Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to remind you about our wine tasting tomorrow and to let you know we have added another wine to the list. The River’s Edged Pinot Noir from Oregon. Just delicious – and one of Henry’s new favorite Pinot Noirs!!

Hope to see you.

Saturday’s Wine Tasting – Starts when you get here and ends when the wine is gone!!

2009 Commanderie de la Bargemone Rosé – Blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsaut, Cabernet Sauvignon – Provence, France – Commanderie de la Bargemone is among the foremost estates of the Coteaux d’Aix, a small fine wine district within Provence. The Commanderies’ red, white and rosé wines are grown on poor, stony soil which gives limited yields of high quality wine. This 2009 rosé is a pale, salmon color typical of Bargemone Rosés. Classic Bargemone aromas of slightly under-ripe wild strawberries and mountain herbs. Dry and piquant, with excellent intensity of flavor and great balance. The texture is mouth-coating, but also fresh and mouthwatering, with a fresh and clean finish. Produced in very limited quantities. ($18.99)

“New Wine” 2008 Honig Vineyards – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – Napa Valley, California – A classic, fresh, lively example displaying scents of lemon oil and other citrus in a light to medium-bodied style. It offers outstanding flexibility with food. Using sustainable farming methods, this wine-making family farms 70 acres of vineyards in Rutherford, in the heart of Napa Valley. When the fruit reaches the perfect balance of ripeness, mature flavor and acidity, it is hand-picked. All this trouble shows in this tropical, thirst-quenching wonder that will re-instate your love of domestic Sauvignon Blanc. ($19.99)

“Just Added” 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)

2006 Cumbres Andinas – 100% Malbec - Chili – The fruit sweetness and the elegant French oak are in perfect balance. Concentrated and expressive on the palate. Finishing with chocolate, dry fruit and quince. ($18.99)

2008 Redtree – 100% Petite Sirah - California - Aromas of dark fruits and strawberries, with a hint of herbs in the background. This medium-bodied wine provides a mouthful of blackberry flavors and more red fruits, finishing with soft but full tannins. ($14.99)

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

I want to thank Peter Merriam and all of you that were able to attend last Thursday’s tasting. The wines were fabulous and we all had a great time.

We look forward to this Thursday’s wine tasting with Jill. She will be pouring all wonderful European wines. We will also have a tasting on Saturday. I know it’s hard for a lot of you to make it to Thursday’s tasting’s so at least once a month we will have a Saturday tasting.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting – Jill from Perfecta Wine Company – 2 French wines, 1 Italian and 1 Austrian wine

“New Wine” 2009 Chateau Beauchene Grand Reserve Cotes Du Rhone – 25% Grenache Blanc, 25% Clairette, 25% Marsanne, 20% Roussanne, 5% Bourboulenc - Rhone Valley, France – A wonderful nose of meadow flowers and honey. This is a rich, smooth wine. Wonderful harmony of length and roundness on the palate. Hints of cinnamon and vanilla in the finish. ($16.99)

“New Wine” 2006 Hoopler – 100% Pinot Noir - Burgenland, Austria - Dark red burgundy with subtle hints of marzipan and wild berries. Displaying a refined, velvet elegance. ($22.99)

“New Wine” 2007 Chateau Beauchene Premier Terroir Cotes Du Rhone – 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre – Rhone Valley, France – A nice bouquet of ripe red fruits. The nose of ripe fruits is confirmed on the palate and develops to some hints of raspberries and blackcurrant. A well balanced and harmonious wine which displays great length. ($22.99)

“New Wine” 2006 Strozzi Morelino Di Scansano - 90% Sangiovese, 10% Ciliegiolo - Tuscany, Italy - The color of the Morellino di Scansano is a bright ruby red. Its perfume is intense with a vanilla note and scents of ripe fruit and blackberries. The flavor is dry and fresh with excellent quality tannins and good persistency. ($21.99)

Saturday’s Wine Tasting – 12:30 to 3

2009 Commanderie de la Bargemone Rosé – Blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsaut, Cabernet Sauvignon – Provence, France - Commanderie de la Bargemone is among the foremost estates of the Coteaux d’Aix, a small fine wine district within Provence. The Commanderies’ red, white and rosé wines are grown on poor, stony soil which gives limited yields of high quality wine. This 2009 rosé is a pale, salmon color typical of Bargemone Rosés. Classic Bargemone aromas of slightly under-ripe wild strawberries and mountain herbs. Dry and piquant, with excellent intensity of flavor and great balance. The texture is mouth-coating, but also fresh and mouthwatering, with a fresh and clean finish. Produced in very limited quantities. ($18.99)

“New Wine” 2008 Honig Vineyards – 100% Sauvignon Blanc – Napa Valley, California – A classic, fresh, lively example displaying scents of lemon oil and other citrus in a light to medium-bodied style. It offers outstanding flexibility with food. Using sustainable farming methods, this wine-making family farms 70 acres of vineyards in Rutherford, in the heart of Napa Valley. When the fruit reaches the perfect balance of ripeness, mature flavor and acidity, it is hand-picked. All this trouble shows in this tropical, thirst-quenching wonder that will re-instate your love of domestic Sauvignon Blanc. ($19.99)

2006 Cumbres Andinas – 100% Malbec - Chili - The fruit sweetness and the elegant French oak are in perfect balance. Concentrated and expressive on the palate. Finishing with chocolate, dry fruit and quince. ($18.99)

2008 Redtree – 100% Petite Sirah - California - Aromas of dark fruits and strawberries, with a hint of herbs in the background. This medium-bodied wine provides a mouthful of blackberry flavors and more red fruits, finishing with soft but full tannins. ($14.99)

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

Hope you’re still enjoying this weather. I will admit – I love it! It made for the perfect weather for our Summer White Tasting last week. It was an interesting experience for lots of us to taste just white wine. We did add a red as a surprise (we didn’t want to completely shock everyone’s palate). And the red went over so well that we sold out of it. No worries the tasty Dolcetto will be back in on Thursday. We also sold out of the Foris Pinot Blanc and that too will be here on Thursday.

I am really looking forward to this Thursday’s tasting. As I have mentioned in previous emails Peter Merriam from Merriam Vineyards will be hosting our Thursday night wine tasting. I love all of Merriam Vineyard wines. They are outstanding examples of Sonoma County wines. We invite you to join us to meet Peter and taste his incredible wines. We hope to see you.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting – Peter Merriam from Merriam Vineyards – Voted WINERY OF THE YEAR 2009 in Celebrate New Hampshire

“New Wine” 2008 Merriam Vineyards Simoneau Ranch – 100% Chardonnay – Alexander Valley, California - Light straw in color, with crisp stone fruit, floral notes of peach, pear and apricot on the nose. Thick and viscous mouth-feel with topical fruit of banana, mango and kiwi. ($28.99)

2004 Merriam Vineyards Windacre Vineyard – 93% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc – 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. ($32.99)

“New Wine” 2006 Merriam Vineyards Jones Vineyard - 95% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon - Dry Creek Valley, California – Scents of plum-violets, raspberry and cherry with hints of light smoke and spice to the nose. Upon tasting, flavors of cassis, spice and vanilla on the palate give way to a thick and lasting finish of currant, sweetwood and a hint of coconut. ($48.99)

“New Wine” 2005 Merriam Vineyards Mikos – 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot – Russian River Valley, California – 93 Pts. Wine News, 88 Pts WE – A deep, dark, garnet color. Black raspberries, dried currant, ripe cherries and tobacco notes with a cherry drop in the middle. Finish is medium dry with light tannins. Long finish of mint, plum, eucalyptus and cedar cigar. ($54.99)

2005 Merriam Vineyards Block 21 - 100% Cabernet Sauvignon - Dry Creek Valley, California – 95 Pts WE Buyers Guide – Deep, dark and ruby in color with bing cherry, eucalyptus, strawberry and cedar in the nose. Flavors of red berries, black cherry and bittersweet chocolate with a medium body. Abundant mouthfeel with no hard edges–bright acid, tannins with a slight toast of oak. A lasting finish of cassis, cedar and tobacco. Drink now, but will age gracefully for 5-8 years. ($39.99)

New Wines

“New Wine” 2008 JaM Cellars – 51% Petite Verdot, 49% Petite Syrah – Napa Valley, California - Vibrant ripe plum and dark berry aromas are complemented by a spicy undercurrent of anise and a hint of oak. Lush blackberry and ripe black cherry flavors greet the palate while subtle vanilla and rich spiced plum continue to entice along the length. The opulent fruit is blalanced by bright tannins and lively, linear acidity. Just as yummy as the JaM Cabernet Sauvignon!. ($19.99)

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

Until then – Cheers!

Paula

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had a fun July 4th. The weather has been beautiful – great for being outdoors – especially if you are at the beach or lake or by a pool. Great time of the year to chill those red wines or try some cold whites. This weeks wine tasting will feature 8 whites that are perfect for this time of year. I know many of you say you don’t like white wine. But Thursday will be the perfect time to try some that you just might find you like! We have 8 different varietals so we hope to see you.

A reminder that next week we will have a very special guest at Bella Vino

We are very fortunate to have another “Special Event” at Bella Vino. On Thursday July 15, Peter Merriam from Merriam Vineyards will be hosting our Thursday night wine tasting. Peter and his wife Diana are New England natives who have had a love of wine for over twenty years. Their love of wine and wine making culminated in the purchase of their first vineyard in the Russian River Valley of California. We invite you to join us to meet Peter and taste his incredible wines. We hope to see you. There are not too many opportunities we have to meet and talk with a California wine owner.

Thursday’s Wine Tasting

NV Broadbent Vinho Verde – 50% Loureiro, 40% Trajadura and 10% Pedernã – Portugal – Vinho Verde, the most popular white wine from Portugal, is a deliciously refreshing, light wine with gentle spritz. “Verde”, meaning “green” refers to the hints of lime color.  Broadbent Vinho Verde is the only Vinho Verde imported on a refrigerated container. The result is the freshest tasting Vinho Verde on the market. An ideal warm weather wine, excellent for lunch and picnics, this wine is equally as lovely as an evening aperitif. It makes a brilliant pairing with any fish, shell fish and poultry. “Is the world’s greatest pairing for a Caesar salad” according to wine writer Jordan MacKay. ($12.99)

“Wine of the Month” Jewell Towne Vineyards – 2009 Aurore – Hampton, NH - Similar to a Pinot Grigio. Clean, crisp, with hints of grapefruit and pepper. ($12.99 WotM &11.69)

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

“New Wine” 2009 Zolo – 100% Torrontes – Mendoza, Argentina - Fragrant aromas of honey, peach, apple, banana and lemon. This vibrant, unoaked, clean and muscular wine has flavors of peach, pear, banana, starfruit, lemon, honey and nuts, and has a long, dry, zesty finish. ($15.99)