Hi Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well and not experiencing any flooding. I can’t  believe how rainy and windy it is today. One more day of rain and the rest of the week should be beautiful. Just in time for our Thursday night wine tasting and Easter Sunday, Greek Easter and Passover. I wish everyone a fun and happy holiday.

To help with your food and wine pairings, Patrick Dunn from Dunn Wine Imports will be pouring 5 delicious wines. And don’t forget to get some of your favorite cheeses and breads.

On another note – it’s time for 2010 voting for Best of NH. If you have a few minutes I would appreciate it if you click on this link and vote. I’m sure you have your favorite restaurant, pizza, cupcake, ice cream stand – If you feel that we are your favorite Wine Shop I would appreciate your vote. Wine Shop entry is in between Pancakes and Sunday Brunch! Voting ends April 5 and you have to vote in at least 20 categories – so it might take a few minutes.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting – Patrick

2008 Terre D’Alteni – 100%  Moscato Bianco – Lombardia, Italy –  Soft white mousse; clear golden-yellow color; generous bouquet, very assertive, with notes of musk, rosewood, sage and ripe fruit; the palate is sweet, exceptionally gracious, fresh and lively, with a persistent backdrop that is, by turns, fruity and musky. Ideally savored with: cakes, oven pies, desserts in general, strawberries, raspberries, peaches. ($18.99)

2008 White Oak Vineyards and Winery – 100% Chardonnay – Russian River Valley, California - Classic Russian River Chardonnay exhibiting aromas of vibrant tropical fruit married to toasty oak.  Full bodied, round, good depth of fruit, medium long finish.  Flavors of citrus fruit, apple, lime, roasted nut and toasted oak. ($26.99)

2007 Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards – 100% Reserve Pinot Noir  - Willamette Valley, Oregon – This multi-vineyard Pinot Noir is consistently crafted for lush fruit character, seamless balance and elegance. Dark garnet in color, this wine expresses cherry, violet and black tea in the bouquet. The juicy, mouth-filling palate shows dark bramble fruit, as well as notes of decadent chocolate-raspberry truffle. Finishing with a hint of barrel spice and intriguing tannins, this Pinot Noir is a proud example of a finely-crafted Lange wine. ($33.99)

2006 Robert Stemmler Nugent Vineyard- 100% Pinot Noir – Russian River Valley, California – 90 Pts California Grapevine – Complex aromatics of blackberry, cherry pit, cigar box, saddle leather, hints of minerality and dark chocolate. A wine of weight and silky texture delivering sweet cherries, plum and fresh raspberries. This wine would pair well with a lightly seasoned pork tenderloin. ($39.99)

“New Wine” 2005 Tabarrini Montefalco Rosso – Super Tuscan - Mostly Sangiovese, with the addition of Sagrantino, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot – Intense perfumes reminiscent of ripe cherries and rose petals. Fully rounded on the palate, it retains the structure and sweetness of the fruit without losing freshness or depth. First courses with elaborate sauces, medium mature cheeses, salamis. ($32.99)

Additional New Wines

“New Wine” 2006 Graffigna Centernaio – 100% Malbec - San Juan, Argentina – A nose of great complexity with very ripe dark  berries a touch of black pepper  and spicy  fragrances. The palate is well integrated with delicate ripe tannins and a complex  finish with hints of coffee, vanilla and toast. ($15.99)

“New Wine” 2005 Zaccagnini – 100% Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Reserve - Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, Italy – Aromas of plums and ripe blackberry. Each sip delivers a mouthful of ripe berries, leather and black pepper with subtle hints of oregano, dried herbs, and a touch of vanilla; all leading to a dry, supple finish. ($18.99)

“New Wine” 2007 Avalon – 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petite Syrah - Napa Valley, California – Aromas of raspberry, blackberry, mint and black cherries. Flavors of strawberries, red raspberries and dark cherries. The tannins are fine and chalky. Finally there is a mineral/earth note to the wine that contributes to the multi-layer characteristics. A classic Napa Valley wine. ($22.99)

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

We’re in our new space and up and running and looking forward to our weekly Thursday night wine tastings. Our Windham shop is beautiful and spacious. Not only will you find your favorite wines but also great artisanal cheeses. And “Good Loaf” breads are back.

This week we have Bob from R.P Imports who will be pouring 4 great wines. As usual we really look forward to our Thursday night wine tastings – and seeing all of you!

Thursday’s Wine Tasting – Bob

“New Wine” 2008 Morgan Winery – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – Montery, California –  The Morgan 2008 Sauvignon Blanc features aromas of orange blossoms, lemon-lime and limestone. Flavors of tropical fruit and gooseberry are lively and refreshing. Oak aging lightly accents the bright acidity and adds an elegant texture. Try with shellfish, seafood, and Asian-Fusion cuisine with a touch of spicy heat. ($19.99)

“New Wine” 2007 Eddy Family Wines – 100% Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley, Oregon - This single vineyard pinot with hints of strawberry and cedar, is made from classic Dijon clones in an elegantly Burgundian style. With a case production of approximately 300 cases, the Elodian Pinot Noir consistently proves to be a stunner. ($34.99)

“New Wine” 2005 Merriam Vineyards – 100% Merlot  - Russian River Valley, California – A delicious balance of earth and fruit, this wine is marked by aromas of leather and cherry cola that give way to flavors of violets and blueberry on the palate. A velvety mouthfeel with soft tannins and a lingering finish, this wine is a perfect pairing with lighter meat dishes such as lamb or duck. ($31.99)

“New Wine” 2005 Eddy Family Wines – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California – The Elodian Cabernet is made from all Napa Valley grapes. This wine is made to be easily approachable, its fruity components seeing some French oak but more Hungarian and American oak that renders it rich and lively. A minimum 12 months of barrel age and a year in the bottle puts the Elodian Cab on the market later than most wines of this caliber, a bonus for the buyer. Consistently a gold medal winner, this Elodian Cab has definite appeal. ($34.99)

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

Sorry that you’re getting this email a little late. I have been very busy trying to get the new Windham location up and running. I am looking forward to seeing all of you. Thank you to everyone who was able to make our last wine tasting in Londonderry. We had lots of fun!

I will not be ready for our usual Thursday night tasting. We will open on Friday – it will not be perfect but at least we will be open and running. I will send information along when we will have a grand opening.

We will have a wine tasting on Saturday from 1pm to 4pm, Joe from Pine State Beverage Company will be pouring 4 wines – 2 Italian wines, a Chianti and a Super Tuscan and 2 California wines , a Chardonnay and a Meritage.

 I hope to see you on Saturday.

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

It seems that many of you received my email with lines appearing through some of the text. Not sure what happened – but all of those wines are available and we will be tasting them tomorrow night March 11.

We also have an additional wine we will be adding to tomorrows tasting!!

 2005 Truchard – 100% Syrah - Napa Valley, California - 88 WA – Robert Parker - Smokey black currant and cherry notes intermixed with spice. It is a soft, velvety style of wine.  ($32.99)

Our wine tasting on Thursday is from 4:30 to 7:00. Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

Our final wine tasting in Londonderry will take place on Thursday. I hope you can come and help us celebrate 2 1/2 great years of wine and friendships. What a lot of fun the last 2 1/2 years have been. But it’s not the end – just a new beginning. So join Sheila and I for our last tasting together. Plus get 10% off any wines that we are pouring (and there are 7 of them!!!).

Thursday’s Wine Tasting – Sheila and Me!!!

2003 Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan Forster Jesuitengarten – 100% Riesling Spatlese - Pfalz Region, Germany - Vibrant peach aromas and flavors. Distinct minerality and great balance with a delicate refinement. ($31.99) 

 “Returning Wine” 2009 Veramonte – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – Casablanca Valley, Chile - Aromas of fresh lemon-lime fruit, intense peach, citrus and herbs mingle with floral accents. Medium body with citrus, melon and herb flavors that linger on the palate and end with a crisp finish. ($16.99)

Hi Everyone,

I would like to update you regarding Bella Vino’s upcoming move from our Londonderry shop to our new shop in Windham. I have spoken to so many of you about the move that I hadn’t realized there are many of you that did not know about the move.

So for clarification and to keep everyone in the loop – Bella Viino will be moving to 4 Cobbetts Pond Road, Unit 8, Windham on or about March 12. We will need a little time to get situated but hope to be up and running in Windham on Thursday March 18 (just in time for our Thursday night wine tasting). I will send out an email to keep you all updated.

Why are we moving? I think simply put, we have outgrown our space. Our new location will provide much more space giving us the ability to offer more products and services. We will have wonderful artisanal cheeses and breads, a larger wine selection and more classes.

We have been so fortunate for the many friendships we have made at Bella Vino. We thank you for your support the past 2 1/2 years in Londonderry and look forward to seeing you in our new Windham location.

Please be sure to join us on Thursday March 11 for our last Londonderry wine tasting. More information regarding this tasting will come next week. But it will be lots of fun!!

Regards

Paula

Hi Everyone,

What a weekend! I hope you were not without power for too long. Unfortunately we did not get power to Bella Vino until late Sunday.

Just a little update on the move. We will be open through Friday March 12. And we will have a fun, last wine tasting in Londonderry on Thursday March 11. More details on that will be coming next week. But for this week Karen will be pouring some great wines – all new with great ratings – for us to taste.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting – Karen

“New Wine” 2007 Chateau St. Michelle Indian Wells – 100% Riesling - Columbia Valley, Washington - 90 Pts W&S - The Indian Wells Riesling exhibits fruit-driven aromas of ripe, juicy pineapple, peach and mango and is rich, while maintaining a crisp, well-balanced style that is typical of Washington state Riesling. ($15.99)

“New Wine” 2007 Christine Andrew – 100% Malbec – Lodi, California - 89 Pts WE - Most people think Argentina when they see Malbec, but it now has found an ideal home in the Lodi appellation. Think of ripe, red cherries, plums and luscious currants. The flavors complement the nose with rich, ripe fruit overlapped by spicy cherry and hints of sweet oak. Medium bodied with mature tannins, this wine has a savory feel to it. Malbec tends to be best paired with any red meat dish but can also go great with Mexican, Indian or Italian fare. ($19.99)