For the September Wine Club, we have wines selected to represent several French wine regions.  The wine tasting will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 this evening and is complimentary for Wine Club Membrs; $5.00 for all other guests.  For a bit of information on our September selections and the regions they represent.....read on!

 

Our primary white wine for September is the Domaine des Gerbeaux Macon-Villages 2009.  This wine is 100% Chardonnay and is described as "tingling the nose with citrus, apple and mineral. Dry, sleek and refined with ripe and pretty fruit, it will continue to develop depth and dimension over the next few years." Received 89 Points from Vinopedia. Domaine des Gerbeaux is a small estate created in 1896. The main part of the estate is within the Pouilly-Fuisse appellation with small parcels in the Saint Veran and the Macon AOC of Southern Burgundy. The winemaker is Jean-Michel Drouin, who is known for producing wines of exceptional quality, often superior to his neighbors in northern Burgundy, for a fraction of the price.

 

Our primary red wine for September is the Domaine de Cristia Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2008. From the southern Rhone just outside the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation, this 100% Grenache is described as "bright garnet with an intense nose of black fruits and wild herbs. Wonderful flavors of black fruit with spice and a long, rich finish. An elegant wine with structure and well-integrated tannins from 50+ year old vines.  Drink through 2013." The estate was certified organic in 2008 and the winemakers, three generations of the Grangeon family, strive to make quality wines in the style of Chateauneuf-du-Pape with good potential for aging and intended for both French and international markets.

 

Our secondary white wine for September is the Chateau de Roquefort Corail Rose 2009. From the Cotes de Provence, this lovely rose is 35% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 25% Cinsault, 5% Carignan, 5% Rolle and 5% Clairette.  It is a classic Provencal rose with bright strawberry and raspberry fruit, a lively palate and a clean long finish.  It is well textured, juicy and refreshing with lingering flavors and was rated #1 by the NY Times Wine Panel during a rose tasting in June, 2010.  The wine comes from the Chateau de Roquefort, which practices biodynamic vineyard and viticulture management. 

 

The secondary red wine for September is the Les Vignerons d'Estezargues Domaine des Bacchantes 2008 Cotes du Rhone.  Made of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache and organically produced from the heart of the Cotes du Rhone Villages.  The wine is described as "clean, brambly, fresh and floral, lithe on the palate, with a pretty complexity. Flavors of graphite, savory herbs, ripe plum and blackberry." Estezargues is a small southern Rhone village with about 350 hectares of grapes making up a dozen separate vineyards.  In 1989, eight vineyards were identified for single bottling designation, including des Bacchae, where the grapes for this wine were grown.

 

 

 

 

Today's wine tasting will feature a flight of wines for you to taste as you meet the artist, Terry Tallis, whose works currently enhance our tasting room walls.  We may have a few bottles with Terry's artwork on the label!  Complimentary tasting for Wine Club Members; $5.00 all other guests.  The tasting and artist reception will start at 4:00 and to until around 7:00 p.m. to allow those of you who are Beaver Believers to watch the football game!

We kicking off our monthly winery tours.  On our first tour, we'll visit the following wineries and taste their offerings:

 

(*We'll get a behind the scenes tour at Benton-Lane.)

 

  Your fee covers transportation, light appetizers, bottled water, and tasting fees.  Space is limited to 14, so don't delay in signing up.  Cost will be $50 per person for Wine Club members and $55 for all others.  We'll depart from WineStyles at 12:30 and return at around 5:00.