Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, February 20, 2010

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264

760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

Thanks to all who attended the event last Saturday featuring Mike Grgich and his fine wines.  Mike was gratified by the number of fans who crowded in to meet with him and taste the wines currently in release.  Melanie did amazingly well keeping up with the pouring duties and discussing the provenance of the varietals.  Our apologies to you who got to the counter after we ran out of Fumé Blanc and Zinfandel; the matter is rectified with the arrival of both now in the store.In the meantime, new arrivals are available on our shelves and really ought to be part of our sampling schedule.  This Saturday’s event will feature imports from Argentina, Germany Italy and Spain.Next Saturday, the 27th we will concentrate on Zinfandels and the following Saturday, the 6th of March, we will present Argentine Malbecs for your discerning pleasure.

2008 Banfi Principessa Perlante Gavi, Piemonte, Italy

List price 17.50; our price 13.99

Principessa Perlante captures the fresh, fruit-forward bouquet and elegant structure of Gavi with a delicate natural effervescence.  As well as an elegant apéritif, it is also an ideal accompaniment to all shellfish, and marries well with fish, veal and grilled chicken.  Its combination of delicacy and flavor makes it a most appropriate accompaniment to the nuances of Asian cuisine in general and Japanese dishes in particular.  Also, you might try it with Italian food.

2008 Alamos Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina

List price 10.00; our price 8.99

Built up by the Catena family in Argentina, Alamos produces terrific value wines year in and year out.  The wine is full-bodied, with red apple and pear fruit filling the mouth.  Some bright yellow stone fruit and just a hint of toffee from brief oak aging add some richness and texture.  The wine has a truly fresh flavor profile, and would work well as a bridge wine for those who prefer crisper, brighter, Chardonnay while their companions perhaps favor richer, oakier flavors.  Delicious and versatile, this is a “smoking” good deal on Chardonnay!

2000 Bert Simon Serrig Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese, Mosel, Germany

List price 24.90; our price 19.99

In 1968, as a young enologist, Bert Simon acquired the Baron von Schorlemer vineyards Serriger Herrenberg and Serriger Würtzberg.  Both vineyard sites of about 40 acres are monopole sites of the estate and almost all the vines are planted on steeply sloping hillsides.  This is a cool climate Riesling with aromas of minerals and bright citrusy fruit, with floral nuances in the background.  I love the citrus and honeysuckle fruit flavors playing off of the minerals, with a bright, tingly acidity to support it all.

2003 Conde de Valdemar, Reserva, Rioja, Spain

List price 16.50; our price 12.95

The Martinez Bujanda family, producers of Valdemar wines, founded their original winery in 1889.  They own 820 acres of vineyards, which makes Valdemar one of the largest estates in the Rioja.  A new winery was built in 1984 to take advantage of modern technologies, integrating both new and time-honored traditions of winemaking.  A blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Mazuelo, the wine is clean and bright with complex aromas of stewed black berries and spicy touches of black pepper and mineral notes.  It has a fleshy ripe berry character with fine tannins extending throughout the long and very persistent finish.

2006 Monte Antico, Toscana, Italy

List price 14.00; our price 10.99

The wine is 75 percent Sangiovese, 15 percent Merlot and 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.  It is made from 25-year-old vines, mostly from Pisa, Maremma and Chianti Classico areas.  The quality of the 2006 vintage in Tuscany shines brilliantly through this wine.  The superb 2006 Sangiovese year has produced an aromatic wine with beautiful plums, berries and fresh acidity; #61 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2009.

2006 Masi Valpolicella “Campofiorin” Ripasso, Veneto, Italy

List price 15.00; our price 12.99

Masi’s 2006 Campofiorin reveals a soft, floral expression of red fruits framed by silky tannins.  This medium-bodied, restrained wine shows a lovely balance.  Campofiorin is essentially a Valpolicella made in the ripasso style which involves a secondary fermentation on the skins and stems of the estate’s Amarone.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

 

4 to 6 PM

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264

760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

Our annual Champagne event last week was a big hit and we are following it up with a Prosecco party.  This Saturday we will be visited by Kirsten York from Italy’s Mionetto Winery. The Mionetto family has been producing Prosecco wine in the very heart of Valdobbiadene since 1887.  The Prosecco zone, located in the Veneto, is comprised of an area between the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.  This is the only place in the world where the Prosecco grape grows.  Mionetto makes a range of Prosecco styles, which would well accommodate year-end party needs at easy to manage pricing.  The best part is they are very festive, are under 12% alcohol and they taste really good.  Prosecco is an ideal accompaniment for a variety of cuisines and courses.  Whether served as an apèritif, or at the end of a meal, or any course in between, the natural acidity and fresh taste lightly compliments, but never over-powers, a meal.  Join us this Saturday to learn all about the famous grape that produces this wonderful wine, while sipping the lovely elixir.

Mionetto IL Prosecco, Veneto

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

This is a straw-colored wine with brilliant reflections. The aroma is fruity, reminiscent of pear and citrus with a slightly floral bouquet. The wine is fresh and crisp with apparent apple and peach flavors. This lightly sparkling (frizzante) wine typifies the traditional wine-maker’s Prosecco.

Mionetto Prosecco di Valdobbiadene

List price 18.00; our price 14.99

The Valdobbiadene winemaker’s art is full of long-standing traditions which the Mionetto Company has preserved, including the ancient custom of using string-tied corks, a rustic characteristic of the Valdobbiadene wines of the past lovingly maintained by Mionetto to this day.  The wine is slightly fruity and dry, with the perfume of golden apples.

Mionetto Prosecco Brut

List price 15.95; our price 11.99

This fully-sparkling wine is pale gold with greenish tints and a full and consistent perlage. Refined, light and delicate, it has a long-lasting aroma and fruity, crisp taste that recalls the freshness of golden apples.

Mionetto Sergio Spumante, Extra Dry

List price 24.00; our price 21.95

The blend in this sparkling wine is 70% Prosecco di Valdobbiadene DOC and the other 30% is a blend of Verdiso, Bianchetta and Chardonnay.  It honors the traditions of the Veneto winemaking region and the long history of the Mionetto family.  Contemporary master vintner Sergio Mionetto produces this wine based on a formula handed down by Francesco Mionetto, who founded the winery.  A touch of two old grape varieties, unique to the region, are blended with the area’s finest Prosecco grapes; the result is a superbly dry, slightly fruity wine with just a hint of acidic crispness.  Wine Enthusiast gave the wine a 92 point-rating.

Mionetto IL Rosato del Veneto

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

This well-balanced and fruity wine has lively notes of cherries with a long and dry finish. Its pleasing aroma recalls the elegant mix of roses, raspberries and peaches.  This wine is lovely on its own, as an apèritif or paired with cured meats, mild cheeses or shellfish.  It particularly comes alive as a complement to fresh water fish such as rainbow trout and carp.

Mionetto Sergio Rosé

List price 24.00; our price 21.95

This is a brilliant, raspberry colored Italian sparkler with pretty and well-defined aromas of cranberry juice, almonds and roses.  Interesting mineral nuances that recall chalk or white stone add a patina of elegance and femininity to a fun and informal wine otherwise characterized by red berry fruit, white cherry and flower petal.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,

760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

We have a fondness for Italian wines and decided to squeeze in one more Italian wine event before the end of the year.  These wines arrived this week and will no doubt be your first opportunity to taste them.  Italy remains the number one wine producer in the world and reigns at the top with the most varietals under cultivation.  Winemakers there are not after “knocking your socks off”; rather they seek to balance all the elements of wine to harmonize with food.  You cannot sip their wines for long without desiring at least an antipasto, or pasta, or pizza.

2008 Umani Ronchi Verdicchio, Marche

List price 10.50; our price 8.99

The Bucci family has been involved in viticulture in the classic Castelli di Jesi zone of the Marche for over three centuries.  Today they tend some 21 hectares of vineyards, sited mainly around the village of Montecarotto, using wholly organic methods.  A combination of low yields in the vineyards and meticulous vinification, results in wines of memorable intensity and power. The bouquet is quite floral and the palate reflects ripe fruits which together display considerable finesse.

2008 Casale Mattia Frascati Superiori, “Terre del Casale”, Latium

List price 13.00; our price 11.75Frascati is one of the classic Roman appellations, a white wine that many (correctly) associate with open-air dining in the Eternal City.  Like many other Italian wines, it is a blend, and it must be at least 50% Malvasia Bianca di Candia.  That’s set, but winemakers have considerable latitude for the remaining 50%, typically mixing in Trebbiano and Greco.  The bouquet is bright, with fresh, rather pungent floral accents supported by clean bright fruit.  The palate, too, is bright, with lively minerality and clean citric acidity that flow into a lovely fruit finish with a hint of bitterness.

2007 Teruzzi & Puthod Terre di tufi, Tuscany

List price 19.95; our price 17.99

This super Tuscan from San Gimignano is a blend of Vernaccia, Chardonnay, Malvasia and Vermentino.  The aromas and flavors are of fresh pineapple, flowers and mineral.  It is medium-bodied and silky, with good, clean fruit and a lingering finish.

2007 Badiolo Chianti, Tuscany

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

Chiantis are based on the Sangiovese grape, which typically yields a medium-bodied wine with strawberry and cherry fruits that are accented with delicate notes of green herb, dusty soil, leather and spice.  While Chianti can be produced exclusively from Sangiovese, the vast majority of Chianti is blended with a small percentage of other grapes.  Traditional grapes like Mammolo, Colorino, and Canaiolo are used to add some flesh and aromatic complexity to the finished wine but always play second fiddle to Sangiovese.  Many producers now include some Merlot, adding fruit and richness, or Cabernet Sauvignon, which contributes power and dark fruit flavors, to their Chianti yielding a wine that is richer and chunkier than the wines of the past.  This bottling in straw-wrapping is known as a “fiasco” and is done in the light-to-medium straight forward Sangiovese style.

2008 Umani Ronchi Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Tuscany

List price 9.95; our price 8.99

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is one of the most widespread native varieties of Italy, mainly along the Adriatic coast.  It is appreciated for its full, mellow qualities and its aromatic persistence.  A careful selection of the grapes is followed by fermentation on the skins for 10 days.  After malolactic fermentation the wine is stabilized and matured in bottle before release. The resulting product is medium bodied and dry, with a finely textured structure and ripe, plumy fruit.  It pairs well with Provencal lamb with Mediterranean vegetables, lamb and red pepper kebabs, pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, olive and goat cheese or pork tenderloin with balsamic-cranberry sauce.  This blend is 90% Montepulciano and 10% Sangiovese.

2004 De Valier Valpolicella Ripasso, Veneto

List price 24.00; our price 19.95

The first contemporary Ripasso wine was produced in 1964 by applying the technique of a second fermentation of Valpolicella grapes (70% Corvina, 20% Molinara, and 10% Rondinella in this blend) on the skins and lees of the Amarone, transforming young fresh wine into rich full bodied wine suitable for aging in barrel and bottle. The nose is floral and full with fruity scents of cherry, blackberry and hints of vanilla.  The taste is medium bodied, well structured and balanced, harmonic with sweet tannins, and an elegant finish; an excellent example of the renowned Italian classic from Veneto.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,

760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

Recent “DNA” testing has shown Primitivo to possess the exact same genetic make up as our Zinfandel. Interestingly though, both varieties origins are tracked back to Croatia and are mutated from the Crljenak varietal. And while the grapes may be identical in theory, the wines they produce have distinct differences. Primitivo’s home province is Apuglia (also called Puglia), located in the “heel” of Italy’s boot.

Wines made from Primitivo have notes of plum and spice, like Zinfandel, but because of different growing soils and climate, the fruit character is less jammy, the structure more akin to old world wines, with rustic notes of earth and spice, as well as tamed fruit flavors. Most likely the Croatian vines were brought to Italy by the Greeks, but we know the Zinfandel we know and love came to the United States in 1820, when New York nurseryman George Gibbs carried back various cuttings from the Imperial Austrian plant species collection.

Over the next two decades, Zinfandel became a popular table grape in the Northeast U.S. Although there are some commercial claims that Agoston Haraszthy (who founded Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma) brought Zinfandel to California, records show that a Massachusetts nurseryman introduced it here. In either case, Zinfandel is now considered indigenous to California, where it has thrived since the mid-1850’s.

2006 A. Mano Primitivo, Puglia

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

This all Primitivo grape wine from Puglia is made from 70-100 year-old, hand-cultivated, low-yielding vines. A. Mano (meaning “made by hand”) is a fruit-packed, food-friendly, modern wine, an excellent value and a great alternative to American Zinfandel. It pairs exceedingly well with a variety of dishes – grilled meats, rich pastas, spicy foods and barbecue.

2007 Gran Sasso Primitivo, Puglia

List price 14.50; our price 9.99

This example packs all of the fruit-driven ripeness fans of the grape expect, yet remains at all times light on its feet and fresh. The succulent, direct blueberry fruit is laced with notes of briar, gravel and spice, but has none of the thick, port like or oxidized elements so prevalent with so many examples of Primitivo out there.

2007 Layer Cake Primitivo, Puglia

List price 17.50; our price 14.99

The wine is opaque and purple-colored with a nose of jammy black cherry and blackberry fruit, truffles, tar, and spice. Warm and rich in the mouth; the ripe fruit is well supported by the depth of the structure.

2003 TerreD’uva Primitivo di Manduria

List price 18.00; our price 14.99

The concentrated nose presupposes rich red fruits and blueberries which are replicated in the mouth to our considerable satisfaction. The smooth expression in the mouth plays out to a long well-balanced finish. It stands up to strong cheeses.

Now to make it more interesting, here are two wines made from Primitivo grapes transplanted to California:

2005 Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Primitivo, North Coast

List price 19.95; our price 12.99

This Primitivo comes from a hillside vineyard in Lake County. Compared to Zinfandel, the clone has certain characteristics that make it unique from other clones; mainly it has small berries on a fairly large, loose cluster. It is less susceptible to rot than other clones and ripens more uniformly. The wine is deep ruby red, has concentrated strawberry and cranberry flavors and a rich velvety mouth feel.

2006 Di Arie Primitivo Block #4, Shenandoah Valley

List price 28.00; our price 23.75

The winery was the brainchild of Chaim Gur-Arieh, a Turkish-born Israeli who came to the U.S. where he earned a degree in food science and later became famous as the inventor of Cap’n Crunch cereal (specifically, the formula that allowed it to remain crunchy in milk). Further, he invented a submerged-cap fermentation technique that maximizes extraction in his red wines by giving them more skin contact, submerging and gently moving the cap that forms on the surface of the tank during fermentation. This delicious wine shares many of the qualities of a top zinfandel. Rich, soft, with spicy fruit and a hint of black pepper, with plenty of fruit and none of the heaviness sometimes seen in wines from the Sierra foothills.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,

760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

Most everyone loves Italian wines, especially with Italian cuisine. In fact, the wines of Italy cry out for food to be partnered with them. California wines probably fare better for the majority of imbibers due to the fruity nature being prevalent. Wines from Italy tend towards the earthy and minerally style, showing excellent depth but dry with a racy acid. Food wine. Wine makers in California have attempted to emulate the Italian style but “fruity” keeps getting in the way.

2007 Tenuta Ca’Bolani Pinot Grigio, Friuli-Venezia Giulia

List price 15.95; our price 11.75

This comes from as far north as you can get in Italy, at the foot of the Alps. It has a bouquet perfumed with fragrant acacia flowers, melon and subtle spice. It is quite lush and smooth textured, with ripe apple, orange and honeydew flavors forming a broad base that is accented by just a hint of minerality and crisp, refreshing sweet lemon acidity.

2008 Lasorda Pinot Grigio delle Venezie

List price 16.00; our price 14.99

This wine comes from the municipalities of Soave and Monteforte d’Alpone, where exist the original and ancient areas of production of Soave and Pinot Grigio. The nose explodes with a pleasant bouquet of citrus fruit; crisp, wide, full, and persistent. The delicious citrus flavors merge with accents of minerals and flowers to produce a bolder, richer version of this classic wine. The bright, crisp, full flavors are achieved by having longer contact with the skins during fermentation.

2006 Coltibuono Chianti Classico, Tuscany

List price 17.99; our price 13.95

This wine, made from selected Sangiovese vineyards, is the result of collaboration with a small number of local producers, located in the best Chianti Classico micro-zones. It is intense and fruit-forward, ready for drinking immediately, but over time it gains an added complexity. It was made by star wine-maker Roberto Stucchi.

2004 Agricole Rizzello Terre D’Uva Salice Salentino, Puglia

List price 21.00; our price 14.99

This fine wine comes from the town of Salice in the region of Salento in Puglia, the south of Italy. The blend is 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera which spends a minimum of 2 years in French oak. Once past the ripe fruit aromas, the wine shows the austere flavors of the Negroamaro and the soft gentleness of the Malvasia Nera. The tannins are still young but should smooth out with age. The wine won a gold medal at the Southern Italian Wine Conference.

2003 Cantine Bonacchi Chianti Riserva, Tuscany

List price 26.00; our price 22.95

This traditional style Chianti Riserva is 100% Sangiovese, aged up to 2 years in French Oak. It is full on the nose with rich lingering aromas and spiced notes. This elegant, well balanced, well structured wine has subtle flavors of vanilla, cocoa and spice, smooth body that is soft and warm, ending with a long, slightly dry and velvety finish. Decanting helps.

Casa Abbazia Malvasia Rosé Asti, Piemonte

List price 14.99; our price 12.95

Centuries ago the ruling kings throughout the region would often use this delicious and enticing sparkling rosé wine to impress the women they were courting as a romantic gesture. The only difference today is we are short on kings. This 100% Malvasia Bianca Spumante, at 7% alcohol, has a delicate aura of roses and ripe fruit. The palate is sweet, aromatic and supple with a deliciously long finish.

Saturday, May 23, 2009
4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

      Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

This Saturday we are bringing a small piece of Europe to you via a sampling of wines from France, Germany, Austria and Italy.  This may not represent adequate compensation for those of us who could not afford to travel to Europe this summer, but we can guarantee you an excellent afternoon of good fellowship and cheer.  Plus, there is the added attraction of honing our wine tasting skills, as well as expanding our knowledge of esoteric wines from the old world.  Now, how can you resist such an opportunity?

2005 Chartron et Trebuchet Mâcon-Villages, France
Regular price 14.00, today only 9.99
This wine is 100% Chardonnay and displays a character more akin to Chablis in that it has a steely minerality against a citrus background with toasty, yeasty notes.  It is a perfect picnic wine and is good for summer sipping.

2005 Jurtschitsch Sonnhof Grüner Veltliner, Austria
Regular price 14.95, today only 12.99
This GrüVe from the family-run Jurtschitsch wine-estate fascinates with cool flavors of fruit, followed by spicy notes and a refreshing final minerality.  “GrüVe - Smile” is how Christian Ludwig Attersee subtitled his painting to be seen on this year’s bottling.  The artist’s personal interpretation displays light but still warm shades of yellow representing its fruitiness.  Oh yes, the wine is delicious, as well.

2005 Ökonomierat Rebholz, Weißer Burgunder, Pfalz, Germany
Regular price 24.90, today only 19.99
This is a spätlese trocken bottling, meaning the grapes were late picked and fermented dry.  The Rebholz family is absolutely fanatic about producing the purest expression of this grape, allowing no adulteration of any kind (such as chaptalization or adding sweet grape juice to the fermentation process).  This Pinot Blanc has a finely spiced, mineral apple scent with a hint of honey and melon.  It is clean and dry, with a nutty flavor and a mineral presence.  It has animating acidity, but is harmonious with a smooth texture on the palate.

2007 Karl Heinz Zellerschwarze Katz, Mosel, Germany
Regular price 8.99, today only 7.50
The two-hundred-year family-owned estate has been in the hands of Karl Heinz Weis since 2001, when he took over production from his father.  Like most Mosel wineries, the estate produces mainly Riesling, followed by Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Dornfelder and Müller-Thurgau.  Karl Heinz Weis has already won many awards in both state and federal competitions and is considered at the forefront of a group of up-and-coming young Mosel vintners.  The village of Zell on the Mosel River is the genesis of this wine with the familiar black cat (Schwarze Katz) on the label.  Wines under this label are generally light and simple, and, at 9.5% alcohol, very easy to quaff.

2007 Louis Jadot Beaujolais, France
Regular price 11.99, today only 9.99
This wine is bright and fresh, with ripe, supple, crushed strawberry flavors underscored by zesty nuances of peppercorns, gentle tannins and a clean acidity, finishing on a succulent, refreshing note.  On the palate, it is light bodied, lively, and shows plenty of acidity.  There are hints of cherries with a touch of spice.  The finish is dry, a little edgy, and its mild tannins linger slightly.

2003 Sorrentino Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio, Italy
Regular price 16.95, today only 9.99
This wine is produced with Piedirosso grapes from the best vineyards of Vesuvio Vulcano.  The wine is ruby-red, almost garnet-colored, with orange reflections.  It has a rich, full, sustained perfume, and an integrated, austere, harmonious flavor.  It has an alcohol content of 12.5% and excellent balancing acidity.  Serve cool, with roasted red meats, game, and dishes garnished with truffles, and cheese.

Saturday, May 9, 2009
4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

      Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

We are continuing our search for bargains among wines and liquors that suit your needs for the coming summer months.  This Saturday we are showcasing some new arrivals that fit nicely into that category.  It is our job to introduce you to the myriad possibilities to satisfy personal enjoyment as well as your entertainment needs.  We do this a few bottles at a time so that the focus is not lost.  As each week goes by your knowledge of beverage products increases and, chances are, you are enjoying the party.

Grandial Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine, Brut, France
Regular price 8.99, Today only 6.99
This is a wonderfully light sparkling wine produced from 100% Ugni Blanc that is surprisingly clean, refreshing and totally dry.  It is medium bodied, displaying ripe fruit and smooth textures.  It has lightly creamy flavors that end with a crisp finish.  This is a great price for this fruity, elegant sparkling wine with fine bubbles and fresh palate.

2008 Benvolio Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy
Regular price 13.50, Today only 9.99
The Friuli–Venezia Giulia area of Italy is in the northeast next to Slovenia.  This wine comes from the Grave section of the Friuli where well drained soils produce the quintessential Pinot Grigio.  The wine is fresh and delicate, with clean pear and apple flavors set in a crisp balanced acidic structure.  Look for subtle hints of rosewater and lychee in the long flavorful finish. 

2007 Zaza Garnacha Rosé, Campo de Borja, Spain
Regular price 10.99, Today only 9.99
Campo de Borja is part of the region of Aragon, the home of Henry VIII of England’s first wife, Catherine, and her mother, Spain’s famous Queen Isabella.  Campo de Borja once belonged to the Borja family, one of Spain’s most famous noble clans.  You’ll recognize the name when you read the Italianized version – Borgia.  This is a medium bodied, dry rosé with aromas of strawberry and a palate of ripe berry fruit.  Also discernable are melons, watermelon and rose petals.

2004 Bolla Nero d’Avola, Sicily
Magnum Regular price 14.95, Today only 9.99
Nero d’Avola is the major red grape grown in Sicily and in the southern part of Italy, as well.  Up front the wine shows cherry and raspberry fruit, some peppery spice and black licorice.  With time in the bottle, the wine has fleshed out a little from its original release and is now drinking rather smoothly.

2006 Martin Codax Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain
Regular price 12.99, Today only 9.99
This fine Tempranillo shows aromas of ripe fruit and a floral bouquet that is integrated with nuances of cedar and toasty oak.  The palate is elegant and complex; the wine is vibrant and expressive with medium body and hints of vanilla from the oak aging.  Flavors of cherries, currants, coconut and fresh raspberries capture the palate leading to a long, lingering finish.  Wine Enthusiast gave it a score of 87: “Good and meaty stuff, with bold aromas that feature leather, berry and char.  Seems saturated and ripe, and gets better the more air it sees.  Flavorwise, we’re talking about plum, blackberry and a little vanilla.  Complete on the finish, with all angles covered. Not complicated or complex; good value.”

Krohn White Port, “Lagrima”, Portugal
Regular price 15.00, Today only 12.99
White Port is made from, guess what?, white grapes, whereas tawny and ruby Port can be made from roughly 80 different grape varieties, most of them red. This one has been aged for 8 years.  Look for flavors of burnt caramel, plums, raisins, hazelnuts and baking spices.  Since the wine has had extended barrel aging and is fortified, it is no problem to keep it in the fridge for a month after opening it.  Serve it chilled, on the rocks with a slice of lemon or add a splash of club soda.

Starbucks Coffee Liqueur
Liter Regular price 25.00, Today only 14.99
Partnered in production with Jim Beam, Starbucks liqueur is very rich and thick, with a rich dark coffee aroma, and functions better when it is mixed.  It does go well with coffee and with lattes and is perfect for vodka, milk or cream mixing.  It is made from Latin American arabica coffee beans and actually tastes a lot like coffee ice cream.  It is neither subtle nor complex, but it is supremely smooth at 20 percent alcohol (40 proof).

Saturday, April 11, 2009
4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person
      Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

Easter brunches and dinners are not necessarily heavy meals which places the wines of Italy at an advantage in creating a balance at the table.  Of course, all this is predicated on how much one drinks.  Typically, the white wines of Northern Italy are light in body, delicate in the fruit profile and flinty or mineral infused to create a sense of complexity.  This is why everyone loves them, or should.  The reds of Northern Italy can go either way; Barolo and Barbaresco come from the same general area as Dolcetto and Barbera and there is a world of difference between the two groups.  Of the reds we will sample, Barbera would seem the better choice for an Easter brunch and Rosso di Montalcino for dinner.  The whites are good any time and would serve well as an apéritif.

2006 Rocca delle Macie Orvieto Classico, Umbria
Regular price 11.99; Our price 8.99
This delightful white wine from the heart of the Classico dell’Orvietano in Umbria is a blend of 50% Trebbiano Toscano, 20% Verdelho, 20% di Grechetto-Drupeggio, and 10% Malvasia Toscana (probably more than you needed to know).  The color is pale straw with green reflections.  The wine is quite fruity and fresh, showing some elegance and finishes dry with a slight note of bitter almonds in the aftertaste.

2006 Canaletto Muller Thurgau, Trentino
Regular price 9.99; Our price 8.50
Muller-Thurgau is grown primarily in Germany (where it is planted more than any other grape).  Wine made from this grape is usually dry to semi-dry and is lightly aromatic.  Muller-Thurgau is a variety that was created in the late 19th century as a cross between Riesling and Sylvaner.  It is early maturing and can grow well in cool climates, which makes it a good candidate for growing in Trentino which is located in the foothills of the Alps   The wine has peach-like aromatics and is fruity in the mouth.  It is light and refreshing and shows crisp citrus flavors in the finish.

2005 Cantine Riondo Spago d’Oro Pinot Grigio, Veneto
Regular price 11.95; Our price 8.99
This Veneto version of Pinot Grigio is light and fruity, showing textbook qualities we associate with the varietal: flowers, and fruit, with the typical mineral strain much in evidence.  It is dry, with good acid and has a moderate length.

2004 Tenute dei Vallarino Barbera d’Asti, “La Ladra”, Piemonte
Regular price 14.99; Our price 7.99
Tenute dei Vallarino is part of Fratelli Gancia, one of the grand old houses of Italian sparkling wine.  Its perfumed fruit coincides with complex minerality and is actually complex in a classy way.  It has good body and texture, plenty of succulent black fruit and is balanced with refreshing acidity.

2007 Fontanafredda Barbera d’Asti, “Briccotondo” Piemonte
Regular price 11.99; Our price 9.99
The wine was aged partly in new barrels made of oak from Allier, and partly in large Slavonian oak casks.  It stayed in wood for around five months and was bottled in late spring.  The nose is packed with black fruit, especially blackberries and plums, with slight spicy overtones hinting at black pepper and cinnamon.  Sweet, soft tannins come together in a closely-woven texture that merges with the fruit, while a crisp freshness provides a long, tasty finish.  It received a 90- points rating and a “Best Buy” designate from Wine Spectator magazine.  Wine & Spirits Magazine also gave it a 90-point rating.

2004 Fattoria Pinino Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany
Regular price 24.00; Our price 15.95
Rosso di Montalcino is produced from the same grape as Brunello, Sangiovese Grosso.  In is produced with a much shorter period of maturation and is ready for drinking only two years after the vintage.  This wine is harmonious, elegant and spicy and a perfect match to a large variety of meals.  It can be enjoyed while young and does not necessarily have to be aged, although it matures well with increasing age and the tannins become even more elegant.  Great price, but limited stock.

Saturday, February 21, 2009
4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person
Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

Sparkling wines may have been more apropos for out tasting on Valentine’s Day, but some of our industry representatives have to travel some distance to get to the valley. Consequintly, we give them first choice for the dates they can be with us. This will most likely be our last bubbly affair until December during which month we have two such events. Join us for the tasting of a flight of sparklers that are priced from 5.99 to 19.99, surely within everyone’s budget. The high priced spread we will save for the holidays to enliven the festive atmosphere. Next Saturday will be devoted to Steele Winery of Lake County, and the marvelous wines made by Jed Steele, Kendal-Jackson’s former winemaker.

Yellow Tail Sparkling Wine, Australia

5.99

Sourced from some of Australia’s premiere sparkling wine growing regions, this sparkling wine is a blend of 72% Semillon blended with Traminer, Viognier and Trebbiano. It is pale straw in color with Muscat-like aromas. The taste is fresh with flavors of tropical fruits that combine for a medium sweetness and end with a crisp, refreshing finish. The only knock on this wine is the inconsistency of bubbles between bottles. Some simply do not have the charge equal to other bottles. Still this fresh, fruit driven wine does have its charm and certainly the price is right.

Gloria Ferrer Brut

14.99

The blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is round and full-bodied, with rich, ripe apple, pear and honeydew melon flavors. This complex sparkler has a nice touch of yeast and doughy aromas that give it added character, turning creamy with a touch of vanilla. It is smooth and rich in the mouth, showing layers of black cherry, vanilla and ginger, with a hint of lemon drop. It finishes with a long, refreshing aftertaste of mineral and fruit. It was awarded Gold and Best of Class at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Further, it picked up a 90 point rating from Wine Spectator along with a “Smart Buys” designation.

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir

14.99

The Blanc de Noirs is predominantly made from hand-harvested Pinot Noir grapes, the hallmarks of which are a vibrant red fruit character. The creamy palate and rosy hue are a result of a small addition of Vin Gris, which was blended into the base cuvée. In the nose, there are bright strawberry and black cherry aromas with subtle vanilla highlights. Creamy cherry, lemon and cola flavors combine with a lush palate, with small, lively bubbles and a persistent finish. It received 91 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The Los Angeles Wine & Spirits Competition gave it a Platinum & Best of Class designation and the Sonoma County Harvest Fair awarded it Gold, and Best of Class.

Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée

19.99

The Royal Cuvée showcases the superb quality of the grapes grown on the 335-acre estate vineyard in Carneros. Made only from the first pressing of grapes hand-picked from this vineyard, this classic Brut blend of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay offers the delicacy and exuberance of perfectly ripe fruit well-integrated with mature complexities derived from over five years of aging on the yeast. A complex interplay of subtly nuanced berry and cherry aromas marries with mature yeast characters and a trace of graphite in the nose of this well-developed yet remarkably fresh sparkling wine. The wine holds in balance full, round, abundant flavors of citrus, ripe apple, spice and toast with vibrant acidity that refreshes the palate throughout the long finish. It received 93 points from Wine Spectator, and the Sonoma County Harvest Fair gave it a Gold Medal.

Cinzano Rosé Spumante. Italy

9.99

This dry sparkling rosé wine is the latest addition to the line of Cinzano wines. It is made from a blend of Durello, Garganega, Trebbiano and Pinot Nero grapes. It effervesces with aromas of delicate wild berries and rose flowers.

Cinzano Asti Spumante, Italy

9.99

The renowned Asti Cinzano is produced from the white Muscat grape in the DOCG area of Asti, at the heart of the Piedmont region. Its sweet and fruity aroma makes it the perfect choice for accompanying desserts or simply for adding a touch of sparkle to any occasion big or small. The wine shows pretty orange and spice aromas on the soft and foamy palate. Acidity balances the sweetness, making this a light, pleasant apéritif as well as a dessert sparkler.

Saturday, December 6, 2008
4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

       Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264,
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

Garvey Daniels of American Wines & Spirits will be joining us this Saturday to pour and talk about wines from his Italian portfolio.  All of the wines are excellent but two of the wines in particular have received considerable accolades including their listing in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of theYear.  There is something very cozy about Italian wines because they are satisfying but never overblown.  The wines function beautifully as apéritifs and provide excellent service with food.

2006 Rocca Delle Macie Orvieto Classico
8.99
The grapes for this wine are selected from vineyards in the heart of the Orvieto Classico region in Umbria.  The blend consists of Trebbiano (Procanico) 50%, Verdello 20%, Grechetto 20% and Malvasia 10%.  The wine is the result of pressing and fermentation at a constant temperature, then cold bottled.  The color is a brilliant pale yellow with green highlights and the nose is persistent, fruity, and intense.  On the palate it is dry and fresh, with a slight aftertaste of bitter almonds.

2007 Suavia Soave Classico
14.99
#75 Wine Spectator Top 100; 90 points Wine Spectator Designation: Smart Buys “Lots of lemon, white peach and mineral character, with hints of orange peel and dry almond.  Medium-bodied, with good acidity and a crisp finish, leaving a lingering citrus aftertaste. Racy, nervy and delicious. Minerally, almost flinty. Drink now. 6,000 cases made.” (08/08) According to Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: “Suavia’s 2007 Soave Classico shows the complexity and character of this hillside site in its ripe yellow fruits, smoke, earthiness and minerals.”

2007 Bottega Vinaia Pinot Grigio, Trentino
15.99
The grapes for this wonderful wine come from the Dolomite Alps area of Trentino, north of Lake Garda.  This area seems to be perfect for the Pinot Grigio grape due to warm days and cool nights with constant breezes clearing away moisture.  The wine is fragrant with fine pear-like fruit and displays its usual robe of minerality.

2006 Tormaresca Chardonnay, Puglia
9.99
This Chardonnay, light yellow with golden highlights, has aromas of exotic fruit, citrus and pineapple.  It is an elegant wine with pear flavors and a delicate minerality with bright acidity that pairs well with a wide variety of food.  It received 85 points from Wine Spectator: “Shows apple, lemon and honey on the nose and palate.  A full, straightforward Chardonnay.”

2003 Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva, Puglia
9.95
The grape varieties used in this wine are Negroamaro 80% and Malvasia Nera (20%).  Garnet highlights enliven this ruby red wine from the heel of Italy.  Caramelized red fruits, spices, tea and hints of wood, unfold in the mouth and are balanced by the tannins and acidy to create a smooth and luscious wine.  It is ready to drink immediately or to keep for 3-4 years.  Serve with pasta and meat sauce and red meats including lamb.  Ideal partner for medium to well seasoned cheese.

2003 Travaglini Gattinara, Piemonte
24.75
This Nebbiolo from the Piedmont is a very hard wine to perfect but the people at Travaglini are surely among the very best producers in Italy.  Wine Spectator thought so giving it a position in its highly acclaimed top 100 wines of last year.  This wine has a reputation as the “poor mans Barolo” but over the past 10 years has began to shed its image and step out of the shadows.  Lots of dried fruits and flowers come forth accompanied with some traditionally Barolo like tobacco notes.  A super thick, full bodied and tannic wine, the finish goes on a full half minute and the wine has a coating, pleasant mouth-feel.  It needs a few years of age so you may consider opening after 2010.