96 Point Chateau de Beuacastel

Back in stock!

2010 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape...$79.99 / 750ml
2010 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauenuf du Pape...$49.99 / 375ml

Dark, dense and very closed now, this has a tremendous core of crushed plum, linzer torte and blackberry confiture waiting in reserve. Ample singed cedar and mesquite, warm paving stone and black tea notes lurk in the background and glide through the finish. Features serious grip, but wonderful integration. Should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2016 through 2035. 7,500 cases made. –JM

Rated 96/100 The Wine Spectator

#8 Wine of the Year 2013

The Wine Spectator

Tyrconnel Single Malt - "Finished Casks"

These arrived before St. Patrick's day and sold fast - more in stock now

Tyrconnel Single Malt Irish Whiskey 10yr Sherry Casks...$72.99
"Initially matured in American oak and finished in SHERRY casks to impart further depth and flavour creating a complex nose of sherry, honey and citrus notes that accompanies the rich, deep colour of this aged single malt.  A smooth, creamy, full bodied flavour emerges with hints of nuts and sherry that slide into a long oak finish."

Tyrconnel Single Malt Irish Whiskey 10yr Madeira Casks...$72.99
"Initially matured in American oak and finished in MADEIRA casks to impart further depth and flavour creating an inviting single malt with a rich amber glow.  The extra aging and Madeira cask finsih produce a silky sweet taste with hints of spice accompanied by raisin, fruit tones and honey with along warm finish." 

Tyrconnel Single Malt Irish Whiskey 10yr Port Casks...$72.99
"Initially matured in American oak and finished in PORT casks to impart further depth and flavour creating an inviting Single Malt with a deep antique copper colouring.  The extra aging and port cask finish produce a silky sweet taste of rich fruits, honey and spice with a beautiful lingering oak finish."

Beer News...

Rock Hill - in stock now
Goose Island The Illinois Imperial IPA...$11.99 / 4pk
Crooked Stave Surette Provision...$8.99 / 375ml
Crooked Stave Vieille Artisanal...$8.99 / 375ml
Freigeist Geisterzug Gose...$4.49 / pint
Ritterguts Gose...$5.49 / pint
Fantome Saison Hiver...$12.99
Mikkeller Keeper American Pilsner....$8.99 / 4pk (12oz CANS)
Mikkeller Better Half American IPA...$8.99 / 4pk (12oz CANS)
Perennial 17 Mint Chocolate Stout

New Ballas - in stock now

Perennial 17 Mint Chocolate Stout
Boulevard Chocolate Ale

(Forsyth now has some Boulevard Chocolate Ale in stock now too, I took some from New Ballas :)

London Vodka - Gold Medal winner

London Vodka....$13.99 / 750ml
TASTING NOTES
Aroma:  Rich, full-bodied, clean, with distinctive aromas of grains and cracked pepper spirit note tingle.
Taste:  A touch of sweetness to the very clean, soft mouthful, with slight grain notes and black pepper.
Finish:  Clean, crisp finish, with a lively cracked black pepper tingle.

Gold Medal Winner
Following a rigorous assessment by ISC (a highly controlled process held over seven days of intense blind tastings by a panel of 50 international industry professionals) London Vodka was chosen as an “Excellent product of superb standard” and officially recognised as one of the best tasting vodkas in the world.  London Vodka deservedly represents the pinnacle of the British vodka-making tradition.  Produced exclusively from the finest East Anglia wheat and quadruple distilled to create the perfect balance of character and purity, it is the authentic expression of a quintessentially British vodka.  Completely additive-free and blended with purest English water, London vodka combines a century of spirits producing expertise with an uncompromising commitment to its unique, authentic recipe and production method.  These are the features that give London Vodka exclusive privilege and pride to be «wearing the Union Jack».

Cabo Diablo Coffee Liqueur

Cabo Diablo Coffee Liqueur...$19.99 / 750ml 

Coffee Liqueur made with tequila BiancoCabo Tequila's founder was a man who charted his own course. To him, his way was the only way. When he couldn't find a tequila that was to his liking, he sought the means to create his own. The result was a lusted-after tequila, strongly rooted in his rebellious ideals. To the legion of Cabo drinkers, it was more than "just" an award-winning tequila. It was a way of life—a Cabo way of life.

Cabo Diablo is the ultimate expression of this innovative, free spirit. Unadulterated good times—your way. A sweet balance of coffee essences with an unmistakable, reassuring tequila kick. Deceptively smooth. Enticing and unpredictable. Always lively. A devilish mix.

So, to those who want to stir things up…to never settle…to dance with Diablo: Cheers. Let's dance.

Comte Lafon 2012

New Releases from Domaine Comte Lafon

2012 Les Heritiers du Comte Lafond Macon Milly Clos du Four...$36.99 

2012 Les Heritiers du Comte Lafon Vire-Clesse...$38.99

We just received two new offering from Superstar Burgundy producer Domanique Lafon's Macon winery Les Heritiers du Comte Lafon:

"Leading Meursault producer Dominique Lafon was the first leading light of the Côte d'Or to take white Mâcon so seriously that he set up shop there - buying an existing domaine in the folds of the western hills in Milly-Lamartine way back in 1999." - Jancis Robnsinon

Don't miss a chance to try the 2012 Les Heritiers du Comte Lafond Macon Milly Clos du Four which Domanique Lafon describes as his Mâconnais equivalent of Meursault-Perrières (which sells for over $250 a bottle if you can ever find it). We only have 24 bottles available $36.99.
Also from Les Heritiers du Comte Lafon the 2012 Vire-Clesse $38.99 which is from vines planted in the 1960s

Great red wine!

2010 Domaine Roche Audran Côtes du Rhône “Cuvée César” Rouge...$22.99
The vines for the César range from 55 to 100 years old and the grapes are hand-picked

Though the Cuvée Cesar only qualifies for the basic Côtes du Rhône appellation, it is one of Vincent's top wines. His very old Grenache vines produce a wine packed with black raspberry, black pepper, with hints of cassis fruit, all supported by firm ripe tannins. In the nose plum, red and black cherry, and garrigue spices mingle together. While the “Cuvée César” is a relatively lush and generous wine, it is also a wine built for the long term. So drink it now with a nice steak au poivre, or wait a few years and try it with venison or duck breast. 

Our favorite red blend....

2011 Puydeval Red Blend...$14.99

58% Cabernet Franc, 28% Syrah, 14% Merlot.

A distinctive blend crafted by winemaker Jeff Carrel, Puydeval is based on Cabernet Franc, which thrives in the cooler microclimates of the generally hot Languedoc region of Southern France. This iconic, eponymous, and admittedly unusual wine has quickly gained a fervent following for its originality and for delivering outstanding value.
Tasting Notes: Big, rich, concentrated and intense. A ripe, polished and well-balanced wine, offering spicy aromas of black cherry and blackberry, with hints of anise, and just a touch of earthy character.
Serve With: A truly original red, it will complement most meals, especially pizza, elaborate burgers, grilled portabella mushrooms or lamb kabobs.

Recipe of the Week: Welsh Rarebit

Welsh Rarebit


(adapted from the FoodNetwork.com)

• 2 tablespoons butter ***
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (not whole grain, for a smooth sauce)  ***
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt  ***
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ***
• 1/2 cup Porter beer (Founders, Bells....) ***
• 3/4 cup heavy cream 
• 6 ounces (approximately 1 1/2 cups) shredded Cheddar (Tilamook for the correct color)  ***
• 2 drops hot sauce (D.L. Jardines texas Champagne) ***
• Sliced toasted rye bread or baguette ***

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

In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and whisk in the flour. Cook, whisking constantly for 2 to 3 minutes, being careful not to brown the flour. Whisk in mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add beer and whisk to combine. Pour in cream and whisk until well combined and smooth. Gradually add cheese, stirring constantly, until cheese melts and sauce is smooth; this will take 4 to 5 minutes. Add hot sauce. Pour over toast and serve.

Wine Education: Tuscany

Wine Tasting at all FOUR locations
March 22 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

On our blog, click on the label "Education" and you can read all of the education articles (see the right column under the heading "labels"


Appellation Focus Tuscany
Tuscany (Toscana in Italian) is perhaps the most famous of all Italian wine regions. This fact has no doubt been perpetuated by the romance of the region's endless rolling hills and cypress-lined country roads, but it is nonetheless home to some of the world’s most prestigious wines.

Situated in central Italy, Tuscany's neighbors are Emilia-Romagna to the north and Umbria and Lazio to the south and east. It also shares a short border with Liguria as it stretches up the Tyrrhenian coast, and Marche as it pushes eastwards towards the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea on the other side of the Italian Peninsula. As is the case with almost all of Italy's 20 regions, Tuscan wine has a rich, diverse history and origins which can be traced back as far as the fifth century BC.

Today, Tuscany is at the forefront of oenological excellence and offers the world an array of internationally acclaimed wines such as the archetypal Chianti, as well as the renownedBrunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Alongside Piedmont and Veneto, this region houses a strong complement of DOCGs and more than 30 DOCs, including the likes of Rosso di Montalcino, Bolgheri and Pomino.


Come taste a Wine and Cheese Place favorite this weekend

2010 Villa Antinori Toscana...$15.99
92/100 The Wine Spectator

Stone Enjoy by 04.20.14

Stone Enjoy By 04.20.14 IPA...$6.49 / 22oz
Style: Double IPA ABV: 9.4% 

Bottled On: 03.15.14
You have in your hands a devastatingly fresh double IPA. While freshness is a key component of many beers - especially big, citrusy, floral IPAs - we've taken it further, a lot further, in this IPA. You see, we specifically brewed it NOT to last. We've not only gone to extensive lengths to ensure that you're getting this beer in your hands within an extraordinarily short window, we made sure that the Enjoy By date isn't randomly etched in tiny text somewhere on the label, to be overlooked by all but the most attentive of retailers and consumers. Instead, we've sent a clear message with the name of the beer itself that there is no better time than right now to enjoy this IPA.

Amager Bryghus Sinner Series Beers

Amager Bryghus Lust....$9.99 / pint 
Strong Belgian Ale
9.2%
Deep amber, full-bodied and sweet with a very subdued bitterness.
This strong Belgian ale is so sweet, that we are not afraid to call it pure lust bottled. During the brewing process was the mood so wild that brewer Jacob and brews Morten erupted in large quantities spontaneous kisses to each other. If it had suddenly the doorbell rang, it was certainly not stopped by kindkyssene. This beer is so voluptuous that we can not guarantee the consequences if you serve it to her boyfriend by candlelight: it may well end up in a lengthy dependents. We have brewed a beer with the most sensual sugars we could find in the net and we have seasoned it with reputable aphrodisiacs such as Spanish fly, oysters and powdered deer penis. Or, too, we are just full of lies ...
We're proud to be sinners, but at least we are open about it ...

Amager Bryghus Pride...$9.99 / pint
Rated 98/100 RateBeer

Imperial Stout
10%
Deep black, very full-bodied with rich chocolate tones, velristet bitterness.
We thought long and hard about what beer would make us most proud to brew in the series of sinful beer. If you know Amager Brewery, you know that Imperial Stout has a unique role to play in our hearts. Therefore, any "Pride" simply be an Imperial Stout. What is special with this version is that we cooked it as in the hell ..... Actually we cooked it for the full 6 hours, which means an even stronger, richer beer. We will never dare to call it a perfect Imperial Stout - it would be to bring pride in disturbing proximity of pride.Nevertheless, we hope that you may enjoy this proud beer.
We're proud to be sinners, but at least we are open about it ...

Amager Bryghus Wrath...$10.99 pint 
Saison
6.5%
Reddish amber, dominated by fresh notes of berries, slightly acidic.
Saisoner is in. Saisoner is hip. Simply. No one has yet given the quite good explanation for this extremely traditional Belgian beer styles suddenly enjoying a rapid growth among toneangivede ølnørder. Except of course that it is an extremely delicate drink in all its refined simplicity. But we have committed a sin. We could not help it. Indeed, we have poured our Amager variant of Saison on a wooden barrels.We hope that the tannins from the wood and the noble Pinot Noir grapes gives a swollen appearance extra twist. We know that we may call upon Saison-fundamentalists angry with this prank. But to be honest, we do not care.
We're proud to be sinners, but at least we are open about it ...

Ginger Libation

Green River Ambrosia Ginger Libation...$13.99 / 750ml

Ginger Libation: Our hugely popular Libation is somewhat like a spicy alcoholic ginger soda, but you’ve just gotta try for yourself! Sweetened with cane sugar, pineapple and citrus juices (not a mead), it’s fruity, bubbly and delicious. bottle conditioned. 9% abv.

Fantome Hiver is back!

Fantome Saison Hiver...$12.99

Fantôme’s winter offering, available December through March or so. Brewer Dany Prignon changes his receipes every year, so we can’t so for sure what this year’s beer will be like, but it is sure to please lovers of Dany’s beers.
Style: Saison
ABV: 8.00%

Schlafly Pale Ale CANS

NEW CANS!!!

Schlafly Pale Ale...$14.99 / 12pk
Our flagship Pale Ale is a smooth, balanced, copper-colored session beer with mildly spiced flavor and aroma from the East Kent Goldings hops. The bready, lightly caramel malt complements the hint of fruitiness contributed by the London Ale yeast, making it satisfying and authentic; the perfect flagship beer for Schlafly.

Sixteenth century brewers created amber beers by using a form of coal called coke to roast their grains. Coke burns hotter and more steadily than wood without imparting the foul odors from coal. It allowed brewers to produce caramel malts that were paler alternatives to the common brown porters. At about the same time, Flemish migrants introduced hops to English beers and soon this ale became the chosen style of England from the mid-16th century until the end of the 20th century. Today, brewers outside England have adopted the Pale Ale and made it one of the leading styles of the American craft beer movement.

Freigeist Germans -

Freigeist Geisterzug Gose...$4.49 / pint
Based on a recipe dating back at least six hundred years, this is Freigeist’s quirky version of the nearly-extinct traditional sour beer of Leipzig. “Geisterzug” (“Ghost Train”) spruced gose is unusually complex, funky, and full-bodied, the perfect modern-day medieval German ale.
Style: Gose
ABV: 5.20%

Freigeist Pimock Hefeweizen...$3.99 / pint
Weizenbier is an outsider (or “Pimock”) in Cologne, as any Bavarian would be. But there is a Rhineland slant to this wheat beer-a Kölsch yeast replaces the traditional weizen one, and an unusually heavy dose of hops is added, resulting in a drier Weisse, with none of the typical banana and clove notes typical of a Bavarian wheat beer.
Style: Hefeweizen
ABV: 5.30%

Freigeist Ottekolong Kolsch...$3.99 / pint
Rich, hoppy, and complex, Ottekolong (“Eau de Cologne”) Kölsch is a traditional version of the city’s local specialty. Ironically, this peerless quaffing ale, scandalously unfiltered and extra-hopped, is too traditional to be accepted as a “legal” Kölsch. We think it’s the best beer in town, frankly.
Style: Kölsch
ABV: 4.80%

De Molen - highly rated beers

De Molen Hemel & Aarde...$6.99 / 11.2oz
Translation: Heaven & Earth

Rated 99/100 RateBeer

Made with the most heavily peated malt in the world from the Bruichladdich distillery. Almost pitch black and opaque, small head. Furiously peated aroma, hiding the malt, licorice and dark chocolate somewhat. Very full bodied, thick mouthfeel, like fluid bread. Dark chocolate, loads of peat, lapsang souchong tea, chocolate cake, culminating in an almost endless aftertaste that also has licorice.
Style Imperial Stout
ABV 10%

De Molen Tsarina Esra Imperial Porter...$8.99 / 11.2oz
Rated 100/100 Rate Beer (with over 500 ratings)
Imperial Porter is a rather recent style that arose simultaneously in both Europe and North America. In fact it's a stronger version of the Baltic Porters that were brewed in England for export to the Baltic countries. And Baltic Porters are in fact stronger than the regular English Porter. To but it in short: it's more of more. But they cannot be compared to their brothers the Imperial Stouts. They certainly have the same malty character but the heavy roasted malt is absent.
Style Imperial Porter
ABV 11.0%

De Molen/Ron Pattinson SSS Triple Stout...$4.99 / 11.2oz
Rated 97/100 RateBeer
"SSS Triple Stout was a collaborative brew betweenbrewmaster Menno Olivier and beer historian and respected blogger Ron Pattinson. The recipe is Pattinson's recreation of a triple stout from 1914 London. The original was brewed on July 8th 1914 right at World War I was beginning. Pattinson mentions that considering its strength, this original brew of SSS was very large - 230 barrels." -- importer

Mikkeller / Grassroots + Mexas Ranger + more

Mikkeller Collab with Grassroots Wheat is the new Hops...$4.99 / 11.2oz
Rated 97/100 RateBeer
An India Pale Ale brewed with wheat and fermented with brettanomyces

Mikkeller Mexas Ranger...$12.99 / 750ml
Rated 99/100 on RateBeer
Ale brewed with spices, almond milk, cocoa, chili, black beans, and avocado leaves

Mikkeller Spontan Beetroot....$11.99 / 375ml
In the spontan series we present Spontanbeetroot – this time, forming an alliance with sea beetroot that were generously added underway the brewing process, creating a truly unique and distinct, sour beer.

Aged at our barrel house in Belgium.
- Spontaneous fermented beer
- BA in oak barrels
-
- ABV: 7,7 %

Mikkeller Imperial Single Hop IPA - CITRA...$5.99 / 11.2oz

Rated 98/10 on RateBeer

8.9% ABV

Mikkeller Drink 'in the Snow....$4.49 / 11.2oz

Low alcohol 0.3% ABV

Mikkeller Collab with To Øl Betelgeuze + AK Alive + BreAKfast

Mikkeller Collab with To Øl Betelgeuze...$13.99 / 375ml
Rated 96/100 RateBeer
Dry Hopped Sour Ale aged in Oak Barrels
Dry Hops:

• Citra
• Centennial
• Amarillo
• Nelson Sauvin
• Galaxy
• Columbus
• Tomahawk
• Tettnang
• Belma
• Mandarina Bavaria
• Calypso
• Bravo

Mikkeller AK Alive Alaskan Wild Ale...$11.99 / 750ml

Brewed and Achorage Brewing in Alaska

Rated 97/100 RateBeer

Mikkeller / Anchorage Beer Geek BreAKfast...$12.99 / 750ml

Oatmeal stout brewed with coffee & fermented in oak tanks.

Mikkeller Dim Sum + Winbic + Cù’t Cà Phê Bia

Mikkeller Winbic...$12.99 / 750ml
Rated 95/100 RateBeer
Spontanale and Saison Blended

Mikkeller Cù’t Cà Phê Bia...$9.99 / 11.2oz
Imperial Stout brewed with Koppi Luwak Coffee

Rated 100/100 on RateBeer

Mikkeller Dim Sum Pilsner...$4.99 / 11.2oz

Pilsner style beer brewed with Coriander and Lemongrass

We are certainly many who long have believed that the beer drinking to Asian food must be small and on the edge of matter. But it does not anymore. At least not if you take on the Rice Market or Kiin Kiin. For who is it possible book a Dim Sum from Mikkeller for his food. Kiin Kiin is one of two Thai rasturanter in the world that has a star in the French Michelin Guide. It is Kiin Kiin Henrik Yde Andersen and Mikkel Borg Mountains which together have talked themselves out how Dim Sum to taste before Mikkeller brewed it. Dim Sum is a stock that is delicately flavored with lemon grass and coriander. English: Pilsner-style beer brewed with coriander and lemon grass.

Cambridge Brewing Spring Training IPA

Cambridge Brewing Spring Training IPA....$7.99 / 22oz
Spring Seasonal

CBC’s “Spring Training” breezes in like a breath of fresh air, ready to awaken your senses from a long, strange winter. Crafted of New England-grown pale and wheat malts to contribute to the beer’s complex body and hazy straw-golden color.

Ahtanum and Palisades hops, both relative newcomers on the hop varietal scene, were chosen for their essence of wildflowers and freshly-cut grass, evocative of floral springtime breezes. This is in contrast to the piney, earthy and resiny characteristics of most IPAs. But don’t worry that these “pretty” hops won’t deliver a strong punch- in addition to extensive kettle hopping the beer is dry-hopped with even more Ahtanums to satisfy your hop craving. Available only during the brief Boston springtime!

de La Senne Collab with Tired Hands Brewing Company

de La Senne Crushable Saison....$4.49 / 11.2oz
Rated 98/100 RateBeer
A collaboration brew between de La Senne brewery and Jean Broillet & Julie Foster from Tired Hands Brewing company, PA, USA

Crooked Stave is now at The Wine and Cheese Place

SOLD OUT

Crooked Stave Nightmare on Brett...$12.99
Nightmare on Brett Bourbon Barrel-aged – 100% Brettanomyces Baltic(ish) Porter, Aged in Leopold Bros. Whiskey Barrels!

Crooked Stave Surette Provision...$8.99 / 375ml 

"Artisan Ale aged in oak barrels.  Surette is a provision Saison with a tart and vinous character from extended barrel aging." - label 

Rated 98/100 on RateBeer

Crooked Stave Vieille Artisanal...$8.99 / 375ml

"Artisan Ale aged in oak barrels.  Vieille meaning "Old" is an artisan barrel-aged Saison, lightly dry hopped" -- label

Rated 99/100 RateBeer

SOLD OUT

Crooked Stave HopSavant ...$8.99 / 375ml 
"100% Brettanomyces Pale Ale. Dry Hopped Artisian Ale Fermented in Oak Foeders.
36% Citra, 36% Mosaic, 28% Simcoe. All versions of Hop Savant fall under this listing. Small hop changes in the boil are considered a tweak and any further dry hopping differences don’t constitute a new listing. This is confirmed via the brewer." -- Rated 99/100 RateBeer