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The Cellar Selection
		Joguet Chene Vert Chinon 2003 Deep dark and layered. This hedonistic and wonderfully classy wine is a beautiful drink now but in 5yrs . . . WOW! $35.99 Top
June Mix and Match Our mixed case is $119.88 after discount, before taxes. PRINT this page
Reds
		Quinta do Alqueve 2001 Pretty nuances of prune, plum and cocoa. A Portugese value with personality and a suave style Price before discount. $9.99 Top
		d'Auphilac Lou Maset 2002 Read about Grenache. A blend of Grenache and Carignan from 100yr old vines! Don't rush thru this one, sniff and swirl to catch all the subtleties Price before discount. $11.99 Top
		Freemark Abbey Cabernet 2000 One of Napa Valley's venerable old names. This stylish, full bodied wine is offered here at less than half regular price! Price before discount. $16.99 Top
		Pont du Brion Graves 2000 Traditional mineral and cassis scented, balanced and seductive Bordeaux. This terrific value shows well now but with short term aging will be a beauty Price before discount. $12.99 Top
		Coyote Creek Pinot Noir 2003 Did someone say steal? Here's a versatile and all together pretty Pinot that begs for grilled salmon or chicken. Serve slightly cool Price before discount. $8.99 Top
		Staff Pick Red! Selected from our imagination! A scary thought perhaps, but never dull. Look for value and interest and above all, fun! Top
Whites
		Gazela Vinho Verde 2004 A summer staple! Light crisp dry and low alcohol. This sassy wine is perfect as an aperitif or paired with salty items like nuts. Price before discount. $7.99 Top
		Oakley Four Whites 2004 A soft delightful wine of generous flavors and floral aromas. A wonderful party wine. Chard/Viognier/Palomino/Riesling Price before discount. $8.99 Top
		Point Conception Chardonnay 2003 Santa Barbera County! Tropical fruit and subtle oak. A big bodacious mouthful of Chardonnay. Grill some fish. Price before discount. $18.99 Top
		Fattoria Albana /Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Discovery wine! A neat twist on an Italian classic. Have some fun and explore. Price before discount. $14.99 Top
		Terruzzi Terre di Tufo 2003 Classic Italian, a clean character filled wine for garden sipping and pasta cookin'! $16.99 Top
		Staff Pick White! Selected from our imagination! A scary thought perhaps, but never dull. Look for value and interest and above all, fun!
Herb and spice pairing chart: Flavoring that dish with fresh herbs and spices? Keep this general gauge in mind when thinking of the wine. Bay leaf, parsley nutmeg Mustard, clove, ginger, sage Dill, parsley, clove, nutmeg Mint, black pepper, curry Basil, oregano, nutmeg Thyme, chives, fennel, orange Mint, sage cinnamon Dill, sage, clove, ginger Garlic, oregano, black pepper Dill, lemon thyme, cumin Tarragon, rosemary, juniper, white pepper Tarragon, thyme, black pepper, clove       Cabernet sauvignon Chardonnay Chenin Blanc Gewurztraminer Merlot Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Syrah Zinfandel

Grenache ~ Garnacha

You might recall, when white zinfandel swept the market a few decades ago, producers came up with other pink concoctions hoping to cash in on the craze. White grenache was one of them. Ironically, white grenache had some oomph where white zinfandel did not. Because white grenache did not fit the profile of what most white zinfandel drinkers sought, it was a bust in the domestic pink wine market and went away.

For many, that was the first time we had ever heard of grenache, and it may have been the last. Ironically, grenache noir was, and still is, one of the most widely planted red grapes in the world. It excels in many roles, but usually without much recognition. Its celebrity exists in those regions where the wine is named after the village, rather than the grape. If you've dabbled in red wine from Europe, you've probably had plenty of grenache.

It is the secondary grape of Rioja, Spain. In fact Spain has more land devoted to garnacha -what the Spanish call grenache, than any other grape. It is significant in Spain's up and coming regions of Ribera del Duero and Priorato as well.

Grenache plays a major role in the Southern Rhône Valley of France. It is used to produce the most exulted wine from the area, Châeauneuf du Pape. On the other hand it is the main grape for many inexpensive Côtes du Rhônes and Côtes du Ventouxs. Although they have over twelve official red varieties to choose from, many Rhône producers blend a trilogy of grenache, syrah, and mourvédre.

This trilogy is also a favorite with the Aussies, who love to mimic French blends. Of course everyone knows about Australian shiraz, a.k.a. syrah, but grenache and mourvédre have taken a bit of the market share downunder too.

Grenache is a hardy grape whose wines can range from regal to table. Most of the time it is blended, but when given the right opportunity, it is amazing solo. Versions grown in warmer climates are full bodied and packed with ripe red fruit. In areas where it enjoys a longer growing season, grenache is smoky and complex, with notes of licorice, black raspberries, tomatoes, and herbs. It is low in tannins and acidity, but high in alcohol. This means it works well in a supporting role, to grapes like syrah and tempranillo.

Take me back to d'Auphilac Lou Maset.

Take me to the Top.