Wine and Spirits

     Veuve Cliquot's Yellow City Traveler Gift Set is my favorite of the season.  A perfect gift for any special lady, the 750ml bottle of Cliquot is paired with matching flutes.  The lining supporting the bottle and glasses is removed and leaves you with a very classy travel bag. 
     Clicquot's signature brut is loved the world over for its crisp, full flavors, consistent quality and celebratory yellow label. The classically-styled, dry Champagne is a blend of two-thirds black grapes (Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) for body, balanced by one-third white grapes (Chardonnay) for elegance.
  You must stop in and see this one for yourself!  Our quantities are limited, please call ahead if you would like to pre-pay and have us hold your gift pack for pick up!  Call us at the State Street Exchange at 317-462-3933.

I am so excited!  Our sommelier Amanda, is off right now, talking about and tasting several great wines!  We donated a basket of wine, with a tasting party attached, to Saint Michael's for the We Give Thanks Dinner auction.   Our winners are enjoying six different wines tonight:
    Gruet Demi Sec from New Mexico, Nahuel Pinot Noir-Argentina, Huber Gruner Veltner-Austria, Alamos Malbec-Argentina, Broquel Cabernet Sauvignon, and finally Pena, Muscat de Riversaltes, a French dessert wine.
    But please don't feel left out!  You, too, can host a Wine Tasting Party!   We supply the wine and the sommelier...Amanda is FANTASTIC!  (You will have fun and learn a ton from her!)  We charge $50 to cover some expenses and that is it!
You supply the place and the friends for a great party!  Hopefully, you will learn something about some great little wines along with the fun.   Just give us a call to set things up!  317.462.3933

   

 Halloween provided a tastier Treat than ever at Carnegies this year!  Chef Ian provided the fabulous food and Chris Keller made the wine!   We tasted a several of these California delights.   We led off with the Chardonnay and then tried the Pinot Noir.  The Savignon Blanc was followed by the Syrah Noir, my particular favorite.  The final taste of the night was the full bodied, delicious Tarantula.  
   
The Reporter's writer Noelle Steele was there providing the piano music which set the mood for this great evening.  She interviewed Chris and wrote an article for the paper.   The only thing she left out is that these great wines can only be found in our area at the State Street Exchange!
 



  

I once had a conversation with that man of mine that went something like this:

Annie Dillard once wrote:

I feel that way about wine.  If you think about it, there really is no shortage of good wines. You just have to be willing to taste a lot of them.  And, being the devoted 'tastee' that I am (the burdens I bear for you people), I promise to continue tasting, writing, and sharing stories with all of you at Thursday's wine tastings at Greenfield Liquors.

Now, this might seem like a daunting task for one woman to take on... by not to worry, I can control myself. So, now, with this new found sense of control, let us move onto the Earthworms.......I mean, Earthworks.

Earthworks Shiraz, 2006 was a huge success at our tasting!!!

However, the day leading up to the Earthworks Shiraz choice was a bit tedious. 

Keep in mind, the Earthworks Shiraz was awarded "90 pts. by the Wine Advocate"..... but my wine employer showed her dislike for this wine with a cute, albeit, upturned nose. 

Now, I trust my wine employers palette so I found myself instantly thrust onto 'Cynical Wine  Island', population 2.....(me and my wine employer for those of you living in Whitestown.)

But, in true Wine Teller fashion, I decided to trust my gut, present this wine to the public, keep my fingers crossed behind my back, and hope for the best. (kind of what I'm doing with Mr. Obama)

Let's just say that after opening this wines handy-dandy "screw cap" (loving them), I immediately caught the first boat off of 'Cynical Wine Island' and sailed forward to pour the 'Earthworks Shiraz' for the huddle masses, waiting to be served.

The aroma of this Barossa Valley Shiraz created suspense at first which then began building into a terrifying frenzy before allowing the "tastee" to smell the delicious aromas of smoke and blueberries.  The palette was similar but also brought with it rich bing cherries, bacon and a hint of nutmeg to finish. 

This is a young, dry red wine (14.5% alc).  The grapes were sourced from both young and old vines (8-50 yrs.old).  70% of the wine was fermented in the tank and 30% was aged in seasoned French oak.  The culmination of the winemakers traditional processing  coupled with minimal intervention brought a character to the Earthworks Shiraz that was both delicious and surprising.

This wine retails for under $15.00 and would make an interesting addition to the holiday table if you're looking for something new! (again, kind of like Mr. Obama)

Our wine tastings continue and should be quite exciting what with the upcoming holidays, et all.  State Street Exchange and moi will be tasting on both the Monday and Tuesday leading up to Thanksgiving to ensure that all of your holiday guests are adequately toasted.

For those relatives who cannot control themselves, just remember, the holidays are a few short weeks and will be over before you know it.  If not, also remember that Betty Ford set up a nice little center out in the desert........just in case you need a back up plan....for next year.

See you Thursday!!

Until
The Wine Tellar
A

"The Alamo", according to historical recordings, was an heroic struggle against impossible odds; A place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for Freedom; where a line was drawn in the sand and Colonel Travis asked any man willing to stay and fight for the Alamo to step over that line.   All but one man did and after that decision, I hope he drank himself to death. 

Too bad he didn't have a choice between a bottle of the 2007 "Alamos" in hand instead of the REAL Alamo under foot.

Now, with the real Alamo in the deep recesses of your mind and your interest salivating..... travel with me, if you will, to the hills of Mendoza, Argentina, the winery of Nicolas Catena and the home of the second "Alamos".  Vintage to vintage, this easy, simple, inexpensive wine, has traveled the globe, been tasted by professionals (and my loyal fans) and now finds a welcome home at Greenfield Liquors.

The 2007 "Alamos" Malbec, was awarded a 'Great Value' by Wine Spectator in the November 2008 edition. With an outstanding score of "88" and, in true Wine Spectator wine review speak, the "Alamos" was presented to the wine world with the following tasting description:

"This wine is really juicy with great beam and fig and Linzer Torte flavors followed by sweet spicy notes on the tasty open-knit finish."

Now, I don't know about you, but when I read wine reviews that say things like "Linzer Torte flavors," and "open-knit finish" the wine becomes a little to complicated for my simple palette. Which makes me both suspect, curious, and a definite resident of Hancock County.  Then, much to my southern chagrin, I discover that Linzer torte is actually a fancy-schmansy way of saying 'Raspberry/ruby-red preserve flavors' and I am suddenly calmed and thirsty.

Why do I become suspect with complicated wine reviews and eased with simplicity?  Shouldn't it be the other way around?

Usually when things come too easy, we become suspect.

Things usually have to become complicated before we accept them.....like:

    * The U.S.Tax Code,

    * My new BMW (I challenge anyone to figure that electrical system out, but I still manage to ease on down the road....acceptingly)

    * And, cheap, great tasting wine like the "Alamos". (This wine retails for $10.89 and we sold out of the 2007 vintage at Thursday nights tasting.)

I am proud to say that our Thursday night wine tastings are both simple and complicated.  We have a complicated group of devoted 'Wine Tellar" followers, a rather complicated group of new Malbec loving devotees, and, a simple, easy, unencumbered group of beer drinking, pint purchasing patrons who make every Thursday night like a night at the Alamo!!!!

Until,

The Wine Tellar,

A

I know, a scarier thought then going to a polling station in Philadelphia today.  But, as a fellow American with a strong desire to see that the Constitution of this great nation be adhered to now, and forever more, I feel that it is my duty, for God and Country to tell you to....GO.....GO......GO


It is the only way (take my word for it) that you will get through this night sane...wine and a little "Shadenfrueda"  are the only things that will help you fall sweetly to sleep and wake up refreshed by dawns early light no matter who the victor.

We are still going strong on Thursday nights at Greenfield Liquors, aka State Street Exchange.  I admit that I have been remiss in not only my postings but also my attendance.  But the wine is back flowing and we are in full swing and just in time for the upcoming holidays!!!!!

I know that only a faithful few were painfully aware or my absence but I feel I owe you precious few an explanation.  The 'Readers Digest' version for my lack of attendance (and blogging) is as follows:

Every 9 months, I am forced to attend the glorious bleating of fellow football fanatics as we pile onto the back of our rent-a-cars, wear entirely too much orange and white, drink way too much wine out of styrofoam cups, and pray for a victory at dear 'ole Clemson University.  That man of mine, you see, is a Clemson graduate and for the last 8 years, my home away from home from August to November, has been the lovely Ritz Carleton in Atlanta and "Howards Rock" at Memorial Stadium in lovely Clemson, SC.

And now, with a loosing season looming overhead, both at Clemson and here at home, I am forced to drown my sorrow in what else......wine.

So, join me on Thursday as we drink, discuss where to hide our money and our guns, chat about wine, and have a generally all around fabulous time.

It's great to be back!!!  See you soon.


Until,
The Wine Tellar,
A

Mixed Drink Recipes:

    The Orange Dreamsicle

1 oz Stoli Orange Vodka
1 oz Vanilla Royale Liqueur
2 oz Orange Juice

Shake over ice, strain and pour in a tall glass!

This sweet, delicious recipe brings back memories of an orange push up!  The Stolichnaya Orange Vodka has a great flavor that is complimented by the Vanilla Royale, a cognac blended liqueur.  Fresh, cold, orange juice makes this really good!  Enjoy!

   I am delighted to bring an update to you regarding our Carnegie Connection!
As many of you know, Carnegie's is Greenfield's finest place to dine.  A gem, hidden in the basement of the old Carnegie library building, you will find fabulous dining and might even enjoy a nice glass of vino with your meal.  Chef Ian Harrison prides himself on finding unique, quality wines for his list, just like we do at here at Greenfield Liquors. 

    Many dining at Carnegie's would like to know where they can purchase these delights and we are here to help!  We have several of Carnegie's wines in stock and will be marking the labels to help you identify these treasures!

 

 Product Reviews:

Tikal Patriota is an Argentinian delight.  A blend of Bonarda and Malbec,
Patriota has a rich, wonderful plum and currant flavor with a fantastic
texture.  Wine Spectator gave this wine 90 points.  Now available at
Greenfield Liquors for $20.99

Please see our video of Simon O'Grady of Crossroads Vintners for more info!

Product Reviews:

2005 Bouchaine Estate Chardonnay.

 This a classic California style Chardonnay
made by Mike Richmond.  This Carneros beauty has just a light touch of oak in
the background.  It maintains nice, natural acidity which makes it a great wine
to have with food.  Greenfield Liquors now offers the Bouchaine Chardonnay for $23.99.

Please see our video with Simon O'Grady from Crossroads Vintners for more info!

Oscar Wilde once said:

After my rant last week about Socialism and my detest for all things French (except my Lover in the form of some new wine we just got in, Tres Bien), it was a VERY GOOD thing that, at Greenfield Liquors, we opened a bottle of wine from California, at our wine tasting, labeled, quite simply, and quite adequately.........'SERENITY'!

It may not have ever come to your attention (because you're sitting at home instead of out drinking with me)  but every Thursday, at our weekly wine tasting, compliments of Greenfield Liquors, I have a few opinions.  Some I express, others I keep to myself. But, my one universal opinion - one that only a few of my devoted groupies comprehend - is that Red Wine can never be big enough, bold enough, rich enough or dry enough.  

If one wants to pet a creature in its natural habitat, one might have to travel as far as a Zoo or even my back yard.  If one wants to taste wine in its natural habitat, one need only bring a glass to Thursday's wine tastings at Greenfield Liquors.  Here, every Thursday, I present wine along with a little humor and enough self confidence to make people like Ross Perot want to take another run for President.

At last weeks wine tasting at Greenfield Liquors, (which sits on the corner of right now and every-bodies here), we sipped on the newest addition to the fine wines currently gracing our shelves..."Huber" Gruner Veltliner.  And, for the sake of our oenophiles holding up in Camby, we'll play a little "hooked-on-phonics" a little "hooked-on-German" and a little "hooked-on-lack-o-knowledge" of this little known Austrian grape otherwise known as Gruner Veltliner.