Hi Everyone,

Looks like we’re in for some more snow tomorrow. Is there anywhere left to put the snow! Our weekly wine tasting will be on Friday this week. We will be attending the Easter Seals wine tasting on Thursday night and will close Bella Vino at 4:15. We hope to see many of you at the event. But be sure to join us on Friday – we will not only have 4 wonderful wines for you to taste but some great food and ideas for super bowl Sunday. We will be using some of our Crooked Birch products and Amy LaBelle’s Jalapeño wine. If you can’t make Friday, we’ll have 2 wines for you to taste on Saturday. 

Our first two wines at Friday’s tasting will be our ‘Wines of the Month” and they make a beautiful (and tasty) valentines gift. 

Friday’s Wine Tasting – Megan Crane from Crush Distributer will be pouring

2006 Core White – 75% Grenache Blanc, 17% Rousanne, 8% Marsanne – Central Coast, California - Small production, only 320 cases produced, sustainable agriculture. Gold in color and really nice floral notes. Excellent minerality in mouthfeel and the acidity should cut through food and/or cream based sauces. Some oak but it’s not at all intrusive. ($23.99 – $21.60 WotM) 

2006 Core Red – 49% Syrah, 33% Grenache, 18% Mourvedre – Central Coast, California - Small production, only 770 cases produced, sustainable agriculture. Medium bodied red purple wine, very polished and smooth. Blueberry and strawberries on the nose, the same on the palate with a gentle pepper bite, firm tannins with a medium finish. Creaminess and smoothness on the back-end. ($23.99 – $21.60 WotM))

“New Wine” 2007 Arabella Cabernet Sauvignon, Robertson Valley Southwestern Cape, South Africa - Brimming with abundant blackcurrant aromas, this full-bodied wine is a mouthful of juicy plum flavours. Delightfully versatile, it makes a delicious partner to a wide variety of foods. ($12.99)  

2007 Arabella Shiraz, Robertson Valley Southwestern Cape, South Africa - Deep Burgundy red in color with aromas of Vanilla and mocha. The palate rewards with lingering flavours of liquorice and ripe black cherries, supported by soft, spicy tannins. ($12.99) 

Saturday’s Wine Tasting

“New Wine” 2007 Hopler – Gruner Veltliner – Burgenland, Austria - The Austrian national grape variety is marked by its primary rock character, a light green tinge, yellow apple scents, and spicy hay flavours supported by minerals. Grüner Veltliner is particularly good when served with cold starters, pastas, delicate salads or as an aperitif. ($16.99)

“New Wine” 2007 Sola Fred – 90% Carinena, 10% Garnacha – Cataluna, Spain – 90 Pts. WA - Dark ruby-colored, with an excellent nose of violets, black cherry, and earth notes. Supple and forward on the palate, it has serious depth of flavor, excellent balance, and a long, fruity finish. ($13.99)

Our wine tasting on Friday is from 4:30 to 7:00 and on Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00.

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to all of you who braved the cold weather last Thursday to help us celebrate Sheila’s birthday. All of our wines were a big hit – but the Tommasi Poggio Al Tufo Rompicollo (Sangiovese Cabernet blend) was so well received – I sold out that night. No need to worry – it will be back in stock tomorrow.

We thought it would be fun to do a vertical tasting – 3 Cabernet Sauvignon’s. On Thursday, Karen from Southern Wine and Spirits will be pouring 2 Cabernet’s from California and 1 from Argentina. 

Don’t forget to stop by on Saturday for our 2nd tasting of the week.

Just a little advance notice – next Thursday – January 29 – we will be closing early at 4:30. We will be going to the Easter Seals Wine tasting in Manchester. We hope to try some new, delicious wines for you to try. We will have our weekly wine tasting on Friday January 30. 

Thursday’s Wine Tasting 

2005 Trapiche Broquel – Cabernet Sauvignon – Mendoza, Argentina - An excellent Cabernet from Argentina. Reminiscent of many Californian cabs with a rich fruit nose and pleasant berry and oak palate with a juicy finish. $16.99

“New Wine” Geyser Peak - Walking Tree Vineyard - Cabernet Sauvignon – Alexander Valley, California - Aromas of white pepper, dark berry fruit and cassis. Aging in French oak barrels softens the otherwise firm tannins and introduces hints of toasted vanilla. Luscious blueberry and blackberry flavors are refined and perfectly balanced by a spiciness that lingers on a long and elegant finish. $27.99 

2004 Mount Veeder Winery - Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa, California - This full-bodied Cabernet is packed with ripe fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry and layers with distinctive cocoa and cedar notes. Great structure and a long finish. $35.99 

Returing Wine

2006 – Reginato Celestina Sparkling Rose – Malbec – Mendoza, Argentina - A vibrant, rich, red color suggests something heavy, but pop it in your mouth, and you will feel the crisp, dry and refreshing mouth-feel that you want with your meal. It has some light berry flavors, just a hint of tannin structure, and an amazing elegance. It speaks of the rich Malbec grape, but never loses its light, refreshing nature. It will give you a good reason to drink sparkling wine with your main course! $19.99

Saturday’s Wine Tasting 

2006 Granbazan Ambar, Albarino, D.O. Rias Baixas, Spain - Named “The Best Spanish White” by Wine and Spirits, 92 points - If you missed this wine the the last time we served it you will be in for a very pleasant surprise – it is delicious. This white wine has an original character of being both fruity and floral. On the nose there are fruity aromas of apricot and green apple against a tropical background of pineapple and banana. Pleasant and silky in the mouth with well balanced fresh acidity ending in a wine rich and full bodied. Intense and long finish in harmonious balance. $24.99

2004 Peter Paul – Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa, California - Complex aromas of cherry, raspberry, clove sage and cedar. Very well-balanced wine. $34.99  

Our wine tasting on Thursday is from 4:30 to 7:00 and on Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00.

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are all shoveled out from under the snow we had on Sunday. Thursday’s weather prediction is a high of 9 degrees!! Being hearty New Englanders I’m sure that won’t get in the way of our weekly wine tasting. In the spirit of freezing weather and the fact that it’s Sheila’s birthday today, I will make a chocolate cake for Thursday’s tasting (which will be a surprise to Sheila – unless of course she reads this email!!) and we will have 3 red wines to help warm us up.

I really like the idea our Saturday tasting’s. And it seem a lot of you agree. So we will continue to have our Saturday tasting’s featuring 1 White and 1 Red wine. 

Sandy from R.P. Imports will be here on Thursday to pour 3 of her wines.  

Thursday’s Wine Tasting 

2007 Hayman & Hill – Pinot Noir – Santa Lucia Highlands, California - Lifted strawberry and sweet ripe raspberry characters attack you on the nose and palate. Subtle dusty overtones with a sweet smokiness help to make this a powerful yet elegant Pinot. $21.99

2005 Ten Mile “The Broken Road” – 64% Petite Sirah, 18% Zinfandel, 8% Barbera, 8% Malbec, 2% Carignane – Oakville, California - Aromas of pepper and black raspberry tea. Deep black fruits on the palate in a medium bodied, supple style while the nicely structured acidity ensures a multitude of dimension. $17.99 (WotM $16.20)

“New Wine” Tommasi Poggio Al Tufo Rompicollo – 60% Sangiovese, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon – Tuscany, Italy - This wine retains the earthiness that is traditional of so many Italian red wines, while the Cabernet introduces some great black fruit. Inky purple in color, with a nose of earth and black fruit. On the palate some blackcurrant, red cherries and hints of pepper and oak. Very firm tannins make this a great wine to pair with prosciutto, gorgonzola and smoked gouda cheeses. $18.99 

Returing Wines

2006 – Jelu – Pinot Noir – Patagonia, Argentina - The Patagonia region of Argentina is known for its world-class outdoor adventures. Little do most people know, however, that it also has the perfect climate for growing the Pinot Noir grape. This is a hearty red wine, medium-bodied with wild raspberries and black cherries on the palate. $16.99

New Wines

Trace Wines – Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz Blend – Tracy Hills, California - Trace winery vineyards are located just 50 miles east of San Francisco in a new AVA (American Viticultural Area), Tracy Hills. They grow all of their own fruit and produce all of their own wines. This Cabernet-Shiraz blend has aromas of blueberries, cedar and cocoa with robust and spicy flavors on your palate. Enjoy with BBQ, pasta with meatballs or your favorite pizza. $13.99  

2005 Flying Clouds – 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petite Syrah- Paso Robles, California - The Petite Syrah really gives this wine a dark berry, mocha profile with chunky, chewy tannins. $18.99

Saturday’s Wine Tasting 

2006 “Walla Voila” Le E’Coel #41- Chenin Blanc – Walla Walla, Washington - Transparent, light straw color. Pears and melons, ripe and forward white fruit on the nose and palate. Juicy and fresh pear and citrus flavors, gentle sweetness more than adequately balanced by a vibrant edge of fresh-fruit acidity. ($17.99)  

Let’s try the Trace Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz Blend (see description above)

Our wine tasting on Thursday is from 4:30 to 7:00 and on Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00.

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hello all,

I want to send a correction to my previous e-newsletter. Liberty School Cabernet did not get a 95 Pt. rating from WS. The current vintage I have is 2006 – I was looking at information from an older vintage. It is currently not rated. All other information and ratings are correct. Thank you to John and Chuck for asking questions that prompted me to research further.

We will have a wine tasting on Saturday – here is what we will be tasting.

2007 Labelle Winery – Seyval Blanc – New Hampshire - Delicate and beautiful with floral and fruity notes of citrus. Nice balanced acidity - pairs great with chicken caesar salad, shrimp scampi and scallops. –  $13.99

“New Wine” 2006 Torrenento “Il Filare” – 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, 20% Primitivo – Puglia, Italy - The name “Il Filare” refers to a single row of vines – an acknowledgment of the fact that the care taken in the vineyard ultimately determines the potential of this wine. Aged in stainless steel with a fragrant nose and savoury mouthfeel. Pairs well with roasted meats and cheeses. $13.99 

Our wine tasting on Saturday is from 1:00 to 4:00.

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all,

I can’t believe I’m writing this newsletter with another ice storm raging outside. It seems the weather tomorrow might be cooperative enough for our weekly wine tasting. We’ve missed 2 Thursday night tasting’s due to the holidays. I look forward to seeing all of you and catching up.

We have a lot of new and returning wines for this first full week in January 2009. Since this is our “Community” wine shop I would like to introduce a new idea on how to build on the wine cellar. I get so many great wine requests from many of you. Some of the wines are unavailable in New Hampshire while others are available in case quantities only. But there are a few requested wines that I can get as “bottle pick”. Which means I can order any number of bottles. For these wines I will order in quantities of 6. I will put them in a special “Customer Pick’s” section. They will be available for anyone to purchase and I will expect feedback! If the majority of you like them I will stock them in the shop – if the majority of you do not like them – we will not bring them back! I have 3 wines this week that are “Customer Pick’s” – they are listed at the end of this e-newsletter – be sure to try them while they last.

In this New Year we will be holding wine classes. More information and dates to follow. But if there are any particular wines or wine related topics you are interested in – let us know. We are also interested in what days and times work for you. Would you like days, nights, weekdays, weekends? 

We will have 2 Wines of the Month (WotM). One we will taste this week and the other we will taste next week. 

Thursday’s Wine Tasting 

2006 Norton Ridge – Chardonnay – Russian River Valley, California – 91 Pts. Wine News – Clean, fresh scents of pear. Lively flavors of stone fruit and lemon. Balanced finish brings out its food-friendly qualities. $19.99 (WotM $18.00) 

Non-Vintage Mosby “Lucca” – Sangiovesse/Dolcetto – Santa Barbara, California – “Lucca” is a blend of mostly estate-grown Sangiovese with some Dolcetto. Named after a picturesque village in Tuscany. Crafted in the style of Chianti Classico, this wine is rich, flavorful and lightly oaked. $14.99  

2006 Lange – Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley, Oregon – Starts with flavors of toast, oak and plum with medium acidity. Pepper and leather enter mid-palate. Finishes with long lingering flavors of raspberry. $24.99 

Returing Wines

Ten Mile “The Broken Road” – 64% Petite Sirah, 18% Zinfandel, 8% Barbera, 8% Malbec, 2% Carignane – Oakville, California – Aromas of pepper and black raspberry tea. Deep black fruits on the palate in a medium bodied, supple style while the nicely structured acidity ensures a multitude of dimension. $17.99 (WotM $16.20)

Sydney Ann – Pinot Grigio – Veneto, Italy – This Pinot Grigio is a light style, offering a delicate aroma of honey and flowers with a crisp finish. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and cool temperatures to preserve these subtle characteristics. $14.99

New French Wines

Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf Du Pape BLANC – 40% White Grenache, 40% Roussanne, 12% Clairette,  8% Bourboulenc - Rhone Valley, France – 92 Pts. – Robert M. Parker, Jr.s, The Wine Advocate - The Roussanne is barrel-fermented and aged in wood, and the balance is tank-fermented as well as aged. This wine reveals classic floral rose petal notes intermixed with some tangerine and lemon zest. Honeysuckle, crisp acidity, and lemon oil are all noticeable in this full-bodied, rich, but delicate and concentrated wine that should drink nicely for 4-5 years. $34.99

Roger Perrin Chateauneuf Du Pape – 76% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 7% Mourvèdre, 3% Cinsault, 2% Clairette, 2% Counoise, 2% Vaccarese (doesn’t add up to 100% in my book – but I have to believe the internet!!) – Rhone Valley, France – 91-93 Pts. The International Wine Cellar - Earthy character with rich dark fruit, spice and chocolate scents on the nose. Medium-bodied, the palate exhibits rich lush fruit, notes of leather, anise and minerals, ripe tannins, and a long extended finish. $38.99

New Italian Wine

Torrenento “Il Filare” – 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, 20% Primitivo – Puglia, Italy – The name “Il Filare” refers to a single row of vines – an acknowledgment of the fact that the care taken in the vineyard ultimately determines the potential of this wine. Aged in stainless steel with a fragrant nose and savoury mouthfeel. Pairs well with roasted meats and cheeses. $13.99

New Chilean Wine 

2005 Butron-Budinich Cumbres Andinas Reserve – Malbec – Cachapoal Valley, Chile – Aromas of tobacco and black cherries. Balanced on the palate, good tannic structure, with a long after taste. $17.99 

New Californian Wines

Hayman & Hill – Pinot Noir – Santa Lucia Highlands, California – Lifted strawberry and sweet ripe raspberry characters attack you on the nose and palate. Subtle dusty overtones with a sweet smokiness help to make this a powerful yet elegant Pinot. $21.99

Hobo – Zinfandel – Dry Creek, California – Ripe blackberry, yet is still lean and doesn’t overpower. A classic old-style Zinandel, lean on the palate with soft tannins. $21.99

“Customer Pick’s” Wines 

“Tom’s Pick” - Liberty School – Cabernet Sauvignon – Paso Robles, California – 95 Pts. WS – Aromas of ripe red fruit and hints of vanilla, followed by similar vibrant red berry flavors. Solid tannins lend excellent structure, while maintaining a soft approachability reflective of Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine has a ripe full finish. $15.99

“Kristin’s Pick” – Susana Balbo – Cabernet Sauvignon – Mendoza, Argentina -  88 Pts. WS – A very ripe, creamy style, with boysenberry and fig fruit, fruitcake and mocha notes and a long, licorice-filled finish. $16.99

“Rick’s Pick” – Ben Marco – Malbec – Mendoza, Argentina – 91 Pts. WS - Very juicy, with fresh cut plum and fig fruit flavors laced with violet, graphite and high-toned spice notes. Long, racy finish. $22.99

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula