THIS SATURDAY, January 27, 2 – 4 pm

Oz Wines with Chris Hoffman

This Saturday, January 27, Chris Hoffman from Oz Wines, a local Rockport native, will be pouring some great wines: 2 new – a French Chenin Blanc and a Spanish Treixadura for the whites, then 3 favorites: a luscious Pinot Noir, a classic Portuguese red from some of the oldest European vines we know of, and a deep, earthy, full-bodied Crozes Hermitage from the Northern Rhone Valley.

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WINES

Les Pierres Ecrites Montlouis-sur-Loire Petits Boulay, Loire, France

Varietal: Chenin Blanc Alc. 13.8%

Originally from the Loire-Atlantic part of France, Coralie and Anthony Rassin worked in various wines regions in France and abroad before settling in the appellation Montlouis. Here they took up the challenge to run their own vineyard and winery. In late 2015, they acquired the Montlouis estate Domaine Flamand Deletang in St Martin Le Beau in its entirety. They renamed it Domaine Les Pierres Ecrites to make a new start while also giving a nod to the prior owner, whose grandfather was a famed archeologist of prehistoric drawings on stones in North Africa. Their main cuvée was called “Les Pierres Ecrites.” The Rassins practice minimal intervention winemaking: indigenous yeasts, no fining, minimal or no filtration. Organic certification came in 2021. The wines are vegan. Petits Boulay o­ffers classic Chenin aromas of sweet pear, apricot, and peach fruit imbued with crystalline clay-chalk minerals. Buoyed by laser-like acidity and riveting tension, suggestions of crisp quince, bee pollen, honeysuckle, and fennel appear on the fore-palate before broadening and gaining flesh mid-palate to add notes of pear and apple. Long, zesty, and bone-dry finish. Pairs well with seafood, charcuterie, and cream sauces. $21.99

Bodegas El Paraguas Atlántico Blanco, Ribeiro, Spain

Varietal: 92% Treixadura, 8% Albariño Alc. 13%

Launched in 2011 by Galician wine professionals Felicísimo Pereira (enologist) and Marcial Pita (grower), Bodegas El Paraguas is located in Ribadavia, where the Pereira family has cultivated their 1-hectare vineyard since 1892. The old vines lie next to the Avia River, a favorable setting which naturally shelters them from extreme weather conditions, hence the winery name “El Paraguas” (“umbrella”, in English). Felicísimo and Marcial work with a mix of high elevation sites and conduct vineyard work manually while using a minimalist approach to their winemaking. One of Pereira’s specialties has been mining the countryside for nearly forgotten grape varieties and bringing them into the conversation of Galician wines. Bodegas Paraguas works exclusively in Ribeiro and principally with the white grape variety Treixadura. They veer on the side of picking early and working with a mix of high elevation sites. They also work to respect nature by not using herbicides or pesticides, and doing everything by hand (or horse, in the case of plowing). The stunning results of their high-elevation and early picked wines closely resemble a wine from Burgundy’s Côte d’Or in weight and complexity, but remain true to the taste of the Ribeiro, with honeyed citrus blossoms, saltiness, and white fruits. The Blanco has notes of honey, sweet citrus, stone fruit, dried herbs, and wet stone. Pairs well with bacalao, sushi, and salads. $34.99

Barrique Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California

Varietal: Pinot Noir Alc. 14%

Barrique’s Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir encompasses cool-climate vineyards in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Carneros AVAs. The blend also includes fruit from the Roses Estate Vineyard on Olivet Road, which is near icons like Martinelli. Once harvested, the fruit is gently transferred by gravity to open-top fermenters, where it was fermented with 33% whole clusters for added depth and structure. The resulting wine balances brightly focused and intriguing fruit, with velvety yet firm tannins and lovely acidity. Deep red in the glass, the nose is full of ripe huckleberry, cedar, and vanilla spice. The texture is plush with a broad mouthfeel. Flavors of blackberry compote, fig jam, and caramelized sugar round out a long finish. Pairs well with pork, stews, mushroom dishes. $24.99

Domaine Des Hauts Chassis Crozes-Hermitage Les Galets, Rhone, France

Varietals: Syrah Alc. 13%

Domaine des Hauts Châssis is a 12-hectare estate in the middle of Les Hauts Châssis” in the south of the Crozes Hermitage appellation area. It has been in existence for three generations. The current owner, Franck Faugier, has been the winemaker since taking over the family’s vineyards in 1998 and making the decision to leave the local co-operative and go out on his own. He is the fourth generation of his family to tend to their vines in the commune of La Roche-de-Glun in Crozes-Hermitage, however all the previous generations sold their grapes to either Paul Jaboulet Aîne or the Tain Cooperative. Franck’s 12 hectares of Syrah vines grow on the stony, red-clay and sandy soils of Les Châssis — one of the most prized plots of land in all of Crozes-Hermitage — with three hectares planted in the 1930s and another four planted in the 1950s and 1960s. He works his vines as naturally as possible, using biodynamic farming methods to ensure the health of his soil and plants. From these stony soils, Franck is able to craft expressive, juicy Syrah that drinks with fabulous freshness, complexity and fruit intensity. Les Galets has a bouquet of black cherries, violets, licorice, smoky nuances, and black olives. The palate is wonderfully mouth-filling, juicy, fresh, and youthful with good-bodied tannins. Pairs well with roast lamb, winter soups, and grilled ribs. $34.99

Adega Regional de Colares Chão Rijo Tinto, Lisboa, Portugal

Varietals: Castelão and Tinta Roriz Alc. 12.5%

The Colares Regional Winery, founded in 1931, is the oldest cooperative winery in the country. It currently comprises the majority of growers in the Demarcated Region of Colares, which is a very tiny region just west of Lisbon in the town of Sintra. It is run now by oenologist Francisco Figueredo, who has done more than anyone in the last few years to keep (or put back) Colares on the map. The region has a long history and is the second oldest demarcated wine region in Portugal, dating back to 1908, with records of wine production dating back to the days of the Roman Empire. The region has gone from being the center of the wine world in the early 1900s with several hundreds of hectares under vine, to having less than 20 hectares of vines today. Urban sprawl has been the main contributor to this devastation as real estate for development has influenced many growers to sell their plots since their kin are disinterested in carrying on with the farming. Farming here is extremely labor intensive. There has never been a proper trellising systems in place. Vines were, and still are, planted individually by digging several meters below the sand to reach the clay, allowing vines to settle and grow as they are planted 300 meters away from the Atlantic Ocean. The vines grow in a circular way out of the ground. When the grapes form, canes sticks are used to elevate the grapes, preventing them from touching the ground. Colares is famous for the red grape Ramisco, which is capable of aging for several years, as well as the white grape Malvasia. The Tinto is light bodied, high in acidity, firmly structured, and very mineral, with flavors of tart red fruit and saline. Pairs well with paella, grilled meats, and roasted vegetables. $14.99

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Class Update

We started off our class schedule with a great class on Burgundy. Now, Morgan will go on to our class on Champagne, Tuesday, Jan. 30 and Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 6 – 8 pm. (We still have room so join us if you can)! Go to the Events page of our website – www.savourwineandcheese.com to see our updated schedule – https://www.savourwineandcheese.com/events.

Also – Susan Richards is offering a one-night seminar on the wines of Piedmont as well as a group tasting club to meet regularly on Sunday afternoons. We are all looking for something fun and interesting to do in winter – so check these out!

Italy Wine Region of Piedmont Class

The wines of the Piedmont are world famous and home to some of the most iconic wines of Italy. Come learn about the history of Piedmont, the viticulture, and the wines it produces, including Barolo, Barbaresco, Gavi, and Arneis. The class will be led by Savour Wine Consultant and Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) Susan Richards, who has recently traveled to the region. While tasting through five to six wines from this region, Susan will share her knowledge and experiences with you in this engaging, interactive, and educational class. For more information contact the store or stop by the shop.

Where: Savour Wine and Cheese, 46 Prospect Street, Gloucester

When: Wednesday February 7th , 6-7:30 pm

Cost: $75 per person

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Blind Wine Tasting Group with Susan

Tasting wine blind, meaning the wine’s identity is hidden, is a wonderful way to learn about wine and enhance your wine-tasting skills and ability to describe the characteristics of a wine.

Whether you consider yourself a wine novice or an expert, spend an evening in an informal and supportive setting with Savour’s knowledgeable wine consultant, Susan Richards, to taste blind.

Susan will lead you through the structured process wine professionals use to taste and discuss color, aroma, flavor, acidity, tannin, body, and finish, along with how these components of a wine can help you discern its identity. Blind tasting can help you define what types of wine you enjoy and describe to a waitperson or sommelier at a restaurant the kind of wine you want to order.

Where and When: At Savour one to two times a month (interest dependent)

Starting: Sunday, January 28, 3:30 -5:00 pm

Cost: $20 per session; advance registration preferred.

The five wines being tasted will be offered at a discount of 10% for six or more bottles.

Who: Minimum of four participants with a maximum of eight to allow for lively discussion

Find out about new wine arrivals and other events at Savour by following us n Facebook and Instagram. 

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Kathleen’s Price-Value Gems:

Unique to SAVOUR our three price-value collections, with

each category ($9.99ers – $14.99ers -$19.99ers) offering hundreds of wines

at one price, personally curated by Kathleen, some have limited availability

9.99ers…the quality is taste delivering above-price enjoyment …Value!

14.99ers…exhibiting qualities of complexity…Elevating the Experience!

19.99ers…value laden wines by innovative vintners…Expect Exceptional!

Adding to this Saturday’s wine tasting with Chris is Savour’s Everyday Tech Tastings at the North Shore’s Only Digital Wine Machine. Fun to use and enjoy! Taste up to 20 wines with new selections regularly added…& yes, complimentary. Kathleen welcomes your questions for food pairings. (We have just changed 18 of the wines on the machine, so come in and try something new)!

Welcome Your Donation in any amount for Pathways for Children.

Thank You! …Kathleen

Continuing to offer a case discount 0f 10% on wines and all items purchased with the case to all customers. Wine Club members get 5% off on 6 bottles and all items purchased with the 6 bottles. Thanks again for your support!

 We continue using our 5 Molekule high performance air purification units that clear the air of 99.9% of viruses, bacteria and allergens every hour, store wide.

We are pleased to continue curbside pickup service

Savour Wine & Cheese l 76 Prospect St. l Gloucester l 978. 282 .1455