Archive for December, 2010

Lambrusco by LINI 910 on CBS’ The Early Show

Friday, December 31st, 2010

Labrusca Rosso by LINI 910 was featured on CBS’s The Early Show yesterday morning. It’s the classic Lambrusco’s second national television appearance in eighteen months, having featured on NBC’s Today Show in 2009.

Food & Wine Executive Wine Editor Ray Isle came on-air to present and taste some of his favorite sparkling wines for New Year’s with departing Early Show anchor Harry Smith.

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“This scares me,” confessed Smith as he raised a glass of the deep red Emilian sparkler, calling it “a leap of faith,” perhaps reflecting many Americans’ continued reservations about Lambrusco.

“Be not afraid,” Isle reassured, suggesting he think of it as “a red wine that happens to have bubbles.” Isle went on to praise Lambrusco’s versatility, calling it a “celebratory wine… that goes great with an entire meal.”

Check out our complete range of Lini’s sparkling wines today, and make your New Year’s really sparkle!

Posted in Lini, PRESS, Television, VINO | No Comments »

Prosecco “Rustico” by Nino Franco in GQ magazine

Thursday, December 30th, 2010


Vino’s favorite Prosecco, Rustico by Nino Franco, is featured in GQ magazine’s holiday wine round-up, a “New Year’s guide to entertaining like a man”. The Veneto sparkler is described by the Gentleman’s Quarterly as an “Everyman’s Champagne”, but one that “makes more sense than a $50 bottle”.

Read the complete guide here.

Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico NV ($17) is available now!

Call 212-725-6516 or email info@vinosite.com for more information.

Posted in PRESS, holidays | No Comments »

Spirit(s) of the New Year

Thursday, December 30th, 2010

Good riddance to 2010. It’s not so much that we’ve had a lot we want to forget, but rather that we’re ready for all the possibility that prospect of a new year brings. After all, 2010 was a year of tremendous change for Vino. While the past year brought many changes to Vino (new international selections, new website, new classes, new cocktail tastings, and a new awning), we welcome the new one with open arms. Besides bubbly, here are two spirits we’ll be sipping as the ball drops:

Gonzalez Byass “Lepanto” P.X. Solera Gran Reserva Sherry Brandy de Jerez
$55
Gonzalez Byass is best known as the producer of the famous Sherry brand Tio Pepe, but the Jerez-based bodega also produces some of the world’s best Spanish brandy. Made from the pot distillate of Palomino grapes, this brandy undergoes the same fractionalized blending-called Solera aging-that Sherry does. Aged an average of 12 years, this super smooth brandy is further softened by spending the final part of its maturation in Pedro Ximenez (hence the abbreviation P.X.) barrels. Pedro Ximenez is one of the world’s sweetest and most unctuous wines; finishing this unique brandy in such barrels adds a complexity rarely found in other spirits.

Karlsson’s Gold Vodka
$37
Normally, you don’t hear us rave about vodka. Of course, there are some exceptions, but most vodka’s aren’t worth raving about. Karlsson’s Gold is another story altogether. Made by Börje Karlsson — the man behind Absolut — Karlsson’s Gold is unlike Börje’s previous success. Distilled from seven different types of potatoes, this Swedish vodka was described by the The New York Times as possessing “a slightly earthy, pleasant vegetal aroma; a clean flavor with hints of sweet nuttiness; and a smooth finish.” Interesting, right? For the whole skinny on this vodka, check out Jason Wilson’s (who has a wonderful new book) profile of Karlsson’s Gold in his Washington Post spirits column.

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

Posted in VINO, holidays, spirits | 1 Comment »

Pop your cork for these New Year’s Eve sparklers!

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

On New Year’s Eve everyone likes something sparkling in their glass at the stroke of midnight, but who says it has to be Champagne? Don’t drop the ball when the ball drops: check out our popping picks for a fun and festive NYE celebration! Happy 2011!

Ricci Curbastro Franciacorta Brut NV
$40
Franciacorta has enjoyed D.O.C. status since 1967, the same year the Ricci Curbastro winery was founded. Today the estate, located in Capriolo near Brescia, comprises 27 hectares of Chardonnay, Pinot Nero and Pinot Bianco vines. Riccardo Ricci Curbastro and enologist Laberto Musatti produce a particularly dry and elegant take on Lombardy’s prestigious sparkler.

Lini 910 Pinot Nero Metodo Classico Bianco 2002
$30
A big fan of Champagne, Lambrusco producer Fabio Lini planted Pinot Nero in Oltrepò Pavese. As his vines matured over several decades he tinkered in his cellar and came up with what we believe is one of the best metodo classico wines in Italy. It has all of the depth and aromatic complexity you would expect from vintage Champagne at a fraction of the cost.

Cellar Vilafranca Casteller Cava Brut NV
$13
This Cava, Spain’s answer to champagne, is made from 40% Macabeo, 40% Parellada and 20% Xarello. Hailing from Catalonia, just south of Barcelona, Cellar Vilafranca allows the wine to remain on the lees for up to 12 months giving it natural balance of bright acidity and complex fruit. Exceptionally dry and expressive, Casteller represents the great value of Cava at its finest.

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

Posted in VINO, holidays | No Comments »

Exclusive Grappa: Ruchè! Pelaverga! Nebbiolo! $75 each*

Tuesday, December 21st, 2010

When winter hits hard, we at Vino like to warm up by hitting the bottle. Specifically, a bottle of grappa. Made by distilling pomace and grape residue left over from winemaking after pressing, grappa is both a practical way to prevent waste at the end of the winemaking season and also a useful remedy with which to combat freezing temperatures.

Throughout Northern Italy grappa is typically served as an after-dinner digestivo, but can also be enjoyed with espresso (either in the coffee or as an accompaniment). Grappas can vary in style and taste depending on the distillation process and the type of grape.

This holiday season discover these unique grappas exclusive to Vino. While faithful to grappa traditions, these aren’t the burning firewater spirits your nonni may have knocked back. Made from three of our favorite Piedmontese varieties, each combines winter warmth with smooth holiday drinkability. Get yours today!

Luca Ferraris Grappa di Ruchè
$75
Luca is one of just thirty-odd producers working with Ruchè in the Monferrato zone of Piedmont. So when he presented us with grappa made from the same indigenous grape we jumped at the chance to be the first in the United States to carry it. Showing all the individuality and complexity of the variety, Grappa di Ruchè is distilled at the nearby Mazzetti d’Altavilla distillery.

Castello di Verduno Grappa di Pelaverga
$75
Though not widely-known outside the hamlet of Verduno, the Pelaverga Piccolo grape may be familiar to Vino fans thanks to Castello di Verduno’s popular Bellis Perennis and Basadone wines. The same variety is given an attentive distillation post-vinification to create this clean, crystal-clear grappa which offers all the power and spice distinctive to the fruit.

Castello di Verduno Grappa di Nebbiolo
$75
Castello di Verduno is renowned at Vino for its Barolo and Barbaresco, but the same Nebbiolo which goes into making these stunning, age-worthy wines goes even further. After the wine is drawn off from the fermented grapes the alcohol-rich skins and seeds are distilled to make a rich, warm and undeniably festive grappa.

*Limit one bottle per customer.

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

Posted in ITALY, VINO, holidays, spirits | No Comments »

Drink well this season: Holiday Six-Packs and Classics Triple Pack

Monday, December 20th, 2010

The festive season is in full swing — time to stock up on some favorites from Vino. If you’re expecting company over the holidays why not take advantage of our spectacular six-packs! Showcasing the best of our Italian and international selections, these half-cases are a great way to enjoy world-class wines with the whole family. And if you’re looking for something truly special, why not indulge in our Classics triple-pack and make it a December to remember!

Be sure to check out our full selection of holiday gift packs!

Around the World
$89
Six countries in six bottles — there’s no tastier (or cheaper) way to travel the globe. A bottle of each of the following are included: Mud House Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, De Morgenzon DMZ Chardonnay from South Africa, Chateau La Rame Bordeaux Rouge from France, Travignoli Chianti Rufina from Italy, Bodegas Weinert Carrascal Red from Argentina and Chasing Lions Napa Valley Red. A perfect gift for those who want to explore the world of wine.

Italian Holiday
$90
Enjoy the holidays with the gift pack designed to match your meal. We’ve included six bottles-three of which are liter-sized to accommodate festive indulgence-from around Italy. This pack has it all from sparkling to white to rosé to red and even dessert wine. A bottle of each of the following are included: Lini 910 Labrusca Lambrusco Bianco, Castel Sallegg Pinot Grigio (1 Liter), Massoferrato Rosato, Endrizzi Teroldego (1 Liter), Travignoli Chianti Rufina (1 Liter) and Rivera Piani di Tufara Moscato di Trani (500ml). This season drink well.

The Classics
$136
This three-pack will bring a smile to the face of any wine lover. Vino’s staff has scoured its cellars to put together this stellar trio of aged beauties. Included is one bottle of each of the following: Ramirez de la Piscina Rioja Reserva 2001, Château Rocher Corbin Montagne Saint Émilion 2005 and Giacomo Fenocchio Villero Barolo 2003. There’s a reason they call them classics; we invite you to find out why.

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

Posted in VINO, holidays | No Comments »

Lini Lambrusco in Denver Magazine!

Saturday, December 18th, 2010

It’s a long way from Correggio to Colorado, but it seems Lambrusco has made the trip and arrived intact. This month everyone’s favorite Lambrusco producer LINI 910 is featured in the December issue of Denver Magazine. Lini’s ever-popular Labrusca Rosso is suggested by Stacey Brugeman as a tasty accompaniment to Italian three-cheese frico this holiday season. Check out the full article, “Champagne Celebration”, here.

Posted in ITALY, Lini, PRESS, VINO | No Comments »

Vino’s Spirit of the Year: Marie Duffau Bas Armagnac

Friday, December 17th, 2010

Marie Duffau Bas Armagnac “Napoléon” has been selected Vino’s Spirit of the Year for 2010!

Last but certainly not least, Vino has selected Marie Duffau Napoleon Bas Armagnac as the 2010 Spirit of the Year!

Armagnac is a brandy, or eau du vie, produced in the Armagnac region of France which is located in the southwest area of the country. It’s a spirit that’s distilled from a combination of grapes – typically Ugni Blanc, (for a solid foundation) Bacco, (for roundness) and Colombard (for herbal or floral aromas). While Cognac reigns as the most popular brandy from France, (produced north of Armagnac, just above Bordeaux) Armagnac is the oldest. And because it’s not as high profile as its fellow brandy, production is a bit smaller and more quality-driven, rather than quantity.

The Duffau estate (which also produces Armagnac under the name Delord, who was Marie Duffau’s husband) is currently run by great grandsons Jerome and Sylvain. They oversee the 20 hectare vineyard, which sits in the heart of Bas Armagnac, known to be the 1st Cru. They distill in small batches, at a slightly lower temperature than required which enables more flavor and character to show in the final product. The Napoleon Armagnac spends 6 years aging in oak barrels, resulting in a full flavored spirit with flavors of cocoa, orange rind, cake batter and vanilla.

According to a Cardinal from the 14th century, some of the benefits of Armagnac include curing cankers, preserving youth, getting rid of redness in the eye, and perhaps best of all, “when retained in the mouth, it loosens the tongue and emboldens the wit, if someone timid from time to time himself permits”

We at Vino feel that’s reason enough to pick one up and enjoy before this year is through! And with that, we conclude the 2010 awards ceremony and hope our picks help you usher in a happy and prosperous New Year!

Marie Duffau Bas Armagnac “Napoléon”
$36

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

Posted in FRANCE, VINO, spirits | No Comments »

Vino’s Red Wine of the Year: Château La Rame Bordeaux Rouge 2008

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

Château La Rame has been selected Vino’s Red Wine of the Year for 2010!

Yesterday, we announced our White Wine of the Year; a symbol of Vino’s beliefs regarding what constitutes quality and value in a wine, our choosing La Rustìa also represented our commitment to remain faithful to our Italian roots. With our selection of Château La Rame as Vino’s Red Wine of the Year, we point to the international expansion we began earlier this year and look forward to continuing.

Choosing a Bordeaux as our Red Wine of the Year wasn’t a decision based on fashion; after all, Bordeaux isn’t sexy. But rather than choose a wine based on some fleeting trend, we wanted to select a wine that exemplified our core values.


La Rame is distributed by a quality-minded importer named Neal Rosenthal whose labels usually don’t bear pictures of animals. La Rame’s winemaker is Olivier Decelle (above). His white wines are often the darling of the press, while its delicious and small-production red is generally less noted and harder-to-find. La Rame hails from the miniscule sub-appellation of St. Croix du Mont (yeah, we hadn’t heard of it either). All this goes to show that La Rame is an underdog and one worth rooting for.


Despite the fact that the wine world views Bordeaux as passé (or worse, dead), there are still many classic, scrumptious wines produced there. Often it’s a crap shoot when it comes to guessing which Bordeauxs are worth one’s time and money, but at Vino we’ve taken the guess work out of it. Luckily our reference for choosing wines is based on taste rather than newspaper or magazine articles. It’s a formula that’s proven successful for Vino for over a decade; we’re not about to stop now.

Château La Rame Bordeaux Rouge 2008
$16

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

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

Vino’s White Wine of the Year: Orsolani Erbaluce di Caluso La Rustìa 2009

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

La Rustìa has been selected Vino’s White Wine of the Year for 2010!

Gian Luigi Orsolani’s Erbaluce di Caluso La Rustìa is emblematic of everything we love about Italian wine. It is made of a unique regional variety by a family that has found valuable lessons in tradition while welcoming contemporary winemaking methods to produce an affordable wine that satisfies the palate and stirs the imagination. Wow!


Erbaluce is a white grape grown almost exclusively in and around the town of Caluso (above) in the Canavese hills of eastern Piemonte. Here the vines are trained in the traditional pergola method, making them notoriously difficult to cultivate and manage. One of Vino’s best-selling whites, La Rustìa is a fine example of a little-known and relatively limited variety being universally embraced by our adventurous customers, after having once teetered on the brink of total obscurity.


The Orsolani family began making wine from Erbaluce at the end of the 19th century; Gian Luigi (above, among the vineyards) himself has been making La Rustìa since 1985. While dry Erbaluce had been common in the area for years, the concept of selecting the ripest grapes from the best sites in Caluso’s trellised vineyards had not yet taken hold. Indeed, the name “La Rustìa” is a dialectal reference to the “sun-roasted” grape bunches. The selection of such fruit results in a wine that is richer on the palate and milder in its acidity, resulting in a fresh, balanced white.

Orsolani Erbaluce di Caluso La Rustìa 2009
$20

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

Posted in ITALY, Orsolani, VINO, featured producer | No Comments »

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