“MAY I BRING MY FAVORITE WINE TO A DINNER PARTY?”
Of course you may — but don’t be surprised if your bottle is accepted as a gift by the host, but remains unopened. It’s perfectly possible that it will end up in your host’s wine rack. There’s also a chance the wine for the evening has already been chosen, and yours will be enjoyed by the recipient on another occasion. And yes, it would be inconsiderate to ask that your “gift” be opened and shared.
“WHEN WERE WINE LABELS INVENTED?”
Labels are a very recent phenomenon, given the 7,000 year history of wine. Inexpensive printing techniques, and the availability of durable, affordable paper came together around the turn of the 19th century, well before the birth of your favorite Wine of the Month Club!
Prior to that time, most wine was sold in wooden casks marked by either stenciled or branded identifiers. Bottled wine made before the 19th century was identified by etching the name of the producer and the vintage in the glass.
Sometimes, when the buyer of the wine was someone noteworthy, the winery would also etch the name or initials of that purchaser into the glass bottles. Vintage glass wine bottles with “T.J.” or “Th. J.” are rare and worthy of excessive insurance coverage. Our third president, Thomas Jefferson, was a dedicated Bordeaux connoisseur who bought wine directly from his favorite wineries. He always requested that his initials be etched in the glass to prevent confusion.
Wine Musings
“Wine . . . one sip of this will bathe the drooping spirits in delight beyond the bliss of dreams. Be wise, and taste.” John Milton— English Poet
DOMAINE DES SANTONILLES — CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES
(Vintage 2012, Red)
Country: France Region: Southern Rhone Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvédre, Carignan
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages is a French Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) that was established in 1966. It is located in the southern Rhône wine region and is made up from a list of villages within the region that produce high quality wines. The Domaine Des Santonilles vineyards consist of more than 35 hectares. The vines are an average of 40 years old, and produce powerful, well structured wines.
This month’s selection chosen from The Villages by your favorite Wine of the Month Club is a mastered blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvédre and Carignan grapes, all Estate grown. The blend produces a bright and deep crimson red nectar that possesses a rich nose dominated by over-ripe black currants and blueberry aromas with just a touch of black pepper. It is full-bodied and smooth, with concentrated red fruit flavors that explode on the palate.
It is intended to be enjoyed right now, but with proper cellaring can age through the year 2020! Serve at room temperature with exotic wild boar, or everyday pork dishes, game stews or soft cheeses.
To Reorder, call 1-800-800-9122 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Standard time, Monday through Friday)
Item# SN5714 — 2 bottles – $46.68 — 6 bottles – $107.16 — 12 bottles – $182.56
MEMBER DISCOUNTED PRICES FROM YOUR FAVORITE WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB INCLUDE FREE SHIPPING!
DOMAINE DES SANTONILLES — CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES (Vintage 2012, Red)
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages is a French Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) that was established in 1966. It is located in the southern Rhône wine region and is made up from a list of villages within the region that produce high quality wines. The Domaine Des Santonilles vineyards consist of more than 35 hectares. The vines are an average of 40 years old, and produce powerful, well structured wines.
This month’s selection chosen from The Villages by your favorite Wine of the Month Club is a mastered blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvédre and Carignan grapes, all Estate grown. The blend produces a bright and deep crimson red nectar that possesses a rich nose dominated by over-ripe black currants and blueberry aromas with just a touch of black pepper. It is full-bodied and smooth, with concentrated red fruit flavors that explode on the palate.
It is intended to be enjoyed right now, but with proper cellaring can age through the year 2020! Serve at room temperature with exotic wild boar, or everyday pork dishes, game stews or soft cheeses.
To Reorder, call 1-800-800-9122 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Standard time, Monday through Friday)
Item# SN5714 — 2 bottles – $46.68 — 6 bottles – $107.16 — 12 bottles – $182.56
MEMBER DISCOUNTED PRICES FROM YOUR FAVORITE WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB INCLUDE FREE SHIPPING!
Domaine Des Santonilles’ Côtes Du Rhône Villages:
GRENACHE — Used to make wines that are rich, warm and alcoholic, and are often-times components of blended recipes, as in this month’s selection from The Villages.
SYRAH/SHIRAZ — Winemakers have discovered the versatility of this beefy black grape, used in blends and in solo recipes. Its wines are full-bodied, long-lived and fruity.
MOURVEDRE — A major grape variety in Spain, it does well in Australian vineyards, too. Usually hidden in blends, but has a full and distinctive flavor which makes individual wines of great distinction. This month, the Mourvedre comes from France!
CARIGNAN— Another grape that “plays well with others,” this challenging-to-grow Spanish/French fruit has noir-colored skin that contributes to wine coloration.
DANIEL GEHRS WINES — CHARDONNAY
(Vintage 2010, White)
Country: U.S.A. Region: Central Coast, California Grape: Chardonnay
— Used to make wines that are rich, warm and alcoholic, and are often-times components of blended recipes, as in this month’s selection from The Villages.
SYRAH/SHIRAZ — Winemakers have discovered the versatility of this beefy black grape, used in blends and in solo recipes. Its wines are full-bodied, long-lived and fruity.
MOURVEDRE — A major grape variety in Spain, it does well in Australian vineyards, too. Usually hidden in blends, but has a full and distinctive flavor which makes individual wines of great distinction. This month, the Mourvedre comes from France!
CARIGNAN— Another grape that “plays well with others,” this challenging-to-grow Spanish/French fruit has noir-colored skin that contributes to wine coloration.
DANIEL GEHRS WINES — CHARDONNAY
(Vintage 2010, White)
Country: U.S.A. Region: Central Coast, California Grape: Chardonnay
The Central Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA) stretches roughly 250 miles along the coastline of California. Averaging about 25 miles in width, it stretches from San Francisco County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south, encompassing about 4 million acres. Of those acres, 90,300 are planted to wine grapes — which produce nearly 15 percent of the state’s total wine grape production. It is home to about 360 wineries. Daniel Gehrs Wines is a small, family-owned and operated winery featuring small lots of hand-crafted wines. With over 30 years of experience, Daniel’s wines are made in a classic old-world style that is exceptionally approachable to both the novice and experienced alike.
Made of 100% Chardonnay grown in Monterey County and Arroyo Seco AVA, total production was 2,086 cases. The resulting golden yellow wine is from a lovely vintage for Chardonnay. Lemon zest, apple fresh with the structure of Monterey, it has a touch of tropical fruit aroma with elements of pineapple and quince fruit. These nuances give way toward fresh, golden apple, cream and tangy earth on the palate. It all adds up to complexity, the best compliment a wine can receive. Serve tonight, chilled, with richly sauced chicken dishes like chicken Kiev, buttery boiled lobster tail, or lemon buttered sautéed scallops.
To Reorder, call 1-800-800-9122 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Standard time, Monday through Friday)
Item# SN5715 — 2 bottles – $41.00 — 6 bottles – $92.28 — 12 bottles – $157.00
MEMBER DISCOUNTED PRICES FROM YOUR FAVORITE WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB INCLUDE FREE SHIPPING!
Daniel Gehrs Wines’ Chardonnay:
CHARDONNAY GRAPES — The world’s greatest dry white grape, it has a split personality, with fruity flavors and aromas that mimic where the grapes are grown.
DANIEL GEHRS WINES — CABERNET SAUVIGNON
(Vintage 2012, Red)
Country: U.S.A. Region: Central Coast, CA Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
The Central Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA) stretches roughly 250 miles along the coastline of California. Averaging about 25 miles in width, it stretches from San Francisco County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south, encompassing about 4 million acres. Of those acres, 90,300 are planted to wine grapes — which produce nearly 15 percent of the state’s total wine grape production. It is home to about 360 wineries. Daniel Gehrs Wines is a small, family-owned and operated winery featuring small lots of hand-crafted wines. With over 30 years of experience, Daniel’s wines are made in a classic old-world style that is exceptionally approachable to both the novice and experienced alike.
Made of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot, this wine is sourced from Southern Monterey County and Santa Ynez Valley. Total production was 984 cases, and we feel extremely lucky to have acquired this wine for you. It is rich, dense, dark and brooding red in color, and has a sizzling aroma of black currant, créme de cassis, wild blackberries. The Petit Verdot adds a whiff of violet. The flavors follow the aromas. The pleasantly chewy palate shows a smoothness rare for a Cab this chunky! Enjoy it now, at room temperature, with steaks, roasts and rich pasta dishes.
To Reorder, call 1-800-800-9122 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Standard time, Monday through Friday)
Item# SN5716 — 2 bottles – $42.00 — 6 bottles – $94.92 — 12 bottles – $161.56
MEMBER DISCOUNTED PRICES FROM YOUR FAVORITE WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB INCLUDE FREE SHIPPING!
Daniel Gehrs Wines’ Cabernet Sauvignon:
CABERNET SAUVIGNON GRAPES — This grape is rich in depth, aroma and color. In the simplest form, it is usually described as being reminiscent of cedar, black currants or violets, but much more complex than these adjectives allude to.
PETIT VERDOT — This is a blendable red, a late ripener that brings acidity to the overall balance of a wine. Produces a characterful, long-lived, tannic wine.
BACKSBERG ESTATE CELLARS — PREMIUM SAUVIGNON BLANC
(Vintage 2012, White)
Country: South Africa Region: Paarl, Western Cape Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Paarl, (pearl in Dutch), is a wine-producing district in the Western Cape centered around the town of the same name. It’s located 37 miles northeast of Cape Town and north of Stellenbosch, another important wine region. Paarl is home to some of South Africa’s best-known wine estates. Backsberg currently has about 271 acres of vineyards in a great location for growing grapes. It has become the first wine producer in South Africa (and one of only three worldwide) to gain Carbon Neutral status by sequestrating its carbon emissions.
Their wine is 100% Estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc from 12-year-old vines. Total production was 12,000 cases of the bright straw yellow wine that’s bursting with aromas of gooseberry and passion fruit. This lively wine matches aromatic intensity with freshness and balance. Lime and nettle characters predominate the palate, cleverly matching fruit sweetness with natural acidity.
Enjoy it now, chilled, as an aperitif or with lobster bisque, grilled chicken, salads and all white meats.
To Reorder, call 1-800-800-9122 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Standard time, Monday through Friday)
Item# SN5717 — 2 bottles – $46.32 — 6 bottles – $106.26 — 12 bottles – $181.00
MEMBER DISCOUNTED PRICES FROM YOUR FAVORITE WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB INCLUDE FREE SHIPPING!
Backsberg Estate Cellars’ Premium Sauvignon Blanc:
SAUVIGNON BLANC GRAPES — Highly aromatic, these grapes are key in producing dry wines with that sought-after “dusty” quality. A prolific grower, they are rich with bold fruit character. A complex grape, with multiple personalities depending on origin.
