 Cleveland Park Beer, Liquor & Wine
Featuring a wide, international selection of fine wines, micro-brews and spirits
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WE'RE GETTING READY FOR SUMMER / LET'S DO IT TOGETHER, MAKE THE MOST OF IT! WE'D LOVE TO BE A PART OF IT WITH YOU! MORE TIME TO SIMPLY " BE ".I AM TAKING TO HEART THE WORDS OF THE SINGER/PRODUCER NAMED USHER ON THE POPULAR SINGING SHOW LAST NIGHT CALLED " THE VOICE ". HE BASICALLY SAID OF THE REMAINING CONTESTANTS THAT THEY HAD ALREADY PROVED THEMSELVES AND THAT HE WANTED THEM INCLUDING MICHELE HIS LAST-REMAINING TEAM MEMBER " TO BE ", AND TO ENJOY THE MOMENT, THAT THEY WOULD PROBABLY REVISIT IT MANY TIMES LATER TOGETHER.
That's some good advice and I do believe that she took it to heart, too as she performed fabulously last night along with the other three contestants. You have all worked hard and proven yourselves, too I am sure and can now hopefully take a moment just " to be " and to enjoy the fruits of your labors?! One would hope so, I would hope so, I see you come to the store having put in the many hours, having traveled much, having met the crunch of a deadline, having worked through the office politics and all the rest.
HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYED FATHER'S DAY! Mine was very special. We have some very special things here for you all to enjoy now. You will have to come by and check them out. I will mention some of them here as it has been a period of mad activity here for us all as we have received some of the shipments of ale, beer, ciders, liquor and wines that we have been waiting patiently for. NOW we can finally talk about them with you and not bite our tongues with the excitement over them. That's good : it's all good. It's good / it's actually grand for us " to be " here for you with many suggestions.
ALE & BEER From Santos :
1) Hoppy Bock Lager from HOP KITCHEN ( On Special for $6.99 a 6.9 Alcohol by volume, 1 Pt. 6 Fl. Oz Bottle, from NEW BELGIUM Brewing, Fort Collins, CO. , www.newbelgium.com ) : " Meet the first ... A German-style springtime lager brewed with rye then loaded with Hallertauer. Perle and Fuggle hops for a spicy, earthy aroma... medium body and a slightly sweet malt character perfect for ... " You get the picture? Good into the summer. too!
2) KALNAPILIS " Original " Lithuanian Lager Beer ( On Special for $2.99, 1 Pt, .9 Fl. Oz, 5% Alcohol by volume, since 1902, ) : you all have to check this out, not heavy for this hot weather! Cheers.
3) " Karma " from AVERY BREWING Co. , this " Limited Release " Belgian-style Pale Ale ( On Special for 10.99 a 6-pack of 12 ounce bottles, 5.4% alcohol by volume, Boulder, Colorado, ) : " Good ale happens to good people ... Inspired by the principle of Karma and the wonderful farmhouse and pale ales of Belgium, we have created this bright and estery Belgium-style ale... Here's to being good! " Cheers!
4) " Farm House " Summer Ale from FLYING FISH Brewing Company ( On Special for $10.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles, 4.6% alcohol by volume, Somerdale , NJ, www.flyingfish.com ) : " Farmhouse Summer Ale is a perfect complement to all those great things we do while enjoying Daytime Savings Time."
LIQUOR & LIQUEUR From Ravi :
LIQUEUR -
1) " Cactus Juice " Margarita Liqueur from DEKUYPER ( $13.99 a liter, ) : " Cactus Juice brings you the refreshing flavor of an authentic Mexican Margarita. It's blended with Agave Tequila, the flavor is succulent orange & fresh-squeezed lime, & the legendary DeKuyper quality to taste delicious. Come check into the DESERT THRILLER MARGARITA on the back label. Cheers!
2) Virginia Brandy Hand-Crafted- Small Barrel CATOCTIN CREEK from Loudon County ( $46.99, 40% alcohol by volume, Batch B12HI ), made by owners Becky and Scott and taste here recently by Chad. Thanks Chad! " Each carefully crafted batch is made from the finest Virginia wine grapes and distilled and bottled entirely by hand. " Thanks, good luck with your new distillery, the photos look amazing and we have shared them on our Facebook page at : Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits. Check it out, " like " us ...follow us when you can, become a part of the Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits family .
LIQUOR :
1) Caledonia Spirits BARR HILL Gin, a Spirit of Vermont ( $44.99 a 750ml bottle, 45% alcohol by volume, Hardwick, Vermont, 05843 802-472-8000 , www.caledoniaspirits.com ) : " The best fertilizer is always the footprint of the farmer ". This Gin is made with Juniper and raw honey. Go to our Facebook page to see the pictures : Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits . Cheers. " This gin is a celebration of our connection to the land. We use pure grain spirits as a canvas to showcase juniper berry and raw northern honey."
2) Spring/ Summer 2013 GREENHAT Distilled Gin from Washington D.C. ( $34.99 , 45% alcohol by volume,www.greenhatgin.com ) " Every man has his vice... even Congressmen. " We had one of the owners Saul Mutchnick here this past Saturday in the store ( Sales Vice President ) here tasting the regular bottle. Saul said that this SPRING/SUMMER 2013 was such a small batch that he could not sample it out with our customers. The regular has been selling like " hot cakes " and so I am sure we will sell this " new " seasonal-release well and taste it out with you all as soon as we are able. People loved it : Saul sold it really well for us. ALL GOOD. Cheers, thanks Saul.
WINE from Michel & Tony :
WHITE :
1) " Perle " LABASTIDE 2012, $10.99, dry white from France's southwest region Gaiilac , 12% alcohol by volume , made from the Mauzac grape as I recall, with some fizz like you get in a Portuguese Vinho Verde, and PERFECT FOR this summer now starting officially this Friday, June 21st, and the humidity, too!
YEARS AGO back in the 1980's I drove myself to Gaillac to taste this " Perle " with the owner and I was parched from my hot drive and asked for water when I arrived. He was upset that I did not want his wine instead : all in good time I replied! ENJOY.
2) " Gentiles " 2011 dry white Bordeaux from the CHATEAU CROIX des GENTILS , $10.99, 12.5% alcohol by volume, Pellegrue, Gironde, mis en bouteille par P. Riviere : ALSO very refreshing and bright for our official summer this weekend!
ROSE :
1) " Chiaretto " Classico Veneto , Bardolino dry rose from MARCHESINI DOC 201 ( $13.99 , 12% alcohol by volume , Lazise ) blew Michel and me away the other day for it's elegance, finesse and charm, brightness, conversation, happy and lively demeanor and beautiful color, too. A win-wine-win situation through and through until through and ready for more! Cheers.
2) GANETA bristling DRY, slightly sparkling Basque country Getariako Txakolina rose ( $21.99, 11% alcohol by volume, Julian Ostolaza Manterola Y Otra, C.B. , www.tradewindsSpecialty.com ) : Estebe, the owner of Tradewinds Specialty was just here tasting this himself with our customers that loved it. Very rare, only two producers of the rose, and Estebe got very little. We have some bottles here now and may be able to get more? We will ask Estebe. Come and get this " rare and wonderful " experience under your belts. AMAZING, so pleasing.
REDS :
1) Barbera Del Monferrato from Grazzano ( $8.99 , 13% alcohol by volume ) has been a favorite of ours and our customers now for years. It's back in stock again having come back from Italy's Piemonte region where Mauro makes it for us specially! You are the very best Mauro!
2) Tempranillo dry red from Spain's Valencia region , made by MARQUES DeZENETTE, this 2012 , $8.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume ) : this is quintessentially fine Spanish dry red wine, spicy, flavorful, medium-to-light-bodied and delicious with food, this heat and even this humidity. Chill 20-30 minutes and enjoy. Cheers.
3) 2010 CHATEAU CROIX Des GENTILS dry red Bordeaux blend ( $10.99 a bottle, 12.5% alcohol by volume ) is a pure delight to drink. It's also quintessential GREAT VALUE/ inexpensive Bordeaux and why I fell in love with it years ago and still love it when it tastes like this! WOW!!
4) 2009 Risco Vinho Regional Peninsula de Setubal, $10.99, 14% alcohol by volume; so tasty and flavorful, balanced, a FINE FOOD dry red, great for when you grill, chill slightly, and want to be outside! This is really very good and so reasonably-priced : loved it immediately, yes!
5) Malbec- Syrah 2011 Valle de Uco Mendoza from PERLITA by Diam Andes, $10.99, 14.5% alcohol by volume,www.diamandes.com : hearty, beefy, robust and very flavorful with a smack and a splash of intense flavors that need some food to flesh out their flavors.
6) Aglianico from ARCOS, this 2010 from Sicily, $10.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume ) : again, really tasty and a very fine food wine and a fine, FINE VALUE, too! What a treat! So many fine wines at such great values.
7) Chianti DOCG 2010 from the TENUTA La CIPRESSAIA , $14.99 that we tasted here last Friday with Brigitte's help of Il Pioppo imports was showing beautifully, medium-to-light-bodied, spicy, earthy, dusty-dry, with everything in balance and calling out ever-so-gently for some food to accompany it on it's journey to please us all. Tasty. Try some! The real taste, the classic flavors of Chianti here inside this bottle/
8) HAUNER CARLO 2009 " Salina Rosso " from Sicily, $18.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume, www.bacchanalwines.com , Santa Marina Salina ) is a hearty and flavorful, spice and earth and dried grape delight red blend of Sicily's Nerello Mascalese and Nero D'Avola grapes. Another fabulous food wine when you grill, want to be outside, chill it 30 minutes, let it warm gradually, focus all it's flavors and energize them ... and DELIGHT your palate with all it's history, character, and experiences and overheard conversations/ actions in the vineyards! Yes!
9) Pinot Noir 2010 from New Zealand's Marlborough region, this FORREST Kiwi dry red, $26.99, 14% alcohol by volume,www.forrest.co.nz is the exact opposite of the HAUNER : clean, fresh , bright, elegant, even quite delicate and refined. A treat to enjoy with or without any food, also inside or outside, in the heat and humidity, in the shade and even for awhile in the bright sunshine! Cheers, thanks Eric Platt and owner Dr. John Forrest.
WEEKLY WEDNESDAY Non-Sparkling / Still Wine 3-Part SALE :
1) BUY ANY $20 Or More Still/No-Sparkling Wine and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker price.
2) BUY ANY 6 Or MORE Non-Sparkling Wines & SAVE 15% OFF the marked sticker prices.
3) BUY ANY 12 Or MORE Bottles of Still/Non-Sparkling Wines & SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker prices.
IF YOU CANNOT come in person tomorrow CALL Michel or me ( Tony ) at : 202-363-4265, or respond to this store email with your orders, and we will take care of them for you so that you may SAVE BIG with us here at CP WINES & SPIRITS every Wednesday, rain or snow or cold or heat - always SAVE! Let us help you.
NEWS UPDATE , Happening Right Now : Owner John Forrest of the FORREST WINERY in New Zealand is here in town and will be here in the store to say " hello " with importer Eric Platt. It's Dr. John Forrest! Have met John once before and enjoyed it immensely! Cheers.
WEEKEND TASTINGS :
Friday, June 21st ( the FIRST OFFICIAL day of summer ), we have Theresa Morrison here tasting her " new " California releases , her CHATEAU BIANCA Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2008 On Special for $9.99 a bottle, her South African wines from DE MEYE, the Cabernet Sauvignon and the dry Chenin Blanc, and more. What fun! There's always something fun and exciting with John and Theresa Morrison. JOIN US, NEVER any charge! For fun Theresa let's taste the BEAUMONT Pinotage dry red?!? What do you think? I like it.
ALSO : Santos has orchestrated a SARANAC beer tasting of all their flavors at the same time.
Saturday, June 22nd, 2010 ( 2-6PM ) : We have the owner himself of DLC : DISTILLERY LANE CIDERWORKS here from Jefferson, Maryland, www.ciderapples.com to pour some of all of his 4 dry apple ciders for us to taste and enjoy, including one of the 4 that is sparkling. We have tried them all, most sell for under $20 a bottle and they are really refreshing, bright, tasty, distinct, filled with so much personal taste and experience : 1) Celebration Cider Hard Cider, 2) Kingston Black Hard Cider, 3) the Jefferson Hard Cider and one more : using the apples of 1) St. Edmund's Russet, 2) Red Gravenstein, 3) Summer Rambo, 4) Jefferts, 5) Ashmead's Kernel, 6) Freedom, 7) Liberty, 8) Roxbury Russet, 9) Fortune, 10) Splendour, 11) Bramley's Seedling, 12) Goldrush, 13) & Arkansas Black and with alcohols usually at 7-8%. Join us here in the store, they are located at : 5533 Gapland Road, Jefferson, MD 21755 , located just o utside of Burkittsville, MD.
JOIN US, meet the owner and taste, NEVER any charge. LEARN ABOUT the wonderful world of local apple hard ciders.
ALSO : Gluten-Free! Cheers ...
I KNOW I HAVE FORGOTTEN MANY THINGS but it is time to post this store email and get it into your hands ASAP! Time for me to proof it now, thank you - THANK YOU! - and push the SEND button here! Cheers, " Like " us and follow us on our Facebook page at : Cleveland Park Wines and Spirits, follow us on Twitter at : CPWINESPIRITS, WINEENABLER, and please do add comments and suggestions to help us do our jobs better.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013
My Weekly Tuesday Store Email that I ( Anthony TONY Quinn ) Write & Post, The Cleveland Park Wine & Spirits, 6/18/13 To Our Customers, Cheers & Enjoy!
Weekly Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits Store Email Written Most Tuesdays By Anthony ( TONY ) Quinn & Posted By Him To Customers, Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 : Cheers & Enjoy!
I have copied and pasted this store email that I wrote here on my blog : chatwine.blogspot.com on this Tuesday, June 18th, 2013. Cheers and enjoy! TONY
Cleveland Park Wine Cleveland Park Beer, Liquor & Wine
Featuring a wide, international selection of fine wines, micro-brews and
spirits
We'RE GETTING READY FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
HERE IN CLEVELAND PARK we're getting everything ready for a great BIG-THEME
Valentine's Day Wine-Tasting tomorrow ( Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 from
5:30-8:30PM with 30-40 wines from around the world ) at NO COST / no charge for
this chance to sample some really great wines to enjoy starting now and going
through next week.
MAKE VALENTIN'E DAY A CELEBRATION that spreads over several days so that you
can make the most of it.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU do this as we welcome Chris Pearmund the wine owner
and wine-maker of PEARMUND winery ( he also makes the wines for nine other
wineries in Virginia - is that right? ) : and tomorrow he will pour the
Virginia wines of PARADISE SPRINGS, VINT HILL and LA GRANGE. We have sold the
PEARMUND wines now for years here as assistant wine-maker D.J. has been here to
pour them at other BIG-THEME Wine-Tastings. Thanks D.J. Mark Congdon our JW
SEIG Selections rep has seen to it that Chris Barker and I have had a chance to
taste these " new " Virginia wines and I must say that I am quite impressed.
MARK CONGDON even brought owner Kirk Wiles of PARADISE SPRINGS Winery here
to taste Kirk's wines last week. You can go to : ParadiseSpringsWinery.com or
to : 703-830-WNE for more info ( 13219 Yates Ford Road, Clifton, Virginia ,
20124 ). I liked the elegance, polish and finesse of these wines very much.
Good job Chris.
WE ALSO HAVE six other tables pouring their selections. Here's a quick
run-down of the Valentine's Day Wine-Tasting tomorrow.
1) TABLE ONE : Chris Pearmund and Mark Congdon pouring six wines from
Virginia that Chris makes : Paradise Springs Winery / VINT HILL / and LA GRANGE
- 2 types from each winery.
2) TABLE TWO : Siobhan Kelly of Calypso Imports that only sells organic/
biodynamic/ vegan and trade-free wines where possible will taste four wines
from Italy and Chile that are both organic and vegan.
3) TABLE THREE : Chip and Alexis will pour six wines together - 4
Mexican wines of L.A. CETTO ( Private Reserve Cabernet as well as everyday dry
Chenin Blanc white and red Cabernet Sauvignon ) from Alexis including a very
tasty and hearty dry red Nebbiolo ; and Chip will pour the CHATEAU FELICE Chalk
Hill, CA. " Henry's Merlot " named after his son as well as the STANLEY-LAMBERT
Aussie Barossa chocolate-infused port-style red.
4) TABLE FOUR : Bush Nichols of William Harrison Imports will pour some
fabulous French BAILLY-LAPIERRE Reserve 375ml bottles as well as the Pinot
Noir 750ml bottle Burgundy Cremant sparkling wines as well as some of
Argentina's Reserve NEMESIO Pinot Noir that I used two Saturday's ago at my
wine-class tasting and that everyone loved ; along with the Winemaker's
Selection dry red blend.
5) TABLE FIVE : Oscar, one of the two owners of Voila Selection Imports
( with Olivia Bombart ) will pour a selection of some excellent French country
wines that does include a 2004 CHATEAU MICALET Haut-Medoc from Borfdeaux that
is pretty amazing when combined with food. He's also got a great DOMAINE
PELAQUE Lirac 2009 dry red southern Rhone and to spice things up Oscar will
also pour some " new " and exciting AIRLIE 7 Oregon white from Elizabeth Clark
made from seven varietals! He's got more of course.I should not forget the Dirk
Richter " Zeppelin " 2008 Mosel Riesling from MAX FERDINAND RICHTER Riesling.
6) TABLE SIX : Monument Imports will pour the DECERO ( Remolinos
Vineyard, Mendoza, Argentina ) single vineyard Malbec 2007 as well as the 2007
Cabernet Sauvignon ( BOTH sell for $19.99 a bottle ). We just tried them with
our British wine rep and I told her that the wines were balanced, focused and
fruit-driven from start-to-finish - all good things and not too expensive
either. I think they will touch a positive note with both sexes.
7) TABLE SEVEN : Fransisco Astudillo of Elite Selections will pour both
French and Spanish wines and this will give us some real variety to complement
what we already have to offer you. Fran will be by shortly and we will discuss
exactly what he will pour which I think will include both southern and northern
Rhones from DOMAINE DU TUNNEL Saint Joseph, the DOMAINE BERTHET-RAYNE "
Cairanne " 2007 Cotes Du Rhone Villages ( $20.99 ), the CHATEAU Du CEDRE 2007
Malbec, Cahors ( $27.99 ) : and from Spain the VINA HONDA Monastrell 2007 (
$14.99 ) and the Sinfonia Tempranillo 2009 from the Vino De Tierra De Castillo
( On Special $11.99 ). There will be more and we will have it all ready for you
tomorrow.
WE HAVE SELECTED THESE WINES with the idea that they will complement many
of the meals that you may fix for Valentines' Day and or before or after
Valentine's Day as some of you may travel and not be able to be together on
Monday the 14th of February. Some will work with red meats, some with white
meats, game, shellfish and white fillets of fish, salmon and shrimp and many
with vegan and vegetarian dishes, too. Of course we have included both some
dessert reds like the CHOC-A-BLOC Aussie port-infused with chocolate and the
sparkling wines from Burgundy, the Cremants that have fewer and bigger bubbles
and which as a result are easier on our systems to enjoy with or without meals.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE we hope and in every price range, too. CHEERS and
SEE YOU tomorrow.
BUT HEY, We Don't Just Sell Wine Here!!!!
SANTOS , What Cervezas - Beers. Bieres Do You Have?
1) Beerlao Lager Beer, LAO Brewery Co., Ltd. ( On Special For $10.99 a
6-pack, product of Lao, PDR, www.beer-lao.com ) is " new and exciting " and I
must admit I have not tried it yet but the packaging gets my attention right
away. I also like lager beer. Come check it out.
2) LUCKY U IPA ( India Pale Ale ) fromBreckenridgeBrewery ( On Special
for $10.99 a 6-pack, ) a Hoppy Homage To A Denver landmark " The Tivoli Brewery
". " Drink up fortuitous one and help support the Tivoli Brewery Preservation
". I like this. Come check this IPA out. Cheers.
3) GAFFEL Kolsch German Imported Beer from the GAFFEL Brewery in
Cologne, Germany ( $11.99 a 6-pack,, 12 fl. oz, 4,8% alc. by volume,
www.gaffel.com ). I like this packaging, too. I might have to take a six-pack
home this weekend. Cheers.
HEY RAVI, what LIQUOR & LIQUEUR Do You Have For Us?
1) ST. GERMAIN from France is On Special for $32.99! That's great!
Finally a price is going down and not up : we all here at Cleveland Park love
this.
2) Pisco From Peru's Valle De ICA , this D.O.C. CAMPO DE ENCANTO "
Acholado "( Brandy of Peru , $39.99 ) is handcrafted and made from the finest
selection of grapes. It looks really good and it's brand new and has all kinds
of California references on the bottle like : " The Spirit of San Fransisco "
and " Fool's Gold Terroir ". Love these references, what does it all mean?!?
3) Elderflower Liqueur called CHASE ( $27.99, 750ml bottle, 20% Alc. by
volume, will.@chasedistillers.co.uk ) ... billed as " The Finest " and they
are proud to put their name on it : William Chase.
WHAT'S BEING TASTED HERE THIS WEEK ?
WEDNESDAY, Our Big-Theme Valentine's Day Wine-Tasting , Feb. 9th, 2011
( 5:30-8:30PM ) - 30-40 wines, no charge, bring family , friends, neighbors and
business associates. The more the merrier. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT of these tastings
and buy at least one bottle as all the wines from bottle-one will be On Special
tomorrow night.
FRIDAY, February 11th, 2011 : TWO EVENTS :
4-6 PM : We have a special tasting of the South African Organic wines of
the STELLAR ORGANICS Winery here ( 4 wines that will be available for purchase
later when they arrive here from South Africa ). Come check them out now,
early, beat the rush. There will be some people in the trade joining us and so
it will be a bit more special and a bit different than usual. You will enjoy it
anyway. There will also be some food from the Firehook Bakery on hand to enjoy
with the wines.
5-8 PM : We have Jody Jackman of Winebow Imports coming to pour some " new
" and exciting wines for Valentine's Day celebrations. Jody has chosen to pour
some CHATEAU LAFRYMELLE white Bordeauz 2009, some Pinot Noir and Grenache dry
red called " Le Hold-Up ", some Complices De Loire and some Domaine De La
Grande Palliere dry red 2007 Cotes Du Provence. Looks like we will be looking
on this evening for some inspiration from France for Valentine's Day. Thanks
Jody, can't wait ...
SANTOS HAS ORGANIZED, Too a Great Lakes Beer tasting for you all on this
Friday evening from 5-8PM. JOIN us, never any charge.
SATURDAY, February 12th, 2011 : ( 3-7PM ) : Marcie Wienstein our rep for
Constantine Imports will be here to taste some of her wines with you : also for
Valentine's Day and so we will select some that will complement what we have
already chosen from the others. Come and join us and see what we have picked.
It will be a cross-selection of her portfolio to be decided tomorrow. Maybe we
will throw in some of the ever-popular Malbecs from Argentina like the ALBERDI
54 2009 ( $13.99 ) and the BAQUEANO Patagonian Neuquen ( $13.99 ) as it such a
hot category and Valentine's Day is such a hot category, too. Cheers, join us,
never any charge, never-ever ...
RECENT NEWS : Brian, one of the new owners of the Belgian Stek-frites
going into the old Yanni Greek restaurant here on our corner stopped in last
week. he loved our store and our selections and we talked lots about food and
wine and I introduced him to everyone that came into the store at the time.
It's going to be a good fit, really - can't wait : stek-frites, a vegetarian
pasta with mushrooms, fresh bread all the time like at Citronelle, a small wine
selection focusing on Bobby Kacher's wines I believe and some beer, too? I
forgot to talk beer with you Brian!
JUST HERE MINUTES AGO : Jean Trimbach , one of the two owners of TRIMBACH,
Alsace French wines from Ribeauville was just here tasting with Chris Barker
and me a selection of his wines. We tried the Gewurztraminer 2007, the Riesling
2008, the Muscat Reserve 2009 ( on the water now ), the Pinot Gris 2006, the
Riesling 2002 Cuvee Frederic Emile, the Riesling Reserve 2008, the Pinot Gris
2000 Hommage a Jeanne Trimbach his grandmother ( this is the first vintage ever
of this wine ) 2000 - and they were all spot-on. I did love both
Gewurztrmainers this go-round but am happy to have his wines on the shelf as
they do have that classic Alsace taste and are well-priced, too. We have many
on the shelf now and I did get him to sign several bottles which I placed out
front earlier on our tasting table before he left. Come get a bottle : they are
perfect for this biting wind cold-factor weather.
WE WILL BE DOING A WINE-TASTING HERE with Laurent Guinand of GIRAMONDO
Wine. He does lots of tastings and classes and many of them in our local
embassies here. Go to : laurent.guinand@giramondowine.com for more info. I
loved today's headlines by e-mail : " Best Wine For A PEPCO Moment Is Amarone!
" Yes, I feel for all those Maryland homes without power and electricity. Try
our Amarones here, the LA GIARETTA Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2006 (
$49.99 ) is a real gem and we have it in stock along with the DEGANI Classico
2006 ( $54.99 ). I recommend both highly. E-mail Laurent and ask him what else
he is up to and come see him here soon in the store. I will keep you all
posted.
REMEMBER : WE have a web page at : www.clevelandparkwine.com, also :
chatwine.blogspot.com and chatpoetry.blogspot.com, also on Facebook at :
Cleveland Park Wine & Spirits and also now on Twitter at : cpwinespirits .
Check us out : come give us a visit.
SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW for our BIG-THEME Valentine's Day Wine-Tasting from
5:3-8:30PM. Join us, never any charge, bring family and friends and thanks for
all your support and business. TONY
Please visit our website below for more information, events and specials, and
our calender of wine tastings!
[1]www.clevelandparkwine.com
If you have any orders, suggestions or questions, you may e-mail us at
[2]sales@clevelandparkwine.com or call (202) 363-4265.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Just Now Seeing A Picture Of Michael Downey On The DOWNEY Selections Facebook Page That Made Me Think Of Way-Back-When I Worked With Michael & Knew Him Best In The Early To Mid Eighties @ The Mayflower Wines & Spirits @ Corner Of New Hampshire Avenue & M Street N.W. Washington D.C. Cheers Michael!
Nice to see this photo of you Michael : we sure did spend a whole lot of time together at the Mayflower Wines & Spirits selling a full array of wines and that is where I got my first real taste for Italian wine and that's where my love of Italian wine really began to form. Those incredible pictures back in the tasting room of the Mayflower transported me there every time as we would sell so many fabulous wines from FOSSI, FRANCO FURLAN, VIETTI, ISOLE E OLENA, The Monte Carlo white, the Pittigliano Veneto white fifths and magnums, ... with Andrea Fossi, Alessandro Furlan and Elisabette Carado ( is that the spelling ) of Vietti would come to work with us and learn English and the business and fill us with hope and promise and cheer with their unbridled youth and attractive personalities and love of wine. Then there was Michael the photographer friend of yours that took the pictures that hung in the back tasting room that rode a motorcycle, Steve the owner of the guitar store, Lucie Morton the viticulturalist, Jim and John Crouch of the ALLEGRO Vineyard, Rob DeFord of the BOORDY winery, Ham Mowbray of the MONTBRAY Maryland winery, Janet Gallaway that gave wine classes and worked at the Robert Mondavi winery with Joel Peterson of RAVENSWOOD Vineyard, your various California friends that made wine there - names I cannot remember now, Allen Krasner that did some of our excellent displays in the store, David that did those incredible wine-tastings for customers in the back of the store, Bob Parker, Jr that shopped with us, Burton Anderson of the VINO Italian wine book, the various Checkers that you would grace us with from bright pink to many other pastel colors, too, Robert Chadderdon that we sold the first of in Washington D.C. with a display of his BILLECART SALMON N.V. Brut in fifths and magnums in those heavy dark wooden bins on the lower floor with a bin next to theirs filled with the then-unknown/ untried NINO FRANCO " Rustico " Prosecco from Valdobbiadene, Veneto, Italy, the bottles of the KRUG Grand Annee for sale at $24.99 a bottle, the FOSSI Chianto Classicos going back to the early vintages of 1958 and 1959 : The TRENEL Creme de Cassis, all the journalists that loved and shopped with us, the Arnold & Porter crew of lawyers, ... your energy, vitality, friendly and quick greetings, your tennis shoes, your curly mustache, ... all the staff like Iris, Leon, Larry Jennings, Moe Parzoe, John Taylor, Karen the book keeper, ... so many things to remember Michael, the most important being for me that you once gave me a job opportunity to work there at the Mayflower Wines & Spirits and to grow with you and the others and to carve our nitches and to do what we could then as it was once a largely white canvas that we had to work with before the internet and the ipods and iphones and everything being available so instantaneously like it is today. Cheers to you , cheers to all the good times we had and all the good things we did that included so many people here and abroad and which touched our lives as profoundly as they did ours. A win-wine situation for all. Happy Father's Day to you one day late, Brennan and Shannon are pretty amazing individuals thanks to you and thanks to Peggy. TONY
This is what I wrote above and just copied here as I want people to be able to see this and to read it and to be able to fill in the spaces and blanks where they can with their own stories and memories. This is just a start, just the beginning. So many people have their own stories and memories, it would be nice if some of them would include some of them here in the Comments section below. Happy father's Day Michael on day late! TONY
This is what I wrote above and just copied here as I want people to be able to see this and to read it and to be able to fill in the spaces and blanks where they can with their own stories and memories. This is just a start, just the beginning. So many people have their own stories and memories, it would be nice if some of them would include some of them here in the Comments section below. Happy father's Day Michael on day late! TONY
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Dominic M. Symington's ( Wearing His WARRE'S 1670 Port Hat On This Visit ) White Port Long Drink !! His Recipe Given To Me ( Anthony TONY Quinn ) On October 18th, 2005 @ Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits, Northwest, 20008, Washington D.C.
This was a great visit with you Dominic! I had been selling and drinking WARRE'S ports for many years already, having started way back in the early 1980's : and so to finally meet you now was both a real treat and an honor. I have pictures of your visit with you porting ( pun intended after I quickly realized it as I typed it here ) a broad smile and a real sense of contentment. You even brought your own map of Portugal with the region of port on it and are showing me your location in one of the pictures.
Unfortunately I used my camera before the digital age and have not yet scanned these pictures. I will as they are quite good and do show you meeting and talking with at least one of our lucky customers at the time that just chanced to be in Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits ( 3423 Connecticut Avenue N.W. Washington D.C. 20008, 202-363-4265 anthony.quinn@clevelandparkwines.com ) at the right time.
You were kind enough to sign my guest book and use one of the pages to include your recipe for a white port hot-weather summer thirst-quencher. Here it is :
WHITE PORT ( Using WARRE'S In This Case ) Long Drink !!
W/ Approx 50 / 50 white port & tonic water ( not too much ice ! )
Sprig Of Mint & Slice Of Lemon Rind ... This Is A Delicious Thirst-Quenching
Long Drink With A LOvely Balance Between The Richness Of The White Port
And The Tartness Of The Tonic. Enjoy!
With Best Regards, Dominic M. Symington
An Anglo-Portuguese With A French Name!
I have two cards from Dominic here :
1) the WARRE'S 1670 Port card says : Co-Owner / Executive Director with the address and an email address : warre@warre,com www.warre.com
2) Symington Family Estates card says : Director with Travessa Bardo de Forrester 4400-034 Vila Nova de Gaia PORTUGAL, Tel: +351 22 377 6300 and email : symington@symington.com.
I will have to email you Dominic later today but now at 11:33PM it's time for me to go to bed at the end of this glorious Father's Day celebration of mine to get some rest and to continue working away on so many worthwhile projects of mine tomorrow. Cheers, thanks for the recipe, thanks for your visit , and thanks for the excellent ports that you make. We always have the 10-Year-Old Tawny OTIMA in the 500ml bottle in the store ready to sell to anyone that wants a very fine, great quality and appeal port to enjoy. Perfect now, too in this heat! Will have to order a case of the white port to sell as well. Cheers, Anthony ( TONY ) Quinn check out my podcast with Malcolm Riddle here on chatwine.
Unfortunately I used my camera before the digital age and have not yet scanned these pictures. I will as they are quite good and do show you meeting and talking with at least one of our lucky customers at the time that just chanced to be in Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits ( 3423 Connecticut Avenue N.W. Washington D.C. 20008, 202-363-4265 anthony.quinn@clevelandparkwines.com ) at the right time.
You were kind enough to sign my guest book and use one of the pages to include your recipe for a white port hot-weather summer thirst-quencher. Here it is :
WHITE PORT ( Using WARRE'S In This Case ) Long Drink !!
W/ Approx 50 / 50 white port & tonic water ( not too much ice ! )
Sprig Of Mint & Slice Of Lemon Rind ... This Is A Delicious Thirst-Quenching
Long Drink With A LOvely Balance Between The Richness Of The White Port
And The Tartness Of The Tonic. Enjoy!
With Best Regards, Dominic M. Symington
An Anglo-Portuguese With A French Name!
I have two cards from Dominic here :
1) the WARRE'S 1670 Port card says : Co-Owner / Executive Director with the address and an email address : warre@warre,com www.warre.com
2) Symington Family Estates card says : Director with Travessa Bardo de Forrester 4400-034 Vila Nova de Gaia PORTUGAL, Tel: +351 22 377 6300 and email : symington@symington.com.
I will have to email you Dominic later today but now at 11:33PM it's time for me to go to bed at the end of this glorious Father's Day celebration of mine to get some rest and to continue working away on so many worthwhile projects of mine tomorrow. Cheers, thanks for the recipe, thanks for your visit , and thanks for the excellent ports that you make. We always have the 10-Year-Old Tawny OTIMA in the 500ml bottle in the store ready to sell to anyone that wants a very fine, great quality and appeal port to enjoy. Perfect now, too in this heat! Will have to order a case of the white port to sell as well. Cheers, Anthony ( TONY ) Quinn check out my podcast with Malcolm Riddle here on chatwine.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Thanks / Gracias Javier Baquero Of Grapes Of Spain For Alerting Michel Dumas & Anthony Quinn ( Me ) To the Vibrant Rioja www.vibrantrioja.com & Their SPECIAL D.C. TRADE / MEDIA RIOJA TASTING @ Ripple Restaurant, Wednesday, June 12th, 2013 From 2-5 W/ Seminar
Thanks , gracias Javier for alerting us to this extraordinary event that we were able to pop into after the special seminar and taste some of the extraordinary array of wines displayed on the full length of the bar. It was unbelievable.
I walked in and was there at the end of the bar closest to the front door. The food was there and as I looked around for a glass I decided to take advantage of it while I continued to look for a glass and get my bearings. It was a long stretch down the bar, lots of people I spied like Janet Cam, Mike Potasnik, Stephane Defot and more.
Aaron Gordon was there by the food and we exchanged " hellos " and I finally asked him for a glass to taste with and what he would like to pour for me as there were so many choices?!? Too many, not enough time, an impossible task in my humble opinion. No way to really taste them all and really focus on them and give them the proper attention that they deserve, as many were quite old, like the bottle of 1969 MARQUES DE RISCAL red Rioja that Aaron Gordon poured for me himself.
There we were . Janet Cam, Aaron Gordon and myself tasting this extraordinary bright and lively and refreshing and bright and airy and gravity-defying 1969 MARQUES DE RISCAL! Wow, what an extraordinary wine and treat : not aged at all, still , charming, conversational, lively, engaging and a treat through-and-through! If I had only tasted this wine I would have been utterly charmed and thrilled!
Thanks Gordon! What!?! Gordon, you're here in the store now? Wow, please write a comment here for everyone.
" Gracias, Thank You, Merci. Wines were Fantastic. Grapes of Spain you're incredible.
See you all in DC soon! " wrote Gordon. Gordon's wife took some fine pictures there, too.
Thank you all, I will write more. In the meantime enjoy this and stay-tuned for more, along with my many pictures. Cheers, Anthony ( TONY ) Quinn
I meant to add my experience with drinking the LOUIS MARTINI California Cabernet Sauvignon 1969. It impressed me as the 1969 MARQUES DE RISCAL 1969 did. I drank the LOUIS MARTINI in the mid nineties was it?! Somewhere in that period. It impressed me, too for it's charm and youth and bright cadmium-red, forward cherry-toasty berry flavors! I loved it. I had no idea that it could be that fresh and vibrant! Wow, well-made, well-structured wines are a revelation, a pleasure, an honor, a privilege and a thrill to drink!
Yesterday I was in a Cleveland Park State-Of-Mind. Today I am still in that state-of-mind , adding the year 1969, too : a 1969 State-Of-Mind prompted by this amazing MARQUIS De RISCAL Gran Reserva red Rioja from Spain, and followed by vivid memories of the LOUIS MARTINI California Cabernet Sauvignon : and wil very distant memories when I was young and just starting of drinking the 1069 BOLLINGER Brut NM 2 433 362 Champagne from Ay, France : the 1969 CHATEAU CHASSE-SPLEEN Moulis en Medoc, and the CHATEAU LARCIS DUCASSE Grand Cru Classe Saint-Emilion from Gratiot, proprietaire a Saint-Emilion, medaille d'or en 1867. Great states-of-mind that continue now into my evening finally at home in northern Virginia now at 9:02 PM and able to focus better. I will continue this later. Stay-tuned : are you all in a 1969 Rioja MARQUES DU RISCAL state-of-mind? You should be : it was a wonder to hold and to roll and to balance on my tongue and to have it rock me and swing me and permeate me and titillate and excite all my senses! Cheers, TONY
It's now first thing Thursday morning as lots of rain heads our way and promises to be wet and possibly quite dangerous,too? I hope not. It does worry me on this June 13th, 2013. Let's hope for the best.
I read the catalogue/brochure that came along with the event yesterday and looked for the wines that I sampled and enjoyed standing at the bar with Aaron, Javier, Janet, Mike, Stephane, Christien and more, " " taking it all in ", snapping away at my pictures, and wondering why I did not see more people in the trade, wondering who everyone was? You have to realize that I have been in the Washington D.C. wine business now for thirty years-plus! It was a lot to take in as I mentioned earlier and Mike Potasnik asked me why I had not come earlier? I said a bit annoyed that I had a job to do, that it was the day that sales people from the wholesale companies came to see and taste with us three store fronts down at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits where I have managed the wine department now for thirteen years. You know, customers to help, wines to stock on the shelves on on displays, wines to taste as possibly " new " ones to buy and sell in the store? I had just put on our shelves a " new " Spanish Garnacha that we will sell for $21.99 that both Michel and I really liked tasting recently.
I forgot to mention that earlier Howard Friedman that imports and sells fine wines from Spain had been in the store. Even Aaron Gordon had stopped by briefly to tell us / remind us of this event. Ron Zilk I believe is his last name ( ? ) that used to cater private local functions also stopped by and said he was going to this event at Ripple restaurant. That usually bothers me because it always raises the BIG QUESTION / the " burning question ", why is someone like Ron that is not even in the official business of selling wine to customers going to these functions and not us retailers? Turns out from what Javier and Aaron both told me later that this was a function directed to the sommeliers and restaurants to encourage them to buy and sell more Spanish Rioja. The email invitation says " Trade / Media " and so I found that confusing. That did bother me somewhat, still does as I was impressed with the scope of this event and mentioned this to Janet, Aaron and Javier. As I already said : " it was a whole lot to take in " at once like this. I would have liked seeing an event like this broken into two or three parts to better taste and analyze and absorb the many wines presented here for both the trade and the media to evaluate, enjoy, promote, write and blog about and help to make more people aware of the history, the quality, the diversity, and the indigenous grape varieties like the Maturana Tinta that I tasted, thanks to Janet's prompting and interest ( telling me it was " something different and new " - there were two bottles of the same wine there by us, side-by-side : the 2008 Ad LIBITUM Maturana Tinta and the DINASTIA VIVANCO 2009 Maturana Tinta ) - I enjoyed both
While there I tasted wines from the vintages of 2009, 2008, 2004, 2001, 2000 and 1969 : maybe more. I would have liked to have tasted the 2004 DONA CARMEN Graciano, Tempranillo as I assume it was more Graciano than Tempranillo in the blend?
Of the wines I did taste , wines that I enjoyed quite a bit : all of them - classic and sometimes " new " - all exciting for me. Some labels that I had not seen in years, too! It was exciting. I kept saying to everyone : how the wine world has changed so completely over the years! I think I said this quite a bit to Mark Nichols that has been in the business like myself for many years! It does shock and surprise me. It does make me even more alive and excited, even more passionate and directed and focused to share both the " past " and the " now " to to relate them to one another with my/ our store customers at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits.
I tried the 2001 Reserva ONTANON Tempranillo/ Graciano dry red, the 2000 LA RIOJA ALTA 904 Tempranillo/ Graciano that I explained to Janet was a " classic - old world " style, the ARTADI Pagos Viejos Tempranillo, the 1981 BERONIA Tempranillo/ Graciano, the 2004 OGGA 95+ years old Tempranillo vines. Wow, as I said : this was a whole lot to digest and to take in at once.
I will write more, time to go off to work, weather the rain and the storm coming, and to promote and sell and tell this wonderful serendipitous tasting of these wines with our wonderful and curious-to-know-and-experienc-MORE customers at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits! Cheers, be safe, TONY 6/13/13 8:56AM now ...
Ficha Técnica com Adolfo Lona: Um olhar argentino num chão gaúcho! | Enoblogs www.enoblogs.com.br DifÃcil descrever muito, por isso, ``fotografia em cena`` sempre acaba por resumir estas noites marcantes de degustação. Agora imagine Adolfo Lona com toda sua graça, começando a palestra com um papo, que nós, presentes que éramos assim `` uns campeões``, por aquela noite chuvo...
I copied this to include here because Nadia Jung had posted a blog on the site : Port Wine Lovers, it's a group that I joined recently. ANYWAY, I saw that she had posted something recently there and I clicked it on and found staring at me a picture of a BERONIA label! Loved that as I recently got a chance to try the 1981 vintage here at Ripple restaurant which I loved. Again, like the MARQUES DE RISCAL 1969 and the LOUIS MARTINI Cabernet Sauvignon 1969 from California : all three were very fruit-forward, balanced, bright, fresh and youthful. Amazing to find such youth and charm, charisma, personality and hope in all three with such age already. Full of experience perhaps but riddled with pleasure and joy and the full promise of things to come still as well as " of the moment ", too. 1981 also holds a special place in my heart as it my wife and my anniversary!
Life is full of wonderful, unexpected surprises. How would I have known I would find this picture of the BERONIA wine label like this? How would I have known that it would be from Brazil and written all in portuguese? They are making fine wine in Brazil now. How many people from Rioja have settled there? Any of you all have relatives there? Let me know, share that info in a comment here on this blog. Thanks, obregado!
I enjoyed talking with Janet Cam at the event. I used to sell her and her then husband Yannick Cam wines from the Mayflower Wines & Spirits in the mid eighties for their very famous restaurant then called Le Pavillon. How many of you remember this or dined there? I remember and dined there with my wife on one of our anniversaries. Janet herself recommended to me at the time two half bottles of wine for us to enjoy at our lunch. Both French : a half bottle of bubbly perhaps? Definitely a half bottle of red Burgundy. Oh well, so long ago : so marvelous, so wonderful.
I joked with Janet that she had really come to see me at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits, that she missed me and had come to say " hello ", and that if anyone doubts this that they can come and talk to me personally at the store, face-to-face! We also talked about how much the business has changed, about this tasting. It was nice and relaxed as we shared opinions on the wines and tasted slowly together as to get the full impact of them in all their splendor and glory. I told Janet that I still had some 1981 CHATEAU MARGAUX to celebrate my wedding anniversary. I did not tell her, but would be delighted to also have some of the 1981 BERONIA Rioja to celebrate with as well! Either offer incredible personalities and both are real treats, though quite different. I would start with the BERONIA 1981 and then go on to the CHATEAU MARGAUX 1981. That would be a treat. I would take them down the street to Lavandou restaurant where I know owner Florence Devilliers so well over these past twenty years and share both with her and the staff as we enjoyed our meal.
I did enjoy recently with my wife on our anniversary on Super Bowl night a California Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon bottle that sommelier Danny expertly opened and served to the two of us. THat helped make our evening special as did the fine service of the young redhead with the name of a star is it?!? She was very attentive, personable and professional and welcomed us and made us feel immediately at home. If I ever see her again I will thank her personally again. Cheers everyone, it's now the morning of Friday, June 14th, 2013 in northern Virginia at home on a much cooler day as the storm system has moved on and temporarily taken with it the heat and humidity : hurray! '
Now to the store again to sell more Spanish Rioja wines! Enjoy the weekend, TONY Listen to my podcast here on chatwine with Malcolm Riddle on art, culture, film , food, drinking local, the 60-80's, retailers and sommeliers, and WINE of course.
Spain does make some fabulous wine, these from the Rioja region still the best-known and very loved, and still at the front of the pack in quality, range and delight.
P.S. : My last comment and observation : WHEN TALKING WITH Janet Cam and tasting the 1969 MARQUES DE RISCAL Rioja she first asked me : what was the wine, it's name? I told her I thought iwt was the MARQUES DE RISCAL from the label I saw as Aaron opened it right there in front of us, specially for us? Thanks Aaron!! Janet also wanted to know the vintage and if it was a Reserva or a Gran Reserva. I mistakenly wrote here and told her that it was the Gran Reserva because, it being so old and still so fresh and a delight that it " must be " a Gran Reserva. But, in fact it was neither : it was the regular bottling. BRAVO, ... you can still learn new things at any age. I am delighted that this regular bottling, as with the 1981 regular bottling of the BERONIA showed so MAGNIFICENTLY!
I will think twice next time before I assume or speak. Cheers, TONY
I walked in and was there at the end of the bar closest to the front door. The food was there and as I looked around for a glass I decided to take advantage of it while I continued to look for a glass and get my bearings. It was a long stretch down the bar, lots of people I spied like Janet Cam, Mike Potasnik, Stephane Defot and more.
Aaron Gordon was there by the food and we exchanged " hellos " and I finally asked him for a glass to taste with and what he would like to pour for me as there were so many choices?!? Too many, not enough time, an impossible task in my humble opinion. No way to really taste them all and really focus on them and give them the proper attention that they deserve, as many were quite old, like the bottle of 1969 MARQUES DE RISCAL red Rioja that Aaron Gordon poured for me himself.
There we were . Janet Cam, Aaron Gordon and myself tasting this extraordinary bright and lively and refreshing and bright and airy and gravity-defying 1969 MARQUES DE RISCAL! Wow, what an extraordinary wine and treat : not aged at all, still , charming, conversational, lively, engaging and a treat through-and-through! If I had only tasted this wine I would have been utterly charmed and thrilled!
Thanks Gordon! What!?! Gordon, you're here in the store now? Wow, please write a comment here for everyone.
" Gracias, Thank You, Merci. Wines were Fantastic. Grapes of Spain you're incredible.
See you all in DC soon! " wrote Gordon. Gordon's wife took some fine pictures there, too.
Thank you all, I will write more. In the meantime enjoy this and stay-tuned for more, along with my many pictures. Cheers, Anthony ( TONY ) Quinn
I meant to add my experience with drinking the LOUIS MARTINI California Cabernet Sauvignon 1969. It impressed me as the 1969 MARQUES DE RISCAL 1969 did. I drank the LOUIS MARTINI in the mid nineties was it?! Somewhere in that period. It impressed me, too for it's charm and youth and bright cadmium-red, forward cherry-toasty berry flavors! I loved it. I had no idea that it could be that fresh and vibrant! Wow, well-made, well-structured wines are a revelation, a pleasure, an honor, a privilege and a thrill to drink!
Yesterday I was in a Cleveland Park State-Of-Mind. Today I am still in that state-of-mind , adding the year 1969, too : a 1969 State-Of-Mind prompted by this amazing MARQUIS De RISCAL Gran Reserva red Rioja from Spain, and followed by vivid memories of the LOUIS MARTINI California Cabernet Sauvignon : and wil very distant memories when I was young and just starting of drinking the 1069 BOLLINGER Brut NM 2 433 362 Champagne from Ay, France : the 1969 CHATEAU CHASSE-SPLEEN Moulis en Medoc, and the CHATEAU LARCIS DUCASSE Grand Cru Classe Saint-Emilion from Gratiot, proprietaire a Saint-Emilion, medaille d'or en 1867. Great states-of-mind that continue now into my evening finally at home in northern Virginia now at 9:02 PM and able to focus better. I will continue this later. Stay-tuned : are you all in a 1969 Rioja MARQUES DU RISCAL state-of-mind? You should be : it was a wonder to hold and to roll and to balance on my tongue and to have it rock me and swing me and permeate me and titillate and excite all my senses! Cheers, TONY
It's now first thing Thursday morning as lots of rain heads our way and promises to be wet and possibly quite dangerous,too? I hope not. It does worry me on this June 13th, 2013. Let's hope for the best.
I read the catalogue/brochure that came along with the event yesterday and looked for the wines that I sampled and enjoyed standing at the bar with Aaron, Javier, Janet, Mike, Stephane, Christien and more, " " taking it all in ", snapping away at my pictures, and wondering why I did not see more people in the trade, wondering who everyone was? You have to realize that I have been in the Washington D.C. wine business now for thirty years-plus! It was a lot to take in as I mentioned earlier and Mike Potasnik asked me why I had not come earlier? I said a bit annoyed that I had a job to do, that it was the day that sales people from the wholesale companies came to see and taste with us three store fronts down at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits where I have managed the wine department now for thirteen years. You know, customers to help, wines to stock on the shelves on on displays, wines to taste as possibly " new " ones to buy and sell in the store? I had just put on our shelves a " new " Spanish Garnacha that we will sell for $21.99 that both Michel and I really liked tasting recently.
I forgot to mention that earlier Howard Friedman that imports and sells fine wines from Spain had been in the store. Even Aaron Gordon had stopped by briefly to tell us / remind us of this event. Ron Zilk I believe is his last name ( ? ) that used to cater private local functions also stopped by and said he was going to this event at Ripple restaurant. That usually bothers me because it always raises the BIG QUESTION / the " burning question ", why is someone like Ron that is not even in the official business of selling wine to customers going to these functions and not us retailers? Turns out from what Javier and Aaron both told me later that this was a function directed to the sommeliers and restaurants to encourage them to buy and sell more Spanish Rioja. The email invitation says " Trade / Media " and so I found that confusing. That did bother me somewhat, still does as I was impressed with the scope of this event and mentioned this to Janet, Aaron and Javier. As I already said : " it was a whole lot to take in " at once like this. I would have liked seeing an event like this broken into two or three parts to better taste and analyze and absorb the many wines presented here for both the trade and the media to evaluate, enjoy, promote, write and blog about and help to make more people aware of the history, the quality, the diversity, and the indigenous grape varieties like the Maturana Tinta that I tasted, thanks to Janet's prompting and interest ( telling me it was " something different and new " - there were two bottles of the same wine there by us, side-by-side : the 2008 Ad LIBITUM Maturana Tinta and the DINASTIA VIVANCO 2009 Maturana Tinta ) - I enjoyed both
While there I tasted wines from the vintages of 2009, 2008, 2004, 2001, 2000 and 1969 : maybe more. I would have liked to have tasted the 2004 DONA CARMEN Graciano, Tempranillo as I assume it was more Graciano than Tempranillo in the blend?
Of the wines I did taste , wines that I enjoyed quite a bit : all of them - classic and sometimes " new " - all exciting for me. Some labels that I had not seen in years, too! It was exciting. I kept saying to everyone : how the wine world has changed so completely over the years! I think I said this quite a bit to Mark Nichols that has been in the business like myself for many years! It does shock and surprise me. It does make me even more alive and excited, even more passionate and directed and focused to share both the " past " and the " now " to to relate them to one another with my/ our store customers at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits.
I tried the 2001 Reserva ONTANON Tempranillo/ Graciano dry red, the 2000 LA RIOJA ALTA 904 Tempranillo/ Graciano that I explained to Janet was a " classic - old world " style, the ARTADI Pagos Viejos Tempranillo, the 1981 BERONIA Tempranillo/ Graciano, the 2004 OGGA 95+ years old Tempranillo vines. Wow, as I said : this was a whole lot to digest and to take in at once.
I will write more, time to go off to work, weather the rain and the storm coming, and to promote and sell and tell this wonderful serendipitous tasting of these wines with our wonderful and curious-to-know-and-experienc-MORE customers at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits! Cheers, be safe, TONY 6/13/13 8:56AM now ...
Ficha Técnica com Adolfo Lona: Um olhar argentino num chão gaúcho! | Enoblogs www.enoblogs.com.br DifÃcil descrever muito, por isso, ``fotografia em cena`` sempre acaba por resumir estas noites marcantes de degustação. Agora imagine Adolfo Lona com toda sua graça, começando a palestra com um papo, que nós, presentes que éramos assim `` uns campeões``, por aquela noite chuvo...
- Nádia Jung likes this.
- Anthony Quinn I tasted two days ago the 1981 Tempranillo/ Graciano dry red blend of the BERONIA red Spanish Rioja that still tasted bright and fresh and with really nice, fragrant toasty berry-cherry flavors : medium-to-light-bodied, still very much alive and a very balanced and very pleasing wine to drink and enjoy as it was , or with food. Cheers, Anthony ( TONY ) Quinn chatwine.blogspot.com listen to my wine podcast with Malcolm Riddle at : chatwine.blogspot.com, and also read my blog on this BERONIA wine as we ll as the 1969 MARQUES DE RISSCAL : both were utterly wonderful and amazing! TONY 6/14/13
I copied this to include here because Nadia Jung had posted a blog on the site : Port Wine Lovers, it's a group that I joined recently. ANYWAY, I saw that she had posted something recently there and I clicked it on and found staring at me a picture of a BERONIA label! Loved that as I recently got a chance to try the 1981 vintage here at Ripple restaurant which I loved. Again, like the MARQUES DE RISCAL 1969 and the LOUIS MARTINI Cabernet Sauvignon 1969 from California : all three were very fruit-forward, balanced, bright, fresh and youthful. Amazing to find such youth and charm, charisma, personality and hope in all three with such age already. Full of experience perhaps but riddled with pleasure and joy and the full promise of things to come still as well as " of the moment ", too. 1981 also holds a special place in my heart as it my wife and my anniversary!
Life is full of wonderful, unexpected surprises. How would I have known I would find this picture of the BERONIA wine label like this? How would I have known that it would be from Brazil and written all in portuguese? They are making fine wine in Brazil now. How many people from Rioja have settled there? Any of you all have relatives there? Let me know, share that info in a comment here on this blog. Thanks, obregado!
I enjoyed talking with Janet Cam at the event. I used to sell her and her then husband Yannick Cam wines from the Mayflower Wines & Spirits in the mid eighties for their very famous restaurant then called Le Pavillon. How many of you remember this or dined there? I remember and dined there with my wife on one of our anniversaries. Janet herself recommended to me at the time two half bottles of wine for us to enjoy at our lunch. Both French : a half bottle of bubbly perhaps? Definitely a half bottle of red Burgundy. Oh well, so long ago : so marvelous, so wonderful.
I joked with Janet that she had really come to see me at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits, that she missed me and had come to say " hello ", and that if anyone doubts this that they can come and talk to me personally at the store, face-to-face! We also talked about how much the business has changed, about this tasting. It was nice and relaxed as we shared opinions on the wines and tasted slowly together as to get the full impact of them in all their splendor and glory. I told Janet that I still had some 1981 CHATEAU MARGAUX to celebrate my wedding anniversary. I did not tell her, but would be delighted to also have some of the 1981 BERONIA Rioja to celebrate with as well! Either offer incredible personalities and both are real treats, though quite different. I would start with the BERONIA 1981 and then go on to the CHATEAU MARGAUX 1981. That would be a treat. I would take them down the street to Lavandou restaurant where I know owner Florence Devilliers so well over these past twenty years and share both with her and the staff as we enjoyed our meal.
I did enjoy recently with my wife on our anniversary on Super Bowl night a California Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon bottle that sommelier Danny expertly opened and served to the two of us. THat helped make our evening special as did the fine service of the young redhead with the name of a star is it?!? She was very attentive, personable and professional and welcomed us and made us feel immediately at home. If I ever see her again I will thank her personally again. Cheers everyone, it's now the morning of Friday, June 14th, 2013 in northern Virginia at home on a much cooler day as the storm system has moved on and temporarily taken with it the heat and humidity : hurray! '
Now to the store again to sell more Spanish Rioja wines! Enjoy the weekend, TONY Listen to my podcast here on chatwine with Malcolm Riddle on art, culture, film , food, drinking local, the 60-80's, retailers and sommeliers, and WINE of course.
Spain does make some fabulous wine, these from the Rioja region still the best-known and very loved, and still at the front of the pack in quality, range and delight.
P.S. : My last comment and observation : WHEN TALKING WITH Janet Cam and tasting the 1969 MARQUES DE RISCAL Rioja she first asked me : what was the wine, it's name? I told her I thought iwt was the MARQUES DE RISCAL from the label I saw as Aaron opened it right there in front of us, specially for us? Thanks Aaron!! Janet also wanted to know the vintage and if it was a Reserva or a Gran Reserva. I mistakenly wrote here and told her that it was the Gran Reserva because, it being so old and still so fresh and a delight that it " must be " a Gran Reserva. But, in fact it was neither : it was the regular bottling. BRAVO, ... you can still learn new things at any age. I am delighted that this regular bottling, as with the 1981 regular bottling of the BERONIA showed so MAGNIFICENTLY!
I will think twice next time before I assume or speak. Cheers, TONY
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Weekly Tuesday, September 4th, 2012 Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits Store Email Written & Posted By Me, Anthony ( TONY ) Quinn To Our Customers : Cheers & ENJOY!
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Featuring a wide, international selection of fine wines, micro-brews and spirits
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IT'S THE HARD WEEK AFTER LABOR DAY WEEKEND
IT'S ALWAYS SO HARD FOR EVERYONE MENTALLY on this week that follows our Labor Day weekend as many take their last swim in their neighborhood pools, lifeguards return to school or go off to college and for many students to start school whatever grade they may be in. I was witness this weekend to this spectacle and even with a grayer day many young children were playing merrily to their hearts' content in our pool, even waiting patiently, feet dangling over the edge of the two diving boards for the bell to ring letting them know that they could once again dive and jump into the pool water on this last day. As I said in last week's email : everyone was squeezing the last drops of joy and relaxation and summer that they could before this Tuesday morning!
LET US HELP YOU make this process less painful than it has to be. You simply have to see it as another opportunity, a chance, a challenge and something to look forward to as hard as it may seem now.
AS YOU KNOW NOW, we have our " weekly Wednesday 3-Part Still-Non-Sparkling-Wine SALE again tomorrow . September 5th, 2012 :
1) BUY ANY 6 Or More Still Wine Bottles ( whether On Sale or not ) and SAVE another 15% OFF the marked sticker prices.
2) BUY ANY Still-Wine BOTTLE over $20 and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker price.
3) BUY ANY 12 Or More Still-Wine Bottles and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker prices, whether On Special already or not.
SAVE BIG @ Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits
IF YOU CANNOT COME call us and we will take your order over the phone.CALL : 202-363-4265, ask for Michel or Tony.
YOU CAN ALSO respond to this store email and give us your order over the phone. Include a phone number and we will call you if you like?
WE DELIVER for free here in Washington D.C. if your order is over $30.
WITH THIS SALE IN MIND I will continue to mention some of the GREAT DEALS that we have for you all here now:
DRY " Value " Rose :
1) Garnacha / Grenache ( the red grape in the red Cotes-Du-Rhone wines from France that many of us LOVE ) dry rose , 2011 from Spain's Campo de Borja and made by ZA ZA ( On Special for $8.99, 14% alcohol by volume ) is a delicious warm-weather wine to enjoy pretty much anytime, indoors or outdoors, with or without food. We bought the very last of it and there is perhaps four cases available here now? Call us ASAP to order some. You won't be sorry. GREAT VALUE. With the additional 20% OFF tomorrow the bottle price gets to $7.19.
3 DRY Red & White VALUE French Burgundies :
1) Bourgogne Blanc Reserve Chardonnay 2009 ( great vintage, 13% alcohol by volume ) from PIERRE ANDRE. Er normally sell this dry 100% Chardonnay white Burgundy for $25.99. We now have it On Special for $20.99. Buy it tomorrow and get 20% OFF the red sticker price and pay only $16.79 a bottle.
2) Meursault dry white Burgundy 2009 ( On Special for $44.99, regularly $53.99 a bottle, a great vintage, 13% alcohol by volume ) from PIERRE ANDRE au Chateau de Corton Andre is another steal for you all to consider when you want to really treat yourselves or a friend . With tomorrow's still-wine sale of any bottle over $20 the price comes to $35.99. That's a GREAT DEAL for this vintage, this famous village of 100% Chardonnay wines and from the really good house of PIERRE ANDRE!
3) Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes De Beaune " Les Forges " 2009 ( Great vintage, On Special for $21.99 , regularly $26.99, 12.5% alcohol by volume ) from PIERRE ANDRE au Chateau de Corton Andre is another GREAT VALUE. With tomorrow's additional 20% Off this marked red sticker price the bottle is $17.59. This again represents a fabulous value to you all for some really fine, elegant, polished and refined bright red/toasty-berry-flavored 100% Pinot Noir! You can buy some of this and enjoy it now or put it away to when the wine will have more time to age and be really spectacular. It's good now, it will be much better in another 2-5 years' time. Patience is something worth having as you will be handsomely rewarded for your not rushing.
2 Dry Red French Bordeaux Great Values :
1) Chateau FLEUR De RIGAUD Bordeaux Superieure " Cuvee Prestige " 2009 ( great vintage, On Special for $13.99, regularly $16.99, 13% alcohol by volume ) is estate-bottled ( mis en bouteille au chateau ) and that may be enjoyed now and over the next four or so years. No need to wait forever to enjoy this bottle as it will age some more and improve but with food it may be enjoyed immediately. As the weather cools it will be especially nice. With tomorrow's 20% OFF the marked red sticker price the wine comes to : $11.19 a bottle.
2) CHATEAU CHEVAL BRUN Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Famille Riviere 2009 ( a great vintage, On Special for $29.99, regularly $39.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume ) is another real gem that we have here for you. This is one to put away for awhile and not rush into. This would be nice to find or uncover again in 4-6 years' time. With tomorrow's additional 20% OFF the red sticker price the wine comes to : $23.99 and that's a GREAT PRICE for a Grand Cru Saint Emilion from a great year and a really fine producer that has visited here and tasted with you all at least twice over the years. Do you remember meeting Pierre? Come and get some of either of these dry red Bordeaux wines from the fabulous 2009 vintage.
BEER By SANTOS RIVERA :
1) Aged Pale Ale ( Aged in oak casks ) : PETRUS " The Key To Heaven " ( $4.49 a 7.3% alcohol by volume, 11.2Fl. Oz bottle, from BAVIK is a product of Bavikhove,Belgium , www.globalbeer.com, ) : " Petrus Aged Pale is a golden blonde ale brewed using the purest spring water, selected malt varieties and the finest hops. The unique aroma and taste is created by maturing in oak barrels for over 20 months ". Love the concept and Petrus sure is a famous red Bordeaux. Do they gets their casks from Chateau Petrus? That would be something now wouldn't it?!!?
2) Strawberry Belgium's Finest Lambic Beer from TIMMERMANS ( $4.99 a 11.2Fl. Oz bottle, 4% Alcohol by Volume,, anthonymartin.be, from Itterbeek, Belgium, since 1781 ) is a great size and so easy to take wherever you want to enjoy pretty much anytime. We all love strawberries, right?! Check this out, it's a nice treat for this early September.
3) " Fat Jack " Double Pumpkin from SAM ADAMS ( On Special for $6.99 a 1 Pt. 6 Fl. Oz bottle, 8.5% alcohol by volume, ) is : " pleasantly plump and satisfied, At Sam Adams we love experimenting. This series of limited brews represents some of our favorite small batch creations ".
4) " Adoration " from OMMEGANG Brewery, a Special Winter Ale ( On Special for $15.99 a 1 Pt, 9.4 Fl Oz bottle, 10% alcohol by volume, from Cooperstown, New York, ) is a ale brew of Coriander, Cardamom, mace, grains of Paradise sweet orange peel. A true Belgian-style Dark Ale, this is a part of the DUVEL family of fine ales. " Pour slowly as to not disturb the yeast sediment, but with enough vigor to create a luminous head and release the spicy bouquet". Get it now while you can and put it away for the cold weather that will surely follow. Product of Belgium.
5) Grande Reserve 17 Dark Ale on Lees from UNIBROUE ( $13.99 a 1Pt. 9.4Fl. Oz Bottle, 10% alcohol by volume, aged in French Oak, from Chambly, Quebec, Canada , www.unibroue.com ) is " ale brewed with spices, aged with French oak, and with natural flavors added. ... and inspired by the great Belgian brewing tradition of Trappist monks established over the centuries ... ".
LIQUOR & LIQUEUR From RAVINDER SHARMA :
1) Bitter Truth Old Time Aromatic Bitters, Ideal as a cocktail flavoring ( $18.99, 200ml bottle, 39% alcohol by volume, ...www.domaineselect.com, from Wolfratshauser Str. 21 e, 82049, Pullach, Germany ) is " new and exciting " here. Come check it out, there are two other flavors/ styles that we also have in stock here. Cheers.
2) Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream liqueur ( $19.99, 750ml bottle, Western, MO, ) : Try mixing a DOUBLE CHOCOLATE Rose that is 1 Part Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream Liqueur with 1 Part 360 Double Chocolate Vodka and add ice, shake and strain before serving. It's a plastic bottle, too which is very eco-friendly to our environment and easier to carry on picnics and outings. Cheers.
3) Sambuca Secolare Liqueur from CAFFO , a natural liqueur with real elder & Anise distilled ( $14.99 a 750ml bottle, 42% Alcohol by volume, made in Italy, www.caffobeverages.com, Limbadi, Calabria, Italy ) : " Serve our unique southern style Sambuca neat with 3 coffee beans for good luck, in a special martini, or as a compliment to your espresso. Flavor and color are natural ".
4) Single Malt Scotch Whisky " The Major's Reserve, seductively smooth, fruity and rich, this GLEN GRANT was established in 1840 and is still going strong ( $36.99 a bottle, , Rothes, Speyside, 40% alcohol by volume, Scotland ) : " The Major's Reserve displays a light golden color with a soft bouquet of delicate apple note. This superb Single Malt offers a fresh and vanilla palate with a slightly dry and hazelnut finish ". It's also a GREAT VALUE! Come and get some while the price is only $36.99 a bottle.
WINES From MICHEL & TONY :
2 Dry Whites :
1) Sancerre dry white 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley's town and region of Sancerre that seems to never fail to deliver, and to DELIVER BIG. That's why everyone loves Sancerre like they do. This half-bottle ( 375ml bottle , On Special for $11.99, regularly $14.99 ) 2010 is mature and flavorful and wonderful and we only have a few cases left. Come and buy a case tomorrow and only pay $9.59 a bottle when you take 20% OFF the red sticker price.
2) " Ship Of Fools " 2010 dry white blend of 50% Pinot Blanc, 45% Pinot Gris and 5% Pinot Noir ( $18.99, 13% alcohol by volume,www.cgtwines.com , from the Chateau Grand Traverse, Ltd, Traverse City, MI ) is a flavorful and tasty white that will taste great with many meals now. Drink something fun and exciting and that will please and surprise you both. Support one of the States that is not so well-known for it's wine but should be when you try this white blend. A treat. Cheers.
WEEK'S TASTINGS :
FRIDAY, September 7th, 2012 ( 5-8PM ) : WE have Jody Jackman back after a summer break and she will taste from her extensive category of wines and we would like to include 2 that we have here already : 1) Sauvignon Gris 2011 dry white Chilean wine from COUSINO-MACUL ( $14.99, 13.5% alcohol by volume,www.cousinomacul.com, - fun and a favorite of ours ), as well as the 2) Dry Rose from the WOLFFER ESTATE in Long Island, Sagaponack, NY, $16.99, 11.5% alcohol by volume,www.wolffer.com ) that uses the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to make this I believe? We will find out more on Friday when Jody is here. JOIN US, NEVER any charge. Everyone is always welcome.
SATURDAY, September 8th, 2012 ( 2-6PM ) : We have Dimitri Courbet here from Nice Legs to pour some of his family's excellent dry red and white wines from Moldova, as well as some from Oregon, California and maybe even Washington State. We will see. Call us for more info and ask for Michel or me ( Tony ) and we will fill you in as we are still working out the details tomorrow.
COME FOR OUR SALE of STILL WINES tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 5th, 2012 and inquire about our weekend wine-tastings. Buy some of these great wines I have written about above and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker prices. What a great way to save here and have both everyday wines as well as some great special wines, too.
TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE of our three-Part Still-Wine SALE above. If you cannot come please call us ( 202-363-4265 ) or respond to this email with your orders, questions or requests. Let's work together. Cheers.
MORE WINES FOR YOU ALL :
2 Dry Reds :
1) Salice Salentino Riserva 2008 from CANTELE ( $13.99 a bottle, 13% alcohol by volume, www.cantele.it, from Guagnano, Italy in Puglia ) : is made from 100% Negroamaro grapes, is a D.O.C. wine, the flavors are really well-balanced with softer tannins and acids so the fruit pulls everything together and the taste is so satisfying!
2) Monferrato Rosso 2007 From SULIN ( $17.99, 14.5% alcohol by volume, ) is a blend of the grapes I believe with a lot of Barbera in it. Brennan tasted the Brabera when he was here this past Labor Day weekend and we enjoyed that very much. Too bad we could not open this as well as I would have loved to have tried them side-by-side. I know that this dry rosso 2007 is fuller and more robust and flavorful. It probably also needs a meal. From Italy's famous and fabulous Piemonte region this is a well-focused, firm and tasty dry red Italian blend. I did try it back in March of 2012 and that is why it is here. I really liked it then and will probably like it even more now that it has another several months of bottle age since my taste buds last crossed paths with it. Cheers. Thanks for the excellent Saturday wine-tasting here with you Brennan from 2-6 PM.
1 Top-Flight Dry Sparkling Wine :
1) Brut Cava Gran Reserva Spanish sparkling wine from BOHIGAS ( $26.99, 12.5% alcohol by volume,www.TradewindsSpecialty.com ) is a really handsome, class-act dry bubbly when you want to really celebrate well, don't want to spend a lot and want to feel like a millionaire as you sip this smooth-flavorful and dry Spanish Cava that will certainly make you hungry for an assortment of tapas. Cheers!
I KNOW I HAVE FORGOTTEN MANY THINGS but they will have to wait! We are now on Facebook and you can see what I have added there. Also check out : www.clevelandparkwine.com and chatwine.blogspot.com for more pictures and articles about what has been happening here recently. Cheers and thanks for all your business. TONY
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Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits Store Email Written & POsted By Me, Anthony ( TONY ) Quinn , To Our Customers : Cheers & ENJOY!
| Cleveland Park Beer, Liquor & Wine
Featuring a wide, international selection of fine wines, micro-brews and spirits
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I'M IN A CLEVELAND PARK STATE OF MIND having driven to work earlier from Virginia Listening to Billy Joel Sing his iconic song : " New York State Of Mind ", that put me then into a Virginia State Of Mind and got me all pumped up just the musical introduction before Billy even got to singing. WOW! The juices were flowing for me, sunny and bright and clear and drying up nicely from yesterday's deluge. Thus the reference to Bob Dylan's 1970 classic : " Blood On The Tracks " song called : " Buckets Of Rain " : we've had our rain!
I'M IN AN ART STATE OF MIND that translates into I'm also in a WINE STATE OF MIND, a How-To-Draw-Attention-To-Washington D.C.-Cleveland Park Neighborhood STATE OF MIND?!? I was driving, listening to Billy's Joel and his band and feeling very positive indeed as I remembered...
RACHEL BERRY'S ( spelling? ) , too of : " New York State-Of-Mind " that she sung on the ever-popular show GLEE not too long ago. Boy did that bring the world down around my shoulders when I heard her sing it : I could barely move I was so stunned by her voice and stage presence! SO : you can see that it was a struggle of sorts as I tried valiantly to organize my thoughts and this week while driving to work!?!
THEN RAVI HITS ME WITH David's recent passing, being informed of this last night by Alexander, and how David had lost his fight with cancer. Devastating, such a loss, he will be missed by us all, especially his family that survives him.
DAVID USED TO COME IN to our Saturday wine-tastings to try the wines that we had to taste. He was usually with his dear friend Zia and David, with a twinkle in his eyes would always ask me with lots of gusto : " So Tony what are you flogging today?!? " I would always respond immediately : " David, we are not flogging anything! But we are tasting ... " , and from there the conversations and the introductions to our tasters and other customers gathered would follow. Sad to lose you David, we/ I will miss you sorely. Who will ask me now what I am flogging? Who uses or even remembers this expression anymore?
DAVID & ZIA are probably watching us now from up above , smiling, toasting with a glass of the current CLOUDY BAY Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc or a glass of red California Pinot Noir with David saying to Zia : " what do you think Tony is flogging now?!? " I can live with that.
SO, IT IS NOW WITH a very heavy heart that I continue today's TUESDAY STORE email. It should be good I hope : I bring a lot to the keyboard Apple pad as I type-peck away in my own artistic fashion.
THE STORE IS FILLED WITH MARVELOUS stacks of " new & old-favorite " wines and this is THRILLING! I LOVE the red and white Italian wines with a red Vespa on the red wine and a yellow Vespa on the white Italian wine : both dry and tasty and inexpensive for everyday wine.
1) " Rapido Red " Dry Red Sangiovese from Puglia, Italy, 2011 ( $9.99 a bottle, 13% alcohol by volume, ) : Franceen tasted Michel and me ( TONY ) on this and we were both very pleased and impressed when we heard our price. Such taste, presence and character for so little money, wow!
2) " Rapido White " 2012 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie ( $10.99 a bottle, 12.5% alcohol by volume ) : tasty, balanced, with character and perfect for this heat and humidity now. And the labels are wonderful with a yellow Vespa and two riding it, the same couple on each!
YOU NEED to check these two wines out : they are perfect for this weather, perfect in price, perfect for Father's Day, too!
I'M IN A FATHER'S DAY STATE-OF-MIND ... and Estebe Salgado is just about to have a baby an minute NOW : so he might, in fact join OUR ranks as a " new " father just-in-time to CELEBRATE Father's Day with us all! At any rate, he will be a PROUD PAPPA no matter what! SO : as you can see : I'm now also definitely in a Father's Day STATE-OF-MIND!
CHEERS Estebe, here's one to your new addition coming any moment now. We're all also happy for you. You'll have to sell lots of Argentina and Spanish wines now to pay for this all! JUST KIDDING!!!!! Nice to toast you and your family with the exciting " new " GANETA dry rose Getariako Txakolina That's also " rare and exciting"! I've never seen or ever tasted one before and it sells for $21.99 a bottle. We will have it here soon for you all.
IT'S THE " perfect " SVELTE bottle of tasty and dry rose that everyone needs to have and taste and experience for themselves, as there is NOTHING better for this heat and humidity! Take it the ocean, take it to the beaches, take it home and celebrate Father's Day as well as newborn babies and pretty much just being in a Great STATE-OF-MIND! Here by the weekend in time for Father's Day! Cheers.
SANTOS is putting me now in a BEER STATE-OF-MIND :
1) L a Divine from St. LANDELIN Bier D'Oree/ Beer ( $13.99 a 1 Pt. 9.4Fl. Oz, 8% alcohol by volume, imported from France, Moine Fondateur de L'Abbaye de Crespin, Douai, France , ) : brewed by Les Brasseurs de Gayant. It's TOP-FLIGHT : a perfect gift for this weekend. Some of France's very best.
2) 2013 " Hoptimum " Whole-Cone Imperial IPA from SIERRA NEVADA ( On Special for $10.99 a 4-pack of 12-ounce bottles, 10.4% alcohol by volume, Chico, California, www.sierranevada.com ) : " ... whole-cone hurricane of flavor. Aggressively hopped, dry-hopped AND torpedoed." Perfect for Father's Day. ONE of the oldest and finest breweries that the United States has ever tasted! Some of the older fathers will know and remember this : it will put a smile to their faces and an intense taste into their mouths!! Cheers.
3) " Mad Hatter " India Pale Ale from NEW HOLLAND Brewing ( On Special for $10.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles, from Holland, Michigan, www.NewHollandBrewing.com ) : " Dry-hopped for a distinctive, floral hop aroma; subtly balanced with delicious malt notes. Pairings : spicy dishes, greens and aged cheese." Enjoy!
4) DC BRAU'S " Penn Quarter " Limited-Release Robust Porter ( On Special for $11.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce cans, 5.5% alcohol by volume, brewed and canned in Washington D.C. bt BRAU Brewing , LLC, www.dcbrau.com, ) : " Penn Quarter is most famous for Ford's Theatre, where President Lincoln was assassinated, and his coat and hat can still be seen to this day." Wow, now that's exciting, have some Porter to contemplate the MAGNITUDE of all of this and watch the movie : " Lincoln ". too. ENJOY.
SANTOS & HIS CIDERS : now I'm in a CIDER STATE-OF-MIND! I like this : my state-of-mind is pretty good just about now:
1) " Thirsty Cross Cider " Whisky Cask Premium Scottish Cider ( On Special for $6.49 a 16/9Fl. Oz bottle, 6.9% alcohol , made in Dunbar, Scotland ) : " A flavorsome cider, made potent in the wood! Matured in ex-Glenglassaugh casks for six months to nurture the natural characteristics of the cider ... "
RAVI JUST CALLED OUT MY NAME as I finish my lunch and realize that now I also have to get into a LIQUOR/LIQUEUR STATE-OF-MIND! Today it's all about one's state-of-mind. I'm so happy for Estebe about to have a baby, I'm so happy for all the fathers that will have their day this weekend. Nice ...
SO: Here's what Ravi has for all you Fathers :
1) Aperitivo COCCHI Americano Americano Rossa Aperitif Wine - Red in color, Ricetta Originale Dal 1891 ( $18.99, 16.5% alcohol by volume , Cocconato D'Asti , Italy www.cocchi.com , and also www.alpenz.com ) : Make the " Don Bosco ", as well as the " Acquiescence " - recipes on the web pages - and settle back and relax and enjoy and feel like the million dollars that you most definitely are.
CHEERS TO ALL you glorious, wonderful, magnificent dads!
2) Jumbie Mango SPLASH Premium Caribbean Rum with Natural Mango Flavors ( On Special for $13.99 a bottle, imported, product of Panama, 24% alcohol by volume, www.rumjumbie.com , British West Indies ) : " ... unleash the Caribbean spirit ." Do it here in your own back yard or apartment or by a lake or at the beach and ENJOY!
3) Aviation the American Gin , " Batch-distilled from an adventurous blend of spices from around the world " ( $32.99 a bottle, 42% alcohol by volume, House Spirits, Portland, Oregon ) : Great bottle-shape, love the rippled glass back of the bottle! FUN!!
4 ) 43 Quarenta Y Tres Liqueur, DZ LICORES S.L., Spain - Diego Zamora ( $ 24.99 750ml bottle, www.LICOR43.com ) : MAKE THE 43 Mini Beer drink with 1.5Oz of Licor 43 and chill it, and add some whipped cream on top to make a Float! It's delicious!!
I JUST TRIED some that our local rep Christopher Regan of Washington Wholesalers made for Ravi and was kind enough to make for me , knowing that I was writing the store email and am always looking for ideas to promote. Christopher sez : " A great way to enjoy a spirits that any father would love ". Thanks, gracias Christopher : just in time : timely I would say! We are setting up a tasting as soon as we can, maybe not in time for Father's Day, but perhaps for July 3rd, 2013? We think so. Cheers.
IT'S A Beautiful GOLDEN HUE this LICOR 43, and with the topping- a float of white on top : very pretty and attractive. I think mothers will adore this and many fathers will like it, so give some to your fathers so that you may enjoy some, too : as long as you are old enough, of course! No bite, no burn : creamy-dreamy-wonderful.
IN A WINE State-Of-Mind W/ Michel & Tony :
WHITES :
1) 2011 Dry White Cortese from Italy's Piemonte region from CASTELVERO ( $10.99, 11.5% alcohol by volume, Boglione, ) : flavorful, distinct, dry and better suited to meals, and a GREAT VALUE for what this is and what you get fathers! Cheers.
2) 2012 Dry White Bordeaux from the Entre-Deux-Mers and made by CHATEAU LES ARROMANS ( $11.99, 12.5% alcohol by volume, from Joel Duffau our good friend and father , Moulon 33420 Branne, France, ) : always reliable, always a fine food wine to be enjoyed anytime, but specially now that it's so warm outside! Cheers.
3) " Shadow Chaser " White Wine 2012 Chardonnay from McLaren Vale, South Australia ( $16.99 a bottle, 13% alcohol by volume, ) : Michel and I loved this : so bright, so fresh, so NOT HEAVY, a wonder, a delight, defies gravity and that's something we are thrilled about! " ... on the wing / of the beach blue seas / above a purple sky / scattered sea shells / shelter us of life below the sun ... " I like that, LOVE this white!
ROSE :
1) Santons 2012 Coteaux D'Aix-En-Provence . Rose de Provence ( $10.99 , 12.5% alcohol by volume ) : Both Michel and I liked the finesse and the subtle dry character of this delicately-colored salmon rose. I also LOVE the name as I have an incredible collection of santons at home that has been collected lovingly over the years, first by my mother, then by my wife and me, as well as by others bearing " gifts " of santons for us. Cheers. Look up the word " santons " and marvel at these beautiful terra cotta- clay hand-painted figures of people and animals. Cheers. Drink the wine while you enjoy looking at these wonderful santons.
REDS :
1) 2010 " TROIS Amis French Vin De Pays d'Oc Syrah ( On Special for $9.99 a bottle, 13.5% alcohol by volume from Route Des Vins ) : this is spectacular, so flavorful, so tasty - JUMPS from the glass, pepper and spice - LOVE the balance, the price! Great when you grill this weekend.
2) " Zeepaard " 2010 Shiraz from WEST CAPE HOWE from Denmark, Western Australia ( $11.99, 14% alcohol by volume, ) : From Gavin Berry and David, this is a really fine wine to enjoy, chill slightly, and enjoy when you grill and are outside.
3) Classic Pinot Noir 2011 from LEYDA ( $13.99, D.O. Leyda Valley, Chile, 14.5% alcohol by volume ) : smells like Pinot Noir, tastes like Pinot Noir, this is EXCEPTIONAL Pinot Noir for the money! Really fine, enjoy and BE AMAZED! Cheers.
4) Saumur Champigny " Clos des Boutifolles " 2010 ( $16.99, 12.5% alcohol by volume, Loire Valley, France ) : A fuller, rounder, softer, richer Cabernet Franc taste. Good THICK middle-range, a real treat to sip, not so sharp or angular or as peppery and spicy and earthy as many classic Loire Valley dry red 100% Cabernet Francs. I like it to be chilled like the others for thirty minutes. I do not like this style as much as the classic style. I like more " highs and lows " in my wines, but I do think this Saumur-Champigny will please a whole lot of our customers.
5) 2011 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from KLEE ( On Special for $19.99, Carlton, Oregon, 13% alcohol by volume ) : the brightness, the toasty-roasted berry-cherry quality of this fruit-forward medium-to-light-bodied Pinot Noir is GREAT! We've sold so much of it : it's a divine treat , like being in a great state-of-mind! Cheers : highly recommended, great price, too for Oregon.
6) YAKKA 2009 Shiraz from LONGVIEW Vineyards in Australia's Adelaide Hills ( $22.99, 14.5% alcohol by volume, this " single vineyard Shiraz is a flavorful dry, earthy, tasty dry red that needs a meal to help " flesh it out ". This would be a great treat for Father's Day, for those of you that want the wine to chew on you as you chew on it. Cheers.
WEDNESDAY WEEKLY Non-Sparkling / Still-Wine 3-PART SALE :
1) BUY ANY $20 or MORE bottle of non-sparkling wine and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker price.
2) BUY ANY 6 Or MORE non-sparkling wines and SAVE 15% OFF the marked sticker prices.
3) BUY ANY 12 or MORE non-sparkling wines and SAVE 20% OFF the marked sticker prices.
This includes port, sherry, marsala, madeira and sake.
Call if you cannot come 202-363-4265 : BUY some Father's Day presents this was and SAVE!
SAVE & SAVE MORE & SAVE STILL MORE!!!!
WEEKEND TASTINGS :
Friday, June 14th, 2013 ( 5-8PM ) : We have Enrico here of his own specialty Italian import company pouring a selection of his hand-crafted wines. We are looking at the Casa Roma Pinot Grigio, Sandro De Bruno dry white 100% Garganega, a dry red Chianto from LA CIPRESSAIA, and also the Cabernet from FIRMINO MIOTTO? Anyway, it will all be decided tomorrow. Call if you would like to know the final wines : 202-363-4265.
Saturday, June 15th, 2013 ( 2-6PM ) : We have Estebe Salgado here this Saturday to pour his wines if his wife has not had their newborn baby yet? He will pour the excellent dry rose mentioned above from Spain along with some other " great " wine selections of his from both Argentina and Spain. I think that this time we will definitely taste the ROSSINYOL Spanish N.V. Brut Cava, $16.99 : and the Baron LADRON de GUEVARA Cosecha 2011 dry red Rioja, $14.99? WE will decide all of this for sure this Thursday. Cheers, ... and come taste with us all.
I KNOW I HAVE FORGOTTEN MANY THINGS but it's time to send this to you all. Cheers and thanks for everything, and thanks for helping me get into the right state-of-mind to be here and do the best that I can to help you all with all that is going on all around us as we valiantly try our best to be in the best state-of-mind ... a CLEVELAND PAR state-of-mind now, feels good, feels right ... TONY
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