Featured Wine in July – 2015 Cape Original Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc & 2015 Indaba Mosaic Red Blend, Western Cape, South Africa

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2015 Cape Original Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa $9

Cape Original Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc blends 5% Grenache Blanc grapes with 95% Chenin Blanc, South Africa’s most widely planted white grape. This blend lends characteristics of Rhone Valley whites with the Grenache Blanc adding body. Together, the Chenin Blanc and Grenache Blanc make a fruity match with lots of lemon and tropical fruit flavors. This wine is a simple sipper  with crudites or it can pair with grilled fish.Alcohol: 12.5%

 

Indaba Mosaic

2015 Indaba Mosaic Red Blend, Western Cape, South Africa $12

2015 Indaba Mosaic Red Blend combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The Cabernet Sauvignon dominates this Bordeaux blend offering enticing aromas and succulent flavors of blackcurrant, ripe brambly berry fruit and dark chocolate, with subtle spice notes. This red has soft, gentle tannins. With summer menus this will pair with grilled beef or chicken. Alcohol: 14%

June Featured Wines – Carpene Malvolti Prosecco, Veneto, Italy & 2014 Piazzo Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy

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Carpene Malvolti Prosecco, Veneto, Italy   $16

Carpene Malvolti is a Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG  which can only be made in the Treviso province of Veneto on the hills between the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. Carpene Malvoliti Prosecco is made from 100% Glera grapes although some Proseccos add up to 15% of other varietals.  With 140 years of experience the Carpene family  produces this dry, delicate Prosecco with elegant notes of ripe pear, crisp apple, and fresh bread on both the nose and palate. This is a light and refreshing wine that is great for celebration toasts and light seafood dishes.  Alcohol: 11%

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2014 Piazzo Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy  $13

2014 Piazzo Dolcetto D’Alba is considered a light, easy drinking red wine which is produced from 100% estate grown black Dolcetto grapes. It is an intense ruby red with a strong nose of cherries plums and raspberries. On the palate this is a dry, firm wine that softens into a delicate almond aftertaste. This wine is best if it breathes before serving. Consider serving with antipasti and mature cheeses. Also a great wine for grilled pizza. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

May Featured Wines – 2015 Yalumba Organic Viognier, South Australia & 2013 Mitolo Jester Shiraz, South Australia

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2015 Yalumba Organic Viognier, South Australia        $17

Our featured white selection for May is 2015 Yalumba Organic Viognier. Viognier grapes produce full-bodied wine with lush, soft character and natural aromatics of peach, pears, violets and minerals. This Viognier is made with organic winemaking techniques with little intervention from the winemaker.   It is an excellent rich and warm wine showing lovely peach flavors with perfect balance and length. This is a great wine to pair with creamy sauces, curries and slightly spicy dishes.  Alcohol: 14.1%

 

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2013 Mitolo Jester Shiraz, South Australia           $18

May’s red selection is 2013 Mitolo Jester Shiraz. This Shiraz is dark red with a nose of plum, black currant and olive and a slight herbal lift. It is full flavored, and soft with dark fruit flavors of plum and blackberry. This is a smooth and supple wine that is a great pairing for ribs. As an aside, the Jester is Richard Tarlton, Queen Elizabeth I’s favorite court entertainer. Using Tarlton illustrates how the Queen’s court banished boredom with humor!  Alcohol: 14.5%

Opening Reception for New Work by Lynne Lockhart & Kirk McBride

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Our April show is New Work by Lynne Lockhart and Kirk McBride. The show includes 42 paintings that have been completed in the past 6 months.

April Featured Wines -2013 Domaine Roland Lanvantureux Petit Chablis, France & 2013 Clos La Coutale Malbec, Cahors, France

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2013 Domaine Roland Lanvantureux Petit Chablis, Lignorelles, France $15

This month’s white selection is 2013 Roland Lavantureux Petit Chablis from the Chablis region in the northern most wine district in Burgundy. White Burgundy, or Chablis, is  made from Chardonnay grapes. Approximately 85% of the Chablis are  unoaked. What makes a “Petit Chablis” is a non-distinguishable difference in grape appearance but it does have a slightly different profile. This wine has a subtle minerality on the nose with slight tropical fruit. The palate shows a dry, silky mouthfeel with a long tropical fruit finish. This is a perfect pairing for rich fish (salmon and tuna.)

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2013 Clos La Coutale Malbec, Cahors, France $22

The red selection is 2013 Clos La Coutale Malbec, from Cahors in Southwest France.  The area around Cahors produces wine, primarily a robust and tannic red wine. To achieve the Cahors appellation a wine must be made from at least 70% Malbec (also called COT) grape, with a maximum of 30% Merlot or Tannat grape varieties added to the blend. Philippe Bernede, the winemaker at Clos La Coutale, uses 20% Merlot to soften the Malbec tannins. This wine is deep red and robust with dark fruit on the palate. As you begin to use your grill, keep this wine in mine for barbecued pork or beef – or anything smokey.

 

March Featured Wines – 2014 Emerald Bay Chardonnay & 2012 Emerald Bay Cabernet Sauvignon, California

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2014 Emerald Bay Chardonnay, Central Coast California  $11

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%

 

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2012 Emerald Bay Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast California, $11

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 Featured Wines – 2014 Willm Pinot Gris Reserve, Alsace & 2011 Philippine de Saint Cyrille Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone Valley

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2014 Willm Pinot Gris Reserve, Alsace                 $14

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%

 

Philippine de Saint-Cyrille

2011 Philippine de Saint Cyrille Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone                     $23

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.

January Featured Wines – 2014 Angelini Pinot Grigio, Veneto & 2011 Terrilogio Toscana, Montepulciano

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2014 Angelini Pinot Grigio, Veneto, Italy             $11

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.

 

Terrilogio Toscana

2011 Terrilogio Toscano, Montpulciano, Italy    $11

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.

December’s Featured Wines – 2014 Vinum Cellars Chardonnay & 2014 Vinum Cellars Pinot Noir, Monterey, California

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2014 Vinum Cellars Chardonnay, Monterey, California $15

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.

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2014 Vinum Cellars Pinot Noir, Monterey, California  $15

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.

Opening Reception for Stan Sperlak

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Cape May artist, Stan Sperlak, will be featured during November. His strong pastels celebrate the coastal area with simple landscapes and seascapes.