​Saturday, May 30, 2015; 4:00 to 5:30 pm

$10.00 per customer
$5.00 will be credited towards purchase of wines below

Home of: www.WineAndSpiritGifts.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #22, Palm Springs, 92264
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030
facebook.com/DesertWinesAndSpirits

California produces an average of 90 percent of total U.S. wine production. The state’s two main varietals are without a doubt Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Sonoma County has 15 unique AVAs and more than 50 grape varieties are planted here. Chardonnay, America’s most popular white wine is also the county’s leading variety with an impressive 16,000 acres. Sauvignon Blanc is a distant second among white varieties, at 2,500 acres. For red varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon heads the roster with 12,000 acres, followed by Pinot Noir, 10,000, Merlot, 7,500 and Zinfandel, with 5,000 acres. Interesting.

2012 Chloe Chardonnay, Sonoma County

LIST PRICE 15.00; OUR PRICE 11.99
This wine is crafted from grapes grown primarily in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. Chloe winemaker Georgetta Dane has highlighted the structure and depth of this fruit by using new and used oak as a secondary presence, rather than the focus, to showcase ripe, clean flavors of fresh citrus, apple and pear with notes of creamy butter and a hint of vanilla. The resulting wine is very well-balanced, shows a creamy mid-palate and has a long finish.

2011 Provocative Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley

LIST PRICE 20.00; OUR PRICE 18.99
With its cooler climate, the conditions are ideal for Chardonnay in the Sonoma Valley. The grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks. Fifty percent of the wine was aged in French Oak barrels, and the other fifty perfect of the wine was aged in small stainless steel barrels. Both of the wines were then blended together.The wine is medium bodied, crisp, with great fruit character, and light oak nuances.

2012 Chalk Hill Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

LIST PRICE 26.00; OUR PRICE 28.50
Meyer lemon, quince and honeydew aromas are enlivened by a zesty white pepper nuance. Dry on the palate, it offers tangy citrus fruit and ginger flavors and a touch of quinine. The wine closes taut and dry, with lingering citrus and bitter herb qualities.

2012 Masterpiece Vineyards Cabernet, Russian River

LIST PRICE 11.99; OUR PRICE 9.99
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon has great texture and structure with a medium mouth-feel. There are aromas of dark plum, cherry, cassis, warm barrel spice, vanilla and dark chocolate. In the glass there are concentrated flavors of cherry, cassis, blackberry, plum, spice, cedar and chocolate.

2012 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

LIST PRICE 19.00; OUR PRICE 12.99
Always one of the best buys in Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petite Sirah, 4% Merlot and 4% Zinfandel) offers a deep ruby/plum color, classic black cherry and blackcurrant fruit intermixed with background spice, and soft, supple tannins. This medium-bodied, easygoing, attractive, savory Cabernet should drink well for 5-7 years.

2010 Summers Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley

LIST PRICE 40.00; OUR PRICE 36.99
​Knights Valley lies at the base of Mount St. Helena, situated between the Napa and Alexander Valleys. Beautiful weather and rolling hills of alluvial and volcanic soils allow for the grapes to produce this wine. It displays balance, massive structure, length, and elegance with fruit aromas of black cherry and blackberry, and spicy notes of clover.

​Saturday, May 23, 2015
4:00 to 5:30 pm

$10.00 per customer
$5.00 will be credited towards purchase of wines below

Home of: www.WineAndSpiritGifts.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #22, Palm Springs, 92264
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030
facebook.com/DesertWinesAndSpirits

We have had repeated requests to resume our wine tasting events lately. Now that the major events scheduled in our valley have concluded, it should prove easier for our course in wine appreciation to be attended. There is a growing interest in the wines produced in Oregon, and for good reason. Many wonderful wines come from Oregon’s wine country and this Saturday will give you the opportunity to sample some. The wines from our northern neighbor fall somewhere in character between those of California and those of France; not as fruity yet not as earthy either. Be here Saturday to see for yourself.

2012 Jovino Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley

LIST PRICE 12.00; OUR PRICE 9.99
Pinot Gris is a white-wine grape originally from the vineyards of Burgundy, but now found in wine regions all over the world. It is a member of the Pinot family of grape varieties along with Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. In fact, it is a mutation, along with the other varietals, of the Pinot Noir grape. You know it better as Pinot Grigio.

2013 A to Z Pinot Gris, Oregon

LIST PRICE 15.00; OUR PRICE 13.50
The 2013 A to Z Pinot Gris has lifted aromas of honeysuckle, lemon zest, nutmeg and wet stone developing into richer aromas of lychee, beeswax and melon that add complexity to the nose. The attack is juicy and pure with bright citrus fruit flavors and mineral notes. Taut structure and a tight wire balance between ripeness and acidity frame a seamless mid-palate and lead to a long finish that ultimately ends crisp and clean with flavors of wet stone and jasmine green tea. Total Wine will happily sell you this wine for $14.99.

2011 Dobbes Family Estate Viognier

LIST PRICE 22.00; OUR PRICE 17.99
In the late 1960s just 40 acres of Viognier vines were all that remained in the world, located exclusively in the vineyards of Chateau-Grillet in the Condrieu area of the northern Rhone Valley. Viognier is a white-wine grape variety known for producing textural, aromatic wines with pronounced stone-fruit flavors of apricots and peaches. Honeyed notes with a steely backbone are among the variety’s classic flavor associations. Compare this wine on line at prices at least $2.00 more.

2013 A to Z Rosé, Oregon

LIST PRICE 12.00; OUR PRICE 9.99
This Sangiovese rosé has aromas of strawberry, watermelon, cherry, hibiscus and a sweet herbal note. The mid-palate is bright and spicy, full of red fruit flavors. The creamy texture is lifted by the firm acidity and low tannin. This wine finishes crisp and clean with lingering flavors of citrus and strawberries. It is interesting that Oregon is doing so good a job with Sangiovese. Total Wine matches our price.

2013 Point North Pinot Noir, Willamette/Umpqua

LIST PRICE 22.00; OUR PRICE 18.75
Winemaker Sean Minor sends us this Pinot showing aromas of raspberry, blackberry and black pepper with a touch of leather. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with dark fruit flavors, raspberries and earthy spice notes. The wine has a bright mouth feel integrated with soft round tannins for a lengthy and complex finish.

2012 Rex Hill Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley

LIST PRICE 32.00; OUR PRICE 28.50
​This Pinot Noir has diversity and depth of flavor opening with aromas of blackberries, blueberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, plums, quince, and many spices from cinnamon to ginger to star anise to coriander. With beautifully proportioned acidity and minerality it has the balance and structure to age and become more complex over the next 10 years.