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The nodding head test.....
"Regular readers know about the "nodding head test." At our
weekly staff wine tastings, whenever I try a wine that I like, I'll often
look around the room. WHen it's that good, you'll see a bunch of heads
nodding in approval. It doesn't happen that often as my staff's taste buds
are both spoiled & picky.
Yep.... Pinot Grigio! You may recognize this producer from his Montepulciano
d'Abruzzo, or more readily.... "the bottle with the twig." I must say I was
intrigued with their entry in Pinot Grigio. I, for one, found this crisp,
well-balanced and interesting. I really stands out against all the
commercial quality wine out there."
Pop's Wines & Spirits, May 2010
2009 Pinot Grigio, il Vino "dal Tralcetto", Cantina Zaccagnini, 750ml
$17.25 - Good Wine Stores
$15.52 - Pop's Single Bottle Price
$13.80 - Pop's Mixed Case Price
$155.25 - Pop's Case Price
".....the standout winner was....."
"I Love to make my own Pizza.
I find it a great way to try a bunch of new Italian wines and see if any
values stand out. Everyone enjoys Pizza and it goes so well with most
Italian wines, some better than others. Unfortunately, the best wine-food
pairings with Pizza I've found are with Tuscany's fabulous Brunello's
($50-200) and Piedmont's Barolo's ($35-150) or Barbaresco's ($35-150).
But I can't afford to drink those every night... so for value, I work
tirelessly to search out more wines that present value.
Last night, the standout winner was a Baby Barbaresco, the LANGHE, NEBBIOLO
2008 from Produttori del Barbaresco.
2008 is a very good year in Piedmont and it showed in this baby version of
Barbaresco.
Barbaresco's by law are made from 100% Nebbiolo that needs to be aged 3
years before release onto the market as "BARBARESCO." That being said, there
are some wines available for a bargain that are called "NEBBIOLO" that are
usually from fruit that didn't make the cut to be included in the producer's
more expensive Barbaresco or Barolo. These are the real values.
The Produttori Nebbiolo has a gorgeous nose of Rose Petals, Tar and Earth
and drinks like a full-blown Barbaresco... like they made a bad decision not
to bottle this as Barbaresco. Their bad decision is our GAIN.
There's that classic nebbiolo character that is rarely encountered under
$30. It's all here; tar, roses, tannins and ready to drink today. My
suggestion, make your own pizza and crack a bottle of this Nebbiolo... an
amazing pairing!
Ted Clark, Certified Value Finder, Pop's Wines & Spirits, May 2010
2008 Langhe, Nebbiolo, Produttori del Barbaresco, 750ml
$24.15 - Good Wine Stores
$21.73 - Pop's Single Bottle Price
$19.32 - Pop's Mixed Case Price
$217.35 - Pop's Case Price
What a great concept.......
"We are taking advantage of the current economic conditions by
purchasing high quality and highly rated finished wines direct from wineries
at a discount and then passing the savings on to you. Price and availability
aren't the only selection criteria. The wines we purchase must have a
pedigree of 90 or higher ratings, best buy or gold medal accolades from a
respected wine authority or publication.
The wines of 90+Cellars are great values because we are a virtual winery, we
don't own any land or bottling facility. In fact, the source wineries bottle
and label our wines for us. We simply search out world class wine, negotiate
a great price and then pass the savings on to our customers.
Upon release, each 90+Cellars wine is assigned a "Lot" number. A lot is
defined as a particular wine from a winery. On successful lots we may
purchase the next vintage (if available) if the quality is the same or
better.
In the end, it is our goal to provide wine lovers with an outstanding bottle
of wine at a great price. If you like the idea of fine wine for less money,
then give our wines a try!
Story: The grapes for this estate grown wine come from 30 year-old vines
located at the northern foothills of McLaren Vale. The wine was fermented to
dryness after which it macerated on skins for 8 weeks, then aged in 1 year
old French oak for 18 months. This 2006 vintage of this wine received a 90
from the Wine Advocate and has a rich history of accolades. We were lucky to
get the last of this wine!
Taste: Opulent aromas of dark berries/cherries and dried fruit combined with
hints of spicy fruit cake and anise. The palate is full of rich, dark savory
fruit leaving trails of dark chocolate, cherries and a sweet tannin finish.”
90+ Cellars, May 2010
2006 Ninety + Cellars
Zinfandel, Lot 14, McLaren Vale, Australia, 750ml
$10.89 - Good Wine Stores
$9.80 - Pop's Single Bottle Price
$8.71 - Pop's Mixed Case Price
$98.01 - Pop's Case Price
".....it is Incredible!! Think Chambolle Musigny....."
"We've been selling the heck out of the Chardonnay from this
estate so I decided to give the Pinot Noir a shot... and WOW - is it
Incredible!! Think Chambolle Musigny with it's bright Pinot Noir flavors...
For anyone who likes Pinot Noir's for their fruit - this is very impressive
with a long penetrating after-taste. Not Jammy, Not Candy, Not
Cherry-Pie..... this is real wine. Grown on their estate. Lots of care and
attention went into this wine.
It DESERVES your attention. Incredible Wine for the $$."
Ted Clark, Certified Incredible Wine Finder, Pop's Wines & Spirits,
May 2010
2007Amayna Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley, San Antonio, Chile, Estate, 750ml
$33.79 - Good Wine Stores
$30.41 - Pop's Single Bottle Price
$27.03 - Pop's Mixed Case Price
$304.11 - Pop's Case Price
They say $10 (Connoisseurs' Guide), we say $6+,
when bought by the case!!
"We are always in search of Merlot’s juicy, amicable fruit, if
we can find it in a wine whose out-and-out charms exceed its price, so much
the better. This very well-made effort scores on both counts, and its
impressions of polish and depth are quite exemplary. Make no mistake, this
is a very good ten-dollar wine, and it ranks right at the head of the class
when it comes to sheer price worthiness and everyday drinkability. GOOD
VALUE!"
88 Points, Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, March 2010
2007 Cycles Gladiator Merlot, Central Coast, 750ml
$9.05 - Good Wine Stores
$8.14 - Pop's Single Bottle Price
$7.24 - Pop's Mixed Case Price
$81.45 - Pop's Case Price
Chocolate
Vodka?!?
When the first of these came out, all I could think about was "yech,
chocolate and vodka?" We had this at our weekly staff "wine" tasting, and
yes, it passed the nodding head test.
Best part is you can buy a bottle, get a $10 mail-in
rebate, and we'll even send you the stamped & addressed envelope!
.....'cause I think mailing in rebates is a pain.
"Personally, I am not a fan of spirits. They are harsh, strong, and I always
regret it the next day. That’s why I am a full-fledged Wine-o. You can
imagine my reaction when one of our suppliers brings a bottle of flavored
vodka to our most recent wine tasting and tells me to try it…straight. I
cringed with fear. I know that flavored vodkas are all the rage now;
Smirnoff flavors take up almost a third of our vodka section. All my
colleagues took a sip of this new item, the 360 Vodka Double Chocolate
Flavored Vodka and starting raving about it! So I buckled down and tasted it
for myself. Smell the glass and all you can sense is the aroma of brownies!
No harsh alcohol on the nose. The taste is even better! All areas of
chocolate: cocoa powder, dark chocolate bars, milk chocolaty goodness! The
consistency is slightly thicker than normal vodka, but no too full and
syrupy like some cordials. I was floored by the smoothness of this vodka as
well! There is no way that this 70 proof spirit is pure vodka! It tastes
more like a cordial, such as the Patron XO Café, Van Gogh Espresso, or a
Crème de Cocoa. I could see myself just pouring a little snifter of this
vodka after a nice dinner, sit down, and watch my favorite television shows.
And there is so much you could do with it! It would make the smoothest
chocolate martinis, or blend with any type of cream liqueur. I wouldn’t even
have to put it on ice; it is perfect just as is! I would definitely pick up
this vodka! Chocolate lovers prepare to be amazed!!!! The 360 Double
Chocolate Vodka will forever be a staple in my liquor cabinet! And if the
taste doesn’t grab you right away, then maybe the $10 rebate included with
each bottle will (limit two per household). A great price and a great vodka!
We are just so excited about this product at our store that we can’t help
but share this opportunity with all of you!"
Ashley Mancill, Chocolate Consultant,
Pop’s Wine & Spirits, May, 2010
360
Vodka, Double Chocolate Flavored Vodka, Four Times Distilled, 750ml
$19.99 - Good Wine Stores
$18.05 - Pop's Single Bottle Price
$18.05 - Pop's Three Bottle Price
$99.63 - Pop's Case Price (6)
Note: Spirit sales cannot be used towards a mixed case
wine purchase. |
