Join us Saturday, November 26th, from 4:00 to 5:30 pm for our wine tasting event featuring the Gruet Winery of New Mexico.

Founded in 1984, Gruet Winery specializes in Methode Champenoise sparkling wines. Family owned and operated, the New Mexico-based winery produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay-based sparkling wines.  The Gruet family, already well-established making Champagne since 1952 in France, knew a few European winemakers who had started vineyards in New Mexico with pleasing results. So, they visited the state and realized it was an ideal climate for growing grapes. In 1983, the Gruets purchased a vineyard near the Elephant Butte Reservoir and expanded their legacy to the U.S.   More than 25 vintages later, Gruet Winery has achieved critical acclaim and remains a favorite across the country. 

Featured Wines:

Gruet Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine                                                      
List price 19.00; Our price 15.99
Medium lemon in color, the Blanc de Blancs presents aromas of brioche and green apples that follow through on the palate. Flavors of lemon zest, honeysuckle, and tropical fruit lead to a crisp, fresh finish.  The blend is 100% Chardonnay and was aged en Tirage for a minimum of 24 months.  The wine received a Best of Class award at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
 
Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine                                                                          
List price 19.00; Our price 15.99
Aromas of green apple and citrus mineral notes make for a delightful start to this traditional sparkler. The Brut offers bright, crisp acidity complimented by a touch of yeast on the delightfully long finish.  The blend is 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir.  Wine Spectator: "Focused and richly styled, with spicy tropical fruit aromas and appealing baked apple, cinnamon and herb notes.” 
 
Gruet Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine                                                        
List price 19.00; Our price 15.99
Pale salmon in color, this full-bodied wine has a fine mousse and a creamy, rich texture. Complex aromas and flavors of raspberry, baked pear and cherry are complemented by a hint of toasted vanilla. The balance of fruit, minerals and crisp acidity lead to a round mouth-feel and lasting finish.  The blend is 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay.  Wine Spectator: 90-points, BEST BUY, TOP 100 wines of the year.
 
Gruet Burt Rosé Sparkling Wine                                                                
List price 19.00; Our price 15.99
A beautiful garnet in color, this Rose NV has a delicate, fine mousse and rich, fruit flavors. This full-bodied, 100% Pinot Noir sparkler starts with floral and berry aromas which introduce flavors of cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry, finishing delicately with zesty acidity. 
 
Gruet Demi Sec Sparkling Wine                                                                 
List price 19.00; Our price 15.99
Done in a fresh and delicate style, the Demi-Sec opens with aromas of fresh apples, pears and peaches that continue to the palate.  Flavors of honeysuckle and pineapple emerge on the well-balanced finish.  The blend here is 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay.

$10.00 per customer
$5.00 will be credited towards purchase of wines being poured
Home of: www.WineAndSpiritGifts.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #22, Palm Springs, 92264, 760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

Saturday, November 10, 2007

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 327-7701

When I first tasted the sparkling wines made by Gruet I was amazed that anything that good could come from New Mexico. Perhaps you are more adept at hiding your Chauvinism, but I remain something of a snob, except in the case of Oregon and Washington wines. The good people at Gruet are doing an excellent job of providing affordable sparklers of good quality, and in an arid climate. At 4300 ft. the vineyards are some of the highest in the United States. Regardless of how hot the days might be the temperature at night can drop as much as thirty degrees, cooling the fruit and slowing down the maturation process. Sandy and loamy soil, and a lack of humidity that might contribute to rot, allow for consistency of fruit from year to year, and allow for the production of award winning wines without the use of pesticides. Now for the shocker: in 2005 Gruet produced 80,000 cases of wine and distributed them to 47 states! We are not alone.

Gruet non-vintage Brut
$13.99
Half bottle $8.50
All of Gruet’s sparklers are made in the bottle using the laborious Champagne method (methode champenoise) The Brut offers a crisp, and full-bodied sparkling wine, which has developed rich complexity and fine mousse. The toasty finish from twenty-four months on tirage complements the lovely apple and citrus flavor. The wine is brilliant with ultra fine bubbles, and in the bouquet you will experience wonderful green apple and grapefruit flavors. “Best buy” rating from Wine Spectator and “highly recommended” rating from the Beverage Tasting Institute.

Gruet non-vintage Blanc de Noirs
$13.99
Half bottle $8.50
The rich and toasty character of the Blanc de Noirs is balanced and superb. Aged for at least two-years, the palate is developed and shows rich complex flavors. Visually the wine is a fine salmon color, and sports an aggressive mousse. It is a lovely fruity wine focused on the juicy flavor of raspberry with plenty of immediate charm and toasty aromas. The creamy texture shows finesse.Awarded 3 silver medals so far this year.

Gruet 2002 Blanc de Blancs
$19.95
The Blanc de Blancs offers abundant aromas and flavors recalling sweet apples, pears and citrus. The four years of aging has contributed a pronounced classic toastiness with accents of roasted almonds and minerals. The palate is creamy and long, and the style is elegant, dry and crisp, with a nice complexity. Only 1,000 cases were produced, selected from the best chardonnay of the harvest. It tastes like French champagne from the Cote des Blancs; very elegant with a long finish and nice acidity. Gold medal at the San Diego Int’l Wine Competition and gold medal with “best of show” at the New World Int’l Wine Competition.

Gruet non-vintage Rosé
$13.99
This nearly garnet Rosé, like all of Gruet’s non-vintage sparkling wines, is aged 24 months en tirage.It has a lovely, bright floral bouquet with hints of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. On the palate, it is rich and fruity in a dry, brut style. The flavor of berries continues on the palate, revealing more strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. This sparkler is lots of fun and very festive, perfect for a turkey dinner. Awarded bronze and silver medals in 2007.
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Gruet non-vintage Demi-Sec
$13.99
The subtle fruity aromas and the freshness of the Demi-Sec drive the character of this light bodied, semi-dry sparkling wine. The toasty bouquet is light and elegant with good acidity and exotic fruit. The palate carries through with a creamy sensation and vivid flavor of green apples, ripe pears, pineapple and a hint of mineral. A dessert wine for those with a sweet taste! Awarded a silver medal and a bronze medal in 2007.