Champagne and Port this weekend, Lang Beer Tasting, Wine Maker Dinner
What’s Fresh At Enoteca?
- Champagne and Port Tasting this Weekend
- Lang Beer Tasting – November 20th
- Wine Maker Dinner with Mike Berghan of Gifford Hirlinger
and culinary arts by Laurent Zirotti at Fleur de Sel - New Beers at Enoteca – Fine Wine and Beer
- Bad Elf Beers Have Arrived
- Upcoming Tasting Events
- About the Authors
- Tell me more about the Wine & Beer Club…
- I’m a little intimidated, can you tell me what Wine Tasting is like?
Looking For Your Favorite Wine & Beer:
People have learned that finding a specific wine or beer can be very easy, you can simply ask the folks at Enoteca, and we are happy to track them down for you. Especially hard to find and specialty products!
Simply fill out this form and we will do the hunting.
People have learned that finding a specific wine or beer can be very easy, you can simply ask the folks at Enoteca, and we are happy to track them down for you. Especially hard to find and specialty products!
Simply fill out this form and we will do the hunting.
Champagne and Port Tasting this Weekend
Start the holidays out right at Enoteca – Fine Wine & Beer!
This Friday from 4-7 Enoteca will be hosting a Champagne and Port wine tasting. We want to give you the opportunity to “try before you buy” so we offer a flight of wine for a low cost. Taste a flight (2 oz. each of 4 wines) for $10 per flight, and follow up with a glass. We will be tasting Saturday from 12-7 as well, which is a great time to beat the rush.
Hello everyone, long time no see! It’s been a while since I have poured wine at the Friday night tastings,
but I’m back. I’ve been tasting, stocking, and generally getting back into the swing of things. Since this is
my favorite time of year, (who doesn’t love Thanksgiving and Christmas?) I hope you come by
and see what we have in store to help celebrate in style!
I’ve been sipping Champagnes and ports the past few weeks to narrow down a few outstanding wines for this weekend. Really, I don’t think Champagne and Port are used to their full potential in most cases. There is such a variety when it comes to these guys. Whether you want light sweet and fizzy or sharp bold mature and robust or even mellow, Champagne and Port have it.
The choices are endless and before or after a meal, they can really make any event extra special. I’ve recently been experimenting with all the ways to enjoy them. When friends come over, when we visit friends, special dinner recipes I want to try or just when my favorite show is on! I’ve really dug in and explored the gamut. (I bet you’re thinking “poor Sarah” right now, huh?). I’m willing to sacrifice for you.
My challenge to you this weekend is to explore your palatte. You never know what your new favorite might be!
– Sarah Mann
Gruet Methode Champenoise Blanc de Blanc (New Mexico)
This Blanc de Blanc (white wine from white grapes) offers abundant aromas and flavors recalling sweet apples, pears and citrus. Four years of aging has contributed a pronounced classic toastiness with accents of roasted almonds and minerals. The palate is creamy and long, and the style is elegant, dry and crisp, with great complexity. Only 1,000 cases produced, selected from the best Chardonnay of the harvest. It tastes like French champagne from the Cote des Blancs, supremely elegant, sophisticated long finish and nice acidity.
Elegant and thoroughly enjoyable, I can’t believe it is made in New Mexico! There is a long story about how this sparkling wine came from New Mexico. Because I’m short, I like to keep my stories that way.
In 1984, the same year I was born, Gilbert Gruet, whose Champagne house “Gruet et Fils” had produced Champagne in Bethon, France, since 1952, decided to plant an experimental vineyard of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. His family relocated to New Mexico to begin their American wine making adventure.
(I’m interrupting the story to tell you this is my favorite part of the story. I think it’s really fascinating that they tried this in a state that is hotter than hell and will kill you to drive through, and it really worked beautifully!)
At 4300 ft. the vineyards are some of the highest in the United States, so regardless of how hot the days might be, the temperature at night can drop as much as thirty degrees, cooling the fruit and slowing down the maturation process on an otherwise short growing season. Sandy and loamy soil, and a lack of rotting humidity, give them a consistency of fruit year in and year out, and allow them to produce award winning wines without the use of pesticides.
In 1989, when I was 5, after the required minimum of two years aging on tirage, their first two sparkling wines were introduced to a very appreciative wine world. New Mexico wine was on the map, and I was taking a nap!
So after all that I must say that it really is a lovely wine! Elegant, refined, and sophisticated, all from New Mexico.
[Member: $24.29 / Retail: $26.99]
Louis Roederer Brut Premier
(Champagne, France)
Brut Premier is the embodiment of Louis Roederer style, combining all the fruitiness and freshness of youth with the vinosity of a fully mature wine. This is a structured and elegantly mature wine, with a lively attack and a smooth palate.
Stephen Tanzer says:
Bright aromas of orange, acacia honey and toast. Brisk and lively in the mouth, with spicy flavors of quince, pear and cinnamon apple. Boasts very good density and extract. Spice notes lift the subtle, lingering finish.
90 Points Wine Spectator, 91 Points Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points Wine Advocate
We enjoyed a 1996 Dom Perignon on our wedding night, we couldn’t get proper champagne flutes so we had to use Dixie cups. I know, such an insult to great wine but we were thirsty! And I must say that wine showed beautifully even in the worst of circumstances. Louis Roederer Brut Premier is what we enjoyed on our first year anniversary. We have to admit, Dixie cup notwithstanding, Roederer out shined the Dom in my eyes. It really is the standard.
[Member: $50.39 / Retail: $55.99]
Before we get started on the lovely ports, I need to interject something. Port is wonderful! My mom tried it once and hasn’t touched the stuff since. Why? Because “she hates sweet wines”. No matter what I say she keeps her fingers in the shape of the cross and ever so lovingly tells me NO WAY! I’ve come to the conclusion that you either love it, like it or just hate it. However I say even if you don’t like “sweet wine” still try it if you have a sweet tooth. No matter who I talk to, I still can’t find someone who hates a little dessert every now and then. And especially with the time of year and amazing fall recipes to be enjoyed you don’t want to leave Port out in the cold.
Dow’s Fine Ruby Port
(Porto, Portugal)
Dow’s Ruby offers a great entry level Port for the shopper looking for value. It’s bright raspberry and cherry flavors marry well with cocoa power and mineral notes with the drier finish characteristic of Dow’s Ports.
Dow’s Ruby is bottled ready to drink after an average three years of cask aging. It has a t-cap closure, which means that you don’t need a corkscrew to open it and that it will stay fresh for four to six months if stored in a cool, dark place or refrigerator. Serve it in a glass with at least a six ounce capacity so that you may appreciate the wine’s aromas. Dow’s Ruby is delicious with creamy blue cheeses or dark chocolate.
Deep and lively Ruby color. The wine is full-bodied and has very appealing red fruit driven aromas. On the palate, fresh and youthful with raspberry and cherry flavours, combined with a long and intense finish.
There is not one kind of Port wine, but several different kinds. All red ports age for at least two years in oak casks. It is after this shared start in life that their paths diverge to form the two great dynasties of Port: those which will continue their maturation in casks (ruby, tawny, aged tawnies) and those which will continue maturing in bottles (vintage and, to a lesser extent, late bottled vintage – the two types made from a single year’s grapes).
This distinction is of prime importance as it corresponds to two different notions of what Port is all about. Ports aged in oak mature by oxidation, hence their amber (tawny) color and typical roasted, nutty aromas. Ports aged in bottles mature by reduction, which gives them a dark red (ruby) color and a flavour in which the fruit of youth remains dominant.
[Member: $13.49 / Retail: $14.99]
Presidential Tawny Port
(Porto, Portugal)
A supple, fruity, style of Tawny. It combines velvety sweet nut and fruit flavors with good balance and a long pleasant finish.
This port always reminds me of nuts. Hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, all sorts of nuts. Give it a whirl and see if I’m just nuts!
[Member: $15.39 / Retail: $16.99]
Red Wine Flight Also Available
For the die hard red wine only drinkers, we will have a selection of Red’s open for this weekend’s tasting event. Consider giving a try to the Champagne and Port though, you might just find that it’s alright in a pinch.
Pricing disclaimer.
November Beer Tasting
Lang Brewing with John Campbell
|
Lang Beer Tasting Thursday, November 20th Tasting at 7:30 p.m. Only $10 per person |
Nestled on a hill overlooking the Thompson River Valley lies a brewery housed in what was once an aircraft hangar.
Built through hard work and passion, Lang Creek Brewery has been in Montana since 1993. The founder, John Campbell
took a leap of faith and decided to combine his two passions, flying and brewing, to produce flight themed ales
brewed in the English tradition. If by chance you are lucky enough to meet John, you will understand his reasoning
for creating America’s most remote brewery. To live life by a different set of rules is something that is a part
of living in the Thompson River Valley and is something we’d like to pass on to you through our beers. Enjoy!
Attendees will receive a beer glass and most importantly, learn about, and taste, more great beer! 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 |
|
Wine Maker Dinner with Mike Berghan of Gifford Hirlinger
and culinary arts by Laurent Zirotti at Fleur de Sel
|
Wine Maker Dinner Tuesday, Dec. 16th Begins at 6:30 p.m. Only $65 / person Includes meal, wine tasting, tax, and gratuity 
|
Check out this menu! Tuesday December 16th, 2008 at 6:30, Enoteca – Fine Wine and Beer
will be holding a wine maker dinner in partnership with Fleur de Sel and Gifford Hirlinger winery.
This promises to be a fun and delicious evening.
Make a date of it! The restaurant seats 35, so that is the maximum number of people we can book, so make your booking early. To make reservations, call Fleur de Sel at 208-777-7600.
This exclusive wine and cuisine event is filling up! Don’t wait until the last minute
to reserve your seats.
|
|
Hors d’ oeuvre
Armenian flatbread with sundried tomato pesto and peppered goat cheese 2005 Gifford Hirlinger Stateline Red Appetizer Petit paté – warm rillette paté with puff pastry Sauce piperade 2005 Gifford Hirlinger Merlot Main course Spiced leg of duck confit – gratin Dauphinois – truffle demi glace 2005 Gifford Hirlinger Cabernet Sauvignon Cheese course Gorgonzola cheese – sweet Walla-Walla onion jam – fresh apples 2004 Gifford Hirlinger 18 Below Dessert Poached pear in red wine – green peppercorn confit Tahitian vanilla crème Anglaise 2004 Gifford Hirlinger LV To make reservations, call Fleur de Sel at 208-777-7600. Email us at service@corkjoy.com with any questions, or call 208-457-9885. To be made aware of future events, join the email list at www.corkjoy.com |
|
New Beers Seen at Enoteca Fine Wine and Beer
Aaahh beer. I love it. From the amazing label creativity to the amazing flavors possible, it’s just
a great time. Rarity is a lot of fun, trying to get hold of a bottle that you just can’t get hold of.
As I write this I just opened up a 2005 vintage of Stille Nacht (Silent Night in German, though it’s a
Belgian beer, and one with very unique and lovely flavor for only [Member: $4.49 / Retail: $4.99]),
one of those rare brews that I wouldn’t even have
known about if it weren’t for Beer Club Members Lucas and Kayla Hammond (Bin #129). Thanks guys.
Here are a few new ones on the shelf at Enoteca – Fine Wine and Beer. If you’re looking for a new experience in beer, come check out the Enoteca beer shelf.
– Russell Mann
Laughing Dog Dogfather
We’re going to the mattresses with this one. I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse. Try this beer! About 11% ABV, 71 IBUs, 11 months in the making, 7 malts, 4 hop varieties, and Luca Brazi sleeps with the fishes. Some of it was bourbon barrel aged, badda bing badda boom, there you go.
[Member: $7.19 / Retail: $7.99]
Mikkeller Santa’s Little Helper 2007
and
Mikkeller To/From Christmas Ale
Beer from København, Denmark. To/From is an 8% ABV Baltic Porter style. Santa’s Little Helper is an 11% ABV vintage dated Belgian Dark Strong. Expect them to be dark, strong, and complex. Not for the faint of heart.
[Member: $13.49 / Retail: $14.99]
Deschutes Hop Trip
Thanks to Wine and Beer Club Member Dan Fey (Bin #151) I finally tried Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale. It was pleasant, but it mostly reminded me of how much more awesome this fresh hop pale ale from Deschutes is. The aroma of a wet hop beer (like Hop Trip or Sierra Nevada Harvest 12th [Member: $3.59 / Retail: $3.99]) tends towards cannabis. There, I said it, but I didn’t inhale.
[Member: $4.04 / Retail: $4.49]
Iron Horse Quilters Irish Death
and
Iron Horse Brass Ass Brown
and
Iron Horse Locomotive Red
Thanks to the fine folks at Iron Horse, namely Greg Parker (he loves to be mistaken for Peter Parker) we have 22 oz. bomber sized brews of Quilter’s Irish Death and friends. Anyone remember the Iron Horse beer tasting from aeons ago? The 1/6th barrel we filled growlers with was Quilter’s Irish Death. Perhaps your growler isn’t as fresh tasting 1.5 years later? Come pick up some bottles, they’re scrumptious.
[Member: $4.04 / Retail: $4.49]
Email us at service@corkjoy.com to reserve bottles, or call 208-457-9885.
The Bad Elves Have Arrived
About this time every year the holiday beers start to arrive. Watch out, this year
a mischievous pointy eared fellow has snuck into the lineup. The British love their pints,
and these offerings by Ridgeway are keepers for the season. Come try these, and scope out the
wide selection of Winter Ales offered by Enoteca Fine Wine and Beer.
For Starters, Bad Elf
Without a doubt, the Bad Elf rocked last year. This year, just for the sake of change, it’s a different brew, and even better. Look for something a little less hoppy, a little more malty, and a little more festive this time around. This Elf is so bad, it’s way good.
Olde England meets the New World in this strong, warming golden ale. A generous amount of famous English malt is masterfully balanced with an astounding 45 ounces of fresh hops – including English Cascade – per barrel. Bad Elf is brewed by Peter Scholey, master brewer for the late and much-lamented Brakspear Brewery of Henley-on-Thames, England. Peter has bought up the entire crop from the single row of Cascades grown in the U.K.
[Member: $5.84 / Retail: $6.49] 50cl
ELF WARNING: Consumption of too much Winter’s Ale may be bad for your elf and may impair your ability to drive a sleigh or operate toy-making machinery.
Very Bad Elf
It seems like every year these Elves just get worse and worse. This Very Bad Elf is stronger and darker than its predecessor. Anyone out there remember Brakspear’s Vintage Henley? That was one very special brew. This is Vintage Henley cranked up to 7.5%, for the sole purpose of making your holiday bright.
Based on an original recipe from 1795, Very Bad Elf has nutty and sweet-roasted flavors
attributable to its use of an ancient pale malt, uniquely recreated for this delightful ale.
A rare variety of Fuggles hops dating to the mid-1800’s gives the beer a soft, rounded
bitterness and uncanny drinkability.
7.5% ABV
[Member: $6.29 / Retail: $6.99] 50cl
Banned In Connecticut, Seriously Bad Elf
Seriously Bad Elf is Peters’s very English interpretation of a Belgian Tripel, brewed to warming 9% alcohol, especially for his rapidly-growing American following.
Seriously, you don’t want to miss this beer. Seriously Bad Elf has been banned in Connecticut! That little red speck you see in the background of the label? Why, that’s none other than Kris Kringle, Santa Claus, who, according to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, cannot appear on a beer label.
[Member: $6.74 / Retail: $7.49] 50cl
Criminally Bad Elf
10.5% ABV Barley Wine style of beer. What else needs to be said?
[Member: $7.19 / Retail: $7.99] 50cl
Insanely Bad Elf
11.2% ABV English Strong Ale style of beer, though the bottle says “Imperial Red Ale”, which sounds like a made-up style. This one’s crazy-strong, the Elf is straightjacketed. Flavors of molasses and fruit dominate, masking the high ABV. Malty goodness comes through in bready and yeasty flavors and aromas. Sweeter style of beer.
[Member: $4.49 / Retail: $4.99] 33cl
Email us at service@corkjoy.com to reserve bottles, or call 208-457-9885.
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, November 14th – 4-7 pm
Champagne and Port tasting. Debbie Keller will be on hand to share a selection of holiday sparkling wine and dessert port. In time for the holiday season parties! We will taste these wines on Saturday, November 15th as well, from 12-7.
Thursday, November 20th at 7:30 pm
Lang Brewery Beer Tasting. John Campbell started the most remote brewery in America, in Montana. Come learn about this man, this beer, and pancake recipes involving his beer. $10 per person, reserve your tickets early!
Friday, November 21st – 4-7 pm
Bookwalter Winery wine tasting with wine maker John Bookwalter! Meet the winery owner and wine maker who, with his family, has been creating some of the highest quality wine from Washington State. We will taste these wines on Saturday, November 22nd as well, from 12-7.
Friday, November 28th – 12-7 pm
Day After Thanksgiving Wine Tasting! Come celebrate the weekend with wine. Have the day off? Great time to make an Enoteca Wine Tasting, we’ll open bottles starting at 12 just in case. We will taste these wines on Saturday, November 29th as well, from 12-7.
Friday, December 5th – 4-7 pm
Taste of Club! December 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, December 6th as well, from 12-7.
Tuesday, December 16th – 6:30 pm
Wine Maker Dinner with Mike Berghan of Gifford Hirlinger and culinary arts by Laurent Zirotti at Fleur de Sel. Only $65 per person. Includes meal, wine tasting, tax, and gratuity. To make reservations, call Fleur de Sel at 208-777-7600.
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!Thank you for your support of our local family business.
Salute’
Russell and Sarah
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
© Copyright 2006-2008 Enoteca, LLC. All Rights Reserved.