Euro Schmuro

 

We've definitely seen the beginning of what wine retailers everywhere have been dreading: big price increases on European wine due to the decline in the dollar's value. We are sad that many popular brands we've stocked since opening may have to vacate their shelf space, as they are simply no longer offer the value we strive to bring you. But not to worry: we are always on the hunt for value, and this week we've got a pretty amazing wine at a pre-Euro price!

 

2005 Pratesi Locorosso (Sangiovese; Tuscany, Italy. Was $15; SALE $10!)

 

Pratesi is a small, family-owned estate of about 37 acres that began bottling and selling its wine in 1983. It is located in the Carmignano, a small town in the province of Prato, northwest of Florence. Home to only ten producers, Carmignano is very small, but has an excellent reputation for high quality wine since the Renaissance.

 

"Thick extraction and enduring notes of sweet spice set the tone of this sophisticated Sangiovese. The wine appears older than it is but does an excellent job of delivering cinnamon and over-ripe black fruit. It closes with firm tannins and bright cherry flavors. 90 points" - Wine Enthusiast

 

Limited supply! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kosher for Passover and  Discriminating Palates

 

We have some excellent Israeli wines in stock that are kosher for Passover. While we now think of France and Italy as being the most "traditional" growing places for vines, the region where wine is first believed to have been produced was actually the Middle East. The mountains of the Upper Galilee are among the highest mountains in Israel, rising to heights of over 1,000 meters.
The topographical structure, quality of the soil and climate, make the mountains of the Galilee an ideal location for vineyards of very high quality. Eric Asimov wrote an excellent article this week for the New York Times touting the improvement in the Israeli wine industry. Unfortunately we can't get the wines mentioned, but check out these (beautifully packaged to boot) selections that are WWM-approved:

 

Galil Mountain Chardonnay ($16)

 

Galil Mountain Cabernet ($16)

 

Carmel Winery Merlot ($13)

 

 

"Don't Wear A Tired, Thirsty Face"

 

Isn't marketing great? The above quote was a slogan for Coca Cola in the '30s, and we've got some delicious, spring-appropo whites that were made to refresh your tired, thirsty face.

 

 

Domaine Fenouillet Rose (Cotes du Ventoux, France; $14)

 

We pre-ordered this in the dead of winter (it goes quickly each year!), and we have been eagerly anticipating its arrival ever since! A rose of grenache, carignan and syrah, its mineraly core is enlivened by juicy watermelon and strawberry.

 

 

Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon (Australia; was $17; SALE $14)

 

We've featured this one before, and now it's on sale again. A tribute to the white wines of Bordeaux, it's zesty but in a clean, elegant way (as opposed to the brash and bold citrus often seen in the "savvies" of iAustralia's neighbor, New Zealand). According to an Australian winemaker who visited our store last week, this wine is way more expensive there than it is here! Always a good sign.

 

 

El Coto Viura (Rioja, Spain; $11)

 

Spain just keeps rocking out the values, be it red or white. This wine is perfect for springtime: light and really lovely, floral and citrusy. Imagine the antithesis of a cold cloudy day.