Hi Everyone,

Hope you all had a great week. I have been anxiously waiting for Thursdays wine tasting. It will be a lot of fun and very informative. Kenny Likitprakong, winemaker/owner of Hobo, Banyon and Folk Machine Wine Companies will be pouring and discussing 6 of his wines. You can read about him and his wines at www.hobowines.com. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and talk with Kenny.

Saturday, May 15, 1:00 to 4:00 we will have our “Bella Grand Opening”. 4 wine distributers will pour some of their favorite wines. More information will follow.

Friday, May 21, 7:00 to 8:30 “Windham Helping Hands” will hold a special fundraiser – call or stop by for further information.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting – Kenny and Ambra (F & F Wine Imports)

Banyan Wines produces small lots of specialty white wines from ecologically farmed sustainably grown grapes.

2008 Banyan Wines – Gewurztraminer – Monterey County, California – 87 Pts. – WE – This is a very aromatic wine. Peach, apricots, cloves and tea leaves. Produced in an off-dry style to be refreshing and compliment spicy foods. ($15.99)

“New Wine” 2006 Banyan Wines – Viognier – Monterey County, California – A lush Viognier with a nose of pineapple, peaches and jasmine. Flavors of honey, apricot, lemon and a touch of cream and spice. Medium weight with a crisp, clean finish! ($16.99)

The Hobo Wine Company is the brainchild, side job, menace to the wine industry, hedged bet, cash strain, mental anguish, late night musing, bruised hands, dirty t-shirts, and constant companion of Kenny Likitprakong. Despite knowing better, he started his own label in 2002 with the simple idea to have some good fun.

2007 Hobo Wine Company – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon – Alexander Valley, California – Intended to be approachable, consumed relatively young, and a versatile food companion. A more subtle, more restrained, almost lighter style of Cabernet Sauvignon, but also something that is bright and characteristic of the variety. ($22.99)

2008 Hobo Wine Company – 100% Zinfandel – Dry Creek Valley, California – This Zinfandel has the rich and ripe fruit that the Dry Creek Valley is know for – yet it is still lean and doesn’t bury the tongue. A classic old-style Zinfandel. ($22.99)

In 2006 Kenny started The Folk Machine as a tribute to Woody Guthrie and a way to explore wines from outside the USA.

“New Wine“ 2008 The Folk Machine Wines – 100% Pinot Noir – Central Coast, California – A casual Pinot, something that can be paired with food and enjoyed easily. The 08 is a return to the leaner, lower alcohol, more earth influenced style that was achieved in 05 and 06. Consistent with this wine is a pronounced spiciness and light strawberry flavor and color. ($24.99)

“New Wine” 2008 The Folk Machine Wines – Long Drive – 25% Zinfandel, 25% Petite Sirah, 25% Valdigue, 25% Syrah – Central Coast, California – This blend is made with a specific taste in mind – sleek & silky, soft & pretty. The name is in honor of the road and the miles that it takes to make this wine. ($24.99)

Additional New Wine

“New Wine” Palagetto – Brunello di Montalcino  - 100% Sangiovese – Tuscony Region, Italy - Generous and elegant, with all the charm of the Sangiovese grape. Stylish floral hints, fresh red berry fruit with hints of leather, earth and autumn leaves. Gutsy and determined, has considerable structure which is supported by sweet, vigorous tannins. An edgy acidity lengthens the deep, well defined finish. ($63.99)

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

Hope you all had a great week and are looking forward to another fun and tasty wine tasting. Thursday is Earth Day and although we are not pouring any Organic wines – our 2 California wines are sustainably farmed and I would also guess our 2 French wines are farmed sustainably as well.

I have been having fun finding a fact about the day of each of our wine tastings. So here is our April 22 fact. “Anyone who enjoys watching the sky for “shooting stars” will have an opportunity to observe an old and reliable meteor display over the next several days: the April Lyrids. The best time to watch will be for a night or two around the peak, April 22.” Happy sky watching!

As a reminder for the third time (sorry) Thursday, April 29 we will have a special wine tasting featuring Kenny Likitprakong, winemaker/owner of Hobo, Banyon and Folk Machine Wine Companies. Kenny will be pouring and discussing 6 of his wines. You can read about him and his wines at www.hobowines.com. I am really looking forward to this tasting. There are not too many opportunities we have to talk with a California winemaker!

Saturday, May 15, 1:00 to 4:00 we will have our “Bella Grand Opening”. 4 wine distributers will pour some of their favorite wines. More information will follow.

Friday, May 21, 7:00 to 8:30 “Windham Helping Hands” will hold a special fundraiser – call or stop by for further information.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting – Jackie

“New Wine” Chateau Tour de Mirambeau Reserve Entre Deux Mers – Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Semilon – Bordeaux Region, France –  Floral aromas with a hint of citrus. Medium in weight with a clean finish. Very refreshing. I love this wine! ($17.99)

“New Wine” 2008 Moillard Bourgogne – 100% Pinot Noir – Burgundy, France - Clear ruby, not overly dark, typical of Bourgogne. Ripe cherry aromas and a discreet whiff of herbs, evocative of fresh tarragon. Good cherry and red-berry fruit nicely shaped by lip-smacking acidity, soft tannins showing up in the finish. ($22.99)

2006 Pezzi King-100% Cabernet Sauvignon – Sonoma, California – Black cherries, tobacco, integrated oak, raspberry, spicy cinnamon, mocha and incense. Dark ruby color, with multiple layers of flavors that cascade on the palate. ($23.99)

2002 Beaucanon Estate Merlot – 76% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California – Aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry, licorice, black tea and brambly spice, touched with generous toasty oak burst. The palate adds layers of dark berries, apple and cherry. The terroir of the Oakville Vineyard shines through with tastes of dust and dark loam. Tannins are big and velvety while the Cabernet Franc provides a bit of lively acidity that keeps the amazing fruit flavors dancing on your tongue for a long, smooth finish. A big wine without any rough edges. Great to drink on its own but pairs beautifully with grilled sausages, pork chops with cherries and roasted vegetables. ($23.99)

Additional New Wines

“New Wine” 2008 Mandrarossa  - 100% Fiano – Sicily, Italy – Ripe tropical fruit and citrus aromas with mineral notes. Vivacious and enticing on the palate, it’s medium bodied and dry with elegant balance. The flavors found in the bouquet evolve on the palate to create layers of flavors with depth and purity. ($12.99)

“New Wine” 2008 Angelini – 100% Pinot Grigio – Veneto,  Italy - A soft, well balanced and dry white wine with flavors of tropical fruit and a clear, fresh finish; hinting of white peaches. ($13.99)

“New Wine” Tortiose Creek – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon – Lodi, California – Aromas of black fruit, cedar and roasted coffee. The wine pleases the palate with smooth tannins and a long finish of blackberry and toasted oak. Enjoy with beef, lamb, chicken! ($13.99)

“New Wine” 2008 Bodegas Shaya – 100% Verdejo “Old Vines” – Rueda, Spain – 89 points Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar: “Light, bright yellow. Intensely perfumed bouquet of lime, lemo, mint and ginger, along with a subtle peppery undertone. Bracing and sharply focused, offering pure citrus and green apple flavors complemented by succulent herbs and spices. Finishes dry and precise, with the lime and ginger notes repeating.($15.99)

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

Two “sweet rewards” on tax day – #1 – Bella Vino’s Thursday night wine tasting. #2 – In time for Earth Day, Starbucks is encouraging everyone to start using reusable travel mugs instead of disposable cups for their coffee. As an incentive, they will give anyone who brings in their own mug on April 15th a free cup of coffee.

Hope you can join us on Thursday (Tax Day) and taste 4 new wines that Jill from Perfecta Wine Company will be pouring.

Two dates to mark on your calendar:

Thursday, April 29 we will have a special wine tasting featuring Kenny Likitprakong, winemaker/owner of Hobo, Banyon and Folk Machine Wine Companies. You can read about him and his wines at www.hobowines.com.

Saturday, May 15 we will have our “Bella Grand Opening”. More information will follow.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting – Jill

“New Wine” 2007 Airlie Winery – 100%  Pinot Gris – Willamette Valley, Oregon-  Aromas of tropical fruits, mineral and apricot lead into a clean, crisp wine.  A hint of lime compliments a complex finish. A versatile food companion, this wine will go well with chicken or fish topped in a light cream sauce. ($16.99)

“New Wine” 2007 Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Piesport Goldtröpfchen – Riesling, Kabinett – Mosel Region, Germany - Piesporter is a term used to describe a wine made in and around the village of Piesport on the north bank of the Mosel wine region of Germany. A white, light body wine that ranges from dry to off-dry. Spicy fruit on the nose, crisp, great acidity, vibrant wine with a soft touch of petrol and minerality. Good finish and balance between fruitiness and acidity. ($28.99)

“New Wine” 2009 Peter Paul – Mill Station Road – 100% Pinot Noir – Russian River Valley, California - This single vineyard wine is showing a deep, multi-layered core of complex flavors; black cherry, plum, spice, vanilla and herbs. Silky tannins provide a fine framework, while balanced acidity offers excellent focus on the palate. The wine finishes long and luxuriously. ($37.99)

“New Wine” 2008 Puydeval – 60% Cabernet Franc, 28% Syrah, 12% Merlot – Languedoc Region, France - Big, rich, concentrated and intense. A ripe, polished and well-balanced wine, offering spicy aromas of black cherry and blackberry, with hints of anise and a touch of earthy character. ($18.99)

Additional New Wines

“New Wine” 2005 Spring Mountain – 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc – Napa Valley, California – 91 Pts. WE - The 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is laden with loads of chocolate and rich, ripe fruit, specifically blackberry, cherry and plum. The palate is bright, full-bodied and balanced. Jammy fruit, toasty oak and hints of licorice and spice round out the wine. Decant to release the abundant flavors and aromas of this youthful and vibrant cabernet. ($62.99)

“New Wine” 2005 Pacifico Sur Reserve – 60% Carmenère, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon - Curico Valley, Chile - The Pacifico Sur Reserve Carmenère/Cabernet Sauvignon has an intense purple color. It has well-emphasized aromas of plum and spice combined with a touch of oak. In the mouth structured body and smooth tannins are followed by a generous finish. ($13.99)

“New Wine” 2005 Pacifico Sur Reserve – 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot – Curico Valley, Chile – The Pacifco Sur Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot wine displays an intense ruby-red coloring and well emphasized red fruit aromas. A gentle touch of oak and a well structured and generous finish round out this delicious blend.  ($13.99)

“New Wine” 2008 Croney Three Ton – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, New Zealand - Intense gooseberry (a gooseberry is both fruity and floral and tastes like a sour, tart grape) flavors with lemon grass and mineral. Seamless wine that’s beautifully balanced and has a moderately lengthy finish. Appealing pure fruit flavours. ($16.99)

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

I hope you had a great Easter. The weather was beautiful – great day for an Easter egg hunt or sipping your favorite wine outdoors.

I want to give you advance notice on some fun events that we will be having at Bella Vino. On Thursday April 29 we will have a special wine tasting featuring Kenny Likitprakong, winemaker/owner of Hobo, Banyon and Folk Machine Wine Companies. You can read about him and his wines at www.hobowines.com.

On Saturday May 15 we will have our “Bella Grand Opening”. More information will follow.

This Thursday Megan from Crush Distributers will be pouring 4 of her great value wines.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting – Megan

“New Wine” 2008 Lo Brujo – 100%  Macebeo – Calatayud, Spain-  A lively wine from Spain. This wine is refreshing, crisp and playful. Citrus peel and banana flavors. A great value. ($14.99)

“New Wine” 2007 Lo Brujo – 100%  Garnacha – Calatayud, Spain-  This wine is fruity and fresh, with concentrated strawberry and raspberry flavors making it smooth and well structured. A great value. ($14.99)

“New Wine” 2007 Vacqueyras Vieux Clocher – 70% Grenache, 25% Carignan, 5% Syrah – Rhone Valley, France - Rustic but graceful. The palate is rich and complex, with brambly red fruits, lots of earth and spice, and superbly balanced. ($15.99)

“Returning Wine” 2009 Arabella – 100% Shiraz – Robertson Valley, So. Africa - Deep Burgundy red in colour wth inviting aromas of Vanilla and mocha. The palate rewards with lingering flavours of liquorice and ripe black cherries, supported by soft, spicy tannins. ($12.99)

Additional New Wines

“New Wine” 2009 Vistamar – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – Santiago, Chile - A lovely pale straw colour with slight green tinge with aromas of ripe tropical fruits and gooseberries. The taste is that of lively citrus fruits and peaches. ($12.99)

“New Wine” 2007 14 Hands – 100% Merlot – Washington State - Expressive flavors of dark stone fruits are joined by subtle notes of cocoa and toast. ($14.99)

“New Wine“ Chateau La Rame – 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot – Bordeaux, France - Earth and brambles to the fruity tone on the nose. On the palate, it is a balanced blend of fruit in the middle, with modest tannins balancing them off and adding to a medium finish. ($18.99)

“New Wine“ 2007 Easton Wines – 100% Zinfandel – Amador County, California - A first-class Zin that shows classic mountain character. Dry and rich in tannins, it’s explosive in brambly wild berries, currants, dark chocolate and pepper, with a touch of raisins. ($18.99)

“New Wine“ 2008 The Wolftrap – 68% Syrah, 30% Mouvedre, 2% Viognier – So. Africa - Full of black fruits, red and black berries with some violet flavors. Smooth on the palate with some fresh aromas of wild strawberries and cherries. ($15.99)

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula