IT TASTES LIKE MYSTERY

Our semi-annual Staff Showcase, or should I say, Showdown, begins tonight at our two stores. These tastings involve a simple task I give my wine staff – find what they believe is the best bottle we have in our stores for under $50 – and with their choices, we line them up, and let the customers vote which one is truly the best.

It’s not as easy a task as it sounds.

Our simple selection of around 3,000 different SKUs is just barely scratching the surface of all the wine out there (maybe 250,000 different SKUs (or types from all the various producers) on the market, maybe more) so what we have is certainly not a “BEST EVER” kind of event. No, we are a humble lot, in a small market (Cincinnati, Ohio) that simply wants to give our customers the best product we can, at competitive prices. An admirable goal we strive for everyday.



Yet getting back on point, the two stores have been divided into two teams – with 5 wines each, and this time, we brown bag them, and cloak them in complete anonymity. At no time will anyone know what we are pouring, other than the hints I dropped on Twitter earlier today (http://twitter.com/k2whino). I can sum up by saying that the wines break down like this: California, France, Italy, Spain and Australia are represented in this lineup. (That’s all you get.)



We provide ballots for the customers, with a separate sheet for note taking. If the customers wish to purchase these wines, they must PLACE AN ORDER with our tasting hosts, simply by denoting what wine they wish get pricing/order (the wines have been numbered 1-10). There will be no reveal whatsoever. No pricing will be given. You are completely in the dark. We may do this each time we hold these tastings (which are semi-annually, as I mentioned before).



Let the games begin.



[NOTE: I will post the results on Sunday.]

DIEVOLE RINASCIMENTO 2006

The Grade: OUTSTANDING. The Mojo: The Dievole Rinascimento 2006 is a very cool red blend consisting of Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo and Foglia Tonda from the Tuscany, based upon the Chianti model, yet with very traditionalist leanings. Medium-bodied, with mild tannins and well-balanced acidity, it is the perfect red table wine for any time of the year. Plummy aromas lead off, with scents of white pepper, black cherry and violets, transitioning into flavors of dry red fruits, spices, fresh herbs, notes of light-roasted coffee, earth, and roasted peppers, this wine is made for pasta, pizza, burgers on the grill – just a great table wine.

BTW, Part 2 of my Italian Wine Primer is up at my friend Michelle Lentz’s blog, http://www.wine-girl.net/.

ARCENO PRIMAVOCE 2005

The Grade: OUTSTANDING. The Mojo: The Arceno PrimaVoce 2005 is a surprisingly good "non-traditional" blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah that is medium-bodied, and possessive of velvety smooth tannins and aromas and flavors of red and black currants, dark cherries, blackberries, tar, smoke, espresso, bay leaves, sage, thyme, forest floor, cinnamon, mocha powder, violets and so much more. It is a way for non-Italian wine drinkers to ease their way into the Italian style, without having to try a Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Aglianico or anything else that is "weird." Just a great Bordeaux+Rhone blend that speaks its mind, and satisfies your senses.

TORMARESCA CHARDONNAY 2007

The Grade: OUTSTANDING. The Mojo: The Tormaresca Chardonnay 2007 from Italy's Puglia region is a really nice surprise for those of us (like myself) who find Chardonnay (other than Premier and Grand Cru white Burgundies) flabby and boring. Here is a remarkably light, crisp Chardonnay, aged completely in stainless steel tanks so that there is nothing but the fruit to showcase. Aromas of fresh sage, star fruit, guava, pineapple and Meyer lemon come through with an inviting pitch, followed by notes of Bartlett pear, Fuji apple, fresh herbs, and lemon zest, to give you a refreshing style of Chardonnay that will match up well with grilled chicken and seafood dishes. The slight hint of malolactic fermentation gives it depth and richness that is usually lacking for the under $12 category. This is definitely worth a taste.

GREAT FOOD FROM A GOOD FRIEND

This weekend, my wife's cousin and her family were in town for a 4th of July family reunion. My wife hasn't seen her cousin in over 12 years - which means I have never met the woman. So, always the bold-and-adventurous type (you can hear my wife laughing hysterically right now), I opted to check out our good friend Matt Buschle's new restaurant, Virgil's Cafe in Bellevue, KY (just east of Newport).

Matt was taking a break from the restaurant biz, working at a jewelry store next door to our Fort Thomas store. He'd tell us he was getting ready to open a new bistro down by the river, and months later, his new joint, Virgil's, is going strong. Specializing in using local produce and refurbished furniture and restaurant equipment, it's a really good place to eat, and it's really affordable too. And that goes a long way these days.

So my wife and I took her cousin, her cousin's husband and father-in-law, Friday night, and the restaurant was packed (though it is a very small restaurant). We were greeted warmly by the staff, including our bartender AND waiter, Chris, who was terrific throughout the night (though my wife gave him a jovially hard time). We sat next to the window in the kitchen, and Matt gave us a shout, and told us to sit back and relax.

My wife and her cousin caught up on things, while I got to know the family a little more. Dinner was fantastic, and the wait was not long at all. With a glass of Marquis Philips Holly's Blend, I delved into Matt's Huevos Rancheros, which was delicious from start-to-finish (I could eat Breakfast 24-7 anyway), while my wife had the signature BBQ Ribs with a cherry and cola BBQ sauce, and what her cousin's father-in-law called "Georgia Ice Cream" - cheddar grits. Everyone seems very happy with their choice in dinner, and the restaurant in general. Husband and father-in-law, both Cajun, praised Matt's shrimp and sausage gumbo as authentic cajun style.

It was a great evening made better by Chef Matt and the folks at Virgil's. You should definitely check it out at http://www.virgilscafe.com/.

GETTING PATRIOTIC WITH AMERICA'S GRAPE

For the 4th of July, I opted to go with something that could maintain my Italian tangent, as well as exemplify something truly American. The Pietra Santa Zinfandel 2005 is both a prime example of “America’s Grape” and an homage to its Italian (albeit truly Croatian) lineage. With notes of ripe red cherries and dark plums in the nose, you can almost sense it will marry well with burgers and steaks coming right off the grill. The red and black fruits persist on the palate, alongside touches of black pepper, sage, brambly blue and black berries, a splash of chocolate, Tabasco, and even a hint of espresso. There are earth and mineral notes in there for good measure, and the ripe, even-handed approach lends itself to a very satisfying, lingering finish. Fly those stars-and-stripes, shoot off some fireworks, grill out some meat, and celebrate Independence Day in style.

GOING NATIVE IN SICILY

The Grade: OUTSTANDING. The Mojo: Continuing with an Italian theme, I recently revisited the Cusumano Insolia 2007 from Sicily. This indigenous white grape creates a wine that one could say (and the importer, Vin Divino, does) is like a cross between a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay in flavor. Indeed, the wildflower aromas you get when you first smell this wonderful white wine is quite nice. There are hints of lemon zest and fresh herbs as well. On the palate, you are greeted with lush, ripe tropical fruits like guava, mango, pineapple and orange, with notes of star anise, butter cookie, and even a sprig of thyme. It’s a lively, refreshing white wine that pairs up well with light white fish, shellfish, light chicken, or even some eggplant parmesan. It cries out for a warm summer night on the deck.