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  1. Wines and Film for Thanksgiving 2016

    Wines for Thanksgiving

    Here is my list of some favorite wines for Thanksgiving. Most of these are old favorites, and all are interesting and worth your time. With a couple of exceptions, these wines will fall under $15.00 a bottle.

    1. Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2016 / 750 ml.: A good vintage with a deep, dark, plum color and juicy, ripe flavors with a smooth finish. This light refreshing red should be served slightly chilled and works nicely the day after Thanksgiving when you build that monster of a turkey sandwich.

    2. The Borell-Diehl 2014 Gewurztraminer Kabinett Pfalz: This wine should be of particular interest to you if you like some sweet with your spice. This wine is very aromatic, with rose, grapefruit, lychee, coriander. With ginger, citrus and golden apple notes on the mouth, this wine will be a winner for complex Thanksgiving flavors.

    3. Domaine L’Enclos Moelleux 2015: This is a lovely, bargain-priced French white

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  2. Les Argelieres Chardonnay and Pinot Noir - Double Up Halloween Treats

    This Sunday is the last day for our Double Up for a Buck.  So now is the time to stock up for your Halloween party.  New to our sale are two very well made French wines: Les Argelieres Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  Both of these wines will run you $8.00 per bottle with our sale which is a great deal for good French wine.

    The Chardonnay is well balanced with notes of apple, pear, a hint of pineapple and creamy vanilla pudding.  There is just enough oak to give it heft for enjoying with cream laden dishes such as corn and potato chowder.  The Pinot Noir is a bit heavier and darker than many of the traditional French Burgundies, but make no mistake, this is not a jammy fruit bomb either. This Pinot has very good balance with plenty of lively raspberry, cherry fruit with slight birch beer and wet earth notes.  Try this with sweet and spicy Sloppy Joes for a solid Halloween pairing.

    Get here soon to take advantage of this sale because it ends on Sunday.

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  3. Stoller 2014 Pinot Noir: A Fall Treat for Food and Film

    It’s October and fall is in full swing with changing leaves, less daylight and somewhat cooler temperatures.  This is a good time to enjoy some of the wines you’ve been meaning to try but felt the warm temperatures made them seem less enticing.

    Such a wine would be the Stoller 2014 Pinot Noir from the Dundee Hills region located in the Willamette Valley AVA in Oregon. Made from estate grown grapes, this Pinot Noir is sophisticated yet approachable. On the nose there are wonderful notes of dark cherry, raspberry, clove, cinnamon and licorice. On the palate there are lingering flavors of cherry, vanilla, more spice and pepper. At around twenty-five dollars, this wine over delivers and will stand out as a Sunday dinner favorite.  Pair with grilled salmon, roasted chicken, mushroom tart appetizers and assorted hard cheeses.

    In keeping with the fall season and the state of Oregon, there are a few movies that were entirely or partially filmed in the picturesque state tha

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  4. Cricklewood 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon: A Washington Cabernet to try before you grill this weekend

    Washington State wines

    This weekend with temperatures climbing towards ninety, we will taste a variety of refreshing whites and roses that will satisfy several customers.  But for those who still want a hearty red to pair with their steak, beef kabobs or burgers on the grill, we will be sampling a new Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State.

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  5. Standout New York Wines (Part 4): Keuka Spring Vineyards

    Standout NY Wineries

    From a region famous for well made wines going back several decades, Keuka Springs Vineyards has been making great wines for thirty years. Under the direction of the Wiltberger family, Keuka Springs is producing outstanding from a wide variety of grapes. 

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  6. Wine and Films for Thanksgiving (Pt. 3): An Eclectic Mix

    Thanksgiving Wine and Film Pairings

    Here is my list of some favorite wines for Thanksgiving. Some of these are typical choices, while others may seem out in left field. All are interesting and worth your time. With a couple of exceptions, these wines will fall under $15.00 a bottle.

    WHITES

    1. Les Lys 2014 Vouvray - There are apricot, almond and slight honey notes complemented by a fair amount of acidity, yet this wine still is very creamy and has a round finish. It will be a crowd pleaser at Thanksgiving.
    2. Dom Lafage 2014 Centenaire Cotes du Roussane - A light straw colored blend of Grenache Blanc and Roussane, this wine is crisp and has peach and green apple notes with good minerality.
    3. Ressia 2014 Evien Bianco - This wine is very aromatic with intense flavors of peach, apricot, orange blossom, lychee (somewhat reminiscent of a Vouvray) and a hint of anise in the finish.
    4. Willm 2013 Gewurtztraminer - a bit creamy and juicy, with smoke, apple, melon, lime, and ginger flavors.
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  7. Wine and Films for Thanksgiving (Pt. 1): Renwood Old Vine Zinfandel 2013

    Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

    Now that it’s November, we can put away the plastic skeletons, rubber monster masks, finish off the candy corn and toss away the rotting pumpkin.  Before you go jumping on the Christmas shopping and decorating bandwagon, take a chill and remember Thanksgiving. 

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  8. Jayden Wines: Exciting Flavors from Columbia Valley

    Every day it is not unusual for customers to ask for California Cabernets and Chardonnays, often looking for Napa or Sonoma wines.  However, it is less likely they will inquire about Washington state wines. 

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  9. The Wine Press Pinot Noir 2010 - Celebrate the Fourth with Pinot Noir and a Timely Classic

    This July Fourth I recommend The Wine Press 2010 Pinot Noir.  This Sonoma County style Pinot is very well balanced and has a distinct cherry juice color. It is medium bodied and dry with slight tannins. The nose is a bit earthy and has a strong raspberry and cranberry fruit aroma along with a pleasant whiff of clove.  The spice continues on the palate along with tart cherry, pomegranate, cranberry and a bit of cola. Enjoy this Pinot Noir with grilled Salmon, or marinated chicken kabobs.

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  10. Arrowhead Spring 2012 Pinot Noir: A New York Summer Red

    Niagara Falls

    Recently I attended a wine tasting where most of the sippers were from other parts of the country including Maryland, Virginia, California and more.  The wines they were drinking were from New York and nearly all the wines were dry and not generally associated with upstate New York. All the wines were well received, but one in particular stood out: the Arrowhead Spring 2012 Pinot Noir. 

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