November 2008 Price Chopper Plaza 1365 New Scotland Road Slingerlands, NY 12159 518.439.5535 www.slingerlandswine.com Store Hours: Mon — Sat, 9am-9pm & Sun, 12pm-6pm TuscanyKeeping an Eye on uscany, Central salvage the season‘s Italy‘s sometimes sometimes precarious sun-soaked, crop of grapes. T sometimes watery grey hill towns are Throughout Italy in for many the 2008, a cold winter, a quintessential rainy spring, and a experience of Italian summertime drought culture. Whether driving stunted the potential of up narrow, twisting roads some vineyards. that seem to float Tuscany‘s summer forever upward, plucking conditions, however, olives from Leonardo‘s were more favorable childhood trees in Vinci, than in other regions, strolling through small helping to make amends medieval towns like for any negative Orvieto and Pisa or consequences wrought sophisticated, art-strewn Overlooking Greve in Chianti. by Spring‘s havoc. Florence, Tuscany is a Chianti‘s 2008 crop – feast for the senses. though smaller in And for wine lovers, the endless acres of cypress As travelers, we often quantity than in the region offers some of the and olive trees – and adopt an ‗all is well‘ country‘s southern greatest wines to be then bidding farewell to attitude in spite of heavy regions – is expected to found anywhere in the the statue of David in a rains or sun-baked produce wine of world, rivaling – as this thirst-laden quest for the afternoons in order to excellent quality with year‘s harvest attests – best Brunello, it is easy make the most of our both structure and the French claim to the to forget that climate ten-day trip. But for bouquet. same fame. plays a monumental role vineyard owners and in just how cruelly wine makers, weather Since we can only Captivated by those very disappointing or how can be a breath-holding dreamily anticipate the sights – cobbled streets, thankfully spectacular event requiring massive resulting wines from the hilltop-perched villas the current season‘s preparations and 2008 harvest, we have dotted in the distance, harvest will be. reparations in order to (Continued on page 2) The Wisdom of Sangiovese Considering the oft-cited maxim that red wine is good for your heart... A Tuscan pharmacist near Siena who owns one of Italy’s oldest apothecary shops has been credited with extracting the anti-oxidant benefits of red wine. By using an 18th- century recipe cultivated by one of his ancestors, which he found behind a shelf during renovations, he has created a Sangiovese-based elixir for longevity. So whether you are drinking to or for your health, the beloved Sangiovese grape offers a variety of incentives to wander into your local wine store, dream about or remember Tuscan getaways, and take home that irresistible and promising bottle of Chianti or Brunello di Montalcino – or any other bottle of rosso Sangiovese grapevines in vineyards around or bianco that may have lured you into the castle at Castello Banfi in Montalcino. the store. included a list of some of is balanced and any meal or everyday Castello Banfi Brunello di our favorite wines from structured with smooth drinking.” Montalcino D.O.C.G. Tuscany already on the tannins. 2001 (Red, $55.99/reg shelves. While these Vernaccia di San $65.99) wines are a natural Villa Puccini Gold Label Gimignano Vigna a “Aged for two years in accompaniment to 2001 (Red, $15.99) Solatio D.O.C.G. 2006 barrique and two in the Tuscan fare, rich and “Dry, rich, and (White, $15.99) bottle. It possesses richly satisfying and harmonious,” this Villa Owing, in part, to the flavors of licorice, cherry redolent with olive oil Puccini goldmine is sandstone soils and spices; a rich, and herbs, anything from mostly Sangiovese with surrounding the fortified supple, and long-aging pizza to pot roast to a little Cabernet village of San vintage wine.” porcini-spiked stuffing — Sauvignon. A brilliant Gimingnano, this or any of the favorites at garnet color, it is Vernaccia “is bright, your Thanksgiving table scented with berries, crisply dry, with a light — will certainly work just spices, and vanilla. aroma of ripe fruit.” as well. So, to go with Look for your next meal, Tuscan, Ciacci Piccolomini Carpineto S,N.C. Raising a American, or otherwise, d‘Aragona Toscana Dogajolo 2006 (Red, may we recommend... Rosso 2005 (Red, $9.99) Glass to $9.99) Made from Sangiovese Champagne La Braccesca Sabazio This “„baby‟ Super- and a little Cabernet for Rosso di Montepulciano Tuscan expresses the structure, this wine‟s in the 2006 (Red, $12.99) characteristic sour “fruity and intense December Made mostly from cherry and dusty flavors, with hints of Prugnolo Gentile and tannins of Savgiovese, berries, coffee, vanilla 2008 issue of tinged with Merlot and softened by the and spice, are matched Canaiolo Nero, this ruby richness of Merlot and with a supple tannin Grapevine. red wine caresses the the structure of structure and a long nose with red berries. It Cabernet…Perfect for finish.” (3 for $24.99/ reg $9.99 ea) Mix & Match Top Ten Under $10 Kenwood Red Table Wine, Sonoma (2005) Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay, Sonoma (2006) $9.99 / reg $12.99 Mirassou Pinot Grigio, CA (2007) — 90 Pts/WE Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, NZ (2007) — 90 Pts/WS $9.99 / reg $11.99 Tormaresca Puglia Nèprica, Italy (2006) — 87 Pts/WS Urban Riesling, Germany (2006) $9.39 / reg $10.99 Hob Nob Pinot Noir, France (2007) Martin Codax Albarino, Spain (2007) 90 Pts/WE $9.99 / reg $11.99 Barone Fini Pinot Grigio, Italy (2007) Blackstone Merlot, California (2006) $8.99 / reg $10.99 McWilliam‘s Shiraz, Australia (2006) Banfi Centine, Tuscany (2006) $8.99 / reg $11.99 McWilliam‘s Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia (2006) Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma (2005) $9.99 / reg $13.99 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel, CA (2006) Michele Chiarlo Barbera d‘Asti, Piedmont (2006) $9.99 / reg $11.99 Banfi Collepino Sangiovese/Merlot, Tuscany (2007) Pillar Box Red, Australia (2006) $9.99 / reg $11.99 Banfi Le Rime Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio, Tuscany (2007) Calea Nero d‘Avola, Italy (2007) $9.39 / reg $11.99 Banfi Fumaio Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay, Tuscany (2007) The 90s Club (90 or more points, under $20) From the Spirits World Brunus Carinena/Garnacha/Syrah, Spain (2005) — 90 Pts Balvenie Doublewood 12-year old Scotch, Banffshire Bouquet of smoke, vanilla, and blackberry. Full-bodied, fruity finish. $14.99 Scotland — ―Single malt with unmistakable character.‖ 750 ML, $45.99 Las Rocas Garnacha de San Alejandro, Spain (2006) — 91 Pts Sobieski Vodka, Poland — Rated 95 Points by Beverage Spice box, mineral, black cherry. Smooth textured, round, no hard edges. $12.99 Testing Institute in 2007. 1.75 Liter, $16.99 Pillar Box Reserve Shiraz, Australia (2006) — 92 Pts Hiram Walker Gingerbread Liqueur — A warm and Smoke, vanilla, saddle leather, and blueberry. Full-bodied and plush. $15.99 spicy liqueur perfect for the holidays. 750 ML, $8.99 November Staff Wine Picks Sheila: Taz Chardonnay, Santa Barbara (2007) $22.99 This Chardonnay, both crisp and light, derives its beautiful balance from Santa Barbara‘s rustic growing conditions and the winemaker‘s expertise. Eschewing the typical heavy-laden oak, it is tropical, lively, and refreshing. Abbot‟s Table, Washington (2007) $24.99, reg $28.99 A blend of ten different red grapes, this Damian: friendly, crowd pleasing gem pairs beautifully with duck, beef, or hearty Tuscan fare. A seductively supple wine that kisses the palate with intensity and richness, it is a hallmark of Owen Roe Wines. Seaborn: Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel, St. Helena, CA (2006) $30.99 A classic California Zin in style, it is jammy, full-bodied, and assertive with black fruit. Perfect for a steak or spicy ribs — or alone, for the ultimate in hedonism — this is not a wine for the meek. Denise: Schug Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast (2006) $17.99 From the Carneros Estate Winery, it‘s like drinking Burgundy at half the price. Tart cherry, earth, and warm spices give this wine depth and complexity. Well bal- anced, this Pinot dances between subtlety and unmistakable presence. Ian: Altos de la Hoya Monastrell, Jumilla (2006) $11.99 A rich, full-bodied red, this Monastrell is smooth and generous with no hard edges. It sweeps you away with its coffee-tinged finish. Wine Tastings Fridays, 4-8 & Saturdays, 2-6 Wine & Spirits’ Italian Adventure Fri, 11/7: California Cabernets Sample Cabernets Roaming through Italy this past September, a few of us from California‘s various wine regions and experience the from Wine & Spirits visited Tuscany‘s Castello Banfi, the differences in all their unique glory. vineyard in Montalcino that produces grapes for some of Sat, 11/8: A Taste of Tuscany A special wine and cheese pairing with all Banfi wines from Tuscany to cele- Italy‘s best wines. After touring the property‘s 11th brate our 11th Anniversary. Century castle and the vineyard‘s ruggedly majestic Fri, 11/14: House of Big Reds We‘ll pour Cabernet, slopes, we enjoyed a traditional tasting to fully experience Claret, and Red Zin from Sonoma Valley‘s St. Francis Winery. the range of differences between Castello Banfi‘s rossos Sat, 11/15: Red Zin for Turkey The spicy and fruit- forward qualities of Red Zinfandel — America‘s oldest wine and biancos and Brunellos. So, in anticipation of your grape — make it an ideal accompaniment to turkey. Come in upcoming trip or to whet your appetite for an Italian and find your favorite. adventure, consider experimenting with a few of the many Thurs, 11/20: Let it Pour! Join us as we pop open and Tuscan wines we have here at Wine & Spirits.