Grazie, Merci & Thankyouverymuch!

A big THANK YOU to all of you who came out yesterday for our "Wine 101" class. If the number of enthusiastic attendees is any indication, this season of The Quality Wine School is going to be epic. Next up: "The Wines of Austria" on Wednesday, April 20th. Guest speaker is Master Sommelier Damon Ornowski of Vin Divino.

Hope to see you there!

THE FIRST 2010 FRENCH ROSE HAS LANDED!

You may remember Chateau Lascaux…their Red made Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year. I had the opportunity to taste the 2010 rose out of tank last January, and it’s everything I look for in a great, Provencal pink wine. This is sure to put a smile on the faces of all that taste it.

Get some while you can!

THE SPRING CATALOG IS HERE!

Chock full of new producers, new items and useful information...please ask your QWS rep for a copy!

BACK TO SCHOOL!

The 2011 season of The Quality Wine School begins tomorrow with our "Wine 101" class. Future classes - held alternating Wednesdays - will cover such topics as Austria, Burgundy, the Pacific Northwest, Rhone wines, Sake and Cabernet Sauvignon. Pre-registration has been VERY strong...so please contact us soon if you'd like to participate!

Update on Sake Producers in Japan.

I've received a number of calls and emails from customers wanting to know how the Sake industry has fared in the recent earthquake/tsunami disaster. The best place I have found for updates on this is John Gauntner's impressive site dedicated to all things Sake.

The updates can be read by going to this section of John's site.

WINE OF THE WEEKEND: "Sacred Mist" Nigori Sake

Okay, so technically our "Wine of the Weekend" is not a wine. In fact, the production techniques used in sake have more in common with beer than with wine...but the subtleties and nuances of great sake are decidedly more wine-like. Given this and an international focus on the unfolding tragedy in Japan, it seemed only fitting that we pick a product so connected with Japanese culture and refinement.

This particular sake is a Honjozo Nigori-sake from the Miyashita Brewery, located in the Okayama Prefecture. The term Honjozo denotes a premium level of sake, and Nigori literally translates as 'unfiltered'. Okayama is known for its abundant sunshine, good water, and most of all for premium rice production. Sakes from Okayama are famous for its elegance and refinement.

America has become one of the most-important export markets for Nigori sake. The cloudy nature of these sakes is due to the fact that the finished product does not undergo filtration...what you see (and drink) is the rice particles leftover after fermentation. Think of it as the lees. These residual solids impart a rich texture and hint of sweetness to the sake.

If you consider yourself a connoisseur of Nigori-sake, you're in for a treat. "Sacred Mist" is easily the finest Nigori available in the U.S. market.

It's a little-known fact that most Nigori actually undergo a rough filtration which removes some of the rice solids. "Sacred Mist" is the only Nigori I know of that sees no filtration. The result is an unctuously rich, incredibly textured sake experience. Available in a 300ml bottle, it is an ideal aperitif, or after-dinner drink.

Item #56196

Rosés Are on the Way!

The Quality Fine Wine Division is proud to offer the finest selection of dry French rosés available in the State of Minnesota. Our offerings from the 2010 vintage include such great producers as:

Chateau Grande Cassagne

Chateau Thivin

Christophe Cordier

Clos Ste. Magdeline

Domaine de Fondreche

Domaine de Gournier

Domaine de L’Aujardiere

Domaine de la Petite Cassagne

Domaine des Grandes Vignes

Domaine du Tariquet

Domaine Font de Michelle

Domaine Gros 'Noré

Domaine Saint Antoine

Domaine Sainte Eugenie

Grange de Quatre Sous

Mas Carlot

Mas de Bressades

Mas de Guiot

Patrick Bottex

Regis Bouvier

Rose de Fayel

These delicious wines are on their way, direct from France, and should be here within the next 30 days. Should you have an interest in stocking any of them, please let us know soon...they're sure to move fast!

WINE OF THE WEEKEND: Rail 2 Rail Zinfandel

With the first taste of this wine I found myself saying, "Ah, yes...this is what Zinfandel is supposed to taste like." All too often, California Zinfandel these days shares more in common with 30 Weight than wine. Some old timers might even go so far to say that this is a 'Claret-style' Zin. I'd say that's a fair assessment...if by "Claret" they mean a finessed, balanced wine.

Rail 2 Rail comes from our good friend, Eric Laumann...the mind behind such wines as Ludwig and Poppy. Here's what Eric has to say about this project:

"The decision to make Rail 2 Rail started with my introduction to Andy D’Arrigo. This untiring 82 year old farmer, with a soulful ardor for growing, is the third largest produce grower in the west. Whether its lettuce, grapes or prickly pears he’s focused, intensely involved and fervently curious about working the land and bringing the harvest to market. He has no interest in turning any of his land into commercial real estate. “I don’t know how to grow buildings,” he told me. A while back he approached me to look at his old vine Zinfandel vineyard in Lodi to see if we could tune it up for making high quality wine. With some careful pruning, natural soil cultivation and a few new ideas regarding irrigation, we coaxed the 45+ year old vines into producing grapes of notable character and structure. As soon as I started to ferment the grapes, the wine’s quality became apparent and this is where I fall into trouble because I’m often unable to let good wine out of my hands. Consequentially I created the Rail 2 Rail label to house this delicious wine and serve as the testimonial for the old gnarled vines."

And the wine is delicious. In case you're wondering, the name 'Rail 2 Rail' pays homage to Eric's favorite pastime, surfing.

Item # 68174

Variations on a Theme.

Valdelainos Verdejo DO Rueda 2009

Item # 66084

Organically farmed (non-certified), estate grown fruit, all stainless steel fermentation and aging:

“Bright straw. Precise lime and minerals on the nose, with notes of fresh-cut grass and spices giving lift. Tangy and quite tight in the mouth, with energetic citrus and green apple flavors and a strong mineral undercurrent. Dry but not austere, finishing with a touch of melon” 88 points Stephen Tanzer

“The 2009 Valdelainos is 100% Verdejo raised in stainless steel with several weeks of lees contact. Medium straw-colored with an enticing perfume of baking spices, spring flowers, and apricot, on the palate it is crisp, focused, and vibrant with plenty of spicy fruit and good length. Bodegas Pedro Escudero Platon’s two Verdejo offerings are both very good values.” 87 points Robert Parker

Fuente Elvira Verdejo DO Rueda 2009

Item # 66094

Organically farmed (non-certified), estate grown fruit, single 40 year old vineyard, all stainless steel fermentation and aging

“Green-tinged yellow. Intriguing, heady aromas of white peach, green tea, pear, nectarine, spices and minerals. Dense and powerful, but the flavors of nectarine and dried flowers are kept fresh by lemony acidity and a stony element. The finish stains the palate with intense spice and mineral flavors. This would be superb with raw shellfish.” 91 points Stephen Tanzer

“Full of aroma and flavor and character, this is yet another impressive Verdejo from Rueda (located north and west of Madrid) indicating that these wines are rapidly overtaking Albariño as Spain’s most noteworthy whites. It shows intense aromatic notes of cut straw and lavender, followed by piercing citrus flavors and a long, bright finish.” 91 points Wine Review Online

“The 2009 Fuente Elvira is a single vineyard Verdejo with average vine age of 40 years which received several months of lees contact. The nose gives up nutmeg, honeysuckle, peach, and tropical notes leading to a creamy-textured wine with more palate weight than its sibling. Concentrated, savory, and long, it will drink well for another 2-3 years.[our highlight]” 88 points Robert Parker

WINE OF THE WEEKEND: Casa Silva Pinot Noir

Casa Silva is on a roll these days. While best known for making Chile's finest rendition of Carmenere, the winery is also producing a bevy of incredibly intense, varietally-correct and amazingly priced wines. Their 2008 Reserva Pinot Noir is one such example.

100% Pinot Noir. Hand picked and sorted before destemming. The fruit underwent a pre-fermentation cold soak for 12 days at 6 degress Celsius (43F). Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks for 23 days at 22-23 degrees Celsius (72F). Run off and malolactic fermentation. 70% aged in French oak barrels for 4 months, 30% in stainless steel tanks.

If poured blind, you'd definitely know it as Pinot...but you'd probably think old world as opposed to new. Red with violet hues. The nose is spicy and fruity, with notes of strawberries and tea leaf. On the palate, fresh, with good acidity, agreeable tannins and notes of ripe red fruits. It exhibits a pleasant finish that's very refined. The biggest surprise here is when you see the price tag...talk about over-delivering!

Item # 85554

Tanzer Rates - And Raves About - Our 2009 Beaujolais!

"2009 Nicole Chanrion, Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes Côte de Brouilly - 91 points

Bright ruby. Lively red and dark berry and floral aromas are complicated by notes of cinnamon, musky herbs and minerals. Fresh and focused on entry, then deeper in the middle palate, showing dense black raspberry fruit and a touch of bitter cherry. Delivers a solid punch but comes off as lithe and elegant, finishing with strong cut and a persistent tangy quality." - Item #52135

2009 Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly - 91 Points

Vivid ruby red. Bright, incisive aromas of redcurrant, cherry skin, white pepper and herbs, with building minerality. Lively and precise in the mouth, showing very good intensity to its red berry and bitter cherry flavors. A late note of licorice adds depth and carries through the long, sappy finish. More powerful than usual for this bottling, in the style of the vintage. - Item #52245

"2009 Domaine Diochon Moulin-a-Vent Cuvée Vieilles Vignes - 91 Points

Inky ruby. Pungent dark berries and cherry on the nose, with complicating notes of musky herbs and licorice. Chewy, densely packed dark fruit flavors are initially taut and ungiving but aeration brings out flesh and sweetness. The finish repeats the cherry note and leaves notes of bitter chocolate and herbs behind. Give this air, or better yet age it for another three or four years, at a minimum." - Item #52235

"2009 Domaine Chignard Fleurie Les Moriers 91

Vivid purple. High-pitched aromas of black raspberry, violet, minerals and white pepper, with a subtle herbal quality in the background. Juicy, penetrating red and dark berry flavors show very good depth and clarity, becoming spicier and more floral with air. Tannins arrive late and add shape to the long, sappy gently bitter finish. There’s real grip here but no hard edges. This is another 2009 that’s built to age." - Item #52125