Enoteca News: January 2009 Club is in! $5 Argentina tasting next Thursday
What’s Fresh At Enoteca?
- January Wine & Beer Club in this Friday!
- Special Thursday Wine Tasting: January 8th
- Merchant du Vin Beer Tasting – January 22nd
- January Wine Maker Dinner: Rob Mercer of Mercer Estates
- Upcoming Tasting Events
- Tell me more about the Wine & Beer Club…
- I’m a little intimidated, can you tell me what Wine Tasting is like?
A Note from Russell
Happy New Year!
Thanks for reading the Enoteca Newsletter, we’re here to let you know about upcoming events, tasting notes on the Wine & Beer Club selections for January, and a few extras.
For January Wine Club, we selected hearty wines for hearty weather, with a few suprises thrown in for good measure. A rich Chardonnay, a yummy Viognier, and a unique Basque variety fill out the white wine club selections.
We travel the whole wide world in search of hearty flavors in the Red Wine Club selections. Malbec from Argentina, a southern Rhone style blend from California, an old vine Grenache from Australia, and the king of Italian wines, Barolo, take us on the journey. Read below for more notes on each of these wines. We’ll have all of these wines open for wine tasting Friday and Saturday.
– Russell Mann
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.
January Wine & Beer Club is in!
The wine and beer for this month’s club has arrived and will be in your bin on Friday, January 2nd! If you’re not a Club Member yet, learn about the Wine & Beer Club?Wine & Beer Club is rolling out this Friday, and tasting is from 4-7 Friday. We will be tasting Saturday from 12-5 as well, which is a great time to taste wine to beat the rush. The cost is $10 per flight (3 oz. each of 3 wines).
The lineup for Club and Tasting:
Vintage Club
El Portillo Malbec 2007
(Mendoza, Argentina)
This deep ruby red wine with shades of violet boasts aromas of plums, blackberries and ripe red fruits. Soft and velvety on the palate with lush fruit flavors and a well rounded finish. Best enjoyed with chesses, spicy dishes and red meats. Enjoy with grilled steaks, roasts and pasta in richly-flavored sauces.
100% Malbec
Alamos Chardonnay 2005
(Mendoza, Argentina)
Rich tropical fruit on the nose accompanied by notes of floral and citrus are followed by concentrated flavors of apple, pear, vanilla and spice ending in a creamy finish that lingers softly in the mouth.
Alamos Chardonnay is made from grapes grown on the eastern slopes of the low mountains of the great Andes. For more then 100 years the Catena family has been making rich and full-bodied wines that express the full potential of their vineyards. This balanced and full-flavored wine is excellent with grilled fish, chicken, and pasta dishes.
100% Chardonnay
Reserve Club
Brassfield Eruption 2005
(Volcano Ridge Vineyard, High Valley, California)
Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, and Petite Sirah are artfully blended to create an organoleptic explosion of black cherries, sandalwood, cigar box and violets. The aromas cascade over to flavors of dried cherries and a dusting of earth on medium weighted and sof finish. Enjoy this eruption of flavors with a number of country or peasant style dishes such as spicy sausage pasta with olive oil, flatbread with roasted tomatoes, arugula and fontina, mixed grill of squab roasted pork loin and cheesy polenta, or a white bean cassoulet.
Be the first to try this exciting new blend from a great vineyard source, great wine making heritage, and complete with great packaging!
Rosenblum Kathy’s Cuvee Viognier
(California)
The Viognier grape produces a wine that is both exotic and seductive. The grape originates from the tiny and very steep hillside appellation of Condrieu in the Northern Rhône Valley of France.
This Viognier possesses beautiful aromas of apricots and peaches gently touched by vanilla and cinnamon. A palate loaded with honeyed apricots, rich vanillas, subtle hints of tropical fruit and just a touch of toasted oak complete this elegant wine.
This wine is perfect as an aperitif; or will accompany grilled swordfish or frogs legs in cream sauce.
100% Viognier
Premier Club
TAPWC Tir Na N’og Old Vines Grenache 2006
(McLaren Vale, Australia)
Here’s what the Wine Spectator had to say when they awarded this wine 91 points:
“Smooth, and fragrant with blackberry and currant fruit, this is a wine with real presence. Finishes with a peppery spice note and a hint of chocolate on a silky frame. Drink now through 2011.”Tir na N’og (pronounced “Tier nah Nohg”) is Gaelic for “Land of the Youth”. Irish legends and myths tell of a land where mortal time was suspended and everyone was young and beautiful. This wine is made from fruit sourced from old vine Grenache vineyards located both on McLaren Flat and up in the higher elevations around Blewitt Springs. Its youthful character and wonderful intensity of flavor are courtesy of the magic of low yielding old Grenache vines. If you are a lover of Old Vine Grenache, this wine is for you.
100% Grenache
Itsas Mendi Hondarrabi Zuri
(Bizkaiko Txakolina, Spain)
Produced from 100% Hondarrabi Zuri grapes, a variety native to the Basque area where this wine is produced. The nose of the wine is explosive, reminiscent of Sardinian Vermentino—herbal and floral at once, even a bit tropical. The palate carries this impression through and amplifies it, supported by vibrant acidity. The body is medium but the complexity and length of the flavors create a big, memorable experience.
Produced from 100% Hondarrabi Zuri grapes, a variety native to the Basque area where this wine is produced. The nose of the wine is explosive, reminiscent of Sardinian Vermentino—herbal and floral at once, even a bit tropical. The palate carries this impression through and amplifies it, supported by vibrant acidity. The body is medium but the complexity and length of the flavors create a big, memorable experience.
90 Points Wine Advocate
100% Hondarrabi Zuri
Anniversary Club Red
Marchesi de Barolo Barolo 2003
(Piedemont, Italy)
The Barolo zone covers about 1,300 hectares (3,211 acres) of hills in the Langhe area. After the harvest, usually carried out in October, the wine matures in oak casks for two or three years, depending upon the vintage. Afterward, the wine is fined in the bottle for six months before being issued onto the market. The color is ruby-red with orange reflections The aroma is intense with clean scents of roses, while the flavor, exalted by time, is full and elegant.
Barolo is considered the King of Piedmontese wine, even of all Italian wine. It’s a subtle wine which requires delicate care to enjoy, with the closest similarity being to Burgundian Pinot Noir. Not an overly heavy wine, it’s light bodied and full flavored. It’s the more masculine husband to Barbaresco, the Queen of Piedmont, which is also made of Nebbiolo. Salute!
100% Nebbiolo
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.
Laughing Dog Dogfather Imperial Stout (Sandpoint, Idaho)
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.
5.5% ABV, 22 oz. bottle
Haand Bryggeriet Dark Force Double Extreme Imperial Wheat Stout
(Drammen, Norway)
Coming from a strange country far, far away, this is the first and only Double Extreme Imperial Wheat Stout in the known universe. Only from the former homebrewers at Haandbryggeriet (the ‘Hand’ Brewery), of course, who make beer on an absurdly small scale and therefore have the luxury of brewing purely for their own pleasure. We suspect, however, that you’ll quite enjoy what they do.
Dark Force is creamy and velvety, but the addition of plenty of malted wheat gives this stout a crispness and drinkability that belies its considerable alcoholic strength. Be forewarned: this Imperial really strikes back.
Dark Force Goes very well with sweet deserts and bitter chocolate or just nipping to it in front of the fireplace.
Serving temp: 10-14C or 50-59F
9% ABV, 65 IBUs, 22 oz. Bottle
Unibroue Trois Pistoles (Quebec, Canada)
(trwa-pee-stole)
Brewed with four selected malts and four exotic spices, Trois Pistoles beckons with a subtle sweetness that makes it surprisingly smooth and satisfying for a beer of such strength and complexity.
Its cocoa and fruit notes make it an ideal dessert companion to semi-sweet and dark artisan chocolates.
Trois Pistoles (Three Coins) is named after a small village in the region of Les Basques
Aromas of ripe fruit and chocolate, flavors of wild fruit with an aftertaste of port.
9% ABV, 12 oz. Bottle
Check Out! In order to keep track of your Wine & Beer, we use a “Check Out” procedure.
When you come to pick up your Wine & Beer, please momentarily stop by the counter and check out.
Club members receive receipts by email.
Special Thursday Argentinian Wine Tasting
Dustin Lewis will be on hand Thursday, January 8th to share a selection of wines from Argentina.
Explore the mountains of Argentina through delicious wines!
Los Cardos translates to “The Thistle”, a flower of surprising colour and unequalled beauty. It is the unmistaken symbol of the presence of good terroir, where grapes of the highest quality are grown. In Ugarteche, Lujan de Cuyo, at more than 1000 metres above sea level, our grapes enjoy a permanent fresh mountain breeze which descends from the Andes. The vineyards are submerged in this imposing yet silent landscape, where the intense lilac colour of the thistle flourishes among the vines. Unchangeable, the original beauty of the thistle, growing larger with the passing of time…our Los Cardos wines do the same.
Tickets are $5, get your reservations early. This is a “classroom style” tasting that starts at 7:00 p.m. and will last about 1.5-2 hours. The opportunity to interact with Dustin and ask questions makes this format fun. 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
January Beer Tasting
Merchant du Vin with Jhon Gilroy
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MdVs Beer Tasting Thursday, January 22nd Tasting at 7:00 p.m. Only $10 per person |
We’re not sure exactly which beer we’ll be tasting yet, but Merchant du Vin represents a great variety
of Belgian, English, Czech, Scottish and German beers, so I’m sure the line up will be fun and tasty!
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 |
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January Wine Maker Dinner: Rob Mercer of Mercer Estates
and culinary arts by Laurent Zirotti at Fleur de Sel
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Wine Maker Dinner Tuesday, Jan. 20th Begins at 6:30 p.m. Only $65 / person Includes meal, wine tasting, tax, and gratuity 
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Check out this menu! Tuesday January 20th, 2008 at 6:30, Enoteca – Fine Wine and Beer
will be holding a wine maker dinner in partnership with Fleur de Sel and Mercer Estates 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.
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Hors d’ oeuvre
Galantine of chicken and shrimp with a lemon mousseline 2007 Mercer Estates Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley Appetizer Crispy goat cheese with a truffle oil scented ratatouille salad 2007 Mercer Estates Chardonnay, Columbia Valley Second course Braised lamb spareribs with a sweet and spiced red merlot glaze 2005 Mercer Estates Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills Main course Oven roasted pork tenderloin stuffed with a duxelle of wild mushroom and spinach in phyllo served with a “cêpes” demi-glace 2006 Mercer Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills Dessert Vanilla Bavarian cake with lemongrass exotic syrup and fresh pomegranate 2007 Mercer Estates Riesling, Yakima Valley 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 |
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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, January 2nd – 4-7 pm
Taste of Club! January 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, January 3rd as well, from 12-7.
Thursday, January 7th – 7 pm
Special Thursday Tasting! Argentinian wines with Dustin Lewis. Sign up early for this classroom style tasting starting at 7 pm. Only $5 per person in advance.
Friday, January 9th – 4-7 pm
Tsillan Cellars wine tasting with wine maker Shane Collins. Come try the line up with the wine maker from the resort community of Chelan. We will taste these wines on Saturday, January 10th as well, from 12-7.
Tuesday, January 20th – 6:30 pm
Wine Maker Dinner with Rob Mercer of Mercer Estates and culinary arts by Laurent Zirotti at Fleur de Sel. For details, keep an eye on upcoming Enoteca Newsletters!
Thursday, January 22nd at 7:00 pm
Merchant du Vin Beer Tasting. Jhon Gilroy, beer aficionado extraordinaire, will be here to share some great European beer! $10 per person, reserve your tickets early!
Friday, January 30th – 4-7 pm
Walla Walla Vintners Wine Tasting with wine maker Gordy Venneri. Come try the line up with the wine maker, get your bottle autographed! We will taste these wines on Saturday, January 31st 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!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
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