Saturday, March 14, 2015

Craft Beer Happenings


   
     Love to talk LOCAL!! A new addition to the bottled selections from the wildly popular and local Cape May Brewing Company will be a Double IPA.  It seems that anything that Cape May Brewing bottles these days is an instant hit and you can be sure that their newest will follow suit.  Formerly available only at the brewery, Coastal Evacuation Double IPA clocks in at 8.3% ABV and has that piney, resinous taste that most IPA lovers crave.  The malt backbone is enough to give it almost perfect balance and keep it from being overly bitter.  Stop in for a sixer and taste for yourself the world class brews that are being crafted right here in our own backyard!

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Top 10 Wines Under $10

One of our biggest joys of being wine lovers, is finding delicious wines under that sweet spot of $10! There are so many great wines on the market today that it isn't too hard to find LOTS of wine under 10 bucks. The hard part is finding GOOD wine under 10 bucks! Below we have compiled our Top Ten list of our favorite value wines, all under $10. Enjoy!
WHITE WINES
1. NxNW, Dry Riesling (Washington) $9.99
A great DRY Riesling with flavors of peach, jasmine, clover, apricot, mango, lychee and citrus with a crisp, round, long finish, balanced with nice dry acidity. Super easy drinking, but with a lot of flavor!

2. Domaine de Pajot, White Blend (France) $8.99 ORGANIC
From the Cotes de Gascogne, just south of Bordeaux, this wine is made from the four main regional varietals: Colombard, Ugni-Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gros-Manseng. Crisp, dry, and bright, with flavors of citrus, melon, and herb, this refreshing white wine is one to snap up by the case and keep on hand all summer long!

3. Amalaya, Riesling/Torrontes (Argentina) $9.99
This wine comes from the CalchaquĆ­ Valley in northwest Argentina, in the foothills of the Andes. It is a unique blend of steely Torrontes 85% and aromatic Riesling 15%. Floral, fresh and minerally, this is a refreshing wine for your favorite seafood dishes, salads, or on its own in the warm sunshine.

4. Zestos, Old Vine Malvar (Spain) $9.49
Zestos Blanco is perhaps one of the most complex white-wines produced in Spain. It is also a tremendous value. If you have a demanding palate and love the bright acid of Sauvignon blanc and the body of chardonnay, the Malvar grape will greatly reward your taste. This wine exhibits bright tropical fruits, white flowers, litchis and citrus notes. If you like medium- to full-bodied whites, without oak, that are bright, drink Malvar. White spice and fennel on the finish.  This wine for this price still blows our minds!

5. Tarrica, Chardonay (California) $9.99
Liquid Butter! Golden in color with aromas of tropical fruit, peach, vanilla and hints of sweet oak. Medium bodied and complex with a well balanced mouth feel offering tropical & stone fruit, mineral and citrus flavors. Ending with a satisfying creamy finish.


RED WINES
6. Bodan Roan, Pinot Noir (California) $9.99
Bodan Roan Wines are produced with a clear goal: to make straight-forward, food-friendly wines. This goal is attained through a process that begins in the vineyard, where high-quality grapes provide a base for the wine. The grapes chosen for these wines are from select vineyard sites throughout California. Bright and juicy with notes of cherry, strawberry, and a hint of spice.  Hard to find good pinot under $10.

7. Portada, Red Blend (Portugal) $9.99This deep ruby red, medium-bodied wine has berry fruit flavors and a beautiful balance. It’s fruity, tasty, and very pleasant and elegant. It’s the perfect “happy hour” red wine, a great everyday wine. Excellent with everything from roasts to  barbecue, pasta and pizzas!  Portugal is where the values are!!

8. Chateau Julien, Merlot (California) $9.99
If you like Cabernets try this Merlot! A big, beastly wine with dark plum and blackberry flavors and nice rich tannin structure on the finish. A big red that really goes well with bold, red meat based dishes.

9. Cameron Hughes, Lot 358 Malbec (Argentina) $9.99
This Malbec is filled with rich dark blackberry and plum fruits, framed with a nice approachable tannin structure.  A great alternative to your everyday California Cabernet. Perfect with steak, fajitas, or a simple barbecue with friends.

10. Isle Saint Pierre, Red Blend (France) $9.99
A big, bold blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, Other Red, 10% Arinarnoa. Delightfully aromatic with sweet dark fruit—berry, damson plum, black currant jam—and dark milk chocolate. The palate is drier than the nose suggests, structured by its acidity rather than its fine tannins. The black fruits are there, joined by red fruit and a touch of pepper at the mid palate, and a certain chocolatey sweetness on the finish.