Free Tasting Friday 
5-7 pm

What are we tasting December 28?

Francesco from MS Walker will be here pouring wines and spirits that are perfect for the holidays:

Tsiakkas Xynisteri ($18.99)
Cyprus

"Our vines continue to be planted ungrafted, propagated from the cuttings of exceptional old vines coming from our own vineyards. Although the vineyards look less uniform and yields aren’t as efficient as they could be, this traditional practice offers a more sincere reflection of terroir and promotes healthier diversity among the plantation.

Aromas:   Nectarine, lime, grapefruit, honey
Pairing:   Green vegetables, poultry, seafood"

This is a great wine for Sauvignon Blanc drinkers!


Atance Bobal ($13.99)
Valencia, Spain

100% Bobal
Organic viticulture and hand picked grapes from bush vines in Requena. 
Vinification in stainless steel tanks and elevage in French oak foudre.

PRESS | 91+ WA
“The 2020 ATANCE, pure Bobal from vines planted in 1975, fermented in 10,000-liter stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts at controlled temperature for a week and had a short maceration. The wine matured in 8,000-liter French oak vats for three months. This feels really harmonious, serious, nuanced and elegant, with subtle aromas and great balance and length.” - Luis Gutierrez

Pinot Noir drinkers like this wine.


Valravn Zinfandel ($19.99)
Sonoma, California

96% Zinfandel, 4% Syrah, Grenache & Cinsault
"Since our first vintage (six years ago), Valravn Zinfandel has been based on old, bush-pruned vines averaging 40 years old (some over 100) across the county’s best appellations including Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, and Russian River Valley AVAs. In 2019, we also peppered in a bit of Syrah, Grenache, and Cinsault. Hand harvested, hand sorted and gently destemmed before fermentation.

In the cellar, a short cold soak was followed by primary fermentation in small lots using a combination of open and closed top tanks. The berries were kept intact to capture the buoyant fruit profile. Following fermentation, the wine was barreled down for malolactic and aging for 15 months in French oak, 15% of which was new.

Dark cherry and black raspberry aromas with pepper spiciness. The palate is warm with dark fruit flavors of blueberry, cassis, and blackberry compote which are complemented with briary notes and an energetic freshness. Strikes ideal balance of tannins, fruit and acidity."


Mad River Distillers Maple Fig "Madhattan" ($19.99)
Vermont

"We made this delicious cocktail with our own 'secret recipe.' We combined our Mad River Maple Cask Rum and Black Infusions Vodka infused with figs, and then enhanced these distinctive spirits with a splash of natural bitters flavor."


KAS Krupnikas ($21.99)
New York

"KAS Krupnikas is a family recipe distilled with local honey and a secret blend of spices Krupnikas is a sweet alcoholic drink that is popular in Lithuania as well as Poland (known there as “Krupnik”). KAS is created in the Hudson Valley town of Mahopac in Putnam county New York. It is bottled and labeled by hand. Its a true craft spirit: a family gift offered to the local community and beyond."

KAS is no longer being made, but I have a bunch of bottles. You don't want to miss trying this very special liqueur.

Tasting Tips

1. Taste with as clean a palate as possible. Try to avoid smoking or chewing gum just beforehand. If you have just eaten, drink some water to clear the flavors of the meal.

2. Keep an open mind. Try new things! We all get into ruts when it comes to our palates, but the fun of a tasting is that you don't have to commit to the whole bottle. If you don't like what you've tasted, you can spit it out.

3. Spit or swallow--it's up to you! Just make sure you use the spittoon!

4. See, swirl, smell, sip, savor. Give attention to all aspects of the wine. Here is a link that explain the process:

http://winefolly.com/review/how-to-taste-wine-develop-palate/

5. Have fun! Wine tasting has an air of elitism around it, but unnecessarily so. Your palate is your own-it's as individual as you are-and the most important part of appreciating good alcohol is knowing what you like and why you like it. You don't have to use fancy words or spend a lot of money on a bottle. As the kids say, you do you!


**You must be 21+ to try samples of alcohol**