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Chateau La Commanderie De Queyret – White Bordeaux 2009

July 15th, 2010 by tom

Named for a Commandery of Knights based here in the 13th Century, this highly respected estate sits on 106 hectares of clay/limestone soils, 20 of which is planted in Sauvignon Blanc- used in this wine.  A delightfully pungent aroma and taste of sweet pea, lemon/lime, and grapefruit greets you, along with a dusty grey stone minerality and bracing acidity.  It will enhance any seafood dish like trout, oysters, or shrimp, as well as salads, poultry, tex/mex dinners, and especially Asian stir-fry with snow pea pods.  The 2009 vintage is being raved about by experts as one of the top vintages EVER in Bordeaux.  So, it’s an exciting pleasure to get to sample whites from this vintage now, like this one, before the reds are released.  Something to look forward to!

$14.99 /sale price- $16.99 / regular

Tom Bates

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DOMAINE HOUCHART ROSE 2009 – COTES DE PROVENCE, FRANCE

June 25th, 2010 by tom

It’s summer and that means it’s time to break out the roses – like this one from the locals of Aix-en-Provence.  With newly renovated wine making facilities, the 5th generation Houchart family estate has made a dandy.  Sourced from 5 different grape varieties(Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre), it’s salmon pink in color and loaded with dark red fruits. Lively, fresh and DRY, this one has good structure, concentration and intensity enough to satisfy you red wine drinkers out there. Serve between 50-55 degrees with any grilled meats, ham, salmon, pizza or Asian dishes.      Look for the gorgeous wallpaper type label.

Price: Reg. $15.99 / Sale  $13.99

Tom Bates

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Mirror Pond Pale Ale – Deschutes Brewery – Bend, Oregon

June 25th, 2010 by tom

Looking for a new pale ale to try instead of Bass, Sierra Nevada, or even our award wining Summit?  Check this out!  Very British in style, it instantly  brought back fond memories of English Real Ales found in all the pubs there.  After pouring, you notice a deep coppery amber color, and then the distinct floral ester aroma of the Cascade hops.  You’ll get caramel, citrus, lemon, and grapfruit flavors with a fresh yeasty bread doughy character that leads you to a light toasty and satisfying finish. But don’t take my word for it, Alstrom Bros from the Beer Advocate gives this brew an A-.  I would give it an A+.  Cheers!

Price: $9.99 /6pk  or $3.99 /22oz bottle

Tom Bates

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Donnafugata “Anthilia” 2008 – A White Blend from Sicily

June 18th, 2010 by tom

The Donnafugata estate has been consistently producing some of the best wines in Sicily for 150 years. “Anthilia” is a white blend of four indigenous grapes – Ansonica and Catarratto(both comprising 80% of the total), plus two other rarities. It’s very fragrant with floral notes, crisp, with rich fruit of lemon/lime, white peach and yellow plum. Only 12.5% alcohol, this is an excellent and refreshing summer alternative to the popular Pinot Grigio. A complete and complex Italian white wine, it is best served at about 50 degrees with light pasta dishes, chicken, fish, and all types of salads. It was a big hit at a recent patio party!
 $15.99

Tom Bates

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Cheesemonger Sandwich: A forgotten favorite

January 20th, 2010 by admin

We received a nice bit of press recently from the Pioneer Press about our fennel salami sandwich.  I will say that I really do enjoy that sandwich and it is often one of my choices for lunch.  However  there is one other sandwich that I feel like is just as worthy:  the cheesemonger.

Those of you who remember the dark days of the Minneapolis cheese shop recall that for some time the only sandwich we had was the cheesemonger.  And the only reason we had that sandwich (and the reason we call it that despite the fact it is not a cheese only sandwich) was because I would often make myself one for lunch.  I am a big enough man to admit that a cheese shop without a nice sandwich menu was like a dive bar without a dusty jukebox.  Huh?

Anyhow, I enjoyed a cheesemonger sandwich for breakfast today.  It was delicious.  Truly.  Rich, delicious salami from Salumeria Biellese in New York City, a couple of slices of salty provolone from Wisconsin, and our awesome pepper-onion relish.  3 simple ingredients all working together in harmony.  We’ve progressed to sandwiches with more than 3 ingredients but I still stand by the idea that it less is more and you just need to find the best ingredients you can and try not to mess them up.

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Great things in store for 2010

January 15th, 2010 by Rick

There is certainly plenty of bad news about persistent unemployment and underemployment, the foreclosure crisis, the unwillingness of banks to make loans to small businesses, and the impending commercial real estate implosion. Add to this the slowdown in restaurant wine sales and the across-the-board retail phenomenon of “trading down” by the consumer. Finally, toss in a reluctance by wineries and importers to reduce their prices on existing inventories and a succession of several good vintages. Take it all together and what do you get?

One of the best opportunities for wine value buying in a decade.

You see, as long as the Earth continues to revolve around the Sun, grape vines will continue to produce fruit. Because the wineries have been sitting on their wines, hoping upon hope that the wine market would shape up (or perhaps for a bad vintage), they now have a prodigious glut of wines in their cellars. And I’m not talking about one vintage, but more like three or four, with the potential for another one (2010) right behind it.

If you are a wine buyer, prepare yourself for one of the best buyers’ markets in years. The best deals will probably be in bottles that would have been in the $30-$40 range on the shelf. These will see reductions of 30-50 percent. (Not silly “nickel” games played in some venues where the price gets raised just to show a bigger discount, but honest reductions.) As time goes by, we may even see items in the high tier ($50+ retail) start to slide, too. For now, the wineries are desperately defending their crown jewels, but with so much erosion coming in the mid-tier, the upper-tier cannot be that far behind.

Plus, the longer the producers wait, the worse the damage will be to their market position.

In the end, we will probably see a sad cascade of vineyard failures and winery closures. It’s likely as necessary as it is inevitable. But in the meantime, drink up! We will see great prices for the foreseeable future. After that, who knows?

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All Things Goat

January 11th, 2010 by admin

With all that fancy Flamenco, Manchego, Jamon Serrano and Penelope Cruz, goat’s milk isn’t the first thing to come to mind when you think of Spain. But no longer.

Enter Monte Enebro, Garrotxa and Pata Cabra. In my humble opinion, some of the best cheeses goats have to offer.

Monte Enebro –This creamy, amazing, log-shaped beauty is handmade in the town of Aviles, Spain. Each log is coated in the same mold that’s used to make Roquefort, resulting in a slightly acidic, delicious flavor– and a high pitched squeal every time a fresh new log arrives in the shop. It’s that good.

Garrotxa – Possibly my favorite. Produced in the Catalonia region in Northern Spain, this slightly tangy, unassuming cheese barely has time to settle into the case before it’s snapped up. Silky, semi-soft texture, and milky quality. Not to be missed.

Pata Cabra – I recently fell in love with this cheese when dining at Alma, and was thrilled to see it show up at our doorstep. Another log-shaped goat cheese – this one hailing from Zaragosa, Spain — Pata Cabra falls on the milder end of the spectrum. With a provolone type texture, and subtle goat flavor, this is a great cheese for the beginner (or more hesitant) goat enthusiast.

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Beckmen Cuvee Le Bec

January 6th, 2010 by admin

This wine is a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Counoise.  If I were going to marry a wine (again!) this would be it.  Rich dark fruit without falling into the “tough guy” wine category.  Wonderful on it’s own or with a nibble of cheese.

It is located in the alternative red section of the shop and has a “Bill Highly Recommends” tag on it.  Pay no mind to that and buy it anyway.  Delicious!

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St. Francis “Red” 2005 – Sonoma County, CA – $14.99

January 5th, 2010 by admin

The St. Francis Winery owns 600 acres of some of the highest quality vineyards in Sonoma County and has been making their own estate wines for over 35 years.

Their St. Francis “Red” 2005 is a Meritage blend (popular these days), made up of Merlot (58 %), Syrah (25%), Cabernet Franc (9%), Cabernet Sauvignon (6%), and Zinfandel (2%).  Very much in the California style (big fruit & oaky), it is still smooth and well-balanced.

You will find ripe plummy black cherry and currant fruits, toasty mocha, exotic spices, and black and green pepper overtones.  A perfect party or barbecue wine that is best with grilled meats, hefty pizzas, and hearty pastas with red sauce. 

Named as one of the “Best American Wines Under $15.oo” by Food & Wine Magazine.  I agree!

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Better than that great bottle of Scotch you got for the holidays?

January 2nd, 2010 by admin

Well, the gift of a great bottle of Scotch is hard to top, so I’m not even going to try.  “So, why are you writing this post, then?” you may ask.  Well, I’m not going to try to top it, but I’m going to divulge the decadent way that I found to savor a glass of Scotch that I gave to my sweetie for X-Mas — hey, it was understood that he’d be sharing…  The Scotch in question:

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey $48.99

Tasting Notes:  like any Islay single malt, this has a smoky-peaty influence, but in this case it is harmonious, expressive yet subtle, and perfectly balanced by the smooth, rich, sweet caramel finish.

The Experience:  sitting on the couch together after a long day of work and a cold drive home, sipping delicious Scotch while enjoying small bites of artisan dark chocolates (that I purchased from the France 44 Cheese Shop, naturally).  Ideally there would also have been a fire crackling in the fireplace and soft jazz playing in the background, but I won’t exxagerate…  The Scotch and the chocolates played off of each other beautifully!  The Scotch brought out the complexities in the chocolates, the chocolates brought out the complexities in the Scotch…  It just got better and better with each little sip and each little bite.  Now, we aren’t talking about Hershey’s, here — comparing these artisan dark chocolates to Hershey’s would not only be sacrilege, but would be like comparing a single malt Scotch to, oh, I don’t know, moonshine sounds a bit extreme…cheap whiskey, ok?  In all, we sampled four different chocolate bars.  As with any pairing, some worked better than others.  The home-run?

Rogue Chocolatier’s “Hispaniola,” (70 % cacao, sourced entirely from a small cooperative in the Dominican Republic):  This LOCAL Chocolatier – local, as in NE Minneapolis local – makes arguably the best chocolate I’ve ever sensed.  “Sensed?!”  Well, the word ‘taste’ doesn’t go far enough.  The silky texture of Rogue chocolate is as important as its extremely layered and complex flavors.  And, talk about flavors – Rogue chocolate bars even come with tasting notes! ($6.99)

Conclusion:  Pairing artisan dark chocolates with good Scotch was a such a memorable sensory (shall I say sensual?), experience that I cannot recommend it highly enough.  And thank-you Rogue for bringing chocolate to a new level.

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Henri Bourgeois – Stellar Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley

December 3rd, 2009 by admin

Considered by most experts as one of the top producers of Sauvignon Blanc in the French Loire Valley (ie:  Sancerre), Henri Bourgeois is actually based in Chavignol, a village known for it’s goat cheese.  Since 1950 his estate has grown from only 2 hectares to an impressive 65 hectares, still having to buy half of his grapes from local growers to fill his needs.  We cary four excellent examples of his wines, all slightly different from one another depending on the exact area from where it comes.  All are the 2007 vintage.

1.  Petit Bourgeois – Sauvignon Blanc – Vin de Pays du Val de Loire (from the valley of the Loire river)

First up is the “Petit”, sourcing its fruit from all over the valley.   It’s very light pale in color, but doesn’t taste light.  After the beautiful bouquet of green grapefruit, pear, and melon, you get a nice mouthfeel on the palate of the same.  With balanced acidity and relatively low alcohol (only 12 %), it is very refreshing to drink.  Made for lighter fish dishes or salads, it was a big hit with our Thanksgiving turkey (the white meat, that is – Fleurie Beaujolais with the drumsticks).  Uncomplicated, but not simple by any means, it’s great for Sauvignon Blanc drinkers that don’t want it too dry or too much of a grassy edge.  Reg $19.99 / Sale $17.99

2.  Quincy Blanc – “Haut Victoire”

This tiny appellation, Quincy, is located 40 miles west of Sancerre on the left (south) bank of the charming Cher River.  After delicate citrus and white flower aromas, you taste bright fruits of lemon/lime and pear.  Elegant but still rich and round on the palate, with fresh lively acidity, and subtle dried grass, chalky and gunflinty notes, this will appeal to Sauvignon Blanc and Chablis drinkers alike.  Try it with trout.  $19.99

3.  Sancerre – “Les Baronnes”

Coming from the major “creme de la creme” region of Sancerre, this is an always reliable and classic Sauvignon Blanc.  Loaded  with goooseberry, grass, and citrus, you also get mouthwatering lush grapefruit and lemon fruit leading to a zesty, tangy finish.  Great with fancy steamed mussels in butter sauce or simply with tuna sandwiches, this is also a good choice with goat cheese from France or Holland, or our Montgomery Cheddar (cow) from England.  A real bargain now.  Reg $28.99 / Sale $19.99

4.  Sancerre – “Le MD de Bourgeois”

The top of the line, this Sancerre comes from the slopes of Les Monts Damnes.  Fullest of the group with more power and toasty notes, it still has excellent focus and clean minerality.  Treat yourself and try this wine with richer fish such as salmon or swordfish and flavorful poultry dishes.  89 points – Wine Spectator.  Reg $39.99 / Sale $29.99

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The Seduction of Cabernet Franc

December 1st, 2009 by admin

Cabernet Franc , one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon along with Sauvignon Blanc, is lighter in style than its progeny and used to add more complexity to blended wines including those of the Bordeaux region. It has the ability to express floral and sometimes slightly peppery notes. It thrives in slightly cooler climates such as the Loire Valley well known for dry and distinctive whites of the Sancerre region (Sauvignon Blanc) and the off –dry aromatic whites of Vouvray (Chenin Blanc). Both the reds and whites of the Loire, often forgotten, can offer excellent quality wines for great value.

A great example is the Cabernet Franc from the Bourgueil region of the Loire :

Domaine les Galluches Bourgueil, par James Petit- 2005. $21.99
A perfume of red flowers wafts out of the glass with hints of sweet vanilla and a dash of pepper with underlying notes of bright cherries. Smooth as silk, it runs over your tongue with seamless flavors of red cherries, rich cassis, and a finish of spice that gives the wine depth and complexity. Peppery tannins present at the finish give weight to the initial softness for an overall well balanced wine.
This wine left me wanting more with every sip. With an amazing nose and a complexity that brought more with every taste, this is one of the better wines I’ve had in a while. It’s very easy to taste the care and love that coaxed these grapes into a veritable work of art. If James Petit of Domaine les Galluches can create a wine with flavor galore it leaves me wondering what else is this grape capable of bringing us? I think it’s time for a Cabernet Franc Adventure!

Erica

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It's Spanish, Jim, but not as we know it

November 17th, 2009 by Rick

The world is awash in Spanish wine. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Spain has offered superb value for the money pretty much from the beginning of its modern-day growth spurt. But one shouldn’t be blamed for wondering if Spain produces anything red other than Tempranillo, Garnacha and Monastrell.

As one of the most ancient wine-growing places on earth, Spain surely does produce much, much more. It’s just that the “big three” are certainly the most prolific (and marketable). Hence, the dominance of only three grapes on retail shelves.

If you’re into trying something new (and ancient), I would direct your gaze to the Cermeño Tinta de Toro. The grape has a lot to offer. It’s certainly got punch with loads to bright red fruit, almost like a Brouilly. But it has plenty of body to boot, unlike its Beaujolais comparison. In fact, the big tannins (which are sweet, not bitter, but definitely pronounced) can make the fruit just a bit hard to find at first. My advice is to either cellar the wine for a few years (like 7 or so), or more likely, decant and let it breathe for something like 3 hours. Really.

This is not a break-the-bank wine, and since we’re getting into hearty-fare season, it’s a great match with stews, game and rich beef or lamb dishes (preferably super-herbed and served with a rich demi-glace).

- Rick

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Pondering Popularity

November 1st, 2009 by admin

Bell-bottoms.  Tight-rolled pants.  “Skinny” jeans (if the wearer is skinny?)  Twiggy.  Curvaceous.  Emaciated.  Six-inch-high, hairspray-encrusted bangs.  Long, flowing, natural tresses.  The mullet.  The “duck tail.”  The “Caesar.”  The “Euro-mullet”?!  Side burns.  Mustaches.  Clean-shaven.  Scruffy on purpose.  Shoulder pads.  High-waisted pants.  Very low-waisted pants.  Fat ties.  Skinny ties.  Tiki.  Fondue.  Sushi.  Diets.  Yoga.  Carbs.  No carbs!  Carbs?

Chablis.  Chianti.  “Chablis.”  White Zinfandel.  Cabernet.  Chardonnay.  Merlot.  (wait, that never happened ; )  Pinot Noir!  Sauvignon Blanc.  Pinot Grigio.  Malbec.  Sweet.  DRY!  Oak.  No oak.  France.  Italy.  California.  Oregon.  Argentina.  Thunderbird.  Screaming Eagle.

Yes, we’ve been through a lot of them.  Quite a roller-coaster ride if you think about it:  I’m talking about FADS.

It’s quite entertaining to reflect on the fashion fads we’ve all been through.  Actually I was doing just that today when I started thinking about wine-drinking fads, too (being in the business, everything, in the end, comes down to wine).  Wouldn’t it have been cool to be the person in the ’80’s who said “hell no, we won’t go” …there to the mullet, mall bangs, and giant shoulder pads?  I’m not saying that wines that happen to be fashionable are necessarily –or are even at all– tacky.  I’m just calling for a bit of self-liberation:  Explore!  Discover for yourself what YOU really enjoy.  There’s a world of wine out there.  Find it.  Own it.  And if someone teases you for liking something that isn’t “fashionable,” just remind them of their high school senior class picture…

Now, to up the ante:  let’s get interactive!  It’s all the rage.  Respond:  What are your favorite fads? They’re fun to think about.  Let’s hear ‘em:

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For the Adventurous

October 29th, 2009 by admin

A bold and savvy young lady called last week with a special assignment. The mission I was very pleased to accept came with the following instructions: assemble a mixed case of wine consisting of 9 reds and 3 whites, with an average cost of $15 – $20/ bottle. The wines were to showcase the best of our collection, were to be my choice, but were expected to appeal to her taste. She offered examples of wines that she likes—Pinot Noir, Chianti, & white Burgundy, to name a few—and wines she does not like (ie: NO sweet wines, thank-you very much).

I knew our reputation was on the line, but I was confident. And was I ever excited to put together this surprise mystery case! Choices, choices, choices—dozens of possible candidates filled my mind. After weighing many options, I was able to put together a diverse and enticing case that averaged under $18/ bottle (falling within the parameters even after tax). The cool thing was, because I know of some fantastic bargains that over-perform for the price, as well as some great sale items, I was also able to include a few higher-end options—such as a Pouilly-Fuissé (a white Burgundy), that was marked down from $39/ bottle to only $29—and we still came in under budget!

Are you an adventurer? If so, now is the perfect time to put us to task.  Here at France 44 we have several Wine Specialists who are also fluent in beers and spirits, and even a Beer Extra-Specialist (as I have chosen to dub him just now, since Matt is also quite versed in wine). From October 29th through November 14th we are having our BIG Fall Wine Sale. That not only means that a ton of wines, beers & spirits are on sale, but—as always—any 12 or more items get a 10 % case discount* on top of the already reduced sale prices. During our sale, Club 44 members also get double point rebates, which means that they also receive a 10% rebate (normally it is 5 %). All told, that means that you could be saving upwards of 30 % on many items. Let us professional geeks choose the perfect adventure for you, uniquely suited to your taste & budget. It’s an adventure you can savor for weeks to come.

*Mix/ match case with discount applied to wine and select specialty beers only

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Just opened

October 22nd, 2009 by admin

We just opened a wheel of Appleby’s Double Gloucester. Wow! It’s super creamy and buttery with nutty flavor. Come in and ask for a taste before I finish it.

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Wine from the Land of Fire

October 22nd, 2009 by Rick

I cannot believe I’m writing about a Malbec, what with it being all that and a bag of chips these days, but this one caught my eye. The 2008 Humberto Canale Estate Malbec is not your typical Argentine grape juice. This one comes from Patagonia. Why does that matter? Well, for starters, Patagonia is a pretty inhospitable region. After all, there is a line of cold-weather outerwear named after the place. It’s not really where one would expect to find good land for vineyards. Upon further reflection, maybe that’s the point. Malbec always carries the risk of becoming too fruity, even to the point of reminding me of a Dolly Madison blueberry pie. The Humberto Canale, though, is a touch more French. It’s got nice fruit, but there is some tannic structure woven into the fabric, too. The acidity is well integrated, keeping the heavier nature of this wine in balance. I had it with a pot roast last night and it was quite suitable. It probably would have been even better with a juicy steak. The point being: This is a food wine, so be advised. This is NOT your all-too-typical fruity concoction shoved into a bottle with the ‘MALBEC’ epithet emblazoned in big, friendly letters on the front. Salud! – Rick

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Favorite favorite

October 21st, 2009 by admin

We’re going to be firing up the foundue hearth this weekend and I was thinking what I would drink with fondue…

Right now the answer is Kayak Kolsch from Lake Superior brewing company.  Beer and cheese, friends, the future is now.

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Aged to Perfection! Magnificent S.Italian Red

October 20th, 2009 by admin

2001 Ars Poetica, Aglianico del Vulture – Riserva

I cannot remember the exact statistic, but – in the U.S. at least – upwards of 90 % of all wine purchased is consumed that same day.  Wineries and winemakers are well aware of these statistics, and so it is in fewer & fewer places in the world where wine is still made to be cellared upon release.

While this is itself a bit of a sad fact, there is the tragic consequence that often occurs when wines are made in the traditional Vin de Garde style (meant to be cellared upon purchase in order to reach maturity).  These wines end up being drunk when far too young - an unfortunate occurance that we in the business refer to as “infanticide.”  We may be a bit melodramatic, I admit, but it really is a shame for a wine to be drunk before it has reached its full potential.

So what is the moral of this so-far depressing wine tale?  This wine was made to be aged, it has been cellared and matured here at France 44, and it is ready for you to drink right now!

Goldilocks would be so pleased:  not too young, not too old, this substantial yet complex & elegant red is at the apex of perfection right now (and I suspect it shall remain there for at least another couple of years).  It has plenty of ripe, silky-rich fruit, along with notes of chocolate, tobacco & leather.  Plus, it has the perfect acid / softened tannin balance to make it food’s best friend.  Enjoy it with full-flavored dishes, such as roasted or grilled meats, savory stews or pasta dishes, or even on its own (although this wine really shines with food!)  I’m not kidding, I was so enthralled by this wine that I thought about titling this “I Love You, Ars Poetica!”  (then I realized that would be incredibly geeky, and more than a little embarrassing – we do get emotional about wine in this business!)  Only $ 31.99

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Located in a restored World War II…..

October 19th, 2009 by admin

Tamarack Cellars is located in a restored World War II Fire Station and Barracks in Walla Walla, Washington.

Year after year Tamarack Cellars produces one of my favorite wines.  The Tamarack Cellars “Firehouse Red”.  It’s a blend of Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Sangiovese, Carmenere & Petit Verdot. The wine is rounded and lush with cherry, tobacco and spice flavors from start to finish.

-Carin

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Marchesi Di Gresy Dolcetto 2006 "Monte Aribaldo"

October 17th, 2009 by admin

At a recent wine tasting, the clear winner of the night for me was this Dolcetto or “the little sweet one” in Italian.  (Although it is  neither sweet nor little at 14% alcohol).  The Di Gresy family estate has been vinifying their own wine since 1973 using state of the art techology while respecting classic traditions. Expect dried cherry and plush cranberry fruit, subtle notes of oak, earth, and brick with a smooth light tannic finish.  Lower in acid than Barbera or Sangiovese grapes, Dolcettos  such as this give you  a soft but impressive and balanced mouthfeel.   $21.99 

Check out our other offerings from this outstanding Piedmont estate- the more intense Nebbiolo “Martinenga” 2007  $26.99 and the refreshing, slightly sweet fizzante Moscato D’Asti  “La Serra”  2007  $17.99

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"Le Pigeoulet en Provence" 2006

October 14th, 2009 by admin

Want to get away?  How ’bout a one-way ticket to the south of France via   ”Le Pigeoulet”.  Made by the famed Chateauneuf-du-Pape producers- the Brunier family, this wine comes from the Vaucluse region which is east of Chateauneuf- du-Pape and south of Gigondas, or basically Cotes du Ventoux.  Blended from 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Carignan, and 5% Cinsault, this fine fine bistro type red is ready to go, right now,  with just about anything- especially pork, lamb, hearty soups or stews.  And give it a try  with  Petite Basque sheep cheese from our Cheese Shop.  Check out its lush black raspberry and cherry fruits with hints of pepper, anise, and dusty Provencal herbs and spices.  Made with small yields, you get good concentration of rich fruit and round finish, along with a great value.         Bon Voyage!  Sale Price – $15.97

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Affordable Burgundy?

October 13th, 2009 by admin

Yes, believe it or not, we have wonderful Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from Burgundy at great prices!  A perfect example would be:

Jean Garaudet’s 2006 Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune (Pinot Noir) at $ 22.99/ bottle. I first fell in love with this producer for his wonderful Pommard “Les Noixons” (which we also carry), which has bright cherry fruit along with great depth & complexity.  The Hautes-Côtes de Beaune is reminiscent of that first wine of his that I fell in love with, but at a more modest price.

Speaking of modest prices: I noticed today that nearly half of our Burgundies are on sale! Many of them at greatly reduced prices!!!  I don’t know what prompted all of these reductions ahead of our big fall wine sale, but I certainly have no problem taking advantage of this windfall and stocking up on great Burgundy.

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The Buzz is All About Chile!

October 13th, 2009 by admin

What country lays claim to Wine Spectator’s ‘Wine of the Year,’ Wine Enthusiast’s ‘New World Winery of the Year’, and Wine & Spirits’ ‘Winery of the Year’? It’s not a trick question, it’s Chile of course! You really just get such a bang for the buck from this innovative & exciting wine-producing country, and it’s only going to get better from here. Here’s a list of my favorite Chilean gems:

2005 Casa Lapostolle, Syrah – “Cuvée Alexandre” – Las Kuras Vineyard, Requinoa, Cachapoal Valley
When I first tasted this wine I was a wine buyer for a local restaurant. I flipped the pricing card over and tried this wine along with the full line of wines by Casa Lapostolle. I was really impressed with all of them, by the way, and apparently so were Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator, since they went on to award them as the ‘New World Winery of the Year’ and with the ‘Wine of the Year’ respectively. I was shocked when I saw the price for this Syrah—If it were from the U.S. we’d be talking $50/ bottle, but from Chile it retails at only $22.99. It is full-bodied and packs a punch of dark, spicy fruit. I immediately purchased it for the restaurant, and was sad when I went to reorder it less than two weeks later and it had already sold out!

2006 Concha y Toro, Merlot –“Marques de Casa Concha” – D.O. Peumo: $22.99 - AND -

2006 Concha y Toro, Cabernet Sauvignon – “Marques de Casa Concha” – D.O. Puente Alto $22.99
Here at France 44 I get so many requests for blockbuster Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot @ around $20/ bottle. Usually these people are standing in front of the Napa Valley Cabs when they pose this question, and I immediately try to convince them to try Chile instead—the lucky ones are persuaded. You simply cannot get anything that compares to these Chilean beauties at that price range (I cringe to reference ratings, but Wine Spectator is on my side—both the Cab and the Merlot are rated 90 points). They are full-bodied, densely fruited, chewy, rich & complex. For those of you who think you don’t like Merlot, this one could make you a believer. These wines are simply outstanding.

2007 Palo Alto, Reserve – D.O. Maule Valley (Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Syrah): $14.99
This is a robust, muscular beauty, with loads of dark fruit, tobacco & espresso flavors. This is the perfect wine to pair with steak or other full-flavored dishes, or simply to warm you up on a cool day.

2006 Santa Rita, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva – D.O. Maipo Valley: $12.99
This is a fantastic, flavorful, savory Cab that definitely over-delivers for the price.

2006 Terra Andina, Carmenère Reserva – D.O. Valle del Rapel: $13.99
To me, Carmenère on its own can have a green bell pepper element that I don’t, well, love. Not so with this one—it is full of rich, ripe fruit, and is silky-textured, fleshy and delicious.

2006 Santa Ema, Merlot Reserva – Maipo Valley: $13.99
This lush, velvety Merlot is laden with ripe, chocolaty dark fruit. It is decadent and delicious.

2008 Viña Mar, Sauvignon Blanc Reserva – Casablanca Valley: $11.99 (sale)
A Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that drinks like it’s from New Zealand—chunky gooseberry, grapefruit & other citrus fruits balanced by zippy acidity.

2007 Calina, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva – Valle Central: $8.99 (sale)
Want a great Cab under $10? This is it! New to France 44, but not new to me, this was my choice when I searched high and low for the best inexpensive Cab on the market.

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Washington State Reds

October 9th, 2009 by admin

California isn’t the only state that makes big, rich wines.  You should check out the 2006 Andrew Rich Columbia Valley Cabernet Franc.   It’s a big, rich, beautiful wine.  Lots of great red fruit, spice and a long, smooth velvet finish.   This is a winery that has consistently wowed me with their quality

 We also just received the 2007 Owen Roe Yamika Valley Red. This wine is a blend of 43% Cab Franc, 33% Cab and 24% Merlot.  It’s a full mouthful of Washington fruit.  Big and bold.  Great chocolate and coffee notes mixed in with lots of dark, black fruit.  I loved this wine at first sip and it just kept on getting better and better.

Take a look at these two small wineries.  I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in them.

-Bill

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Goose Island Sofie

October 9th, 2009 by admin

FYI—-

Just Released!

Hang on sports fans. This beer is a big Belgian Ale with a twist of Orangle peel.  This beer is 80% Belgian Style Ale Blended with 20 % Belgian Style Ale aged in Wine Barrels with orange peel. Yummy……..

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Schells Dark

October 9th, 2009 by admin

For all you New Castle fans i have a great replacement beer for you! Taste better and it’s made in Minnesota give it a try. YUM!  Schells Dark New Ulm Minnesota 

P.S Its also cost’s less!

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Caymus Tasting Aftermath

October 9th, 2009 by Rick

We had a great response to our last-minute tasting notice. I guess the name Caymus still carries some weight! The wines were classic Caymus: Super polished and plenty of plush fruit… with the possible exception of the 2007 Special Selection, which was just way too young to be appreciated. There’s a lot going on there, but tasting such a wine at such an early stage of development is a bit like eating a decadent French pastry before it’s fully cooked. You really have to know what you’re looking for to get anything out of it.

If there was any clear favorite, it would probably be the Belle Glos line of Pinot Noirs; especially the Clark and Telephone. For anyone who enjoys a voluptuous Pinot, this is your ticket. It was showing nicely (and the sales of the item that night certainly reflected it!) Plus, at just a bit over $30 a bottle, it’s certainly in the realm of the purchasable for many people, even if only for a special occasion.

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Treana White – Something for everyone

October 7th, 2009 by Rick

My wife and I shared this wine with some friends of our last weekend. It was a major hit. My wife’s friend is one of those types who can’t drink red wine… which is a bit of a bummer for those of us who really enjoy reds. Well, this was one wine that seemed to please everyone. My friend (a beer drinker more than a wine drinker) actually asked for more!

So what makes this one so versatile and crowd-pleasing? I think it has to do with its stylistic grab-bag of characteristics. It’s got a fair bit of body, which  makes it good for colder weather BUT it also has good acidity, which prevents it from being flabby. The fruit notes are tending toward ripe peach and pear, always a good match for a Sunday afternoon, in my opinion. And there’s even a bit of minerality in the finish which makes the wine practically sparkle on the palate.

And, we scored a killer deal on the wine from our supplier, so the price is right, too. It’s usually around $26 per bottle (putting it in the Caymus Conundrum range) but thanks to the continuing inability of restaurants to sell wine, we’re able to offer it at $19.99. No, it’s not inexpensive, but neither is it stratospheric… and as I said above, you get a lot of wine for your pair of sawbucks. If you’re interested, you can stop by our store (where it’s stacked near the Sauvignon Blanc aisle) or you can order it online by clicking here.

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