Hi Everyone,

I can’t believe that April is almost over and Thursday will be May 1. Well, we’ll have some tasty wines to help celebrate May. Karen Eldridge from Southern Wine and Spirits will be pouring some great wines for us.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting: 

Cape Mentelle, 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon Blend, Australia - Medium-bodied, light straw in color. Bright citrus zest and pear on the nose. Clean and fresh, with orchard fruit and melon flavors balanced by juicy acidity. Finishes tangy and impressively long. From the Wine Spectator: “Crisp and lively, showing pear flavors, with hay and orange peel notes”. ($13.99)

EOS 2004 Zinfandel – Paso Robles, California - Bright aromas of ripe raspberries with a creamy mouthful of raspberry jam, cherries and spice. A long lasting silky finish with lingering flavors of chocolate. ($17.99)

Rosenblum Cellars 2006 Petite Sirah (Heritage Clones) – San Francisco Bay, California - Rich blackberry and chocolate bouquet with flavors of currant, anise, mocha coffee and creamy orange zest. ($17.99) 

RETURNING WINES

Justin the Orphan, Paso Robles, California - This is a wonderful red blend that has been hard to find. Inky black in color with a bright, garnet hue. Ripe aromas of black cherry, plum and fig fill the nose and combine with spice, leather, and a touch of cedar resulting from the new French and American oak. The palate begins soft with and a hint of minerality. Layers of earth and a light touch of tannin structure showcase the balanced blend of Rhone and Bordeaux varieties. ($18.99)

Our wine tasting on Thursday is from 4:30 to 7:00. 

Until then – Cheers!

Paula 

Hi Everyone,

I hope you’re all enjoying this wonderful weather. In celebration of yesterday being Earth Day, our wine tasting on Thursday feature 2 organic wines. I’m a day late with this email because I’ve been busy ordering some new and returning Bella Vino wines. Be sure to check them out when you visit.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting: 

Frey Natural White – Mendocino County, California - Made from a blend of organically grown grapes, with no added sulfites, this white wine is soft and flowery with a smooth finish. ($11.99)

Frey Natural Red – Mendocino County, California - Made from a blend of organically grown grapes, with no added sulfites, this red wine is made in a dry, light style with subtle berry flavors. ($11.99)

RETURNING WINES

Tormaresca Chardonnay and Tormaresca Neprica - Our 2 wines from Italy that were a big hit as April’s wines of the Month. ($13.99 WotM $12.60)

Acorn Sangiovese, Alegria Vineyards Reserve – Russian River Valley, California - This is one of my favorite Sangiovese’s. Showcasing appealing aromas of spicy fruit and sweet oak combined with luscious, mouth-filling flavors of spicy plum, rich cherry, and creamy vanilla. Hints of cedar smoke and tobacco intertwine with the long, velvety finish. A traditional well-balanced Sangiovese. ($28.99)

NEW WINES 

Les Tours Chardonnay, France - Estated bottled wine that is sustainably farmed. Tropical fruit nose, the mouth feel is round and creamy and nicely full but with some acidity and complexity. ($12.99)

Les Tours Pinot Noir, France - Estated bottled wine that is sustainably farmed. Aromas of wild strawberries and rose petals. Supple and round with flavors of rhubard and black cherries. No Oak, just pure fruit flavors. ($12.99)

Wellington Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma Valley - This crisp, fresh Sauvignon Blanc offers juicy kiwi and citrus flavors. Refreshing and beautifully balanced. ($14.99)

Cain Concept, Napa Valley - The 2004 Concept is a rich, dark purple (not ruby). It has a warm cherry-pie nose, and is fragrant, floral, and spicy. A sweet, round entry is followed by smooth, flowing, very refined tannins just enough to cleanse the palate. Cabernet Sauvignon 61%, Merlot 16%, Cabernet Franc 12%, Petit Verdot 11%. ($55.99)

On a side note: If you get a chance to pick up today’s (Wednesday) Manchester Union Leader, there is a great article about our wine shop in the Lifestyles/food section.

Our wine tasting on Thursday is from 4:30 to 7:00. 

Until then – Cheers!

Paula 

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all enjoyed today’s beautiful springtime temperatures. Thanks to everyone who came to the wine tasting on Thursday. We had a great time and, as always, Chuck from Wineberries was a wealth of information and great fun.

Our wine of the month was a wonderful success. So successful, it’s just about gone. Both of the wines are unavailable to reorder at the present time so we’ve decided on a new Wine of the Month – Valdunes Ribiero Del Douro.

This week we will be tasting - 

Chateau D’Orschwihr – Riesling – Alsace, France  - The nose is somewhat muted with a light hint of mineral. Dry and medium body. Citrus, apple, white pepper and minerals. (16.99)

Domaine de la Roche Saint-Martin - Brouilly – Beaujolais – France - 100% Gamay grape from a top estate, this wine is both seductive and complex. Terrific value. (16.99)

WINE OF THE MONTH – Valdunes Ribiero Del Douro – Tempranillo – Spain –  This 100% Tempranillo comes from the banks of the Spanish section of the Douro river. Aging in French and American oak provides an intense cherry red color with aromas of toast and fruit. Smooth on the palate, a good combination of fruits with spicy oak notes on the finish. (22.99 WotM 20.70)

Our wine tasting on Thursday is from 4:30 to 7:00. 

Until then – Cheers!

Paula 

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend. Thanks to all who came to the wine tasting on Thursday. We had a fun time and everyone enjoyed the new wines we tasted. This Thursday, Chuck Saunders from Wineberries will be pouring some of his great wines. 

Chehalem – INOX – Chardonnay – WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON – Another very tasty unoaked Chardonnay – Tropical fruit–like pineapple or guava, structured with a spicy ginger edge and tartness of green apple that finishes juicy and long. (19.99)

Crios de Susana Balbo – Syrah-Bonarda - ARGENTINA – Dark reddish/purple color. Intense aroma of black raspberries. This medium-bodied, very lively wine has loads of ripe red plum and black raspberry flavors with a slightly spicy character and a long, juicy finish. It’s a winner both before and during a meal. (16.99) – This wine is new to the shop. 

Beaucanon Estate – Cabernet Franc - NAPA VALLEY – Cabernet Franc is a classic Bordeaux grape. A nose of black cherry and raspberry fruit is touched with aromas of rose petals and black tea. The pallate has medium, chewy tannins and rich blueberry, plum and cocoa flavors with a hint of cedar from the American oak barrels. (22.99)

Our wine tasting on Thursday is from 4:30 to 7:00. 

Until then – Cheers!

Paula 

Hi Everyone,

Hope you all enjoyed the snowstorm we had last Friday. No more snow please!! Well, maybe this Friday – but lets hope not. I’m looking forward to some nice, warm weather wine tastings. But until then we’ll plan a nice cool weather wine tasting on Thursday night. If you missed last Thursdays wine tasting Sheila made some delicious goat cheese and fresh herb treats for us. Sheila will be helping me in the shop and I look forward to her support, experience and wonderful knowledge on food and wine pairings. 

We will taste 2 new wines that will also be our “Wines of the Month” both from Italy’s Puglia region.

Tormaresca Chardonnay - This wine is partially barrel fermented which accounts for its buttery peach aromas and flavors, but you can also taste the minerals and the nearby sea influence on the nose and palate. A soft, fresh, ripe apple/citrus chardonnay with an elegant demeanour that reflects its European origins in flavor and style. Try with sole or other light, simply prepared fish dishes.  (13.99 WotM 12.60)

Tormaresca Neprica -The Neprica is made with a local grape called negroamaro, plus primitivo and cabernet sauvignon. It’s darker in flavor than chianti, but it’s still low in alcohol and it’s not aged in oak. The latter gives it a fresher favor. Great with spaghetti and tomato sauce with mushrooms. (13.99 WotM 12.60)  

New Wines This Week at Bella Vino -

Duckhorn Paraduxx Red Napa 2005 - The aroma explodes with ripe fruit – strawberry, boysenberry, and plum, complemented by hints of violets, spice, and orange peel. This wine is medium-bodied with a chewy texture, robust yet approachable tannins, and a firm, lengthy finish. Ripe flavors of raspberry, red cherry, and boysenberry are balanced by complex notes of dark chocolate, espresso bean, and black licorice. (51.99) 

Rosenblum Petit Sirah Heritage Clones – (89 Points Wine Spectator) Rich, dark blackberry pie, hucklebery syrup and dark chocolate notes on a medium frame with chewy tannins. (17.99)

Beaucanon Cabernet Franc – Napa  - An elegant and balanced red; this wine is smooth, bright and supple with complex aromas of red plum and currants and touches of vanilla and spice. The unique flavors of the varietal shine through on the palate; a mouthful of rhubarb, red currant and cherry flavors with subtle hints of rose petals and pencil lead. Tannins are silky, barely gripping the palate while a vibrant acid keeps the wine refreshing and bright and extends the considerable finish. (22.99)

The 2005 Bordeaux vintage ranks among great modern classics and we are offering the following – rated 91 points Wine Spectator – this is a cellar wine – drinkable in 2012 and beyond.

Chateau Fonplegade – St. Emilion – 2005 - Very dark in color, with beautiful aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate and raspberry that follow through to a full body,with soft, round tannins, a supervelvety texture and a long, flavorful finish. (59.99)

Our wine tasting on Thursday is from 4:30 to 7:00. 

Until then – Cheers!

Paula