SATURDAY, DEC. 10, 2-4 PM
JOIN US FOR A COMPLIMENTARY WINE TASTING WITH CASEY GRUTTADAURIA OF IDEAL WINES
Ideal is an importer and distributor of fine wine and spirits based in Medford, Massachusetts. The company’s roots go back to 1905, when Samuel Bender and two partners founded a retail wine and provisions store in Boston, which evolved in the years after WW II into one of the city’s premiere fine wine shops. It was in the late 1970s that Larry Bender, the third generation of his family in the business, decided to strike out on his own, separating the importing business from his father’s retail operation. His goal was to import wines from small high-quality wineries directly to the Massachusetts market, wines that had previously only come through national importers, if they were imported at all. Most of the wines at that time were French, but the company soon expanded its Italian selections, and has since rounded out the book with some American wineries as well as wines from other countries. Ideal brings us wine with a strong sense of place, made with minimal intervention, at a great price. Casey is one of our favorite wine reps as he is engaging and very educated in these unique, boutique wines. Come out and enjoy them with him as your host!
WINES
La Crotta di Vegneron Müller Thurgau, Valle d’Aoste, Italy
Varietal: Müller Thurgau Alc. 13%
The La Crotta di Vegneron Cooperative was set up in 1980 with 25 partners. Today it numbers 70 partners and produces 200,000 bottles. The cooperative collects the grapes coming from the Chambave Denomination of Origin. The partners’ objective has always been to get the best quality out of their vines and their sloped terraces. La Crotta di Vegneron pursues the ancient tradition of the “campagnards”, whose strength lies in the relationship between autochthonous vines and terroir.
La Crotta di Vegneron’s wines and grappas emanate the spirit of the Aosta Valley mountains, thanks to ancient autochthonous vines (traditional vines cultivated with great skill and pride and which are respectful of the multifaceted terroir). Their cellar is in Chambave, a small hamlet in the Aosta Valley bordering on the west with France and north with Switzerland. The winegrowers who belong to the Cooperative often manage small plots located in a territory where the mechanization of the vineyard is not always possible, and therefore tend to have higher management costs.
Müller Thurgau is a vine obtained from the crossing of Riesling and Sylvaner which is well suited to cool climates. In Valle d’Aosta, it was introduced after 1946; the climate of the region, characterized by sudden changes in temperature especially during the maturation period, favors the formation of the elegant aromas that characterize this wine. This Müller Thurgau has a very fruity nose, with notes of melon, peach, and tropical fruit, along with aromatic herbs and white flowers. On the palate, it is fresh, dry, and full-bodied.
Serve as an aperitif. Pairs well with Italian vegetable soups, white meat, and fresh cheeses. $14.99
Maison des Ardoisieres Cuvée Silice Blanc 2020, Savoie, France
Varietal: Jacquère Alc. 11%
Formed by a group of partners in the late 1990s, Domaine des Ardoisières revitalized their vineyard land at the direction of organic and biodynamic vigneron Michel Grisard. Champagne native Brice Omont joined the team as lead winemaker in 2005 and, since then, their five different wines (three white and two red) have garnered critical acclaim not only within France but worldwide. With demand increasing but supply remaining the same, some of Omont’s wines fetch prices nearing triple digits, which makes “Silice” seem underpriced for the immense drinking pleasure it provides. In the glass, it is a vibrant lemon hue with flecks of silver. With a short 15-minute decant, beautiful aromas of green apple, honeydew, lemon zest, and fresh apricot unfurl from the glass alongside a touch of flinty smoke. On the palate, the wine has a balance of taut minerality and textured roundness, akin to top-notch Chablis. Being Jacquère though, it offers more floral notes with flavors of plum and winter melon. It will gain more texture and complexity in the next two to three years but is ready to drink now.
Pairs well with cheese fondue, vibrant salads, garlic-butter shrimp. $22.99
Chateau de la Liquiére Faugéres, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Varietals:Grenache, Syrah, Carignan Alc.14.5%
Nestled in the midst of the Haut Languedoc national park, the Faugères wine region is unique in that its soils are nothing but schist. La Liquière’s vineyards are located in the highest parts of the appellation. They look out over the Mediterranean, offering a prime site for growing fine wines. Although the soils are all the same type, elevations range from 150 to 350 meters. The warmer soils in the lower part of the appellation area are conducive to growing Mourvèdre, Carignan and Grenache. The cooler, higher sites are the perfect location for Syrah. The entire estate is farmed organically. The vineyards cover 55 hectares. There is little soil, and some vineyards are very steep, resulting in small yields. Faugéres is an intense wine, with red and black berry aromas and flavors and mineral notes, elegant tannins, and a long finish.
Pairs well with lamb, beef fillet, and game birds. $17.99
Domaine Durand Prémices Cornas, Rhone, France
Varietals: Syrah Alc. 14.5%
Domaine Durand is a family-owned estate run by brothers Eric and Joel Durand since 1991. The estate comprises 13 hectares of Syrah vines, eight in Saint-Joseph and five in Cornas. Cornas is one of the most exciting wine regions in the world and is the only red-wine appellation in the northern Rhône that requires its wine to be 100% Syrah. Eric and Joël have painstakingly reconstructed their family’s ancient, terraced vineyards, and continue the back-breaking work of maintaining and rebuilding them every year to prevent erosion. They work their vineyards entirely by hand, coaxing the grapes to optimal ripeness before crafting exceptional wines of depth, precision and persistence. Their lush, rich style is the paradigm for the region, and one of the reasons Cornas is such a sought after and admired wine. The 2019 Cornas Prémices offers all the intensity and power of a great Hermitage, but at a fraction of the price of its flashy neighbor. In the glass, the wine is a deep purple with blue fruit, violets, ground pepper, and charred meat-like aromas and flavors. Rich and full-bodied, it has loads of silky tannins. This Cornas will evolve with age. Best from 2023 through 2035.
Pairs well with roast leg of lamb, grilled beef, spiced red meat. $39.99
Vigneti VumbacaCiró, Calabria, Italy
Varietal: Gaglioppo Alc. 13.5%
The Vigneti Vumbaca company is based in Cirò and extends over an area of about 13 hectares. Organically run, the enterprise is now led by Christian Vumbaca, who, after about fifteen years spent in Rome between university studies and work at a prestigious law firm, decided to return to his native land to follow the company created by mother Silvana and uncle Enzo. His red wine is made from Gaglioppo grapes, grown in tree-trained vineyards, on clay-limestone soil, located in the historic production area of Cirò Classico. It pours a deep ruby red. The nose is complex, full of red fruit, undergrowth, dried flowers, dehydrated fruit, and citrus, Mediterranean scrub, and toasted and sweet spices. It is balanced on the palate, lively, fresh, and quite structured. It finishes on balsamic notes, minerals, cherry, and bitter orange.
Pairs well with aged cheeses, salami, courses with red meat sauces, roast lamb. $19 .99
Cantina del Pino Ovello 2015 Barbaresco,
Varietal: Nebbiolo Alc.: 14.5%
Barbaresco is a small village in Piedmont rising up out of the plain to sit in the Langhe hills. Here they produce a 100% Nebbiolo wine that takes its name from the village. Barbaresco is a wine of power and depth with an ability to age for multiple decades. Often thought of as the feminine version of Barolo, Barbaresco is a dramatically smaller region than its cousin. Barbaresco can only be produced within 1265 acres, and a maximum of 85,000 cases per year can be produced from the more than 500 growers. It is separated into four different communes of which three dominate, Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso. The Vacca family has been living and working the vines at Cantina del Pino, one of the oldest estates in Barbaresco, since the 1920s. Cantina del Pino’s approach to winemaking is rooted in a deep appreciation for the land and gentle processes that allow the particularities of the soil to become tangible in the wines they are making. Deceptive in its light-bodied color, the 2015 Barbaresco Ovello packs a serious punch. Violet, star anise, woodland berry, and camphor aromas lead the way on this elegant, firm red. The savory, linear palate delivers juicy Marasca cherry, pomegranate, licorice and orange zest while taut, fine-grained tannins provide support. It’s focused and balanced, with fresh acidity. It is a structured wine that will develop gradually over the years.
Pairs well with roast meats, game birds, and powerful cheese. $57.99
And don’t forget to check out what’s new in our beer case. We just got in a new shipment of Maine Beer, with the IPA’s “Lunch” and “Little Whale Boat” leading the charge. We have a rich brown ale called “Brown Dog” and the wonderfully dark but slightly hoppy Robust Porter, both from Smuttynose.
Find out about new wine arrivals and other events at Savour by following us n Facebook and Instagram
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 Casey 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.
Welcome Your Donation in any amount for Pathways for Children.
Thank You! …Kathleen
For Your Mobile Calendar – July
Savour Wine Tastings!
Nov. 26, – Tasting of Westport Rivers Wines, grown and estate-bottled in Massachusetts! Susan Richards, a Cape Ann resident and new to our staff is our host – so please Come and say hello!
Dec. 3 – Casey Gruttadauria – Ideal Wines
Dec. 10 – Harry Zarkades – Main Street Wines
Dec. 17 – Anthony Sciarappa – Carolina Wines
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
Savour Wine and Cheese
76 Prospect St.
Gloucester, Ma 01930
978 282-1455
www.savourwineandcheese.com
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