55 Degree Wine

Mid Summer’s Selections

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Perfect beer to refresh those long warm days and nights.

St. Bernardus Wit

Witbier Brouwerij St. Bernardus, Watou, Belgium ……5.5% ABV

This traditional Witbier (Wheat beer) has been developed by Master Brewer Pierre Celis, the Godfather of Hoegaarden. Bottle conditioning gives this beer its specific taste.

Taste: $2.50 Glass: $5.00

Hopf Spezial Weise

Hefeweizen Weissbierbrauerei Hopf, Miesbach, Germany……6.0% ABV

Hopf Weissbier Brewery was founded in 1892 in the town of Miesbach, a town that has been around since the Middle Ages.

Taste: $2.00 Glass: $4.50

Weihenstephaner Vitus

Weizenbock Brauerei Weihenstephan, Germany……7.7% ABV

Weihenstephan Monastery Brewery, established in 1040, still stands atop Nährberg Hill, as the oldest existing brewery in the world.

Taste: $2.00 Glass: $4.00

La Chouffe

Strong Pale Ale Brasserie d’Achouffe, Belgium ……8.0% ABV

Elves and other goblins are amongst the most well known characters in myths and legends from the Ardennes.

Taste: $3.00     Glass: $6.00

Kwak

Strong Pale Ale Brouwerij Bosteels, Buggenhout, Belgium……8.0% ABV

This brewery is currently under management of the 6^th and 7^th generation of sons. Ask about the special Kwak glass.

Taste: $2.50 Glass: $6.00

$12

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PRIDE OF PIEMONTE $16.00 FLIGHT

Cà Nova “Rugiada” Erbaluce 2005 Piemonte, Italia

Erbaluce is often compared to France’s Chenin Blanc due to its high natural acidity. The name Erbaluce means “morning dew”. Absolutely no oak on this wine.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $11.00

Riofava Roero Arneis 2007 Piemonte, Italia

Arneis, aka “Barolo Bianco.” Translates to “little rascal.” Roero is the newest DOCG in Piemonte.

Taste: $6.00 Glass: $14.00

Picollo “Rughe” Gavi di Gavi 2004 Piemonte, Italia

Gavi produced from the Cortese grape – a classic from Piemonte. All hand-tended fruit produce this lush version.

Taste: $5.50 Glass: $13.00

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CRM: Corvina/Rondinella/Molinara $ 17.50 FLIGHT

Corte Cariano “Terra Solinas” Corvina 2006 Veneto, Italia

100% Corvina, the ‘noble’ grape of Valpolicella, air-dried before fermentation.

Taste: $4.00 Glass: $8.00

Degani “Cicilio” Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2005 Valpolicella, Italia

Unpressed grape skins from Amarone are added to Valpolicella for extra body, character and richness.

Taste: $5.50 Glass: $13.00

Degani Amarone Valpolicella Classico 2005 Valpolicella, Italia

This concentrated red wine is made by partially drying Corvina, Rondinella & Molinara grape varieties.

Taste: $8.00 Glass: $20.00

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PORTUGAL BY THE GRAPE $14.50 FLIGHT

Conde “Quinta Vista” Alicante Bouschet 2003 Estremadura, Portugal

A unique red-fleshed grape! Found in Spain, North Africa and southern France. The Portuguese love it!

Taste: $4.50 Glass: $10.00

Conde “Quinta Vista” Touriga Franca 2005 Estremadura, Portugal

A major component in Port this wine grape gives a tip of the hat to French varieties. Rarely vinified solo.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $12.00

Conde “Quinta Vista” Touriga Nacional 2004 Estremadura, Portugal

Considered by many to be Portugal’s finest. Often found in the blends of both port and Portuguese dry wines.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $12.00

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CANTINE DISCOVERY CIPRESSI $17.00 FLIGHT

Cipresse “Venas” Trebbiano 2006 Molise, Italia

These hand harvested & soft pressed white grapes are fermented at a constant temperature until Spring bottling.

Taste: $4.50 Glass: $10.00

Cipressi “Venas” Rosato 2006 Molise, Italia

Montepulciano pulled off the skins with just a blush of color but tons of fruit, lively acidity and flavor to refresh.

Taste: $4.50 Glass: $10.00

Cipresse “Macchiarossa” Tintilia 2005 Molise, Italia

100% Tintilia from older vines and very small berries. Hand harvested in the September early morning hours.

Taste: $8.00 Glass: $20.00

Posted in Wine Tasting |

Cider & Beer of Good Taste

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Taste some of the fruitier selections we carry in the retail.

Lindeman’s Pomme

Lambic Brouwerij Lindemans, Vlezenbeek, Belgium……4.0% ABV

Lambic ales are spontaneously fermented by the wild yeast native to the area.

Organic Cidre Bouche de Normandie Brut 2007

Sparkling Apple Cider Dupont Etienne, Normandy, France……4.5% ABV

Vintage ciders are only produced in exceptional years. Unflitered, unpasturized, with native yeast.

Aspall Dry English Draft Cider

English Draft Cider Aspall, Suffolk, UK……6.8% ABV

Aspall Suffolk ciders are only made from 100% juice of whole fresh pressed English apples.

Lindeman’s Framboise

Lambic Brouwerij Lindemans, Vlezenbeek, Belgium ……4.0% ABV

Made by blending the lambic and fresh raspberries concentrate before bottling.

He’Brew Origin

Pomegranate Ale Shmaltz Brewing Co., CA……8.0% ABV

Originating in a San Francisco loft, this pomegranate ale was brewed as an ode to the powers of fertility and the abundance of life.

Posted in Sunday Beer Tasting |

READY FOR RIESLING?? $16.00 FLIGHT

Culley Riesling 2006 Marlborough, New Zealand

Wines grown in cool climate Marlborough develop more minerality and soft, palate cleaning acidity.

Taste: $4.00  Glass: $7.00

Blees Ferber Riesling Trocken Kabinett 2007 Mosel, Germany

Trocken (dry) Kabinett (Cabinet….think wine set aside in a cabinet for easy drinking!

Taste: $6.00  Glass: $14.50

Darting Riesling Kabinett 2003 Pflaz, Germany

Heavy, chalky-loam soils influence both the aromas and flavors.

Taste: $6.00  Glass: $14.00

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THE AUSSIES ARE COMING $ 11.00 FLIGHT

Glendonbrook Chardonnay 2006 Cawarra, Australia

A vineyard run on sustainable agriculture principles; modern winemaking techniques all without oak!

Taste: $3.00 Glass: $5.00

AU Shiraz 2004 Brossa Valley, Australia

100% Syrah/Shiraz from the acclaimed Barossa Valley. Wee bit of aging in oak lends soft tannins.

Taste: $3.00 Glass: $5.00

Marquis Philips Sarah’s Blend 2007 South Eastern Australia

An American and Australian collaboration blending together 63% Shiraz, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon 8% Merlot and 3% Cab Franc.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $11.50

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ALL ORGANIC HIPPIE FLIGHT $14.00 FLIGHT

Martilde Piume Malvasia Organic 2006 Oltrepò Pavese, Italia

From a combination of 50 year old vines & young clones of Malvasia. This bianco is aromatic.

Taste: $ 4.50 Glass: $ 10.00

Martilde NIna Pinot Nero Organic 2005 Oltrepò Pavese, Italia

This 100% Pinot Nero does not see a drop of oak..and is lovingly tended in the vineyards.

Taste: $4.50 Glass: $10.00

Ciù Ciù “San Carro” Marche Rosso Organic 2007 Marche, Italia

The brothers wanted to bottle the source of all of the gifts of Mother Nature in their zona: the huge, warming, life giving Mediterranean Sun! A blend of Barbera, Merlot and Sangiovese.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $12.00

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TOE & HEEL: WINES OF THE ITALIAN BOOT $18.00 FLIGHT

Vintripodi Pellaro 2002 Calabria, Italia

Calabrese, Nurello, Alicante & Nocera. Made with partial drying of the grapes & longer aging.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $12.50

Ippolito Ciro Classico Sup. Riserva “Colli Mancuso” 2004 Calabria, Italia

Old vine Gagliopo grown on steep hillsides; left hanging on the vine until late October to produce this medium-bodied and immensely flavorful wine.

Taste: $6.00 Glass: $14.50

Lomazzi & Sarli “Nomas” Susumanello 2004 Puglia, Italia

Rare grape from Dalmatia. 12 months of age in small oak the remaining 12 months in large oak tuns.

Taste: $7.00 Glass: $18.00

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VA VA VOOM ITALIAN BIANC $15.50 FLIGHT

Panizzi Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2007 Toscana

From the medieval town of San Gimignano a classic Tuscan white.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $12.00

Enzo Mecella Pagliano Verdicchio di Matelica 2007 le Marche, Italia

A fuller bodied version of Verdicchio that lends itself to long aging.

Taste: $4.50 Glass: $9.50

Panizzi Vigna Santa Margherita Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2007 Toscana

Santa Margherita yields the best fruit of the region.

Taste: $6.00 Glass: $15.50

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ALLOW US TO INTRODUCE…NEW WHITE WINES $ 9.50 FLIGHT

Marquis Philips Baby Roogle Riesling 2008 South Eastern Australia

The Roogle is a mythical creation that is a cross between the American bald eagle and the Australian red kanagroo.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $6.50

Ten Mile Lost Horizons 2006 California

Between 1841 and 1869 pioneers made their way west to California by the thousands-often on foot, at an average of ten miles a day. Blend of Chardonnay, Viognier & Chenin Blanc.

Taste: $3.00 Glass: $5.50

Velich Apetlon Darscho Chardonnay 2002 Burgenland, Austria

This wine is a selection of the best grapes from the different layers of soil around Lake Lacke.

Taste: $3.00 Glass: $5.00

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THE BEAUTY BARBERA $16.50 FLIGHT

Martilde Tina Barbera Organic 2005 Oltrepò Pavese, Italia

Barbera made from organic grapes and bottled without filtration.

Taste: $ 4.50 Glass: $ 9.50

Castello di Gabiano Rubino di Cantavenna 2005 Piemonte, Italia

75% low yield, old vine Barbera lightened and aromaticized with the addition of 15% Freisa and 10% Grignolino and matured for two years in large, neutral oak then in bottle for 3 months.

Taste: $6.00 Glass: $14.50

La Ghersa Camparó Barbera d’ Asti 2005 Piemonte, Italia

The vines used to make this wine average 25 years of age, reflecting depth and complexity.

Taste: $6.00 Glass: $15.00

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YOU ASKED FOR IT…PINOT NOIR, MERLOT & CABERNET $18.00 FLIGHT

Quattro Valli Ca’Delvento Pinot Nero 2007 Emilia-Romagna, Italia

Pre-Fermentation soak on the skins for 10 days captures the brightness of Pinot’s fruit.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $11.00

Familia Schroeder Saurus Merlot 2005 Patagonia, Argentina

Following a 60/40 rule, this winery loves to use steel to keep the fruit bright with a balance of oak for body & aromatics.

Taste: $4.00 Glass: $8.00

Tenuta Bonzara Bonzarone Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Emilia-Romagna,

Grown in San Chierlo, a zona on the hills of Bologna, near the border of Tuscany. Family driven all the way.

Taste: $9.00 Glass: $ 20.00

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All about bubbles – need we say more?

Posted in Wine Videos with Staci |

NEW ARRIVAL BIANCOS $12.00 FLIGHT

Filippi “Vigne della Brà” Soave 2005 Veneto, Italia

Soave is made with Garganega grapes grown around the village of Soave in the Veneto region.

Taste: $4.50 Glass: $10.00

Dievole “Fourplay Bianco No. 1” Sicilia Bianco 2006 Sicilia, Italia

Four equal parts of Grillo, Insolia, Cattarato, and Grecanico.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $7.00

Rocche Costamagna Arneis 2006 Langhe, Italia

100% Arneis, literally meaning little rascal in Piedmontese.

Taste: $4.00 Glass: $8.00

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EXPLORING THE NORTHEAST $18.00 FLIGHT

Cantina D’Isera “Vigneti Delle Dolomiti” Teroldego 2007 Trentino, Italia

100% pure Teroldego produced by 200 fanatically dedicated small growers who unite behind the motto “Quality without Compromise!.”

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $11.50

Jacuss Tazzelenghe 2003 Friuli, Italia

Authentically Friulian. This bold and acidic wine loves the rich fare of Northern Italy.

Taste: $6.00 Glass: $15.00

Jacuss “Fuc e Flamis” Schioppettino 2005 Friuli, Italia

The Friulani named this grape after the sound of a shotgun: Schioppettino means “ricochet” or “buckshot” in the local dialect!

Taste: $ 7.00 Glass: $ 18.50

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TOURING TOSCANA $19.00 FLIGHT

Vincenza “Ventoso” Morellino di Scansano 2007 Toscana, Italia

Sangiovese with a bit of Ciliegiolo and Alicante from the warm coastal area of Maremma.

Taste: $ 5.00 Glass: $ 12.00

Mastrojanni Rosso di Montalcino 2006 Toscana, Italia

The soils here in the southeastern area of Montalcino are rich in gravel, clay, and limestone from the inactive Mount Amiata.

Taste: $7.00 Glass: $18.50

Tiberini “Podere La Caggiole” Vino Nobile de Montepulciano 2004 Toscana, Italia

A special clone of Sangiovese, called Prugnolo Gentile, is vinified with a blend of Mammolo and Canaiolo Nero to make softer, more supple and aromatic wines labeled as being from Montepulciano, but not made out of it.

Taste: $7.00 Glass: $18.50

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SOUTH AMERICAN BEAUTIES $ 13.50 FLIGHT

Tuntunjian Pacífico Sur Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Curico Valley, Chile

This estate is located just a short drive from Santiago, at the foot of the Andes mountains.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $6.50

Familia Schroeder “Saurus” Malbec 2006 Patagonia, Argentina

Using stainless steel for 60% of the fermentation and aging helps to preserve bright fruit in this version of Malbec.

Taste: $4.50 Glass: $10.00

Finca La Anita Syrah 2002 Mendoza, Argentina

A fabulously elegant Syrah that has been aged in very large wooden tuns instead of barriques.

Taste: $5.50 Glass: $12.50

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Chim, Chim, Chimay & Cheese!

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Enjoy the pairings of Chimay’s signature cheese and ales.

Chimay Blanche Cinq Cents

Tripel/Golden Ale Chimay Brewery, Belgium……8.0% ABV

An essential point of the Rule of the Monks is that they must not only earn their living by their own work, like all mortals, but must also procure through this work the means to assist those poorer than themselves.

Taste: $ 4.00    Glass: $ 6.50

Chimay Grand Cru (cheese)

Covered with forests, pastures & crossed by numerous rivers, the countryside of Chimay has always been a livestock-rearing area. Dairy herds mean cheese! Since 1876, the Trappist monks of Scourmont have known the secrets of making this semi-hard cheese made from their milk & matured in the vaulted cellars of the abbey. Chimay Grand Cru is a semi-hard pressed cheese, the rind is natural, non-coloured, without preservatives,slightly flowery. It matures for six weeks.

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Chimay Rouge Premier

Brown Ale Chimay Brewery, Belgium ……7.0% ABV

The brewery business pays rent for use of the property within the abbey, which is used to support the monastic community.

Taste: $ 3.50 Glass: $ 6.00

Chimay Vieux (cheese)

Old Chimay, as the name suggests, is an aged cheese. It is made with pasteurized, unskimmed cow’s milk and aged for eight months. Its striking orange color is similar to that of Mimolette; it offers a springy yet satiny texture. Old Chimay has a hazelnut taste that is sharp and creamy at the same time.

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Chimay Blue Grande Reserve

Strong Dark Ale Chimay Brewery, Belgium ……9.0% ABV

Besides the agricultural activities that they have pursued since the start of their community, in the last century, the monks have nearly always made beer and cheese.

Taste: $ 4.50 Glass: $ 7.50

Chimay Biere (cheese)

The monks are famous for this soft St. Paulin-style cheese that is washed in ale. This semi-soft cheese has a pungent but pleasing flavor and aroma, enhanced by the beer washing during the curing period.

$ 17.00

(for flight of beer & cheese)

Posted in Sunday Beer Tasting |