Hey Gang,

Below are listed the upcoming items featured at the Colonial Tasting Bar.

Wednesday

Wine of the Week - Latetitia Pinot Noir, Arroyo Grande, California

Wine of the Week - Bottega Vinaia Pinot Grigio, Italy

Montecillo Reserva Rioja 2000 vintage, Spain

Thursday

Vina Zaco Rioja, Spain

Banfi San Angelo Pinot Grigio, Tuscany, Italy

Urban Uco Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Friday

Geyser Peak Russian River Ranches Sauvignon Blanc, California

Anne Amie Amrita White Blend, Willamette Valley, Oregon

BEER!!!!!!!!!!!  Boulevard Smokestack Series, Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale 750 ml bottle, Kansas City, Missouri

Saturday

Bruno Hunold Pinot Gris, Alsace, France

Urban Uco Tempranillo, Mendoza, Argentina

Twenty Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California

Tuesday

Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

Grayson Cellars Lot 5 Pinot Noir, California

See you at the bar, Cheers!

Chris Calvert

For Earth Day

360 Vodka + Dr Swami Bloody Mary Mix

Bonterra Organic Wine

Benziger Organic Wine

New Belgium Brewery Offering, too

Friday

Robert Pecota Sauvignon Blanc

d’ Arenberg Grenache

Roederer Estate Brut

Saturday

Marques de Caceres Rioja Rose

Giorgo Colutta Friulano

Ferrari-Carano Siena

Tuesday

St Martin de Garrigues Cotes du Rhone Red

Vina Torres Esmeralda White Blend

This week I broke out of my mold a little and made a trip to three Arkansas wineries.  I have never had an Arkansas wine besides the home-made stuff from when I was a kid.  With that as my template, I sallied forth and braved the unknown waters of local wine. 

Among the wines that I tasted, the real stand-outs were from Cowie Wine Cellars in Paris, AR and Mount Bethel in Altus, AR.  At this point, none of their wines are in the store, but that is soon to change.

Mount Bethel makes a Merlot that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with anything from California at the same price.  For vinifera in Arkansas, this is the best that I have tasted.  If there are others out there to match this, I would love some responses to direct me to them.

Another wine that really impressed me was was the Vidal Blanc from Cowie Wine Cellars.  A bit like a demi-sec Chenin Blanc with  palate-coating richness that leads to a drier, more crisp acidity.

Cowie also produced a Port-style wine that showed a nutty caramel palate and aromas of sweet tobacco leaf.  Very impressive.

I know this is a short overview, but these were the wine that really distinguished themselves to me.  As always, I welcome all comments. 

Cheers,

Chris Calvert

Saturday the 17th, please join us at the Colonial Tasting Bar to celebrate the release of the new Boulevard beer, Boulevard Pilsner.  We will carry the 6 and 12 packs but will have a special price on the 12 packs for one day only.  Try them at the Tasting Bar from 1-7pm, and enjoy a little extra savings.

See you then,
Chris Calvert

Next week’s Tasting Bar Schedule:

Wednesday

Masi Masianico Pinot Grigio, Italy

Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon, California

Reynold Family Chardonnay, California

Thursday

Marquis Philips Roogle Riesling, Australia

Parcel 41 Merlot, California

Garnacha de Fuego, Spain

Friday

Adelsheim Pinot Auxerrois, Oregon

Bonterra Merlot, California

White Oak Syrah, California

Saturday

Chateau St Jean Gewurtztraminer, Washington

Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, California

San Simeon Pinot Noir, California

Tuesday

The Greentini Cocktail -  Vodka + Midori Melon Liqueur

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier, California

Greg Norman Shiraz, Australia

See you at the Tasting Bar!