$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited toward purchase of the featured wines below

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611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264
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The Zinfandel grape is planted in over 10 percent of California vineyards and was probably the first European grape to arrive here in the mid 19th century. DNA fingerprinting revealed that it is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kaštelanski, which we will be attempting to pronounce on Saturday. It appears in Italy as the Primitivo variety traditionally grown in Puglia and Campania where it was introduced in the 18th century. Zinfandel produces a robust red wine with red berry flavors such as raspberry. The earlier ripening Primitivo clone shows flavors of blackberry, anise and pepper. Of course, there can always be variations to the rule. Would you believe White Zinfandel has six times the sales of red Zinfandel in the United States?

2009 Poggio Basso Primitivo, Puglia

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

This rich yet elegant Primitivo has a fresh scent of blackberry with a hint of spicy currant. Flavors of blackberry, cherry and raspberry with a hint of spice play alongside an earthy core. Soft, sweet tannins and acidity with no oak influence make this an easy to like food friendly wine, or simply sip it on its own.

2009 Plungerhead Zinfandel, Old Vine, Lodi

List price 14.99; our price 9.99

This lovely Lodi Zinfandel is sealed with the inventive new Zork enclosure (a cork that needs no corkscrew: just pull at the z, unwind, and pop the top). The warm, often hot, climate of Lodi is particularly suited for producing good Zinfandel, a hearty grape that loves the sun and needs plenty of it to ripen to full-bodied, spiced plum perfection. This is your last opportunity to purchase this lovely Zin at the temporary low pricing.

2008 Feudi Primitivo di Manduria, Campania

List price 15.00; our price 12.99

Millennia worth of eruptions from Mount Vesuvius have left the sandstone soils rich with deposits of volcanic ash, a combination that seems to suit grapevines extremely well. The vineyards of Feudi, including a small portion which is pre-phylloxera, produce imposing and elegant wines. This one shows nice medium earthy notes intermixed with wild berries, blueberries and spice. In the mouth it is silky, with nice blueberry notes, a bit jammy, but not hot, not herbal or brambly. It is juicy with wild berries, nicely balanced with good acidity and a nice spicy finish. A perfect burger wine.

2008 Two Angels “Angel’s Secret” Zinfandel, Lake County

List price 17.95; our price 14.99

This Zin comes from a rocky hillside vineyard that sits at 1,500 feet above sea level near Clear Lake in Lake County. The juice ages in oak barrels for 10 months and comes from the bottle brambly and fresh, with black pepper and just a touch of cookie spice. It is a robust, spicy Zinfandel made for current drinking. It is dry and full-bodied, with blackberry, black currant, oatmeal raisin cookie and pepper flavors.

2009 Leone de Castris Primitivo di Manduria, ‘Villa Santera”

List price 19.95; our price 17.99

This is a rich red bursting with varietal character. Red fruit, licorice, spiced ginger, flowers and vanilla emerge with a lovely feel of sweetness, adding complexity to the dense, expressive fruit. It has a long silky finish. Wine Advocate liked it enough to give it a 90-point rating.

2008 Michael-David Seven Deadly Zins Zinfandel, Lodi

List price 16.50; our price 14.99

Actually seven growers from Lodi provided the fine old vine fruit for this perennially wonderful Zinfandel. The layered complexity of this fanciful blend is immediately apparent from the entry of soft, supple pepper and licorice-clove notes to the merge of deep, brambly blackberries and cherries. The finish is clean on the palate with hints of rich vanilla, cocoa, and mild tannins.

$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited toward purchase of the featured wines below
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611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264
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The important thing to remember in pairing wines to a turkey dinner is that you are attempting to complement not just the meat of a turkey, but all the side dishes as well. Most any white wine would serve well with turkey, of itself. However, consider what is being added to the mix on the plate: stuffing, gravy and cranberry preparations are strong flavors that would overwhelm most whites. Marshmallow sweet potatoes would most likely undo your Chardonnay, unless the oak in the wine gave off splinters. Salads with a vinegar base would send your guests to the fridge for a beer. Anticipating the level of suffering you and your wine would endure with an unbalanced pairing, I offer the following possibilities as a starting point:

2009 Mill Creek Vineyards Gewurtztraminer, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Co.

List price 17.50; our price 15.95

The Kreck family released their first wines in 1974 and has since been producing this excellent varietal. Typically one will recognize lychee fruit, underscored by vanilla and an ever so slight hint of mango in the nose. Continued lychee as well as apricot, honeysuckle and hints of brioche are plentiful throughout the even keeled palate. The finish is lengthy and persistent with white pepper and cloves making up a final, pleasing bite of spice; they’re joined by some mineral notes as well. It brings to mind a subtle hint of sweetness but it’s really a dry wine, and quite a lovely one at that. The finish and the balance are both impressive elements. Besides turkey, try this wine with spicy stir fried dishes.

2009 Goulaine Vouvray, Loire Valley, France

List price 15.95; our price 14.99

Originally from France’s Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc has spread around the globe and is used for virtually all styles of white wine, from crisp and lean to rich, round full table wines, sparkling wines, and some of the most decadent dessert wines made. Classic descriptors for the flavors of Chenin Blanc include peach, honey, marzipan grapefruit, and quince, often exhibiting more tropical fruit notes that recall pineapple and guava. This one is forward and easygoing, showing delicate flavors of apple and orange peel, accented by a touch of chalky minerality and finishing with a light sweet floral fruit character.

2008 Maculan “Costadolio” Rosé, Veneto, Italy

List price 11.00; our price 7.99

The Veneto is smaller than Italy’s other main wine producing regions, Piedmont, Tuscany, Lombardy, Puglia and Sicily, yet it still manages to generate more wine than any of these big names. The area is particularly known for its Valpolicella, Amarone and Soave, but lovely wines such as this rosé are plentiful, as well. Light pink in color with bright violet notes, Costadolio offers a very fruity bouquet with notes of peach, plums, and nice hints of apple. It is medium bodied with crisp acidity; refreshing, delicate and full flavored. This pricing is a close-out of the vintage and is a great value buy.

2009 Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais-Villages, France

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

Beaujolais is a prosperous wine region cultivating almost 55,000 acres, more than the three departments of Burgundy combined, and produces an average of 13 million cases annually. It is comprised of 12 appellations and is divided into Haut- and Bas-Beaujolais. It is in Haut-Beaujolais that you will find the Beaujolais-Villages appellation and the 10 Beaujolais Crus. From a great year such as 2009, you should make every effort to try the major Crus which usually are priced in the 20-30 dollar range. The nose of this bottling is both refined and intense, with notes of violet, redcurrant and strawberry, combining with a floral nuance and a touch of herbs. This is a straightforward, lively wine that offers tangy red fruit flavors and a touch of bitterness to keep it interesting. It finishes soft and dry, with a slight hint of herbs.

2009 Roux Pere & Fils Moulin a Vent, Beaujolais, France

List price 15.00; our price 13.50

While most Beaujolais is consumed young, that from Moulin-a-Vent is oaked and aged for a couple years before being released. And it can be aged for 20+ years. Well-aged Moulin-a-Vent can be said to take on characteristics similar to aged Pinot Noir. The added wood aging lends more spice to the Gamay wine yet allows the lovely fruit to shine through and compliment your lovely turkey dinner.

2009 Joseph Drouhin Brouilly, Beaujolais, France

List price 20.00; our price 17.99

Beaujolais Cru is the northern most appellation of Beaujolais, close to the Mâconnais border. This region constitutes ten separate areas, of which Brouilly is the largest, located at the foothills of the Beaujolais Mountains and produces some of the best quality wines from the Beaujolais region. Unlike the early drinking style found throughout most of Beaujolais, these wines are made to be cellared. Their ageing potential can be anywhere from three to fifteen years (or more) depending on the style and sub-region of the wine. The nose of this wine shows aromas of violet, lilac, sometimes blackberry and cranberry. It has supple tannins and lively acidity. On the palate, the wine leaves a pleasant note of blackberries and spice.

Europa ChocoVine Dutch Chocolate Red Wine, Holland

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

We have put in a new supply of this “Baileys”-like product which is really quite good. At 14% alcohol, it is not as strong as Baileys’ 17%, but it is close. One does not taste wine, rather a creamy chocolate that is so very, well, Dutch. It is a good follow-up to a rich meal and is especially good in coffee. Try it in cocktails where a Baileys-type ingredient is called for. ChocoVine was honored with a 90 Point, Exceptional Value rating from the Beverage Testing Institute and is the #1 selling Chocolate Wine in America (yes, there are others).

$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited toward purchase of the featured wines below

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264
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Join us this Saturday for yet another excursion through the Italian wine country. Truth is, Italian wines are arriving faster than I can get them to you to taste. Of course, taking a Saturday off for our daughter’s wedding slowed us down a bit, and in ways you cannot imagine. Look forward to more events featuring that amazing wine besotted country. All the wines below are easy to drink, reasonably priced, and simply delicious. Italy never disappoints.

2010 Rocca di Montemassi “Calasole” Vermentino, Tuscany

List price 15.00; our price 12.99

This native grape of Italy is grown throughout the country including Sardinia. The Calasole comes to us from the south-western area of Tuscany called the Maremma. White flowers, with spicy notes and hints of just barely ripe fruit form the bouquet. In the mouth the wine is substantial yet fresh, with citrus hints and almond notes. Its pleasant freshness makes it an ideal accompaniment for crustaceans, shrimps and white fish.

2010 I Masoletti Pinot Grigio delle Venezie

List price 13.50; our price 11.50

This wine was crafted in the township of Lavis, where the vineyards stretch across Dell’Adige, up the hills of Sorni and Meano, and to the terraces of Valli di Cembra. How could you not want to be there to taste the wine at the source? Well, we can at least charm you with the wine, which is floral in aroma, fresh on the palate, fruitful in flavor and thirst-quenching in the finish. It is made in stainless steel tanks to capture the character of white flowers, roses, lemon, lime and apple. Try serving this one with prosciutto or seafood.

2009 Tenuta di Altavilla Greco di Tufo, Campania

List price 21.00; our price 18.99

Greco Bianco is a white grape variety of Greek origin which is grown in southern Italy. It is a sub-variety of Greco Nero. Campania’s secret treasures lie high up in the hills behind the towering volcano of Vesuvius. Cool climate growing conditions allow the Greco grape to develop an amazing array of aromas. Old vines provide the unique grapes for this wine which lends to aromas of apricots, peaches and a nutty character akin to almonds. This is an elegant, yet rich, wine offering a long complex finish with a surround of minerals.

2009 Castello d’Albola Chianti, Tuscany

List price 13.50; our price 10.99

This winery’s Chianti Classico placed #47 on Wine Spectator’s list of the Top 100 of 2010. It should come as no surprise that the plain Chianti is a delicious alternate though not so big as the Classico. From the fruity bouquet to the cherry-like flavors with cedary tones, the wine is a joy to drink. It goes well with grilled meats, cold cuts, burgers, cacciatore dishes and, of course, pizza.

2009 Masseria Altemura “Sasseo” Primitivo del Salento, Puglia

List price 18.00; our price 14.99

Primitivo is Italy’s way of saying “Zinfandel”, and yet the two are quite distinct from one another. This wine of Puglia shows smoky cola and plum flavors, some intriguingly briary notes, but also veers toward prune and cooked fruit. The wine has good body, yet is soft, while expressing a mature fruitiness, supported by a pleasant complex of sweet tannins. With its crisp acidity, expect it to pair well with tomato-based sauces, richly-flavored dishes, barbecued meats and fairly mature cheeses.

Cocchi Americano Bianco, Asti, Piedmont

List price 27.50; our price 24.50

The recipe for this apéritif wine of has not changed since it was introduced in 1891. It is a white wine blended with fruit, herbs and spices. What shows through the most is the citrus character along with gentian and cinchona (quinine). The mixture is allowed to steep for a year before filtering and bottling. In Piemonte it is served with ice, a slice of orange and a splash of soda to bring out all its fragrance and depth. Once opened, it keeps well in the refrigerator.

$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited toward purchase of the featured wines below

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264
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Join us this Saturday for an excursion through the Italian wine country as experienced in bottles of the country’s fine wines. All the wines below are easy to drink, inexpensive on the whole, and simply delicious. Italy never disappoints.

La Fornarina Prosecco, Extra Dry, Veneto

List price 14.00; our price 9.99

This wine has an abundant froth and a fine and persistent perlage. It is very fine, bringing to the mind wisteria and acacia blossoms. It is delicate, fresh, and pleasantly fruity, finishing with the characteristic almond notes. Crisp and fruity, its taste is reminiscent of a light apple cocktail. It is ideal as an apéritif or with shell fish and light fish preparations.

2010 Ruffino “Lumina” Pinot Grigio delle Venezie

List price 11.99; our price 9.99

On the nose this wine exhibits floral notes followed by aromas of citrus and pear. Refined notes of minerality are balanced with hints of pineapple and sage, making Lumina a medium-bodied wine with a lean and lasting finish. This crisp wine is a versatile match with food. Serve as an apéritif or with dishes such as soft shell crabs, grilled fish, pasta primavera, and roasted chicken. Lumina also pairs well with ethnic dishes such as Mexican enchiladas, Greek dolmas; and Thai green curries.

2008 Maculan “Costadolio” Rosé, Veneto

List price 11.00; our price 7.99

The Veneto is smaller than Italy’s other main wine producing regions, Piedmont, Tuscany, Lombardy, Puglia and Sicily, yet it still manages to generate more wine than any of these big names. The area is particularly known for its Valpolicella, Amarone and Soave, but lovely wines such as this rosé are plentiful, as well. Light pink in color with bright violet notes, Costadolio offers a very fruity bouquet with notes of peach, plums, and nice hints of apple. It is medium bodied with crisp acidity; refreshing, delicate and full flavored. This pricing is a close-out of the vintage and is a great value buy.

2009 Di Majo Norante Sangiovese, Molise

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

Wines have been made in Molise as far back as 500 B.C with influences coming from the Samnites, Etruscans and Romans. Molise is situated in central-southern Italy, west of Rome, and lies between the Apennine ridge and the Adriatic Sea. This latest edition from the area is a dry and mellow wine, with a bright red color. It has a fresh and fruity bouquet with a hint of violet and red berries. The fruit carries through to the palate and finishes with a trace of leather. It serves up ideally with hors d’oeuvres, game, meats and cheeses.

2009 Poggio Basso Chianti, Tuscany

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

Chianti has only been recognized by its geographical area since the Middle Ages, when the zone was demarcated by Cosimo Medici III in the early 18th Century. This well made Chianti has a fine perfume with the characteristic scent of violets. It is fruity, harmonious, smooth and full flavored.

2007 Ruffino Chianti Classico, Riserva Ducale, Tuscany

List price 27.50; our price 24.95

In the nose, this wine shows an outstanding elegance, characterized by particularly fragrant flowery and fruity notes. Violet, cherries, wild berries and plums meet with delicately spicy hints of tobacco and white pepper, followed by elegant scents of red roses and flint. In the mouth, there is fragrant, fresh fruit, laced with gentle tannins and accompanied by spicy hints. The finish is persistent, with fresh mineral character and a hint of rosemary. ]]> http://www.desertwinesandspirits.com/index.php/2011/10/06/italian-wines-new-arrivals/feed/ 0 http://www.desertwinesandspirits.com/index.php/2011/09/01/close-out-specials-on-imported-wines/ http://www.desertwinesandspirits.com/index.php/2011/09/01/close-out-specials-on-imported-wines/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 23:20:50 +0000 costanichols http://www.desertwinesandspirits.com/?p=350 Saturday, September 3, 2011
4 to 5:30 pm

Enjoy an additional 10% discount by attending today.
Limited stock, come early.

$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited toward purchase of the featured wines below

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

This is our last month to eliminate stock on hand and to prepare for the purchases next month that will carry us into the holidays. The quality of the selection below is every bit as high as when tasted earlier in the year, yet the price is even sexier. So allow yourselves to be seduced by our tasty all-enveloping wines that will leave you wanting more. It doesn’t get any better than this, and you can compliment yourselves on saving money while on your hedonist pursuit.

2009 Danzante Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, Italy

List price 9.95; our price 7.99; today only 6.99

A crisp lemon-blossom bouquet leads into vibrant flavors of citrus, melon and peach and a clean, well-balanced finish. Pinot Grigio is considered a natural mutation of the noble Pinot Noir grape, with berries often tinged cinnamon brown or even slightly grayish purple. It originated in Burgundy where it is called Pinot Gris (gray) and has been planted in Italy since the last century. Now Pinot Grigio is planted widely throughout northeastern Italy, especially Friuli, Trentino and Alto Adige, where it produces superior wines in the cool alpine climate.

2009 LoTengo Torrontés Mendoza, Argentina

List price 999; our price 8.99; today only 7.99

Torrontés remains the largest production white wine in Argentina. The nose is floral, mainly rose and jasmine with lime fruit as well. Its flavor is very expressive: tart lime, floral, tart peach and tangerine with a clean spicy finish. The well-balanced acidity makes it a wonderful partner with smoked meats, mild to medium-strong cheeses, and seafood. It goes well with spicy food including Thai, as well.

2009 Bodega Elena de Mendoza Red Blend, Argentina

List price 9.95; our price 8.50; today only 7.65

Bodega Elena de Mendoza is named after the family matriarch Elena Napoli, whose parents emigrated from Italy to the heart of Argentina’s wine country in the nineteenth century. The rich, smooth flavors of this wine are an interesting combination of Malbec, Syrah and Bonarda. With dried cherry characteristics, this plush, dark blend is ideal when served alongside barbecued meats.

2009 GranRojo Garnacha, Castilla, Spain

List price 9.99; our price 7.99; today only 6.99

The Rojo Garnacha has pleasant aromas of licorice along with red and black berries filling the nose. Well-rounded and balanced on the palate, it is elegant and fresh. Red fruit, minerals and a hint of fresh thyme linger on the finish. It is surprisingly silky and full-bodied, with a rich varietal expression that glorifies the Grenache grape.

2009 Mirabile Nero D’Avola, Sicilia, Italy

List price 15.00; our price 12.99; today only 11.69

This Nero d’Avola (literally “the black grape of Avola”) has an intense ruby red color with violet highlights. The scent is elegant, with hints of ripe fruit and spices. It is complex on the palate thanks to polyphenols, (the chemical class of tannins is a subset of polyphenols) sustained by the right degree of tanginess. This is an everyday kind of wine showing good balance, persistence on the finish and representing excellent value.

2008 Catena Zapata Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Arg.

List price 20.00; our price 17.99; today only 15.99

Mendoza is by far the largest of Argentina’s wine regions, producing around 70% of the country’s wine. Check out some ratings: 90 points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: Medium purple, lots of spice, expressive black fruits, touch of balsamic, underlying structure. 90 points, Wine Spectator: This wine is solid, with dense but polished structure holding the weighty core of plum, fig paste and black currant preserves together. The dark, lengthy finish lets a nice Kenya AA coffee note chime in. Drink now through 2013.

$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited toward purchase of the featured wines below

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264
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Again, this summer I will have to placate myself with an excursion of European wines in place of actually being there. Discovering fine wines while travelling the Continent is infinitely preferable to being at one of our humble attempts to uncover European jewels. Still, we must press on. Some interesting new arrivals and new vintages are on our shelves and perhaps you would like to have a sampling. We’ll keep you current in your quest for knowledge and entertain you at the same time.

Gocce di Luna Prosecco, “Moondrops”, Italy

List price 15.00; our price 12.99

This is a naturally fermented spumante from Prosecco grapes using the Charmat method of production. It shows fine and persistent bubbles, and is fruity with hints of apple, grapefruit, peach and flowers of acacia tree. The elegant, soft round fruit flavors on the front of the palate give way to an almost dry finish.

2010 Burgáns Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain

List price 14.99; our price 13.50

The new vintage has been released and has just arrived. Unfortunately, it is a dollar higher than in the past, yet still worthwhile. Robert Parker writes in The Wine Advocate: “The Burgáns Albariño is a perennial Best Buy in these pages. The 2010 Burgáns Albariño delivers notes of lemon, peach, mineral, and a hint of tropical fruit aromas. Round, ripe, and savory with a slightly exotic personality, it is a nicely textured effort that over-delivers in a big way. Drink it over the next 2-3 years…90 Points”.

2006 Domaine de la Saint Jeante Corbières, France

List price 9.50; our price 7.99

Corbières is an appellation in the Languedoc region in the south of France. It is located in the foothills of the Pyrenees and produces rich powerful reds. This deep ruby wine has a nose that is expressive, with smells of black fruits and spices. The mouth is powerful, much of spices with a good structure. The blend is: 50 % Carignane, 30 % Grenache and 20 % Mourvèdre. It is Ideal for serving with a good southwestern cassoulet.

2007 Bodegas Castano Monastrell, “Hécula”, Yecla, Spain

List price 9.99; our price 8.99

Hécula is the name that the province of Yecla received under the Roman Empire occupation. This is a Mediterranean wine that is fruity and spicy which will pair well with lamb, game dishes and fusion cookery without excessive spices. The wine is 100% Monastrell grapes grown by integrated organic and sustainable farming.

2009 Château Haut-Bray, Castillon, Côtes de Bordeaux, France

List price 15.00; our price 12.99

Côtes de Castillon is the region of Bordeaux just east of the Saint Émilion appellations. Château Haut-Bray lies in the village of Saint-Genes de Castillon, which is very hilly, and has a clay-limestone soil. The blend in this bottling is Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) and Cabernet Franc (10%). It has a lovely red fruit nose with a deep color and good fruit on the palate. It delivers an excellent complexity with earthy flavors intermingling with the smooth tannins, all of which lead to a very nice finish.

2008 Château Camarsac Bordeaux Superieur, France

List price 15.50; our price 13.99

Between Bordeaux and St Emilion, stands the magnificent land of the Entre-Deux-Mers. There on a promontory sits the castle known as one of the “castles of the Black Prince” built in the 12th century, then rebuilt and added to in the centuries since. This wine shows a sleek, stylish palate of dark berries and leather with mild dusty tannins. It culminates as a wine that is well balanced, rich in texture, with ripe tannins with a smooth finish.

$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited against purchase of the featured wines below

Today only receive an extra 10% discount!

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264
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A cold bottle of something that sparkles with bubbles is often the perfect summer enhancement. Especially those lighter in alcohol, which is always a good idea if you are out in the hot sun and by the pool. We have chosen seven products that are fresh and crisp, and dry to slightly sweetened, with lovely fruity quality. The two at the end perform more as cocktails and are quite lovely. These are perfect summer libations and certainly within everyone’s budget.

Canella Prosecco Brut

List price 14.95; our price 12.99; today only 11.69

This wine’s ripe pear and peach notes are marked by a nutty richness. Most Proseccos do exhibit an almond nuttiness that helps the wine finish with a light almond bitterness. This is a great seafood wine up to and including fried calamari.

Verdi Sparkletini Italian Spumante

List price6.99; our price 5.99; today only 5.39

Sparkletini is an elegant, all-natural malt beverage made in Italy by the renowned Bosca family. Sparkletini is a delightfully sparkling Spumante with a light, refreshing taste that’s perfect whenever you feel like enjoying a fun, sophisticated drink. Serve chilled to enjoy its balanced, clean taste. The bottle is sealed with a re-sealable cork closure that preserves all the sparkle. There are subtle strawberry/pear hints in the mouth and a touch of sweetness, checked by an effervescence that is quite refreshing.

Verdi Sparkletini Italian Spumante Apple

List price 6.99; our price 5.99; today only 5.39

This version is an excellent beverage to be served on the rocks while lounging by the pool. One is mindful of biting into a crisp Granny Smith apple when sipping this delightful sparkler.

Verdi Sparkletini Italian Spumante Raspberry

List price 6.99; our price 5.99; today only 5.39

This one shows a very bright essence of raspberry in the nose. If you like Chambord liqueur, you are going to love this quaffing light-weight. Every sip begins with a heady raspberry perfume that carries through to the lovely long finish. A touch of citrus acidity balances nicely the fruity sweetness of the raspberry.

Verdi Sparkletini Italian Spumante Peach

List price 6.99; our price 5.99; today only 5.39

The white peach bouquet is aromatic and inviting. The fruit is very forward, yet reserved in its sweetness. This, it turns out, is the perfect antecedent to the Bellini Cocktail that follows.

Canella Bellini Cocktail di Venezia

List price 13.99; our price 12.95; today only 11.69

The story of Bellini begins in Venice, in the legendary setting of a world-famous artists’ café. One warm summer evening in 1948, its owner decided to mix the fruity white peaches, the grapy sparkle of Prosecco spumante, and a whisper of wild raspberries. He called it Bellini as a tribute to the arts and specifically the Venice-born Renaissance painter Giovanni Bellini. The original formula became two-thirds Prosecco sparkling wine from the hills north of Venice, one third white peach juice with fresh fruit pulp and a few drops of raspberry juice. Forty years after it was invented, Italy’s award-winning Prosecco grower, Canella, took up the difficult challenge of producing the famous Venetian cocktail to satisfy its numerous worldwide fans, yet maintain the freshness and delicacy of the original recipe.

Canella Mimosa Blood Orange

List price 13.99; our price 12.95; today only 11.69

Blood Orange Mimosa is a wine cocktail made from grape wine and the juice and pulp of the celebrated, crimson-fleshed Sicilian blood oranges. The finest cultivars are orchestrated to achieve the best combination of flavors, fragrance and color: the darkest-hued, Moro; Tarocco, the tastiest and sweetest; and the tender Sanguinello. The ensemble is light, fruity, refreshing and flavorsome.

$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited against purchase of the featured wines below

Today only receive an extra 10% discount!

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264
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The Eastern Alps include parts of Switzerland, most of Austria and Liechtenstein, as well as parts of extreme southern Germany, far northern Italy and a good portion of northern Slovenia. The eastern border is formed by the Wienerwald (Vienna Woods) and the Viennese basin, including Lake Como. The white wines of both countries are amazing: light and crisp, fragrant with some perfume, and always showing a refreshing minerality. The red wines, mostly Pinot Noir in Austria are very light and totally different from the California style which is weighty by comparison. The reds of Northern Italy are richer in body and flavor and capable of delivering much charm and elegance.

2009 Huber Grüner Veltliner, Austria

List price 15.00; our price 13.99; today only 12.59

Markus Huber is the 10th generation of Hubers that have run the winery and vineyards for centuries. The wine’s bouquet suggests delicate fresh green apple fruity aromas. In the mouth, flavors of lemon-lime and peaches as well as honeysuckle are displayed on the solid fruit core. It is rich in finesse; with light acidity, taut in character with a beautiful length laced with mineral tones leading to the mouth-filling finish.

2009 Huber Grüner Veltliner, Traisental, Austria

List price 19.95; our price 17.99; today only 16.19

The wine has a medium green yellow, showing some pepper on the nose; hinting at typical Grüner spiciness, aromatic herbs, minerality and grapefruit. It is dense and complex on the palate showing great promise for the future. This is pure, crisp Grüner, with a lovely acidity and citrus fruit along with green apple skins. It goes best with fish like trout or salmon, and serves also very well with spicy food, especially Asian cuisine.

2009 Huber Riesling, Engelreich, Traisental, Austria

List price 25.00; our price 22.99; today only 20.69

The wine opens with an inviting nose with white flower, tropical fruits, peach and apricot. The palate is clean and fresh, neither oily nor oaky, good acidity especially towards finish, with a touch of sweetness at the end. The lemony nuances in the finish combine with the mineral flavors to evoke a true expression of elegance.

2008 Maculan Cosstadolio Rosato, Veneto, Italy

List price 11.95; our price 9.99; today only 8.99

For three generations the Maculan family has been selecting and vinifying the best grapes in Breganze, an enchanting village set like a small jewel at the foot of the Alps in Italy’s Veneto region. This is an intriguing rosé made from 100% Merlot grapes directly pressed without de-stemming or crushing. Only the first part of the pressed juice is settled for 24 hours at low temperatures, and then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is refined on the lees for three months to preserve its fruitiness, and then racked and bottled in spring following the harvest. The Costadolio offers a very fruity bouquet with notes of peach, plums, and nice hints of apple. It is medium bodied with crisp acidity, and very refreshing. Serve chilled, but not too cold, alongside pasta with shellfish, or grilled white meat.

2007 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre, Veronese, Italy

List price 20.00; our price 17.99; today only 16.19

Palazzo della Torre is made from 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella and 5% Sangiovese, all traditional Veneto grapes. Approximately 30% of the fruit is air-dried, Amarone-style. The fermenting juice from those grapes is added to the rest of the juice to give the wine an extra dimension of richness and body. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate gave it a 90-point rating: “Enticing scents of chocolate, espresso, dark fruit, licorice and new leather emerge from the boisterous 2007 Palazzo della Torre. The fruit is sumptuous as always. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017”.

2006 Tommasi Viticoltori Crearo, Veronese, Italy

List price 28.00; our price 24.99; today only 22.49

The blend in this wine is Corvina Veronese 50%, Oseleta 15% and Cabernet Franc 35%. The grapes are hand-picked in late September, fermented in steel vats for about nine days, then re-fermented with the skins of Amarone for about 12 days, with continuous pumping over each day. The blend spent 6 months in French oak, another 18 months in Slavonian oak casks, then rested 6 months in bottle. It is full-bodied and intense, spicy, velvety and rich with complex flavors.

$10.00 per person
$5.00 is credited against purchase of the featured wines below

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264
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There is an interesting dichotomy between Italian wines and California wines. The former are made in a manner to accompany food, while the latter are judged upon how well they stand alone. Of course, the Italians, like the French, are complete “foodies”. They typically do not eat without drinking wine or drink without eating. Californians frequently are content to savor the luxury of a fine rich wine, white or red, and forgo the accompanying hors d’oeuvres. How many times have you indulged with friends in a glass or wine (or so) without so much as a cracker within reach? As such, you are hereby reminded to enjoy our food assortment as you sample your way through some of the jewels of Northern Italy.

2009 Villa Sonia Pinot Grigio delle Venezie

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

The wine shows strong floral scents; rose-like with nectarine fruit. At first it suggests a Viognier wine, but the customary minerality brings it back into focus. There is indeed some stone fruit character: peach, nectarine and apricot. It does have good body and offers a decent finish. The slight bitterness in the finish indicates, as mentioned above, a wine made to accompany food.

2009 Anselmi Bianco, San Vincenzo, Veneto

List price 13.50; our price 11.99

In 2000, Roberto Anselmi chose to leave the Soave DOC, and his wines are now labeled as IGT Veneto. This was due to his frustration by the low quality and general lack of ambition in the Soave region. His clones of Garganega (the white variety of Soave) are the less productive, higher quality ones. The San Vincenzo blend is 80% Garganega, 15% Chardonnay and 5% Trebbiano varietal, with no wood, done in a fruity, youthful style. The wine is crisp with scents of minerals, apple, banana and lemon blossoms. It is medium-bodied, dry and fresh, with notes of citrus fruit, pear, grapefruit and hints of hazelnut. Try it with smoked or grilled fish, shellfish, lobster salad or roast chicken.

2007 Vigneti Sant’ Helena Sauvignon, Collio

List price 14.95; our price 9.99

This dry Sauvignon Blanc has stunning gooseberry fruit, balanced with suggestions of yellow peppers, banana and melon with a wonderfully long, flint finish. It is produced by the venerable house of Fantinel from estates in the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, north-east Italy, ostensibly the most acclaimed area in Italy for the production of this varietal.

2008 Fontanafredda Barbera, Briccotondo, Piemonte

List price 12.00; our price 8.99

Fontanafredda has done an outstanding job of making a wine with real, vibrant flavors that just jump out of the glass. They’ve also done an amazing job of softening Barbera’s sometime forceful acidity to make this wine supremely pleasant for anyone to drink. Try this cherry infused charmer with foods from the BBQ or your favorite pasta.

2009 Quattro Mani Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

List price 11.95; our price 9.99

Quattro Mani, or “four hands” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is an outstanding value. Montepulciano is an extraordinarily versatile grape producing prodigious quantities of good quality wine. When grown with the idea of making a higher quality wine it shows its extraordinary complexity. It is bursting with spicy fruit and is supple, soft, balanced and vividly flavored. An outstanding wine for everyday use!

2006 Zenato Cormi, Veneto

List price 23.50; our price 19.99

This 50-50 blend of Corvina and Merlot is ruby red in color, with a bouquet of red berry fruit, blackberry and cherry. It is aged in neutral, medium-size oak barrels giving it a full-throttle style. The Cormi reveals incredible concentration and density on the palate. The strong minerality and freshness of the Corvina is complemented by the full-flavor and sweet tannins of the Merlot. It is an elegant, full-bodied red, ideal for cellaring for a few years. Enjoy with Mediterranean cuisine as well as grilled and roasted meats.

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

Every once and a while it is instructive to turn away from the usual stuff and pay some attention to the unique varietals that abound about us. There are thousands of wine grape varietals and we tend to stay with the tried and true, which for most people can be counted on the fingers of one hand. For those of us dealing with wine on a daily basis, this can get really boring, especially for wine makers. So, to amuse myself and hopefully titillate you as well, we will taste and discuss the following wines. Two are repeats from the Kenneth Volk event last month, but as I was away on vacation, I will revisit them and share with you my enthusiasm for esoterica.

2008 Castello Banfi Principessa Perlante, Gavi, Piemonte

List price 17.50; our price 13.99

Cortese is the white grape in this beautifully packaged soft and dry white wine. It is a delicate, and elegant, product of the Gavi vineyards of the Piedmont region of Italy. The floral citrusy flavors are enhanced by a slight spritz that dances merrily across the tongue.

2009 Argiolas “Costamolino”, Sardegna

List price 18.00; our price 14.99

This Vermentino is from Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean. The property owned by Antonio Argiolas is located about fifteen miles from Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital. Antonio and his sons, Franco and Peppetto, have worked hard to become leaders in Sardinian enology. They have been able to incorporate the use of modern technology into their traditional winemaking processes to attain high standards in quality. The wine is subtle with a delicate bouquet. It has a fresh, dry, well-defined palate with pleasant delicacy and crispness.

2001 Rainbow Ridge Alicante Bouschet, Lodi

List price 22.00; our price 19.99

This Alicante Bouschet, al-eh-KAN-tay (Fr. Ah-lee-KAHNT) boo-SHAY, you may remember was the brain child of Dennis Costa whose Rainbow Ridge wines enjoyed a short but well-received success. Especially this bottling garnered accolades, including a 91 rating from Wine Enthusiast Magazine and a bronze medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Widely cultivated since 1866, it is a cross of Petit Bouschet and Grenache. Alicante is a teinturier, a grape with red flesh, and is one of the few teinturier grapes that belong to the Vitis Vinifera species (the wines you know and love). Its deep color makes it useful for blending with light red wine.

2008 Kenneth Volk Negrette, San Benito County

List price 19.00; our price 15.99

Negrette has its own distinct aroma and flavor profile. It shares some of the characteristics of both Syrah and Pinot Noir. This wine has aromas and flavors of bramble fruit and cherry with spicy, old vine gaminess. It is a deeply pigmented wine with relatively low tannin and a silky smooth texture.

2007 Kenneth Volk Mourvèdre, Enz Vineyard

List price 22.00; our price 19.99

The Enz Vineyard Mourvèdre is one of the oldest planting of that varietal in California. In its 86th growing season, these ancient head-trained vines produced a beautiful well balanced crop of small-berried clusters. Traditional winemaking techniques and aging in French oak helped to craft this delicious wine. Ripe fruit aromas and exotic spice are followed by flavors of blueberry, cherry and licorice.

Mirabile Nero d’Avola, Sicilia

List price 15.00; our price 12.99

This Nero d-Avola (literally “the black grape of Avola”) has an intense ruby red color with violet highlights. The scent is elegant, with hints of ripe fruit and spices. It is complex on the palate thanks to polyphenols, (the chemical class of tannins is a subset of polyphenols) sustained by the right degree of tanginess. This is an everyday kind of wine showing good balance, persistence on the finish and representing excellent value.