Tag Archives: wine

Winery Spotlight Series: November 9, 2022

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Goosecross logo

Goosecross Cellars
with Guest Speaker, Christi Coors Ficeli
Yountville, Napa Valley, California

Wednesday, November 9, 2022
6:00pm CST / 7:00pm EST

Join us for a wine tasting event featuring Goosecross Cellars wines and guest speaker Christi Coors Ficeli, Co-Owner of Goosecross Cellars. She will be joining us LIVE on the big screen sharing the six wines below.

Wines Tasted:

  1. Goosecross Sauvignon Blanc
  2. Goosecross Chardonnay
  3. Goosecross Merlot
  4. Goosecross Proprietary Red Blend
  5. Goosecross Zinfandel
  6. Goosecross Cabernet

To reserve a table and attend the wine tasting in person, please call your local participating WineStyles store. Or, if you prefer to attend remotely, pre-order a wine tasting kit to-go from your local participating store and watch/taste along with us on Zoom!

Nov-9_Goosecross_bottles_Facebook

About Goosecross Cellars:

Located in Yountville, California, Goosecross Cellars sits in the heart of the Napa Valley. The winery dates back four decades and is now owned by Christi and Dave Ficeli – husband and wife duo who always wanted to have a small family winery that they could pass down from one generation to the next. Christi and Dave’s love for wine is reflected in the grapes they grow and the wines they make; with the guiding vision and experience of their winemaker, Bill Nancarrow, they are able to create distinct, vineyard-driven wines that respect the roots and history of the Napa Valley soil. Learn more about the winery’s history and philosophy here.

© Photo by Goosecross Cellars
© Photo by Goosecross Cellars
© Photo by Goosecross Cellars
About Christi Coors Ficeli, Co-Owner:

The great, great granddaughter of beverage industry pioneer, Adolph Coors, Christi Coors Ficeli was raised in an entrepreneurial family that always put an emphasis on achieving your dreams through vision, dedication and collaboration. Christi got her first taste for the wine business in 1998, when she joined the team at Gallo Winery (where she also met her now husband, wine industry executive, David Ficeli). After leaving Gallo, Christi went on to receive her MBA from the University of Denver before joining the Coors family business. She held many positions at Coors Brewing that brought her and Dave to Napa, Denver and eventually Chicago (although nothing felt quite like home in the way Napa did). Finally, in 2012 Christi, with the help of family funding, developed a business plan and set out to find a Napa Valley Winery – which eventually led her to Goosecross in the spring of 2013. Christi and Dave have since purchased the Goosecross Winery from the Coors Family and their dream lives on to create something special for themselves, their kids, and all those that visit the winery.  Learn more about Christi and the Goosecross Team here.

Christi © Photo by Goosecross Cellars
© Photo by Goosecross Cellars
© Photo by Goosecross Cellars
© Photo by Goosecross Cellars
Christi and Dave © Photo by Goosecross Cellars

Photos and information © Goosecross Cellars – All Rights Reserved.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting with Christi Coors Ficeli
Goosecross Cellars
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
6:00pm CST/ 7:00pm EST
Cheers!
WineStyles.com
VirtualTaste-9627

© Photo by Goosecross Cellars

Winery Spotlight Series: October 12, 2022

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Robert_Craig_logo

Robert Craig Winery Spotlight
with Guest Speaker, Elton Slone
Napa, California

Wednesday, October 12, 2022
6:00pm CST / 7:00pm EST

Join us for a wine tasting event featuring Robert Craig wines and guest speaker Elton Slone, President and CEO of Robert Craig Winery. He will be joining us live on the big screen sharing the six wines below.

Wines Tasted:

  1. Robert Craig Chardonnay, Gap’s Crown Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, California
  2. Robert Craig Affinity Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California
  3. Robert Craig Howell Mountain Cuvée, California
  4. Robert Craig Howell Mountain Merlot, Napa Valley, California
  5. Robert Craig Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, California
  6. Robert Craig Howell Mountain Zinfandel, Black Sears, Napa Valley, California

To reserve a table and attend the wine tasting in person, please call your local participating WineStyles store. Or, if you prefer to attend remotely, pre-order a wine tasting kit to-go and watch/taste along with us on Zoom!

Oct-12_Robert-Craig_bottles

About Robert Craig Winery:

Founder Robert (Bob) Craig began his long and storied career at The Hess Collection in the 1980s. In 1990, Bob Craig founded his eponymous winery on Howell Mountain with three friends from business school. In 2004, CEO Elton Slone joined the winery and became a full partner in 2007. Following Bob’s retirement in 2012, Slone has continued to move the business forward with the other three founding partners. Known for producing small-lot, site-expressive wines from high elevation vineyards, Robert Craig Winery consistently garners high scores and positive accolades from the wine press. Learn more about the winery’s history here.

© Photo by Robert Craig Winery
© Photo by Robert Craig Winery
© Photo by Robert Craig Winery
© Photo by Robert Craig Winery
About Elton Slone – CEO and President:

Since his arrival at Robert Craig Winery in early 2004, Elton Slone has continued the Craig’s commitment to producing properly expressive cabernet sauvignons from mountain vineyards in the Napa Valley. His career spanning nearly three decades in the luxury wine industry have made Elton a fan of single vineyard, cellar worthy wines that display balance, nuance and complexity. Today, he spends much of his time traveling around the country to share the Craig word and wines with other wine enthusiasts. He brings his passion for old world wines to the new world of Craig with a production philosophy based on site expression. Learn more about Elton and the rest of the Robert Craig team here.

© Elton Slone – President and CEO of Robert Craig Winery
© Photo by Robert Craig Winery

Photos and information © Robert Craig Winery – All Rights Reserved.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting with Elton Slone
Robert Craig Winery
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
6:00pm CST/ 7:00pm EST
Cheers!
WineStyles.com

October Sweet Club Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubRobert-Mondavi-Private-Selection-Naturally-Sweet-Pinot-NoirRobert Mondavi Private Selection
Naturally Sweet Pinot Noir
California

NECTAR WINE STYLE

The Naturally Sweet Pinot Noir is made sweet naturally by pausing fermentation early in the winemaking process, so 100% of the sweetness comes from the grapes’ naturally occurring sugar. This means the wine is made with no added sugar, and it is also lower in alcohol to offer a more thoughtful indulgence.

The wine shows off rich color, fruit-forward aromatics, and exceptionally soft tannins. There are notes of black cherry, plum, and raspberry, followed by notes of vanilla and spice due to the judicious oak aging.

Varietal: Pinot Noir
Analysis: 9% alcohol / volume
Food Pairing: Grilled steak, barbecue brisket sandwiches, or spicy Thai dishes.

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with a sharp cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY:
Robert Mondavi built his winery in Northern California in 1966, planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and other key grape varieties to create some of the world’s finest wine. Today, Robert Mondavi Winery produces critically acclaimed, top-rated, world-class wines adored by industry experts, master sommeliers and consumers alike. Robert Mondavi Private Selection captures Roberts 26 years of legendary winemaking expertise in a different way to seek depth and substance. By balancing longstanding traditions with a forward-looking approach, the winery is able to explore what wine can be, not just what it “ought” to be to offer the most flavorful of wine experience. Learn more here.

Information © Robert Mondavi – All Rights Reserved.

Sugar-Sweet-Wine-Wine-Bottle-ImageJaM Cellars
Sugar Sweet White
California

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This soft, sweet, delicious Californian Moscato has just the right kiss of sweetness. It is super fruity and refreshing with a lower alcohol content. There are notes of honeyed citrus blossom, lush peach and sweet Meyer lemonade with a bright and refreshing finish.

Varietal: 100% Muscat
Analysis: 8.5% alcohol / volume
Serving: Chilled straight from the fridge, or kept cool in an ice bucket
Food Pairing: This wine pairs well with a variety of flavors:

  • Have a little salty-sweet moment with your favorite bag of potato chips (nothing fancy).
  • Look for something spicy such as a Spicy Pad Thai, or Kung Pow Chicken.
  • Take a bite of bitter with pickle, or a batch of Parmesan Crusted Brussel Sprouts
  • Double down on dessert and pair with your favorite sweet treat.

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an herbal or spicy cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT JaM CELLARS:
Second-generation Napa Valley vintners, John and Michele (the “J’ and “M” in JaM) are the master-minds behind JaM Cellars. After a decade of crafting ultra-premium wines in the Napa Valley, the husband & wife team decided to launch a line of super-approachable wines that could be enjoyed anytime. Learn more about their story here.

Information © JaM Cellars – All Rights Reserved.

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Casal Da Coelheira Terraços Do Tejo Red

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Azores_Beef_Stew_with_PotatoesMOLHA DE CARNE (Azores Beef Stew with Potatoes)

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3.5 lbs sirloin tip roast cut into large pieces (about double or triple the size of regular stewing meat)
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 1 cup beer
  • 1 small can of tomato paste (5.5 fl oz)
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 cup water
  • 6 white potatoes chopped into large pieces

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Cut the beef into large chunks.
  2. In a large bowl add the white wine, beer, tomato paste, salt, paprika, allspice and whisk until well combined. Add the bay leaves and cinnamon stick.
  3. Add the meat to the bowl and mix well to cover all the meat pieces. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap or put place the entire contents into a ziplock. Store in the fridge for at least two hours or even over night.
  4. Place a large pot on the stove and add the meat contents to the pot. Add the onions and garlic and bring to a slow boil for 30 minutes covered.
  5. Remove the lid, add the water and cover again. Simmer for 2 hours.
  6. Uncover, add the potatoes, mix well, cover and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.

© Recipe courtesy of Nelson Cardoso of Photos & Food.

OCTOBER WINE CLUB:

Bold wine Style logoCasal da Coelheira_Terraços do TejoCasal da Coelheira
Terraços do Tejo Red
Tejo, Portugal

BOLD WINE STYLE

Deep red in color, this wine has a lively aroma with ripe fruit. On the palate, despite its youthfulness, the tannins are presented but well rounded and accompanied by a good structure. It makes for a very tasty wine, easy for daily consumption but with lots of personality.

Varietal: Aragonês, Syrah, Castelão
Region: Tejo, Portugal
Analysis: 13.6% alcohol / volume
Total Acidity: 6.10 g/L
pH: 3.64
Total Sugar: 0.9 g/L
Soil Type: Sandy
European Vegetarian Union: Vegan
Serving Temperature: 60ºF-64ºF
Pairing: Pasta and white or red meat
Longevity: Drink now or keep it until the end of 2025
Winemaker: Nuno Falcão Rodrigues

WINEMAKING NOTES:
Destemming, maceration and fermentation with temperature control, malolactic fermentation and filtration.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Located at parallel 39 North, Casal da Coelheira Estate has been benefiting from the Mediterranean climate for over three generations. For years, they have been committed to producing the best and most innovative wines within the Tagus River wine region. While the winery has seen many upgrades to their production and winemaking technology over the years, the facade at Tramagal remains the same – showcasing a traditional Portuguese facility with timeless architecture and impressive white and yellow walls. Learn more about the winery here.

© Photo by Casal da Coelheira
© Photo by Casal da Coelheira
© Photo by Casal da Coelheira

Photos and information © Casal da Coelheira – All Rights Reserved.

Wine club logoJoin our WINE CLUB and enjoy these amazing wines and pairing recipes each month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

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September Premium Wine Club

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Bold wine Style logoBendewijn-Syrah-2020 (1)The Ahrens Family Winery
Bendewijn
Syrah
Paarl, South Africa

BOLD WINE STYLE

This medium to full bodied Syrah is grown on old bush-vines in a shale dominant soil on the northern side of the Paarl district. Bright red spicy fruit is complemented with a silky soft tannin.

Analysis: 14.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: Syrah
Total Acidity:  5.4 g/L
pH: 3.56
Residual Sugar:  2.7 g/L
VA: 0.52 g/L
Total Production: 721 bottles

Bold wine Style logoBendewijn-Cabernet-Cinsault-2020 (1)The Ahrens Family Winery
Bendewijn
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault
Wellington, South Africa

BOLD WINE STYLE

This medium bodied small batch red wine was grown on a complex coffee-stone gravel/quartz combination soil, giving the wine both weight and mineral elegance. The bold Cabernet tannins are rounded into a silky smooth texture with the addition of Cinsault, also enhancing the fruit.

Analysis: 14.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cinsault
Total Acidity:  5.0 g/L
pH: 3.73
Residual Sugar:  2.0 g/L
VA: 0.59 g/L
Total Production: 994 bottles

ABOUT ALBERT AHRENS’ BENDEWIJN LABEL:

Albert Ahrens

© The Ahrens Family

Bendewijn is passion project for Winemaker, Albert Ahren of The Ahrens Family Winery. Bendewijn was intended to be a group united by wine. Albert writes:

“A ‘bende’ directly translated is a gang, and “wijn” translated is wine… Hence Bendewijn is a wine-gang, more specifically, a wine-following. Bendewijn is not a wine club! So… Let me explain… Firstly, I’m a grape-scout & winemaker, annually producing our address specific Ahrens Family Wines. As the years go by, I constantly find myself inspired to explore other regions and wine styles. Occasionally I stumble across an intriguing vineyard, in most cases an older vineyard, usually located on the slopes of one of our many mountains located in the Western Cape. I’m obviously keen to have a go at it and produce a barrel or two. After every harvest, the end result is a couple of interesting new wines. These wines could be once-off or made again… no rules. Bendewijn is my space of freedom of expression. The aim is for a group of winelovers to join my “wine-gang” and follow me on my exploration. Bendewijn is sent out in a mixed case of six bottles, once every few months and if there is enough wine – no rules!”. – Albert Ahren

© Information from Albert Ahren’s Bendewijn and The Ahrens Family Winery – All Rights Reserved. 

Wine club logoJoin our PREMIUM WINE CLUB, enjoy amazing wines every other month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

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Reguta Prediale, Friuli, Italy

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Italian,Pasta,With,Ricotta,Cheese,And,Pistachios,On,White,Table.Zucchini Pasta with Pistachios and Parmesan

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 pound paccheri or rigatoni (or your favorite noodle)
  • 2 pounds zucchini (about 4 large zucchini), diced into ¼-inch-thick pieces
  • ¼ cup, plus 2 tablespoons, extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 7 medium garlic cloves, peeled and quartered
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 5 to 7 fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
  • 1 cup dry white wine or chicken stock
  • 1 lemon, juice and zest
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, for garnish
  • ½ cup shelled, roasted and salted pistachios, chopped, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425ºF and bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Heavily salt the water, add the pasta and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and reserve 2 ½ cups of pasta water for later.

  2. Toss half of the chopped zucchini with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and place in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the zucchini is golden brown and crisp.

  3. In a separate large skillet over medium-high heat combine remaining 1⁄4 cup olive oil, zucchini, onion and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini starts to soften and lightly caramelize, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the lid and deglaze with white wine, cook, stirring occasionally, until the wine has evaporated, about 5 minutes.

  4. Transfer the mixture into a blender, along with crushed red pepper flakes, basil leaves, the zest of 1 lemon and 1⁄2 cup reserved pasta water and blend until smooth. Pour back into the large skillet, add the pasta, and toss to coat. Add pasta water, 1⁄2 cup at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Finish with lemon juice.

  5. Add more pasta water as needed to thicken the sauce. Season to taste. Divide into serving bowls, top with roasted zucchini, Parmesan, chopped pistachios, basil leaves and drizzle with olive oil. Enjoy!

© Recipe courtesy of Elena Besser on the Today Show.

SEPTEMBER WINE CLUB:

Silky styleReguta_PredialeReguta
Prediale
Friuli, Italy

SILKY WINE STYLE

Straw yellow in color with hues of green. The nose is elegant and has an aromatic fragrance of floral and exotic fruity notes. The palate is soft, enveloping with a long and pleasant persistence and an excellent balance. 

Varietals: 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Chardonnay, 10% Ribolla Gialla 
Analysis: 13% alcohol / volume
Denomination: IGP Trevenezie
Serving Temperature: 46.4ºF-50ºF
Food Pairings: This wine is perfect for a tasting menu as well as an aperitif. It is the perfect match for fish dishes, stewed or barbecued white meat, and savory main dishes like pasta, risotto or soups.

WINERY NOTES:
This white wine is characterized by an evocative and perfect symbiosis between the flavor of Sauvignon, the embracing softness of the International Chardonnay, and the pleasant freshness and vivacity of the Ribolla Gialla – an original wine variety from the region.

ABOUT REGUTA:
Passed down from generation to generation, the Reguta winery has been producing excellent wines in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia since 1928. Second and third generations – Giuseppe and Luigi Anselmi and their sons continue the family’s traditions while expanding their high quality products. Located near the Adriatic Sea, the vineyards benefit from dry summers and mild winters, allowing the winery to produce a variety of both native and international grapes. Learn more here.

© Photo by Reguta Winery
© Photo by Reguta Winery
© Photo by Reguta Winery
© Photo by Reguta Winery

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Reguta Refosco Peduncolo Rosso

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Beef GoulashPolenta con Goulash (Polenta with Braised Beef Ragù)

INGREDIENTS:

  • For the Polenta:
    • 375 grams (1 packet) polenta
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • ¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, freshly grated
    • 4 tablespoons coarse salt
  • For the Goulash:
    • 2 pounds beef chuck or pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 1 ½ teaspoons sweet or hot paprika
    • 2 tablespoons flour
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
    • 1 (14-ounce) can whole tomatoes, crushed by hand
    • 1 cup tomato purée
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 4 cups beef broth
    • 4 tablespoons parsley, freshly chopped
    • Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
    • Extra virgin olive oil, as needed

DIRECTIONS:

  • To prepare the Polenta:

    1. In a medium saucepan, bring 8 cups of salted water to a boil. Very slowly, begin to sift the cornmeal into the pan through the fingers of one hand, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.

    2. Gradually sift all the cornmeal into the pan while stirring, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to stir constantly until the polenta is smooth, thick, and pulls away from the sides of the pan as it is stirred, about 8 minutes with the Valsugana Instant Polenta. Whisk the butter into the polenta, then fold in the freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Taste for seasoning, and adjust with salt, to taste.

  • To prepare the Goulash:

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

    2. In a bowl, combine the meat, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 2 tablespoons of flour, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.

    3. Heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a large saucepan, and brown the meat. Remove the meat, and set it aside on a plate. Add the butter, and sauté the onion, garlic, and remaining paprika. Add in the vinegar, tomatoes, tomato purée, bay leaves, and beef broth, then return the meat to the pot. Cook the meat, covered, in the oven for 2-3 hours until a tender stew has formed.

    4. To plate the dish, spread a layer of polenta on a serving dish and top it with the beef goulash. Garnish with the chopped parsley, and serve hot.

© Recipe courtesy of Eataly.

SEPTEMBER WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoReguta_RefoscoReguta
Refosco Dal Peduncolo Rosso
Friuli, Italy

MELLOW WINE STYLE

The Reguta Refosco is garnet red in color, tending to purple. The nose is intense with strong fruity notes of cherry and blackberry, along with a floral sensation of wood and violet. The palate has a full mouth feel, with a pleasantly bitter finish.

Varietal: Refosco Dal Peduncolo Rosso
Serving Temperature: 60.8ºF-64.4ºF
Food Pairings: Suitable for tasteful main courses and legumes. Best with beef, goat, lamb and liver.

ABOUT REGUTA:
The Reguta winery was founded in 1928 by Ettore Anselmi. Today, the winery is still owned and operated by the Anselmi Family in Pocenia in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Second and third generations – Giuseppe and Luigi Anselmi and their sons continue the family’s traditions while expanding their high quality products. Located in a microclimate next to the Adriatic Sea, the winery boasts 250 hectares of vineyards. The soils are clayey in nature with a sandy component – allowing optimal development of the vine and an ideal habitat to produce and mature generous fruits. Learn more here.

© Photo by Reguta Winery
© Photo by Reguta Winery
© Photo by Reguta Winery

 

Wine club logoJoin our WINE CLUB and enjoy these amazing wines and pairing recipes each month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

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September Sweet Club Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubRiesling-estate-bottled-from-old-vine-_-Saar-Riesling-20XX-englNik Weis – St. Urbans-Hof
Riesling
Estate Bottled from Old Vines
Saar Valley, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

The nose is fruity and floral, while on the palate the elegant mouthfeel is dominated by fresh and fine flavors of ripe stone fruits, such as peaches and yellow plums. The minerality of the slate soils delivers a salty and spicy character that goes perfectly along with the lively acidity and delicate medium sweetness.

Varietal: 100% Riesling
Analysis: 11.5% alcohol / volume (approx.)
Trellising: VSP and single post trellising
Age of Vines: 40-60 years
Production: Fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks
Serving Temperature: 46.4ºF
Food Pairing: Dishes like Thai curries poultry in piquant sauces, sweet and sour pork or game are delicious accompaniments to this classic Riesling.
Highlights / Ratings:
– Up to 80 years old vineyards in the Mosel and the Saar Valley
– Traditional Mosel style Riesling with a subtle residual sweetness and a radiant minerality
– Wine Spectator: Top 100 the most exciting wines of 2018 (#44)
– Wine Spectator 100 Top Value Wines for 2020 (#90) (JG 2018)
– Robert Parker: 90 pts. (JG 2017)
– Yves Beck: 90 pts. (JG 2019)

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

THE VINEYARD:

Harvesting Single Posts Credits Jon Wyand

© Photo by: Jon Wyand

Nik Weis is one of the few winemakers in his region to make wine from the Mosel and the Saar Valley. Half of his 111 acre property is located in the Saar Valley, a sub-appellation, where the microclimate is even cooler than in the Mosel area. This means that the difference between warm days and cool nights is more extreme and causes even better conditions for the development of many flavors in the skins of the berries. In comparison to the Mosel Valley, with its rather soft and blue slate soils, the slate in the Saar Valley is either red or grey, causing a distinctive smoky and almost salty minerality.

Old Riesling vine III- Credits Jony Wyand

Old Vine © Photo by Jony Wyand

Another particularity of Nik Weis is the wide spectrum of the age of his vines that goes up to 130 years. Having many old vineyard parcels is another key for making authentic and long-lasting wines since old vines root much deeper into the ground and gather more nutrients and minerals than young vines do; they also have a better water uptake which prevents them from drought and water shortage in warm summers. In addition to that, the grape clusters also change within the years, and for that, old vines produce smaller berries with thicker skins. This results naturally into lower crop yields with a higher aromatic concentration and complexity.

PRODUCTION:
The Riesling Estate Bottled from Old Vines unites all particularities of Nik Weis. It is grown on different kinds of slate, comes from the old vineyards in the Saar valley, and was fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks in order to keep the fine and elegant body.

Nik Weis in front of the Goldtröpfchen vineyards Credit Peter Kunz

Nik Weis © Credit Peter Kunz

2021-Nik-Weis-Urban-RieslingNik Weis – St. Urbans-Hof
Urban Riesling
Mosel, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This Riesling is honest, authentic and made with true origin. It has a complex, smoky and floral nose, and a juicy, fruity, and elegant mouthfeel with minerality that leaves a desire for the next sip. It reflects the traditional taste profile of top quality Mosel Riesling wines, in that it has brilliant fruit and lively acidity.

Varietal: Riesling
Analysis: 10.5% alcohol / volume
Trellising: VSP and partly traditional single post system
Serving Temperature: 46.4ºF
Food Pairing: Delicious on its own, or a perfect accompaniment to light or spicy dishes.
Highlights / Ratings:
– Wine & Spirits: Top 100 Values of the Year | 2020 – Urban Riesling 90 pts.
– Wine Enthusiast: Top 100 Best Buys | 2017 & 2018
– Wine Spectator: Wine of the Week | January 2022
– James Suckling: Vintage 2021 | 90 pts

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an aged cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Background:

Nik Weis Credits to David Weimann

Nik Weis © Photo Credits to David Weimann

Inspired by the ‘urban lifestyle’ of many cities like New York, London, or Paris, winemaker and globetrotter, Nik Weis wanted to create a wine whose individual character would stand out against the average mass of wines – even in famous cities with genuine character and flair. But how could one combine an urban lifestyle with a rather rural region like the Mosel valley? Luckily, Mosel Riesling is one of the world’s most famous wines and has been consumed in the world’s best restaurants and hotels for more than a century. Nik soon knew that his wine would bring the Mosel ‘zest for life’ to the world’s biggest cities back again.

Today, Urban Riesling has become a well-known and regularly-awarded wine that never forgot about its roots: The soil on which the vines grow consists of blue, highly decomposed slate rocks that give the wines their great minerality- a somewhat salty finish. The temperatures vary from warm during the day to cold at night; this lets the grapes keep their elegant and fruity acidity and makes them produce a wide range of beautiful flavors. The vinification takes place in a minimalistic way in order to make the wines as authentic as possible.

ABOUT NIK WEIS – ST. URBANS-HOF:
Nikolaus (Nik) Weis is the third generation of his family to tend the vines since his Grandfather, Nicolaus Weis founded St. Urbans-Hof Estate in 1947. Nicolaus was awarded the prestigious title “Oekonomierat” (Chancellor of Agriculture) in 1969 for his dedication to the wine culture of the country; his name and title have since become a suffix to the estate’s name. Today, Nik oversees the estate’s 111 acres in the Mosel and Saar Valleys. Since 2000, the Riesling winery has been a member of Germany’s renowned VDP (Association of German Quality Wine Estates). Learn more about their story here.

Drohne-Mosel-between-Leiwen-and-Trittenheim-Credits-David-Weimann_796x395px

Mosel between Leiwen and Trittenheim – © Photo by David Weimann

© Information from Nik Weis – St. Urbans-Hof.

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Winery Spotlight Series: September 21, 2022

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TheDuckhornPortfolio_PrimaryLogo

The Duckhorn Portfolio
with Guest Speaker, Kyle Lee
California and Washington State Wines

Wednesday, September 21, 2022
6:00pm CST / 7:00pm EST

Join us for a wine tasting event featuring Duckhorn Portfolio wines and guest speaker, Kyle Lee, joining us live on the big screen. Kyle Lee, District Manager for The Duckhorn Portfolio and Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), will be sharing the six wines below from The Duckhorn Portfolio.

Wines Tasted:

  1. Decoy Sparkling, Brut Cuveé NV, California
  2. Decoy Limited, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, California
  3. Calera, Pinot Noir, Central Coast, California
  4. Migration, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California
  5. Postmark, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California
  6. Canvasback, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Washington State

To reserve a table and attend the wine tasting in person, please call your local participating WineStyles store. Or, if you prefer to attend remotely, pre-order a wine tasting kit to-go and watch/taste along with us on Zoom!

Sept21_Duckhorn_bottles

About The Duckhorn Portfolio:

One of North America’s premier luxury wine companies, with ten renowned wineries, eight state-of-the-art winemaking facilities, seven beautiful tasting rooms and more than 1100 coveted acres of vineyards spanning 24 sustainably farmed Estate properties. Established in 1976, when legendary vintners Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Napa Valley’s iconic Duckhorn Vineyards.  Today, their wines are sold throughout the USA and 50 countries around the world. Learn more here.

© Photo from The Duckhorn Portfolio
© Photo from The Duckhorn Portfolio
© Photo from The Duckhorn Portfolio

About Kyle Lee, CSW:

Kyle Lee Headshot

Kyle Lee, CSW

Kyle Lee is the District Manager for Wisconsin and Minnesota for The Duckhorn Portfolio. Responsibilities include managing sales, distribution, trade education, hosting events, and sharing the Duckhorn Portfolio family of brands. After graduating college, where Kyle was a 4-year letter winner on the university’s baseball team, he began a career in the wine industry as a Sales Representative for a distributor in Wisconsin. Kyle’s many accomplishments include numerous performance recognitions and completion of requirements to become Certified Specialist of Wine. When not working, Kyle enjoys spending time on the lake or in the mountains, golfing, skiing, and hanging out with family, including his wife and his adorable 3 year old daughter, Raegan. He and his wife are also expecting their 2nd child any day!

© Photo from The Duckhorn Portfolio
© Photo from The Duckhorn Portfolio

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting with Kyle Lee
The Duckhorn Portfolio
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
6:00pm CST/ 7:00pm EST
Cheers!
WineStyles.com

August Sweet Club Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubQuinta de la RosaQuinta de La Rosa
Extra Dry White Port
Douro, Portugal

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This Extra Dry White Port is a first class aperitif wine with a beautiful amber/honey color. It showcases excellent fruit, as well as hints of pear drop, on the palate, all while maintaining the quintessential La Rosa long, dry finish.

Varietal: Mainly Viosinho, Gouveia, Rabigato and Malvasia Fina
Analysis: 19.5% alcohol / volume
Total Acidity: 3.00 g/dm3
Residual Sugars: 20-30 g/dm
pH: 3.8
Aging: 2-3 years in large ‘tonels’ (large 550L pipes)
Production: Regularly

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Enjoy on its own as a chilled aperitif.  Or serve with roasted almonds and olives, terrines and pâtés. Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an aged cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

TERROIR:
Still largely unexplored, the terroir in the Douro offers incredible opportunities. La Rosa’s vines rise dramatically out of the river with the imposing Vale do Inferno vineyard, and climb majestically up to an altitude of 500m. The estate’s grapes are category A – the very best the Douro has to offer. The remarkable freshness and minerality that Quinta’s unique terroir provides, along with a steadfast desire to ensure their brandy is will integrated, means that all of Quinta de la Rosa’s Ports are made in drier ‘house style’ without any overpowering sweetness.

PRODUCTION:
The first pressings of the grapes are fun off and used in their white wines. When then pH starts to rise, the last approximately 10% of the juice is drawn off into stainless steel vats, to be made into white port, stopping the fermentation by adding brandy. The Extra Dry White Port is blended from stocks held at La Rosa and is aged in large “tunnels” for an average of 2-3 years.

Qunita De La Rosa White Port

ABOUT QUINTA DE LA ROSA:
Located along the river, a short distance from Pinhão, in the Cima Corgo subregion of the Douro, Quinta de la Rosa is a Single Quinta winery famed for its premium wines and ports. Having been family owned and run since 1906, La Rosa is committed to respectful innovation in its pursuit of excellence. All of the estate’s grapes are category A – the very best the Douro has to offer. La Rosa’s wines and ports continue to receive 95+ points and they have been invited to join the top 273 wineries in the world at Wine Spectator’s New York Wine Experience. Quinta de la Rosa has a commitment to sustainable farming and winemaking, as well as sustainable tourism, that shows in their efforts at their hotel and restaurant. Learn more about their story here.

© Information provided by Quinta de la Rosa

Sweet ClubLove the Sweet life?
“Wine” not try our Sweet Club! 

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