55 Degree Wine

MANY FACES OF RIESLING             $15.50 FLIGHT

Laimburg Estate Südtirol Riesling

2008            Alto Adige, Italia

Low-temperature fermentation in stainless steel, followed by five months aging on the less makes this Northern Italian Riesling a very distinct and special wine.

Culley Riesling

2006            Marlborough, New Zealand

Wines grown in cool climate Marlborough develop more minerality and soft palate cleaning acidity. Marlborough is located in the northeast of the South Island.

Fritz Hasselbach “Fritz’s” Riesling

2008            Nackenheim, Germany

From one of Germany’s best winemakers – an everyday go-to Riesling, fresh, character-filled, a great value.

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TO MERLOT WE GO                    $9.50 FLIGHT

Salmon Creek Cellars Merlot

2008            Sonoma, California

Salmon Creek’s winemaker, Bob Stashak describes his wine as “wine for the American table.” Focusing on bringing fruit flavors to balance in harmony with layers of character to pair exceptionally well with food.

Pagor Merlot

2003            Temecula, California

Ed Pagor is known for crafting outstanding red wine from Santa Barbara and Temecula regions, and this Merlot is no exception.

Wyndham Estate “Bin 888” Cabernet Merlot

2002            South Eastern, Australia

George Wyndham is one of the founding fathers of the Australian wine industry having planted Australia’s first commercial Shiraz vineyard in 1830.

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VINHOS TINTOS DE PORTUGAL                            $13.00 FLIGHT

Mouras de Arraiolos “Moira’s Tinto Aveludado”

2006            Arraiolos, Portugal

This “velvety red” is made from some of Portugal’s best varieties: Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Syrah.

Terras de Alter “Fado”

2007            Alentejo, Portugal

Six months of aging behind this blend of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional and Trincadeira make this quintessentially Portuguese.

Quinta do Cardo “Selecçã do Enólogo”

2005            Beira Interior, Portugal

From Portugal’s highest vineyard, planted at 700m of altitude, comes wine with unique character.  The perfect combination of the grape varieties Touriga Nacional and Tinto Roriz .

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DESTINATION: TOSCANA                            $22.50 FLIGHT

Tenute Niccolai “Podere Bellarina” Rosso di Montalcino

2006            Toscana, Italia

Hand-picked Sangiovese from the Podere Bellarina estate, a lovely vineyard just to the south of Montalcino. Aged 6 months in oak.

Abbadia Ardenga Rosso di Montalcino

2007            Toscana, Italia

Made entirely from Sangiovese Grosso grape from the vineyards situated on the hillside of Montalcino facing Siena. Aged 12 months in Slovenian oak casks.

Tenuta di Sticciano “Cantastorie”

2005            Toscana, Italia

From Chianti country, Sticciano brings together a mighty blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 12-16 months in large oak barriques.

Posted in Wine Tasting |

Battle of the IPA’s

From Belgium to England and all the way to the US, these hoppy delights all have a different twist of character.  IBU stands for “international bittering units” which is a measurement of the bitterness of the beer.  Bitterness is caused by the hops used during brewing.  Cheers!

SUNDAY 2/28/10

5pm

$13 to taste all 5 beers

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Poperings Hommel Ale

Belgian IPA ……7.5% ABV

From locally grown Gold and Hallertau hops, this beer has twice the bitterness of other Belgian ales.  Hommel is the local word for “hops” and this village takes pride in growing their own!

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Urthel Hop-It

Belgian IPA ……9.5% ABV

In homage to the American Northwest IPA’s, she used only European hops. Full and heart-warming Belgian style IPA.  It’s very hoppy, spicy and fruity and bottle conditioned.

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Meantime

English IPA ……7.5% ABV

Jam packed with English Fuggles and Goldings, the beer is brewed with as many hops as we can physically get into the copper.

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Avery Dugana (93 I.B.U.)

American Double/Imperial IPA ……8.5% ABV

Out of Boulder, CO, this limited release brew is brewed with Chinook, Centennial, and Columbus hop varieties.  Dank, piney and resinous.  Sound familiar?

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Green Flash Imperial IPA (101 I.B.U.)

American Double/Imperial IPA ……9.4% ABV

San Diego-style IPA, as it has come to be known by many, is super-hoppy, high gravity, yet highly quaffable ale.  Intense hop flavors and aromas from a unique blend of Summit and Nugget hops.

Posted in Sunday Beer Tasting |

NORTHEN ITALIAN BIANCOS            $12.00 FLIGHT

Botter Soave

2008            Veneto, Italia

Soave is a dry white wine made from Garganega, which over the centuries has found an ideal habitat in Veneto, outside of Verona.

Botter Veneto Pinot Bianco

2008            Veneto, Italia

It is a point genetic mutation of Pinot noir. Pinot noir is genetically unstable and will occasionally experience a point mutation in which a vine bears all black fruit except for one cane, which produced white fruit.

Terre da Vino Gavi

2008            Piemonte, Italia

The Cortese grape is a variety that prefers calcareous silty soils that are not too loose and a microclimate that is not too hot to maintain good acidity.

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THE COLORS OF SPAIN           $10.50 FLIGHT

Finca la Estacada “Laman” Blanco

NV            La Mancha, España

Hailing from La Mancha which is Spain’s largest wine-growing region, comes this 100% Airén. Found almost exclusively in Spain, the first recorded mention of Airén was in 1615.

Señorío de Sarrío Rosado

2007            Navarra, España

A bright, lively and DRY rosé made from the best vineyards of Grenache grapes. Made in stainless steel to preserve the fresh fruitiness.

Bodegas Alavesas “Solar de Samaniego” Crianza

2003           Rioja, España

Established in 1972, this bodegas continually produces outstanding Riojas. Tempranillo and Graciano aged for 12 months in American oak.

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Posted in Wine Tasting |

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

Brewing out of Dexter, Michigan, this artisanal mircro-brewery takes pride and focuses on open-fermentation, oak aging, and bottle-conditioning.  Cheers!

Sunday Feb. 21st

5pm – 11pm

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Bam Biere

Farmhouse Ale ……4.5% ABV

An artisan farmhouse ale that is golden, naturally cloudy, bottle conditioned and dry hopped for a perfectly refreshing balance of spicy malts, hops and yeast.

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Bam Noire

Dark Farmhouse Ale ……4.3% ABV

Dark, smooth, delicious. Aromas of worn leather and cool autumn nights. Notes of sweet plum and toasted raisin, hints of coffee and cacao. Lingering tart and refreshing finish.

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La Roja

American Wild Ale ……7.2% ABV

An artisan amber ale brewed in the Flanders tradition. Deep amber with earthy caramel, spice, and sour fruit notes developed through natural barrel aging. Unfiltered, unpasteurized and blended from barrels ranging in age from two to ten months.

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Oro de Calabaza

Biere de Garde ……8.0% ABV

Brewed in the Franco-Belgian tradition of strong golden ales.  Spicy and peppery with a gentle hop bouquet and the beguiling influence of wild yeast.

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Maracaibo Especial

Belgian Strong Dark Ale ……7.5% ABV

A rich brown ale inspired by the enigmatic monastic brews of Belgium, and the mysterious mist shrouded jungles of the tropics. Brewed with real cacao, and spiced with cinnamon and sweet orange peel for a sensual delight.

$14 to taste all 5 beers

Posted in Sunday Beer Tasting |

SPECTACULAR SPARKLERS            $15.50 FLIGHT

Companhia das Quintas “Borlido” Espumante Reserva Rosé

2008            Bairrada, Portugal

Meet the Portuguese version of sparkling wine! A rosé made from Portugal’s most beloved red grapes: Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional.

MVSA de Vallformosa Brut Cava

NV            Penedés, España

Spain’s best bubbly, this dry cava was made using the Traditional Method (same as Champagne) using the Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada grapes.

Althéa Prosecco Vino Spumante Extra Dry

NV            Veneto, Italia

Combines the hillside fruit of Valdobbiadene with the full fizz of a spumante with a kiss of sweetness. Prosecco is an indigenous grape to northern Italy.

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EURO WHITES                      $10.50 FLIGHT

António Lopes Vinho Verde Branco

2008            Minho, Portugal

From the Minho region in the far north of the country, the name Vinho Verde literally means “Green Wine”, referring to its youthful freshness rather than its color.

Lento “Romeo” Bianco

2008            Calabria, Italia

A fresh and fruity blend of Greco with Malvaisa and Trebbiano grown on the Romeo estate of the Lento family’s vineyards.

Domaine de Mirail Colombard

2007            Rhône, France

100% Colombard. The vines are managed with the goal of producing limited quantities of top-quality grapes. Harvesting occurs during the night to allow for long cold skin maceration.

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STYLISH SOUTH AMERICANS                    $11.50 FLIGHT

Tuntunjian “Pacifico Sur” Cabernet Rosé

2007            Curico Valley, Chile

Cabernet Sauvignon separated from its skins. kept at cool temps producing zesty Rosé. The entire vineyard is carefully tended with affection and with respect for the natural surroundings.

Don Rodolfo Pinot Noir

2009            Cafayate Valley, Argentina

100% Pinot Noir created from hand-harvested 12-year-old vines from high altitude vineyards.

Familia Schroeder “Saurus” Patagonia Select Merlot

2005            Patagonia, Argentina

Following a 60/40 rule, this winery loves to use stainless steel to keep the fruit bright with a balance of oak for body and aromatics. Named “Saurus” in after dinosaur bones discovered during construction.

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BOLD & BEAUTIFUL BARBERA & BONARDA               $20.50 FLIGH

La Ghersa “Camparó” Barbera d’ Asti

2006            Piemonte, Italia

The grapes used to make this wine average 25 years of age or more, reflecting uncommon depth and complexity.

Fratelli Agnes “Possessione del Console” Oltrepò Pavese Bonarda

2007            Lombardia, Italia

Made from an old Bonarda clone called Pignolo, named for its tiny, pine cone shaped clusters.

Fratelli Agnes “Millennium” Bonarda

2004    Lombardia, Italia

Made from a selection of not just Bonarda but also old Barbera and Pinot vines on the property. The label relates the story of how an ancestral Count Anselmo of Rovescalla paid a debt in 1192 (!) with 600 amphorae of his best wine.

Posted in Wine Tasting |

CHILLED CALIFORNIANS          $11.50 FLIGHT

Dry Creek Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

2008            Sonoma County, California

Dry Creek Vineyards has been perfecting Sauvignon Blanc since it was first planted in 1972. This wine was kept in stainless steel to preserve the bright fruit.

Franciscan Chardonnay

2007            Napa Valley, California

This wine was made using natural wild yeast from the vineyard – an artisan technique that adds complexity and texture.

Decadenza Vineyards Limited Bottling Chardonnay

2006            Temecula, California

The California wine-grape harvest of 2006 was slightly smaller than normal in quantity, but well above average in quality.

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SPANISH VINOS           $11.50 FLIGHT

Juan de Alzate Rioja Blanco

2008            Rioja, España

Produced from primarily the Viura grape, locally known as Macebo. Wines from Rioja Alavesa  generally produce wines with a fuller body and higher acidity.

Avelino Vegas “Arco de la Vega” Rosado

2008            Castilla y León, España

Made from the best Tempranillo grapes cultivated in the Duero area of Castilla y León.

La Reina “Flamenco” Tempranillo

2007            Toro, España

A modern winery with a 19th century castle, Monte La Reina overlooks the placid fertile plain of the Duero, where the cold winter months and the plentiful hours of sunlight, together with the unique terrior, speak through the wines.

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PRIDE OF PORTUGAL          $12.00 FLIGHT

António F. Bonifácio e Filhos Vinho de Mesa Tinto “Val da Cigana”

2008            Torre Vedras, Portugal

Translated as “Val’s Gypsy” this wine is named for the nearly 100,00 gypsies who live in Portugal.

Montinho São Miguel “Montinho Reserva”

2007            Alentejano, Portugal

Alicante Bouschet, Aragonès and Touriga Nacional aged 4 months in French and American oak. The vineyard planted 97 hectares of cork tree between 1998 and 1999.

Vidigal Vinho Tinto Douro

2005            Douro, Portugal

Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Amarela harmoniously woven together from Douro, one of the most highly valued wine regions in Portugal.

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CALIFORNIA SIZED REDS          $22.00 FLIGHT

Dry Creek Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel

2007            Sonoma County, California

This Zinfandel wine combines fruit from the warm Dry Creek Valley and cool Russian River Valley appellations.

Jalama “La Presa” Syrah

2006            Santa Barbara County, California

Planted on an extremely steep south facing slope, a staircase and a good pair of hiking boots provides the only access to the terraced vines. The layers of flavor are big and bold and the finish just goes on and on.

Rancho Arroyo Grande Zinfandel

2007            San Luis Obispo County, California

This dry-farmed Zinfandel was whole cluster de-stemed, fermented 10 days on the skins and pressed to barrel while still fermenting to retain as much Zinfandel fruit character as possible

Posted in Wine Tasting |

CLASSIC BIANCOS  $14.50 FLIGHT

Cardeto “Matile” Orvieto

2008    Umbria, Italia

A classic bianco from Orvieto, a fruity and fragrant blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia, Verdello and Drupeggio grapes.

Ciu Ciu “Falerio” dei Colli Ascolani

2008    le Marche, Italia

Blended from 50% Trebbiano, 30% Passerina, and 20% Pecorino grown on hillsides 1,000 feet above the Adriatic Sea.

Ronco del Gelso “Sot lis Rivis” Pinot Grigio

2008     Friuli, Italia

Put through malolactic fermentation this wine even ages for a brief time in wood, making it much richer than most Grigios you will encounter, but it still finishes with trademark Isonzo minerality.

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CRÉMANT, CHAMPAGNE & CAVA  $20.50 FLIGHT

Cave de Turckheim “Mayerling” Crémant d’Alsace Brut

NV       Alsace, France

Made from the Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois grape varieties, this Crémant is made using the same traditional way as in Champagne. Sugar is added to a second fermentation in the bottle to produce the fine bubbles.

Moutardier “Carte d’Or” Pinot Meunier Brut

NV       Le Brieul, France

This small, quality driven house has been a family run and strictly independent producer since 1921.

Canals Canals Cava Rosat Reserva Brut Nature

NV            Pendes, España

Monastrell, Garnatxa (both intensely flavored red varieties) create a virtual explosion of red fruit and spice flavors.

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MIXING MERLOT IN ITALY  $17.50 FLIGHT

Paolo e Noemia d’Amico “Seinao” Rosso

2008    Lazio, Italia

Sangiovese with a helping of Merlot from the vineyard located just north of Rome close to the Umbria border. Fermented and aged in stainless steel to keep the brightness of the grapes.

Colle Picchioni “Perlaia” Rosso del Lazio

2006    Lazio, Italia

About equal parts each Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet, from one of Italy’s most famous chefs and cookbooks authors, Paolo di Mauro. Brief oak aging.

Rocca di Fabbri Rosso di Montefalco

2006    Umbria, Italia

A hearty Umbrian blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Montepulciano, Merlot and Cabernet. The winery makes its home in a 14^th century fortress.

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THE VALIANT VALPOLICELLA  $25.50 FLIGHT

Degani Valpolicella Classico

2008    Veneto, Italia

Valpolicella wines have three grape varieties in their blend including Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella, each lending a unique characteristic to the wine.

Corte Cariano “Terra Solinas” Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso

2007    Veneto, Italia

Unpressed grape skins from Amarone are added to the already blended and fermented Valpolicella.

Degani “La Rosta” Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

2005    Veneto, Italia

Grapes are air-dried for up to 120 days, then crushed and go through a dry low temperature fermentation that can last up to 50 days. Results: WOW.

Posted in Wine Tasting |

AleSmith Brewing Company

Brewing out of San Diego CA, this artisanal mircro-brewery specializes in a variety of handcrafted styles!  Cheers fellow Californians!

$18 to taste all 6 beers

Sunday Feb. 7th @ 5pm

Anvil ESB

Extra Special Bitter ……5.5% ABV

The first beer produced when the brewery opened, and still remains the flagship ale.  Malty and slightly hoppy aroma with caramel flavoring using imported English hops.

IPA

American IPA ……7.25% ABV

Medium-full bodied IPA with a huge hoppy dosage.  Sweet malty flavors with a lingering dry finish.

Horny Devil

Belgian Strong Pale Ale ……11.0% ABV

Using Belgian candi sugar and authentic Trappist yeast strains, this ale gets and additional flavoring from the added coriander seeds.

Grand Cru

Belgian Strong Dark Ale ……10.0% ABV

Using Belgian dark candi sugars and Trappist Monastery yeast, this rich and complex ale has a tangy hoppiness and medium dry finish.

Old Numbskull

English Barley Wine ……11.0% ABV

A West Coast style barleywine.  Huge malty profile with an aggressive dose of domestic hops.  Deep amber with caramel notes and a tantalizing complexity.

Speedway Stout

American Double / Imperial Stout ……12.0% ABV

Brewed with an additional dosage of Ryan Bros. Coffee for a little extra kick.  Roasted chocolate and caramel malt flavors entice the full bodied warmth of this stout.

$18 to taste all 6 beers

Posted in Sunday Beer Tasting |