Best Buys from the Eurozone – Free Saturday Tasting – Saturday, June 9th., 2012; 1 to 4pm
Join Rick Bowman for this tasting of exciting Best Buys from the Eurozone. Starting with a fabulous rendition of Grüner Veltliner from Austria, then on to a delicious Aligoté from France, a fabulous Chianti from Italy, and an exotic old vine Monastrell from Spain. These are outstanding selections offering very high quality at very affordable prices. Join us to taste, learn, enjoy and save at our Free Saturday Tastings!
2011 Weingut Steininger Grüner Veltliner; Kamptal, Austria
This is an excellent example of typical Austrian Grüner Veltliner: a dry and fresh white wine with influences of green apples and exotic fruits like grapefruit and lemon. All this is underlined by the spice of white pepper and ripe acidity. This versatile wine is a perfect accompaniment to vegetarian cuisine as well as seafood dishes. Also loves fried chicken, and of course veal or pork Schnitzel Drink it over the next 2 years.
AWM Regular Price: $12.99 per bottle
Tasting Special: $11.69 per bottle or $11.04 by the case
2010 Giraudon Aligoté; Bourgogne, France
Along with Chardonnay, just one other white grape variety is grown in Burgundy: the Aligoté. Grown on the same chalk that defines the Cliffs of Dover; the Aligoté grape variety yields lively, crisp wines that usually see no contact with new oak. Consequently, the nose is tremendously fruit-filled yet underlain by a slight but complex mineral character. On the palate it exhibits wonderful precise fruit accented with a lime, pear and apple character that complements its full body and excellent acidity. A delicious alternative to the Chardonnay based wines, this pairs nicely with seafood and fowl dishes and also makes a delicious Kir aperitif.
AWM Regular Price: $14.99 per bottle
Tasting Special: $13.49 per bottle or $12.74 by the case
2008 La Maialina Chianti; Tuscany, Italy
This 2008 Chianti is a very serious wine for the money. The floral aromatics render an impression of accessibility but the darkness and richness of the fruit that follow hint at a far more important pedigree. Dark red berries, flowers and minerals add the final notes of complexity on the impressive finish. This is one of the most rewarding wines we have found under $15. Drink now through 2014.
AWM Regular Price: $11.99 per bottle
Tasting Special: $10.79 per bottle or $10.19 by the case
2009 Bodegas Olivares “Altos de la Hoya” Monastrell; Jumilla, Spain
Includes 8% Garnacha; raised in demi-muids and barriques ranging from new to three years old. Bright violet. Spicy, floral-accented aromas of black raspberry, sassafras, dried flowers and allspice, enhanced by a subtle mineral overtone. Lively and precise, with sweet red and dark berry flavors and a nervy mineral spine. Shows very good energy on the finish, leaving tangy red fruit and spice notes. This is quite unlike most wines from Jumilla, which can show more richness than balance. This vineyard dates back to 1872.
AWM Regular Price: $12.99 per bottle
Tasting Special: $11.69 per bottle or $11.04 by the case
Special tasting prices: 10% off the bottle and 15% off by the case, mix or match unless already discounted via a special price