by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

The introduction of vermouth to America in the 1870s was a seminal moment in the development of the cocktail. Bartenders had a new toy to play with, and in short order had invented a host of classic cocktails that are still drunk today. As I’ve noted here before, vermouth is back, baby, with a vengeance. Mixologists amateur and professional alike are rediscovering the supple, mouthwatering glory of dry and sweet vermouth. And happily, we have some new firepower, with new vermouths landing from France, including the new/old Noilly Prat and Dolin, perhaps the best of them all. What to do with this herbaceous wine?

Vermouth de Chambéry is the aristocrat of French Vermouth.

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The Wines of Patricia Green:
Oregon, Aisle 6A
I had the opportunity to taste the wines of what is my opinion one of the top Oregon Pinot producers. At the EQ inside the Party Source last Saturday, winemaker Jim Anderson was on hand tasting and talking about 6 of his estates  Pinot Noir’s.   This was a true testimony to how different the same grape can taste based on soil, climate and total production.   From their entry level Reserve to the high end Old Vine all these wines showed very well. Here are my tasting notes on the ones that stood out to me.

#4 Eason Vineyard- $32.99
This was the lightest in color with a very alive and super bright cherry bouquet that was long and refined. The wine had a huge mouth feel that was full of bright berry flavors and spices with high acid and chewy tannins. Somehow  Eason Vineyard was able to tie all of these big and ripe flavors and bring them to a sophisticated harmony.
SCORE: 3++++
#3 Balcombe Vineyard- $36.99
Deep earthy nuances of soil, tobacco and a hint of cherry juice on the nose. More earthy flavors dominate the palate with blackberry fruit in the background. Second sip and man oh man this is a savory wine and is a perfect showcase on what sets Oregon Pinot apart from the rest of the world. My comment to Jim was that this particular wine reminded me more of the wines I tasted in Oregon 2 years ago more then any of the others. He agreed that it was the most Orgonian in style.
SCORE:4+
#2 Estate Vineyard – $36.99
The nose on the Estate bottling was very French like with notes of leather, earth, and plum but had the distinct bouquet of Oregon’s volcanic soil. The flavor profile showed racy fruit flavors of cranberry and pomegranate and at first sip I knew this wine was going to be serious. This Pinot was more thick, rich and dense than any of the others on the table and finished with great poise and concentration.
SCORE:4++
#1 Estate Old Vine – $39.99
This wine was the show stopper. It might not have been the one that showcased Oregon’s soil and unique climate but it was too good not to rank #1. The essence of the wine was of silky and satin textured fruits, and a bouquet of red roses. The old vine was super smooth, and elegant. I was very impressed and think I said wow 3 or 4 times tasting this one. It had a feminine quality to it that could not be denied with little kisses of fruit that would show up here and there. This would be a prize possession for any Pinot fan.
SCORE: 4++++

Cheers!

Danny

Terre de Mistral:
$9.99
France, Aisle 7B
This red from the Rhone is my new favorite $10 bottle of wine in the store. Packed with juicy red fruit this Grenache dominated vino from the French is super friendly and over delivers for it’s price. There is an earthy aspect that acts as the knot that ties this little gem all together. Terre de Mistral is a serious wine for the money and would best enjoyed with barbequed pork and grilled Filet.
SCORE: 3++++

Cheers!

Danny

One of my job perks is that when I’m looking for a great wine at a great price, I can march right over to our wine aisles and grab a wine department employee and ask for a recommendation.    I explain what I am celebrating, what I’m fixing for dinner or that I’m watching my budget and need a great wine under ten bucks. I’ve never been disappointed and I always get to try something new in the aisles!  But if you’d like to do a little research before you get here – check out The Party Source’s wine department’s Staff Picks.  The knowledge and passion of our wine specialists will blow your mind!

When you find one you just love- or  you want to try them all -stock up.  Your budget won’t feel the pinch with our our new CASE Discount Program!

See you in the Wine Aisles!

Connie Volker

EQ Event and Marketing Director

Cousino-Macul Finis Terrae
grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
This is a vineyard at the bottom of the world that I have paid close attention too over the last 7 years. Cousino-Macul has gained mine and yours trust with their red and white offerings from both Estate and Antiguas labels. They recently released their 2005 Icon for $65 (2nd best vintage for Chilean red wine to date) a wine I had the pleasure to taste in barrel while visiting Chile. Finis Terrae, the little brother to Icon is made of only the finest Cabernet and Merlot grapes after they select the Icon. Yet another well structured and refined dry red wine from South America that will cellar well and performs at twice the price. Meaty, with a focus of smoke and earth with touches of silk throughout.
$18.99
Aisle 7A
SCORE: 4+

Cheers,
Danny Gold
Fine Wine
The Party Source

Punkt Sparkling Gruner Veltliner
Austria $16.99 – Aisle 7B
This is a first not only for myself or the The Party Source but a first for the wine industry itself. Never before have we seen a Sparkling Gruner Veltliner before. This Austrian delight is full of bright stony fruit a chalky mouth feel and a very elegant touch to the dry finish. Pouring more like a still wine than a sparkler this wine makes too much sense not to try. If you are a venturous wine drinker do your self a favor and pick one up. This would make a great opening act for dinner or gift idea during wedding season.
SCORE: 4+

Cheers,
Danny Gold
Fine Wine
The Party Source

Hahn SLH Pinot Noir-$24.99  California Aisle 6A

Hahn has a reputation amongst wine drinkers especially red as being solid and a safe bet for your money. In fact one of the first Meritage and Cabernet Franc wines I tasted 8 years ago were Hahn wines. They just released late last year with a new series of high quality performers and the buzz is mainly about this Pinot.   I had it last night with some Korean marinated Sea Bass and was impressed by it’s delicate touch and well mannered fruit. The wine was medium bodied packed with beautiful berry notes and floral tones.
SCORE: 4

Cheers!

Danny

Reymos Sparkling Muscotel
$8.99, Spain-Aisle 8A
I featured this little gem a couple weeks ago at one of our FREE wine tastings in the aisles.   I am pretty sure that everyone that tasted it bought it.

The wine is on the riper, sweeter side of the spectrum and is kept from being too sugary by it’s clean mineral influence. Earlier in the month,  Chef Todd Kelly, executive chef at Orchids at Palm Court, named #1 on Cincinnati Magazine’s top 25 Restaurants in the City cooked for us here at EQ.   I paired this wine with his Seared Scallops with Glazed Pork Bellies, Mirin and Oranges.  It was an amazing pairing!

This wine is great for sunny days, as an aperitif, cheese plates, brunches and as the centerpiece for a great Mimosa.
SCORE: 3++++

Cheers!

Danny

by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

It all started with aperitivo Torinese. My friend in Turin, Italy, Italian wine expert (and regular EQ student) Vadim Putzu, had promised to indoctrinate me in this practice, which from the name I took as referring to a mere drink before dinner. Imagine my delight to find that the hour of aperitivo earned you not only a refreshing beverage, but a sideboard groaning under huge platters of food. Free! All you can eat! Italian! Sausages with local chiodini mushrooms, salads rich with radicchio, the ubiquitous grissini breadsticks, and fresh cheese in parsley and garlic—everything was terrific. I rolled out of aperitivo, with barely room to finish a late pizza—Italian style, which means an entire pizza for each person.

The nebbia hangs in the hills of the Langhe. Note the hillside vineyards in Castiglione Falletto.

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