New 6-for-$60 Box

 

We meant to do one 6-pack per month, but thanks to our suppliers' unpredictable inventory, and the disappointed looks we saw when we were out of 6-packs, we are offering a new one a bit early! This one's got a great variety of old and new world hearty reds to get you through the last thrusts of winter before (hopefully) we'll be seeing more consistently spring-like weather! And we are sooo ready for spring: we've already pre-ordered some amazing dry roses, and can't wait to start sipping them on the patio! But we're getting a bit off-topic, and ahead of ourselves: it's still in the 30s, and these diverse wines will do the trick for now.

 

As usual, it's a $70 value for $60, in a (recyclable &/or reusable) cardboard carrying case.

 

Featuring:

 

Yard Dog Red (Australia) - Yard Dog turns the traditional Bordeaux blend up to 11: over 50% is composed of Petite Verdot, which usually makes up less than 5% in a Bordeaux. Petite Verdot isn't actually very Petite: it's very inky, dark and tannic, making this a ferocious yard dog indeed. Also contains Cab and Merlot.

 

Root 1 Cabernet (Chile) - This is one of our bestsellers, and understandably so: the smooth, lighter style of Cab with bright red fruits and distinctive Chilean verdent character appeals to almost everyone.

 

Villa Mount Eden Zinfandel (California) - Just got this in yesterday, and it's a really nice break from Zins that verge on the sweet: this one is full-bodied and well-structured, and shows lush Zinfandel fruit, but in a balanced and elegant manner.

 

Marqués de Riscal Tempranillo (Spain) - Marqués de Riscal, founded in 1860, is one of the oldest wineries in Rioja and one of the first to introduce French winemaking techniques, such as ageing in oak barriques.

 

Huella de Adaras (Spain) - From the up-and-coming Almansa region (located just north of Jumilla on the eastern coast) and featuring a Rhone-style-but-unmistakenly-Spanish blend of Grenache, Alicante  Bouschet, Mourvedre and a touch of Cabernet. More new-world style than the Riscal.

 

Toscolo Chianti (Italy) - Chianti has come a long way since being served in straw baskets. A decidedly modern-styled Chianti that still respects traditional expression of terroir.

 

 

 

Absinthe arrives

 

Let's clear this up; no evidence shows absinthe to be any more dangerous than ordinary alcohol, and its psychoactive properties are a myth.  Due in part to its associations with bohemian culture, absinthe was opposed by social conservatives, prohibition supporters, and was subsequently outlawed, nearly World wide, in the early 1900's. 

    Absinthe is a complex and unique blend of mountain herbs distilled in a specific manner with the anchor ingrediants being green anise, florence fennel, and grande wormwood. Its style and ingredients depend much on where it is produced. Each region claims its own history and heritage yet the best documented are the French and Swiss traditions.
    As of February, 2008, nearly 200 brands are being produced in a dozen countries, most notably France, Switzerland, Spain and the Czech Republic. Recently legalized here in the States, more and more brands are starting to show up. The first of which we received last week. Respected Absinthe historian T.A. Breaux's, French made, Lucid, and the Swiss, blanche style, Kubler 53.  

 

Lucid, France

Verte (green)

 $73

Well regarded amongst the modern revivalist brands, Lucid is noted for its spicy herbal character. The green color is produced by steeping the finished distillate in fresh herbs and the chlorophyll from the plants imparts a green color. This is also why the Verte style absinthes tend to have a more pronounced herbal flavor atop an anise backbone.

 

Kubler 53, Switzerland

Blanche (white)

$53

Kubler is noted for its high quality and smooth character. The focus here is definitely the anise with a nice full texture, a slightly minty/ herbal finish, and did I mention anise? Great quality for the price and a bit milder alcohol than the Lucid. A very clean and easy going style, this is a great place to start.

 

Absinthe has long been a popular ingrediant in cocktails,

but here is the classic preperation method:

Pour a generous dose (1.5 oz) of absinthe into a tall glass. Slowly drip ice cold water into the absinthe, until it is diluted by 3 to 5 times the amount of the shot and turns completely cloudy(known as the louche). Adjust dose and water to your personal taste.

 

Tastings 

Our Marche Bistro Wine Dinner is full, but we still have a few slots open for our Piedmont Wine Dinner at City House.

Piedmont Wine Dinner
at City House
Monday March 3
6:30pm
$71
 
The dinner will focus on Northernwestern Italy's Piedmont region. Home to some of the most wonderfully bipolar wines on earth (both wildly tannic and unbelievably elegant and delicate at the same time), you've probably heard of Barolo and Barbaresco. Explore Nebbiolo and the other beautiful grapes of Piedmont with the most authentic cuisine you'll find in the city (if not the whole Southeast!).

Menu:
 
2005 Villa Sparina Montej Bianco
 
Antipasti
 
Grissini - housemade bread sticks
Maiale Tonnato - roasted pork, creamy tuna sauce
 
2006 Villa Sparina Gavi
 
Pasta
 
Risotto al Nebbiolo - Carolina Gold risotto, red wine, porcini, parmesean
Pastina in Brodo - housemade pasta in broth

2005 Fontanafredda Barbera Briccotondo
2006 Fontanafredda Dolcetto Torremova 

Secondi
 
Bollito Misto, housemade cotechino, Springer Mt. chicken, tongue, short ribs
Mostarda di Cremona

2003  Massolino Barolo DOCG  
 
Dolce
 
Housemade Chocolates in the style of Torino

2005 Fontannafredda Moscato D'Asti Moncucco
 
Call City House to reserve your place (615-736-5838).