2007 California Tasting!

2007 California Mega Tasting!

Saturday January 2nd - Sunday January 3rd

11am - 8pm

Featuring:
2007 Darioush Caravan
2007 Robert Foley "Griffin"
2007 Snowden Cabernet "The Ranch"
2007 Stolpman Estate Syrah
2007 Anderson's Conn Valley Right Bank Red
2007 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 Caymus Cabernet
2007 Brewer Clifton Ampelos Pinot Noir
2007 Tablas Creek Espirit de Beaucastel
2007 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
2007 Brewer Clifton Santa Rosa Chardonnay

For years, there's been a disconnect between what people say makes a great California vintage, and what they want from their California red wines. They say that a long, cool vintage makes for a great wine (it does) but they seem to prefer wines that are overripe, powerful, high in alcohol and lack balance.

Maybe that style of wine is on the wane; the world's greatest wine writer, Jancis Robinson, has penned a recent piece offering that prediction. I don't know that Americans are quite ready to give up on their powerhouse Napa Cabs. I think they're crazy, but they have a right to their own opinions or why else would refer to that sort of thing as "taste"?

Still, the California vintages that get bally-hooed are the cooler, longer ones, such as 2005 and 2007. In 2007, some folks picked early; you could do that if you wanted. But September turned cool and turned the ripening down from 11 (on the Spinal Tap scale) to something close to 2 or 3. The rain didn't hit till late October.

Those who wanted to make overripe wines could do so. Those who want to drink them can do so, as far as I'm concerned, and you can have my portion too. But a lot of producers took what nature gave them and made wines with some of the fruit purity and balance of 2005, and some of the weight and power of 2004. Yields were down, sometimes as much as twenty percent, and that's not always a great thing in California – it can lead to over-ripening with the grapes that are left out there. But in this case, it added intensity.

When the vintage charts are updated a few years from now, I don't know what will be said for sure. But I know what I think: 2007 may be the best vintage among the "naughts", with 2005 and 2002 close behind.

We'll see you on Saturday and Happy New Year!

Doug Frost MS MW
Master Sommelier & Master of Wine

10% off all Sparkling Wine!

10% off all Sparkling Wines

Monday Dec. 28 - Thursday Dec 31

As 2009 draws to a close we want to make sure everyone has a nice, full glass of bubbly ready to ring in 2010 and the start of a new decade. That is why today through Thursday we are offering 10% off all Sparkling wine purchases - buy one bottle for you and your significant other or buy six for that get together you are having at your house - it will all be 10% off.

We want to thank all of you, our awesome customers, for making 2009 a great year at Winestore. We especially want to thank you for welcoming us with open arms down at Blakeney. We've got some great things planned for you in 2010 and it is because of your loyal support that we are able to continue offering you the lowest price in town, the most innovative technology, and the best customer service possible.

So THANK YOU - and we look forward to seeing you in the store over the next few days as we get ready for New Years Eve!

Cheers,

The Team @ Winestore.

Eve Chardonnay ! Buy it here!

From the Charlotte Observer:

Sip of the Week

Catherine Rabb

Posted: Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009

Charles Smith Eve Chardonnay Washington State, 2007

$13.99 at Winestore

This very tasty chardonnay has a wonderful fresh-apple flavor, with a hint of mineral and a kiss of oak. It's a terrific selection by the glass or with a meal, and is one of those wines that's so versatile to have around, you may want to snag a couple of bottles. It's from a winemaker I'm crazy about - the fun, eccentric Charles Smith. Check out his Web site, www.charles smithwines.com , for several other wines in the lineup that are worth trying. Catherine Rabb

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/food/story/1140197.html

15% off all Cases!

15% off all Cases!
December 10th - December 13th

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone the holiday party season is in full swing. You've probably received multiple clever invitations and sent at least one of your own, but the question remains: what wines should I serve and what exactly makes a wine a good "party" wine.

We've put together some simple guidelines for you to follow in the hopes of making your life easier this holiday season. Remember, these aren't rules (we don't like rules), merely some suggestions. Rules are for wine snobs, and let's face it, you didn't invite them to your party anyway.

#1. Party wines need the ability to pair with many different foods.
It's a pretty safe bet that you're serving a wide variety of foods and need a wine that goes with everything from cheese to those mini cocktail wieners. You'll probably never hear Bob Parker say, "This cab is a hedonist's delight, filled with black fruits and perfect for cocktail wieners." I really wish he would though. With this in mind, you might want to find a Red and White that are overall crowd pleasers and don't paint yourself into a corner with an obscure wine that tastes like "Chestnuts and shoe leather" or anything like that.

#2 Budget, Budget, Budget
If your friends are anything like mine, then they tend to sport-drink at parties. Basically they only notice the wine if it's REALLY bad. Other than that, they just happy to be socializing with friends and even though the wine may be delicious, it's not likely to be the first thing on their mind. Given this, there's really no need to break the bank when buying a case or more of party wine (hence our 15% discount). I know, you never expect your average retailer to tell you "spend less money," but we didn't set out to be an average retailer. We figure that Charlotte has plenty of those.

#3 Easy Access?
If there's ever a time in life where a screw cap comes in handy, it's when Cheryl from the office just polished off her third bottle of Chard and you're in charge of opening the wines. Just a thought.

#4 Experiment
Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Try an Albarino instead of Pinot Grigio, or a Grenache instead of Cab. It's your party and a perfect time to introduce your friends to some wines that they may or may not ever had before. You'll probably be surprised by their response. Besides, what better impression to leave on your guests than "Amy really knows her wines." You can just smile, nod, and never tell them that it was $9.

#5 The only rule is that there are no rules
Well, actually, there is one rule. Don't drink and drive. Other than that, have fun, be goofy, and enjoy the time with your friends and family. If the wine is preventing your friends from having fun, then you should consider revising your invitation list.

Cheers!

Taste 07 Beaucastel, 07 Caymus Special Select, 07 El Nido and More!

Taste the World's Best!

Saturday December 5th, 2009
11am - 8pm
All Day Long!

Back in September we got crazy with some high-end wines. In truth, I think a lot of us expected the other economic shoe to drop before we saw September and October in the rear-view, but it didn't happen. It STILL hasn't happened. Heck, maybe everything's okay!! Maybe it's time to, if not party like it's 1999, maybe we can party like it's 2007 or some other time when we thought that any bubble that popped would simply be replaced by another, and all we had to do was to just keep running to the next financial trinket, and, oh, there I go again. It's the holidays, people! Let's focus on the good stuff! We have our health and our families and friends and all, and even if we don't have our jobs, in the immortal words from the film Raising Arizona (spoken as career advice to a young Nicholas Cage), "You're young. You've got your health. What do you need a job for?" This Saturday, we've got some wines you just have to try, even if buying such wines becomes a matter of parsing bottles, rather than cases. For one, we've got the 2007 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauenuf-du-Pape and, yes, everything you've heard about the 2007's is true. Just because the clueless people who thought 2003 was a great vintage are saying it, that doesn't make it a lie. The 2007's are gorgeous, just like the 2005's were, and the 2004's and 2006's ain't that bad either. But for now, you can wallow in the lushly layered fruit of 2007 from Beaucastel, a benchmark for Chateauneuf and, maybe some people would say, THE benchmark for Chateauneuf. Caymus Special Select Cabernet Sauvignon has always been rich and powerful but these days it seems more like a graceful Napa Cab than most of the newly minted names in Napa. And this is from the 2007 vintage: up there with 2002 and 2005 (in my pantheon) as one of the three vintages that will probably matter when the dust settles from this decade. Then there's the 2007 El Nido, which is a whole 'nother level of jam, even if it probably lacks the complexity and certainly lacks the balance of Beaucastel. You know what? Stuff like balance really doesn't become important for five to ten to fifteen years from now, so WHO CARES?? We're drinking it Saturday. Anybody who reads these occasional missives knows I love AALTO. Great Ribera del Duero is something very different than great Jumilla like El Nido (I still feel funny typing the words "great Jumilla" but then El Nido winemaker Chris Ringland has been good at re-defining expectations): there is a nobility in amongst the rich and powerful blue fruits, and, oh, yes, balance. In 2006, a sense of balance that can seem like a sense of grace. But over in the Ebro River Valley, Rioja's version of the Tempranillo grape is less explosive than Ribera del Duero, if even more graceful. The 2001 Muga Prado Enea is a wine from a winery (Muga) that is confounding, but in a good way. The Torre Muga is super ripe, uber-international in style. Muga's Rioja Riserva has a strongly traditional feel to it; Prado Enea is something in between. And 2001 is a great, great vintage. Finally, we allow France's Languedoc to get into the act: 2005 La Peira Terrasses du Larzac is one of the many wines that wise taster David Schildknecht has turned a lot of us onto. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre, count yourself lucky to have found some 2005, a vintage the rest of the country has run out of. There will be more treats like 2007 Alto Moncayo but you'll have to stop by to see all the goodies we are pulling out. Happy Tasting and we'll see you Saturday!! Cheers, Doug Frost, MS MW Master Sommelier & Master of Wine

Holiday Gifts?

Holiday and Corporate Gifts Made Easy

Wondering what to send your friend out in Portland for the Holidays? Wondering what type of wine to get for your business associate or that special corporate client? If there is one gift that you can give that is universally loved, it is the gift of wine. I mean, who doesn't love getting a nice bottle of wine for the holidays. It's like getting free drinks! We here at winestore work with companies right here in Charlotte and as far away as New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles in meeting all of their gift giving needs. No matter what the budget we can make sure you get the perfect wine for those who you wish to thank and show you care this holiday season.

Just send a list!
- If you have a list of clients or friends you wish to send gifts to you can simply send us a list with their name, address, note you wish to include, bottle color (e.g. 1 red and 1 white) and your budget and we will take care of the rest
- We can have lists as large as 200 turned around and out the door to your clients, associates or friends within 24 hours

Gift Baskets
- Customized gift baskets to suit your needs and your budget. Simply let us know your budget and we will craft the perfect gift basket to meet your needs. One corporate client last year called and added to his list after his gift basket recipients called and raved about how much they enjoyed their gift!

FREE Delivery
- Orders of over $150 receive free delivery within 5 miles of either store (that basically encompasses all of Charlotte)

Order Online
- Don't have time to stop by? Simply order everything you need online by going to http://www.winestore-online.com. You can choose from in store pickup, delivery or shipping!

Shipping!
- Winestore is licensed by FedEx to ship alcohol to over 40 states

Questions?

Please feel free to call Matthew Hartley at our SouthPark Location @ 704-442-4024

or

Please feel free to call Matt Snyder at our Blakeney Location @ 704-443-2944

We are here to serve you and want to make the Holiday Gift giving process as easy as possible!

Happy Holidays,
Your friends @ Winestore.