What’s Fresh At Enoteca?

1. March Wine & Beer Club in this Friday!
2. Great Port Tasting Event Next Thursday, March 13th
3. March Beer Tasting Event - Laughing Dog with Brewmaster
4. Wine Recipe - Shrimp, Scallops, and White Chateauneuf du Pape
5. Wine Stein & Dine - Thank You
6. Upcoming Tasting Events
7. What is Wine & Beer Club?

March Wine & Beer Club is in!

The wine and beer for this month’s club has arrived and will be in your bin on Friday, March 1st! If you’re not a Club Member yet, learn about the Wine & Beer Club?

This weekend is Taste of Club! Tasting is from 4-7 Friday night, Saturday from 12-7. The cost is $10 per flight (3 oz. each of 3 wines), $5 per glass (5 oz. of one wine), and $10 for the Anniversary Club Red, glass pour only.

The lineup for Club and Tasting:

Vintage Club

Milbrandt Traditions Merlot 2005 (Washington State) - Merlot came to us from Bordeaux where it serves as a major component in the Medoc and the dominate grape in Pomerol. Over the past two decades Eastern Washington has carved out a serious reputation for Merlot. Our large diurnal temperature swings (often 40 degrees or more), lack of rain (6-8 inches per year) and porous, low-vigor soils allow us to produce lusciously rich and distinctive Merlots.

Our 2005 Traditions is a velvety, polished wine with astonishing length and intensity. The nose offers a wide array of aromatics including cherry, blackberry, vanilla and spice. The texture is ripe and lush with well-integrated tannins. A small addition of Cabernet Sauvignon and Barbera bring a complementary depth, structure and bouquet to the wine.
Merlot (84%), Cabernet Sauvignon (12%), Barbera (4%)

Guenoc Lake County Chardonnay 2006 (Lake County, California) - Produced from grapes grown in Lake County, California, this 2006 Lake County Chardonnay is partially barrel fermented with the majority produced in stainless steel tanks. This is a clean, fruit forward wine, plump and full in the mouth with layers of tropical fruit, pears, peaches and apricot. Subtle hints of toasty oak and butter add to the complexity of both the nose and mouth ending with a long smooth finish. Great with grilled chicken or pork or clam linguini.

Reserve Club

Jim Barry The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Coonawara, South Australia) - On the southern boundary of Coonawarra is the old Penola cricket ground, which first saw a ball bowled in anger and the flashing cover drives of the local champions in 1950. Sadly, the ground closed in 1996. Soon after Jim Barry purchased the 30 acre property and planted a Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard.

This wine is ruby/crimson in colour, with purple tints. The nose shows intensely complex characters of rosemary, mint and coffee, with a major on eucalyptus. This is followed up on the palate by an eruption of fruit flavours— primarily black cherry and blackberry, with hints of mocha and dried herbs. The tannins are fine grained and supple and the wine has a long, integrated finish.

Jim Barry Silly Mid On Bordeaux Blend 2006 (Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills, South Australia) - Meet “The Cover Drive’s” girlfriend…

Those who know cricket will be aware of the fielding position called “Silly Mid On”. Close to the batsman, requiring very good reflexes and always at risk of being struck by the ball off the bat.

This Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend is a pristine straw yellow in colour, with green tints. It shows aromas of freshly squeezed passionfruit and fresh grass clippings, with an underlying herbaceousness. The palate is full and ripe, with a veritable fruit salad of flavours—including mango, lime, peach, pear and passionfruit. This wine displays impressive length of flavour, whilst showing a firm acid backbone that lingers into the finish.

Premier Club

The Gatekeeper 2001 (McLaren Vale, Australia) - This is a very special wine in that it has been aged to perfection and is perfectly lush to enjoy now. Deep red with an edge of youthful purple. Mulberry and ripe strawberry aromas with integrated vanilla oak and hints of truffle, violet and clove. Luscious, sweet strawberry and black cherry flavors with balanced acidity and oak. Soft and rich with generous fruit on the finish.

Philip Shaw No. 11 Chardonnay 2006 (Orange, NSW, Australia) - A brilliant clear gold color with green highlights. Complex aromas of lemon, spring blossom, and dried fig with notes of grapefruit. Delightfully refreshing! The palate delivers racey fruit with a mineral spine, creamy oak, cashews, and pear with a long elegant lemon acidity. Firm but not hard, velvet. She is a gorgeous elegant young lady, sure to age gracefully. 90 Points Wine Enthusiast

Anniversary Club Red

Regusci Merlot 2005 (Stag’s Leap District, Napa Valley, California) - “Ghost Winery” is the name given to the few remaining early Napa Valley wineries that were in existence between 1860 and 1900. Very few of these Ghost Wineries remain as the vineyards of most Napa Valley wineries were decimated by the phylloxera infestation of the 1890’s. The economic depression of that decade was the final blow for many others. As a result, most of these wineries were abandoned or forced into bankruptcy and then laid dormant through prohibition. Over the years that followed, many fell into disrepair and were dismantled or absorbed into newer, more modern facilities. One example of a fantastically preserved Ghost Winery is located on the Regusci Ranch - the T.L. Grigsby-Occidental Winery.

Rich, concentrated aromas of deep black plum and gingerbread, with a hint of black licorice and cinnamon. Vibrant cherry flavors on a full tilt youthful tannic structure. This merlot is packed with flavor and texture that has the durability of long term ageing. ~Winemaker, Charles Hendricks

Beer Club

Beer Club members receive 3 bottles of beer this month! Beer Club selections are not open for the tasting event, but a few bottles are available for purchase.

Full Sail Top Sail Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout 2008 (Hood River, Oregon) - This is the pinnacle of Full Sail’s Brewmaster Reserve Series. If you are lucky enough to have tried the standard Top Sail Imperial Stout, you’ll know how tasty that beer is. The brewmasters at Full Sail took a batch of that beer and aged it in Bourbon Barrels for the last several months. Now this dark rich nectar is in the bottle and ready for Beer Club! This pours black as motor oil and gains a perfect, lofty, dark brown head. Some of the flavors to look for include notes of rum soaked figs and plums, a huge bourbon presence, charred cedar, roasted vanilla bean, and dark bittersweet chocolate.
9.85% ABV. 22 oz. bottle

Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout (Petaluma, California) - Last month and this month offer a “double shot” of coffee infused beer. Pours a deep brown with a good off-white head. Aromas of coffee and cocoa come through strongly, balanced by a creamy texture with some hop action in the mid-palate. Perfect for breakfast.
8.3% ABV. 29.5 IBU. 22 oz. bottle

Stone Old Guardian Barleywine 2008 (San Diego, California) - What does Head Brewer Mitch Steele say about his beer?
APPEARANCE: Deep golden/copper, orange with a dense tan head.
AROMA: Caramel malts with moderate levels of spicy, earthy hops and tropical fruit esters.
FLAVOR: Fruity, malty, spicy, with a significant alcohol warmth and substantial hop bitterness.
PALATE: Full bodied, warm, and bitter
OVERALL: Good for drinking now, but will really improve with some cellaring to help smooth out the alcohol heat. The English hops we used this year (East Kent Goldings and First Gold) add a more earthy tone to this beer than previous versions.
11.26% ABV. 22 oz. bottle

Great Port Tasting Event Next Thursday, March 13th

Worldwide Port Tasting Event Thursday, March 13th Beginning at 6 pm. at Enoteca Reservations: $15 per person

We will be tasting affordable Ruby and Tawny style ports from many areas around the globe, including Washington State, Australia, California and Portugal. Taste and learn more about fortified port wines. They tend to be sweeter than non-port styles of wine and often more viscious. If you’re not familiar with ports this is a good way to try a range without buying all the bottles on the shelf, and if you are familiar you will enjoy the selection. A light menu of appropriate cheeses and desserts will accompany the port selection. Space is limited; you can make your reservations at Enoteca, by calling 208-457-9885, or email us at service@corkjoy.com

Laughing Dog Beer Tasting Event with Brewmaster Fred Colby

Laughing Dog Beer Tasting Wednesday, March 19th Beginning at 6 p.m. Taste 4-5 or so beers Only $10 per person

The March Beer Tasting is Laughing Dog of Sandpoint! Enoteca is hosting Brewmaster Fred Colby from Laughing Dog as he shares a selection from Laughing Dog’s lineup starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19th. Tickets to attend are $10, paid in advance. Attendees will receive a beer glass and most importantly, learn about, and taste, more great beer! Get a head start with a bottle or three of the brand new release of the hop king “Devil Dog” available at Enoteca now! [Member: $6.29 / Retail: $6.99] Email us at service@corkjoy.com to reserve space, or call 208-457-9885. To be made aware of future beer tasting events, join the email list at www.corkjoy.com

Shrimp, Scallops, White Chateauneuf Du Pape

This week Sarah prepared an excellent meal that went perfectly with an incredible White wine. Premier White wine club members will remember a bottle of Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc in their bins a couple months ago. We have a limited amount of the new vintage available at Enoteca, and this is a California made white Chateauneuf du Pape. We also have an authentic white Chateauneuf du Pape from Domaine de Cristia available, both of which will go great with this recipe.

1/4 cup olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 cloves shallots, chopped
2 cups white wine
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
1 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 pounds (20/30 count) sea scallops
1 1/2 pounds (16/20 count) shrimp peeled and de-veined with tails left on
1 1/2 to 2 pounds cooked pasta or rice, for an accompaniment
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano

Special Equipment: A fine strainer

In a large saute pan, heat 1/4 cup oil and cook garlic and shallot until translucent, about 2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the wine, and add parsley, basil and thyme and let the liquid reduce by half. Using a fine strainer, strain the reduction into a clean saucepan and add the cream. Over low heat, let the sauce reduce to medium thickness. To the now empty saute pan, add 2 tablespoons olive oil, saute scallops, cook until opaque and remove to a utility platter in a warm place. Then use the same pan to saute shrimp just until pink, and remove to the utility platter. Add cream sauce to saute pan to toss the drained pasta or rice with the cream sauce and seafood, reserving a few scallops and shrimp for the top. Transfer to a serving dish, and sprinkle with cheese, as garnish. Arrange shrimp and scallops on top and garnish with basil sprigs.
Recipe from Robert Irvine, Food Network

We do recommend removing the shrimp tails as it makes for a slightly messier eating experience.

Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc 2005 (Paso Robles, California) - The 2005 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc is a vibrant expression of the terroir of Tablas Creek. It shows aromas of honeysuckle, mint, lemon peel and spice, with rich Roussanne flavors of honey, rose petals, pear, petrol and white flowers, excellent breadth, cleansing acidity and great length. It should drink well when young but will also reward time in bottle; we expect it to show beautifully for at least the next 5-7 years.
93 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
70% Roussanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 5% Picpoul Blanc
[Member: $36.99 / Retail: $39.99]

Domaine de Cristia Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2005 (Rhone, France) - Viticulture is described as “earth-friendly” meaning very limited use of chemical treatments and lots of attention. Winemaking process lasts 12 months, the Roussanne spends this time in one-year-old barrels. This is a really wonderful white CDP. A rich and full palate, quite mineral with dried herbs, floral, peaches and an intense, quite spicy finish. Look for honeysuckle, pineapple and peach with a tangy finish.
30% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 30% Roussane and 10% Bourboulenc
[Member: $44.99 / Retail: $49.99]

Wine Stein & Dine - Thank You

Last weekend Enoteca staff attended the Wine Stein & Dine event in Post Falls that is a fundraiser for the Post Falls Education Association. Thank you to those of you who attended and contributed to the effort, we saw a lot of familiar faces! Thank you also to the winner of the silent auction prize that included wine donated by Enoteca, and thank you to the event organizers for allowing us to participate.

Tasting Events Coming Soon

Mark your calendars; Enoteca has a great lineup for the next few weeks. Join us for these excellent tasting events! More details will be available in this newsletter, as well as any changes that might come up.

Friday, March 7th - 4-7 pm - Taste of Club! March Wine & Beer of the Month Club! Club tasting event, taste all the wine club wines! This is a great opportunity to see what the Club is all about, and to see what others are getting in their bins. We will taste these wines on Saturday, March 8th as well, from 12-7.

Thursday, March 13th - 6 pm - Port Tasting! Enoteca will be hosting Kevin Olsonberg as he pours a lineup of excellent port wines, fortified wines that are sweet and convey complex flavors. $15 per person, register in advance.

Wednesday, March 19th - 6 pm - Laughing Dog Beer Tasting! Enoteca will be hosting Brewmaster Fred Colby of Laughing Dog of Sandpoint as he pours a lineup of excellent beer. Only $10 per person, register in advance.

Friday, March 28th - 4-7 pm - Have you had Layer Cake Shiraz? If not, go pick one up today at Enoteca, then put March 28th & 29th on your calendar to be one of the first to taste the entire lineup of Layer Cake wines, including a Primativo a.k.a. Zinfandel from Italy, a Malbec from Argentina, and a Cotes du Rhone blend from France. Jayson Woodbridge is the winemaker who creates this delicious lineup! We will taste these wines on Saturday, March 29th as well, from 12-7.

You can keep yourself in the loop on Enoteca events! Subscribe to the Enoteca Google Calendar to keep up-to-date on the latest happenings!

Salute’

Russell, Sarah, and Roger

Enoteca - Fine Wine & Beer
208-457-9885
service@corkjoy.com

Enoteca is open:
Tuesday-Saturday: 11-7


Directions, hours, and more about Enoteca: www.corkjoy.com

We’re always looking for feedback! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to let us know. Did you like a certain wine or beer? We’re here to serve you so let us know how we can help: service@corkjoy.com