Come by for a complimentary wine tasting at the The Wine Merchant in Raleigh. Save 10% off all featured wines being poured. The list of the Staff’s favorite Italian wines is shown below.

Ca'Brigiano Pinot Grigio 2009

(retail: $8.99 / SALE: $7.99)

- pale, straw-yellow in color

- bright and flowery fragrance

- firm acidity, crisp and very dry with round fruit flavors

Food pairing: all types of seafood and light summer salads

Alovini Terra Degli Eventi Basilicata Rosso 2008

(retail: $11.99 / SALE: $10.79)

- 70% Aglianico and 30% Sangiovese

- nice deep, ruby color

- generous spice, raspberry red fruits, ripe acids and a lovely texture

- elegant and enjoyable to say the least

Food pairing: Eggplant Parmesan and brick-oven pizza

La Querce Sorrettole 2008

(retail: $15.99 / SALE: $14.39)

- 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, 10% Merlot

- ruby red color

- pleasantly fruity with cherry notes on the nose

- elegant and fresh with a nice long finish

Food pairing: baked zitti

Alovini Aglianico Le Ralle 2008

(retail: $16.99 / SALE: $15.29)

- hints of plum and black cherry on the nose

- blackberry & raspberry fruit are balanced with fresh acidity

Food pairing: great with red meats or substantial pasta dishes

Located at 1214 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Phone: (919) 828-6929

Every Friday night from 4 to 7 pm and every Saturday from 1 to 4 pm, visit Anytime Wines for a free wine tasting. They serve the same wines on Friday and Saturday but the selection changes each week. This weekend they're featuring wines from Chile's Vina Montes Winery. Under the leadership of Aurelio Montes, this winery is one of the standard-bearers for Chilean wines. Anytime Wines will donate 10% of the proceeds from sales during the weekend's tasting to the American Red Cross and earmarked for their work in Chile. They're asking you to help with this fund-raising push by foregoing their standard tasting bar discount.

WINE LINE-UP:

Montes Sauvignon Blanc 2009 $10.99

Chile

This light and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc sees only stainless steel fermentation giving it a nose filled with tropical fruit, grass, and hints of grapefruit. It is fresh and crisp on the palate and ready to enjoy with some skewered shrimp and scallops.

Montes "Alpha" Chardonnay 2006 $19.99

Chile

Wine Advocate 90 points

"Sixty percent of the 2006 Alpha Chardonnay was aged in barrel and 20-30% went through malolactic fermentation. Medium straw-colored, its nose delivers an attractive perfume of apple, pear, and a touch of oak. On the palate the oak is totally integrated. This is accompanied by a smooth-textured wine with plenty of ripe fruit, good balance, and a lengthy finish. It is an excellent value in quality Chardonnay."

Montes Limited Selection Pinot Noir 2009 $14.99

Chile

This Pinot from the Casablanca Valley is aged for 6 months in French oak and is somewhat darker color than the typical Pinots. The aromas is classically Pinot Noir, with hints of violets and red berries.  The palate gives medium-bodied impressions of cherries and vanilla with a long, smooth and elegant

Montes Cabernet/Carmenere 2008 $14.99

Chile

From their "La Finca" Estate in the Apalta Valley this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Carmenère shows the best of both varietals. Aged in American oak, this wine has a beautiful and intense ruby red color, and aromas of chocolate, cigar box, coffee, vanilla and butterscotch. To the palate it is ample, full, of medium body, soft and generous, with a long finish.

Montes "Alpha" Syrah 2007 $21.99

Chile

This new vintage of a Montes classic scored a consistent 90 points from both Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator, with critic James Molesworth calling it "alluring, with roasted coffee and vanilla bean notes giving way to a supple, rich palate of dark cherry, mulled currant and blackberry fruit, all pushed by a nicely integrated, loam- and grilled herb-tinged finish."

Address: 2425 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC  27518

Phone: 919-303-WINE

In April Andy will be attending a conference in Paris. The conference is an annual event and last year, after the conference, we spent eight days in Paris. We absolutely loved Paris but this year we wanted to visit another European city. There are so many places we wish to experience and we were having a difficult time deciding on a city or area. However, during our last vacation in St. Lucia in February, we met a couple will taking a windsurfing lesson at the resort. BTW, I highly recommend the all-inclusive resort (everything is included including all kinds of activities and lessons and a spa treatment every day…oh yeah!!) Check out www.thebodyholiday.com. After the lesson and my subsequent failure (crash and burn-I suck at windsurfing!), we had lunch with our new surfing buddies, Karen and Troy. During our delicious meal of steamed fish and fresh veggies with salad (I also had blueberry crumble with vanilla gelato-you work up an appetite windsurfing) and endless glass of wine, Karen and Troy told us about their last vacation, which was a tour of Egypt with a travel company called Wilderness Travel (WT). They raved about the trip and WT so when Andy and I went back to the room we ‘googled’ WT and found a trip scheduled to begin a day after Andy’s conference ends, which is a hiking adventure in Tuscany. So we are NOW training for our hiking trip…walking daily and tasting lots of Tuscan wines.

On March 8, we attended the Tour of Tuscany wine dinner at Gravy. Our favorite wine of the five that were paired with each course was the Monte Antico Toscana IGT 2006. Monte Antico means ancient mountain in Italian and is a label created by Neil & Maria Empson, who launched the Super Tuscan five years after founding the Neil Empson Selections.  It was their special affinity to the heartland of Italy that led them to make their very own mark on Tuscan soil with the Maestro of Italian winemakers, Franco Bernabei.  They have blended the Tuscan grape, Sangiovese, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The blend for Monte Antico is 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot. The grapes are harvested from 25-year-old vines, mostly from Pisa, Maremma, and Chianti Classico areas. The best selections are blended and aged one year in oak with at least six months bottle age.

This Super Tuscan is deep ruby in color, its bouquet of leather, earth, herbs, black cherries, licorice and plums. I especially liked the fragrance of black berries. The wine is medium to full-bodied with fine tannins. I often find European wines, particularly French wines, very dry and to me this Italian wine was not too dry…just right. The Monte Antico is extremely versatile with any fare from pasta or risotto, to meat, fowl and cheese. Chef Tony paired this wine with Veal Bistecca Fiorentina, a veal porterhouse with a roasted garlic and reggiano crust served with braised escarole and beans.

The Wine Spectator rated Monte Antico with 90 Points, listing it in their Top 100 Wines of 2009. Also the Wine Enthusiast considers this wine a “Best Buy”. I liked it and plan to enjoy this affordable Super Tuscan before and after our trip to Italy!

The Point At Glenwood will be hosting Fred Peterson, winemaker/owner of Peterson Winery in Sonoma, California. Fred has been producing wine in Dry Creek Valley for over 20 years. His style is a classic of traditional California wine making, bold, well defined wines, with character and obvious varietal presence, made in small batches of less than 500 cases each, under his "zero-manipulation" philosophy, which is very little human intervention made under natural conditions. His wines remain very affordable. Dinner participants may purchase Fred's wines at the event at special discounts. None of Fred's wines are available at NC retailers. So, here is your chance to pick up some of Fred's wines at great prices, while enjoying his personally guided walk through his wines and a great dinner.

Cost: $45/Person

Address: 1626 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27608

18 Seaboard is pleased to announce a truly unique dinner featuring the bourbons of Master Distiller Eddie Russell. Mr. Russell will be in attendance to answer questions about procedures and the history of Wild Turkey as well as Russell's Reserve.

Cost: $45 per person plus tax and gratuity

Call today to reserve your seat: (919) 861-4318

Maximillians is hosting a 4 course dinner paired with 4 excellent wines from White Cottage Ranch Winery. The sparkling reception begins at 6:30 pm and dinner begins at 7:00 pm. I had the chance to taste 4 of the 6 wines produced by White Cottage at the wine dinner at Humble Pie on March 2. I enjoyed all the wines even the chardonnay (I’m not a big fan of Chardonnay). I really liked the 2 cabernet sauvignons and the syrah was smooth and silky with soft tannins. So don’t miss this opportunity to taste the artisanal wines from White Cottage at Maximillians.

Cost: $75 per person

If you have questions, contact Mark Morrow from Dionysus Wine Distributors at (919) 345-1778 or rzracer39@hotmail.com.

Call Maximillians for reservations at (919) 465-2455

Address: 8314 Chapel Hill Road, Cary, NC 27513

The organic bistro, Zely and Ritz, is teaming up with local chocolatier, Escazu, to bring you a true Chocolate Dinner with optional wine pairings. Check out this unique menu.

Reception
 

Chocolate Covered Grapes to Nibble

1^st Course


Whole Wheat Foccacia with Dark Chocolate Spread and CRF Cured Ham

2^nd Course


CRF Pork Loin Crusted with Cocoa Nibs over Chocolate Fettuccine

3^rdCourse


Harris Robinette Farms Beef Osso Buco Braised with Cocoa Powder and Balsamic Vinegar Reduction with Creamy Cocoa Risotto

4^th Course


Dessert Plate: Milk Chocolate and Almond Tart, Dark Chocolate Flavored Truffle, Chocolate Chili Ice Cream

Cost: $49 per person (tax & gratuities not included)
$75 per person with wine

Address: 301 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27603 (next to Sushi Blues)

Phone: (919) 828-0018

BTW, Escazu Artisan Chocolates is opening their new retail shop on March 16 from 11 am – 9 pm, which is attached to their production location at 936 Blount Street. Phone: (919) 832-3433.

HEY, Beer Fest Lovers-don’t miss the World Beer Festival, sponsored by All About Beer Magazine, next month on April 24. This is your opportunity to taste 250+ world class, educational seminars from the nation’s leading beer experts, the best in local cuisine, and local music and entertainment.

There are two sessions to accommodate all you beer lovers. The first session, Afternoon Session, is 12 PM - 4 PM and the second session, Evening Session, is 6 PM - 10 PM. One of my beer loving friends who attended last year told me that some of the beers she wanted to try were gone in the evening session so she was going to buy tickets for the first session (Afternoon Session) this year.

General admission tickets are $40 per session plus fees ($50 day of).

VIP tickets are $75 per session plus fees ($85 day of). VIP tickets are limited and only sold online.

TICKETS SALES BEGIN TUESDAY, MARCH 16^TH, CLICK HERE

Here’s a wonderful opportunity to taste some of Robert Mondavi's finest offered by Angus Barn. You will start the evening with Mondavi's Sauvignon Blanc, move onto the Chardonnay, then work your way through four vintages of the early '90's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The executive chef, Walter Royal, has created a menu that will complement each of the wines.

MENU

Social: Day Boat Scallops with Cherry Tomato & Bamboo Knots

2006 Robert Mondavi Chardonnay

1st Course: Crayfish & Watercress Bisque

2008 Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc

2nd Course: Pan Roasted Duck Breast Dusted in Cocao & Sweet Chili Peppers Over Chicory & Baby Greens with Pear & Walnut with a Raspberry Vinaigrette

1993 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Sorbet

4th Course: Butter Poached Lobster & Aged Angus Barn Tenderloin

With a Truffle Red Wine Jus

1991, 1992, & 1994 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Apple Brown Betty with Cinnamon Ice Cream

2006 Robert Mondavi Moscato d’ Oro

Cost: $150 per person

Call Kelly Joslin at the Angus Barn to reserve your space.
919-787-3505 extension 268 or email Kelly at kelly.joslin@angusbarn.com

Address: 9401 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27617

As I mentioned in a previous post, Chef Shane Ingram and staff at Four Square are doing a five course extravaganza delving into an incredibly impressive line-up of seven Italian wines that are truly delicious. Now I have a few more details to add including the menu.

The wines all come from Kobrand Wine and Spirits, one of the country's most important wine importers.  The main focus of the dinner is a memorable line-up of 90+ pt rated Super Tuscans, but there are some cool tangents as well in a compelling Sardinian wine and one of the most elegant Moscato d'Asti produced in the Piedmont region. Check out the menu…it looks amazing. I’ve been to Four Square a few times over the years and I’ve been very pleased with my meals-always exquisitely prepared and presented.

Hors d'Oeuvres

Red Sweet Crab Crudo

jalapeño, citronette bellini

~Campo al Mare Vermentino di Toscana 2007~

First Course

Grilled Fresh Sardines

gnocchi alla "Napolitana", house lardo

~Agricola Punica "Barrua" 2004~

(92 pts - The Wine Spectator)

Second Course

Benton's 26 Month Old Prosciutto

mission fig agro dulce, truffled cauliflower panna cotta

~Tenuta San Guido "Guidalberto" 2006~

(94 pts - The Wine Advocate)

and

~Castello del Terriccio "Tassinaia" 2004~

(92 pts - The Wine Spectator and The Wine Advocate)

Third Course

Lamb Porterhouse Fiorentina

corona bean gratinée, hay smoked wild mushrooms

~Castello del Terriccio "Lupicaia" 2003~

(92 pts - The Wine Advocate)

and

~Sette Ponti "Oreno" 2005~

(95 pts - The Wine Spectator)

Dessert

Still to be determined

~Michele Chiarlo "Nivole" Moscato d'Asti 2008~

Cost: $150.00 per person plus tax and tip

For reservations call (919) 401-9877