Archive for June, 2010

All-American reds

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

With the 4th of July just around corner, our minds turn to the grand ole US of A and its distinctive wines. Two of our favorites are so good it makes us proud to be Americans even if we didn’t win the World Cup (or come all that close).

We’re happy to carry The Eyrie Vineyards Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2007. The Eyrie Vineyards is a true trailblazer; the late David Lett was the first to plant Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley. His son Jason is now the winemaker at the estate and the tradition of quality has been carried forward. Of course, what makes the wine special is its complexity, its perfume of red cherry and earth, and its long ripe finish. There are many American Pinot Noirs; few are as overlooked as this pioneer.

And who can talk of American wine without mentioning Zinfandel? Aptly dubbed the “Zin for the Win” by one blogger, the Sobon “Rocky Top” Zinfandel 2007 is truly one of USA’s finest values. Made from organically grown grapes by a family-run winery, this rich and luscious red begs for burgers. Be forewarned, this is a big wine. Weighing in at 15.1% abv, we were happily surprised at its balance and flavors of raspberry and spice. With these bottles in tow, it promises to be a very tasty 4th.

The Eyrie Vineyards Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2007 (Oregon)
$35

Sobon Estate Amador County Zinfandel Rocky Top 2006 (California)
$18

For more information please contact 212-725-6516 or info@vinosite.com.

Posted in USA, VINO, featured producer | No Comments »

Alto Adige: Perfection at its peak

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

This week Vino is celebrating the wines of Alto Adige, in collaboration with the Italian Trade Commission.


Latin and Teutonic culture and language may seem world’s apart, but they co-exist side-by-side in the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige. While Trentino is historically Italian, the northernmost province of Alto Adige (which shares a border with Austria and Switzerland) is officially bilingual, and known as Südtirol to the predominantly German-speaking population.


Many grape varieties thrive in Alto Adige’s Alpine climate, yet the province is so mountainous that only a fraction of the land is available for cultivation. However, consumers are discovering that the challenge of growing vines and a relatively small output has put an emphasis on overall quality. Alto Adige is today responsible for producing some of Italy’s most delightful wines, including fresh summer whites and light, bright reds which are best enjoyed during the summer months.


You can taste five of our favorite wines from Alto Adige this Friday as part of our Monster Tasting:

Köfererhof Kerner Alto Adige Valle Isarco 2008
$30

Castel Sallegg Moscato Giallo 2008
$21

Castel Sallegg Lagrein Rosé 2009
$18

Viticoltori Alto Adige Schiava San Pietro 2009
$15

Castel Sallegg Schiava Bischofsleiten 2009
$20


Monster Tasting
Friday, July 2
5:30-7:30pm

Tasting is free – no reservation required. For more information please contact 212-725-6516 or info@vinosite.com.





Posted in Castel Sallegg, ITALY, VINO, events, italian culture, travels in italy, weekly tasting | No Comments »

I’ll take Manhattan

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Join us this Thursday as we mix a true American classic. What else? Where else? Manhattan!

Cocktail Hour
MANHATTAN
Thursday, July 1
5:30-7:30pm

Tasting is free — no reservation required. For more information please call 212-725-6516 or email info@vinosite.com.

When faced with the prospect of choosing a Manhattan-themed video with which to adorn this post, we just couldn’t decide between Woody and Ella. So here are both in all their monochromatic splendor — enjoy!

This video was embedded using the YouTuber plugin by Roy Tanck. Adobe Flash Player is required to view the video.

This video was embedded using the YouTuber plugin by Roy Tanck. Adobe Flash Player is required to view the video.

Posted in VINO, cocktail hour, weekly tasting | 1 Comment »

Wines of the Americas

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

There has never been a better time to be enjoying high quality wines from “our side of the pond”. As Europe migrated westward, so did their grape varieties and traditions, morphing into wines that began to reflect the distinct character of their new home. In “Wines of the Americas’, we will taste and discuss selections spanning both continents, picking out some of the regional flavors and practices that distinguish these wines from their European counterparts. Whether it’s lush California Pinot Noir, zesty Chilean Sauvignon Blanc or robust Malbec from Mendoza, one will find an ever-increasing array of fine wines spread throughout the wine growing regions of the Americas. For those of you who fancy a whirlwind western wine tour this class is a no brainer.

WINES OF THE AMERICAS
with William “Lucky” Lee
Wednesday, June 30
6:30-8:30pm
$45

For more information and reservations please call 212-725-6516 or email info@vinosite.com.

Posted in USA, VINO, class, william leonard-lee | No Comments »

Monster Tasting

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

You drank your way through our Grand Tasting. You marveled at our Mega Tasting. Now, prepare your palates for something you’ve never tasted before: Monster Tasting! Join us on Friday, July 2 as we’ll be joined by representatives from top distributors who’ll be here to pour a giant selection of our favorite wines. Check back soon for more details…

Monster Tasting
Friday, July 2
5:30-7:30pm

Tasting is free — no reservation required. For more information please call 212-725-6516 or email info@vinosite.com.

Posted in VINO, events, weekly tasting | No Comments »

Something to blow your vuvuzela about

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

Graham Beck “The Game Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Graham Beck Chardonnay-Viognier 2009

So it isn’t often you see the host nation of the World cup get blown out in the first round, but one has to admit, aside from the team’s valiant effort on the pitch, being a courteous keeper of the global community focuses one’s attention towards its other fine attributes. Most notably, you guessed it… their impressive world class wines.

Independent entrepreneur and wine maker Graham Beck epitomizes the enterprising spirit of South Africa’s modern winemakers. Having in the past established himself as a major player in the South African coal mining industry, Mr. Beck has also found great success in horse breeding as well as running his diverse wine operations. And the diversity doesn’t stop there. Their firm commitment to biodiversity has led Graham Beck to be only the second winery in the Cape to be awarded Biodiversity Champion Status, an accolade not to be taken lightly.

Since 1983, this three generation estate has grown to encompass vineyards in four different farms in the Western Cape Province, giving them a wide range of unique micro-climates and soils to grow their vast selection of wines. Their Chardonnay-Viogner is fresh and lively, with just the right balance of stainless steel with small portion of staved chardonnay. The  “Game Reserve” Cabernet hails from their benchmark Robertson Estate on an actual Game Reserve. Vines are planted on red Karoo soil, the same soil where animals feed on the local fynbos.

If that is not impressive enough, Graham Beck’s array of awards will show you without a doubt that in the world of wine, this man is truly a global player. Try one of these selections and sing a toast to the host. Bafana Bafana!

South African Wine Tasting
Friday, June 25
5:30-7:30pm

Tasting is free — no reservation required. For more information please contact 212-725-6516 or info@vinosite.com.

Posted in SOUTH AFRICA, VINO, sports, weekly tasting | No Comments »

True Blood Orange Vodka Tasting

Monday, June 21st, 2010

Let’s face it, vampires are all the rage. Their enduring popularity aside, who has time for them when we’re still months out from Halloween. To see you through the summer months, we recommend enjoying something other than blood to quench your thirst. At Vino, we’ve found the perfect summer sipper: Charbay Blood Orange Vodka. Served over ice or mixed in a Blood Orange Cosmopolitan, this stuff is sure to distract from all the Twilight mania.

This elixir of life hails from sunny California, where its produced in Napa at “the still on the hill.” by Marko Karakasevic. As spirits writer Chris Carlsson notes, with “thirteen generations of distillers, the Karakasevic Family have a line longer than the Beams (the only other family to come close).” Impressive stuff.

Karakasevic starts with 100% organic oranges and then works hard to extract all the flavor and color (a process which takes nearly 6 months). This extract is then blended with Charbay’s signature vodka. The result is brilliant and tasty. Best of all, it only takes a few sips and the whole vampire craze becomes a lot easier to swallow.

True Blood Orange Vodka Tasting
Thursday, June 24
5:30-7:30pm

Tasting is free — no reservation required. For more information please contact 212-725-6516 or info@vinosite.com.

Posted in VINO, cocktail hour, weekly tasting | No Comments »

It’s all Greek to me!

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Two brand new products have hit our shelves this week and we can’t wait to pour them! Join us this Friday afternoon when we’ll be sampling a brand new Bordeaux and a mysterious Greek white!

As I write this I’m still not sure what the wine is exactly… It’s all Greek to me! Come by and see!

Posted in GREECE, weekly tasting | No Comments »

Classic Cocktail Class

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Hold on to that old bottle of Noilly Prat! The cocktail renaissance is upon us. Prohibition-style speakeasies are all the rage as are bartenders who make their own bitters, but you don’t need a password or a degree in chemistry to mix up some of the classics. In this two hour seminar, our resident Sir Mixalot Mr. Scott Rosenbaum will recount some of the history behind such hallmarks as the Martini, Manhattan, Daiquiri, and Sidecar. He’ll then shake ‘em up as he discusses the finer points regarding the importance of fresh juice, good ice, and proper barware. Participants will have a chance to mix their favorite cocktail of the evening, flame orange peels and discover what should be shaken and what should be stirred.

AN INTRODUCTION TO CLASSIC COCKTAILS
with Scott Rosenbaum, DWS
Tuesday, June 22
6:30-8:30pm
$45

Posted in Scott Rosenbaum, VINO, class, cocktail hour, spirits | No Comments »

Riesling to be cheerful

Monday, June 14th, 2010


Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling 2007
$24

Wine writer Oz Clarke once described Riesling as the “teacher’s pet”, the grape that wine geeks loved, but the masses never took a liking to. Sure, the metaphor was a little convoluted, but Mr. Clarke was onto something for few grapes are as polarizing as Riesling. Some people wax poetic about it nuances, while others disclaim it as sweet charlatan. Riesling has a thousand faces, but few, if any, are more beautiful than that of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht.

The estate is located in Alsace where it produces some of the world’s most stunning whites. Hell, they’re so significant they event have their own entry on Wikipedia — maybe not the world’s greatest distinction, but impressive none the less. Winemaker Olivier Humbrecht follows a strict regiment of biodynamic production and the results speak for themselves. Every wine sings in the glass. The 2007 Riesling is dry and complex with a plethora of aromas ranging from peach to petrol.

At Vino, we don’t usually reference a certain Mr. Robert Parker, but in the case of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht we couldn’t agree with him more. He writes, “I don’t know what is more mind-boggling, the quality of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht’s wines or Olivier Humbrecht’s complete dedication to quality. This tall, powerful, and intellectual man may well be the finest winemaker in the world.”

You can read more about Olivier’s thoughts on the 2007 vintage here.

For more information please contact 212-725-6516 or info@vinosite.com.

Posted in GERMANY, VINO, featured producer | No Comments »

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