Hi Everyone,

It was great to sneak in some beautiful Fall weather before the reality of late Fall and Winter sets in. But what a great time for red wine!! And Karen from Southern Wine will be pouring 3 wonderful reds and 1 white for Thursday’s wine tasting. Since it’s the day before Halloween – Sheila will have some special treats for us – but she always does!

I am happy to announce that from now until the end of the year I will add a Saturday wine tasting at Bella Vino. Every Saturday we will have 1 white and 1 red for you to taste. We will also carry an assortment of “THE GOOD LOAF” breads on Saturday’s. So be sure to drop by for a taste of wine and a loaf of the best breads made in New Hampshire!

I am always looking for great new wines to please everyone’s different palate. So be sure to check the “New Wines” section at the end of my emails. We also have a new “Wish List” box in the shop. Be sure to come in a write down some items on your “Wish List”. You never know who is looking to get you something very special.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting

2006 Valley of the Moon – Pinot Blanc – Sonoma County, California – Aromas of pear and lime with a hint of hazelnut. Rich, tropical and citrus fruit flavors lead to a creamy finish and a crisp green apple tartness. ($16.99) 

2006 Wente Sandstone – Merlot – Monterery, California - Full-bodied, but with a smooth mid-palate that showcases flavors of cherry and truffles alongside tobacco undertones. ($14.99) 

2006 Ferrari-Carano Siena – 62% Sangiovese, 32% Malbec – Sonoma County, California - Juicy strawberry and raspberry jam flavors are followed by a round finish of caramel, roasted marshmallow and spice. Gentle tannins, lingering finish. ($27.99)

2005 Fetish Playmates (yes that’s the name) – Shiraz – Barossa Valley, Australia – 91 Pts. WS - Deep, dark cherries and black fruits with a chocolately and spicy mid palate. ($21.99) 

Saturday’s Wine Tasting

2006 JanKris – Unoaked Chardonnay – Paso Robles, California – 100% Unoaked, this wine is a pure expression of the Chardonnay grape. Aromas of pear with hints of lemon and apple. Long, lean, tart finish. ($14.99) 

2006 JanKris – Merlot – Paso Robles, California - Aromas of plum and dark cherries, hint of light vanilla, chocolate and caramel. The palate consists of blackberry, plum, cherry and toasted oak. ($13.99)  

NEW WINES

2006 Peter Paul – Chardonnay – Mendocino County, California – Fruit and floral character framed by subtle oak followed by crisp acidity and clean minerality. ($22.99) 

2006 Foris – Pinot Noir – Rogue Valley, Oregon - The Wall Street Journal recently blind-tasted over 50 Oregon Pinot Noirs under $60. The panel selected the 2006 Foris Pinot Noir as one of its favorite wines and rated it “Very Good – Best Value”. Their description: “Classy, with tightly wound fruit and a raspberry-spice-oak-nutmeg finish. Even a touch of chocolate.” ($22.99) 

2004 Peralta – Syrah – Central Coast, California - 88 Pts. WE - Very fruity nose of wild red berries. Smooth core with notes of anise and spice. Good finish, with more wild berries and a touch of pepper. ($11.99) 

2004 Biagio – 90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon – Tuscany, Italy – 89 Pts. WS – Richly textured red with dark, ripe fruit offset by balanced, toasty oak. Nice even tannins. Pairs well with sharp cheeses. ($13.99)  

2006 Domaine de l’Ecu Guy Bossard – 100% Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet) – Loire Valley, France - 92 Pts. WE – Fresh, clean and full-bodied, this wine displays a nice minerality on the nose and the palate that reflects the expression of the terroir. Good young but will improve over the 5-7 next years. A perfect match to fish, seafood and white meats. ($19.99)   

Our wine tasting on Thursday is from 4:30 to 7:00 and on Saturday from noon to 5:00.

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

If you would like to taste some local wines I will have 2 Flag Hill wines, 2 Jewell Towne wines and 1 LaBelle Winery wine for you to taste on Saturday (October 25) from noon to 5:30. I am also very happy to report that I will have a delicious assortment of breads from the Good Loaf. Many of you have missed them on Thursday nights. 

Hope to see you Saturday.

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

I hope you’re all looking forward to this weeks wine tasting. We have a great assortment to please almost everyone’s palate. Ambra Kash from F & F Imports will be pouring 4 of her delicious wines.

2005 Tremani – Pinot Gris – Russian River Valley, California – 80% tank fermented, 20% barrel fermented. Rich, crisp, fruit-forward Alsatian style wine (these wines tend to be finished with less residual sugar and also offer more flavor, more oak, more ripeness, and have a have a rich, almost oily texture). Flavors include lime, peach, ginger, green apple, flint and spice. ($18.99) 

2007 Banyon – Gewurztraminer, Central Coast, California - Rose petals, honeysuckle, peaches and cloves make for a very aromatic wine. Firm acid and a luscious mouthfeel provide the structure to hold up to food. Slightly sweet to cleanse the palate when eating spicier foods. ($14.99) 

2006 Hobo, Cabernet Sauvignon,  Alexander Valley, California - Somewhat “old world style” – this wine offers plum, blackberry, cherry and a hint of herbs followed by toasty oak. Structured and balanced with a lasting finish. ($19.99)

2003 Domaine De Montvac – 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre – Rhone Valley, Gigondas, France – Gigondas wine is robust, well-balanced and aromatic. Gigondas can be seen as an alternative to the expensive Chateauneuf du Pape. This wine achieves maturity in 3 to 5 years but can be kept up to 10 years. Powerful on the palate with well balanced tannins. ($28.99) 

NEW WINES

Cave de Cairanne - 76% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 8% Carignan and 8% Cinsault – Rhone Valley, France - This wine has engaging aromas of red fruit and spices. Medium bodied and supple with a generous amount of textured ripe forest fruit, soft structure and a clean finish.  ($14.99) 

Buried Cane, 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.5% Merlot, 10.5 Syrah, Washington State - Rich, dry red wine with full black currant, cherry and vanilla spice characters. ($18.99)  

Buried Cane, 80% Riesling, 10% Chardonnay, 10% Sauvignon Blanc, Washington State - Off-dry white with the honey, peach and melon aromas and flavors that define Washington State Riesling. ($17.99)   

Felsina, Sangiovese, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy - Complex and richly fruity Chianti with flavors of wild red raspberries and spice. ($13.99 – 375ml size)    

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all enjoyed a long weekend filled with beautiful weather and spectacular foliage. At this weeks wine tasting Amy LaBelle – winemaker of LaBelle Winery will be joining us and pouring 4 of her tasty wines – all perfect for this time of the year. This is Amy’s second visit to Bella Vino – we had lots of fun on her first visit – so come and meet Amy and taste some of her great New Hampshire wines.

Apple Cranberry Wine - Semi-sweet, with wonderful apple aromas, but still manages to capture the tart finish of Cranberry. Delicious with all the savory flavors of autumn. ($14.99) 

Heirloom Apple Wine - This unique wine is made with only heirloom apples. Their historically valued characteristics yield a more complex wine, with floral notes of roses and tulips. This wine is excellent as an aperitif, with a light meal, and superb with turkey and ham. Drink this wine as you would any white wine – best chilled. ($12.99) 

Granite State Apple - In this specialty wine a touch of locally produced maple syrup is added to fresh apple wine made from select, slow-fermented New Hampshire apples. Serve this delicacy at room temperature or slightly chilled to compliment dessert or a cheese course. ($11.99)  

Blanco – A Peach Dessert Wine – Peaches picked at their peak to bring you this delicate, perfumed dessert wine, with floral and honey notes. Best served slightly chilled after a meal, with dessert or a cheese course. ($14.99) 

NEW WINES

Banyon – Gewurztraminer, Central Coast, California - Rose petals, honeysuckle, peaches and cloves make for a very aromatic wine. Firm acid and a luscious mouthfeel provide the structure to hold up to food. Slightly sweet to cleanse the palate when eating spicier foods. ($14.99) 

Hobo, Cabernet Sauvignon,  Alexander Valley, California - Somewhat “old world style” – this wine offers plum, blackberry, cherry and a hint of herbs followed by toasty oak.  Structured and balanced with a lasting finish. ($19.99)  

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

Sorry to be sending another email this week but I wanted to direct you to a great local site. And of course to the story I wrote on “Green Wine”  www.londonderrynh.net

Thanks and hope to see you all soon.

Until then – Cheers!

Paula 

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. October already!! October brings cool weather and Halloween candy!! I especially love the candy corn!! 

At last Thursday’s wine tasting we poured 2 French and 2 California wines. We will do the same this week but with a twist. We will match a French and Californian Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. It will be fun to see, smell and taste the differences, whether subtle or obvious, in a grape varietal.  

2006 Denis Jamain – Sauvignon Blanc – Loire Region, France - Aromas of perfumed citrus rind accented by sparkling minerality. A silky swallow explodes with grapefruit, lemon meringue and fresh apple flavors. ($17.99) 

2006 Pezzi King – Sauvignon Blanc – Dry Creek Valley, California - Rich with ripe citrus, tropical fruit, mango, and pineapple. Bright and refreshing, medium weight, finishes with notes of honeyed grapefruit and lemon zest. ($15.99)

2005 Domaine De La Chanteleuserie – Cabernet Franc – Loire Region, France – A lighter styled Cabernet Franc. Bouquet of berries and a palate of blackcurrant, a little spice and some white pepper. ($17.99)  

2004 Beaucanon Estate – Cabernet Franc – Napa Valley, California - A nose of black cherry and raspberry fruit touched with aromas of rose petal and black tea. On the palate medium, chewy tannins with rich blueberry, plum and cocoa flavors. A delicate hint of spice and cedar from the American oak barrels. ($22.99) 

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to all who attended our year anniversary party on Saturday. We had a great time. If you couldn’t make it – there’s always next year! I want to thank everyone for the past year. It has been a great pleasure meeting all of you and opening a shop in the community I live in. Congratulations to one of our “regulars” who was thrilled to win the raffle basket. The proceeds have already been donated to 2 very good local causes. Thank you.

At Thursday’s wine tasting Sandy from RP Imports will be pouring 4 tasty wines – 2 French and 2 California wines. The 2 French wines will be our wines of the month.

2004  Domaine Robert-Denogent Pouilly-Fuisse – Chardonnay – Burgandy Region, France –  Exotically perfumed aromas of orchard fruit. Less tropical, more mineral and then widens out into a wide vista of ripe fruit. Rich on the long finish. ($32.99 WotM $29.70) 

2004 Philippe Colim Chassagne-Montrachet – Pinot Noir - Burgandy Region, France - Floral, woodsy notes of fresh pine. On the palate green tea and sweet-tart red fruit, fresh apple flavors.  ($28.99 WotM $26.10) 

2005 Perfecta – Merlot – Napa Valley, California – A fruity nose with subtle oak aromas. Smooth and mellow with a sweet berry flavor. Finishes strong at the back of the tongue. ($18.99)  

2005 Girard Artistry – 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 14% Petit Verdot, 9% Malbec, 1% Merlot – Napa Valley, California – Aromas of plum, cherries, cinnamon and herbs. This smooth textured wine offers a full mouth and medium body. Firm approachable tannins. ($42.99) 

NEW WINES

Emerald Bay – Chardonnay, Central Coast, California - Tropical fruit aromas and on the palate. Slight oak and acidity with a refreshing finish. ($11.99) 

Duck Pond Vineyards, Pinot Noir,  Willamette Valley, Oregon - Great Pinot Noir from the Oregon Williamette Valley. The wine is rich in color, fruit-forward, and full-bodied with spectacular aging potential. ($21.99)  

Meeker, FroZin, Zinfandel Dessert Wine, California- 92 Pts. Wine Library – Sweet, zippy, spicy red Zinfandel, made in a faux-ice wine style. Sweet cherry, strawberry and raspberry have a dominant flavor, with white pepper and fresh acidity on the finish. This dessert wine delivers incredibly fresh Zinfandel aromas and flavors, almost as if the grapes had just been picked and pressed immediately into your glass! Truly a unique and delicious wine to be savored with cheese, nuts, fruit or any great dessert….especially chocolate. ($26.99)

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula