Tenuta Santomè Prosecco n/v, Veneto

With ghouls and goblins lurking about, it is the perfect time to start considering what bubbly would be best for your upcoming winter holidays. At the Shoppe, we have seen a steady rise in Prosecco requests, perhaps because of its delicate, aperitif quality or its wonderful food affinity or even most, its affordability. Whatever the reason, Prosecco is a staple at our home and this holiday season Tenuta Santomè will be at the top of our list! Owned by the Spinazzè family, Tenuta Santomè is an extremely modern Veneto winery with close plantings and scrupulous grape selection in the vineyard and in the cellar. The property spans 60 hectares between the towns of Treviso and Venice with 30 hectares in their main estate in Biancade and the remaining property on ‘Grave de Papadopoli,’ a small island on the River Piave between the villages of Cimadolmo and Maserada.&# 160; With the assistance of famed Veneto oenologist Marzio Pol, this winery produces classic, elegant, Prosecco. Crafted in the traditional style of extra dry, this Prosecco is harmonious and refreshing with an enticing bouquet of acacia flower, green apple and citrus. With balanced acidity and weight, this sparkling wine is ideal with passed hors d’oeuvres or your ‘primi piatti’ of choice. It is true that the French have perfected Champagne but if you are searching for a lighter more delicate alternative that won’t break your budget, Tentua Santomè is the wine for you!

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Domaine de Ferrand Châteauneuf du Pape 2005

When it comes to the Rhône valley, I must admit that I am a bit of a traditionalist in regards to flavor profile and Domaine de Ferrand, lead by visionary Philippe Bravy, is extremely dedicated to preserving the unique traditions and special characteristics that Châteauneuf du Pape offers. Robert Parker, Jr. has called Philippe ‘one of the most serious of the young generation of vignerons in Châteauneuf du Pape’ and one of the region’s ‘up and coming stars.’ Perhaps it is the dedication and care that Philippe laboriously garners on his family’s scant 5 1/2 hectare domaine. While practicing organic farming techniques and strictly limiting yields on his extremely old vine parcels (some of which date to over 100 years in age), Monsieur Bravy is able to achieve superb ripeness of fruit and great complexity. The 2005 release of his Châteauneuf du Pape is primarily Grenache with a 10% cépage of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and several local white varietals. This red is altogether captivating with aromas of garrigue, licorice, black cherry, wild raspberry and smoked game. With a broad, generous palate, this is a serious wine through and through with layers of earthy, meaty, Provençal inspired fruit. In other words, this red is not for the faint of heart but for those, like myself, who appreciate the southern Rhône in all of its glory. Not to mention, this beauty, although currently drinking well, does have the potential to age gloriously over the next decade.


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O’Reilly’s Pinot Noir 2008

In this day and age, we are constantly searching for value priced wines that are as equally impressive as they are affordable and Owen Roe’s O’Reilly’s Pinot Noir 2008 is just such. David O’Reilly, owner and winemaker of Owen Roe, started with just a few barrels in a tiny winery he shared with Peter Rosback (sineann). He is now a formidable force in the Pacific Northwest. Some may call it the luck of the Irish but the fact of the matter is that David and his business partner Jerry Owen produce excellent wines from some of the best vineyard sites in the Pacific Northwest. The 2008 release is vibrant yet refined with all of the characteristics of a drinkable and approachable Willamette valley Pinot Noir. With bright red berry notes on the nose and a hint of forest floor and toasty oak, this red is silky and broad on the palate with delicate toasted oak and earth to complement the rich strawberry and raspberry fruit. This is the ideal everyday drinking Pinot Noir that showcases the wonderful food friendly acidity and earthy character that I have come to love from Oregon wines.

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