Beer and Wine Weekly Update, December 15, 2014
The calm before the storm is over, figuratively and literally. Holiday season is back in full swing, and winter finally decided to show itself and hit us with the Vermont weather we’ve come to love (or hate, I’m a winter fan myself) and expect. It’s the kind of weather that makes every night a celebration, because you are just happy you made it home safely and in a relatively timely fashion. And what better way to celebrate than with a glass of red wine, a nice stout, or, if you are really cold, a warm mug of Glögg. Glögg is a guilty pleasure of mine, and I say ‘guilty’ because I’ll drink it when it’s 80 degrees outside. It’s definitely not the throw back a bottle of wine kind of drink, but nothing is more comforting than that warm, spicy, fruity flavor on a cool evening. For those of you that don’t know what Glögg is, it’s a mulled spice wine that is traditionally served warm (you can throw in some orange slices if it tickles your fancy too). Glögg is the term used in Nordic countries for mulled wines, but they are by no means the only region that is known for this warm, soothing drink. Romans were the first creators of mulled wines, and through their conquest of the majority of Europe during the second century AD, they introduced their wine and viticulture to many different regions. Mulled wines are now a common household favorite around the world. At City Market, we carry plenty of great wines that you can use to make mulled wine, and we also carry it already made thanks to Boyden Valley’s Glögg.
Two weeks ago, I mentioned that we would be seeing another round of City Market Wine 6 Packs after their success over Thanksgiving, (if you read my monthly newsletter, this will be some repeat news), and I am proud to say that the Winter Wine 6 Packs can now be found displayed in the Department. The wines in this box have been selected to compliment the cold weather and to enjoy while celebrating with friends and family. We made a couple changes to the way the boxes will be displayed this time around. The labeling will be a little different so that all the wines included in the box will be a little more apparent, and the tasting notes cards that are in the box will be available to read before purchasing. The one thing that isn’t changing is the price, still $56.99, but this time showing an even larger savings of $25! The wines included in the box are Lunetta Prosecco, Segura Viudas Brut Reserva, Bila-Haut Roussillon Blanc, Scagliola Barbera “Mati”, Lost Angel Cabernet Sauvignon, and Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza. You can find the boxes next to the Specialty Beer Cooler.
Also, this week, you will start seeing sparkling wine popping up around the store in different places. The majority of these wines will be available in the Department as well, but some will only be in their respective displays. If you need help finding anything, please feel free to ask our great Beer & Wine staff!
With how quickly beer and cider is growing in Vermont, it’s easy to forget about all the great winemakers that Vermont has to offer. That’s why this week we are drinking one of my personal favorite Vermont wines, Shelburne Vineyard’s Marquette. Shelburne Vineyard uses sustainable practices and all Vermont-grown grapes to make some absolutely delicious wines.
Marquette is one of the most widely grown Vermont grapes, and Shelburne Vineyards makes a fantastic wine with it. The 2013 just won Silver at the International Cold Climate Wine Competition as well. The wine pours a deep ruby red, with an aroma of berry fruit and vanilla. The body is fairly large, with dark fruit flavors and a subtle note of allspice. The flavors persist and lead to a long, oaky, dry finish. This wine tasted great alongside sharp cheddar cheese and dried salami, but would also pair very well with red meats, rich pasta dishes, and chocolate.
Weekly Winners
Barefoot Cellars was founded in 1986, wanting to be a wine that “didn’t take itself too seriously.” The label quickly grew in popularity, and today they offer a wide selection of wines. This week, we are featuring the Brut Cuvèe. This sparkling wine out of California is incredibly crisp, and boasts flavors of apple, jasmine, kiwi, and peach. At just $9.99 this week, this is the perfect bottle for those early holiday parties.
We have featured beers from Southern Tier before, but this is the first time we’ve featured the Old Man Winter. This, in my opinion, is a fantastic example of what a winter seasonal should be. This is a hearty beer, with flavors of chocolate, roasted nuts, and a decent amount of hops to balance it out. This is the perfect beer for the cold Vermont nights to come.
Beer and Wine News
We have a busy week of tastings in the Department this week, so be sure to come check out some new beer and wine! Kicking it all off, we have Oak Barrel Imports in on Tuesday. We will be pouring four different wines at this tasting: the Torito Bravo Red and White, the Campo Nuevo Tempranillo, and the Campo Nuevo Vino Blanco. On Wednesday, we have Citizen Cider returning to the store, and they will be pouring a variety of their offerings. Next up on Thursday, I’m very excited to have Simple Roots Brewing at the store. They have quickly grown to be a staple here at City Market. Then finally, on Saturday, we have East Shore Vineyards in the store, sampling some of their Vermont-made wines. All of these tastings are from 3:00 to 6:00pm, except for the East Shore tasting, which is from 1:00 to 4:00pm. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the store!
As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or topics you’d like covered feel free to contact me at jdowns@citymarket.coop, or give me a call at 802-861-9730. Until next week, Prost!