In This Newsletter:

Wine Tasting Tonight:

2014 Occhipinti SP68 Sicilia Bianco

2015 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Rosé

2014 Miura Vineyards Monterey County Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir  

Cocktail Recipe of the Week:

Delectable Pear and Cranberry Bellini

Salami of the Week:

Salumeria Biellese Wild Boar Cacciatorini  

It was #NationalBeerDay yesterday and we're planning on turning it into #NationalBeerWeekend

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Tonight's Lineup:

2014 Occhipinti SP68 Sicilia Bianco

$34.99 / $29.74

About the Wine

The 2014 Occhipinti SP68 IGT Sicilia Bianco is named for the road (Strada Provinciale) that runs past the winemaker's house. The bianco is a beautiful blend of Albanello (a native variety of the Ragusa area) and Zibbibo (a.k.a the Muscat of Alexandria).  The Albanello creates a fantastic structure, while the Zibbibo adds a floral complexity. The combination produces a dry white that is medium to full bodied yet delicate, which is then complimented by citrus nose and musky soil tones. The long finish on the mouth features floral notes from the Zibbibo varietal and is combined with flavors of white peach and chamomile. This creates a structure that is elegant yet full of flavor. We bring Occhipinti into the shoppe every vintage and we are so excited about the SP68 2014 - an absolute stunner!

About the Winemaker

After graduating in Milan in Agriculture and Enology, Arianna Occhipinti returned to her hometown and decided to plant her first vineyard, at just 22 years old in 2004. The growth of the vineyard has been remarkable, with holding values such as organic farming and biodynamic production, Arianna has quickly become one of the leaders of the natural winemaking movement. Dealing firsthand with the entire production cycle, she not only utilizes her studies in agriculture for harvesting the grapes, but also in the cellar where her enology skills really shine through. We believe she is the BEST Sicilian producer out there making wines today.

2015 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Rosé

$27.99 / $23.79

About the Wine

The 2015 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Rosé consists of 80% Cinsault and 20% Syrah varietals. The wine is terroir driven with harvest dates determined by the maturity and flavors of the grapes. With minerality on the nose, this rosé is medium-bodied with notes of red fruit such as sweet cherry and strawberry. A floral mouthfeel compliments the acidity that manifests itself on the finish. This wine is everything we look for in a Gigondas rosé, refreshing yet juicy and absolutely delicious for the upcoming season. 

About the Winery

"A great family tradition" which four generations of winegrowers have worked the land since 1821. In the heart of the Rhône Valley, just below rocky hills, lays this beautiful vineyard with fifty year old vines. Winemaker, Joel Saurel, is the youngest of seven children in a great family of winegrowers. He was raised with a value-driven system and was trained to detect the different scents of the soil which contribute to the complexity and flavor profile of his wines. Saurel has become deeply attached to the land and has a respect for the soil, so he only uses organic fertilizers and carefully plows the land. This process accentuates the land's natural qualities and flavors, which are shown in his wines.  Saurel has taken his family traditions and put a new twist on it - combining them with new farming technologies to produce the best of the best. 

2014 Miura Vineyards Monterey County Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

​$29.99 / $25.49  

About the Wine
Derived from Don Eduardo Miura, the most famous breeder of Spanish fighting bulls, Miura is a legendary name signifying nobility, boldness and power. Remarkably well balanced incredibly approachable, the 2014 is a stand-out Pinot Noir at this price point. There is a great complexity and elegance to this wine that is also seen in higher-end Pinots, however this wine is meant to be easy drinking. The nose has a distinct richness with pure black raspberry and floral-infused black currant, which is complimented by sweet cherries and an earthiness on the mouth feel. A full-bodied wine with a flavor profile and value that will make you say WOW!

About the Winery

The idea for Miura started out late one evening in 1994 when a group of chef friends from the San Francisco region had gathered for drinks after work at Master Sommelier Emmanuel Kemiji's apartment when one the chefs suggested that it would be a great opportunity to experience a harvest first hand. Kemiji was put in charge of the project and it became a new challenge for him. He eventually left The Ritz-Carlton in the summer of 1999 to dedicate himself solely to Miura Vineyards. Byron Kosuge, who is also the winemaker at his own vineyard B.Kosuge Wines, took on the project of Miura wholeheartedly as soon as Kemiji presented it to him. Byron was born and raised in Davis, California. He attended the University of California at Davis where coincidentally he was also Kemiji's roommate. The two quickly became friends and still work closely together to this day. 

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Cocktail Recipe of the Week:

Delectable Pear and Cranberry Bellini

Now this is a cocktail for spring - fun, refreshing, and fruity...what else could we ask for? This bellini deserves to be had with good times and even better company. While the bubbles hit the mouth, your nose will be filled with pear and cranberry. We suggest our Collalbrigo Prosecco Brut, the two could not be a better pair, how serendipitous!

Find the recipe here

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Salami of the Week:

Salumeria Biellese Wild Boar Cacciatorini

This wild boar salami is flavorful and interesting - with a slightly sweet and robust flavor profile, we cannot keep the stuff in stock. You can easily find us noshing on this salami any day of the week at any given time (even at 10am :-P) 

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In honor of #NationalBeerWeekend, were holding a beer tasting in the shoppe from 1:30-5 on Saturday, April 9th

Weihenstephaner 1516 Kellerbier

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This limited edition Weihnenstephaner was created to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Bavarian Purity Law - the world's oldest food law. Founded in 1040, the Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan is the world's oldest operating brewery. The master brewers wanted to achieve the traditional taste by only using local ingredients and maturation in their historic cellars. Upon first taste, your senses will be alive with this naturally cloudy, unfiltered amber-orange colored Kellerbier. In addition to touches of caramel on the mouth, there is a fresh and fruity aroma due to chosen hops combined with a well-balanced malt body. We were very lucky to secure some of this tasty mild and smooth beer for our shoppe!

Ballantine India Pale Ale

The Ballantine India Pale Ale was first introduced into America in the late 1800s. Today, it's known as "an inspirational influence for the current day craft beer revolution in America". This IPA is handcrafted by mater brewers, who hold immense pride in the Ballantine name, guaranteeing a flavor profile that brings alive its deep heritage. Aged for over a year in oak barrels using a proprietary brewing method ensures that every last drop comes into contact with the American oak. As a result, a deep-golden to amber color developed in this captivating hoppy brew showcases the body and flavors beautifully. 

Hitachino Nest White Ale

Hitachino Nest started brewing beer in 1996 with the intention of employing the traditional sake brewing method. This White Ale is light-golden in color, with mild hops and is RE-freshing. Created to be a Belgian-styled beer, this ale has a backbone! Notes of coriander on the nose and mouth match beautifully with the orange peel and nutmeg. The Hitachino Nest White Ale is so harmonious, we can already hear the heavens singing and opening up their gates!

Murphy's Irish Stout

Brewed since 1856 in the iconic Lady's Well Brewery, this draught-style beer is considered a "go-to" amongst many. Classified as an Irish Dry Stout, when poured this beer is dark in color and medium-bodied. The mouth feel is silky smooth with undertones of coffee. This is then balanced with flavors of toffee, which additionally gives off a hint of butter for an irresistible, creamy finish.

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Have a great weekend and thank you for your continued support!

Cheers!

-All of us at Tewksbury Fine Wines