MAR 2011
Asheville’s Best Wine & Beer Tasting– Saturday April, 2nd 2011 4PM-7PM http://www.appalachianvintner.com/
Events ~ hold on to your calenders, there’s lots!
*This Sunday, April 3rd 1:30PM-4:30PM ~ Charleston Style Lowcountry Wine & Oyster Tasting. This will be a hands on event, if you have shuckers & gloves/rags bring them, if there are special accoutrement you desire please bring them as well. AV will supply lemons, crackers, cocktail & hot sauce. Geoff will be acquiring the oysters straight of the docks at James Island the night before the tasting. We will be asking for a $10 donation and the oysters & wine will be limited so if you love oysters arrive early and get to shuckin’.*please note that consuming raw or undercooked shellfish may pose a health risk.
Thursday, April 7 6:30PM-9PM ~ A-B Tech’s inaugural “April in Asheville” fund raising gala. The Culinary department will be creating a “conscious cuisine” dinner consisting of 18 different food stations, each with a different theme and wine, beer, or champagne pairing. In additional to the dinner, they will have a silent auction with various items related to the various themes. All proceeds will go to the A-B Tech Foundation and their scholarship programs. Appalachian Vintner has provided a generous sponsorship for this event. Tickets are $125.
Saturday, April 16th 4PM-7PM ~ Slow Food Asheville Farm to Table Tasting. This will function as a benefit for Slow Food and will also be an event to showcase the wealth of amazing talent in our local food industry. $20
Tuesday April 26th 4pm-7pm ~ Vintage 59′ Imports Tasting with Debra Lewis. Mrs. Lewis is a dynamic wine personality with deep knowledge of the small family estates imported by her employer, Vintage 59′ . We are currently working on a small menu for the evening, more information will be available soon.
New Arrivals~
Francois Montand Brut Rosé– new super low price on this and the regular Brut!
Pacific Redwood Organic Red– Vegan, organic with no detectable sulfites.
Badia a Coltibuono Historical Library Riserva vertical (1965, 1970, 1981)
6 pks (wooden) containing 2 btls of each these amazing vintages
wholesale price: $120 / btl @ $360
Solid 6pks $115 / btl @ $690
We can only split the boxes in half, thus we are asking for customers to purchase one of each vintage. Whole six packs are discounted.
Ommegang Gnomegang– Collaboration with Brasserie D’Achouffe
Avery Collaboration not Litigation Batch #5
Bells Oberon
~ Free Saturday Tasting ~
This Saturday we are happy to have the lovely and talented, Cara Freije of Wisdom Beverage. Ms Freije will be representing the Dalla Terra portfolio. Dalla Terre only imports small family owned estates from Italy, that have a strong enfasis on sustainability. All of these wines are pure expressions from the land that they were farmed.
Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio– 100% Pinot Gris, Alto Adige. Nature can be cultivated, but not easily tamed. While steeped in the landscape of South Tyrol, which is shaped by timeless traditions of agriculture, Alois Lageder 5th generation wine grower, is equally open to the spirit of the modern world: his convictions have led him to opt for a way of life that is close to nature, and supports sustainable methods of operation. “We have to work in a spirit of respect for nature, protecting its resources and tapping their potential in ways that safeguard them: this is the key to preserving an earth worth living in for future generations: an abundant earth which will produce authentic wines into the future.” The climate of Southern Tyrol runs from Alpine to Mediterranean, and the region is blessed with an exceptional number of perfectly sunny days-prime conditions for a wide variety of grapes. Rather than single-crop planting, Alois Lageder encourages the cultivation of multiple varieties in any given vineyard and the use of compost over artificial fertilizers. The goal is biological balance. This is not just a wine of character, but is itself a character, one of the most interesting we’ve come across. Biodynamic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2HTX4tyXmY Shelf $14.99 Tasting $14.39
INAMA Soave Classico– 100% hand picked Garganega from 30+ year old vines. Producing classic wines from the Veneto is the Inama family’s vocation and passion. In the 1950s Giuseppe Inama, the estate’s founder, began using his savings to purchase small plots of vineyards in the heart of the Soave Classico region. At the time few understood the area’s potential but Giuseppe believed that he could make a wine capable of restoring Soave’s reputation by working with only top quality vineyards of old-vine Garganega (Soave’s original grape). Today Inama comprises 70 acres of vineyards in the heart of the Soave Classico and Giuseppe’s son Stefano, who assumed control of winemaking in 1992 and has a worldly outlook, is considered a dynamic visionary of the region. Light yellow color. Friendly nose of sweet wild flowers like camomile, elder flower & iris. Just so pure on the palate with sweet almond on the finish. Gives me goose bumps. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo1pxDTAbUw Shelf $14.99 Tasting $14.39
Badia Coltibuono Chianti Classico Estate– 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo aged eight months in Austrian barrels. The thousand-year-old “abbey of good culture” has belonged to the Giuntini family, now Stucchi Prinetti, since 1846. Its name literally signifies the abbey’s role in Western European cultural history as a place of worship and spiritual refuge as well as a center of learning and agricultural laboratory. After WWII Piero Stucchi Prinetti transformed Coltibuono into a modern estate, selling instead of cellaring its best Chiantis and creating international branding for the Coltibuono name, as well as promoting Tuscan extra virgin olive oil. A devotion to Badia and a respect for its history guides the current, seventh generation family members. Their challenge is to maintain the integrity of Sangiovese and Chianti Classico’s unique terroir through organic farming practices, clonal diversity, restrained use of new oak and excluding nonindigenous grapes. Emanuela Stucchi Prinetti is the seventh generation of the Stucchi Prinetti family to make the wines of Badia Coltibuono. She, along with completely organic farming are making wines reminiscent of days long ago. I closed my eyes and thought that I was drinking Barolo! Tar, leather, brisk acidity and tight tannins. Each sniff showed something different and intriguing. This estate as the oldest cellars in Tuscany! Please see New Arrivals for information on available older vintages. Organic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lucA-wUqtfs&feature=related Shelf $18.99 Tasting $18.49
Li Veli Primonero– Primitivo 50% – Negroamaro 50%. In 1999 the Falvo family bought a 128-acre property in the area of Salice Salentino, heart of the Salento region. Their purchase gave new life to the historic intent of the Marquis Antonio De Viti De Marco, a famous Italian economist who at the beginning of the twentieth century wanted to transform the estate into a model winery for the whole of southern Italy. In 1999 the Falvo family bought a 128-acre property in the area of Salice Salentino, heart of the Salento region. Their purchase gave new life to the historic intent of the Marquis Antonio De Viti De Marco, a famous Italian economist who at the beginning of the twentieth century wanted to transform the estate into a model winery for the whole of southern Italy. Winemaking has been practiced in Apulia since the 7th century B.C. The Salento area, located on the heel of Italy’s Apulian “boot” and bathed by the Adriatic sea to the north and the Ionian sea to the south, is one of the region’s most important vine growing areas, in part due to the dramatic temperature variation between day and night. Organic. Shelf $10.99 Tasting $9.99
Asheville’s Best Wine & Beer Tasting– Saturday March, 26th 2011 4PM-7PM http://www.appalachianvintner.com/
~Events~
Sunday, April 3rd 1:30PM-4:30PM~ Charleston Style Lowcountry Wine & Oyster Tasting. This will be a hands on event, if you have shuckers & gloves/rags bring them, if there are special accoutrement you desire please bring them as well. AV will supply lemons, crackers & hot sauce. Geoff will be acquiring the oysters straight of the docks at James Island the night before the tasting. We will be asking for a $10 donation and the oysters & wine will be limited so if you love oysters arrive early and get to shuckin’.
Saturday, April 16th 3PM-6PM~ Slow Food Asheville Farm to Table Tasting. Featuring: Spinning Spider Creamery, Victor Chiarizia artisan cheese, Looking Glass Creamery, Simple Bread, Farm & Sparrow wood-fired breads, Carolina Ground NC wheat project, Take the Cake Desserts, Mountain Farm gateway to lavender, Sour Grapes Wine Distributing, Colin’s Creatures. With more to Come. $20 with all proceeds benefiting Slow Food Asheville.
New Arrivals ~
Li Veli Primonero– Organic blend from Salento.
Badia a Coltibuono Sangioveto– 7th generation female winemaker, this estate has the oldest cellars in Tuscany. Verticals from multiple decades soon. Organic.
David Hill Reserve Chardonnay– Oregon
David Hill Farmhouse White
Nine North Rock & Vine Cab
Turning Head Sauvignon Blanc
Chateau MAROUÏNE Cotes de Provence Rosé– Organic
Apaltagua Unoaked Chardonnay
Vechia Torre Leverano Rosato– New vintage!
Fossi Rosso– IGT Tuscano for $6.99
Dogfish Head Namaste
Flying Dog Coffee Stout
Duck-Rabbit Baltic Porter– limited re-release 6pks & DRAFT! This is an amazing beer!
~ Free Saturday Tasting ~
Spring Fever
We need the sunshine. Not just for the vitamin D either. Charles & I can’t wait to get started on this year’s vegetable gardens! I am sure you all feel the same, so this weekend we will be sampling some wonderful early spring delights. These wines will shine(pun intended) at all of your spring flings.
Apaltagua Unoaked Reserve Chardonnay– 100% Chardonnay from selected vineyards in the Casablanca Valley, Chile. Apaltagua, owned by the Edward Tutunjian family, has a missionary-like zeal in its dedication to the wine of Chile. With aromas of grapefruit, peach and delicate pineapple notes, this un-oaked Chardonnay is fresh, crisp and juicy with a long and mouth-coating fruity finish. The grapes come from personally selected vineyards from the best sites in the Casablanca Valley. All of Apaltagua’s wines are made under the watchful eye of one of Chile’s leading winemakers, Alvaro Espinoza. Shelf $12.99 Tasting $11.70
Garofoli Kòmaros Rosato– 100% Montepulciano from Marche. The Marches is situated in the center of the Italian peninsula and the region extends from the mountainous chain of the Apennines, which is the regional border to the west, to the Adriatic, which serves as its eastern boundary. The region borders the Abruzzi, Latium, Tuscany, Umbria and Emilia-Romagna. This is a full flavored rosato with rich notes of cherry and white peach. The color is a pleasant coral pink with red highlights. Dry and extremely drinkable, it yearns for roughly manicured lawns, fishing poles and crab cakes. Shelf $11.99 Tasting $10.79
Cielo Pinot Noir– The bond between the earth (terra) and the Cielo family originated in the Valle del Chiampo deep with in the Veneto, specifically in the Cielo Farmhouse estate, around the modest Cielo family vineyard. Since Luca and Pierpaolo Cielo have taken over the reins the company has been strengthened by the union of the Cielo family tradition and the experience of over 2000 wine producers of the Colli Berici, not to mention that fact that the quality of the product has reached even higher levels. Relying on the support of its vine-growing members, “Cielo e Terra” Gruppo Cantine Colli Berici has committed itself to a project aimed at the enhancement and control of the entire Berici Hills vine-growing and wine-producing sector, from the vineyard to the bottle, to guarantee consumers quality and traceability. This could be the best Pinot Noir under $10 that we’ve had in years, this is cool climate Pinot at an outrageous price! We’ve sold the Pinot Grigio by the glass for over six years at Zebra in Charlotte. Shelf $7.99 Tasting $6.99!!!
Steltzner Vineyards Claret– 68% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Merlot & 12% Cabernet Franc sourced mainly from their estate vineyards in the Stag’s Leap District, Napa Valley. Richard Steltzner established his first Stags Leap District Vineyards in 1965 while concurrently engaging in vineyards management. Steltzner Vineyards’ first commercial release was in 1977, and the Steltzner Family established their own modest facility in 1983, with a 3,000 case capacity here in the Stags Leap District. Dark black fruit, earthy mushroom and chocolate, round tannins with good acidity to balance everything out. This is an absolutely amazing value from Napa, we are completely thrilled to be pouring it. While the other wines on Saturdays bill are perfect for just about anything, this wine would pair quite well with red or white meat seared over open flame. Shelf $18.99 Tasting $17.09
If you’re reading this you are Appalachian Vintner and the life blood of our business. Thank you, we look forward to tasting something delicious with you very soon.
Geoff & Charles.
Slow Food Asheville Event Saturday, April 16th
New Arrivals ~
Bell’s Third Coast Old Ale– great cellar beer!
Dogfish Head Aprilhop
Founders Brewing KBS
Foothills Hoppium IPA– now available in 22oz bottles!
Ommegang Three Philosophers 3L– the biggest bottle of beer we’ve ever seen, hand bottled at the brewery in Cooperstown NY
~ Free Saturday Tasting ~
MERLOT ~ we hope to shed some positive light on this misunderstood delight! For those of us that have all but abandoned our little blackbird(merlot is a diminutive of the Old French ~merle or blackbird) in the last decade it is time to reacquaint ourselves. The Merlot grape is the third most planted grape in the world and the most commonly planted grape in wines’ heartland, France. This weeks descriptions will be brief, stating only the locales and a bit about the producer. This is all in hopes that the wines will reveal themselves in a way that is unique to your own palate.
Delas Frères Vin de Pays d’Oc Merlot– Languedoc, Southern France. Delas is known for their amazing Northern & Southern Rhône wines, especially their powerful Côte-Rôtie, La Landonne. This wine, in this vintage was amazing. Shelf $11.99 Tasting $10.79
Tenuta Canale Merlot di Toscana– Tuscany. Aiello Canale is a maestro with Sangiovese, his Chianti are some of the best we’ve had, especially for the price. His Merlot is treated with the same finesse. Shelf $17.99 Tasting $16.19
Pellegrini Cloverdale Ranch Merlot– Alexander Valley, Sonoma CA. By far one of our favorite Merlot producers, very small production from an amazing vineyard. Suggested Retail $24.00 AV $15.99
There may be one or two other surprise wines at this tasting, we politely request your attendance for the unveiling.
Asheville’s Best Wine & Beer Tasting– Saturday March, 12th 2011 4PM-7PM http://www.appalachianvintner.com/
New Arrivals~
~ Wine ~
Apaltagua Envero Gran Reserva– from 60+ year old vines
Smith & Hook Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon– National Retail $30 AV $20
Marchiori & Barraud Perdriel Malbec– 50+ year old vines, this is the husband and wife team behind Paul Hobbs’ Viña Cobos.
Intipalka Tannant– Tannant from Perú? Sure we’ve got that!
Shild Estate Barossa Valley Shiraz– 94pts & the #7 wine in the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2010! $24.99
~ Beer ~
Brasserie des Rocs Grand Cru– 100pts
Founders Imperial Stout– 100pts RateBeer
Rochefort #8
Rochefort #10
Bell’s Third Coast Old Ale
Uinta Crooked Line Labyrinth Barrel Aged Black Ale
Uinta Crooked Line Cockeyed Copper Barrel Aged Barleywine
Hantverksbryggeriet Västerås Imperial Stout– very rare beers from Sweden, imported by 12 Percent Imports, Brooklyn NY.
Hantverksbryggeriet Västerås 2009 Barleywine
Hantverksbryggeriet Västerås Abbey
Hantverksbryggeriet Västerås Special Winter Ale
Bell’s Hopslam– we have 5 six packs left.
Brasserie d’Achouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Triple
~ Free Saturday Tasting ~
Saint-Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux– France’s oldest sparkling wine and yes its even older than good old Dom Pérignon. Comprised of 90% Mauzac(the native grape of Limoux), 5% Chenin Blanc, 5%Chardonnay that is picked by hand and produced using the Traditional Method of secondary fermentation in the bottle….the same method used for Champagne. The Limoux vineyards are located in Languedoc, in Southern France, at the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains. The grapes are selected from clay-limestone plots that capture both the Oceanic and Mediterranean influences. Yields are kept to 50 Hectoliters per Hectar, the lowest yield for sparkling wine in France. Dry, toasty, smooth and super clean with an attractive yeasty aroma and luscious creamy texture, Saint-Hilaire is always a crowd favorite. The palate is light and crisp with citrus and baked apple flavors and the body is just full enough. Certified Environmentally Friendly by Veritas Bureau International. Shelf $12.99
Masciarelli Trebbiano d’ Abruzzo– 100% Trebbiano from Abruzzo. A wonderful summer white from Masciarelli; Italy’s 2004 “winery of the year”. Marsciarelli is the largest organically farmed estate in Italy, with over 1,000 acres scattered across Abruzzo. In addition to Trebbiano, they grow Montepulciano, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Falanghina, and olives for pressing into premium oil. Their Trebbiano d’ Abruzzo is fermented and aged in stainless steel. Clean and crisp. Hints of apple, stone fruit, and freshly brewed green tea. Refreshingly delicious. An outstanding value and a must for any wine lovers’ spring/summer/fall cellar. Shelf $9.99 Tasting $8.99!!
Seigneurs de Bergerac Rouge– 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc also from Bergerac, East of Bordeaux along the Dordogne river in the Southwest of France. Medium bodied, aromatically superior to most of the reds we’ve tried from this area, especially from this vintage. Starting out its bouquet reveals, black currant & tar moving into black cherry spice further down in the glass. The palate is dry, but soft holding mild tannin and a very pleasant texture. Great summer red by itself or perfect with lighter fair or seafood. Shelf $9.99 Close-out $7.99
Alta Vista Cabernet Sauvignon– 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza, Argentina. Alta Vista is owned by the veteran D’Aulan French winemaking family of Champagne, the original owners of Piper-Heidsieck. Now focused on the renaissance of the historical estate in Mendoza, the winery has been revitalized and is a collaboration of a dual-cultural winemaking team. The winery was the first to pioneer single-vineyard Malbecs and has been named one of the top five wineries in Argentina by Robert Parker Jr. Ruby black color. Spicy raspberry and cherry pie aromas follow through on a supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with craisin and milk chocolate notes. Finishes with a tangy, dried cassis, cedar, and mineral fade. Very tasty and on the drier side of Argentine Cab, making it very enjoyable. Perfect with a classic Argentine Parrillada of grilled meats and sausages or hearty grilled root vegetables. Regular Retail $11.99 AV $9.99
Asheville’s Best Wine & Beer Tasting– Saturday March, 5th 2011 4PM-7PM http://www.appalachianvintner.com/
New Arrivals~
Cielo Pinot Grigio 1.5 mags– two bottles for $11.99!!
Masciarelli Trebbiano d’Abruzzo– from the largest organically farmed estate in Italy!
Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc– Marlborough, NZ
Stoudt’s Brewing Karnival Kölsch
Stoudt’s Brewing Pils
Stoudt’s Brewing Gold
Hoppin’ Frog Oak aged B.O.R.I.S.
Ballast Point Sculpin IPA– we have a few left
Bells HOPSLAM– we received two additional cases, get it while it lasts!
~ Free Saturday Tasting ~
Appalachian Vintner is quite pleased to have Devon Price, owner of Sour Grapes Asheville’s newest “old world” wine distributor, on hand this Saturday. We’ve known Mr. Price for a number of years and are proud to have him back at the tasting bar. His visit comes on the heels of some wonderful press from the Asheville Citizens Times last week, here. Both Devon & his partner Lyndon live in wild and wonderful West Asheville. Love him or hate him, you can trust his palate and his passion for artisanal wines that are naturally crafted from the soil up. We hope to see you this weekend for the first of many Sour Grapes events and to hear Devon draw a “straight line from the vine.”
Weingut Schloss Muhlenhof Riesling Trocken 1L– 100% Riesling Rheinhessen, Germany. From the distributor: Sustainable and committed to green winemaking, Mulenhof is an estate to watch in the Rheinhessen. The soil at this estate is mostly loess with deep limestone. All of the wine at this estate is made in the same manner; after fermentation, the wine is kept with skin contact for a minimum of two weeks, then racked into 1200 liter and 228 liter oak barrels to age for year before being bottled. The average age of the vines are around 20 years. This is a well defined Riesling, typical notes of green apple and minerals, focused and fresh; a fantastic value in this format! Total production at this estate is 250 cases a year. Shelf $13.99 Tasting $12.59
Weingut Zum Martin Sepp Grüner Veltliner– 100% Grüner Veltliner Weinviertel, Austria. “Innovation, stubbornness and a little bit of madness.” This, according to Michael Martin, the young winemaking dynamo of Weingut Martinshof, is the secret to his success. The trend to buck conservative thought was started even by his great grandfather, who insisted on growing Burgundian grapes many years before they were popular in Austria. After his death however, his cherished Weissburgunder was pulled up in favor of higher yielding varieties. The Martin family has owned and operated the Heuriger “Zum Martin Sepp” for generations, and it still remains one of the most prominent and popular wine taverns of Vienna’s Grinzing district. The liters do not see any barrel aging, stainless steel only aging and only Grüner Veltliner from classic vineyards 1 hour North from Vienna in the Weinviertel region. The light and fresh Heurige, well-known from the “Martin Sepp in Grinzing” (wine of the last crop) is perfect for warm spring & summer days. This wine is presented in a one-liter bottle sealed with a crown cap. Crisp and fruity it is a perfect partner to most foods. Check out this great video of Michael http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcv4g9EB4u4 Shelf $12.99 Tasting $11.69
Weingut Scheu Spätburgunder Trocken– 100% Pinot Noir Pfalz, Germany. Gunter Scheu took over at Weinhof Scheu in 1996. His vineyards in the Pfalz are located near the French border in Alsace and northward, mostly near Sonnenberg. Scheu wants to make wines that reflect individual microclimates and show detailed terrior expression. His vineyards are mostly heavy clay soils with limestone deposits. Yields are extremely low and planting is a high density for the greatest concentration in fruit. It’s everything pinot noir should be and quite an attractive alternative to Burgundy’s ever-climbing prices. Fairly light-bodied, it is packed with wild strawberry, raspberry, and not-quite-ripe cherry flavors with an earthy undercurrent. It absolutely beams with the same razor-sharp acidity for which Germany’s best rieslings are so famous. So few red wines contain such a focused laser beam of acid and still manage to pack a complex and full palate of fruit flavors. It’s an impressive balancing act. Think ceviche, or something with some lemony focused seafood. Sustainable. Shelf $17.99 Tasting $16.19
Casa de Mouraz Tinto– Native Portuguese grapes, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz(tempranillo), Alfrocheiro, Jaen(mencia) and Agua Santa from the Dão. Founded in 2000 by António Lopes Ribeiro, Casa de Mouraz was the first Dão producer to work organically, and now biodynamically. This is one of the most important and prestigious wine areas in Portugal. His grapes create authentic and customized wines that express all the richness of their terroir and respect the cycles of nature. Some of the vineyards used to make this wine date back to the 16th century. It consists of five different Portuguese varietals and is a stout medium-bodied wine bursting with red fruit, plum, pepper spice, and ripe, solid tannins. Native grapes Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz(tempranillo), Alfrocheiro, Jaen(mencia) and Agua Santa make this rich, earthy red. This is a departure from the latter wines in that it has a pretty racy and slightly funky aroma, coupled with citrus peel thats intertwined with dark fruit. Akin to soil in bottle, this is a natural wine thats produced without adjuncts. Shelf $17.99 Tasting $16.19
Asheville’s Best Wine & Beer Tasting– Saturday March, 19th 2011 4PM-7PM http://www.appalachianvintner.com/