The Incredible, Drinkable Loire Wine

I consider the Loire Valley to be one of the most alluring and prolific wine regions in France. Situated 2 hours south of Paris and stretching to the Atlantic, the Loire Valley is an impressive 300 square miles.  The Loire, often called the “The Garden of France,” is charming with its rolling hills, vineyards and more than a thousand chateaux. It would be difficult to highlight all the regions at one go, so please do not be offended if I leave out your favorite sub-region.

Starting from the east is the famous region of Sancerre where Sauvignon Blanc is not just supreme but adored as one of the best examples of that varietal. Sancerre is made up of 14 communes and includes 4000 acres. The many soil types produce lean and lively Sauvignon Blancs that are unique and highly sought after. Sancerre also produces some great quality rosé and red wines made from Pinot Noir. East of Sancerre are the lesser known appellations of  Menetou-Salon and Quincy, which produce softer-style Sauvignon Blanc (not as steely as Sancerre) and at lower prices.  

Central Loire can be split into three provinces, Anjou, Saumur and Touraine. This area offers the broadest selection of grapes including Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Cot (Malbec) and Grolleau. They also use a labeling system to indicate the dryness/sweetness level of the wine: sec, dry; demi-sec, semisweet; moelleux, sweet and the rare pourriture noble (botrytis).

Anjou is most associated with outstanding quality sweet wine, though it also produces whites, rosé, reds and sparkling wines.

The appellation of Saumur, with its chalky/limestone soil produces wonderful light and fruity red wines with a rich earthiness, especially wines from Saumur Champigny which yields outstanding reds.

Touraine is best known for dry whites made from Sauvignon Blanc, but also Chenin Blanc is used for sparkling wine. Wines from this area are also a great value if you are looking for something different for a summer white. Another exceptional red wine producing region of the Loire is Chinon located east of Saumur on the left bank of the Loire River. Made from mostly Cabernet Franc grapes, reds from Chinon are elegant, supple and with a distinct violet aromas.

Near the Atlantic, the western part of the Loire Valley with its cooler climate is home to Muscadet wines.  The most well-known being Muscadet Sèvre et Maine. The grape in this delicious fresh white is Melon de Bourgogne, which was brought over from Burgundy in the late 17th century. Muscadets are delicately dry with aromas of white flowers and light citrus.  Fantastic with oysters!
   
I hope you agree that the Loire Valley has a lot to offer for the adventurous wine drinker. Bring one to your next dinner party or seafood extravaganza.

Recommended Loire Valley wines currently in stock: 
Chateau De La Chesnaie 2007 Muscadet Sèvre Et Maine Sur Lie ($15)
Domaine Lecomte 2007 Quincy ($20)
Domaine du Grand Bouqueteau 2006 Chinon (Cabernet Franc) ($19.50)
Philippe Raimbault 2007 Sancerre ($34)

Contributor: Gina Gregory, Sommelier & Manager, Portalis Wines

Wedding Wines

Summer is here, and with this season brings many celebrations, the biggest being weddings. Chances are you’ll be attending a wedding (or two) over the next few months. What says cheers and well wishes better than a beautiful bottle of wine? There can be a few unknowns when selecting wines for gifts, such as: What kind of wine do the bride & groom like to drink? What would be special beyond just a “good bottle of wine?”  Perhaps you have an upcoming wedding yourself and need help selecting wine for your reception.  We have wines that will not only fit your budget but pair perfectly with your food.  Below are some recommendations for gift giving as well as party pleasers. If you need additional help feel free to call or email us, we would be happy to personalize your selection.

Remember that we offer a 10% discount on 6 bottles and 20% on a case. If you are interested in any of these wines or have questions about others, email info@portaliswines.com or call 206-783-2007.

Outstanding wines for the  Bride & Groom:
Palazzo 2005 Napa Valley Red Wine (CA) $65
Willakenzie Estate 2006 Kiana Pinot Noir (OR) $52
Bricco Francesco 2000 Barolo Rocche Dell’Annunziata (IT) $62
Chateau L’Ecuyer 2005 Pomerol (FR) $50
Domaine Rebourgeon-Mure 2005 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots (FR) $57
Long Shadows 2006 Saggi (WA) $61

How about a 3-pack gift the couple can enjoy on their 3-year, 5-year and 10-year anniversary?
3 Year – Massolino 2003 Barolo (IT) $69
5 Year – Domaine Berthet-Rayne 2005 Cuvee Cadiac Chateauneuf-Du-Pape (FR) $57
10 Year – Argiano 2004 Brunello Di Montalcino (IT) $70

 Planning a wedding? Check out these delicious options from around the world:
Sparkling
Casteller NV Brut Cava (SP) $14/case $11.20
Toffoli NV Prosecco (IT) $19/case $15.20
Barthe Rene NV Cremant D’Alsace Brut (FR) $18.50/case $14.80
White
Thurston Wolfe 2008 Pinot Gris/Viognier (WA) $15.99/case $12.79
Kanu 2007 Chenin Blanc (ZA) $12/case $9.60
Rutherford Ranch 2007 Chardonnay (CA) $16/case $12.80
Collovray Et Terrier NV Place Du March Blanc (FR) $10/case $8
Red
Henry Lagarde 2005 Malbec (AR) $14/case $11.20
Planeta 2007 La Segreta Rosso (IT) $16/case $12.80
The Rebel 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (WA) $17.50/case $14
Ogier 2005 Cotes Du Rhone Caves Des Papes (FR) $15/case $12

Contributor: Gina Gregory

Portalis Wine Club: 2009

Portalis Wine Club – October 2009
Sparkman Cellars, a jewel from Washington State

Founded in 2004, Sparkman Cellars is a family owned and operated winery, located in Woodinville, Washington, a rapidly growing wine community northeast of Seattle. The owners, Chris Sparkman, head winemaker at Sparkman Cellars, as well as general manager & sommelier at the Waterfront Seafood Grill in Seattle, and his wife, Kelly, a wildlife biologist who worked in Alaska, Wyoming and California, believe that Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are the premier Washington State wine varietals.  I picked Sparkman Cellars for the wine club because colder weather is the season for bigger wines and I think Sparkman Cellars produces excellent examples of the big wines coming out of Washington State.
 
The 2-bottle wine club includes the 2007 Lumiere Chardonnay and the 2007 Wilderness Red; the 3-bottle wine club includes the 2006 Stella Mae Red Blend.
 
Sparkman Cellars 2007 Lumiere Chardonnay $25/Case $20
100% Chardonnay from Stillwater Creek vineyard.  Aromas of lemon, pears and crème brulée followed by flavors of citrus and peach fruit, with notes of hazelnuts and nutmeg. Long, clean finish. Excellent sipper. Best paired with grilled fish (tuna, swordfish, marlin). Drink now, up to 2 years.
 
Sparkman Cellars 2007 Wilderness Red $32/Case $25.60
A portion of the revenues for this wine go to the Wilderness Society. This red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot. Full of dark fruit and chocolate on the nose. Flavors of dark fruit, cassis, black cherries with notes of violets and vanilla, followed by cigar box notes on the finish. Also a very good sipper. Best paired with grilled steaks, dark roasts. Drink now, up to 3 years.
 
Sparkman Cellars 2006 Stella Mae Red $48/Case $38.40
Named after their oldest daughter, this red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Fine, concentrated aromas of cassis, black cherries and chocolate leading to flavors of ripe blackberries, black cherries and Asian spices. The chewy tannins frame a massive, yet elegant structure. Fantastic finish. Drink in 3 to 6 years. This red will get better and better. One of the best red blends in Washington State. Best paired with grilled steaks, beef tenderloin, roasted lamb.

Don’t forget, we offer a 20% case & 10% half-case discount, mixed cases included, if you’d like more of these wines or any other wines we carry.

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens
 
Jens Strecker
Owner & Wine Manager
Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
5205 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
 206-783-2007  206-783-2007
www.portaliswines.com 
jens@portaliswines.com

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Portalis Wine Club – September 2009
Qupé Wine Cellars – “A Modern Stone Age Winery” (CA)

… proclaims Bob Neil Lindquist, owner of Qupé Wine Cellars. The winery was founded in 1982 and is located on the Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria, California. Qupé shares a production facility with Au Bon Climat. Bob’s love for the wines of the Rhône Valley led him to focus on Rhône varietals, particularly Syrah as well as Roussanne and Viognier (regarding the white Rhône varietals). Chardonnay continues in the portfolio because of Bob’s connection to the wonderful fruit sources in the Bien Nacido vineyard. In this wine club we focus on the Rhône varietals.

The 2-bottle wine club includes the Central Coast Syrah and the Bien Nacido Hillside Estate Roussanne. The 3-bottle wine club adds in the Bien Nacido Syrah.

Qupé 2006 Bien Nacido Hill Estate Roussanne $40/Case $32
This white wine is 100% Roussanne, grown in Block 10 at Bien Nacido Vineyard. Block 10 is a west facing hillside slope just opposite the winery. It is planted entirely to the Tablas Creek clone of Roussanne, which cane originally from Château de Beaucastel, the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer. Tasting notes: This wine is absolutely delicious. Big, rich, ripe with aromas of ripe Bosch pears. Complex and elegant. Flavors of pears, apples with notes of pineapple, toasted wood, coconut and hazelnut. Finishes full and with great finesse. Excellent sipper; good match with halibut, grilled tuna, swordfish. Drink now up to 5 years.

Qupé 2006 Central Coast Syrah $21/Case $16.80
Best Californian Syrah for the money. 98% Syrah with 2% Grenache from several Californian appellations (17 different vineyards from 5 different Appellations), but mainly Santa Barbara County. The wine is essentially a blend of cool-climate Santa Barbara grapes and warm-climate Paso Robles grapes. The cool-climate fruit gives spice, acidity and balance while the warm-climate fruit shows softness, ripeness and more upfront fruit flavors and aromas. Tasting notes: Medium-bodied, dark red with aromas and flavors of cassis and dark chocolate, with delicious notes of dark, ripe cherries, raspberries and oak. Touch of spice on the beautiful finish. Good match with dark roasts, grilled steaks, and grilled burgers. Drink now, up to 2 years.

Qupé 2007 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard $30/Case $24
This red is a 100% Syrah from the Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. Tasting notes: Aromas of raspberries, pepper and lavender. This Syrah is rich in dark fruit, black cherries and raspberries with mocha, and chocolate notes. Good mouthfeel. Well-balanced, elegant, with great structure and acidity. Beautiful, long, spicy finish. Best matched with dark meats, roasts or grilled steaks. Drink this for its wonderful fruity character over the next couple years, or put it down for 8 to 10 years to take it to the next level

Don’t forget, we offer a 20% case & 10% half-case discount, mixed cases included, if you’d like more of these wines or any other wines we carry.

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens
 
Jens Strecker
Owner & Wine Manager
Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
5205 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
 206-783-2007  206-783-2007
www.portaliswines.com 
jens@portaliswines.com

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Portalis Wine Club – August 2009
The Magic of Château Miraval (Provence)

Château Miraval, located in the heart of the Var, is one of the most beautiful historic domaines in Provence. Miraval is situated close to the Via Aurelia (one of the five main roads radiating from Rome), which provides it with a long history.

First settled by the Ligurians and then by the Celts, who were driven out by the Romans, Miraval first appears on a map in the 1200s as a monastery. The estate was in the hands of the Orsini familiy for centuries and then, at the turn of the century, Miraval was owned by the inventor of reinforced concrete, Joseph Lambot.

In the 1970s Jacques Loussier, the well-known jazz pianist, created a record studio at Château Miraval, known as Studio Miraval, where many great musicians including Pink Floyd, Sting and Sade recorded some of their music. In fact, Pink Floyd recorded “The Wall” at Studio Miraval.

Château Miraval is currently owned by the Bove family and Emmanuel Gaujal is the current winemaker for Château Miraval and Château La Mascaronne.

The 2-bottle wine club includes the rosé from Château Miraval and the red from Château La Mascaronne; the 3-bottle club adds in a white from Château Miraval.

Château Miraval 2008 Pink Floyd Rosé $26/Case $20.80
This rosé is a blend of 60% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 10% Syrah, all estate fruit. One of the best rosés we have tried this year. Tasting notes:  Intense yet elegant aromas of wild red berries. The palate is round, soft, and packed full of strawberries, raspberries, red apple and citrus, finishing with clean, fresh acidity. Just beautiful. Drink now, up to 1 year. Good sipper. Pairs well with all kind of salads or spicier foods.

Château Miraval 2008 Clara Lua Provence Blanc $27/Case $21.60
This white is a blend of 75% Rolle and 25% Grenache Blanc, all estate fruit.
Tasting notes: lemon, yellow color. The clear, slightly overripe Rolle shows fresh citrus aromas. Soft, medium-bodied and round with flavors of citrus and lime with a light almond aftertaste on the finish. Well-balanced and good acidity.  Interestingly enough the wine opened up on the second day and tasted even better. Drink now, up to 3 years. Best paired with grilled white fish.

Château La Mascaronne 2004 Côtes De Provence Rouge $24/Case $19.60
This red is a blend of 70% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Grenache.
This winery and the vineyards are owned by Emannuel Gaujal (the winemaker of Château Miraval) and are located in the heart of Provence, just outside of the medieval village of Le Luc. Tasting notes: Complex aromas of red fruits and spice. Medium- to full-bodied, with flavors of blackberries, boysenberries, blueberries, with hints of black pepper, thyme and violets. Complex, concentrated and elegant. Up to 3 years. Best matched with dark grilled meat, cheese.

Don’t forget, we offer a 20% case & 10% half-case discount, mixed cases included, if you’d like more of these wines or any other wines we carry.

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens
 
Jens Strecker
Owner & Wine Manager
Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
5205 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
 206-783-2007 
www.portaliswines.com 
jens@portaliswines.com

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Portalis Wine Club – July 2009 
Torbreck Vintners (Australia)

Torbreck Vintners was founded by David Powell in 1994.  The winery is named after the Torbreck Forest in Scotland where David worked as a lumberjack. After returning to his native Australia, David started making wine in a shed on his 12 hector Marananga property and in 2002 he purchased the historic “Hillside Property”, one of the original wine growing properties in the Barossa Valley.  David uses the classic Barossa Valley varietals: Shiraz, Grenache & Mataro (Mourvedre).  His winemaking shows influences from the great wines of the Rhône Valley, evidence of his love of wines from this part of France.
 
This month’s 3-bottle wine club includes two reds & one white.  Torbreck makes two white wines, a Marsanne/Rousanne/Viognier blend as well as a Semillon, a beautiful summer sipper which is the one included in your shipment.  The 2-bottle club members will receive the two reds.
 
Torbreck 2007 Semillon $21/ case $16.80
Tasting Notes: Delicate aromas of lemon, limestone, candle wax and toasted brioche. Medium-bodied, soft & elegant with flavors of citrus, white peach & pineapple. Good acidity follows through to the refreshing finish. Up to 2 years.  Good with sushi, sashimi and fresh shellfish.
 
Torbreck 2007 Woodcutter’s Shiraz $25/ case $20
The name Woodcutter’s Shiraz comes from David’s time as a lumberjack in the Torbreck Forest in the Scottish Highlands.  Tasting Notes:  Dense, rich and opulent. Aromas of dark fruit. Medium-bodied, smooth textured, with flavors of dark berries, cherries & a dash of pepper. Fine tannins on the smooth finish.  Up to 3 years. Matches well with dark meats and grilled steaks.
 
Torbreck 2007 Juveniles $26/ case $22.80
David makes this Cuvee for Tim Johnston, the owner of the Juveniles Wine Bar in Paris. Note, too, that the label for Torbreck is a simple black & white, while the Juveniles label is a bold, colorful label, specially made for the wine bar.  This is a red blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Shiraz and 20% Mataro. Tasting notes: Juicy, ripe flavors of blackberries, spiced cherries, with mineral notes and Asian spices. Soft & smooth on the mid-palate with fine tannins on the finish.  Drink now up to 2 years. Pairs well with dark meats and roasts.

Don’t forget, we offer a 20% case & 10% half-case discount, mixed cases included, if you’d like more of these wines or any other wines we carry.

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens
 
Jens Strecker
Owner & Wine Manager
Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
5205 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
206-783-2007  206-783-2007
www.portaliswines.com 
jens@portaliswines.com

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Portalis Wine Club – June 2009
Tuscan Varietals ~ Sangiovese & Vernacchia 

This month we are showcasing Tuscan Sangiovese & Vernacchia.  Tuscany is one of Italy’s most prodigious wine regions. Tuscan wines account for over thirty of Italy’s DOC and half a dozen of Italy’s DOCG wines. The hilly soil and weather conditions of Tuscany are ideal for grape growing and these two grapes thrive there. Today the most grown variety is the noble Sangiovese, which is often combined with small amounts of locally grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo and other grapes into wonderful blends such as Carmignano, Morellino Di Scansano, Supertuscans and, of course, the signature Tuscan wines: Chianti and Chianti Classico, which notably are the best known Italian wines in the world.

Tuscan Sangiovese from the inland region of Chianti is known for being a bright, juicy, acidic red that can hold its own against acidic tomato dishes from this area. Sangiovese from the coastal areas of Tuscany are less acidic, more complex, a little softer, often blended with Cab/Merlot to make the wines bigger. Vernacchia, a delicious white wine grape from this area is characterized by scents and flavors of almonds and pleasant acidity … a refreshing summer sipper or delicious with seafood, salads and white meats.

The 3-bottle wine club features a Vernaccia Di San Gigmignano, a Rosso Di Montalcino and a Maremma.

Casa Alle Vacche 2006 Vernacchia Di San Gigmignano I Macchioni $20/case $16
On the slopes northeast of the Tuscan hill-town of San Gimignano lies the town of Pancole which is considered to be the best growing region for Vernacchia. The Casa Alle Vacche winery and vineyards are in this zone. The estate has been family-owned for generations and is known for its Vernacchias and Chiantis.  Tasting notes: Vernacchia I Macchioni is produced from grapes of the best vineyard sites. Pale, yellow straw color with aromas of almonds, peach, citrus and fresh herbs. Rich, deep and elegant with flavors of apple, citrus and lime, with hints of peach and apricot. Smoky notes in the background. Beautiful, refreshing finish. Best paired with Tuscan roasted chicken and shellfish. Drink now.

Capanna 2007 Rosso Di Montalcino $33/case $26.40
The Capanna Estate has been owned by the Cencioni family since 1957 and is located to the north of the Montalcino village, which has always been considered as one of the best “cru” sides of Brunello. Rosso Di Montalcino is often called “Baby Brunello” because it is produced in the same way as the pricier Brunellos, but aged for 2 years as opposed to 4 years in Slovanian oak. Tasting notes: This red is made out of 100% Sangiovese Grosso. Young but already has a broad and complex nose, with herbs and spice mixed in the red berry, cherry fruit. Starts soft, round and velvety on the palate, and finishes long and firm. A wine with a great future. Good match with roasted meats. Up to 3 years

Carla Benini 2007 Sassotondo Maremma $25/case $20
Carla Benini is part of an emerging group of Tuscan winemakers who look for exceptional grape quality to produce extraordinary, terroir driven wines. The grapes are sourced from the Sassotondo vineyard, which is located in the Maremma region of Tuscany, which is organically farmed and surrounded by olive trees.  Tasting notes: This red is a blend of 80% Ciliegiolo, 10% Alicante and 10% Sangiovese. Intense aromas of blackberry, cherry and plums with a touch of black pepper. Great texture and concentration with flavors of dark berry fruit, violets and herbs. Super-fine tannins on a long, juicy finish.  Best paired with roasted meats, wild boar, roasted lamb. Up to 3 years.
 
Don’t forget, we offer a 20% case & 10% half-case discount, mixed cases included.

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens
 
Jens Strecker
Owner & Wine Manager
Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
5205 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
 206-783-2007  206-783-2007

www.portaliswines.com 
jens@portaliswines.com

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 Portalis Wine Club – May 2009
Beckmen Vineyards (Santa Ynez Valley, CA)
Steve Beckmen (pictured left) joined us at Portalis this spring for a tasting, and we were delighted to meet the guy whose wine won the March 2009 Tasting Circle showdown between Washington and California Cabs (beating out much more famous and expensive wines, mind you).  So, here’s the scoop on Steve and Beckmen Cellers.  By the way, don’t think you’re limited to reds with this winery.  It’s summer and Jens (Who’s Jens?) thinks the Beckmen Sauvignon Blanc is the best Californian SB he’s tasted in the last couple years.

Founded in 1994 by Tom and Steve Beckmen, Beckmen Vineyards is a family-owned, estate winery located in the Santa Ynez Valley (Santa Barbara County).  After traveling to the Rhône Valley several times, Steve discovered his love for Rhône varietals. He started making wine without any experience, but after several vintages, Beckmen Vineyards has emerged as one of North America’s premier producers of Rhône varietals.

In Steve’s opinion vineyard management is the most important part of winemaking. It drives the whole winemaking process. All of their wines are biodynamic and in 2008 they became certified biodynamic. Their production remains small.

Beckmen Vineyards was named Food & Wine’s “Most Promising Winery” in the magazine’s 2000 American Wine Awards. Since then, Beckmen Vineyards has lived up to that. In 2007 it was selected as one of the “Top 100 Wineries” in the world by Wine & Spirits magazine. Not bad for a winemaker without any experience.  

Jens & Gina (Who’s Gina?) are part of a local professional tasting panel called the Tasting Circle.  They meet monthly to blind taste & rank wines in the Seattle marketplace.  At a customer’s request in March 2009, the Tasting Circle tasted a lineup of Washington vs. California Cabernet.  The Beckman 2005 Estate Cab won the tasting, beating out other more expensive and well-known competitors such as Caymus.  This vintage is no longer available, but the 2006 is outstanding as well.

Beckmen Vineyards 2008 Estate Sauvignon Blanc $18.50/case $14.80
The estate Sauvignon Blanc comes exclusively from biodynamic certified grapes grown on the Purisma Mountain Vineyard, mainly on limestone. Tasting Notes:  very aromatic. Offers rich, exotic, tropical fruit, with pineapple and melon. Lots of grapefruit and lime on the mid-palate. Full-bodied, ripe and balanced. Powerful, yet elegant and persistent. Great acidity. Wonderful, long finish. One of the best Sauvignon Blancs I have tasted in the last 2 years. Up to 2 years. Excellent sipper. Good with light seafood and salads.

Beckmen Vineyards 2007 Le Bec $23/case $18.40
A blend of 44% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre and 8% Counoise. The 2007 vintage turned out to be one of the best vintages to date. A well-balanced growing season with long hang time offered exceptional flavors with low alcohol levels, creating wines with great length and depth. Tasting Notes: Meaty, peppery scents on the nose followed by flavors of black currant, black licorice and black cherries. Ripe, firm and vibrant. This wine has power with finesse. Fine tannins and smoky notes on the finish. Barrel aged for 15 month in 15% new French barrels and 85% neutral barrels. Up to 3 years. Good with roasted chicken, white meat.

Beckmen Vineyards 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $27/case $21.60
Following the 2005 vintage (which won Seattle’s Tasting Circle Tasting in March matched up against more well-known and expensive competitors) this wine again shows stunning balance and depth. One of the best Cabernet deals in California. Tasting Notes: Very aromatic. Smoked plums and blackberry fruit on the nose followed by flavors of dark fruit and raspberries. Well-balanced, complex and elegant. Great acidity which carries the fruit to a lingering, long impressive finish with espresso and coffee notes.  Up to 3 years. Fire up the grill and start the rib eyes.

Don’t forget, we offer a 20% case & 10% half-case discount.  Mixed cases included.

Enjoy & cheers!
Jens
 
Jens Strecker
Owner & Wine Manager
Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
5205 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
 206-783-2007  206-783-2007
www.portaliswines.com 
jens@portaliswines.com

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Portalis Wine Club – April 2009
Cave de Tain (Northern Rhône)  
This month we are featuring wines from Cave de Tain, a winery located in the Northern Rhône Valley. The Rhône Valley (southeastern France) is one of the oldest wine growing regions in the world and is divided into the Northern and Southern Rhône Valleys, which produce distinctly different wines. The Northern Rhône is influenced by the continental climate with strong winters but warm summers as well as the mistral wind, which brings cooler air from the Massiv Central. Northern Rhône is therefore cooler than Southern Rhône, which makes its wines more concentrated, such as those from Burgundy (just to the north). Red wines from the Northern Rhône appellation are mainly made from the Syrah grape, sometimes blended with Viognier. Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne are the only white wine grapes used in this appellation. The most famous sub-regions of the Northern Rhône are Côte Rotie, Condrieu, Cornas, Hermitage, Crozes.

Cave De Tain L’Hermitage was founded in 1933 by 100 wine growers from the district of Tain L’Hermitage. Today the co-op has 370 wine growers and a total vineyard area of 1140 hectares, of which 1000 hectares are AOC wines (appellation specific).  The 3-bottle wine club includes a red & a white from Crozes Hermitage and a red from Saint Joseph:

Cave de Tain 2007 Crozes Hermitage Blanc $23
This white is made out of 100% Marsanne. Pale yellow color with aromas and flavors of fresh, ripe citrus fruit, white peaches, apricots, and white flowers. Good acidity, complex and well-balanced. Beautiful fresh finish. Best paired with salads, white grilled meats. Drink now.

Cave de Tain 2005 Crozes Hermitage Rouge $23
100% Syrah grown on alluvial granite. Intense and delicate aromas of dark fruit and blackberries. Rich, powerful, but well-balanced. Smooth tannins with good length and depth. Flavors of blackberries, blackcurrants, cherries and oriental spices. Wonderful jammy finish.  Best matched with cold cuts or grilled red meat. Up to 3 years.

Cave de Tain 2005 Saint Joseph Esprit de Granit $35
This red is a 100% Syrah from several vineyards located in the Saint Joseph appellation. Beautiful aromas of candied dark fruit followed by flavors of dark fruit, blackberries, blueberries, dark chocolate with some spicy and toasty notes. Rich and powerful on the mid-palate, with smooth tannins on the finish. A great wine for ageing. Up to 5 years. Best with grilled red meat, game birds and cheeses.
 
Enjoy & cheers!
Jens
 
Jens Strecker
Owner & Wine Manager
Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
5205 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
 206-783-2007  206-783-2007
www.portaliswines.com 
jens@portaliswines.com

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Portalis Wine Club – March 2009
Alves de Sousa (Portugal) 
Portugal has the oldest appellation system in the world, the Douro Valley, which is protected by UNESCO as World Heritage. The appellation was created around 1655, 200 years before that of France. This region produces some of the world’s finest, most unique and highest value wines.  It is also noteworthy that Portugal has a large variety of native vines (about 500) producing a very wide variety of different wines, including mainly blends.

This month’s wine club features the Alves de Sousa Estate (run by Domingos and his son Tiago) which produces some of the most exciting wines coming from the Douro. Alves de Sousa was the Portuguese producer of the year 1999 and 2006 as named by the Portuguese Wine Magazine.

Alves de Sousa 2004 Vale Da Raposa Red $17/case $13.60
A blend of Touriga Nacional and Tinto Cão from the Quinta do Vale da Raposa estate in the Douro. The vines are over 20 years old. Tasting notes: Aromas and flavors of orange blossom and fresh red fruit are making this red fresh and attractive. Very young, plenty of cherries but smooth, velvety texture, with very well integrated tannins. A perfect combination of two of the main Douro grapes, with the power of the Touriga Nacional balanced with the elegance and complexity of Tinto Cão.  Drink now to 2 years. Best matched with white meat, roasted chicken, turkey.

Alves de Sousa 2003 Quinta do Vale da Raposa Grande Escolha $37/case $29.60
A blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinto Cão from the same estate as above. The vines are over 60 years old. Tasting notes: Aromas of red and dark fruit, with spicy and herbal notes. Flavors of intense red and dark fruit, mainly cherries and blackberries. Full-bodied, complex, well-balanced, with great acidity. Fine tannins, and herbal notes on the long finish. An extraordinary wine. Drink now up to 4 years. Best matched with dark roasts, lamb, grilled steak.

Alves de Sousa 2004 Quinta do Vale da Raposa Tinto Cão $29/case $23.20
100% Tinto Cão from the Quinta do Vale da Raposa estate. The vines are over 20 years old. Tasting notes: Aromas of red fruit and cherries followed by flavors of raspberries, dark cherries and blackberries. Smooth, medium-bodied, velvety texture. Soft tannins with a fruity finish. It’s a very elegant and complex wine. Drink now up to 3 years. Best matched with hearty salads.
 
Enjoy & cheers!
Jens
 
Jens Strecker
Owner & Wine Manager
Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
5205 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
 206-783-2007  206-783-2007

www.portaliswines.com 
jens@portaliswines.com

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Portalis Wine Club – February 2009
Nicola Biscardo, Italian exporter & winemaker 
This month’s wine club is featuring an upcoming winemaker and Italian exporter, Nicola Biscardo, who recently visited us for a wine tasting at Portalis. Nicola manages Conexport, a family-owned business that oversees a consortium of boutique wineries representing most all of the prominent wine regions in Italy. He was born in Verona into a family of winemakers. Raised in the land of Amarone, he took his first wine class at the age of nineteen while studying Political Science in college. It did not take him long to realize that he needed to continue in the family business of selling wine, so he switched to wine studies and attended the Masters program at the Italian Association of the Guild of Sommeliers. He is a professional Wine Taster, a Sommelier, and a member of The Society of Wine Educators. He lived in New York during the late 1990’s to market and organize the distribution of Conexport, but now lives in Verona and is the owner and winemaker at Marchesi Biscardo as well as the owner and winemaker at the Feudi di San Nicola project, where vines from Southern Italy are vinified in his facility in Northern Italy.
 
The three bottle wine club includes a Vedicchio dei Castelli di Jesi from Marche, a Primitivo from Puglia and a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva.
 
Bonci 2007 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi $16
Domenico Bonci founded the winery in 1900 which is located in Cupramontana and has been family owned since then. The current owner is Joseph Bonci who mainly grows Verdicchio. Tasting notes: Fine aromas of citrus, apples and almonds, followed by flavors of citrus fruits, pear, yellow plums and a hint of vanilla. Soft, medium-bodied with great acidity. Long refreshing finish with hints of almonds. Best paired with roasted white meat, fish and white pasta dishes. Drink now.
 
Feudi di San Nicola 2005 Primitivo $19.50
This red is made by Nicola Biscardo in his winery in Northern Italy (outside of Verona). The grapes are harvested in Puglia, Southern Italy, and then trucked to the Veneto area. Tasting notes: This red is made with 100% Primitivo grapes and shows aromas of sweet dark fruit, olives and plums, followed by flavors of ripe, dark fruit, plums and prunes with notes of black pepper. Smooth and velvety, fine tannins and a long, spicy, smooth finish. In Nicola Biscardo’s words, this is a “southern wine with a northern touch.” Try this wine with pizza. Drink now.
 
Ortaglia 2003 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva $36
The winery has been family-owned for centuries and is located in the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany. They winery is also known fore their olive oil production as well as a popular place to stay. Tasting notes: Made from 85% Prugnolo Gentile, the noble variety of Sangiovese that makes Vino Nobile so special, and 15% Mammolo grapes. This red is a full-bodied, intense wine showing flavors of plums, violets and dark fruit, with some spicy and herbal components. It’s a classic expression of both “terroir” and variety with a firm backbone of smooth tannins that will allow it to evolve beautifully for the next 5 to 8 years. Very good depth and length.  Best paired with grilled lamb, dark roasts.
 
Enjoy & cheers!
Jens
 
Jens Strecker
Owner & Wine Manager
Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
5205 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
 206-783-2007  206-783-2007
www.portaliswines.com 
jens@portaliswines.com

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Portalis Wine Club – January 2009
Montsant & Priorat (Spain) 
Montsant and Priorat are some of the most interesting wine regions in Spain. The two regions are clustered together about 100 miles southwest of Barcelona, slightly inland from the Mediterranean coast. Priorat, also called Priorato, is probably the most ragged, atypical wine region anywhere in the world, with its very steep hills, stony villages, and special soil (thin, volcanic slate, with small pieces of schist), which gives the wines their special mineral character. Wines from the Priorat region are very famous, but the appellation is relatively small, with 60 wineries sharing 1500 hectares. 1991 was the first “commercial” vintage, where some wines were exported to countries outside of Spain.
 
Directly south of the Priorat appellation, not far from the town of Tarragona in Catalunya, lies Montsant, formerly the Alt-Priorat, and a subsection of the Tarragona appellation. Montsant became its own appellation in 2001. There are 40 wineries located in the Montsant appellation, some over 180 years old. They operate in the shadow of the famous Priorat appellation but produce stunning wines for a fraction of the price of the Priorat wines.
 
For the 3-bottle wine club we chose two wines from Montsant and one from Priorat:
 
Celler de Capcanes 2001 Costers del Gravet Montsant $26.50
The winery is located in the village of Capcanes, was founded in 1933 and served for several years as the village cooperative. Tasting notes: A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Garnacha, 20% Carinena. Big, full-bodied red, with ripe, almost roasted flavors of plum, prunes, cola and coffee. Elegant on the mid-palate. Great concentration and acidity. Long, clean, almost floral finish with fine tannins. Drink now through 2010
 
La Cova Dels Vins 2006 Ombra Montsant $19.50
This is the personal project of Capcanes winemaker Cisco Perello. The vineyards are located in the districts of Falset (Priorat) and Capcanes (Montsant) at 300 to 700 meters altitude. This red is produced from 3 different varietals (Garnacha, Carinena, Syrah) on 3 different soils. 96 year-old (!) Garnacha on chalk soils, 75 year old Carinena on slate soils, and 25 year old Syrah on clay soil. Aged for 14 months in French oak barrels. Tasting notes: Round and lush, with great fruit from the nose to the palate. Aromas and flavors of sweet plums, red fruit, with smoky components and a touch of pepper and herbs. Beautifully balanced and elegant. Doesn’t need much cellaring. Drink now till 2011
 
Celler De L’Encastell 2006 Priorat Marge REG $35/SALE $30.99
Family-owned, this winery was selling wine to other estates for a long time. The winery is located in the village of Porrera and started bottling its own wine in 1999. This red is a blend of 60% Garnacha, 14% Syrah, 13% Merlot, and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 8 months in French and American oak barrels. Produced from vines planted on pure slate. Tasting notes: A beauty that represents Priorat. A floral, herbal nose with notes of lavender and violets. Flavors of dark cherries, blueberries, plums and prunes. Medium- to full-bodied with a smooth, elegant texture and balance, with spicy, peppery notes. This red blend has terrific length and depth, and a long, smooth finish with fine tannins. You won’t find a better value from Priorat. Best from 2010 for a decade.
 
All these wines are a good match with grilled steaks, dark roasts and lamb.
 
Enjoy & cheers!
Jens
 
Jens Strecker
Owner & Wine Manager
Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
5205 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
 206-783-2007  206-783-2007
www.portaliswines.com 
jens@portaliswines.com

4th of July: BBQ Ribs with Wine/Beer Pairings

Chef Tracey just made these for Father’s Day and they were crazy good, so I hit her up for her insider tips to pass on and she flat out gave me her recipes.  So if you’re responsible for the food on the Fourth, here goes …

Chef Tracey’s BBQ Baby Back Ribs
It’s all about getting them to be moist and fall off the bone.  In the south (where Chef Tracey has cooked), the classic way to prepare ribs is to boil them and then finish them in a smoker.  She thinks it’s easier and more flavorful, though, to use a dry rub and then wrap them tightly in foil and put them in a 250 degree oven for 4-5 hours.  The beautiful thing about this is it can be done a day or two ahead of time. When you’re ready to serve, you finish the ribs by slathering them in your favorite BBQ sauce and putting them on a hot grill for 8 minutes or so until they’re bubbly and ready to eat.  Ingredients for the dry rub:  1/2 cup salt, 1/2 sugar, 3T each: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, 1T smoked paprika, 1t ground mustard.

Chef Tracey’s Red Bliss Potato Salad
Serve up the ribs with this on the side …
Boil 1 lb Red Bliss potatoes (tip … 1T of salt & 1t sugar in the water will keep the potato peels bright red).  Let cool to room temperature then cut to desired size.  Add 4 hard boiled eggs (cut to desired size), 1/2 C diced celery, 2 chopped shallots, 2T snipped chives, 2T chopped dill.  For the dressing, mix 1/2 C mayo, 1T Dijon mustard, 1T whole grain mustard, 1t celery salt, 1t apple cider vinegar.  Add to potato mixture and serve.

Wine & Beer Pairings:
There are three ways to go with BBQ ribs …
1 – Beer (tried and true … can’t go wrong)  We suggest a pilsner as its tartness offsets the sweetness of the ribs beautifully.  Germans are the masters.  Try Radeberger Pilsner ($4/case $3.20) from Dresden, in the southeast corner of Germany near the Polish/Czech borders.  The Czech’s would argue theirs is better and they might be right.  Try Lev Lion Lager ($4/case $3.20).
2 – Rosé  A wonderfully refreshing summer drink and it’s amazingly flexible with regard to food pairing.  The cold, fruity, pleasant acidity of this festive drink goes well with everything from salads, to chicken to grilled meats, and it can even handle the spicy sweetness of BBQ sauce.  Try Domaine Saint Roch Les Vignes 2008 Rosé $16 (Provence) or if you’d like something local, try Saviah Cellars 2008 Rosé $14, Walla Walla rosé from Sangiovese.
3 - Zinfanel If you’re hankering for a bigger red, Zinfanel — with it’s big dark fruit (blackberry, boysenberry, black cherry) flavors with hints of licorice, cinnamon & black pepper — hand hold it’s own against the sauce.  Try Easton 2007 Zinfandel $17/case $13.60 (Wine Enthusiast 90 points).  It’s a great wine for the price especially if you’re serving a crowd.

Happy 4th of July!
Julie, Owner
Portalis Wines