Red, White and Brew

If you ever wanted to try GRAPPA but were thrown off by the price ~

 Grappa is a fragrant grape-based pomace-brandy of between 37.5% and 60% alcohol by volume (75 to 120 proof), of Italian origin.  Literally meaning “grape stalk”, most grappa is made by distilling pomace; grape residue (mainly the skins but also stems and seeds) left over  from winemaking after pressing.  It was originally made to prevent waste by using leftovers at the end of the wine season.  It quickly became commercialized, mass-produced and sold worldwide.  Some grappa, known as prima uva, is made with the whole grape.  The flavor of grappa, like that of wine, depends on the type and quality of the grape used as well as the specifics of the distillation process.

In Italy, grappa is primarily served as a “digestivo” or after-dinner drink.  Its main purpose was to aid in the digestion of heavy meals.  Grappa may also be added to espresso coffee to create a “caffe corretto”, meaning corrected coffee.  Another variation of this is the “ammazza caffe” (literally, a “coffee killer”):  the espresso is drunk first, followed by a few ounces of grappa served in its own glass.  In the Veneto, there is “resentin”: after finishing a cup of espresso with sugar, a few drops of grappa are poured into the nearly empty cup and swirled, and drunk down in one sip.

If you have ever been intrigued by grappa by frightened off by the expensive price tag, fear no more.  On one of our seriously ridiculous close out buys, we came across a really decent grappa for only $9.99 a bottle!!  So if it’s something you’ve always wanted to try — now is your chance!

 An unheard of price for a Russian River Pinot Noir

 OK, so you hear the words “Russian River Pinot Noir” and you immediately start thinking — costly — right?  Usually ANY Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley will run upwards of around $20 - $30 a bottle, right?  Wrong.  Belvedere Russian River Valley Sonoma County 2005 Pinot Noir at $9.99 a bottle.  Nope, you did NOT hear that wrong.  $9.99 per bottle.  Buy it by the case and save 20% — $96.00 for the case — knocking it down to $8 a bottle!  

Stacey’s Favorite Beer Week!!

  My TWO favorite beers came out in the same week????  Flying Fish Espresso Porter, from Cherry Hill, a regal brew — roasty, chocolaty and rich and Troeg’s Nugget Nectar, from Harrisburg, PA, a hop-head’s dream come true!  Both brews are limited so scoop ‘em up if you really want them!  

Pedroncelli Four Grapes Port

 While creating this weeks Tasty Treat, the snow is falling quietly on the grass, sidewalks & streets and making a white blanket across the neighborhood.  Thoughts turn to warming up in front of the fireplace with a glass of Port while watching a movie.  Pedroncelli’s Four Grapes Dry Creek Valley Port is that port.   The grapes for this dessert wine come from Pedroncelli’s estate vineyard in Dry Creek Valley.  The four acre vineyard was established in 1995.  The following Port varietals are included with an acre of each: Tinta Madiera, Tinta Cao, Touriga and Souza.  Each varietal matures at a slightly different rate but are picked at the same time.  They are harvested as a field blend so that certain varieties contribute acid, color and flavor components.  This is the fourteenth vintage produced at Pedroncelli.  This port is deep purple in color, with ripe berry, caramel & toffee aromas  that lead to a flavorful dessert wine with spicy clove, raspberry and cream soda highlights.  A very complex and rich dessert wine.  This port will gain nuances over the years and will be enjoyed with great reward. 

 BIG Sale on Tilted Palm

Dogfish Head Red & White

  A big Belgian styled Wit brewed with coriander and orange peel and fermented with Pinot Noir juice.  After fermentation,  a fraction of the juice is aged in Oregon Pinot Noir barrels and another fraction is aged in oak staves.  The beer is blended together before packaging.  One of Dogfish Head’s most popular brews, this successful marriage of refreshing citrusy qualities of a Belgian styled white beer with the robust complexity of a bold red wine.  10% abv.

Tomos Watkins Old Style Bitter

 This rich red premium cask ale is made using pale ale, crystal and wheat malt.  A full fruity / citrus hop flavor of willamette and fuggle with the light aroma of goldings.  This is a wonderful, subtle but highly complex bitter with a lot of great flavor.  The taste is sweet sour fruit up front with light, zesty yeastiness with a hint of caramel and a finish that has a light bitterness and a touch of toast.   Bronze medalist at the GBBF and runner-up at The Champion Ale of Wales.

We have a VERY limited amount of this beer (and it’s at a FABULOUS price, if we may say) so stop by this week — for it may be gone.

 Seabiscuit Ranch Merlot

 This is one of those special deals  — again, jump on it quickly as it will not be around too long.  One of our distributors, in an attempt to clear out their warehouse & not have to count it in with their 2008 inventory, sold us a BUNCH of great wines, beers & some awesome mixers (we’ll tell you all about that later) and, in turn, we are passing along the great deals to you.