  |
|
Wine Region Gifts for all Occasions! |
|
MONTHLY WINE CLUBS - FEATURED WINES FOR MAY 2009PREMIUM WINE CLUBVeglio Michelino & Figlio - ItalyWhere the Talloria stream divides the towns of Diano d'Alba, Serralunga d'Alba, Montelupo Albese and Sinio, the company Veglio Michelino & Figlio continues to grow. With traditions passed on from generation to generation, Veglio Michelino & Figlio is family owned and operated, providing a good mix of experience and technology thanks to the contribution by the son Osvaldo, who is oenologist. The property includes more than 25 hectares, 10 of which are dedicated to vineyard, while the rest are used to cultivate hazelnuts. 5th Leg - Australia5th Leg is the secondary label of Fishbone. All excess fruit not used in the Fishbone wines are blended into the "5th Leg". The wine is made in an easier drinking style from predominantly the Margaret River region out of the Southwest in Western Australia. More than any other major Australian region, as might be expected in one surrounded by the sea on three sides, Margaret River has a strong maritime climate. With the lowest mean annual temperature range of only 45 degrees F, it also has, for good measure, the most marked Mediterranean climate in terms of rainfall with less than 25 percent of its annual rain falling between October and April. The low diurnal and seasonal temperature range means an unusually even accumulation of warmth. While spring frosts are very rare and highly localized, lack of winter dormancy and salty winds during spring can cause problems that are unique to this region. In terms of warmth, the overall climate is similar to that of Pomerol and St. Emilion in a dry vintage hence the quality of its Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and others. Vina Tabali - ChileVina Tabali is a leading Chilean producer of the San Antonio and Leyda valleys. The San Antonio Valley region is particularly influenced by marine climatic conditions, with cooler temperatures, distinguishing it from other Chilean appellations. These climatic conditions result in longer grape ripening periods, thus the ideal location for wines to display unique characteristics. The Leyda Valley is a sub-appellation located within the San Antonio Valley. With protection of Andes Mountains on its eastern border and a coastal range on the west, next to the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard land is blessed with a perfect climate marked by long, warm, dry summers, along with usually just enough rain in the winter. The low fertility of the soils, along with the gentle climatic conditions in the region produces ripe and fully concentrated grapes. INTERNATIONAL WINE CLUBFishbone - AustraliaFishbone is the highly successful second label for the Blackwood Wines winery in Western Australia. Fishbone and Blackwood work together to create a range of Super Premium wine sourced from the highest quality fruit from the Southwest of Western Australia including Margaret River, Pemberton, Manjimup and the Blackwood Estate vineyard within the Blackwood Valley. The Fishbone symbol represents their philosophy of winemaking stripped bare of all pretension to produce wines of quality and style. Bodegas Lopez Panach - SpainLopez Panach was founded in 2002 and is a family run business located in Albacete, Spain. Surrounded by 35 acres of vines and 15 hectares of nurseries, (all on their property), Lopez Panach is one of the youngest wineries in the region. The varieties of their vineyards are mainly 50% Tempranillo, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Verdejo, 5% Merlot and 5% Syrah. Because everything from grape growing to winemaking is done in house, Lopez Panach can keep absolute control on the product to create fantastic and consistent wines. Fattoria BibbianiLocated 20 kilometers west of Firenze, along the banks of the Arno and perched between the two tiny communities of Capraia and Limite, is the breathtaking hilltop estate of Bibbiani. Now in the hands of "Il Professore", whose family has owned the estate for 150 years, this property is nothing short of historic--with records going back 13 centuries! Together with expert winemaker and "adopted son", Fulvio Galgani, Donato has chosen to focus on wines that are unique to the region, such as the ultra-rare Pulignano-a clone of Sangiovese that only grows on their hill! In addition, they have maintained the vast botanical gardens of Bibbiani, and preserved another amazing gem-one of Italy's three oldest private theatres. Strolling through the house (which resembles a mini Versailles) and the vast, forested grounds, we have to admit-it's certainly not difficult to see where the artists (both past and present) got their artistic inspiration. Two in the Bush - AustraliaBird in Hand Winery is a picturesque property in Woodside that is owned and operated by the Nugent family. In 1997, Andrew Nugent planted vineyards and an olive grove on 100 acres on Bird in Hand Road, Woodside. The road itself was named after the "Bird in Hand" gold mine that operated in the district in the 1850s. Four hundred meters above sea level, the vineyards face north and boast deep, well drained red earth, formed from metamorphic rock. Over the years Bird in Hand has become famous for its Olives and its Wines. In 2005 the Bird in Hand winery threw open the doors of its tasting room to the public to create and grow an honest, cellar door experience. Andrew's brother Justin has been instrumental in taking the Bird in Hand Wines to all the corners of the globe. They distribute to Europe, Scandinavia, the USA and Asia. Andrew is the Winemaker and Justin is the Sales & Marketing Manager. Their families are all involved in the success of the winery and mother Joy is a very active part of the operation
WEST COAST WINE CLUBStinger - Templeton, CaliforniaStinger is headed by renowned winemaker Vance Rose. Vance grew up thinking there were only four types of wine (red, white, pink and bubbly) and that within these categories, there was no difference. Then came a chance encounter with a bottle of 1959 Domain Maume Chambertin Clos de Beze that changed everything. Vance became a wino (in the most innocent and responsible sense) and has for the past 29+ years been drinking, reading, traveling, collecting and helping to make wonderful wines. His relatively early interest in wine led Vance to the wine business in college and afterwards he made a plan to work in every aspect of the business: retail, wholesale and production. For the past 17 years Vance has grown small wineries into large ones, started new wineries and helped to produce wines that have been embraced by consumers and critics alike, including landing wines in the Wine Spectator "Top 100" list. Corvidae Winery - Sunnyside, WashingtonCorvidae Winery was started by Oregon and Washington powerhouse winemaker David O'Reilly. O'Reilly co-founded Sineann Winery and is the co-owner and winemaker for Owen Roe Winery in Newberg, Oregon. Owen Roe wines are highly sought-after, using grapes from Oregon (with Pinot Noir as the flagship) and Washington (the high-end Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot). Rather than expand his winery and produce more of the same thing, O'Reilly and business partner Jerry Owen purchased an old Carnation dairy facility in Sunnyside, Wash., and a vineyard dubbed Outlook, west of Sunnyside with about 105 planted acres. O'Reilly will be introducing the new Corvidae wines, new Corvidae packaging and ultimately, years down the road, a new destination in the Yakima wine country. Yakima Cellars - Yakima, WashingtonYakima Cellars has been a leading winery in the explosion of the Yakima Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). In fact, last year the Yakima Valley wine region celebrated 25 years since receiving its designation as Washington State's very first AVA. Today, 50 percent of Washington's wine is grown or produced in the Yakima Valley, and the region boasts more than one-third of the state's 30,000 vineyard acres. Its 60-plus wineries range from heartfelt, mom-and-pop operations such as Yakima Cellars, to corporate giants such as The Hogue Cellars. Brassfield Estate Winery - Clearlake Oaks, CaliforniaHandcrafted from estate-grown grapes in the newly designated High Valley Appellation just north of Napa, Brassfield Estate wines are quite simply taking the world by storm. Simply put, there is no other grape-growing site on Earth quite like High Valley Appellation. This heavenly spot measures just a mile wide and five miles long, running east to west unlike other coastal valleys. Yet High Valley's unique combination of volcanic and alluvial soils, paired with myriad microclimates, makes it one of the finest spots in the world to cultivate premium-quality grapes. RED TRIO WINE CLUBVeglio Michelino & Figlio - ItalyWhere the Talloria stream divides the towns of Diano d'Alba, Serralunga d'Alba, Montelupo Albese and Sinio, the company Veglio Michelino & Figlio continues to grow. With traditions passed on from generation to generation, Veglio Michelino & Figlio is family owned and operated, providing a good mix of experience and technology thanks to the contribution by the son Osvaldo, who is oenologist. The property includes more than 25 hectares, 10 of which are dedicated to vineyard, while the rest are used to cultivate hazelnuts. Fishbone - AustraliaFishbone is the highly successful second label for the Blackwood Wines winery in Western Australia. Fishbone and Blackwood work together to create a range of Super Premium wine sourced from the highest quality fruit from the Southwest of Western Australia including Margaret River, Pemberton, Manjimup and the Blackwood Estate vineyard within the Blackwood Valley. The Fishbone symbol represents their philosophy of winemaking stripped bare of all pretension to produce wines of quality and style. Stinger - Templeton, CaliforniaStinger is headed by renowned winemaker Vance Rose. Vance grew up thinking there were only four types of wine (red, white, pink and bubbly) and that within these categories, there was no difference. Then came a chance encounter with a bottle of 1959 Domain Maume Chambertin Clos de Beze that changed everything. Vance became a wino (in the most innocent and responsible sense) and has for the past 29+ years been drinking, reading, traveling, collecting and helping to make wonderful wines. His relatively early interest in wine led Vance to the wine business in college and afterwards he made a plan to work in every aspect of the business: retail, wholesale and production. For the past 17 years Vance has grown small wineries into large ones, started new wineries and helped to produce wines that have been embraced by consumers and critics alike, including landing wines in the Wine Spectator "Top 100" list. SINGLE BOTTLE WINE CLUBVeglio Michelino & Figlio - ItalyWhere the Talloria stream divides the towns of Diano d'Alba, Serralunga d'Alba, Montelupo Albese and Sinio, the company Veglio Michelino & Figlio continues to grow. With traditions passed on from generation to generation, Veglio Michelino & Figlio is family owned and operated, providing a good mix of experience and technology thanks to the contribution by the son Osvaldo, who is oenologist. The property includes more than 25 hectares, 10 of which are dedicated to vineyard, while the rest are used to cultivate hazelnuts. Vina Tabali - ChileVina Tabali is a leading Chilean producer of the San Antonio and Leyda valleys. The San Antonio Valley region is particularly influenced by marine climatic conditions, with cooler temperatures, distinguishing it from other Chilean appellations. These climatic conditions result in longer grape ripening periods, thus the ideal location for wines to display unique characteristics. The Leyda Valley is a sub-appellation located within the San Antonio Valley. With protection of Andes Mountains on its eastern border and a coastal range on the west, next to the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard land is blessed with a perfect climate marked by long, warm, dry summers, along with usually just enough rain in the winter. The low fertility of the soils, along with the gentle climatic conditions in the region produces ripe and fully concentrated grapes. PLATINUM WINE CLUBBald Hills - New ZealandBald Hills lies on a tiny sliver of land within New Zealand's harsh southern mountain country...a rugged land, awesomely beautiful. A land becoming known for its ability to produce world class Pinot Noir. The land selected for the Bald Hills Vineyard was subdivided from a large hilly sheep station near the old gold-mining township called Bannockburn. Once the rowdy and boisterous scene of throngs of miners of all caste and creed, the Bannockburn of today paints a quiet picture of rural order and tranquility. Today's gold, wine, replaces the gleaming mineral so sought after years before. Blair and Estelle Hunt, passionate owners of Bald Hills, live at the property. Their home is sited almost in the very center of the vineyard where it is surrounded by trees, lawns and herb and perennial gardens and the wider vista of rocky snowy hills. Wines of Substance - Walla Walla, WashingtonWines of Substance is a partnership by Waters and Gramercy Cellars, with the winery operated by master sommelier Greg Harrington. Production will remain relatively limited at about 6,000 cases total of nine varietals, which now include Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, Malbec, Counoise, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, allowing founder Jamie Brown to source grapes strictly from his own vineyards and a few choice suppliers such as Les Collines and Pepper Bridge. Argiolas - ItalyVisitors have long been attracted to Sardinia's wild beauty and natural energy, characterized in its sculpted red granite rocks and rugged cliffs, glorious beaches, and fascinating stone relics. Located amid Sardinia's natural beauty, just north of Cagliari, is the Argiolas estate, widely known for its crisp and refreshing white wines and complex reds. Antonio Argiolas and his twin sons, Franco and Giuseppe, have worked diligently to fulfill their commitment to become the leaders in Sardinian enology. Over the years the Argiolas family has strongly insisted on its native Sardinian vines, focusing on the indigenous white varietals Nuragus and Vermentino and the red varietals Cannonau, Monica, Carignano and Bovale Sardo. Giacomo Tachis, father of prestigious Italian wines such as Sassicaia, Tignanello and Solaia, has been instrumental in placing Argiolas on the quality map. Like the Argiolas family, Tachis has a true passion for the island's native varietals. In 2004 The said Argiolas produces "essential wines for those looking to discover what the wines and viticulture of Sardinia are all about." 90+ POINT WINE CLUBBodegas Los 800 - SpainBased in the town of Gratallops, in the hills of Priorato, this winery only sources from old vineyards above 800 meters. Hence the name "the 800s." The name Priorat comes from the Spanish word for "priory," as it was monks who settled in the southern part of Catalonia, just west of Barcelona, 800 years ago after a young shepherd had a vision of angels descending on a heavenly ladder. In the 1980s, a group of young winemakers from other regions discovered Priorat. Until then, despite naturally parsimonious yields and deep, intense wines, Priorat wine had been a bulk product, sold on tap by the liter at the local shops or sent for blending to regions that couldn't achieve adequate punch in their wines. Among the discoverers were Alvaro Palacios, scion of a powerful family in Rioja, and Rene Barbier, from a successful winemaking family in the Penedes, both of whom had had a cutting-edge wine education at top schools in France. They saw the potential in the old vines. Palacios, Barbier, and a few others founded the wineries of Clos Mogador, Clos Erasmus, L'Ermita, and Clos Martinet (the French-sounding names were chosen to differentiate the new wines from the ones already being made in the region). They demonstrated that with some modern equipment and techniques-stringent vineyard practices, controlled fermentations, tannin management, use of new, high-grade French oak-Priorat grapes could produce world class wines that would sell out at shockingly high prices. Priorat went from being near-worthless plonk to a Spanish cult wine in the span of a few years. The results of retraining these neglected old vines and applying 20th century oenological practices amounted to finding gold in the hills. Smidge Wines - AustraliaSmidge Wines is the work of Matt Wenk, the current winemaker at Two Hands and formerly of Nepenthe - and a huge talent to watch. His approach here is simple: "You can add new oak but it's pretty difficult to take it out once you've overdone it". Which fits in well with the overall Smidge Wines concept: which is to produce top quality small-run wines that, simply, Matt enjoys making. Matt's winemaking philosophy is to find the very finest parcels fruit and transform them into limited production world class wines that show exceptional varietal and regional definition. THE ULTIMATE WINE CELLAR CLUBElderton Wines - AustraliaElderton Wines is a small, family-owned winery, situated in the heart of Australia's Barossa Valley that has shot to world acclaim producing some of Australia's most highly regarded Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Elderton vineyard which was planted in around 1900 by Samuel Elderton Tolley, was purchased by the Ashmead family in the late 1970's and started producing labeled bottled estate wine from the 1982 harvest. The second generation of the Ashmead family, brothers: Cameron and Allister now run the winery day to day and are passionate about producing wines that are balanced, varietally correct and classic in nature. Bodegas Alion - SpainBodegas Alion was launched with the 1991 vintage by the famous Vega Sicilia estate. The estate is found close to Penafiel, in the heart of the Ribera de Duero DO. Grapes come from vineyards next to the winery, and from Vega Sicilia's own vineyards at Valbuena. The wine is made by Javier Ausas, winemaker at Vega Sicilia, from a single grape variety: the Tempranillo. When this wine was first created, in 1991, the purists were worried that the intrinsic 'Spanishness' of Vega Sicilia was being sacrificed to appease those drinkers who prefer oak to the authentic flavor of terroir. They need not have worried. Pablo Alvarez, managing director of Vega Sicilia, calls Alion "a wine somewhere between a Ribera del Duero and a Medoc in style". Unlike Vega Sicilia, where vinification is a hybrid of traditional and modern techniques, Alion is made in the modern Bordeaux cru classe style, using state-of-the-art equipment and lots of new oak. Fermentation and Malolactic take place in stainless steel vats. Alion has strong distribution in Spain as well as several export markets. The most important of these are the USA and Japan. The demand for Alion is so strong that even if production were to double, quantities would still be insufficient. Being already a delight to drink upon release, Alion is particularly popular with restaurants. Neyers Vineyards - St. Helena, CaliforniaNeyers Vineyards opened in 1992 by Bruce and Barbara Neyers. Winemaker Tadeo Borchardt joined them in 2004 after several years of experience in the industry making wine in both California and New Zealand. Consulting winemaker Ehren Jordan returned to Neyers following a two-year stint in the Northern Rhone town of Cornas, where he worked for Jean-Luc Columbo, one of the most respected vintners in Europe. Neyers Vineyards sits in the heart of the Napa Valley but Ehren's experience as a winemaker in France and Bruce's experience with French wine importer Kermit Lynch have had an undeniable influence on the winery. Many French wine producers farm organically, make their wines naturally without use of cultured yeast or laboratory designed malo-lactic starters, and bottle their wines without fining or filtration. Neyers likes their results and utilizes many of their ideas. The production of outstanding wine is invariably accompanied by some degree of risk. Their Chardonnay grapes are not crushed, but slowly whole-cluster pressed. The juice is racked directly into barrel, then fermented naturally with indigenous wild yeast. The process is time consuming and expensive, but it produces a level of richness and complexity not found in Chardonnay produced otherwise. SPARKLING WINE & CHAMPAGNE CLUBFoss Marai - ItalyThe hills of Valdobbiadene are in the heart of an area with a long standing tradition of wine-making. The temperate climate encourages the growth of vineyards of Prosecco, a high quality vine variety that has been the symbol of the historical culture of this area for centuries. This is exactly where early this century Massimiliano Biasiotto laid the foundations of what became the present Foss Marai, a modern winery producing wines and sparkling wines. Foss Marai contributes with expertise to the history and culture of these hills according to the tradition of the Biasiotto family. In fact, some documents dated 1512 mention the name of Vendramin De Biasi, one of the family's ancestors who, at that time, produced some of the best wines of the district known as "Marca Trevigiana". From 1813 most of the estate was already in the village of Guia, where Marai is still one of the most precious micro zones, sheltered from wind and exposed to sunlight. Today the family business, always related to the culture and history of Valdobbiadene is managed by Carlo Biasiotto who has succeeded in making his wines become well-known products on the domestic and international markets. Fermi Bohigas - SpainSituated in the River Anoia valley, Can Macia is the historical name of the estate where the Bohigas wine cellar and vineyards have always been. Here, in Can Macia, the family have, for over four centuries, maintained the wine growing tradition . On over 60 hectares of level land at a reasonable altitude and watered by the River Anoia they grow the varieties of grape: Macabeo, Xarel.lo, Parellada and Chardonnay. By carrying out the wine making process on their own estate Bohigas can offer you the fine cavas that they are renowned for.
|
