This Sunday we will be tasting two lovely Italian wines.

2010 Botromagno Gravina  ($10)
60% Grecco, 40% Malvasia
Gravina is one of the oldest viticultural zones in Puglia; that the Botromagno co-op is the only producer in this long-recognized DOC is testament to the quality of their wines. Botromagno Gravina is a dry, delicate white composed of 60% Greco and 40% Malvasia. Abundant aromas of peach, white currant, and fresh wildflowers introduce a similarly generous palate. Enjoy with oysters, shellfish, and a wide array of Asian cuisines.

2011 Erste + Nueu Kaltereresee Leuchternburg     ($13)
Schiava  (Vernatch)
A light bodied red with lots of cherry flavors and soft tannins from the german speaking part of the Tyrolian Alps. This is a single vineyard wine made from Venatsch (Schiava) the smaller berried cousin to the Edelvenatch.

This Sunday we will be tasting two lovely French wines.

2010 Routas Wild Boar                                                    ($10)
64% Viognier, 36% Chardonnay
Straight from our Coteaux Varois estate vineyards of clay and limestone soils. And named for the wild boars residing in the enormous forests of Aleppo pine and oak that bracket our Routas vineyards. A crisp and fruity, summery white.

2011 Château La Croix du Duc Bordeaux                       ($10)
80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
A nice minerally entry Bordeaux, this is a fruity, supple and soft wine with nice red fruit aromas intertwined with light toasted notes and soft tannins. Drink with red meats and cheese. 12.5% alcohol per volume.

Lopez de Heredia, founded in 1877, is one of the oldest wineries in Rioja and still makes their wine in the traditional manner, from their own vineyards. Fermentation takes place in their 72 large oak vats, some of which are 139 years old. After fermentation, the wines are ready to be aged, in 14,000 hand-made American oak barrels. The wines remain in the underground cellars, stored at perfect temperature and tranquility. Come taste some of these fine wines with us.

2011 Buil & Gine, Nosis, Rueda $17
Buil & Gine own vineyards in Priorat, Montsant, Toro and Rueda.  It is run by is run Xavier Buil and his wife Anna who are dedicated to producing wines with harmony and balance that are a true expression of each region. Their motto is “passion for fruit, appreciation of wood and respect for the soil.The Nosis is 100% Verdejo from 35 year old vines in the Fuente la Miel vineyard. The vines grow in sandy and rocky soils with a foundation of clay. This Rueda has zesty citrus aromas with a peach and spice notes.

2003 Lopez de Heredia Gravonia  $26
100% Viura
Viña Gravonia wines come from the Viña Zaconia vineyard. The vineyard covers 24 ha, all of which are under 45 year old Viura vines.  The south-facing slopes are poor and stony, and roots are forced to go deep – hence grapes have balanced biological composition and ripen with complex flavors. The white soils help obtain a good tonality for white grapes. The Gravonia ages for 4 years in barrel, being racked twice a year and fined with fresh egg white.  The wine is complex and developed with notes of flowers, stone fruit, spice, and nutty character.

2007 Sabor Real Crianza  $13
Started in 2003 by a group of growers who all own vineyards in the Zamorana de Toro area, the grouped form with idea of creating something special from their collective vineyards. The criteria, they all had vineyards with vines of over 40 years old, with a significant amount hitting 100 years of age. With consultant winemaker Roza Zarza (ex-winemaker at Matarredonda) on board the outcome of the grouping is really superb. With Rosa’s help, they have managed to tame the tannic, wild side of Tinto de Toro and enhance the concentrated fruit and power of these old vines, at a price we can all afford. An outstanding value wine that over-delivers big-time. Blackberry, cherry and tobacco flavors fill the palate with a big, rich finish.

2005 Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo  $25
65%tempranillo, 25%Garnacho, 10% Mazuelo & Graciano
Viña Cubillo wines come from the vineyard called Viña Cubillas, some 4 km away from the bodega, which as with all of the other vineyards, was bought by our founder. Historically these wines were called “Special Harvest”.  Vina Cubillas has an altitude of 410 m, and the vines have an average age of 40 years. The soil is from the terciary age and is a mixture of clay and limestone. Viña Cubillas covers 24 ha, of which 16 ha are under Tempranillo, 4 ha Garnacha, 2 ha Mazuelo and 2 ha Graciano 3 years, being racked twice per year and fined with fresh egg whites Fresh and slight aroma to licorice with consistent texture and persistent aroma. Taste: Smooth, fresh and persistent

Buil & Gine Vermut $25
Artisan made Vermouth
White wine from the Priorat region with an infusion of aromatic herbs. Based on more than 110 different plants for more than one year soaked in a wooden barrel with wine. This extract is combined with a white wine of Macabeo and Garnacha Blanca. A white wine that has had contact with the skins of the grapes so the wine more flavor and a darker color. The whole is at least two years old wooden barrels stored until the vermouth desired color and flavorings. Amber color with a golden sheen of oxidized aging in wooden barrels. In the first nose powerful flavors of a Mediterranean forest (rosemary, eucalyptus, thyme, fennel, tobacco leaf) and the whole of aromatic herbs which vermouth soaked has. In the second nose is a nice set of tones of old wood floor after a rain, truffle and honey aromas emerge. In the mouth, the vermouth very balanced, with a perfect dose of sweetness in the onset that contrasts with the sourness and bitterness by soaking the herbs and gives a very pleasant and characteristic results. Tones of artichoke, thyme and fennel.

This Sunday we will be tasting two lovely French wines from Château De Flaugergues. The Château is situated in one of the twelve terroirs found in the Côteaux du Languedoc known as ‘La Mejanelle’.

The Romans cultivated vines and olives here over 2000 years ago. The monks of Grand Mont maintained this tradition, and after them the ancestors of the current owners have continued to do so from 1696 until today.

This exceptional terroir is made up of rounded pebbles calles ‘les Grés’ (from deposits in the Rhone delta) and thrives in the area’s Mediterranean climate with its strong maritime influence.

The 75 acre vineyard is dominated by early-ripening grapes; it is the harmonious combination of different vines which allows for the creation of such a rich range of fine aromatic wines.

2012 Château De Flaugergues Les Comtes Rosé       ($14)
60% Grencache, 40% Syrah
Languedoc
A dry and herbal Rosé from the Languedoc.

2011 Château De Flaugergues Les Comtes    ($14)
50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre
Languedoc
A dark and spicy Southern French with lots of spice and fruit. Very nice rich and complex nose with notes of spices and red berries.