Toad Hollow Amplexus Cremant Brut-France

Reg. $18.49  Sale $ 15.99 750 ml.

Toad Hollow Rod’s Pride 2006 Pinot Noir Reserve-Calif.

Reg $33.99  Sale $25.99 750 ml.

Toad Hollow Risque Sparkling Dessert Wine-France

Reg.$16.99  Sale $13.99 750 ml

Toad Hollow 2005 Merlot Reserve-Calif.

Reg. $15.99  Sale $13.99

Post Road Pumpkin Ale by Brooklyn Brewery

$9.99 6pk $32.99 case

“Blended with barley malt, pumpkins became a commonly used beer ingredient. Post Road Pumpkin Ale brings back this tasty tradition.  Hundreds of pounds of pumpkins are blended into the mash of each batch, creating a beer with an orange amber color, warm pumpkin aroma, biscuity malt cent and crisp finish.” - www.brooklynbrewery.com

Smuttynose Pumpkin

$8.49 6pk 29.49 case

“Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale is our homage to the craft and heritage of America’s brewers. Recipes calling for the use of pumpkins in beer date back to early colonial times, when brewers sought to extend their supply of costly imported malt with locally grown ingredients, such as squash and “pompions.”  In that spirit, we brew our ale with the addition of pumpkin to the mash, along with traditional spices to create a delicious American original.” - www.smuttynose.com

Fisherman’s Pumpkin Stout

$9.99 6pk $33.49 case

“2007 New England Microbrew Champ and Silver Medal winner at the 2007 Great International Beer Festival! This very unique style is more stout than the usual “pumpkin pie” ales that are out there, with hints of real pumpkin & spice and a dark, coffee, stout flavor! *Seasonal* “- www.capeannbrewing.com

Saranac Pumpkin Ale

$6.99 6pk $23.99 case

“Saranac Pumpkin Ale is brewed with Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Allspice, Cloves, Ginger and Vanilla. Look for a full-body and amber color. We’re sure you’ll enjoy this special brew!” - www.saranac.com

Dogfish Head Punkin Ale

$8.99 4pk $46.99 case

“A full-bodied brown ale with smooth hints of pumpkin and brown sugar. We brew our Punkin Ale with pumpkin meat, organic brown sugar and spices. This is the perfect beer to warm-up with, as the season cools.” - www.dogfish.com

Jack’s Pumpkin Spice Ale

$6.99 6pk  $23.99 case

“Our fall seasonal is a subtle, well-balanced ale, copper in color, offering rich, full flavors and aromas of pumpkin and spices. ” - www.anheuser-busch.com

Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale

$7.99 6pk $27.99 case

“This amber-colored flavored ale is brewed only in the autumn and combines the flavor of vine-ripened pumpkin pie flavor with traditional crystal malt.” - www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com

Shiner Oktoberfest

$5.99 6pk $21.99 case

Harpoon Octoberfest

$7.99 6pk $27.99 case

$7.99 6pk $28.99 case

Warstenier Oktoberfest

$14.99 12pk $28.49 case

Paulaner Oktoberfest

$9.99 6pk $34.99 case; $19.99 5L $35.99 2-5L

Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest

$9.99 6pk $34.99 case

Becks Oktoberfest

$7.49 6pk $25.49 case

Weihenstephaner Festbier

$9.99 6pk $34.99 case

“A full rich bodied, hoppy, seasonal lager. Especially brewed for the Festbier season. This beer truly represents the Bavarian way of celebrating. Deep gold color, great mouthfeel and lots of flavor. Prost!” - www.brauerei-weihenstephan.de

2006 Wild Oak by St. Francis Syrah-Calif.

Reg. $29.99  Sale $14.99 750 ml.

2005 Conde de Valdemar Crianza-Spain

Reg. $13.99  Sale $6.99 750 ml.

2003 Rocca Delle Macie Roccato-Italy

Reg. $49.99  Sale $24.99 ml.

2006 S. A. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese-Germany

Reg. $29.99  Sale $14.99 750 ml.

Come on in, and “try before you buy”!  It only takes a few minutes and we’re sure you’ll be glad you did!

Top 12 price: $125.50

1. Tarima Monastrell 2009
Jumilla, Spain
$8.99 750ml $86.30 case

Jorge Ordonez is one of the most famous (if not the most famous) importers of Spanish wine in the US, and he made his fame by providing us Yanks with great values like this 100% Monastrell. Aromas of dark chocolate, prunes, licorice and violets lead to a palette full of dark fruit, spice and more violets

2. X Winery White 2008
North Coast, California
$12.99 750ml $124.70 case

Top 12 fans will notice that our last sampler featured this Winery’s Red Blend, which we sold TONS of. So this month we bring you this lively and fresh blend of 48% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Albarino, 20% Muscat Blanc and 6% Chardonnay. It displays aromas of bright citrus fruits like lemon and grapefruit, and on the palate there are quenching flavors of apricot, orange blossom and white tea, balanced with a nice amount of acid and dry finish.

3. Chemistry White Alsace Blend 2009
Willamette Valley, Oregon
$12.99 750ml $124.70 case

Chehalem Winery has always been known for their outstanding Pinot Noirs, and we recommend trying one the next time you are in the mood for a well structured, mouth filling, silky textured, medium-bodied red. However, we are writing this little bit to introduce their new white blend that draws inspiration from one of the most famous white wine regions in the world, Alsace. This blend takes the old-world blend known as edelzwicker and adds a new-world twist; a Chardonnay base. 57% Chardonnay, 28% Pinot Gris, 12% Riesling, 3% Pinot Blanc. Aromas and flavors of apricot, green apple, wet stone and a touch of spice.

4. Fattoria ColSanto Montefalco Rosso 2007
Montefalco DOC, Umbria, Italy
$13.99 750ml $134.30 case

A blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Sagrantino, it is an authentic Umbrian “vino di tavola” with huge dark cherry aromas, good minerality, healthy acid, and silky texture. Beautiful expression of Italian Wine making. Enjoy with strong salty cheese, like pecorino, and roasted pork tenderloin.

5. Les Grandes Vignes Muscadet 2008
Coteaux de la Loire, Loire, France
$11.99 750ml $115.10 case

Crisp, fruity, mineral, dry, refreshing, value. These should be the words synonymous with Loire whites. However, lately they have fallen in to the esoteric category. So to do our little part in the revival of this area in north-west France, we bring to you a lovely Muscadet that exemplifies all of the wonderful qualities of the Loire, and at a great price. When is the last time you had a single vineyard French wine for under $20?

6. Chateau Musar Jeune 2008
Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
$15.99 750ml $153.50 case

Taste it blind, we dare you to try to think of someplace other than France. A blend of unoaked 60% Cinsault, 20% Syrah and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, that is rich, soft and well suited for food. The winery has been in business since 1930 and the current winemaker/owner has been making wine at the estate since 1959, when he completed his oenology education in Bordeaux.

7. Cline Cool Climate Syrah 2007
Sonoma Coast, California
$17.99 750ml $172.70 case

If you are a Midway fan, chances are you are a Cline fan.  We love them not only for their quality and value, but also for their Rhone inspired wines.  This Syrah, however is only related to the Rhone by varietal; it is truly California in nature, with huge jammy blackberry and blueberry aromas and flavors.  Pair this one with a Rib Eye generously dosed with pepper and grilled to perfection.

8. Aresti Gewurztraminer 2009
Curico Valley, Chile
$8.99 750ml $86.30 case

It is very unusual to find a Gewurztraminer from Chile, so when we tasted this delicate semi-sweet white we knew it was right for the Top 12. Elegant aromas of rose pedals and candied apricots lead to lovely flavors of honey and fresh peach.

9. Yamhill Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir 2007
McMinnville AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon
$21.99 750ml $211.11 case

The Pinot Noirs coming out of Willamette Valley are all the rage in the wine world, so we bring you a boutique, all estate-grown beauty that will turn you on to this appellation forever. Rich aromas of raspberry and strawberry laced with spice box and hints of leather will go nicely with a variety of cheeses and roasted meats and vegetables.

10. Home Grown Red Blend 2008
California
$9.99 750ml $95.90 case

When Italian families settled in California, they created their own style of winemaking- the Italian field blend. It is from this style that Home Grown Red is made. Equal parts Syrah, Barbera, and Petite Sirah give this rich, round red a multitude of aromas and flavors. “Mulberry Jam, sweaty saddle, blueberry buckle, roll in the hay, tapioca pudding” That’s how they describe it. We describe it as downright delicious and satisfying. It goes with just about anything from pizza to burgers to standing rib roasts to fried chicken. You’ll want a case or two of this stuff! An unbelievable value at just under ten bucks!

11. La Tour Coste Cotes Du Rhone “Les Trencats” 2007
Cotes du Rhone, France
$12.99 750ml $124.70 case

Note: This is a special bottling of the same wine reviewed by Robert Parker as “Le Ferme du Mont Cotes du Rhone le Ponnant 2007”

“This small estate’s dedicated, conscientious, young proprietor, Stephane Vedeau, appears intent on making a top-flight reputation for himself. Even better is the stacked and packed, very concentrated, yet elegant, pure, and impeccably well-balanced 2007 Cotes du Rhone Le Ponnant. This big-time Cotes du Rhone exhibits loads of concentration as well as abundant red and black fruit characteristics intermixed with notions of incense, spice, pepper, and licorice.” Robert Parker for Wine Advocate: 90 points

12. La Vieille Ferme Rose 2009
Ventoux AOC, France
$7.99 750ml $76.70 case

Rule #27 of Wine Shopping: The wines from France with the roosters on the label are some of the best you can get for under $10. Yes we just made that rule up, but its true, and don’t ask us for the other 26 rules because we have yet to translate them from French to English. We digress, this rose made from Cinsault and Grenache is jam packed with those fresh strawberry and watermelon aromas that pair perfectly with a light lunch or sipping by the pool.

THESE PRICES ARE FOR THURSDAY NIGHT ONLY!

We will be unveiling two new beers from Baltimore’s own Clipper City Brewing company, and this could be your first and last chance to try and purchase these beers until next year.

3rd Thursday Brews: Maryland Night
Thursday, May 27
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Heavy Seas Below Decks Barleywine (Barrel Aged) 2010
Baltimore, MD
$7.99 One Night Sale $6.99 22oz

These two finely crafted brews are made from the same base: Heavy Seas Below Decks, a fully bodied Barleywine with flavors of caramel, chocolate, and spice. From there they have aged the beers in oak Barrels that once housed Cabernet Sauvignon Wine and Bourbon. Each barrel gives these beers a unique flavor, imparting flavors of vanilla, fruit, toffee, and of course, Bourbon.

Heavy Seas Letter of Marque 2010 (Rye Porter)
Baltimore, MD
$5.99

Winner of Clipper City Brewing Co’s 2010 homebrew competition, this beer is dark ruby in color, with aromas and flavors of sweet, citrusy hops, a bit of caramel, and a touch of rye.

Stillwater Artisinal Ales Stateside Saison
Westminster, MD
$10.99 One night Sale $9.40

Maryland’s newest and most exciting craft brewery! Brewmaster Brian Strumke has created a Belgian-Style Saison with flavors of light citrus and a bit of brettanomyces.

The story of Giacomo Peirano should be made into a movie. It is full of adventure, romance, and tragedy. Giacomo, a grape farmer, emigrated to San Francisco, Ca. in 1879 from Genoa, Italy with fifty dollars in his pocket. He was hoping to strike it rich in the Great Gold Rush age, but as his fifty bucks began to dwindle, he realized the gold idea wasn’t going to happen and moved to a mining town called Lodi. There he opened a general store and made enough money to return to Italy to bring back his lovely bride to be, Maria. He also brought back Italian Zinfandel vine cuttings from his family’s vineyard. He bought 300 acres of land in Lodi, and, together, they created one of the first vineyards there. Through the years that followed they had five sons who all worked the vineyards. Sadly, at the age of ten, his son Fred was kicked in the head by a horse and later died from the injury. Not long after that, another son, Frank, succumbed to blood poisoning at the age of twenty. Through all this, WWI, the Depression and prohibition, Mama and Papa Peirano and the three remaining boys kept their store and vineyards going. Son Charlie married and they had a daughter, Charlotte, who later married Randy Randolph. They had a son, Lance, who now creates their award winning wines. There is plenty more to the story, but we’re here to talk about the wines that the Peirano family produces today. Wines of great tradition.

Peirano Estate Winery Tasting
Friday & Saturday, May 21 & 22
11 am - 7 pm

Peirano Estate “The Other” Red 2007
Lodi, California
$13.99 750ml $134.30 case

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 10% Syrah, this wine packs quite a wallop! First of all, the sexy label is very interesting. Secondly, the vibrant color will entice you. Thirdly, the aromas and flavors of blackberries, sweet black cherries, plum, and boysenberries will astound you!

Peirano Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Lodi, California
$13.99 750ml $134.30 case

The rich, dark color and fetching nose will lead you into luscious dark berry, black currant, and black cherry flavors that fill the mouth with a delightful, elegant experience. It can be enjoyed now and for the next 8-10 years.

Peirano Estate Petite Sirah 2007
Lodi, California
$13.99 750ml $134.30 case

This is a wine for those who like boldness. Jam packed with various aromas and flavors of black raspberry, spice, coffee, cocoa, cola, and white pepper, you’ll want to hold it in your mouth for as long as possible. The warm, firm tannins finish it off in fine fashion. A fat, juicy wine that will stay on your palate for a lonnnng time.

Peirano Estate “The Other” White 2007
Lodi, California
$13.99 750ml $134.30 case

An unusual blend of 65% Chardonnay, 25% Sauvignon Blanc, and 10% Viognier, and it works beautifully. The aromas of apples, pears, tropical fruit, and a whiff of bubble gum are accompanied by hints of coconut and vanilla. On the palate, you will taste all those things along with homemade lemon pie. Have fun with it!

Peirano Estate “The Immortal Zin” O.V. Zinfandel 2008
Lodi, California
$13.99 750ml $134.30 case

Old Vine Zinfandel is the monarch wine of Lodi. Describing this wine is just too difficult, it is so overwhelming! Such an abundant array of aromas and flavors, well, it boggles the mind! Gee, let’s see, you get black cherry, red fruit, minerals, earthy rhubarb, sweet cherry, strawberry, cocoa, and a finish that goes on and on. Truly a “Zin lover’s Zin”.

Peirano Estate Chardonnay 2009
Lodi, California
$13.99 750ml $134.30 case

This stunning white is 100% barrel fermented and 100% malolactic fermentation, thus bringing a buttery style with vanilla undertones. The multi-scented nose will arouse your interest, followed by layers of pear, apple, tropical fruit, and homemade lemon meringue pie flavors. The finish is long and silky. Have it with tossed green salads, grilled chicken sprinkled with fresh basil, or some delicious cheeses and apple slices.

Peirano Estate Six Clone Merlot 2007
Lodi, California
$13.99 750ml $134.30 case

Aged for 12 months in all French oak barrels with hand harvested grapes, this red gem is full of ripe cherries, blackberries, and hints of toast and vanilla aromas. Flavors of cherry, plum, cranberries, sweet raspberry, and strawberry cover the palate. It all comes together with a round, lingering finish. A Merlot that you are going to fall in love with!

In our last presale of this wine, we sold our first few cases right away, and the demand was so high that our distributor offered us a couple more cases. Reserve one quick, because this stuff is hot hot hot. Usually $90+ per bottle.

 
Wine Advocate 93+ pts.: The 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is made from old vines in the estate’s Paganelli vineyard in Sant’Angelo in Colle. It is surprisingly fresh in its expression of red cherries, tobacco, leather, earthiness and spices. Deceptively medium in body, the wine reveals gorgeous length and a refined, silky finish, both qualities that are exceptionally rare in this vintage. This is high-class Sangiovese. In the torrid 2003, winemaker Fabrizio Bindocci gave the Riserva 12 days of fermentation/maceration on the skins, and aged the wine in large French oak casks. For the Riserva the estate vinfies with 100% stems, and also uses a higher percentage of newer oak. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 2003 Riserva merit a higher score in a few years. The 1975 Riserva – from another super-hot vintage- was breathtaking when last tasted about two years ago?.and the Paganelli vineyard was only 10 years old at the time! Anticipated maturity: 2010-2028.
I was completely blown away by the wines I tasted from Il Poggione this year. Readers who want to experience first-class Sangiovese from Montalcino won’t want to miss these exceptional wines. Winemaker Fabrizio Bindocci and his team have done an exceptional job for which they deserve all the praise in the world. Antonio Galloni
 
Blow Out Deal! The Yard Shiraz 2006
Acacia Vineyard, Western Australia
$15 Sale $12

This Single Vineyard Australian Shiraz usually sells for upwards of $30 a bottle! We love this wine, but we have to part ways to make room for new stuff, so we are willing to give this big, fruit forward beauty for $12 a bottle. Grill a steak and let ‘er rip.

Italian Beer Sampler 6 Pack $64.55 (2 of each, 15% off) (Limited Time Only, Limited Quantities)

Birrificio Le Baladin Nora
Piedmont, Italy
$17.99 750ml $97.15 case

From my favorite Italian brewery. This special brew has been concocted from an ancient Egyptian recipe. unmalted kamut which was used in ancient Egyptian beers is employed. Hops, which would not have been used in Egypt, are used sparingly and solely for their preservative
power. Rather, ginger, myrrh, and orange peel are used to represent the balancing spices of ancient times. The myrrh provides the bittering.
BeerAdvocate.com: A

Birrificio Pausa Cafe Chicca
Piedmont, Italy
$9.49 12oz.

How do Italians rehabilitate prisoners? They teach them to brew world class beer! Pausa Cafe crafted this beauty using gourmet Huehuetenango coffee beans and created a medium bodied, fruity, intensely dark malt, coffee and cocoa flavored brew.

Birrificio Montegioco Demon Hunter
Piedmont, Italy
$10.49 750ml   (limited time price)

This beer needs no selling, the packaging and name do all the work. However, I will humor all you brew fanatics with a description. Belgian Dark Ale style; aromas and flavors of ripe plum, raisins, chestnut, honey, caramel, and a slight herbaceous and pepper hop character on the finish.

Sagrantino is a native Italian varietal grown mostly in the
hills of Umbria, in central Italy. The wines produced
from the grape are fat, juicy, delights…if you can find
them. The wines are very rare, as there are only about 250
acres of it planted, most of it just south of Perugia, in a
DOC called Montefalco. They are usually expensive treats,
however, due to the recent global economic situation, these
esoteric beauties are available for cheap. We have three
wines from one great producer.

The Umbrian Grape: Sagrantino
Friday & Saturday April 30 & May 1
11am - 7pm

Fattoria ColSanto Sagrantino di Montefalco 2007
Montefalco, Umbria, Italy
$19.99 750ml $95.95 6pak case

No. 5 on the Top 12, this 100% Sagrantino usually sells for
$40 to $60 a bottle. Big, lush, unrelenting flavor and true
sense of terroir.

Fattoria ColSanto Montefalco Rosso 2007
Montefalco, Umbria, Italy
$13.99 750ml $134.30 case

A blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Sagrantino, it is an
authentic Umbrian “vino di tavola.” It’s the little brother
of the 100% Sagrantino di Montefalco; huge dark cherry
aromas and big mouthfeel. Beautiful expression of Italian
Wine making. Enjoy with strong salty cheese, like pecorino,
and roasted pork tenderloin.

Fattoria ColSanto Ruris 2007
Umbria, Italy
$10.99 750ml $105.50 case

Another past Top 12 wine, it remains one of our favorite
$10 wines. Enjoy this blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20%
Merlot, and 10% Sagrantino with a variety of foods or just
for sipping.

Cantillon Rose de Gambrinus (Framboise Lambic)
Belgium
$19.99 750ml

It was quite difficult to get our hands on some of this lovely brew!  Nose of raspberry, rose petals, sour grapes, and a certain funkiness that is the norm in this style of brew.  It leads to a crips mouthfeel, with flavors of sour grapes, raspberries, and sour cherries.  Dry finish that will leave you wanting more!
BeerAdvocate.com: A-

Heavy Seas Letter of Marque Hop Rye Porter 2010
Baltimore, MD
$5.99 22oz.The winners of Clipper City Brewery’s annual “Letter of Marque” homebrew challenge created a really awesome and flavor packed Rye Porter.  The aromas of sweet malt followed by a bit of roasty character are a great balance, and the bitterness adds a complexity making it a great pair with spicy and rich foods.