Cellar Selections April 16th - 23rd

Weekly Cellar Selections ~ Wines from Moldova, huh?

Wine Tasting at The Wine Cellar this Thursday, April 17^th 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 Adrian Drapkin of Ingenium Wines pouring from our current Cellar Selection & Jennifer Claborn, Owner of City Hall Diner, sharing some of her wonderful menu items. If you have never been to City Hall Diner you have got, I repeat, got to come sample her fabulous food at my tasting to see for yourself. Hope to see you all here!

If you actually need another reason to shop here, please read this personal endorsement!
http://dishinwiththedivas.blogspot.com

Moldova…huh?
Moldova is one of the top 10 grape- and wine-producing countries in the world. Although relatively unknown in the west, Moldova's winemaking industry has long been respected in Eastern Europe and Russia. The country's wine industry is currently engaged in significant expansion and modernization, with 85% of its wines produced for export and over 15% of the country's annual budget based on viticulture.

A favorable geographical position and a wonderful climate have attracted people here from the earliest times. In the Republic of Moldova winemaking dates back more than 2000 years to the time of Greek and Roman settlement. With such a long history, it is not surprising that the country's inhabitants practice the winemaker's art with special pride. Even the shape of Moldova is reminiscent of a bunch of grapes, a special symbol for this fertile, winegrowing nation.

On the territory of Republic of Moldova there are 4 special zones of natural viticulture: Northern, Central, Southern and South-Eastern, those are divided in 19 wine viticulturists – wine-making centers. The most well known are: Cahul, Taraclia, Codru, Romanesti, Ciumai, Purcari, Hancesti, and others. The total area of vineyards is about 110 thousands hectares.

Moldova shares the same line of latitude with Burgundy, France (47 degrees north of the Equator) which together with the proximity of the Black Sea help provide short, relatively mild winters and long hot summers which make this land ideally suited for wine production. Grapes ripen in well-groomed rows on sunny, vineyard-covered hills. These grapes are considered a special gift of nature—they soak up the heat of the sun, fertile soil, cool rain, and the generous care of the hands that tend them. The resulting vintages are natural, rich and complex, and are rapidly expanding to new markets.

~ Now let's make a deal! ~

2005 Sauvignon Blanc Graystone Winery, Moldova Reg. $10.99 now $7.99
Sauvignon Blanc is produced from carefully selected, hand-picked grapes of Sauvignon Blanc, grown in the Carbalia vineyards situated in the valley of the river Salcia Mare, in the south of Moldova. Color: pale yellow-green. Bouquet: intense varietal aroma, dominated by a typical fruit and berry character. Taste: a wine of medium body, well structured and fresh because of its acidity. Its intense concentration of fruit manifests itself in an elegant sweetness on the palate. Excellent as an aperitif, with chicken, shellfish or caviar.

2005 Pinot Gris Graystone Winery, Moldova Reg. $10.99 now $7.99
Pinot Gris is produced from carefully selected, hand-picked grapes of Pinot Gris, grown in the Carbalia vineyards situated in the valley of the river Salcia Mare, in the south of Moldova. Color: golden with a green nuance. Bouquet: tender, with honey and flowers flavor. Taste: noble, harmonic combination of oiliness and good retroactivity. Best served with light appetizers, fish with sauce.

2005 Pinot Noir Graystone Winery, Moldova Reg. $10.99 now $7.99
Pinot Noir is produced from carefully selected, handpicked grapes of Pinot Noir, grown in the Corten estate in the valley of the river Lunguta, in the south of Moldova.

Color: ruby with overtones of garnet. Bouquet: flavors of red fruits, especially red cherries, blended with notes of vanilla. Taste: full bodied, presents a perfect balance between the fruit from the grapes and the wood. It is warm and round with a long ending. Recommended with white or red meats, various cheeses.

April Event Schedule all $5 per person from 5 to 7p.m. All in store unless stated.
Thursday the 17^th - Arian Drapkin with Ingenium Wines & City Hall Diner

Tuesday the 22^nd - Special Guest - Clarisse Fourmeaux of Chateau Potelle & Gravity Hills with Leigh Monroe of Pinnacle Imports & Mudtown Eat & Drink

Thursday the 24^th No Tasting

~About City Hall Diner~
They are a casual restaurant, located in Vestavia Hills, serving wonderful seafood, salads, sandwiches and daily specials. Their menu has something that will appeal to everyone. They have a full bar and make all of our desserts. You can see their menu online at www.cityhalldiner.com Phone 824-3655

~ Interested in actually KNOWING what you're talking about with Wine? ~
Email me for details on how you can obtain lasting knowledge & credentials!

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)
www.thewinecellar.info www.myspace.com/wine_seller http://thewineknow.blogspot.com