Hi Everyone,

I really hope you have been able to enjoy these wonderful summer days! Wait a minute – it isn’t even Memorial Day.

Thank you to all who came to Friday nights Windham Helping Hands fundraiser. We were fortunate to be able to have a great time while supporting a worthwhile cause.

I would also like to extend a special thank you to all the servicemen and women on Memorial Day who have served, protected and sacrificed for our country and our freedom.

We look forward to our tasting on Thursday with Judy from Vinextra. She has some delicious wines that you won’t want to miss tasting. Henri and I had the good fortune to taste both wines from Oregon and we absolutely love them! The California wines are pretty terrific too.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting – Judy

“New Wine” 2008 Foris – 100% Estate Pinot Blanc – Rogue Valley, Oregon - Highly aromatic, notes of apple blossom, juicy pears and vanilla spice are followed by flavors of apple pie, kiwi and coconut. Full bodied, yet balanced by a snappy, crisp finish, the lingering minerality and slight toasty-yeasty aftertaste add another dimension of complexity. While youthful and tangy, give this wine a light chill and enjoy as a refreshing summer white, or let it develop addition complexity with a couple more years of bottle age. ($17.99)

“New Wine” 2008 River’s Edge Barrel Select – 100% Pinot Noir – Umpqua Valley, Oregon - About a fifth of the production was chosen for this bottling. It contains most of the best barrels of this vintage, blessed by a dry and warm October. The wine has an aroma that includes earth, vanilla and cedar. It is well balanced, with blueberry flavor and cigar-box finish. ($26.99)

2005 Wellington Vineyards – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon – Sonoma, California - Deep, youthful purple-red color; complex aromas with lots of black cherry and boysenberry fruit. Notes of cedar, chocolate, mint, olive and caramel. The oak is beautifully integrated and not at all obvious. ($19.99)

“New Wine“ 2005 Wellington Vineyards – 100% Merlot – Sonoma, California - Juicy flavors of wild cherry, berries, candy, and spices. Soft tannins, excellent acidity, and a long tangy finish. ($18.99)

Additional New and Returning Wines

“New Wine” 2007 Trace Wines – 100% Merlot – Nice, California - Fragrances of black cherry, plum, and cassis will envelop your senses as smooth and silky flavors trace across your palate. Enjoy with pastas dishes, barbecue and hard cheeses. ($14.99)

“Returning Wine” 2008 Pezzi King Vineyards – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – Dry Creek Valley, California - Floral notes of pear and white peach. Bright and refreshing, medium weight, finishes with notes of honeyed grapefruit and lemon zest. ($16.99)

“Returning Wine – Lower Price” 2004 Little B. – 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50 % Merlot – Bordeaux Region, France - Aromas of ripe fruit and vanila. Round and rich on the palate with fleshy tannins and a hint of spiceness. ($25.99 Reg. $28.99)

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to all who was able to make our Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday. We had a great time. It was so nice to see so many of you – old and new friends alike. Henri and Linda did a great job in preparing and maintaining the food supply. And Yvette and Roland provided some tasty treats for us. Also thank you to Lisa at Shabby Chic for all the wonderful cupcakes.

We look forward to our tasting on Thursday with Steve from M.S. Walker. He will be pouring some new wines that are really delicious.

On Friday from 7:00 to 8:30 we are hosting a “Windham Helping Hands” fundraiser. Tickets are $30.00 and proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Windham community through the Windham Helping Hands organization. We will have lots of fabulous wine to taste. Sheila from F&F Wine Imports, Jill from Perfecta Wine Company, Joe from Pine State Beverage and Patrick from Dunn Wine Brokers will all be pouring.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting – Steve

“New Wine” 2008 Bodegas Shaya – 100% Verdejo “Old Vines – Rueda, Spain - 89 Pts. Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar - Intensely perfumed bouquet of lime, lemon, 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. This is like high class Sancerre for a fraction of the price. ($15.99)

“New Wine” 2009 Bodegal la Cana – 100% Albarino - Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain – 90 Pts. WA - Light gold-colored with an unusually fragrant nose of mineral, lemon zest and spring flowers. On the palate it exhibits a creamy texture, vibrant acidity and a lengthy, refreshing finish. ($18.99)

“New Wine” 2007 Writer’s Block – 100% Grenache – Lake County, California – The wine has a distinct strawberry and cherry aroma with a light spice on the finish and balanced acidity. This combination of flavors and aromas would match perfectly with a grilled pork chop drizzled with a fruit compote and a salad of fresh greens. YUM ($18.99)

“New Wine” 2007 Twenty Rows – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California – Crafted from carefully selected grapes to yield an intense, deeply colored wine of concentrated aromas and flavors. Bright black cherries lead the charge, followed by dusty cocoa and roasting coffee beans. Dense texture and a fine sense of balance enhance the pleasing aromatics of blackberry, currants, vanilla bean and dark chocolate. ($22.99)

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

I hope Sunday was a great day for all moms! I was happy to spend most of the day with my family.

What a fun week we have planned. And it looks like the weather will cooperate on Thursday and Saturday.

Thursday Jill from Perfecta Wine Company will be pouring a great variety of wines and on Saturday we will have our GRAND OPENING celebration. Lots of wine and lots of fun. Read below for details.

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

Thursday’s Wine Tasting – Jill

2007 Cambas Mantinia  – 100% Moshofilero – Peloponnesos Region, Mantinia, Greece – 87 Pts. W&S - Flowery scent of lemon buds and rich flavor with pronounced fruit components of sweet orange that are revved by tangy acidity and lavender highlights. ($15.99)

“New Wine” 2008 Deep Sea – 96% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Viognier – Monterey County, California – This wine opens on grapefruit, citrus, white flowers and fresh cut grass. It is vibrant and fresh. There is some minerality that lingers and creates a balanced feel with a great acidity and freshness. ($19.99)

“New Wine” 2008 Deep Sea – 74% Syrah, 13% Petite Sirah, 6% Lagrein, 4% Merlot, 3% Mourvedre – Central Coast, California – Intense aromas of blackberry, plum, fresh bread followed by hints of rose petal, thyme and oregano. The entry shows both nice acidity and youthful, soft, sweet tannins. The wine unfolds into jam and cherry cola, supplemented with a nice oak integration. ($23.99)

2008 Vina Chocalan – 100% Carmenère - Maipo Valley, Chile  - 87 Pts. WA - This wine shows a layer of spices and damp earth guiding mixed red berries and touch of vanilla and coffee. Medium bodied in mouth, this Carmenère has real character. ($15.99)

Saturday Grand Opening Wine Tasting – 1 to 4 - Ambra from F&F Wine Imports, Kristen from LaBelle Winery (Local New Hampshire Wines), Megan from Crush Distributers and Patrick from Dunn Wine Brokers

Denotes White Wine / Denotes Red Wine

Ambra from F&F Wine Imports

2006 Banyan Wines – 100% Viognier – Monterey County, California ($16.99)

2006 Diogenes – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – Lake County, California ($18.99)

2006 Patassy Vineyard – 100% Pinot Noir – Russian River Valley, California ($32.99)

“New Wine” 2008 Jam Cellars – 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, Napa Valley, California ($26.99)

2008 The Folk Machine Wines, Long Drive – 25% Zinfandel, 25% Petite Sirah, 25% Valdigue, 25% Syrah – Central Coast, California ($24.99)

Kristen from LaBelle Winery, Amherst New Hampshire

Seyval Blanc – New Hampshire  A perfect wine to drink on a warm summer evening.

“New Wine” Corazon American Blush Table Wine – New Hampshire A beautiful marriage of Seyval Blanc & gold medal award-winning Red Raspberry Wine.

Cranberry Wine “BRONZE MEDAL WINNER” Crisp Sweet-Tart Fresh – New Hampshire Made from 100% New England cranberries.

“New Wine” Granite State Red – New Hampshire - Rich Velvety Smooth – New Hampshire A combination of wine made from ripe blueberries and the French hybrid red grape Marechol Foch.

Red Raspberry Wine “DOUBLE GOLD AWARD WINNER” Decadent Bold Addictive – New Hampshire This wine smells as good as it tastes. Excellent with chocolate, fresh fruit and cheese, or cheesecake.

Megan from Crush Distributers

NV Il Colle – 100% Prosecco – Brut – Veneto, Italy  ($17.99)

“New Wine” 2007 Baileyana Winery – 100% Chardonnay – Edna Valley, California ($22.99)

2006 Italo Pietrantonj – 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy (16.99)

2006 D Cubed Cellars – 100% Zinfandel – Napa Valley, California ($29.99)

“New Wine” 2007 Baileyana Winery – 100% Syrah – Edna Valley, California ($23.99)

Patrick from Dunn Wine Brokers

2008 Terre D’Alteni – 100% Moscato Bianco – Lombardy, Italy  ($18.99)

2008 White Oak Vineyards – 100% Chardonnay – Alexander Valley, California ($26.99)

2005 White Oak Vineyards – 100% Merlot –  Alexander Valley, California ($29.99)

2008 Maccia Mischievous – 100% Zinfandel – Lodi, California ($22.99)

2004 Robert Young Estate Winery – 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.5% Petit Verdot. 100% Estate Grown – Alexander Valley, California ($55.99)

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,

Happy May! We’ve been lucky with some beautiful weather. Lets hope it’s a prelude for the coming months.

We had a great time with Kenny at last weeks wine tasting. He was real comfortable with just hanging out and talking to everyone.

We have another great Thursday planned – Patrick from Dunn Wine Brokers will be here pouring 5 spectacular wines 3 new wines and 2 favorites – 1 of the wines is #15 in the WE top 100 wines.

We will also be pouring on Saturday in celebration of mothers day. If you are looking for something special for your wife, your mom, your friend, your daughter or just for yourself – be sure to stop by – we have great wine and great gift ideas.

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 – Patrick

2007 White Oak – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – Russian River Valley, California – Bright forward aromas of apple, kiwi fruit, honeysuckle and lechee nut. Flavors of lemongrass, melon and pear combine and lead to a fresh, crisp finish. ($22.99)

2004 White Oak – 89% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon – Russian River Valley, California - Dark, rich and chocolaty, with layers of mouth-coating mocha, currant, blackberry and coffee grounds, revealing extra dimensions of depth and complexity. Rich and supple, with well-integrated tannins. ($29.99)

“New Wine” 2005 Gussalli Beretta – 100% Sangiovese – Tuscany/Chainti Region, Italy - Harmonic, with an aftertaste of fruit and ripe plum, fruity and slightly slightly tannic, which mellows out over time or with decanting. ($27.99)

“New Wine” 2006 Prima – 90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha – Toro, Spain - 90 Pts WA, 90 Pts Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar – Smoky black cherry and blackberry aromas along with spice box and leather notes. Smooth-textured, savory and mouth-coating, the wine has layered spicy black fruits. ($24.99)

“New Wine” 2006 San Roman – 100% Tempranillo – Toro, Spain - 95 Pts WE, 15th of top 100 - The nose is a delectable blend of vanilla, spice, hickory, mocha and meaty blackberry. The palate is both magnetic and sly; it pumps black fruit galore, with controlled chocolate and spice. Finishes a mile long, with cream, intensity and guile. This wine does not mess around. ($66.99)

Saturday Wine Tasting – 1 to 3

2008 Champalou Vouvray – 100% Chenin Blanc – Loire, France - Honey and green apples on the nose. Sweet fruit on the palate. A well balanced, crisp finish. ($24.99)

2007 Hendry Ranch Wines – 100% Chardonnay (Unoaked) – Napa Valley, California - Peach, pineapple, floral and lime aromas. Apricot & apple are among the flavors rounding out the palate. ($21.99)

2007 Remolinos Vineyard Decero – 100% Malbec – Mendoza, Argentina – 91 Pts WS - Ripe but sleek with a racy beam of dark blackberry and raspberry flavors backed by hints of coffee and spice cake. The finish is long. ($22.99)

2007 Klinker Brick Winery – 100% Old Vine Zinfandel – Lodi, California - Aromas of fresh blackberry, raspberry, pepper & cedar. Showing exceptional balance on the palate, there are rich flavors of berry pie with a long, lingering finish. ($21.99)

Additional New Wine

“New Wine” 2005 Wellington Vineyards – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon – Sonoma, California - Deep, youthful purple-red color; complex aromas with lots of black cherry and boysenberry fruit. Notes of cedar, chocolate, mint, olive and caramel. The oak is beautifully integrated and not at all obvious. ($19.99)

“New Wine” 2005 Anastasi Estates – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon – Mesinia, Greece – Spices, blackberries, plums, vanilla, mint and cherries, a long lasting taste with character. ($17.99)

“New Wine” 2005 Stanley Lambert Vineyards – 100% Shiraz – Barossa Valley, Australia - Soft spicy Shiraz with earthy fruit characters. The palate shows light berry flavors with sweet soft tannins and a gentle finish. Not designed to put in the cellar, but to drink now on any occasion and especially with no nonsense chop and Sausage barbeque. ($17.99)

“New Wine” 2006 Domaine Les Pallières Gigondas – 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsaut - Rhone Valley, France - 88 Pts WS, 92 Pts Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar – Medium red. Complex nose offers scents of strawberry, raspberry, fresh flowers, minerals and Asian spices. Focused and pure, reminiscent of a serious Burgundy, with sweet red berry flavors and a firming note of cherry skin. Silky tannins add focus to the long, sappy finish ($38.99)

“New Wine” Nicolis Family Winery- 70 % Corvina, 20 % Rondinella, 10 % Croatina - Amarone della Valpolicella, Italy - Grapes are air-dried for 3-4 months.Full-bodied, elegant and vigorous wine with an intense garnet red color and a dry taste, robust but delicate with vanilla hints. The perfume is a compound of flowers, wood and leather.  It is best served with game, full-flavored cheeses and roasts. ($66.99)

Our wine tasting on Thursday is from 4:30 to 7:00 and on Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00.

Until then – Cheers!

Paula