​Saturday, August 1, 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

Chile has climate conditions that are ideal for the growing of quality wine grapes. Hot summers, coastal cooling breezes, and moderate rainfall, mirror the perfect conditions we enjoy in the northern hemisphere. The northernmost region is the Valle de Elqui, where Pisco is also distilled. In the center of Chile lies the Valle del Maipo, very close to Santiago. Valle de Curicó, to the south, is Chile’s largest producing zone of Sauvignon Blanc. Further to the south, is the Valle del Maule, Chile’s largest wine region. Newer vineyards here are planted with noble varieties to produce unique and complex red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenérè. These are the areas we are visiting this Saturday. Quantities are limited.

2014 La Playa Sauvignon Blanc, Valle de Curicó

LIST PRICE 8.00; OUR PRICE 6.99
Look for aromas of peach, passion fruit, orange blossom, and lemongrass. The wine has a soft, dry light-to-medium body and a smooth, medium length, peach, mango, yellow watermelon, and lemon finish. Opulent tropical aroma and flavors round out to a silky finish.

2013 Cono Sur Savignon Blanc, Valle Central

LIST PRICE 10.00; OUR PRICE 8.99
This fresh Sauvignon Blanc has citric aromas, along with green apple and herbal notes. The apple and grapefruit notes finish with a pleasant minerality. With a juicy, fresh and balanced palate, it’s the perfect wine for pairing with seafood, chicken, spices, cheeses and vegetables.

2012 Mayu Pedro Ximenez, Valle de Elqui

LIST PRICE 14.00; OUR PRICE 12.75
Pedro Ximenez is the grape of Southern Spain that is used to make the great cream sherry dessert wines. In Chile, Mayu uses it to produce a stylish white wine that offers appealing floral and fruit aromas, with flavors balanced by fresh acidity, minerality and a long finish. It can be served with a range of foods, especially shellfish and other seafood.

2013 Calina Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserva, Valle del Maule

LIST PRICE 12.00; OUR PRICE 9.99
This wine gives you a good idea of the expression of the Maule terroir. Dark red in color, it features ripe blackberries, cedar, spice, vanilla and cola in the nose. A lush mid palate is backed up by firm tannins and a long finish. The blend is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot.

2011 Nuevo Mundo Carmenérè, Valle del Maipo

LIST PRICE 17.50; OUR PRICE 14.95
The De Martino family produces this wonderful Carmenérè from organically grown grapes and fully certified Carbon Neutral Products. As one of Chile’s premium wine producers, they are leaders and pioneers in organic and sustainable farming. This wine shows expansive red fruits and spice that go long in the mouth. It is well balanced with oak and acid. Serve it with cheeses and meats.

2012 Mayu Carmenérè-Syrah, Valle de Elqui

LIST PRICE 18.00; OUR PRICE 15.50
​The Incas gave the name Mayu to the river of stars in the Milky Way. Made in a style similar to old world Italian, this is a very fruit driven wine that is juicy, not jammy, with a nice dark color and a perfect balance of body, soft tannins and oak character. Look for ripe blackberry and plum fruits with a touch of vanilla and spice. Pair with grilled meats and Mediterranean dishes.

​Saturday, July 25, 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

This Saturday we are celebrating the end of the Tour de France with our own tour of France’s wine country. These are excellent wines for summer consumption, light and delicate, yet charming. Pick up some wine from this selection and welcome the Tour de France riders home to the Champs-Élysées on Sunday.

2012 Dopff & Irion Pinot Blanc, Alsace

LIST PRICE 1500; OUR PRICE 13.95
The Dopff and Irion family traces its vineyard origins in Alsace to the 16th century. This winery located near the Rhine produces lovely dry Pinot Blanc with enjoyable fruit. This wine with a pale yellow color is fresh and fruity showing white plum and peach, with some smoked flavors. It is round and soft, well balanced, with a nice freshness; an easy-drinking crisp wine.

2014 Millet Freres Sancerre, Loire

LIST PRICE 28.00; OUR PRICE 24.95
The upper Loire Valley is known for two iconic wine growing sub-regions: Pouilly Fumé, and Sancerre. Nearly all wine cultivated in these areas are from the Sauvignon Blanc variety. Crisp, appropriately acidic, and aromatic, these wines are an amazing experience on both the nose and palate. They also tend to be somewhat more expensive compared to Sauvignon Blancs from other regions, for good reason.

2013 Minuty Rosé, Côtes de Provence

LIST PRICE 16.00; OUR PRICE 13.95
Château de Minuty is located on the St Tropez Peninsular, with its vineyards virtually overlooking the Mediterranean. This rosé is quintessential of the local style, with the blend employing the little-known Tibouren grape, a variety grown almost exclusively in Provence. The aromatic harmony of Grenache and Cinsault, too, are much in evidence, with notes of peach and candied orange. The wine offers a clean nose of citrus fruit, offset by subtle floral and candied notes. Fresh acidity makes for an incisive and lively palate, with a rounded feel. The mouth is fresh and round.

2014 Château du Puget, Côtes de Provence

LIST PRICE 16.00; OUR PRICE 13.99
The climate at Puget is Mediterranean and along with the terroir makes typical Côtes de Provence rosés that are fresh and fruity. This pale orange-pink colored wine offers ripe fruits, spice and a tangy orange and pepper character. The Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle blend is full-bodied and rounded, offering a good opportunity to be paired with food.

2013 Kermit Lynch Red Côtes du Rhône

LIST PRICE 13.50; OUR PRICE 11.75
Louis Barruol is actually the winemaker of this delightful red. He is the fourteenth generation in his family to be making wine in this sixteenth-century Domaine in Gigondas. He selects the best parcels he can find from his own and from other northern Rhône producers, then Kermit shows up and either has a cuvée bottled unfiltered, or he blends to find the assemblage that satisfies his esthetic criteria. Sounds like fun.

2014 Domaine de Cristia Grenache, Vin de Pays

LIST PRICE 29.00; OUR PRICE 23.99
​The property of the Grangeon family for many generations, Domaine de Cristia is located in Courthézon, on the eastern sector of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and spreads over 58 hectares. This 100% Grenache is from vieilles vignes, old vines, 65 years old. It over-delivers for the price.

​Saturday, July 18, 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

Most of these wines will be new to you, and some are old friends. This cross-section of California wines will pretty much well serve any use you may put them to this summer. There is no power here, only well made and delicious wines representing good value. For what more could one ask?

2013 Dark Horse Chardonnay, California

LIST PRICE 11.00; OUR PRICE 8.99
Dark Horse Chardonnay has rich flavors of baked apple and pear, layered with toasted oak, notes of caramel and brown spice with a smooth, lingering finish. This Chardonnay underwent alcoholic fermentation with specially selected yeast and then a secondary malolactic fermentation to create a round, full mouth-feel.

2013 True Myth Chardonnay, Edna Valley

LIST PRICE 15.00; OUR PRICE 12.99
Here is another fun summer wine showing ripe fruit and tropical flavors, with some citrus and a definite note of creaminess. It is great for sipping on its own, served with appetizers, or to accompany sea food.

Brownstone Winery Pinot Noir, California

LIST PRICE 19.00; OUR PRICE 15.99
Caesar Mondavi bottled the wines for the Scotto family until 1961 when they purchased their winery and started producing their own wines. Today, the 5th generation of family members continues the wine-making tradition. Ripe black cherry and blackberry dark fruit meld with a touch of oak to balance and round out into a smooth, satisfying finish. This Pinot would be a perfect companion to roasted chicken, salmon, or ham.

2012 Seven Deadly Zins, Old Vines, Lodi

LIST PRICE 14.50; OUR PRICE 9 .99
The 2012 issue of Michael-David’s quintessential Zinfandel is tasty and well focused. Crushed berry, soft oak and cedar notes create a fragrant appeal that leaves you wanting more. It shows explosive, concentrated fruit in the mouth, with plenty of acidity to balance the ripeness. Look for berry, spice and black berry compote on the finish. It received a 91-point rating from Wine Enthusiast Magazine: “This has an unusually dark color. Aromas of blackberry jam and maple syrup are followed by equally rich, deep and expressive flavors. The remarkable concentration of ripe berry flavors layered densely with fine tannins is at least partly due to blending in Petite Sirah. It adds up to a full bodied and delicious wine. Editors’ Choice.”

2013 Bell Wine Cellars Big Guy Red Wine, California

LIST PRICE 20.00; OUR PRICE 15.99
Ty is the Wheaton Terrier who greets guests to the Bell family winery in Napa Valley. Anthony Bell calls him “Big Guy”. This gold medal winner from the Orange County Fair is a blend from select lots drawn from California appellations. Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec & Petit Verdot are blended with Syrah, a Rhone varietal. These lots display lively fruit aromas and flavors; enjoyable while young. The tannin structures will allow the wine to develop gracefully for several years.

2012 Brownstone Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Calif

LIST PRICE 29.00; OUR PRICE 23.99
​This medium bodied Cabernet offers black cherry flavors and aromas complimented by accessible tannins that make it ready to drink upon release. A touch of Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah is blended with the Cabernet and the wine is aged up to six months in American oak.

​Saturday, July 11, 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

So, I asked Zola what should be our selection for this Saturday’s wine tasting event, and I may as well have proceeded to the Zinfandel section. Being a dedicated Zinfandel aficionado, she jumped all over an array of her absolute favorites (which is practically any Zinfandel). She picked out some rich, full bodied wines, some of which are from old vine vineyards. This is not a customary summer selection, but it is doubtful there will be many complaints.

2013 OZV Zinfandel, Old Vine, Lodi

LIST PRICE 13.00; OUR PRICE 10.99
This is a robust Zin from Lodi’s signature 50-100 year-old vines. This inexpensive value wine offers a robust and delicious expression of Lodi’s unique terroir. It is, as you would expect, jammy with raspberry, milk chocolate and mocha flavors. Soft tannins and a supple mouth feel round out the wine.

2012 Lapis Luna Zinfandel, Shoup Vineyard, Lodi

LIST PRICE 14.00; OUR PRICE 11.99
Romance is implied by the notation on the label, “Romanzo Moon”. This may not be your personal sensation on encountering the wine, but it is indeed a lush, racy, cinnamon-laced small-production single-vineyard Zinfandel from 80+ year old vines of Lodi.

2011 Terra d’Oro Zinfandel, Amador County

LIST PRICE 17.00; OUR PRICE 13.99
This Zin demonstrates the classic Sierra Foothills characteristics that are unique to this region. The nose is rich and super spicy with dark fruit and berries. The palate is smooth while showscasing flavors of nicely ripened blackberries and plums. Spice lingers on the finish, making it a great wine to accompany a multitude of dishes.

2012 Klinker Brick Winery Zinfandel, Old Vine, Lodi

LIST PRICE 18.50; OUR PRICE 16.99
Here is a display of full, juicy flavors of cherries and plums coupled with the perfect balance of oak and spice. There is a nuance of mint and clove on the nose and a lingering, elegant finish. This wine was aged in American oak for 15 months.

2013 Rabbit Ridge Zinfandel, Paso Robles Westside

LIST PRICE 20.00; OUR PRICE 17.99
This Zin is produced from grapes grown in the coolest areas of Paso Robles. Lively raspberry and cherry aromas open to crisp, layered plum, spice and coconut-tinged oak flavors. The tannins are appealingly soft and round. It is medium to full-bodied, quite delicious, and extends to a long soft finish.

2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel, Old Vine, Sonoma Co.

LIST PRICE 22.00; OUR PRICE 17.99
​This is truly old vine stuff; the vineyard was replanted in 1888 by Senator George Hearst, father of publisher William Randolph Hearst. Besides Zinfandel, there’s an eclectic mix of black grapes in the blend, including Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet. This good value, quality wine is the kind of bright and buoyant, old-fashioned Zin that we simply do not see as much as we would like. It is fixed on lively, ripe berry fruit without once threatening to be heavy or hot, and, while full, slightly supple and somewhat fleshy in feel, it is lively every step of the way. It is nicely structured with ample acidity and a fine spine of tannin to give it long life.

​Saturday, July 4, 2015
4:00 to 5:30 pm

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

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

Fourth of July barbeques in the Palm Springs area require at least one white and one rosé wine that can be chilled. Add to the mix some medium bodied to fairly rich reds and you are prepared for anything. This is our thinking in setting up the wine tasting event this Saturday. The wines we’ve chosen work well during a fire works display, as well.

2013 Trentadue Sauvignon Blanc, Alexander Valley

LIST PRICE 14.00; OUR PRICE 8.99
The Trentadue family chose a riper style of Sauvignon Blanc with more tropical fruit, melon and apricot aromas rather the usual grassy style. The body is viscous and full, finishing sweet on the mouth although there is no residual sugar in it at all. Wine Buyer gives this wine a 91-point rating: “Complex, crisp and refreshing with melon, pear, lemon-lime and grapefruit flavors that give way to a well-balanced and polished finish. A terrific wine at a fabulous price!” (Especially at our discounted price).

2013 A to Z Rosé, Oregon

LIST PRICE 12.00; OUR PRICE 9.99
This winery wanted a name that suggested that their wines are blended from many sources. A to Z builds their blends to craft balanced wines that aim to embody the essence of Oregon rather than reflect a specific single vineyard or A to Z style. This Rosé, primarily Sangiovese, tempts with aromas of strawberry, watermelon, cherry, hibiscus and a sweet herbal note. The mid-palate is bright and spicy, full of red fruit flavors and personality to spare. The creamy texture is lifted by the firm acidity and low tannin. It finishes crisp and clean.

2012 Nobel Vines Merlot #181, Lodi

LIST PRICE 12.00; OUR PRICE 9.99
The 181 is classic Bordeaux-style Merlot, elegantly opening with aromas of cherry, blackberry and sweet herbs. Fresh fruit flavors of black cherry and ripe plum fuse seamlessly with hints of spice leading to a lingering and luxurious finish.

2012 Noble Vines Red Blend #1, California

LIST PRICE 15.00; OUR PRICE 11.99
The 1 Red Blend is a medium-bodied wine with a balanced acidity and supple tannins. On the nose, rich aromas of blackberry and black cherry mingle with hints of spice. These dark fruit flavors carry through beautifully to the palate ending with a touch of pepper. Merlot leads the way in this fruit-forward wine followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The addition of Zinfandel adds a touch of softness to the final blend; softening the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

2011 Arnold Palmer Cabernet Sauvignon, California

LIST PRICE 14.00; OUR PRICE 12.99
This Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of almonds and plump dark cherries. The flavors of the wine hint of mocha and spiced tea while filling the mouth with raspberry candy, dark chocolate, and espresso. The finish has elements of dark fruit, integrated with an elegant and rounded tannin structure.

2012 Turley Zinfandel, Juvenile, California

LIST PRICE 24.00; OUR PRICE 19.99
#46 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2014! Though the vast majority of Turley wines are single vineyard designates, Juvenile is actually composed of a variety of young vines that have been replanted in several of their old vine sites. The vines that make up Juvenile range in age from about 6-25 years, and are pulled from 15 of their vineyards across California, including Hayne, Ueberroth, Pesenti, Salvador, and Vineyard 101. Wine Spectator gave this wine a 91 point rating: “Sleek, ripe and youthful, offering jammy raspberry aromas and flavors, with zesty notes of smoky spice and grilled anise. Drink now through 2019”
RP90 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (90 Points); “…an assemblage of all the younger vine material that offers a lot of raspberry and blue fruits in a medium-bodied, silky style.”