Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Cellar Selections March 26th - April 2nd

March 26th – April 2nd
Weekly Cellar Selections ~ Spring Time Wines

Wine Tasting at The Wine Cellar this Thursday, March 27th from 5 to 7p.m. $5 per person. Just to clarify all tastings are held at The Wine Cellar unless specifically mentioned they are elsewhere. This week we have Colleen Moore with International Wines pouring from our current Cellar Selection & 3 more, you have to come to find out what. Our featured restaurant is Mudtown Eat & Drink. Hope to see you all here!

2006 "next" by King Estate, Washington Riesling
Reg. $15.99 now $13.99
King Estate Vineyards has for years dazzled us with their wonderful wines, come try their new creation "next". This is sure to be the "next" generation of cutting edge wine making. Aromas of peach, orange blossom, lemon, white pepper, and perfume.
Mouthfeel of white peach, honey, lemon zest, apple, guava, and apricot. Make this your "next" bottle!

2006 Adelsheim, Willamette Valley Auxerrois (oak-sair-wah)
Reg. $21.99 now $19.99
DNA testing has shown that Auxerrois, like Chardonnay, Aligoté, Gamay and 10 other varieties, is a cross dating from medieval times between Pinot noir and an ignoble variety called Gouais Blanc. It is also the name of a duchy surrounding the town of Auxerre near Chablis, but the variety has disappeared from that area and all other parts of Burgundy. In fact, there are probably less than 500 acres of it planted in the world. Its early ripening has allowed it to flourish in Luxembourg (even achieving Premier Cru status), but in Alsace, the variety is now treated as a second-class citizen, consigned to blends often with Pinot Blanc. In the US, we know of only two producers.
There are aromas of juicy apple, pear, white peach and honey in the nose of this wine. In the mouth these fruits reappear together with subtle flavors of fennel and tarragon. With its perfect textural balance of acid, alcohol and fruitiness, the wine has body and length on the palate, yet remains fresh. Auxerrois is wonderful on its own as an apéritif, or with many courses at the beginning of a meal. It would pair beautifully with crab salad, for instance, or cured salmon with tarragon dressing.

2006 "next" by King Estate, Oregon Pinot Noir
Reg. $22.99 now $20.99
King Estate Vineyards has for years dazzled us with their wonderful wines, come try their new creation "next". This is sure to be the "next" generation of cutting edge wine making. Aromas of bright Bing cherry, strawberry, oak char, and pomegranate.
Mouthfeel of black cherry and strawberry, light oak. Make this your "next" bottle!

2006 Adelsheim, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Reg. $31.99 now $28.99
With its wide variety of origins and clones, this wine displays both red and black fruit aromas (cherries and raspberries), on the nose and the palate. In addition, one finds a light touch of brown spices (nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice) and even a little black pepper. True to our house style, it is elegantly textured with satiny, polished tannins showing in the finish. Pair it with salmon or ahi, veal or pork, poultry (think duck) or beef, and/or hearty vegetarian entrees.

April Event Schedule all $5 per person from 5 to 7p.m. All in store unless stated.
Thursday the 3rd - Colleen Moore with International Wines
Thursday the 10th - TBA
Thursday the 17th - Arian Drapkin with Ingenium Wines
Tuesday the 22nd - Special Guest - Clarisse Fourmeaux of Chateau Potelle & Gravity Hills with Leigh Monroe of Pinnacle Imports
Thursday the 24th No Tasting

What is Mudtown Eat & Drink?
We’re LOCAL! If you’re looking for a local eating establishment to support, we’re it. Our latest advertising campaign claims an amazing menu. We think it is. More importantly, the guests who dine with us for lunch and dinner seven days a week tell us so. We’re proud and grateful of the praise. Judging by the response to a new menu rollout in early June, we continue to be on the right track of making people and their tastebuds happy.
Even though we named a restaurant after dirt, the food is fantastic, fresh and fun. The beverages are cold and unique. The atmosphere is inviting and comforting. As you walk in to Mudtown, you will feel the prevailing friendly spirit, smell the enticing aromas from the kitchen and anticipate a quality dining experience served by people who genuinely appreciate you stopping by.
Coming soon to Mudtown Eat & Drink, Meals-to-go! If you are a Pharmaceutical Representative or just in need some ideas for office lunches, group lunches or anything else catered Mudtown is an established Catering service as well. Visit http://www.mudtownalabama.com/catering.pdf for details!
Mudtown Eat & Drink
3144 Green Valley RoadVestavia Hills, AL 35243
(205) 967-3300 store

The Wine Cellar
970 Highway 31 · Vestavia Hills · Alabama · 35216
205·979·2151 phone 205·979·2149 fax
Store Hours: Monday thru Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 10a.m. to 4p.m.We are located 2 ½ miles north of I-65 on Highway 31 in the Vestavia Hills City Center (Publix Shopping Center)

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Cellar Selections March 12th - 19th

March 12th – 19th
Weekly Cellar Selections ~ Cline Cellars

Wine Tasting at The Wine Cellar this Thursday, March 13th from 5 to 6:30p.m. $5 per person. Just to clarify all tastings are held at The Wine Cellar unless specifically mentioned they are elsewhere. This week we have Donald Roth with Alabama Crown tasting us on wines from our current Cellar Selection. Our featured restaurant is City Hall Diner serving samples of their Coq au Vin. Hope to see you all here!

2006 Cline Cellars Viognier
Reg. $15.99 now $13.99
This varietal comes to us from the Northern Rhône Valley in France. Presumed to have arrived from Dalmatia and transported to the Rhone 2,000 years ago by Romans. There are only 2,000 acres of this variety in California at this time.Cline Viognier shows big peach and apricot flavors mixed with citrus and floral notes. The wine is a powerhouse of flavor and is full-bodied so it will make and excellent match with flavorful foods like Mediterranean Stew and spicy Mexican dishes.

2006 Cline Cellars Syrah
Reg. $10.99 now $9.99

Syrah is a fantastic grape to work with in the cellar. The deep red-purple color explodes and fascinates each time it is poured into a glass. Its origins stem from the Rhône Valley. The cracked black pepper aromas complement the black cherry fruitiness of this vintage and make it a great match for grilled Salmon and sautéed vegetables served over pasta.

2006 Cline Cellars “Cashmere”
Reg. $15.99 now $14.99
63% Grenache, 22% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre
They initially created this blend as an auction lot for the Hospice du Rhone held in Paso Robles each year. Cashmere is a very flavorful, smooth wine offering big cherry, raspberry and chocolate notes with hints of cracked black pepper and plum.
A portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

2006 Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel
Reg. $15.99 now $14.99
The 2006 Ancient Vines Zinfandel draws primarily from a wide selection of their oldest, most historic and shyest-bearing Zinfandel blocks in Contra Costa County which make up 43% of this blend. Grapes were planted by Italian and Portuguese immigrants in the sandy, phylloxera-resistant soils of Oakley, California more than 100 years ago. These ancient, dry-farmed vineyards consistently produce fruit of stunning concentration. The lots that we hand-selected are the result of sensitive farming practices, the singular Oakley terroir and a unique cooling band of air that flows from the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers. The Zinfandel from Lodi (37% of blend) was acquired from historic vineyards from along the delta waterways. The remainder of the blend is selected from prized vineyards in Mendocino, Sonoma, and Lake County.
The 2006 Ancient Vines Zinfandel shows wonderful dusty raspberry, blackberry, white pepper and spice, with coffee and chocolate characters.
Ripe fruit and soft tannins make this a mouth-coating rich vintage. Aging in new and used wood has lent this wine a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the explosive fruit notes. Enjoy now or cellar for 5 to 7 years.

2006 Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Mourvèdre
Reg. $25.99 now $27.99
The 2006 Ancient Vines Mourvèdre draws from some of their oldest, most historic and shyest-bearing vineyard blocks. These blocks perpetually produce fruit that is of stunning concentration. They are able to reach this concentration as a result of sensitive farming practices, the singular Oakley terroir, and a unique cooling band of air that flows in from the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers. By naturally restricting yields to only 2 to 3 tons per acre we are able to achieve a sublime expression of the Mourvèdre fruit. These grapes hold characteristics of dark, dusty berry fruit that makes their Ancient Vines Mourvèdre so lustrous.
Just remember “Move Over Dear.” This Ancient Vines Mourvèdre offers distinct chocolate characteristics and a luscious deep plum flavor. Tannins are soft with a substantial mouth-feel. Ancient Vines Mourvèdre is a scrumptious and unusually delightful wine. We recommend trying this wine with anything grilled.

March Event Schedule all $5 per person from 5 to 6:30p.m. All in store unless stated.Thursday the 13th – Donald Roth with Alabama Crown & City Hall Diner
Thursday the 20th – Spring Break 2008! No tasting…
Thursday the 27th – Colleen Moore with International & Mudtown Eat & Drink

About City Hall Diner:
We are a casual restaurant, located in Vestavia Hills, serving wonderful seafood, salads, sandwiches and daily specials. Our menu has something that will appeal to everyone. We have a full bar and make all of our desserts. You can see our menu online at www.cityhalldiner.com Please come to see us; we would love to feed you!

The Wine Cellar
970 Highway 31 · Vestavia Hills · Alabama · 35216
205·979·2151 phone 205·979·2149 fax
Store Hours: Monday thru Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 10a.m. to 4p.m.
We are located 2 ½ miles north of I-65 on Highway 31 in the Vestavia Hills City Center (Publix Shopping Center)

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Cellar Selection March 6th - 12th

March 6th thru the12th
Weekly Cellar Selections ~ A Taste of Italy


Wine Tasting at The Wine Cellar this Thursday, March 6th from 5 to 6:30p.m. $5 per person. Just to clarify all tastings are held at The Wine Cellar unless specifically mentioned they are elsewhere. This week we have Cathy Borden with MBC-United & special Wino Know extraordinaire David Harmon of Prestige Wine Imports tasting us on wines from our current Cellar Selection. We will be sampling some of Super Suppers March Menu features; Chicken Piccata and Swedish Meatballs with Noodles. Scroll down to see what is in store! Get it?
Hope to see you all here!

Feudo Arancio Grillo Sicilia IGT
Reg. $9.99 now $7.99
A local Sicilian white varietal that produces an elegant, refreshing and fruity wine with a characteristic bouquet of nettle, green pepper and jasmine. Trust me this is great! Pairs well with seafood, pasta with vegetables, white meats and baked fish.

Castel Firmian Traminer Aromatico Trentino DOC
Reg. $16.99 now $14.99
Straw-yellow with gold reflections in color with an intense nose, with wild-flowers notes, especially of dog-rose, and fruits such as mango and red currants. Dry, pleasing, reminiscent of ripe fruits with moderate acidity in flavor. It is a perfect compliment to seafood, asparagus, first course dishes and cheeses.

Feudo Arancio Nero d'Avola Sicilia IGT
Reg. $9.99 now $7.99
Nero d'Avola is a local Sicilian varietal that was first cultivated only in the area of Siracusa, but has since spread throughout every Sicily. This grape produces a livery red wine with deep colors and zesty fruity characteristics. It goes well with risotto, baked pasta, red meats, game, lamb and seasoned cheeses.

Castel Firmian Marzemino Trentino DOC
Reg. $15.99 now $13.99
Ruby red with bluish-purple in color (violet) reflection with delicate, reminiscent of red fruits like morel berry, sour black berry, and light notes of violet, with gentle vegetable and tannic hints. The flavor is dry, full, and well-balanced with soft tannins. It is the ideal companion to mushrooms dishes, lasagna, white meats and seasoned cheeses.


Righetti Campolieti Valpolicella DOC
Reg. $16.99 now $15.99
After the vinification and fermentation of the Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella grapes in steel tanks, the wine then undergoes a second fermentation on the Amarone lees. This process is termed the “Ripasso” method. Dark ruby color, brilliant highlights, black-cherry nose with a raisiny complex of scents, medium body, surprisingly flavorful, deep, round tastes punctuated by a slightly bitter hint, delivered with a graceful lightness.

Teroldego Rotaliano DOC Riserva
Reg. $21.99 now $18.99
The Teroldego vine is an indigenous varietal of Trentino where it has found its ideal environment in the Piana Rotaliana. The name seems to derive from "Tiroler Gold" (Tyrol Gold) a name that indicates its presence at the Court of Vienna in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was later called "Tiroldico" and finally Teroldego. It is the most famous red wine from Trentino, and for this reason it is called the "royal wine of Trentino". This Riserva is produced only in the best vintages from manually selected and harvested grapes of the most renowned areas of the Piana Rotaliana: "Fron", "Camorzi" and "Sottodossi".Intense ruby red in color with complex, characteristic, pleasant ripe fruit aroma, prunes and blackcurrant. Full-bodied, well-balanced, pleasantly tannic, we saved the best for last! A wine of great character, it pairs well with stews, roasted red meats, grilled dishes, and seasoned cheese. Ideal with Risotto al Teroldego.

March Event Schedule all $5 per person from 5 to 6:30p.m. All in store unless stated.
Thursday the 6th – Cathy Borden with MBC-United & Super Suppers
Thursday the 13th – Donald Roth with Alabama Crown, City Hall Diner & Lipstick Magazine
Thursday the 20th – Spring Break 2008! No tasting…
Thursday the 27th – Colleen Moore with International & Mudtown Eat & Drink

Super Suppers info: Take a deep breath and let Super Suppers help you put delicious meals on your family table. There are many ways to participate, so just pick one that works for you.

* You can order for pick up: We'll assemble your entrees, sides and desserts for you. Just stop in to pick up and you're all set.
* You can assemble your own entrees just the way you like them. Register online for a session or simply drop in.
* You can simply stop by and get some of our delicious entrees from our Grab-n-Go freezer.

Any way you choose to participate, the outcome is the same...delicious, convenient, inexpensive family meals that give you back the time to do the things you really want to do!

1944 Canyon Rd., Vestavia Hills, 36216, 205-822-2898, http://www.supersuppersbirminghamvestavia.com/

The Wine Cellar
970 Highway 31 · Vestavia Hills · Alabama · 35216
205·979·2151 phone 205·979·2149 fax Subscribe: vwinecellar@bellsouth.net
Store Hours: Monday thru Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 10a.m. to 4p.m.
We are located 2 ½ miles north of I-65 on Highway 31 in the Vestavia Hills City Center (Publix Shopping Center)