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Featured Wines -
Reds
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 By Brian Miracle, Certified Sommelier
Douro Valley, Portugal
Non-Vintage
If there were ever a wine that was built for cold days and nights in front of the fireplace, it would have to be port. What is port, you ask? First off, the name “port” is an abbreviation for the quaint little town of Oporto, located in the heart of Portugal. The“lodges,” or wineries, are located across the Douro River in Vila Nova de Gaia. The grapes are grown 40 miles upstream, and floated down the river to the Port houses.
Port has been around for hundreds of years. The British were at war with the French in 1703 and, of course, could not access any French wine. Portugal stepped up to fill the need, but the wine would sometimes arrive spoiled after the long journey. To fix this problem, they would add “neutral spirits,” or additional alcohol, to the wine to preserve the quality. Problem solved. The British still, to this day, the largest consumers of port wine outside of Portugal.
The Niepoort Tawny Port has been aged in small, used oak casks for an average of 3.5 years and can accommodate chocolate pairings, nuts and many fruits. Niepoort Ruby Port is aged for about 3 years in large wooden vats. The wine will last for several years, but will not improve with age in the bottle. Try this with soft cheeses and dark-chocolate-based desserts.
Oh, and yes, Niepoort does still utilize the “lagares,” or foot-trodden vessels to stomp the hand-picked grapes. Old school still exists in Portugal, and your palate will jump up and thank you when you try this unique style of wine.
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Featured Wines -
Reds
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By Brian Miracle, Certified Sommelier
Howell Mountain, California
Vintage: 2009
Zinfandel is your friend. C’mon, embrace it. Bring it in, hug it out and get it over with. This is not your mother’s white zinfandel. Case in point, this particular single-vineyard wine from zinfandel-specialist Turley Wine Cellars represents everything that is good about this native-California grape. Big. Bold. Robust. Although these words might best describe your mother-in-law after a six-course Christmas dinner, they are also true describers of this really special bottle of wine from Napa Valley’s Howell Mountain.
Pair this with anything chocolate, as well as hearty stews and steaks. It might be a little difficult to find this wine in the market, as it’s produced in limited quantities, but any of Turley’s wines will “wow” you. |
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Featured Wines -
Reds
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By Pete Bressert, Balzac Wine Bar
Piedmont - Italy
Vintage: 2007
This wine from the Northwest of Italy is quite similar to the flavors of pinot noir with a distinctly Italian flair. Light in body, the flavors of currant are supported by slight vegetal notes. Perfect with the sprouts that you never wanted to eat as a kid. ~ $19
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Featured Wines -
Reds
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By Pete Bressert, Balzac Wine Bar
Redwood Valley, CA - USA
Vintage: 2007
This family has perfected organic growing in Mendocino. This is the classic American Zinfandel. Flavors of cassis, dark briar fruit and peppercorn are framed by toasty oak. Deceptive in its approach, this wine is a sneak attack of awesomeness. ~ $17
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