Recipe of the Week: Sweet and Spicy Maple Glazed Pecans

Sweet and Spicy Maple Glazed Pecans

I’m not saying you need to have these ready made all the time but it might not be a bad idea. Perfect for snacking or adding to any salad for a bit of crunch and flavor.


Ingredients

• Butter (for the pan)   ***
• 1 pound unsalted pecans   ***
• 3 Tbs melted butter    ***
• 1/4 cup Sweet Sophie Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup   ***
• 1 Tbs brown sugar
• 3/4 tsp salt    ***
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

*** In stock at The Wine and Cheese Place Forsyth

Preparation:Set the oven at 375. Lightly butter a rimmed baking dish. In a bowl, toss the pecans with the melted butter, maple syrup, sugar, salt, and cayenne. Transfer the nuts to the baking sheet. Bake, tossing often, for 10-12 minutes, until browned and fragrant. Cool on the baking sheet.

Adapted from Epicurious

New Absinthe from France

In stock and online

Absinthe La Muse Verte...$63.99

This original family recipe from the early 1900s is the result of tedious research and delicate blending of about eight plants, reminiscent in flavor and color of the original absinthe. The Grande Absinthe (wormwood) brings out the fresh bitterness but it really is the secret blending with the other plants that gives a perfect balance between the bitterness, the alcohol and the aromas.   This product brings us back a century, to the times of the Muse Verte, with artists such as Beaudelaire, Verlaine, Hemingway, Van Gough and Rimbaud...


The quality

• It’s one of the rare absinthe on the market with a historical alcohol content of 68%.
• It’s the only absinthe made with totally fresh cut baby absinthe leaves (used within 5mn of harvest) grown on the property, a unique particularity from the original recipe, which gives it this beautiful luminescent jade color.
• Each plant in La Muse Verte Absinthe is carefully selected and is steeped in neutral alcohol of various alcohol content depending on the plant, in order to extract its best essential oil. All the infusions are then assembled with great care over different periods of time. Some of the plants macerate for more than 3 weeks. The final product undergoes a meticulous decantation and natural filtration process with wool and paper, just like in the ancient times: quality comes first.

Tasting Notes 
Plants : grande absinthe, star anise, lemon balm, sage, fennel, hyssop, etc...
Color : bright jade green
Nose : subtle vegetal notes and hints of spring scent.
Palate : herbaceous underwood, floral, spicy hints of anise.
Preparation : 6 to 8 volumes of water for 1 volume of Muse Verte Absinthe.

Note 
La Muse Verte Absinthe contains no sugar, no additives and is entirely natural. That is the reason why it is packaged in a black opaque bottle so that the light does not spoil its color or taste.

Outstanding Ojai!

We only have a few cases of each in stock now at Forsyth!

call 314.727.8788

Great value in Chardonnay!!
2010 Ojai Vineyard Chardonnay Santa Barbara County...$24.99
The 2010 Chardonnay is drop-dead gorgeous. White flowers, peaches and crushed rocks are some of the notes that take shape in the glass. Beautiful, rich and round, yet pure Ojai in its brilliance, the 2010 impresses for its balance and harmony. This stellar appellation wine is a blend of young vine fruit from Solomon Hills and Sanford & Benedict.
Rated 92/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
2009 Ojai Vineyard Syrah Bien Nacido....$37.99
A deep, inky wine, the 2009 Syrah Bien Nacido completely saturates the palate with blue/blackish fruit. Savory notes appear over time, but the 2009 remains dominated by its power, depth and structure. Not a shy wine by any means, the 2009 is going to require at least a few years in bottle, but it is striking, even today.
Rated 96/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media


2011 Ojai Vineyard Pinot Noir Bien Nacido....$37.99
No review on this one yet, but the previous year,  2010 scored 97 points from Antonio Galloni

Signatory - new release

In stock at Forsyth and online

Signatory Edradour UnChill Filtered 2000.... $56.99

ABV: 46% 

Age: 10 years

Distilled: 2000

Bottled: 2010 Bottles made: 870 

Signatory Auchentoshan UnChill Filtered 1999.... $49.99

Matured in: Bourbon barrel

ABV: 46% 

Age: 13 years

Distilled:' 1999

Bottled: 2013 

Bottles made: 264 

Signatory Highland Park UnChill Filtered 1991....$73.99

Matured in: Sherry butt

ABV: 46%

Age: 21 years old

Distilled: 1991 

Bottled: 2013

Bottles made: 687 

Signatory Laphroaig UnChill Filtered 1998...$77.99

Matured in: Hogshead

ABV: 46%

Age: 14 Years

Distilled: 1998

Bottles made: 303 

CASK STRENGTH

Signatory Caol Ila Cask Strength 1999....$104.99

Matured in: Bourbon

ABV: 58.4% 

Age: 13 years old

Distilled: 1999

Bottles made: 226

Signatory Bowmore 24 Year Old Cask Strength 1985...$169.99 

Matured in: hogshead

ABV: 53.8%

Age: 24 years old

Distilled: 1985 

Bottles made: 222 

Signatory Craigduff 33 year old Cask Strength 1973...$224.99

Matured in: Sherry cask

ABV: 47.5%Age: 33 years old

Distlled: 1973

Bottles produced: 371

Signatory Glenisla 29 Year Old Cask Strength 1977....$266.99

Matured in: bourbon barrel

ABV: 50.0% 

Age: 29 years old

Distilled: 1977

Bottles produced: 255

2010 Tignanello is in stock

2010 Tignanello is in stock and online

2010 Antinori Tignanello Toscana....$79.99

Antinori's 2010 Tignanello is stunning, as it has been since I started tasting the component wines in 2011. Firm yet sweet, silky tannins form the backbone for this gorgeous, vivid wine. Dark red cherries, plums, cloves, mint and sage inform a Tignanello that impresses for its delineation, nuance and power. Clean, saline notes support the mineral-drenched finish. The 2010 isn't huge, but rather is a vertical wine endowed with tremendous energy and vibrancy. I can't remember a Tignanello with this much crystalline tension and pure energy. Simply put, the 2010 Tignanello is a magnificent, towering wine from Antinori.

Rated 96/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media


One of the best Tignanellos ever made. Aromas of currants and blueberries with hints of flowers. Full body, with fine tannins and a refined finish. A red that delivers balance and beauty. Rich and gorgeous. Best Tignanello in years. Blend of sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon. Better in 2015.

Rated 96/100 James Suckling

Wine Education: Cotes du Rhone vs. Cotes du Rhone Villages

Wine Tasting at all FOUR locations

Taste Cotes du Rhone and CDR Villages  at all four of our locations this Saturday, 
August 10 from 11am-4pm.

(each store will also have other wines out to taste)

A little more education: We are going to try to feature either a grape or a wine region each week at our stores. We will give you some background information on the grape or region and feature a wine that highlights what we are featuring. We will taste that wine on Saturday at all four of our locations. We will post it here in our blog and send it out in our emails - click here to sign up for our emails

We have started a new label "Education" that you can hit to read all the education articles (see the right column under the heading "labels".

Wine Region:  Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Villages

Cotes du Rhone Villages is a AOC in Southern Rhone.  It consists of Cotes du Rhone communes that are deemed to be superior regions for producing Cotes du Rhone (think Classico region of Chianti).  They are considered better than "regular" Cotes du Rhone, but a step below Chateauneuf du Pape.    It is actually a very large area including the villages of Seguret, Cairanne, St. Gervais,  Chusclan, Laudun and Saint-Maurice.   Obviously, Cotes du Rhone Villages garners a much higher price.  

Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages was established as AOC in 1967.   The wines are labeled Cotes du Rhone Villages plus they will list their commune.

Regulations are a little stricter than straight Cotes du Rhone:

They must have an alcohol level of at least 12.5%, yields are required to be lower and the blend of grapes is stricter.

village name ------

We will taste some new wines from Cotes du Rhone
2012 Domaine de Servans Cotes du Rhone....$12.99
Technical Notes: The grapes for this wine are organically grown

Tasting Notes: In 2012 the Graniers decided to slightly increase the percentage of Syrah in their blend. This small 6% increase has given the wine added depth and concentration, without sacrificing balance in the wine. In the mouth, rich blackberry notes give way to red cherry and black pepper spice. Even with the increased percentage of Syrah, the tannins are very supple and round in the finish. This is a classic example of a Côtes du Rhône, ideal for backyard barbeque, burgers on the grill, or even pizza.



2011 Domaine de L'Echevin Cotes du Rhone Villages St. Maurice....$19.99
80% Syrah and 20% Grenache
Tasting Notes: Domaine de l’Echevin’s regular Saint-Maurice is a beautiful expression of their terroir. The wine is dominated by the Syrah, which gives the wine its black fruit character. However, the Grenache comes through with hints of red cherry and black pepper notes. Finally, ripe soft tannins round out the wine’s finish. This is a bold, but balanced red, ideally suited to grilling. The smoky character of the Syrah in this wine lends itself to smoked meats like dry rubbed ribs, and brisket. This wine is rich enough to stand up to bold flavors, while maintaining enough acidity to cut through the fat of heavier dishes.

2011 Domaine de L'Echevin Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouville Saint Maurice...$22.99

Tasting Notes: The first thing one notices with this wine is its intense, dark black color. With its predominance of Syrah, this wine is full of deep blackberry, black current, and plum aromas and flavors. In spite of its amazing concentration, the wine is beautifully balanced and complex in the mouth. The black fruit flavors mix with hints of garrigue spice, olive, and black pepper making this an ideal wine for grilled meats, game, and it is especially good with lamb.

Our best value in Rhone

2012 Domaine de Servans Cotes du Rhone....$12.99
 With so many over ripe and over extracted Grenache-based wines on the market, Domaine de Servans’ Côtes du Rhône is a great example of what a handcrafted wine, made primarily from Grenache, should be. Red fruit and garrigue notes dominate the nose. In the mouth, red cherry and black pepper flavors mix with hints of blackberry and cassis flavors from the Syrah. The combination of fruit, spice, and soft tannins make this a great everyday Côtes du Rhône. This is a perfect wine for a casual meal of burgers, barbeque, or pizza.

The Wine Spectator report on 2012 Rhone:

Promising grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Roussane, Viognier
Analysis: While most of France's major wine regions struggled in 2012, the Rhône stands apart. Vintners are positive after a growing season and harvest marked by dry, sunny weather and well-timed rains. “By end of August some spots were starting to show water deprivation. But a little rain at the beginning of September allowed the ripening process to conclude its course and harvest started at a normal, or maybe a tad late date,” said Michel Gassier, whose Château de Nages in Côstières de Nîmes produces a range of excellent value red and whites. Rhône vignerons have grown accustomed to a pattern of late harvests that stretch into October with good weather, allowing grapes to ripen fully even in tricky weather conditions.

Great new Rhones....

New Rhones-- first time in St. Louis

In stock and online now

2011 Domaine de L'Echevin Cotes du Rhone Villages....$19.99
80% Syrah and 20% Grenache
Domaine de L’Echevin’s Saint-Maurice is a densely packed, dark wine. Dominated by black fruit flavors from the Syrah, the wine exudes blackberry and cassis fruit flavors that are tempered by hints of cherry, black pepper, and garrigue notes from the Grenache. The wine is silky and long, with very firm tannins in the finish. In spite of the wine’s deep extraction, it also has bright acidity that, in addition to making it an excellent paring with grilled meats, should also greatly add to its longevity.

(2010 vintage scored 91/100 The Wine Spectator)

2011 Domaine de L'Echevin Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouville...$22.99

2011 not reviewed yet...but the last two vintages...

2010:  "Dark and rich, but with lovely detail, as charcoal and black tea hints underscore layers of dark plum, blackberry paste and warm fig sauce. Very alluring, with a suave finish. Drink now through 2015. 834 cases made. –JM" - Rated 92/100 The Wine Spectator

2009: This has dark, layered cassis, blackberry and fig fruit offset wonderfully by violet, iron and apple wood notes. Shows heft, but stays racy, with a long, mineral-filled finish that should stretch out nicely with modest cellaring. Drink now through 2016. 834 cases made. –JM" - Rated 92/100 The Wine Spectator

More about the estate:François Fabre and his son Adrien own and operate Domaine de l’Echevin in Saint-Maurice. 
Domaine de l’Echevin gets its name from a distinguished member of François Fabre’s family, Guillaume de Rouville, the Échevin (Alderman) of Lyon in 1589. Today the labels of Domaine de l’Echevin proudly bare the 16th century crest of Guillaume de Rouville. The wines are vinified at the Fabre’s modern winery in Visan. The winery is, by design, an impressive blend of new and old technology. François put in place a gravity fed system for moving the grapes, which are loaded into a crusher/de-stemmer that is on tracks, suspended above the tanks. The crusher/de-stemmer then moves down the tracks to a desired location, and drops the grapes directly into the tank by gravity. This ingenious system saves time, labor, and allows the grapes to be processed in a short amount of time which helps prevent oxidation. At Domaine de l’Echevin the vines are protected on most sides by woods and an olive grove to the west. Since they work organically, the woods serve as an excellent buffer-zone from other non-organic producers.

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp

In stock now at Forsyth!

Limited - in store pick up only

2013 Sierra Nevada Beer Camp
Due to the limited amount we have, a few people requested we switch to 6 bottles per person.
$9.49 for 2 bottles of each

Our Beer Camp® brewhouse is where our best ideas are born. Here, we develop recipes, try new techniques and turn concepts into new beers. At Beer Camp, we invite our biggest fans to the brewery for a week of in-depth, hands-on learning. Each camp challenges our brewers to make a new and unique beer—the crazier the ingredients the better. Each year, we release some of our favorite Beer Camp creations in the bottle, but mostly, the beers are very limited draught-only rarities. If you see one at a bar near you, search out the lucky camper, buy them a beer and get their stories first hand because while the beers may disappear quickly, the memories will last a lifetime.

Hermitage Single Hop

The Single Hop Series continues....

in stock and online

Hermitage Brewing Calypso....$5.99 / 22oz
Calypso hops are a dual purpose hop that was originally bred from the Nugget hop varietal. These large, square-ish hops have an alpha acid content of approximately 12% – 14%. Prized for their fruity character, we at HBC are excited to bring this hop to our single hop series.
Calypso has a resinous hop bitterness that lasts well into the finish. It has a fruity and earthy hop character that has hints of pear, melon, with a light spicy finish.
7% ABV / 70 IBUs

2009 Silver Oak in stock now

2009 Silver Oak - in stock now!

order online

2009 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon...$59.99 intro price

Our 2009 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a complex wine with berry and floral aromatics and a lovely structure. It has a dark, ruby color and a vibrant nose of black cherry, wisteria and sweet baking spices. On the palate, the wine is elegant and expressive and echoes the berry, floral and spice notes from the nose. It has a classic structure of fine grained tannins and a long, layered finish. Given proper cellaring, this wine should give drinking pleasure through 2032.

Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen

Yes, it is here, one of the best in this style!

The History of Oktober Fest-MarzenBavarians have been celebrating the harvest with beer festivals since before the 1400s. Märzen is brewed in March to be ready for the September and October beer festivals.

Taste: Rich, golden color. Slightly sweet, malty nose. Medium to big body and alcohol. Soft dryness from long maturation.

Sam Adams Boston Lager

Sam Adams Boston Lager in stock now in their new can.

INTRODUCING THE SAM CAN!

It’s been Jim’s mission to always do what’s best for the beer and the beer drinking experience. So, before we put Samuel Adams Boston Lager® into cans, we spent two years working to develop the best can we could for our beer. We believe that the changes, though small, deliver the beer so that the flavor and overall experience is a bit closer to drinking from a glass.

So now you can enjoy Samuel Adams Boston Lager in places that glass bottles cannot go.
The features of this can enhance the flavor of the beer and create a smoother, more comfortable drinking experience: 

• A wider lid provides more air flow resulting in a slightly smoother taste
• The opening is slightly further from the edge of the lid, making the opening closer to your nose and allowing more of the beers aroma to reach your nose
• An extended lip places beer at the front of your palate to maximize enjoyment of the malt sweetness of our Boston Lager
• An hourglass ridge creates turbulence which pushes flavor out of the beer (also similar to the design of our Perfect Pint glass)

A couple of new Bourbons

Available online

Lexington Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey....$21.99 / 750ml
At 86 proof, Lexington Bourbon combines the highest quality select grains of rye, malted barley and corn with purified water. The rye provides the perfect level of spice, while the malted barley allows the sweetness of the corn to peak through, creating a sensational taste.  The resulting flavor boasts deep aromas of the aged oak with a hint of vanilla.
With a rating of 95 by Tasting Panel Magazine, Lexington Bourbon is guaranteed to make a serious impression on your palate with every sip.

Calumet Farm Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey....$46.99
86 proof
Bottled from hand selected barrels, Calumet has a customary mash bill of corn, rye and malted barley that offers a sweet, flawless finish. Glowing with butterscotch and soft oak, Calumet’s harmonious perfection of wood and caramel is admirably balanced with complex flavors of light brown sugar and soft white pepper.

In 1924, William Monroe Write, a successful entrepreneur and owner of Calumet Baking Powder Company, established a farm in the beautiful Bluegrass pasturelands of Lexington Kentucky. The farm would go on to to win eight (8) Kentucky Derbies and two (2) Triple Crowns. It's with these high standards that Calumet Farm Bourbon Whiskey embodies the tradition and excellence of Kentucky Bourbon and thoroughbred racing.

Oktoberfest 2013

Oktoberfests are also arriving...

Sam Adams Oktoberfast in bottles and CANS

Big Eddy Uber Oktoberfest

Sam Adams Fall mix 12 pack - 

• Boston Lager
• Octoberfest
• Hazel Brown
• Lattitude 48 IPA 
• Harvest Pumpkin
• Ruby Mild

Buffalo Trace

Stop by Forsyth and help us pick our next 2 barrels of Buffalo Trace!

The samples are here!

Non-Alcoholic Whiskey?

We have these samples?  Non Alcoholic whiskey and vodka? 

 Is there any interest in such a thing?

Come in to Forsyth and taste if you like.  Not sure if we will stock them or not.

Founders All Day IPA

Founders All Day IPA back in stock and fresh....
Plus all the rest of the "regular" Founders is back in stock!

Founders All Day IPA...$8.99 / 6pk

The beer you’ve been waiting for. Keeps your taste satisfied while keeping your senses sharp. An all-day IPA naturally brewed with a complex array of malts, grains and hops. Balanced for optimal aromatics and a clean finish. The perfect reward for an honest day’s work and the ultimate companion to celebrate life’s simple pleasures.

ABV: 4.7%

IBUs: 42

The Wine and Cheese Place Ballwin remodel...

We are not done yet, but we are increasing our liquor and beer selection at our Ballwin location.

We are adding over 50 more single malt scotches

We are adding over 20 more Bourbons

more of everything.

The Wine and Cheese Place

14748 Clayton Road

Ballwin MO, 63011

636.227.9001

Now they stock over 30 different bitters for your mixing pleasure.

Stay tuned for some great tastings and events when we are done!

Leave us a comment on a product you would like to see out there!

or call Kevin (636) 227.9001

Crabtree Golden 8

Order Crabtree online

Crabtree Au8 Golden 8....$11.99 / 750ml

Golden 8 Symphony of delight, complex in design, powerful in presence. Brewed with Belgian candy sugar, Fuggle hops, the finest malted barley, and pure Trappist yeast. Aged for four months, this ale will cellar for up to three years and grow in perfection over time.