Fine Art, Craft & Wine
March means it is time to welcome spring with new work by gallery artists. This month we will introduce the work of several new artists – Greg Challenger and Carroll Klingelhofer. Also included in the show are Leslie Belloso, Ed Challenger, Helene English, Fred Sprock, Christie Taylor and Nancy Richards West. The diversity of their work shows a range of painting styles and formats. The opening reception is First Friday, March 4 from 5 until 8.
2014 Emerald Bay Chardonnay is 100% Chardonnay grapes that are stainless steel and barrel fermented. The nose is fresh cut pineapple, peaches and pears. On the palate this Chardonnay is light and clean with a vibrant refreshing finish. As you would with lighter Chardonnays, pair this with buttery dishes or just enjoy as an aperitif. Alcohol: 13.5%
2012 Emerald Bay Cabernet Sauvignon is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and is barrel fermented. The nose carries black cherry and currants. On the palate flavors are spice, chocolate and berries. As we get our grills ready for warmer weather think about pairing this with juicy steaks or dressed up burgers. Alcohol: 13.5%
February is the perfect time to welcome colorful, bright paintings for our annual show of Winter Abstracts. The positive effect this change of media and painting styles is the perfect cure for cabin fever. This year’s show represents work by gallery artists who use watercolor, oil, acrylic and mixed media to create mostly large paintings. Some works suggest imagery while others are totally non-objective. So far artists included in the show are Petra Bernstein, John Cleary, Abbi Custis, Kathy Daywalt, Scot Dolby, Angela Herbert-Hodges, Anne Holland, Nancy Mysak, and Aina Nergarrd-Nammack.
This month’s selection is 2014 Willm Pinot Gris Reserve. This is a full-bodied wine with a flavorful bouquet of lime, meyer lemon, green apple, pear, and white peach. It has great structure with a round feel in the mouth and long on the finish. Be sure to serve well chilled with rich fish – salmon and tuna – and mature hard cheeses. Alcohol: 12.5%
The producer, Philippine de Saint-Cyrille, is well-known for selecting grapes from among the best wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape Appellation d’Origine Contrôlé (AOC.) The Rhone blend, Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, is full-bodied and well-balanced. This is a great pairing for hearty roasts and a variety of cheeses. Wine Spectator gave this very affordable Chateauneuf-du-Pape a 91.
th Annual Studio Sweep Sale ContinuesAgain this year our successful Studio Sweep Sale continues until the end of January. Bishop’s Stock’s artists clean out their studios to offer art lovers a chance to add to their collections or find the perfect gift at great savings. For the artists this gives a chance to sell older work, the last of a series or paintings that just need to go! For those who appreciate local talent this means a great selection of oils, acrylics, watercolors and pastels. Most work is unframed but there is a small selection of paintings ready to hang plus frames to purchase. Some of the large paintings from our 1-Day Sale are still. There is plenty of time to leisurely search for that perfect find. During this time newer work by gallery artists is also displayed but not at reduced prices.
2014 Angelini Pinot Grigio is produced in the northern region of Veneto. This is 100% Pinot Grigio grapes and has a soft, well balanced flavors of tropical fruit and a clear, fresh finish. There is a hint of white peaches. The color is straw yellow and the nose makes one think of freshly baked bread. This is a perfect wine for winter seafood soups with fresh bread and cheese.
2011 Terrilogio Toscana comes from the area near Montepulciano. This is a “Super Tuscan” blend with 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. It has complex aromas of crushed berries, cherries and hints of tobacco. This is a full-bodied with round tannins and a long finish. Consider this a winter wine since it is ideal with all Mediterranean dishes, roast, game meat and spicy cheese.
Each December Bishop’s Stock’s artists clean out their studios to offer art lovers a chance to add to their collections or find the perfect gift at great savings. For the artists this gives a chance to sell older work, the last of a series or paintings that just need to go! For those who appreciate local talent this means a great selection of oils, acrylics, watercolors and pastels. Most work is unframed but there is a small selection of paintings ready to hang plus frames to purchase. Some of the large paintings from our 1-Day Sale will still be available. The sale continues through December and January so there is plenty of time to leisurely search for that perfect find. During this time newer work by gallery artists is also displayed but not at reduced prices.
2014 Vinum Cellars Chardonnay is rich and layered wine that relies on the natural acidity from the acidity of the Santa Lucia Highland fruit. This Chardonnay has a medium straw color with aromas of lemon custard, rich vanilla, cream and toasted oak notes. The palate is generous with it’s layered tropical notes of mango, papaya and pineapple which then transitions into silky rich custard and caramel toffee notes and does so in an integrated fashion.This wine pairs well with lobster or crab served with drawn butter and lemon. Try it with grilled wild King Salmon, wilted greens and roasted fingerling potatoes.
2014 Vinum Pinot Noir is a vibrant, medium garnet in color. It has aromas of black and rainier cherries with slight earth and black pepper notes. The palate is full with ripe cranberry, sweet and sour cherry flavors and is wrapped in exotic spice flavors such as star anise and cinnamon and fold into a blanket of integrated French oak, vanilla finish. This wine pairs well with many entrees but try it with duck or pork where the cooking method uses lots of black pepper.
Stan Sperlak’s pastels return to Bishop’s Stock in November. Sperlak has had a busy year with his successful workshops but he still found time to for plein air and studio work. He has shown his pastels with us since 2006 and each body of his work has reflected the serenity of landscapes and the beauty of changing light. This show includes Over the Sea, a powerful horizontal series of four seascapes that capture the energy of waves breaking at water’s edge. Sperlak’s website has more of his work and the press he has received.
This month our featured wines are from the south of France. The region has long been called Languedoc-Roussillon but recently each of these wine producing areas are being given individual attention. This month’s wines are from Roussillon which is the most southern region along the Mediterranean Sea with Spain as a neighbor. The producer of the selected wines is Michel Chapoutier, a well-regarded Rhone Valley winemaker. Chapoutier became intrigued by the old vineyards, the mountain slopes, the cool winters and very hot summers with little rain as a wonderful combination for the wines he excels at growing. Both of the wines are produced following the same principles Chapoutier uses with his Rhone blends maximizing the best qualities of the terrior. His vineyard, Domaine Bila-Haut, comprises 185 acres of land cultivated under bio-dynamic farming techniques. The grape varieties that are grown are Grenache, Carignan and Syrah.
The 2014 Les Vignes de Bila Haut Blanc is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Macabeu. The wine is pale yellow with green tints and has citrus aromas with smoky notes. The palate is round with great acidity and a fresh finish with the minerality. The 2014 was recommended with an 88 score in the latest Wine Spectator (November 30) in an article on the Roussillon region As I often recommend with Rhone white wines, the Bila Haut is a good choice for entertaining when you need an appertif and a wine with food.
The 2013 Les Vignes de Bila Haut Rouge is a blend of Syrah (40%), Grenache (40%) and Carignan (20%.) It is a deep garnet with aromas of black cherry, pepper and minerality. On the palate the wine is smooth and supple with a bold richness. Robert Parker gave this a 91 with 3-4 years of drinkablity. Just as with the white Bila Haut, the red is a great option for entertaining since it is a nice rounded wine.
April means showing New Work by Lynne Lockhart and Kirk McBride. This is year 18 for this tradition. All year we watch what comes out of their studios but this gives us a time to put many of those paintings on our … Read More...
In April we are heading to California for wines from two wine areas and two different producers. The white is 2023 Fess Parker Santa Barbara Chardonnay. The late actor Fess Parker, aka Davy Crockett and Daniel … Read More...