Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4, March 28

Your Host:
Jeff D'Andrea of Brescome Barton

Barkan Merlot/Argaman 2013 $11.99 
The Argaman variety, which was developed at the Volcani Institute in Israel, produces wines with deep purple color, and pronounced fresh fruit aroma.  The Merlot Argaman is a robust wine with depth, body and tannins, a combination of the character of Argaman and of Merlot. The wine is uniquely Israeli and goes well a Mediterranean cuisine." -Winery
 
Barkan Pinot Noir 2013 . . . $11.99
Barkan found this balance in their vineyard at Mitzpah Ramon in the high desert. The wine is marked by soft, yet palpable tannin, with a fresh almost strawberry aroma with hints of black cherries and mint. Medium body and crisp finish goes well with grilled salmon or veal, and is best served at a cool room temperature. 
 
Bartenura Pinot Grigio 2013 . . . $16.99 
This fine wine from Bartenura is made from selected Pinot Grigio grapes grown in the sunny hillsides of the Veneto Region. Well-balanced, dry with pear and honeysuckle flavors and a fresh clean finish. 

Bartenura Moscato 2014 . . . $13.99
Crisp and refreshing, semi sweet, with lingering pear, tangerine, nectar and melon flavors on the finish

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, March 27

Your host is

Left Hand Brewing Company.


Milk Stout . . . $9.99/6pbtl
Roasted malt and coffee flavors build the foundation of this creamy sweet stout. Dark and delicious, America’s great milk stout will change your perception about what a stout can be. “Preconceived notions are the blinders on the road to enlightenment.” Udderly delightful.

Black Jack Porter . . . $10.29/6pbtl
Slight malt sweetness with notes of dark chocolate, espresso and herbal hops. Holding the cards to bring you down, Black Jack Porter delves deeply beneath the surface to embrace your Ace. Espresso and dark chocolate flavors envelop your senses, with herbaceous hop flavors pulling you from the light.

Milk Stout Nitro . . . $10.99/6pbtl
Dark & delicious, America’s great milk stout will change your perception about what a stout can be. Pouring hard out of the bottle, Milk Stout Nitro cascades beautifully, building a tight, thick head like hard whipped cream. The aroma is of brown sugar and vanilla cream, with hints of roasted coffee. The pillowy head coats your upper lip and its creaminess entices your palate. Initial roasty, mocha flavors rise up, with slight hop & roast bitterness in the finish. The rest is pure bliss of milk chocolate fullness.

Easter Savings 2015

Wine Tasting - Saturday 12-3, March 21

PLEASE NOTE:
WINE TASTING TIME CHANGE FOR THIS WEEK

12:00pm - 3:00pm

Your Host:
Special Guest Owner/Winemaker
Peter Spann, Spann Vineyards

Ying - Yang Chardonnay/Viognier 2013 . . . $19.99Viognier has voluptuous aromas of dried apricots and peaches. We blend in Chardonnay to create a crisp, well-balanced, food-friendly, eminently refreshing wine that tastes like springtime in a glass.


 Mo Zin 2011 . . . $19.99This is a throwback to the way Zinfandel was originally made 100 years ago, as a field blend, which creates complex aromas and flavors as well as moderate alcohol for food-friendliness. Zinfandel 60%, Mourvedre 18%, Cinsault 10%, Petite Sirah 8% & Syrah 4%.


 Classic Four 2011 . . . $23.99The 2011 Classic Four is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon which gives the wine lovely red currant, cassis flavors and backbone, 22% Cabernet Franc adds raspberry and wild flower aromas as well as richness on the Palate, 13% Merlot adds a black cherry aroma and taste and 20% Petit Verdot gives it structure for all of these flavors to stand up in your mouth. 2011 Classic Four is meant for near-term enjoyment but will also gain in complexity over the next 3 to 5 years.


 Cabernet Saugvignon (Mayacamas Range) 2008 . . . $29.99
This is our ode to Bordeaux. It has the richness and complexity of mountain-grown fruit without the bitter tannins often found in mountain-grown wines. Aged 28 months in French oak barrels, this full flavored beauty has well integrated fruit with no rough edges. 80% Cab Sauv, 8% Petit Verdot, 8% Malbec & 4%Cab Franc.


 Mo Jo 2006 . . . $34.99

The 2006 Mo Jo is a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Sangiovese, and small amounts of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Medium ruby in color, it offers aromas of spicy black currant fruit and earth. On the palate it shows dried red fruit, plum, anise, and minerals with a velvet texture. The tannins are firm but round, and the finish is long and satisfying.

The International Wine Review, 91+ points

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, March 20

Your host is

Local Brewery
Stony Creek. 
Here at Stony Creek Brewery, we think there’s nothing better than drinking a true craft beer. Craft beer is an adventure and a destination. It tells the story of our local flavor. You see, it’s not just a beer to have, it’s a beer we’ll have with you.
www.stonycreekbeer.com

(203) India Pale Ale . . . $9.29/6pbtlA light amber color, coolly hopped aroma, a hint of citrus and a zestful finish. Our flagship IPA is totally handmade and so local that, if you close your eyes, you can almost taste the sea of our shoreline community.

(203) Amber Lager . . . $9.29/6pbtl 
This traditional amber brew is a blend of German Malts including Pilsener, Vienna, and Caramunich. and a touch of chocolate malt for color. The hops are, Columbus for bittering, German Spalter Select for flavor and American Cascade for aroma. The taste is sweet and biscuity with a strong malt backbone. The beer finishes crisp with a slight grassy note coming from the Spalter Select hops It’s wonderful.

Harry's Wine School - Spring Classes 2015

Spring Classes

Discovering Wine - Classes are held on Wednesdays from 7-9pm

Wines of Italy Class   April 8 - $35 one session

Mike Petrizzo, VIAS Importers

With 20 different regions, hundreds of DOCs and even more indigenous varieties, the amount of wine made in Italy is mind-boggling. In this class we will be exploring the regions of Tuscany and Umbria featuring the wines of Tunuta Del Cerro. Brunello di Montalcino, Sagratino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and more.  learn

“Green Wine" Class   April 22 - $35 one session

Zev Rovine, Zev Selections

With the rise in popularity of “green” wine, understanding the methods that fall under this umbrella term can be quite mystifying. Organic, organic grape, bio-dynamic, sustainable farming, natural/raw/minimal intervention/no addition, what do these terms really describe about the wine you are drinking. This class is aimed at clarifying each distinct method by taken you through the varietals, terroir and the rigorous process/guidelines each method follows in order to produce its categorized wine.

Rosé Wine Class   May 6 - $35 one session

William Miller, Harry’s Wine

Don't let that pink hue fool you, rosé wine is for grownups and serious wine drinkers love it! Color really doesn't matter. Rosés range from a vibrant, translucent red to an ethereal pale hue.  Our annual pre-summer tasting will provide an opportunity to taste an assortment of crisp, clean whites and fruity, flavorful rosés that are all perfect for warm weather sipping.

 

French Food & Wine Class  May 13 - $40 one session

Deidre Magnello, DM Selection

By popular demand, a reprise!  We’ve been to Italy, we’ve been to Spain, where next?  France, of course!  Once again Chef Chris Palumbo of The Fairfield Cheese Shop will prepare a fantastic menu to pair with a selection of fine French wines.  Everyone was very pleased with our two previous dining events, and this night will be more of the same, no doubt!  

California – Vintage 2012 Class May 20 - $35 one session

Michael Tobin, Worldwide Wines

As Wine spectator so eloquently put “Is it possible to have too much of a good thing? Not in California, where most winemakers report an easy growing season with plenty of high-quality grapes.” With a big challenge of finding room for the large harvest, the reports on this vintage are those of celebration. After two tough harvests, 2012 yielded an abundance of gorgeous grapes and potentially outstanding wines, but we’ll let you decided as we taste through this vintage.

Kermit Lynch Wine Class May 27 - $35 one session

Lisa Strausser, New England Manager

Kermit Lynch was raised in San Luis Obispo, but his name has become synonymous with French and Italian wines. Attracted by the Old World wine cultures of Europe, Kermit became a retailer, distributor, and national importer for authentic wines that express their terroir. He has had so much success shining the spotlight on small, artisan producers. We are excited to bring you some of his “gems” and hope you too will catch his passion for these unique and beautiful wine styles.

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, March 14

Your Host:
Elena Shulman
from
 New England Wine & Spirits

Pescal Bellier Cheverny Rose . . . $11.99Deep pink in color. On the palate it is slightly spicy wine, nuanced with red fruits and citrus fruits aromas.
 
Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2013 . . . $13.99Enjoyable aromas and flavors of green apple and tropical fruits, balanced by subtle oak, cinnamon and vanilla from barrel ageing. With a mouth filling body and balanced acidity, this wine delivers a medium long refreshing finish.

Entwine Merlot 2011 . . . $9.99
The wine was aged for 12 months in American, French and Eastern European oak barrels. Perfectly ripe and juicy, like summer plums and cherries

Michael David Freakshow 2012 . . . $19.99
This delicious, dense purple-colored wine possesses plenty of crème de cassis, licorice, spice box and cedar notes in a medium- to full-bodied, supple, explosively fruity, fruit-bomb style. Drink this delicious Cabernet over the next 5-6 years, although I would not be surprised to see it last even longer in a cold cellar. WIne Advocate, 90pts

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, March 13

Your host is Ashley
from Guinness Beer.

Blond    $8.99/6pbtl
A crisp, light flavorful beer brewed in the Guinness tradition with the finest American ingredients. This lager blends floral and citrus notes with a unique biscuit malt flavor that begs to be experienced.

Stout Draught    $16.99/12pbtl . . . $14.99/8pcan
With an initial malt and caramel flavor, Guinness Draught finishes with a dry roasted bitterness. The malted barley is roasted giving Guinness it's dark, rich red color.

Smithwicks Irish Ale   $16.99/12pbtl
A copper ale with a thick, pillowy head. The aroma is sweet with malty caramel notes. It has a very clean taste with great hop flavors.

Harp    $15.99/12pbtl
Bright pale golden; fruity nose; crisp and clean, slightly bitter up front, smooth aftertaste.

Stock Up for St. Patrick's Day and March Madness

Was Miles Wrong about Merlot?

A decade ago a quaint little film hit the theaters, and changed the world, or at least the wine world. It was a critical darling, garnering five Oscar nominations, and winning for Best Adapted Screenplay. At the time, we wine professionals didn’t think much of it, other than laughing with it at the ridiculousness of winespeak, and the lengths to which wine lovers go to get their favorite bottles. It was Sideways, and it sparked a wine revolution.

In the movie, Miles, played by Paul Giamatti, a failed novelist who decides to take his buddy Thomas Haden Church on a weekend long bachelor party bender in Santa Barbara wine country. There they drink a little wine, have a gourmet meal or three, drink a little more wine, visit wineries, drink some more wine, meet Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen, drink a bit more wine, fall in love, drink lots more wine, and crash Milo’s Saab into a tree. Throughout the course of this rollicking good time, Milo explains how wonderful Pinot Noir is, and how awful and insipid is the dreaded Merlot.

Before the Sideways Effect, as wine geeks call it, Merlot was the most popular red grape among young wine drinkers, and the sky was the limit. Growers were ripping out less profitable vines and replanting to Merlot at every opportunity, and production was at an all time high. A year later, Merlot sales had plummeted twenty percent, and growers started replacing their Merlot vines with… you guessed it, Pinot Noir. Pinot became the darling of critics and Somms across the country, and Merlot faded from popularity, a ghost of its former self.

But Miles was wrong, dead wrong.

Not about the glory of Pinot Noir, because it is, in the right hands, a magnificent grape capable of making some the world’s greatest wines. He was wrong about Merlot, as it also makes some of the world’s greatest wines. One of the all-time best wines I ever had was a 1997 Pahlmeyer Merlot, dense and lush, bursting with juicy, ripe blackberry, espresso, spices and so much more. And of course there is the legendary Petrus, one of the most expensive wines in the world, from Pomerol in Bordeaux, made from - you guessed it - 100% Merlot. 

The truth was, and still is, that too much Merlot was planted in the wrong soils, overcropped, harvested over-ripe with little to no acidity. The end result was shelves and wine lists jammed full of the dull, lifeless cheap Merlot that Miles railed against. Sadly the same can now be said about Pinot Noir - we taste lots of them that are flat and uninteresting, and even worse, too expensive. The lesson here is just because you can grow a certain grape doesn’t mean you should.

So, where should we be growing Merlot? Bordeaux of course, the grapes homeland, makes many fantastic ones, as do the hillside vineyards of Napa and Sonoma. And, in my opinion, one other locale shows the potential for greatness - Washington’s Columbia Valley, a point driven home to me last week at the Blue Lemon in Westport, where Harry’s hosted a delightful wine dinner with Walla Walla’s L’Ecole No. 41 winery. While all their wines are delicious, the star of the show for me was the Merlot 2011, bursting with fruit, but on a supple framework, polished and elegant while rich and powerful at the same time, paired wonderfully with seared yellowfin tuna with a black cherry glaze. Best of all, it’s affordable, selling for under $30, a price that is all too often the starting point to get a decent bottle of Pinot Noir. And L’Ecole is hardly alone; there are lots of tasty Washington Merlots out there - why not give one a try?

In the end of Sideways, even Miles tacitly admits his mistake, as he guzzles his coveted 1961 Cheval Blanc from a styrofoam cup in a fast food joint. Cheval Blanc is a Saint-Emilion, a blend of just a splash Cabernet Franc added to, yep, the dreaded Merlot. 

 -Scott Hill

WINE DINNER: Italian Wine Dinner Mon, March 9th 2015 7pm-9pm

Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market, 

Luca Ristorante and Visco Imports Present:

Italian Wine Dinner  

Monday, March 9 – 7:00PM

$120 all inclusive

Welcome Wine

Wine: Prosecco Millesimato N.V. “Corte Moschina”

Antipasto

Polenta alla Padovana:

Cornmeal served with spicy Italian sausage ragout 

Wine: Barbaresco 2011 “Cavaliere di Moasca”

Pasta

Tagiatelle alla Toscana :

Sandra’s homemade tagliatelle tossed with fresh Organic Porcini mushrooms and black truffle paste in a delicate Brandy cream sauce

Wine: Brunello di Montalcino Eremus 2009 “Solearis”

Secondo di Carne

Medaglioni di Manzo in salsa al dolce latte:

Pan roasted medallion of filet mignon with herbs in a refined imported dolce latte Gorgonzola sauce 

Wine: Barbera Riserva dei Colli Bolognesi 2010   “Il Monticino”

Dessert

Misto di Formaggi:

Mix of Imported cheeses served with walnuts and White Truffle honey 

Wine:  Barolo Poiano 2010 “Cascina Radice”

For reservations please contact:
Luca Ristorante Italiano
142 Old Ridgefield Rd, Wilton
Phone:  (203) 563-9550
Email: lucaristorante@aim.com
www.lucaristoranteitaliano.com