Slammin’ Spring Wines and loads of new arrivals

Asheville’s Best Wine Tasting– Saturday, March 24^th, 2012 3PM-7PM

http://www.appalachianvintner.com/

Spring has sprung and while the temp is up our prices are down. So swing on in to the Appalachian Vintner and grab some great warm weather treats.

The Yellow & Blue tasting with Matt Cain was a huge success, the wines showed wonderfully. The evening saw the bulk of our stock dissipate, but fear not we have a fresh batch stacked to the ceiling at the front of the shop. Each of the five varietals available offer something special, they’re line priced at $11.99 and the 1L TetraPak is ideal for camping, hiking or boating.

~ Asheville’s Wine Tasting ~

Broadbent Vinho Verde– 50% Loureiro, 40% Trajadura and 10% Pedernã [aka Arinto]. Vinho Verde, the most popular white wine from Portugal, is a deliciously refreshing, light wine with gentle spritz. “Verde”, meaning “green” refers to the hints of lime color. Broadbent Vinho Verde is the only Vinho Verde imported on a refrigerated container. The result is an excellent example of Vinho Verde that is as fresh as the day it was bottled. An ideal warm weather wine, excellent for lunch and picnics, this wine is equally as lovely as an evening aperitif. It makes a brilliant pairing with any fish, shell fish and poultry. “Is the world’s greatest pairing for a Caesar salad” according to wine writer Jordan MacKay. The label was painted by Alice, the niece, of Bartholomew Broadbent, when she was four. Shelf $8.99 Tasting $8.09

Gruet Brut Rosé– 100% Pinot Noir sparkling wine produced Méthode Champenoise and traditionally re-fermented in the bottle. The Gruet Winery is in Albuquerque, NW with vineyards due south, planted at an elevation of over 4,300ft. This elevation allows the Gruet family to boast some of the highest plantings in the US. Blending a small amount (2%) of still (not sparkling) Pinot Noir really fattens up the front and mid palates and yields a very satisfying brut. Quite possibly the greatest value in sparkling wine and certainly the greatest domestic example. Pricing has increased on all of the Gruet wines, but Appalachian Vintner has maintained a steady stock at the old pricing, which we will hold until the current stock has depleted so grab a few for the fridge! Shelf $14.99 This Saturday $13.99

Viña Montes Limited Selection Pinot Noir– Casablanca, Chile. Perhaps you’ve not heard much of the Pinot coming from Chile, but trust us it has shown itself worthy time and time again. Here as in other areas there is large amount of wines labeled Pinot that hold much more fruit extraction and weight, benefits from sun drenched climates and long hang times, resembling wines from other heartier varietals. While those too have their place, we found more traditional styles coming from the Casablanca’s pre-coastal climate, with cool nights and gradual heat during the day. The oldest Pinot vines in South America are planted in this maritime valley. The color, alcohol and fruit have intensified from previous vintages here, with some oak showing but very little. The Limited Selection Pinot has great texture as always and very smooth and satisfying tannin/acidity. Shelf $15.49 Tasting $13.94

Carlos Basso Dos Fincas Cabernet Sauvignon-Malbec– 60% Cab, 40% Malbec & 100% Estate grown. Originally from Genoa, Italy, the Basso Family has been producing wine since 1922. The use of two separate vineyards(dos fincas) in Argentina is a traditional practice to safeguard against the threat of hail. For the Basso family, it also allows them to make a more interesting blend by combining the attributes of two distinct microclimates. The dark, powerful fruit from their vineyard in San Carlos, matched with the softer, more nuanced fruit from their vineyard in Tunuyan, makes extremely balanced wines. We’ve sold the Basso Dos Fincas Malbec for years and have always found it to be very well made and really pleasant cedar box notes. This rich blend has these earthy old world qualities spiked with richer fruit. Aromas of buttery roasted peppers and nuts, green olive, cassis, and creamy mocha with a silky, dryish medium-to-full body and a long, mint, dried apple, and pencil shaving accented finish. A smooth, flavorful wine for sipping or the table. ROCKIN’ Sustainable. Shelf $12.99 Tasting $11.69

The new space is off to an an amazing start. Thanks to everyone thats come by, we are grateful for the support. The Vintner is taking a huge breath of fresh air, as are we. Please send us any and all questions, comments and concerns. We would love to hear from you, feedback in any form is always greatly appreciated.

There are tons of new products in stock with more and more arriving daily, swing by, give us a call 828.505.7500 or send an email for a complete list!

Orin Swift The Prisoner 1.5 Magnums

Tenuta Canale Vigna del Nonno Chianti Classico– its back!

La Rioja Alta Viña Alberti RiojaReserva

Cederberg Bukettraube

Cederberg Cabernet Sauvignon

Fairview Pinotage– one of the only native owned South Africa wineries.

Layer Cake Primitivo

Gundlach Bundschu Chardonnay

Banshee Central Coast Red

Tensley Lea Syrah Rose

Marietta Old Vine Red #56

Santa Barbara ZCS– new vintage

Peirano Estate Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon

Steeple Jack Unwooded Chardonnay

Steeple Jack Merlot

Indaba Merlot

Bodega Calle Ca ‘de Calle Reserva– Appalachian Vintner exclusive.

Joan d’Anguera Garnatxa

Paitin Campolive Barbera d’Alba– powerful Barbera from a gorgeous estate

Caprili Brunello di Montalcino– a texture like olive oil.

BEER

Olde Hickory 2012 Irish Walker & Imperial Stout

Foothills Bourbon Barrel Porter

Left Hand Good Juju

Epic Sour Apple Saison

Epic Imperial Stout

Epic Big Bad Baptist #5

Dogfish Head Saison du Buff

Dogfish Head Aprilhop– 6pack & DRAFT

Green Flash Palate Wrecker

Dark Horse Raspberry

Dark Horse Crooked Tree

Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree

Dark Horse Bofo Brown

Dark Horse Amber

Tibet Lhasa Lager– 10% of profits to the Tibetan people

Evil Twin Hop Flood

Evil Twin Katz Pis IPA

Evil Twin Christmas Eve at a NYC Hotel Room– collaboration with de Molen

Stillwater/ Emelisse Holland Oats

Chateau Rogue Dirtoir

Chateau Rogue Single Malt

Green Man Brewery The Dweller Imperial Stout– 750ml bottles, first ever from Green Man.

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA– 16oz cans

Bells Dopplebock

Stoudts Karnival Kolsch

Stoudts German Pilsner– fresh batch

König Pilsener– 16oz cans

SweetWater 15^th Anniversary ESB

SweetWater Exodus Porter

Southern Tier Backburner Oak Aged Barleywine

Southern Tier Oaked Unearthly

Southern Tier Oaked Gemini

New Belgium La Folie 2012

DRAFT LIST

Wedge IPA

Pisgah Pale Ale

Pisgah Bacon

Olde Hickory Chardonnay Barrel Aged Imperial Pilsner

Ballast Point Victory at Seas

Brooklyn Dry Irish Stout

Unibroue Trois Pistoles

Allagash Triple Reserve

Epic Big Bad Baptist

Dogfish Head Aprilhop

Matthew Cain owner of Yellow+Blue Wines live in store tasting.

Asheville’s Best Wine Tasting– Wednesday, March 14^th, 2011 6PM

http://www.appalachianvintner.com/

Join us this Wednesday to welcome Matthew Cain owner of J. Soif, Inc and creator of Yellow + Blue wines.

Matt Cain

 

THE YELLOW & BLUE PHILOSOPHY:

“DRINK WELL. DO GOOD.

 

WE DON’T THINK WINE LOVERS SHOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE

 

BETWEEN QUALITY WINE AND A HEALTHIER PLANET.

Thanks to Yellow+Blue, you can now enjoy great, certified organic wines in environmentally friendly packaging, so you have that best-of-both worlds thing going on.

The goal of Yellow+Blue is to find exceptional organic wine from outstanding winemakers around the world and bring it to wine lovers like you … in a way that’s responsible and affordable..”

 

~The Wines~

All wines are 100% organic or sustainable and packaged in large 1L Tetra Paks that hold an extra 250ml. Regular price for these wines is $11.99 per litre but we will be offering special discounts of 5%(1-5btls) 10%(6-11btls) and 20%(12+) on all varietals of Y+B during the tasting. So swing by meet Matt, taste some really eco-friendly, really delicious wines that are perfect when you want to get your hike on, bike on, camp on or beach on, ’cause there’s no glass to break or lug around!

 

Y+B  Torrontes- COLOR Light yellow with hints of green.  AROMA Expansive and fresh aromas of peach, cantaloupe and pineapple, with a hint of lime. TASTING NOTES Fresh and lively, with medium weight, nice acidity, and an enjoyable floral finish.FOOD PAIRINGS Our Torrontes is the perfect pour for many cheeses, spicy foods and seafood dishes. REGION Originally from Galicia in northwest Spain, Torrontes is now the distinctive and greatest white wine grape in all of Argentina. Our organic Torrontes is made with organically-grown grapes from the picturesque village of Cafayate, Argentina’s heartland for this varietal. more

 

Y+B  Sauvignon Blanc- COLOR Lucent Yellow-Green. AROMA Mandarin Orange, Key Lime and Tangerine. TASTING NOTES Medium weight, bright acidity with lingering flavors of Lime and lemongrass  FOOD PAIRINGS Grilled fish, cheeses, grilled vegetables and cured meats. REGION Our Sauvignon Blanc is created from 100% organic Sauvignon Blanc grapes from California’s Mendocino County. more

 

Y+B  Malbec– COLOR Deep purple with hints of maroon. AROMAS Heady aromas of black cherries and licorice. TASTING NOTES A medium to full bodied wine with fine tannins and a long, mineral laden finish. FOOD PAIRINGS A versatile wine that works well with grilled meats, fish and vegetable gratins. REGION Argentina’s Mendoza Province is the country’s largest and best known wine-producing region.  It is located approximately 2,500 feet above sea level near the Chilean border. This continental semi-desert region experiences little rainfall but is irrigated by snowmelt from the Andes mountains in the west. The dry, sunny conditions and alluvial, red-clay soil yield exceptional wines rich in terroir.  Low rain and plentiful sunshine results in optimum ripening conditions for our 100% certified organic wines. more

Y+B  Select Red- Tempranillo, Mourvedre and Syrah COLOR Dark purple-black. AROMAS Rich aromas of blackberry, leather and cardamom. TASTING NOTE A rich and powerful wine, with a long, spicy finish. FOOD PAIRINGS Pairs well with grilled meats and other hearty dishes. REGION In Santa Barbara County, the east-west orientation of the coastal mountains forms valleys opening directly to the Pacific Ocean. This unique topography allows the flow of fog and ocean breezes to shape distinct microclimates, perfect for the cultivation of classic grape varietals and world class wines. more

 

Y+B Monastrell- COLOR Blue-Violet, with hints of red. AROMAS Powerful aromas of blackberries, anise, olives and plums. TASTING NOTES A full bodied red, with firm tannins, and an opulently plummy finish. FOOD PAIRINGS Works well with grilled meats and other hearty dishes. REGION Created as a DO in 1966, Jumilla has undergone a revolution in the past few decades. The new generation of wines from forward thinking wineries have caused the region to explode in popularity.  Jumilla itself is situated in Southeast Spain between La Mancha and the Mediterranean Sea, creating a good grape growing climate. Monastrell, known as Mourvedre in France, is the main varietal in Jumilla, taking up over 80% of the vineyard land.  Monastrell shines in the warm, dry weather and rocky soils of the region.  The red wines from Jumilla are full-bodied wines with flavors of black fruits and plums. more

 

 

New Location!

Asheville’s Best Wine Tasting– Saturday, March 10^th, 2012 3PM-7PM

http://www.appalachianvintner.com/

After a few long and arduous weeks, at last the Vintner on Biltmore has arrived. The physical act of moving was lightened heavily by our very dear friends, folks we could not have done it with out you, thank you so much. The ringer, for us anyway, can in the form of local & state government. You see alcohol permits are not transferable, so we had to re-apply for all of them and with patience and perseverance we secured our rights to provide the best libation, to the best people once again.

Whats New?

• 10 craft beer lines. A rotating list of regional and domestic brews at the best prices in town.

• Cask Engine. Traditional English beer engine serving fresh, cask conditioned REAL ale.

• Wine Cruvinet. Wine by the glass coming soon.

• À la carte menu. Cheese, hummus, tapenade, dried meat, baguette etc. Menu in the works, should be rolling strong in a month or so.

• 80 foot Bar. The largest tasting bar in Asheville according to Guinness Book of World records. Room for everyone, their kids, their dogs and a suitcase.

• Over 50 feet of windows. Front and back we had them coated with a UV filter, just to let the good rays in, really changes the feel of the store.

• Massive 300 square foot outdoor patio. You have to see it to believe it.

• 80 year old red oak hardwood floors. More character that you can shake a stick at.

• Expanded Wine & Beer Selection.

• Expanded Market Offerings. Dry goods with a strong emphasis on regional products and why not Appalachia has some of the greatest items available!

• Wine Classes. Stay tuned, send your feedback as to what days work best for you.

• Beer Tasting Group. We are thinking the third Thursday or each month, open to home brewers, beer collectors etc. We will try to coincide a cask tapping with these events. Send us some feedback with your recommendations.

• Expanded evening hours. Thursday-Saturday 10am-9:30pm +

Whats staying the same?

• The best small production artisanal wine & beer at the best prices in town.

• Free weekly Wine Tastings

• Convenient massive parking lot.

• Approachable, educated service at every level.

• Charles & Geoff keeping it real, all day everyday.

We are going to leave it there for now. Appalachian Vintner will be hosting a wine tasting this Saturday, forgive us for not providing the offerings this week, it will be worth a visit, promise. FYI we are still working feverishly to put everything in its place, so please pardon the clutter for a few more days!

Orin Swift The Prisoner 1.5 Magnums

Walnut Hill Columbia Valley(Oregon) Red Wine– 100% Estate grown Willamette Pinot Noir, best deal ever for Oregon Pinot

Banshee Central Coast Red

Tensley Lea Syrah Rose

Marietta Old Vine Red #56

Santa Barbara ZCS– new vintage

Peirano Estate Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon

Steeple Jack Unwooded Chardonnay

Steeple Jack Merlot

Indaba Merlot

Bodega Calle Ca ‘de Calle Reserva– Appalachian Vintner exclusive.

Joan d’Anguera Garnatxa

Paitin Campolive Barbera d’Alba– powerful Barbera from a gorgeous estate

Caprili Brunello di Montalcino– a texture like olive oil.

BEER

Evil Twin Hop Flood

Evil Twin Katz Pis IPA

Evil Twin Christmas Eve at a NYC Hotel Room– collaboration with de Molen

Stillwater/ Emelisse Holland Oats

Chateau Rogue Dirtoir

Chateau Rogue Single Malt

Green Man Brewery The Dweller Imperial Stout– 750ml bottles, first ever from Green Man.

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA– 16oz cans

Bells Dopplebock

Bells Hopslam– last three cases

Stoudts Karnival Kolsch

Stoudts German Pilsner– fresh batch

König Pilsener– 16oz cans

SweetWater 15^th Anniversary ESB

SweetWater Exodus Porter

Southern Tier Backburner Oak Aged Barleywine

Southern Tier Oaked Unearthly

Southern Tier Oaked Gemini

New Belgium La Folie 2012

Olde Hickory Brewery Irish Walker 2012

DRAFT LIST

Wedge IPA

Pisgah Pale Ale

Pisgah Bacon

Olde Hickory Chardonnay Barrel Aged Imperial Pilsner

Ballast Point Victory at Seas

Unibroue Chambly Noir

Unibroue Trois Pistoles

Allagash Triple Reserve

Epic Big Bad Baptist

Great Divide Hibernation

Olde Hickory Imperial Stout- CASK with oak chips, coco nibs and orange peel, Only one cask was produced.

Mardi Gras POT LUCK, last evening at the old space.

Asheville’s Best POT LUCK– Saturday, February 25^th, 2012 1PM-6ish

http://www.appalachianvintner.com/

We must apologize for the lapse of communication last week, our schedule seems to be bouncing us all around! Settling down just for a moment here to write our last email from 2-B Huntsman Place is proving to be a task. As many of you are aware (if you are not you should be!) today is Fat Tuesday! This week all over the world people are celebrating their own Mardi Gras in honor of Carnival.

On other notes while turning the key to open the shop yesterday an all too familiar feeling of nostalgia washed over me. In an off centered way this is a “passing” of the old locale. Passing from one business to another and passing from our daily lives as we’ve turned that key almost everyday for four years. And so in honor of Mardi Gras, loss and rebirth lets party like they do down in N’awlins with one last celebration. C’mon whaddya say?

Charles and I wish to mingle with everyone as well so we are structuring this like a pot luck and are asking everyone to bring a dish. We will fire up the grill and smoker for all natural hot dogs and veggy burgers. Your first glass of wine or beer is on us. To cut down on over-head & clean up we are asking everyone to bring their own accoutrement, serving/eating utensils and plates. Hoping to “lighten our load” for the move almost everything will be on sale. It will also be the Great American Wine Spectator give away, and we will be asking everyone to help us in finishing our giant cork board that has been waiting patiently for four years, we will supply the corks ;). Hope you can make it!! Thanks for everything, we will have more information as to when we will re-open at 745 Biltmore Ave. in the next few days.

All the very best,

Geoff & Charles Alexander

We have lots of new arrivals, swing on by to check them out!

Chocolate & Wine so so divine

Asheville’s Best Wine Tasting– Saturday, February 11^th, 2012 3PM-7PM

http://www.appalachianvintner.com/

We have some really great Valentines Gift ideas for that special someone in-stock, check ’em out they are all LOCAL:

Love by the pound with Dynamite Roasting Co. LOVE blend,

Black Mountain Chocolate Bars available in Coffee or Sea Salt

Le Button Box Handmade Cards, they’re witty and beautiful!

Also try something different, like maybe say a specially paired menu with the perfect wine match. Don’t cook? Order out! There are lots of great restaurants that are more than willing to handle the dirty work for you and your honey. We love helping folks put the wow factor in a wine and food experience, let us know whats for dinner, and we will handle the rest!

~ Asheville’s Best Wine Tasting ~

Viña Ventisquero Queulat Gran Reserva Chardonnay– 100% Chardonnay from a sustainably farmed single vineyard in Chile’s Casablanca Valley. Queulat wines take their name from southern Chile’s most spectacular hanging glacier, a sight that is both imposing and elegant. This Chardonnay is crystal-clear with a pale golden yellow color. The nose evokes tropical fruits such as papaya and mango, scents of honey and vanilla. A full-bodied rich white, mild but apparent acidity and a fresh finish of fruit and delicate touches of vanilla. Enjoy with Gruyère and Edam-type cheeses, pastas in white sauce, fatty fish such as salmon, and rock fish such as grouper, tilefish and butterfish. It is also an excellent match cheesecake! National Retail $16 A.V. $11.99

Artisan Winery Palette Reserve Sonoma County Zinfandel– Artisan Wines are crafted from the best sources and selected personally by winemaker/ partner Tom Larson; and produced on the property which has been in the family for over 100 years, Millerick Ranch and Larson Vineyards. The property is located at the cross roads historically known as Schellville, Sonoma, the old juncture on the way to Napa which also carries the Carneros appellation. The Larson vineyard is a 110 acres. Tom also manages 1400 acres for Roche & Paradise Vineyards, Sonoma Coast; Cornerstone & Franco Vineyards, Sonoma– Carneros; Ranco Salinas Vineyard, Sonoma Valley & Franco Vineyard Sonoma Mountain. Additionally Tom owns Ultima Mobile Bottling with three mobile units running around the North Coast. This is a pretty little Zin packed full of brambly red fruit and a soft but lively palate, very drinkable. This would lean toward lighter fair and things like milk chocolate. HUGE value! Shelf $15.99 SALE $12.99

Viña Ventisquero Queulat Gran Reserva Merlot– This ruby-red Merlot has violet hues and complex, spicy aromas of strawberries, morello cherries, prunes, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and chocolate. In the mouth it is full-bodied with a balanced structure, and has a long finish. As far as South American Merlot goes this is one of the best we’ve had for the price, its very similar to the Tenuta Canale Tuscan Merlot we sampled a few weeks ago. Ideally matched with soft ripe cheeses, white meats, fettuccine-type pastas with vegetables, meat and tomato dishes, or pastas such as ravioli or agnolotti stuffed with cottage cheese, vegetables or meat. National Retail $16 SALE $12.99

Saint’ Evasio Brachetto d’Acqui– 100% Brachetto. Literally a little bouquet of roses, this delicious red sparkler is the Piedmont’s answer to chocolate. Known lovingly as the “princess wine” by a Frenchman that sold us this a few years ago, it is always a crowd favorite. An absolute perfect partner to chocolate in all of its many forms, dark, milk or otherwise, this is the quintessential Valentines Day bubbly. Brick red, slightly sparkling and rich with ripe, sweet fruit. Please be careful there is another brand of brachetto galavanting around as the real McCoy, but that wine is mass-produced and is infiltrated with artificial sweeteners. Molto Bene! Shelf $16.99

R.L. Buller & Sons Fine Tawny– Ok so the fortified wines of the Buller estate are hands down some of the greatest sweet wines in the world. From their depth of flavor, monstrous aromatics and mouth-coating texture to the fact that their solera system dates from 1921 and can not be duplicated anywhere in the world, these wines always steal the show. Don’t take my word for it check out these ratings. Pair it with desserts like bittersweet Belgian chocolate, figs, chocolate mousse cake, fine mild cheeses and fresh fruit, pecan pie, dried fruits and nuts. Shelf $18.99

Joan d’Anguera Granatxa

Carlos Basso Dos Fincas Cab-Malbec

St George Cabernet Sauvignon & Chardonnay 1.5Ls

Yalumba Viognier

Château d’Oupia Les Hérétiques

Château d’Oupia Minervois

Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet-Sèvre et Maine

Van Duzer Vintner’s Cuvee Pinot Noir

Post House Blueish-black

Nantahala Noon Day IPA

Nantahala Patton’s Rum Porter

Olde Hickory Brewery Death by hops– freshy

Stoudt’s Fat Dog Imperial Oatmeal Stout

Stoudt’s Triple

Dogfish Head Tweason’Ale

Dogfish Head Noble Rot

Founders All Day IPA

Avery Maharaja Imperial India Pale Ale

2008 Unibroue Quatre-Centième Brassin Commémoratif

Unibroue Chambly Noire– draft

New Holland Blue Sunday

Epic Big bad Baptist

Asheville’s Wine Tasting

Asheville’s Best Wine Tasting– Saturday, February 4^th, 2012 3PM-7PM

http://www.appalachianvintner.com/

February already??!! Geezzzz….. 2012 is soaring by like freight train & to date its stacking up to be a phenomenal year! Thanks to everyone that continues to support us, you make our job so wonderful and fill our store the best positive vibes out there.

~ Asheville Wine Tasting ~

Once again we are inviting a wine industry professional to pour wine at the tasting bar and this Saturday its Dan Davidsen from Millennium Beverage. We’ve worked closely with Millennium Beverage for years now, our #1 selling wine for the first two years in a row was one of their products. Join us this weekend for some new favorites!

Post House Blueish White– 75% Chenin Blanc 25% Sauvignon Blanc. Elegant and finely crafted blend of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc giving a fruity upfront wine for easy drinking. Light-coloured wine with a tinge of green. A nose of pineapple, guava, citrus and grassy tones. Full and intense but refreshing mouth feel. Serve this deliciously, fruity wine on its own as the sun goes down. Enjoy it with chicken, pasta, seafood and vegetable dishes. Bluish White is also great with Thai curry. Shelf $14.99 Tasting $13.49

Van Duzer Vintner’s Cuvee Pinot Noir– This lively blend of seven Pinot grape clones shows itself in all-out fresh fruit aromas of raspberry, blackberry and cherry. To the taste, a berry patch of flavors introduces spice cabinet notes of cinnamon, clove and cardamom, all in agreeable balance, moderate tannins and a finish capped by a touch of ginger. Van Duzer is located on a scenic hilltop amidst 82 acres of vines, the family estate winery practices sustainable farming and has been endorsed by internationally recognized LIVE (Low Impact Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon Safe. 91 points Stephen Tanzer…..more Shelf $22.99 Tasting $18.99

Anglim Winery Cerise– 43% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 18% Petite Sirah, 12% Mourvèdre, 2% Roussanne. VINEYARD: Cass Vineyard, Paso Robles; Fralich Vineyard, Paso Robles; Hastings Ranch, Paso Robles; Sunset Ridge, Paso Robles; Vista Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles. Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre destemmed but not crushed and cold soaked for 1 to 3 days. Delestage of Syrah and Mourvèdre (for rosé program. Syrah and Grenache were tank fermented and pressed at dryness. Mourvèdre and Petite Sirah were fermented in 1.5 ton open top fermenters and punched down. Aged 36 months in neutral French oak barrels Roussanne was barrel-fermented and aged on the lees, with regular stirring early in the aging process. Moved to tank and blended just prior to bottling. Cerise is true to its name in flavor and color, exhibiting dark cherry, blackberry and blueberry framed by spice box and earth. Cajun spice seafood, Grilled lamb or pork, Roasted duck, Goat cheeses. National Retail $24 AV $19.99 Tasting $15.99

Anglim Winery Central Coast Syrah– 100% Syrah from the Fralich Vineyard, Paso Robles & Jack Ranch, Edna Valley. 330 cases produced. The fruit was de-stemmed and gently crushed, preserving some whole berries. Fermented separately after a short cold soak in open-top bins. Moved to barrel dirty, then barrel-aged 30 months in 100% French oak (approximately 20% new), then blended and bottled. This Central Coast Syrah is a perfect blend of Syrah from warmer-climate Fralich Vineyard in Paso Robles and cooler-climate Jack Ranch in Edna Valley. Talk about Rhone Rangers, this is dead on Cotes du Rhone from Paso! Ripe, yet funky blackberry and blueberry fruit with raw, earthy tobacco and spice, dusty tannin and earthiness on the lingering finish. It’s a great food Syrah due to solid acidity and overall balance, and should age nicely, so snag some for the cellar. Serve with, Dry jack cheese, Eggplant dishes, Smoky red chili, Lamb, pork, or beef chops…… moreNational Retail $24 AV $19.99 Tasting $15.99

Post House Blueish Black– 32% Shiraz 32% Pinotage 18% Cabernet Sauvignon 18%Merlot. The vineyard is planted on the foothills of the Helderberg Mountains in South Africa. Until the early 1980s, the Post House site had a mix of tobacco and bush vines, where after it was systematically planted to vines. The name refers to a stamp collecting term when describing color variations. A dark, blueish-black wine with good intense flavors. A nose of mulberries, red currant and ripe strawberries with a hint of pepper and tobacco. Shelf $14.99 Tasting $13.49

Domain de Boissan Gigondas V.V.

JAM JAR Sweet Shiraz– its here!

Apaltagua Envero

Lioco Charles Heintz Chardonnay– OK this is probaly the best un-oaked Chard we’ve ever put in our face. Hazelnut, for days.

Salmon Run Petit Noir– NY Finger Lakes

Round Peak Cabernet Sauvignon

Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo– 1.5L magnum of earthy delight

Red Cliffe Pinot Noir– grab it while you can

Ballast Point Victory at Seas

Olde Hickory Eiraphiotes

Terrapin MOO HOO

Founders Dry Hopped Pale Ale– freshy batch

New Belgium Biere de Mars

New Belgium Cocoa Mole

Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Blanca

New Holland Night Tripper

Smuttynose Baltic Porter

McRitchie Dry Hard Cider

McRitchie Hard Cider

Thomas Creek Pumphouse Porter

Pisgah BACON Stout– growlers

Avery Maharaja

Heavy Seas Black Cannon

Asheville’s Best Wine Tasting– Saturday, January 28^th, 2012 3PM-7PM

http://www.appalachianvintner.com/

……shh……..Can you hear it? Can you smell it? The smells, sounds and shapes that are taking form at 745 Biltmore Ave Suite #121 are intensifing……. It won’t be much longer……..!

Fresh Charleston Oysters are coming……… Captain Bryan Pender has championed the backwaters of John’s Island, in true Watermen form, to find the tastiest reefs available. Capt. Pender adheres to a sustainable nature of harvesting, maintaining a strong population at all times for the future health and strength of the ecosystems that support this coastal delicacy so that they can be enjoyed by the next generation(s) of Carolinians. Date for this event is TBA, please stay tuned.

~ Asheville’s Wine Tasting ~

StoneCap Chardonnay– StoneCap is made with estate-grown Chardonnay from the expansive and renowned Goose Ridge Vineyard in Washington State’s Columbia Valley. This valley and its surrounding rivers were formed during the Ice Age. The soil in this region is frequently wind-blown leaving a “stonecap” at the top of the hills. This is a refreshing example of West Coast Chard, yet maintains the tropical fruit flavors of the style. Tart star fruit, citrus and granny smith apple collect lazily on the tongue and remain for length on the bright finish. 89 points Wine Spectator Shelf $9.99 Tasting $8.99

RedCliffe Pinot Noir– Redcliffe has earned international acclaim as a source of stellar quality Sauvignon Blanc since its introduction in 2004. With the success of the Sauvignon Blanc, Redcliffe has expanded the line to include one of today’s most popular varietals, Pinot Noir, sourced from delle Venezie Italy – an area ideal for Pinot Noir cultivation due to its exceptional soil and cool climatic conditions. The perfect red for any occasion. Enjoy with grilled meats, seared tuna steaks and fresh salmon. Vibrant purple with aromas and flavors of dark black cherry. Simple, clean and affordable. The RedCliffe line of wines are custom labels for Palm Bay Imports. The are produced from premium vineyards through out the world and bottled for resale at well below the categorical norms. Shelf $9.99 VIP Super Sale $7.99

Bookwalter BookMark– The number preceding the NV indicates how many BookMark blends we have produced. For over 28 years this winery has crafted wines that are more compelling and interesting than single vintage and varietal wines by employing the centuries-old practice of blending wine lots from multiple vintages (Vertical Blending) with multiple grape varieties (Horizontal Blending). Each lot of wine is carefully selected each year for BookMark based upon the mature flavors of the older vintages and the vibrant fruit characteristics of the younger vintages. The result is a wine that offers, fruit, structure, approachability and exceptional value. BookMark wine is a delicious, fruit driven blend of several varieties that flourish in the hot, dry climate of Washington’s Columbia Valley. The wines aromatics are complex showing subtle scents of smokiness, marzipan, cola, black currants and black berries wrapped in a trace of baking spices and sandalwood. The first sip offers sweet fruit with a mouth coating mid-palate full of berry cobbler, plums and chocolate covered cherries. Secondary flavors of dried herbs, resin, tobacco and bakers chocolate are followed by a lush, lingering finish that is complimented by the natural sweetness and acidity of the wine. Vineyards from the Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hill, Red Mountain and the Yakima Valley appellations make up this wine. Final Blend Syrah 33%, Merlot 31%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, and 11% other varieties. Shelf $14.99 Tasting $13.49

Villa San-JuliettePetit Sirah– 85% Petit Sirah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Villa San-Juliette is a 168 acre estate owned by NIGEL LYTHGOE, KEN WARWICK creators of the famous “Pop Idol” and “American Idol” . From the winemaker: “As those who’ve read my notes on this wine before can attest, I tend to find our Petite Sirah a bit too jammy and one dimensional on its own. Great if you are producing an aperitif, not so great if you are producing wine for food. So the 2009 Villa San-Juliette Blueberry Motor Oil benefits, as in past blends, from a generous dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon. About 15% was all that was needed to take this young wine into a new state (yes, the joke was not lost on me, but unlike the past, I won’t go there anymore). So the intensity of the varietal still pops through on the nose and in the primary fruit flavors, but there is a rough tannin edge that takes the sweetness down a notch and provides a platform for food flavors and textures to stand on. Blueberry and black fruit nose. Dark fruit attack with flavors that open in their own peculiar order as the wine works its way towards the back of the throat. Pretty solid acid for this varietal example supports the finish for a considerable time.” —Adam LaZarre, winemaker. More oak than most wines we taste here but certainly well integrated with the dense fruit that this wine offers super value for full-bodied wine lovers. Shelf $11.99 Tasting $10.79 CASE $9.99 (special order)

LaPlaya Sauvignon Blanc

Asheville’s Best Wine Tasting– Saturday, January 21^st, 2012 3PM-7PM

http://www.appalachianvintner.com/

Great news!! The outdoor seating area is tiled and the windows are in! The walk-in cooler was installed today! The floors are almost done! The bar is framed and the top is going on as I type! Gives me goosebumps ya’ll…. for real, the space is going to be sweet, HELLO Biltmore Ave!

~ Asheville’s Wine Tasting ~

This week we are continuing on the theme of direct importing by bringing Bill O’Friel of The Country Vintner back to the tasting bar. Cali Bill is a 20 year veteran of the wine industry, having work all over the country and at some of WNCs top retailers.

The benefits of direct importing have been divulged in prior newsletters, but it is worth stating again that this direct involvement at the importer level by distribution companies keeps our prices low while maintaining the high level of quality that you’ve come to expect from the Appalachian Vintner wine portfolio. As always Charles and I love passing these savings on to you, our best customers.

Mas de Daumas Gassac Moulin de Gassac GUILHEM Rouge– A typical Mediterranean blend of 40% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre & 15% Carignan. The area where the Daumas estate lies has a wine growing history dating nearly 1,000 years ago to the time of the Charlemagne. The current owners revitalized the run down farm in the 70’s after Professor Enjalbert (geologist consultant to the great Bordeaux and Burgundian grand cru estates) told them “It’s quite possible to make a Grand Cru here” “But it would take 200 years for it to be recognized and accepted as such!!” Luckily it hasn’t taken nearly as long. While not a grand cru, the Guilhem Rouge oozes with the quality found in its higher-end brethren. Vinous, with complex aromas of sweet red berries, cherry, blackberry and creamy strawberry. Spicy and rustic with juicy tannins that need food to shine. Organically farmed without the use of chemical fertilizers or synthetic matter, only manure from local farms. Shelf $8.99 Tasting $8.09

Juan Gil Honoro Vera Monastrell– Organic Monastrell (mourvedre) from dry farmed old vine vineyards in Jumilla, a rocky and sparse region in southeastern Spain. Purple colored medium bodied red with underbrush, mineral and blueberry leading to a thick nicely balanced finish. Delicious! Shelf $9.99 SALE $8.49

SAINT COSME Côtes du Rhône– 100% Syrah Aged in vat and sourced from limestone sands, red clay, rolling stones. We really love this wine and could go on and on about it but instead we’ll let the 14^th generation vigneron, Louis Barruol sing its praise: My «little » Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone, my little syrah (not my « petite syrah » !) is well looked after every day, this is very important. I only use the nicest sources to make this wine : the terroir of Vinsobres and the “galets roulés” (rolling stones) by the Rhone river, very similar to the best places in Chateauneuf. We are talking about extraordinary quality potential. Watch out 2010 : this is purely my best Cotes du Rhone since 2007, without a doubt. The quality of the fruit is superb, the wine is profound, round, with a deep colour. Its crunchiness brings a lot of pleasure and anybody can understand and enjoy it. This wine brings me plenty of satisfaction and makes me learn every year. I am simply very happy to be able to deal with such a vintage…Wonderful. Graphite, strawberry compote, liquorish, lilacs.” Shelf $12.99 Tasting $11.69

Azienda Agricola Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo– Masciarelli is the largest organically farmed family-owned Estate in Italy, 1000 prime acres of Abruzzo vineyards from the cool, mountain Villa Gemma and Marina Cvetic vineyards at San Martino, to the warm, low lying Valori and Iskra vineyards in Teramo. Their Montepulciano is a nice marriage of old and new world styles. It has a few characteristics that make it earthy even a bit dirty, but interesting in an old world way and with plenty enough fruit to appeal to fans of new world wines. It has a slightly smoky and dusty nose with dark berries and leather. There is very good concentration in the palate with notes of black cherries, blackberries and bitter chocolate. There is a lot of fruit, but the fruit is a touch young tasting—keeping this wine very dry. It has a long finish with smooth tannins and more hints of chocolate. Note: this wine likes air, allow it to breath. Drink with pizza, pasta or burgers while taking a load off with good friends. Shelf $9.99 (750ml) $19.99 (1.5L Magnum for lots of friends)

Isabel Sauvignon Blanc

Talbott Kali Hart Pinot Noir

Ochoa Graciano/Garnacha– stop the press its 50% graciano the famed grape of Rioja

Venturini Baldini Lambrusco Dolce

Bottega Petalo Il Vino del Amore Moscato– grows amongst wild roses which impart a beautiful aromatic quality to this moscato.

Falcor Le Bijou– new vintage!

Evil TwinSoft X-mas aka Pretty please with a cherry on top

Evil Twin Biscotti Break

Evil Twin Freudian Slip

Evil Twin Without you I’m Nothing

Green Flash Rayon Vert

Courage Russian Imperial Stout– English RIS, best by 2024!

Stillwater Folklore– limited

Stillwater/ Hof ten Dormaal Bronze Age

Foothills Porter 22oz

Weihenstephan Kristallweissbier

McRitchie Hard Cider 22oz

McRitchie Dry Cider 22oz

Pisgah Extra Pale Ale Growlers

Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye

Troubadour Magma Special

 

4 Wines From a small North Carolina Importer, 4 Wines from 4 small family farmers

Haw River Wine Man

Asheville’s Best Wine Tasting– Saturday, January 14^th, 2012 3PM-7PM

http://www.appalachianvintner.com/

~ Asheville’s Wine Tasting ~

We are happy to welcome Mike Tiano from the Haw River Wine Man to our tasting salon. Mike and his partner Jim Stock import wine from small family estates, directly to Burlington, NC. Their portfolio represents the best from each corner of the Italian countryside. Molto Bene!

Vecchia Torre Vermentino– Sourced from a 40+ year old estate in Salento in the far south-eastern extremity of Apulia, at the very tip of the Italian boot-heel. This Vermentino is a stark contrast to the ones commonly found in the northern reaches of Italy, which due to the late-ripening nature of the grape have a high level of acid and show a crisp citrus dominated flavor profile. The Salento region is blessed with plenty of warmth and sunshine, allowing this thick skinned white varietal to fully ripen, producing a wine chalk full of tropical fruit and a rich juicy palate. Shelf $10.99 Tasting $9.89

Garofoli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo “La Meriggia”– 100% Montepulciano from Abruzzo, the DOC region. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo covers a vast expanse of land in the Abruzzo region between the Apennines foothills down to a few miles inland from the Adriatic coast. The region is one of Italy’s most mountainous with more than 65% of all Abruzzo being considered mountainous terrain with the Apennines peaks reaching up to 9000 feet above sea level. This is a young, light red wine with fresh notes of bright fruit. Dry, but fruity and extremely drinkable, it yearns for unmanicured lawns, camp fires and simple but flavorful foods. Shelf $8.99 Tasting $7.99

Tenuta Canale Merlot di Toscano– Tuscany, Italy. Tenuta Canale is located close to the medieval towns of Monteriggioni, San Gimignano and Siena, in the heart of the Chianti hills, where the Aiello family farm has been producing wines for decades. The wine is designated “IGT” (Indicazione geografica tipica), meaning a wine that is typical of its geographic area, in this case Tuscany. IGT wines are labeled with the locality of their creation, but do not meet the requirements of the stricter DOC or DOCG designations, which are generally intended to protect traditional wine formulations such as Chianti or Barolo. In wine terms, it is considered the rough Italian equivalent of the French vin de pays designation. 100% older vine Merlot, think of it as a “Super Tuscan” (without the overt french oak) that drinks like a “Right Bank” Bordeaux. Classic fleshy merlot, mouthwatering texture with traditional black cherry spice with woody nuances from barrel aging. Only 300 cases of this amazing wine were produced, we’ve burned through multiple at the shop, so this will probably be the last shipment. Shelf $17.99 Tasting $16.19

Venturini Baldini Lambrusco– The estate itself is on a natural reserve of 400 acres, with a quarter planted to vines, with the rest dominated by the natural world. And the altitude (600-1,000 feet) gives great exposition for the grapes to mature slowly and surely, with cool nights and sunny days. The soil is mostly a mix of clay and sand (good drainage) with some marine fossils for good measure. No herbicides, insecticides, chemicals of any type; manure has its place here, as do plant extracts such as Neem, and certain insects that prey on parasites. They recently obtained biologic certification for the Lambrusco and Malvasia, although they’ve been practicing organic for years. The first cue of the high quality here is the deep dark crushed purple hue and pretty pink froth on this off-dry fizzy red. Venturini-Baldini owns up to being an artisan Lambrusco with powdery tannins, bright acidity and some vibrant brambly character. It hits all the right buttons, opposed to the mass-produced, icky sweet stuff you see in the grocery store. They also produce balsamic vinegar, walnuts, honey and grappa: the stuff of life. Wild Yeast Fermentation, Low SO2 Added. Perfect for the up-coming Valentines Day, goes great with chocolate and it smells like flowers! Shelf $9.99 Tasting $8.99

Asheville Brewing Co. Rocket Girl Lager– cans

PEAK Organic Oak Aged Mocha Stout

Duck-Rabbit Baltic Porter– DRAFT~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~!

Bells Hopslam– call for availability

Thomas Creek Banana Split Stout

New Arrivals~ First Tasting of the Year!

Asheville’s Best Wine Tasting– Saturday, January 7^th, 2012 3PM-7PM

http://www.appalachianvintner.com/

To say that we are excited about 2012 would be a gross understatement. In fact some better words would be pure elation or perhaps extreme jubilation. Any way you stack it we are grateful for all that 2011 brought and are grinnin’ ear to ear with 2012 shinning in our faces, hope you’ll stick around to see the evolution.

In our industry the new year is off to an amazing start. We’ve already sampled dozens of fresh new products from our favorite distributors and plan on bringing them to you in the coming weeks, at Asheville’s best prices or course! So stay tuned for all these great new arrivals and for all you beer folks get ready for some soul shockingly good beer from the barrel program at Olde Hickory Brewery, how they do it we just don’t know, all we can say is hallelujah!

~ Asheville’s Wine Tasting ~

…to kick the tasting year off right we’re starting with some ridiculous values from Tryon Distributing. Real show stoppers, just wait until you taste them. Please come early if you can, to guarantee samples will be available…….

Chehalem Chemistry White– 53% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Gris, 16% Pinot Blanc, 6% Riesling, 5% Gewürztraminer from the best vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. We’ve know of this blend for years but never had room on the shelf for it, until now… Richly textured with mouthwatering flavors of apricot, green apple and nutty spice. Produced by one of the top wineries in Oregon. Shelf $14.99 Special Tasting Price $12.99

Tintero Elvio Langhe Rosso– Imported by Kermit Lynch, one of our all time favs. From Kermit: “Elvio’s kitchen-sink blend of Barbera, Nebbiolo, Merlot, and Dolcetto is quintessential Langhe: spicy cigar box and cedar aromatics, subtle cherry and red berry juiciness, a light and bright texture, refreshing acidity, and fine-grained tannins. I imagine a young, spirited Hemingway drinking this in between ambulance runs during World War I. It is delicious, complete, and perfectly quaffable with just about any dish, for any occasion.” Get this one by the case. Shelf $11.99 Special Tasting Price $10.50

Writer’s Block Pinot Noir– 100% Pinot Noir from California’s sunny Santa Barbara County. This generous Pinot Noir, in fact its probably exactly what you’ve been looking for. The dark brick hue of this wine holds aromas of candied bing cherries, brown sugar and oriental spice. Writer’s Block Pinot Noir has more body and texture than typical Pinots and grabs your tongue with juicy cherry and raspberry flavors with hints of cinnamon and tobacco. The mouth feel is round and supple, and finishes with soft lush tannins. Depending on the vintage, barrel aging is in Oak from Oregon and the Eastern United States, Hungarian, and France. We are very interested in the different types of oak aging out there, more on that later……Bret?

Aviva Vino Bula Montsant Red– 40% Mazuelo(Cariñena, Carignan), 40% Grenache and 20% Syrah from the D.O. Montsant in the far North of Spain beneath France in Catalonia. Monstant surrounds the vineyards of Priorat and just like its famous neighbor has some wonderful soils and perfect weather to produce seriously powerful red wine. Over the years we’ve grown to recognize a product that will really impressive and offer unparalleled quality to value for your hard earned money, well this is certainly it! Bula offers up a lightly smoky, roasted, liqueur-like bouquet of mineral, incense, game, lavender, black cherry, and blueberry. Rich and complex on the smooth-textured palate, this layered offering is an incredible value in full-flavored red wine. It will drink well over the next 8 years so grab some for the cellar, you deserve it. 91 points Robert Parker. Shelf $12.99!! Tasting $11.69

New Arrivals ~

Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth 1L– arguably the best vermouth in the world, based on a 1786!

Carpano Punt e Mes Sweet Vermouth

Epic Smoked & Oaked Belgian Dark

Epic Brainless on Cherries Barrel Aged

21^st Amendment Beers are Here!

Founders Double Trouble

Founders Imperial Stout

Heavy Seas Below Decks Bourbon Barrel Aged

Moylan’s Double IPA

Ommegang Aphrodite

Ommegang Seduction

Allagash Interlude

Terrapin Wake n Bake

2008 BrewDog Isle of Arran

Duck-Rabbit Baltic Porter

Rogue Chocolate Stout– its for real

Highland Thunder Struck Porter– 12 packs

Abbaye de St. Martin Winter– really great gift pack with two 750ml Belgian beers and a beautiful tulip glass.

Dogfish Head Ta Henket– based on ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs

Heavy SeasBelow Decks