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Fun Events And News From Enoteca – Fine Wine & Beer

1. December Fine Wine & Beer Club in your Bin this Friday!
       Come taste with us for only $10 / flight (lots of wine!)
2. Now On Tap: Unibroue Terrible – say: Tare-Ee-Blay
       1/2 Gallon Growler Fill: $22.99, Pint: $6.99
3. 12 Tweets of Christmas – Savings and Deals
4. Upcoming Tasting Events
   • December Wine Club Tasting
         Friday, December 4th, 4-7 pm, Saturday the 5th, 12-7
   • Club Member Appreciation Party
         Sunday, December 6th – 4-7 pm, details below
   • Laughing Dog Beer Tasting
         Thursday, December 10th, 5 & 7 pm, $10, tickets required.
   • Gilbert Cellars Wine Tasting with Anders Zwartjes
         Friday, December 11th, 4-7 pm, Saturday the 12th, 12-7
   • K-Vintners Wine Tasting (currently tentative)
         Wednesday, December 16th, 7 pm, with Darin Roberson
         Details to Follow, Mark Your Calendars!
   • Terra Blanca Wine Tasting with Ed Scapelhorn
         Friday, December 18th, 4-7 pm, Saturday the 19th, 12-7
5. How much fun is it to join Wine & Beer Club?
6. Will I meet Niles and Frasier at a wine tasting?

December Wine & Beer Club is in!

The wine and beer for this month’s Club has arrived and will be in your Bin on Friday, December 6th! 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 12-7 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 – red or white).


The lineup for Club and Tasting:

Vintage Club

Corvidae The Rook 2007 by Owen Roe
(Columbia Valley, Washington)

Corvidae refers to the bird family that includes crows and ravens. This is The Rook, with a label reminiscent of the classic card game, and the blend is Cab, Merlot, and Syrah. It has been one very popular bird here since it came in a few months ago. Look for bright expressive flavors as well as deep dark flavors, all wrapped around a chewey, creamy core.

57% Merlot, 26% Syrah, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon

J.M. Monmousseau ‘Cuvee J.M.’ Brut Blanc de Blancs
(Touraine, Loire, France)

This medium-dry pale yellow sparkling wine features medium floral scents and offers fine and persistent bubbles. Discover this light-bodied sparkling wine expressing refreshing acidity and offering a broad texture.

100% Chenin Blanc

Reserve Club

Dumas Station Cow Catcher Red 2006
(Walla Walla Valley, Washington)

This is a solid red wine suitable for everyday use. It is 85+% cabernet all from the Walla Walla Valley.

Only 190 cases were produced, and when we tasted this last week and found out it’s nearly gone for this vintage, we changed gears for December’s Reserve Red Club and asked if we could get some of this.

We had the wine maker here, who told us that it’s all still in Walla Walla, but he’d be willing to do something to get it here, and Debbie from the distributor said she’d do what it takes too. They ended up driving from either direction and meeting in Colfax on Monday to get it here! Thank you Debbie and Jay Dewitt for your uber effort on behalf of Enoteca Reserve Red Wine Club Members!

100% Syrah

Gruet Blanc de Noirs
(Albuquerque, New Mexico)

The rich and toasty character of our Blanc de Noirs is balanced and superb. Aged for two-year minimum, the palate is developed and shows rich complex flavors. The amazing berries aromas and the creamy texture play a leading role and create a great finesse. Winemaker’s Note: A fine salmon color, aggressive mousse and a lovely fruity wine with plenty of immediate charm and toasty aromas. There is also an explosive juicy flavor of raspberry.

100% Pinot Noir

Premier Club

Owen Roe Sinister Hand 2008
(Columbia Valley, Washington)

On this label the family crest depiction of a severed left hand tells the story of a rowing competition among the ONeills & the OReillys (Owen Roe was an ONeill). Whoever touched land first after rowing across the lake was rewarded with the land he touched. Lagging behind, one of the kinsfolk grabs his sword to cleave his hand and pitches it ashore to touch land first. He won the land and eventually ruled over it as king. Our primary source for this wine is Dr. Steve Elerding’s vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, where the proximity of the Columbia River is a vital part of the success of these traditional Rhone varietals. This wine is very dark with fruit flavors, pepper and an excellent texture.

62% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre

Gruet Blanc de Blancs 2004
(Albuquerque, New Mexico)

The Blanc de Blancs offers abundant aromas and flavors recalling sweet apples, pears and citrus. The three 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.

100% Chardonnay

Anniversary Club Red

Delille D2
(Columbia Valley, Washington)

Complex nose of red currants, cedar, pencil lead, white meadow flowers, and mocha. The freshness and lift on the palate definitely represents the 2006 vintage, with red currants and mulberries supported by toffee and vanilla oak notes.

52.5% Merlot, 38.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot

Beer Club

Beer Club members receive 2 bottles of beer this month! Beer Club selections are not open for the tasting event, but a few bottles are available for purchase.

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout 2009
(Chicago, Illinois)

Brewed in honor of the 1000th batch at our original Clybourn brewpub. A liquid as dark and dense as a black hole with thick foam the color of a bourbon barrel. The nose is an intense mix of charred oak, chocolate, vanilla, caramel and smoke. One sip has more flavor than your average case of beer. A great cigar beer.
13% ABV, 60 IBU, 22oz bottle

Boulevard Long Strange Tripel
(Kansas City, Missouri)

Brewery’s notes:

Lately it occurs to us that if, back in 1989, you planned on starting a brewery in the back of your carpentry shop, you’d have been wise to seek out someone like Harold “Trip” Hogue. A collector of ancient Volvos, Trip was well qualified for the make-do engineering required to coax recalcitrant equipment out of retirement and into making the first Boulevard beers.

The Tripel style originated in the Trappist brewery of Westmalle Abbey in pre-war Antwerp province. It’s numeric moniker results from the old Belgian practice of naming beers based on the amount of malt used in the brew. A “Simple” was the lighted-bodied brew. Doubling the malt bill resulted in a “Dubbel,” while a “Tripel” contained three times the amount of malt (and, as a result, three times the amount of alcohol). True to style, our Long Strange Tripel is a golden ale with estery aromas, a dense, creamy head, and a long, sweet finish.

We use Pale and Munich malts, along with some malted wheat, to produce this golden ale. The beer grains strength from the addition of dextrose in the boil. The noble varietal Styrian Goldings provides subtle hop character.

The full-bodied nature of Tripel is a perfect match for chocolate and other sweets. The converse relationship between the sewetness of the beer and the acitiy of a vinegar-based salad also works nicely.

9.0% ABV, 30 IBUs, 750ml bottle

12 Tweets of Christmas

Ever see this icon bar at the top of the email? We taste and drink a lot of wine and beer throughout the week, and when exceptional products come in we’re thrilled to let you know right away. If you subscribe to our Twitter feed, or become my friend on Facebook (don’t worry I’ll say yes), you’ll see the latest and greatest in the fastest possible way.

To take it to the next level, we’re offering some special deals this holiday season! The 12 Tweets of Christmas will be 12 special, limited time offers, every couple days or so, from now until Christmas Eve. The way to take advantage of the offers is to go to this web page: www.corkjoy.com/buy. If your credit card is on file then it’s an order, if not, you can send it via the secure form here: www.corkjoy.com/url/i.

What kind of deals will we feature? You have to follow us to find out! If you don’t want to subscribe to Twitter, you can also check out our feed via the Twitter website.

Tasting Events Coming Soon

Mark your calendars for tastings at Enoteca – Fine Wine & Beer. Some are classroom format, which means we all sit down at the same time and can interact with the presenter with questions and whatnot. Our Friday & Saturday wine tastings are drop-in format, which means you can stop in any time during the tasting hours and try some excellent wine. We price our tastings to just break even on the quantity we pour for you, and our pours are quite a bit more than a typical winery tasting room experience. Join us for these excellent tasting events!

Gruet Sparkling Wine Tasting with Hors d’œuvre and Class by Mueller
Thursday, December 3rd – 7 pm [$20, classroom]

Try the entire line of available wines from Gruet, the French winery in New Mexico! On hand will be Chris Mueller from Bistro on Spruce, serving Hors d’œuvre and teaching a “Champagne Class” which we hear he is renowned for.

$20 per person, reserve your tickets early!


Here’s Chris’ biography:

Chris Mueller is well known in the restaurant industry here in the Inland Northwest and has worked just about every job the industry has to offer during the past 30 years: meat-cutter, bartender, server, line-cook, sous chef, assistant manager, wine steward, general manager, the list could go on.

Now, as owner of the Bistro on Spruce, he brings together his talents to present a restaurant that has all the elements of warm and welcoming service, great food, wine and beer, with an ambiance that adds the perfect touch.

After graduating from Eastern Washington University with a degree in Business Administration, Chris worked at Patsy Clark’s Mansion in Spokane and ‘sister’ restaurants in Olympia and Portland for 14 years, then Spokane’s Luna for eight years, and was the manager at Beverly’s at the Coeur d’Alene Resort for three years.

Ever exposed to food and wine at the regions finest restaurants, Chris has also taken and passed The Master Court of Sommeliers level one program.

It has always been Chris’ goal to open his own restaurant. With his strong leadership and business skills he applied to the past restaurants he has managed, he is now applying that experience to his own vision—at Bistro on Spruce. It’s fun neighborhood dining with great fare at a reasonable price and the natives are welcoming them with open arms.

Being a native of the Inland Northwest, Chris is committed to providing a fun atmosphere where an exciting menu and a great wine and beer list will entwine to bring people together. His enthusiasm and experience in fine dining, knowledge of wine and insight in staff development benefit both the staff and guests alike. It has quickly become one of Coeur d’Alene’s new generation local favorites!


December Taste of Wine Club
Friday, December 4th – 4-7 pm [$10 flight, drop-in]

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, November 5th as well, from 12-7.


Club Member Appreciation Christmas Party
Sunday, December 6th – 4-7 pm [no cost]

We appreciate Wine and Beer Club Members, and ’tis the season to show that appreciation. Club Members and their plus one are invited to this party where we eat, drink, and be merry. Thank you Members.


Laughing Dog Beer Tasting with Brewer Fred Colby
Thursday, December 10th – 5 & 7 pm [$10 flight, classroom]

Meet head brewer Fred Colby and other brewers from Laughing Dog. Learn more about the best local brewery, and why these beers are winning awards and getting recognition nationally. We plan on having something special to taste, and fill up growlers! After tasting a bunch of beers, you get to take home a glass from the brewery. We’ll be holding 2 tastings, one at 5 and one at 7 pm. $10 per person, reserve your tickets early! (be sure to specify 5 or 7 pm)


Gilbert Cellars Wine Tasting
Friday, December 11th – 4-7 pm [$10 flight, drop-in]

Gilbert Cellars is hand crafting fantastic wines in Washington State without a ton of fanfare, without a “crafty” label, and with passion, finesse, and style. This is a winery which turns me on first with it’s white wines, and then turns it up with reds. We’ll have Anders here to share knowledge of the winery, wine making, and answer questions! We will taste these wines on Saturday, December 12th as well, from 12-7.


K Vintners Wine Tasting
Wednesday, December 16th – 4-7 pm [$TBD, classroom]

Charles Smith has been deploying so many wines that we have a hard time keeping up with them! We could just forget them if they didn’t taste so darn good, but we’re stuck, they’re yummy. Oh darn. What to do? How about pour them at this limited seating classroom format wine tasting event so you can get a chance to try what’s hot and new! As soon as we know what this will cost we’ll publish that in the newsletter and start offering tickets to the event.


Terra Blanca Wine Tasting
Friday, December 18th – 4-7 pm [$10 flight, drop-in]

Ed Scapelhorn will be on hand to share knowledge of this fantastic Red Mountain winery, and a line up of great wine! We’ll be pouring some of the best values in Washington State and some Reserve wine for that special occasion. We will taste these wines on Saturday, December 19th 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

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 6:39 pm and is filed under Enoteca News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.