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(un)Corked: Italia North and South

Posted by Jorge in Wine Tasting Events on 05/11/12 - (0 Comments)

Peerless Wine Selections is a local wine importer located in Jackson, Michigan that specializes in smaller producers from Europe and South America.  Rick Collette has been in the wine business for 12 years and he has always found hidden gems in the most recondite corners of the world.  I have personally known Rick since my days at Village Corner where his Bordeaux selections often had a space on our shelves.  One of his newest ventures has a few lines of exciting Italian wines coming to our shores and I have been impressed by the range and quality (not to mention value) of these wines.  Join us on June 29th at the Le Pop Gallery for a taste of 8 Italian selections with Rick, Andrew, Eric, and your humble servant.  This promises to be a fabulous event with wine, cheese, and art.  Salute!

Here is the list of wines in no particular order:
NV Vignis del Doge, Prosecco $17.99
2010 Vignis del Doge, Refosco dal Pedunculo Rosso $13.99
2010 Gorgo, Custoza $15.99
2010 Gorgo, Bardolino $15.99
2010 Gorgo, Rosa di Monte Torre $14.99
2010 Compagnia dei Vini ‘Iris’ White, Sicilia $16.99
2009 L’Armangia Sopra Berruti, Barbera d’Asti $15.99
2010 L’Armangia, Moscato d’Asti $15.99

Purchase tickets here: http://www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/424097

May Vino Values

Posted by Jorge in Vino Values on 05/04/12 - (0 Comments)

 

2010 Feudo Arancio ‘Stemmari’ Grillo, Sicilia (Italy)
Fellow wine lovers, do I have a treat for you.  This is a great, inexpensive wine made with the Grillo grape (means cricket in Italian and Spanish) from southern Italy, a grape mostly used for Marsala.  Not on this one.  This is a crisp and refreshing drink, with apple tones, pomelo, vestiges of stone, and a medium-bodied texture.  I cannot tell you more because for this price you should just try a bottle and then come back for a case.  Regular $8.99, now $6.99

2011 Chateau la Tour de Beraud, Costieres de Nimes (France)
Unlike the extreme fruitiness of the 2010 this one shows more austerity and less exuberance.  That being said, it remains a fantastic value and a great companion for those evenings in which you just wanna chill with some friends and your favorite snacks.  Winemaker notes: “It has a soft pink color that refers to its character as a wine: with an excellent aromatic length and depth, it displays fresh, elegant, and floral notes overlying aromas of pear and light red fruits (raspberry and red currant).” Regular $10.99, now $8.99

2009 Georges Vigoroux ‘Pigmentum’ Malbec, Cahors (France)
I’ve been a fan of this wine for years and I have always recommended it (except for the 2008) and I can honestly say this is the best they have ever done.  It is also hard to find a Cahors for less than $15 these days and here we have one closer to $10!  Founded in 1887 in the Lot district, Georges Vigouroux company has much contributed to the promotion of the wines of South West France. Pioneer of the Cahors appellation and specialist of the French Malbec, the company with its award winning estates and brands of renown has acquired a great deal of experience with the Malbec grape, originally from the Lot area.  This wine has the perfect balance between fruit, demarcated tannins, and soft acid, with expressive blackberry and currants.  Regular $11.99, now $9.99

2010 Echeverria Carmenere, Curico (Chile)
The valley of Curico in central Chile is known for variety.  There are over 30 varieties of wine grapes grown in this area with Carmenere being one of the predominant ones.  Carmenere, for those who do not yet know, is an old grape from Bordeaux which was eradicated there (small plots are being replanted) but made a home in Chile as a misnomer for Merlot.  Now, with genetics to help us, people have realized it is not Merlot but this Chilean original.  The wine is ripe and generous, lacking the usual grass or bell pepper of many Carmenere wines.  Instead it exudes pomegranate, velvety plums, and seductive spice.  There is no oak interference either.  Drink copiously with your choice of dinner because this wine is versatile.  Regular $8.99, now $7.99

 

Graduation Festivities Require Sparks

Posted by Jorge in Jorge's Picks on 04/20/12 - (0 Comments)

Try some of these for your special day:

NV Big Little Tire Swing Brut, Michigan
Yes!  They brought me this wine to taste and I bought it on the spot.  A blend of different grapes but primarily Riesling, this dry, effusive wine is sure to brighten your day while you celebrate your graduation.  The brothers Laing have worked with Larry Mawby for a while and learning from the best they have endeavor to create wines with class and finesse.  Another Michigan winner!  Only $19.99

NV 2 Lads Sparkling Reserve, Old Mission Peninsula
They use 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Grigio all from the Old Mission Peninsula and they let the juice rest on its lees for 2 years!  The result is one you must try.  Andrew loved it when he visited and we have it for your pleasure.  The winemaker says: “soft aromatics of ripe pear and baked apple pie with hints of limestone and peach blossom. Lively mouthfeel that triggers your taste buds to enjoy the very essence of grape flavors.”  $34.99

NV Gruet Blanc de Noirs, New Mexico
Gilbert Gruet was born to a poor family in Bethon, France and wanted to make sparkling wines from a young age.  While traveling the southwest United States he met some European winemakers and saw the future in the area.  The land was cheap, the panorama was breathtaking, and the fervor was there, so he invested and started planting grapes in 1984.  This is one of his progeny: toasty nose, biscuit, dark berries, minerals, quite dry and elegant; all Pinot Noir fruit.  $17.99

Michigan Wine Superstars: 2 Lads Come to Town

Posted by Jorge in Wine Tasting Events on 04/13/12 - (0 Comments)


Spend an inspiring evening tasting 2 Lads Winery vino with The Produce Station & Chris Baldyga, the dynamic and witty front-man of 2 Lads Winery.

2 Lads Winery is the vision and passion of co-owners Chris Baldyga and winemaker Cornel Olivier. Learn “The Lads” inspirational story and taste their sophisticated wines. 2 Lads are located on 58 acres of the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City, Michigan. They are one of the newer stars of the wine world and certainly one of the best in show in Michigan. Specializing in cool climate red and sparkling wines, 2 Lads also offer small run white wines to round out their portfolio. Sustainable farming methods and gentle processing of the fruit are key in their winemaking process.

Please join us May 1, 2012 from 7:30 – 8:30 pm
for The 2 Lads – Michigan Wine Superstars Tasting!
Hosted @ The Last Word – 301 West Huron, Ann Arbor
Tasting fee for (un)Corked is $15.00 and that includes a sampling of 5 different wines!

Pre-Order a 6-Pack of
2011 2 Lads Cab Franc Rose’
Today and earn a FREE TICKET to this tasting!

Purchase Tickets Here:
http://www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/417013
Please purchase tickets in advance as these events always sell out and we do not accept ticket sales at the door.

We are excited to taste these wines with you:

1. 2011 2 Lads Pinot Grigio — Can we call this a flip-flop wine? Not for its inability to stand by a decision, but for the weekend-casual mood it inspires. With the 2011 vintage, our Pinot Grigio delivers the classic 2 Lads style of PG, fragrant and crisp. Peach blossom and pineapple envelop your senses while nectarine and clean sheets dried on the clothesline dance around the edges. Stony minerality leads to crisp, soft lemon notes. All you need is a deck (house or boat) and a little Michigan sunshine.
Regular Price: $20.99 Special (un)Corked Price: $18.89

2. 2011 2 Lads Rosé of Cabernet Franc — This white wine is exemplary of our red wine style: bold. But don’t let the color fool you. It offers classic strawberry, rhubarb and vanilla aromas that tempt your palate and challenge your wine paradigm. The mouth feel is silky, rich, and smooth with sweet strawberry from start to finish. Whether it’s the beach, the pool, or your villa in the south of France, this wine belongs with a hot summer and cool friends.
Regular Price: $20.99 Special (un)Corked Price: $18.89

3. 2011 2 Lads Fouch Vineyard Riesling — These grapes leave the Fouch Vineyard in October traveling 20 mph towards 2 Lads winery, 1.5 miles down the road. At the same time, Cornel waits on the 2Lads crushpad ready to finish the complex equation of soil, sun and fruit into a finished wine. I’m no math wizard, but… If x = aroma and y = taste, how does this wine add up? Well, if x = tangerine, hyacinth, honeycrisp apple, and soft floral-perfume aromas, and y = bright citrus notes, clean tropical fruit, and just enough sweetness to enhance the acidity, then x + y = exponentially delicious!
Regular Price: $21.99 Special (un)Corked Price: $19.79

4. 2010 2 Lads Pinot Noir — “Hide the women and children – this one is trouble!!” Aromas of sweet red plums and smoky cherries; Lively on the palate with concentrated strawberry, lightly roasted coffee and delicate tannins… ohhh the tannins. Although youthful, this wine already shows a long elegant finish and will continue to improve for the next five years.
Regular Price: $28.99 Special (un)Corked Price: $26.09

5. 2010 2 Lads Cab Franc/Merlot — It’s like peanut butter and jelly, bacon and eggs, or Bert and Ernie – Cabernet Franc and Merlot just belong together. With a blend of 55/45 it’s an almost equal expression of each grape’s soul. Deep black cherry, blackberry and dark chocolate in the glass balance the vanilla, coffee and sweet tannins on the palate. This is a wine you can drink now and later; if you possess the willpower, sentence it to 5 to 7 years in your cellar, but don’t be afraid to let it out for good behavior. Regular Price: $27.99 Special (un)Corked Price: $25.19

Checkout 2 Lads online:
Web: http://www.2lwinery.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/2LadsWinery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/2LadsWinery

Huge Wine Sale

Posted by Jorge in Wine Lists | Wine Sales on 04/10/12 - (0 Comments)

Easter is already behind us, Passover is passing by, but the spring has barely begun; we want to facilitate your intake of grape juice in alcoholic form by having a huge wine sale: we are offering 15% off on all the wines in the store (except the 4 Vino Values of the month).  Yep, you read that right; 15% off on all wine!  I have a substantial selection of crisp whites, refreshing rosés, and the indispensable reds for your everyday pleasure.  It is noticeable how people become excited during this time of the year, as the warm weather arrives, the flowers begin to tickle our noses, and thirst gains power, more and more look for my favorite elixir for the soul.  And if you feel like ordering some wines which we do not carry, the discount also applies.  Stock up!  Come take advantage of this great special for the next 5 days and nights.