OCTOBER WINES FOR HALLOWEEN

With Hog football and cooler weather on the horizon I have a few ghoulish wines for you to sample and enjoy this Halloween. With Pumpkins from Paso Robles, Red Monsters and Toads from Mendocino County and even Ghosts from Sonoma County these wines will be sure to spark the spirits in all of us. We have the perfect witches brew simmering in the cauldron to make any Halloween celebration a huge hit. You will be sure to find that perfectly ghostly wine for even the faintest of heart.

AQUA PUMPKIN 2007 PASO ROBLES MERLOT – $13.72- Kenneth Volk is quickly becoming one of my favorite wine producers that utilize the Central Coast region, specifically Paso Robles. This extremely hot and sunny AVA situated almost exactly half way between LA and San Francisco produce some of the inkiest most flavorful wines. No wimpy Merlot here. Full of rich cassis and a solid backbone of red fruits gives the round mouth feel we expect from Merlot with the finesse that I have come to expect from Kenneth Volk wines. Aqua Pumpkin – Fine wine from happy grapes. No pumpkins were harmed in the production of this wine.


THE BIG RED MONSTER, CALIFORNIA RED WINE BLEND - $11.57- The Big Red Monster Team believes in using grape varietals that are most suited to California’s wicked hot climate, by using grape varietals that love the sun, heat and lack of rain. Winemakers Jeff Booth and Bob Pepi have blended a monster of a red wine; syrah, zinfandel and petite syrah into one non-vintage blend, making for one big, meaty red with black currant flavors and hints of cherry. It is a full-bodied, slightly spicy wine better suited for beef or lamb than popcorn or Junior Mints. Let the monster breathe a bit before consuming, and the taste won't scare you at all.

TOAD HOLLOW, 2008 UNOAKED MENDOCINO CHARDONNAY - $14.80 – This being the 16th harvest of this amazing little Chardonnay from the late Todd Williams, it is perfect for any Halloween celebration or witches cauldron potion. Beautifully balanced with hints of mango, melon, mineral and incredible acidity, the nose is delicately perfumed with citrus and green apple. This Chardonnay is a treat for the senses with a mouth feel that is rich and creamy while still displaying crisp and clean flavors that we have come to expect from Mendocino Chardonnay. Never seeing any wood seems to compliment the fruit character often lost in over oaked and under crafted Chardonnays. A lip smacking 90 point from Enthusiast makes the $15 price tag a real bargain. Perfectly matched with caramel apples and roasted marshmallows by the bonfire.


GHOST PINES 2008 SONOMA COUNTY ZINFANDEL - $17.70 – Louis Martini purchased 178 acres of land in the eastern hills of the Napa Valley. The Martini family developed this land into a vineyard which they named Ghost Pines as a tribute to the native grey pines which at dusk appear to hover, solitary and ghostlike throughout the coastal valleys. This Zin draws from multiple winegrowing counties to create a wine as unique as this one. Strawberry jam and ripe plum flavors mingle with aromas of vanilla bean and mocha which are balanced with rich, chewy tannins that lead to long and supple finish. What an easy wine match with anything from spicy Chili to beefy beef steaks.


Hopefully you can find a ghoulish wine that can make any ghost or goblin happy. I can be found at County Line Tuesday through Saturday for any of your wine or entertaining questions. Follow us on Facebook at Springdale Liquor Association or go online to countylineliquors.com to see our weekly specials. The next NWA Uncorked event will be a Champagne tasting on the Fayetteville square coinciding with the lighting of the “Lights of the Ozarks”. Contact me at nwauncorked@sbcglobal.net for further information on upcoming wine events.

TASTING BAR 8-20

COUNTY LINE

WINE TASTING BAR

AUGUST 20-21st, 2010

Luigi Bosca 2007 Pinot Noir

Brilliant cherry red, clean, fresh, fruity and velvety with good body

Aromas of red fruit, strawberries, violets and chocolate. Vigorous and attractive

combining strength and firmness with delicacy and elegance.

$17.10

Gavi Principessa 2004 Gavia

Dry and fruity with crisp acidity. Ideal marriage veal, seafood or chicken.

A fun but inexpensive summertime wine.

$12.06

Francis Ford Coppola 2008 Claret

This Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and malbec blend is alluring and sophisticated; it is memorably lush with a tapestry of smooth tannins and succulent flavors of wild berries, plum and anise.

$14.46

Jacob's Creek 2007 Reserve Riesling

Attractive and vibrant, full lime aromas lead to refreshing citrus fruit leads to

refreshing citrus fruit flavors on the palate with a tight minerally astructure and a

crisp dry finish. A superb wine that is perfect with seafood and salad dishes

for the heat of the summer.

$12.70

LITERACY COUNCIL BENEFIT WINE TASTING WAS BOUGHT BY KRIS LIGGETT AT THE ANNUAL FUND RAISER BACK IN DECEMBER. THE TASTING SATURDAY NIGHT THE 16TH CONSISTED OF TEN WINES AND FOOD MATCHES WERE FROM CASE AT SOUL RESTAURANT.

Domaine Chandon

NV California Sparkling Blanc de Noirs

Rodney Strong “Charlotte’s Home

Sauvignon Blanc

Lange Vineyards Willamette Valley

Chardonnay

Crios Mendoza, Argentina

TorrentoS

Francis Ford Coppola “Directors Cut” Sonoma Coast

2007 Pinot Noir

Duckhorn Paradux Napa Valley

2007 Red Wine

Luigi Bosco Mendoza, Argentina

2007 Malbec

Bell Vineyards “Driveway”Yountville

2008 Merlot

Kenneth Volk Paso Robles

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

Honig Napa Valley

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Marco Negri Marsillio, Italy

2008 Moscato d’ Asti

WINNERS OF THE NIGHT WERE:

LANGE WILLAMETTE VALLEY CHARDONNAY FIRST

KENNETH VOLK PASO ROBLES CABERNET SECOND

LUIGI BOSCO MENDOZA MALBEC

SOUL DID A BOUNTIFUL AMOUNT OF FOOD FOR THE

14 GUESTS WE HAD. EVERYTHING DOWN TO THE GRILLED STRAWBERRY'S WERE INCREDIBLE.

AGAIN, KRIS THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION TO THE

LITERACY COUNCIL

PINNACLE COUNTRY CLUB QUARTERLY WINE TASTING

Pinnacle Country Clubs Quarterly Wine Tasting

Thursday January 14th

Montinore 2008 Boerealis Willamette Valley White Blend
It pours a pale gold, and grapefruit, pineapple and fresh flower aromas leap from the glass. On the palate a crisp, fresh entry is balanced by succulent ripe fruit flavors of peach, grapefruit and quince, culminating in a fresh, lingering finish. It’s great with a variety of lighter dishes and cheeses – or just for sipping by starlight. Technical data... 60% Müller-Thurgau, 23% Gewürztraminer, 17% Pinot Gris
Firesteed 2007 Oregon Pinot Gris
The Firesteed 2007 Pinot Gris is a generously aromatic combination of Northwest coastal breezes and definitive orange-blossom, rose water and ripe peaches. Accents of the perfect perfume of gardenias and sweet spices make this a glorious example of fine Oregon Pinot Gris. Richly textured and flavorful, the wine delivers weight on the palate that is nicely balanced by citrus notes and fresh acidity.
Aqua Pumpkin 2007 Paso Robles Merlot
Grape Composition: 100% Merlot Grape Source:Select Vineyards in PasoRobles Growing Region Aromas and Flavors: Black Cherry, Raspberry, Mild Herbal Notes and a Hint of Toasty Oak
Mendel 2006 Malbec Mendoza, Argentina
92 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The entry-level 2006 Malbec was sourced from a 78-year-old estate vineyard, aged for 12 months in 40% new French oak, and bottled without fining or filtration. Purple-colored, it exhibits an impressive nose of wood smoke, tobacco, rose petal, blueberry, and black raspberry. This leads to a medium-bodied wine in which notes of cola, coffee, and caramel emerge on the palate. Elegantly styled, with racy flavors, good balance, and a pure finish,
Kenneth Volk 2004 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
As with our other wines, our Cabernet Sauvignon is more about elegance and good fruit tones than maximum extraction and tannins. We stay true to our fruit, which wants to taste like a Cabernet Sauvignon from the westernmost region of Paso Robles: dark fruit elements, ripe and polished, soft tannins.
Bell Vineyard 2006 Massa Ranch, Yountville Syrah
The 2006 Syrah, Estrella clone, is grown on the Massa Ranch, our neighbors here in Yountville. Proximity to the San Francisco bay and its moderating influences produces wines deep in color with rich, concentrated fruit flavor and lovely acidity .The wine underwent malo-lactic fermentation and was barrel aged in a combination of French (25%) and American (75%) oak barrels for 17 months. The wine was not fined and received one filtration prior to bottling.

Winners were Montinore Borealis for the white.

Kenneth Volk Paso Robles Cabernet for the 1st red

Aqua Pumpkin Paso Robles Merlot for the 2nd red.

About 38 members showed for our first quarter wine tasting to pick new wines for the wine list. Thanks for everyones participation. Special thanks to Pinacles new amazing Chef.

　
　

ON THE TASTING BAR FOR JANUARY 8TH

Francis Ford Coppola 2006 Diamond Series Merlot $1845

Beringer 2006 Knights Valley Alluvium Blanc $17.99

Schug 2006 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir $20.69

Come by and try these wines and others at County Line