions Then add onions cook for 5 minutes & then add garlic
- 2 cloves of Garlic
- When veggies are al dente’ add stock/sauce and add back in the sausage
- Wait until stock is hot to add chopped baby kale or spinach and white beans
- Cook on low about an hour.
- Add spices if wanted/necessary. I added a ¼ tsp each of cumin, cayenne, & one bay leaf
- Serve with a slab of potato on the top of the soup.
Bell pepper sauce (can be used for pasta, stock, etc.)
Ingredients:
- 2 medium cloves garlic
- 1 large onion
- 3 cups of chicken or veggie stock
- 2 each of a red, orange and yellow bell pepper (six total)
- 1/8 tsp each salt & pepper
- 4 drops, or to taste, Cholula hot sauce (or any hot sauce)
Method:
- Sauté the garlic, onion until translucent
- chop the peppers in large squares and add.
- When soft add the stock and cook for 30 minutes on low.
- Add salt, pepper & hot sauce.
- Take off stove and cool.
- Blend in a blender, add to soup