French Paradox Explorer Pack #3: Beaujolais

The Beaujolais wine growing region may be separated into two large sub zones, the haut Beaujolais to the north, featuring rolling hills and granite soils, and the bas Beaujolais to the south, offering flatter vineyard sites composed of clay subsoils. What both zones share in common is the Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc varietal, which[…]

New Arrivals 3/3/21

2016 Consonniere Lirac Rouge ($19.99 TFP Sale) **Lirac remains an undervalued region in the Southern Rhone and the Consonniere is a prime example. Dark red fruit and grilled herbs dominate the nose and palate – classically Provencal.** 2018 Michel Vire-Clesse ($27.99 TFP Sale) **Perhaps the most intriguing appellation in the Macconnais, Vire-Clesse typically offers a[…]

Tasting Notes, Aged wines; Feb 22, 2020

To age, or not to age, is often the question. Which wines age well, and/or will you like the wine(s) after they age (and change)? As wine ages, it changes, becoming less…fruity, acidic, tannic, heavy, and/or brightly colored; effectively limiting many of the attributes that may make the wine attractive in the first place. ‘Experts’[…]

Tasting Notes, Feb. 15, 2020; Pinot Family

Brandborg Pinot Gris  2018 Elkton, OR Regular Price $19.99  Sale price $15.99 South of Eugene, there is another wine region in Oregon, the Umpqua Valley. 36 miles from the Pacific and with elevated vineyards, this is a cool climate where grapes ripen slowly and retain refreshing acidity. Ergo, this crisp and fresh wine boasts apple[…]

Whiskey Tasting, Feb. 1, 2020: Bourbons & Ryes

Breckenridge ‘A Blend’ Bourbon, 86 proof Breckenridge, Colorado Regular Price $47.99 Sale price $42.99 “Deep honey-amber hue with warm, pronounced aromas of under-ripe banana and brown sugar, with spicy notes of white pepper and toasted sesame. Light body with warm texture and long sweet oak, vanilla finish with a touch of bitterness to balance. Reminiscent[…]

Tasting Notes, Tour de France; Jan 25, 2020

2016 Vincent Girardin ‘Les Vieilles Vignes’ Mâcon-Fuissé  Burgundy Regular Price $26.99 Sale price $19.99 100% Chardonnay, fermented and aged in large oak barrels (only 10% new) gives this wine some oak seasoning (rather than flavoring) to compliment the ripe pear and tart apple flavors abounding. Its generous and full but not over-the-top, rather offering balancing[…]

Tasting notes, Jan. 18, 2020; Wines from Spain

2018 Ostatu Blanco  Rioja Regular Price $17.99 Sale price $13.99 Bright, fresh and crisp, this unoaked blend of Viura and Malvasia evokes flavors of green apple tossed with lime juice. It’s a great aperitif wine, well balanced and sensibly weighted. Lovely and easy to enjoy. 2017 Do Ferreiro Albarino Cepas Vellas Rias Baixas Regular Price[…]