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Saturday, March 26, 2011

Great CDPs...


In stock now at Forsyth


2008 Charvin Cahteauneuf du Pape....$41.99
The 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape is a sexy, medium to full-bodied effort with far more depth, richness and seductive powers than most Chateauneuf du Papes in this vintage. A classic blend of 85% Grenache and the rest equal parts Mourvedre, Syrah and Vaccarese has resulted in a deep plum/ruby-hued 2008 displaying loads of kirsch, pepper and licorice notes. The fruit is sweet, the tannins silky and the wine very seductive and evolved. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.

One of the most intelligent young Chateauneuf du Pape turks is Laurent Charvin. As I have written before, consumers are lucky that the entire production here is now estate bottled as opposed to being sold to negociants as it was prior to 1990. I always find Charvin’s wines come closest to those of Chateau Rayas, although the Charvin cuvees are slightly more concentrated.
Rated 90/100 The Wine Advocate


2008 Ferrand Chateauneuf du Pape....$38.99

An impressive example of the finest this vintage can offer, the 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 90% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre, Syrah and Cinsault from 80+-year-old vines aged in tank. The wine’s dark plum/garnet color is accompanied by a strikingly complex bouquet of grilled meat, seaweed, herbes de Provence, pepper, incense and abundant black currant and black cherry fruit. Medium to full-bodied and extremely perfumed with silky tannins as well as a long finish, it offers a smorgasbord of aromas and flavors that challenge the olfactory senses. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years.

Rated 91/100 The Wine Advocate




Friday, March 25, 2011

Sam Adams Longshot!

In stock now at Forsyth.


Sam Adams Longshot....$8.29 / 6pk
The 6 pack includes two bottles of each of the following beers.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Week #9 Pairing

Week #9

New for 2011 at The Wine and Cheese Place

Join us each Saturday at our Cheese Counter and taste the weekly pick of a cheese paired with a wine and a beer*. Each Saturday we will feature a cheese in our award winning cheese department at all 3 TWCP locations and have a wine and beer to taste that we feel is a great match.

It will be fun and informal just come in for a taste at the Cheese Counter.

Pairing cheese with wine or beer is an age old excercise and everybody has an opinion. First of all, there are no wrong answers. It is all about what you like. There is no sense in buying a cheese that you don't like because "an expert" said that it is the best match. The perfect match is the wine/beer you like and the cheese you like! But we will hope to give you a few guidelines and ideas to start your journey through the matching process. Join us each week for a new match.

Saturday, March 26 (12-4pm)
Featured Cheese:

Forsyth: Cabot Clothbound Cheddar
Rock Hill: Cabot Clothbound Cheddar
Ballwin: no pairing at Ballwin this week

Extra info about Cabot Clothbound Cheddar
The Cabot Clothbound Cheddar won Best of Class at the 2010 World Championship Cheese Contest! "Each week, 38-lb wheels of Cabot Cheddar are delivered to the Cellars at Jasper Hill in nearby Greensboro, VT to be cave-aged for 10 months. The result is an English-style, "Best of Show" Cheddar with rich buttery, caramel notes that will astound you." - Caboit


Wine: To match with this award winning Cheddar we are going match it with a medium oaked Chardonnay.
Forsyth: Sbragia Home Ranch Chardonnay
Rock Hill: Sbragia Home Ranch Chardonnay
Ballwin: no pairing this week in Ballwin

Extra info about the wine
Sbragia Home Ranch Chardonnay 2008

"About one mile from Dry Creek. this thirteen-acre vineyard benefits from temperatures. that are a bit cooler than most of the appellation. It makes wine that's very aromatic with nice bright fruit. pear and lemon and a bit of minerality on the finish." -- Sbragia


Beer: To match with this cheddar, we are going to use a English IPA..
Forsyth: Schlafly Export IPA
Rock Hill: Schlafly Export IPA

Ballwin: no pairing this weekend


Extra info about the beer
Schlafly Pilsner: St. Louis' own Schlafly makes a great "English style" IPA. It is maltier and not a hop bomb like "American Style" IPA. A perfect match with an English style cheddar

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94 point Cabernet

Available online also



2008 Beau Vigne Juliet Cabernet Sauvingon....$49.99
The less expensive 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Juliet (76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc from the parcel they called Juliet’s Bench) shows off winemaker Dave Phinney’s terrific, sexy, opulent, flamboyant style. Personality-wise, it is more like a 2007 than a 2008. Dense purple to the rim, with glorious notes of graphite and black cherry liqueur intermixed with cassis and blackberry, it possesses a subtle smokiness, a voluptuous texture, and a layered finish that should please both your hedonistic and intellectual senses. It will drink well for 15 or more years.

This is one of my favorite unheralded producers in Napa Valley. The wines have off-the-charts richness, great balance, and the potential (at least in the case of the Juliet and the Reserve) to be aged for 20 or more years. There is a striking purity and intensity to these wines that merits serious attention. They all come from a small nine-acre vineyard in the Stags Leap appellation.

Rated 94/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate





Wednesday, March 23, 2011

A new Big Worst from Mikkeller



First it was Big Bad Barley Wine
Second it was Big Worse Barley Wine
Next was Big Worst Barley Wine -- 17.6% ABV
Now a new Big Worst Barley Wine -- a whopping 18.5% ABV
I am told this is called the "Experimental Version". Cannot find much on it. It is a slightly different bottle and the beer looks to be lighter in color than the 17.6% version?


Both are in stock now
Mikkeller Big Worst....$12.99 / 12.7oz
18.5% ABV

Mikkeller Big Worst....$12.99 / 12.7oz
17.6% ABV


"In 2009, Mikkellers Black, kicked all other beers with 17.5% Alc. and was the strongest in Denmark so far. But now a new player is on the loose, and the name is Big Worst. The first batch is at 17.6% Alc., but Mikkel hope that new batches will go even higher, and is already in process." -- Mikkeller



New IPA from Mikkeller

Order Mikkeller online


Mikkeller Green Gold....$5.49 / 11.2oz
Mikkeller's Tribute to the green gold.

"Mikkeller is ready with yet another IPA that is not afraid to live up to its name. The hops is as it should be: aromatic, American and aggressive, so you do not have doubts about what you enjoy. For guests with Green Gold is up to. Caramel Malts sweetness and richness provides a delicious base that hits the taste buds before hop explosion sets in and is clearing up again, balancing the overall impression, so you only want to do one thing: even a sip. The delicious American hops Simcoe, amarillo and cascade provides plenty of citrus notes, but also to caress your tongue with peach and pine shades and lots of freshness." - RateBeer

Rated 99/100 RateBeer




Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Some Mikkeller returns...

Two popluar Mikkeller beers return....don't miss them this time!!!


Mikkeller Rauch Geek Breakfast....$9.49 / 16.9oz
Called Beer Geek Bacon in Europe.
Rated 99 percentile on RateBeer

Oatmeal Stout
Mikkellers Beer Geek Bacon has now been released in a bottle edition. Smoke malt, coffee and hops makes this beer a unique experience.




Mikkeller Koppi "Coffee IPA"....$12.99 / 750ml

"(Copenhagen, DENMARK) – Mikkel Borg Bjergsø reveals another ace up his sleeve.
Mikkel said that he has never heard of a “Coffee IPA” and, for what it is worth, I can’t say that I have either (though it could be out there). Mikkeller Koppi will be ready this winter according to the nomadic brewer.
The coffee (Guji Natural) is specially made by a coffee roaster called ‘Koppi‘ in Sweden. Mikkel opted to use Tomahawk hops in this one.
The beer is brewed at De Proef which is typical of Mikkeller beers and is packaged in 750s." --
info from Beernews.org

Check out this video....









De Molen - back in stock

Order De Molen online now

New batch is here, the first one went fast....
De Molen Heaven and Hell....$8.99 / 11.2oz
Heaven & Hell Imperial Stout
10.2% ABV
Brewed August 26, 2010
Bottled October 5, 2010
This beer will aged 25 years
50 cases made of this batch.
Each bottle finished in red wax.
Rated 99/100 RateBeer
Twice the amount of dark roasted malts used, massive Imperial stout. This is a mad one. Black brown colour with a thick and creamy tan head that can be added to as you wish if you give the bottle a swirl. Give this beer time to breathe and blossom into something truly stunning. Chocolate and alcohol are right there at the front but do not at all overpower the gorgeousness that is underneath. Full of leather, vanilla, amazing wooden notes, beautifully floral character from the hops, thick Belgian chocolate, much character. The flavour of crazy wooden tartness. An extremely bitter finish seems to come out of nowhere and is what really makes this quite unique. Superb width in the mouth and coats the whole palate beautifully.


De Molen Pek and Veren....$15.99 / 750ml
Tar & Feathers -- Smoked Barleywine
In the old west it was custom to treat crooks, quacks and charlatans with tar and feathers. Then they were driven out of town backwards on their horse or donkey. At least, if you can believe the Lucky Luke comics. Did you know that Louis Pasteur in the beginning of his career was regularly accused of quackery? And now he is regarded as one of the main founders of microbiology. Brewers to this day still much profit from his findings. But we do not like pasteurizing like many large breweries do because that kills the beer. Our Pek & Veren is a beer that is similar to a solid doppelbock with smoke flavour.


De Molen Bommen and Granaten....$9.99 / 11.2oz
Bombs and Granades - Barleywine
Rated 94/100 RateBeer
Brewed Jan 2010
Bottled Feb 2010
This beer will age for 25 years
This batch produced 50 cases

"With 15% ABV is was more than obvious that we had to name this dessert beer Bombs and Grenades. The use of champagne yeast has had it’s effect on both flavour and body. There’s plenty of fruit like orange, tangerine and sweet apples. It’s powerful and full bodied but still easy going. Although the name would suggest otherwise it’s our favourite amongst the female clientele yet also highly appreciated by the other sex." -- De Molen






De Molen Engels....$4.19 / 11.2oz
English Bitter 4.42% ABV
Hops: Sladek
Batch: 695
Our attempt at creating a real English cask ale. And we certainly succeeded. At the Great Brittish Beer Festival our Engels was appreciated by all that tried. Cask ale from the continent? Yeah! Also available bottled by the way.







De Molen/Ron Pattinson SSS Triple Stout...$15.99

Rated 97/100 RateBeer
Brewed March 25, 2008
Bottled May 9, 2008
"SSS Triple Stout was a collaborative brew between brewmaster 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




De Molen/Ron Pattinson London Porter....$15.99 / 750ml

"The Original Porter. Or a recreation, at least.

Beer historian, and respected blogger, Ron Pattinson collaborated with De Molen brewmaster Menno Olivier on this historic treat. It's a taste of what the "original porter", brewed by London's Whitbread Brewery, would be like without having to travel back to pre-WWI days. Whitbread was known to be one of the largest producers of porters during this time and brewed their original porter on August 1, 1914, only a few weeks before the outbreak of World War I." -- importer



"Pattinson also collaborated with Olivier on De Molen's Triple Stout, another historic reproduction. According to Pattinson, he chose these recipes because he wanted to:
-show what British beers were like before the dramatic changes of WWI
-demonstrate the relationship between British Porter and Stout
-show the defining characteristic of London Porter and Stout - the use of brown malt

Both beers were brewed in extremely limited quantities. Even Pattinson himself laments how difficult they are to get his hands on: he only received 6 bottles of each. De Molen shared the remaining 754 bottles with us.

Click here to visit Pattinson's blog, "Shut up about Barclay Perkins" -- importer






Black Force One

Order Xbeeriment online


The next installment is here...

Xbeeriment Black Force One Imperial Stout...$9.99 / pint
Rated 99/100 RateBeer
"We had great success with Xbeeriment Barack, which was well received both in Denmark and abroad. So we naturally make an uncompromising version Imperial Stout, developing the basic elements of Xbeeriment Barack.Xbeeriment Black Force One is brewed with 5 different malts (pale, cara flavoring, crystal, chocolate and smoked peat), roasted barley, sugar, water and yeast. There used 3 different American hops in brewing (Chinook, Centennial and Amarillo), after which the beer is tørhumlet with Cascade.The result is a pitch black beer with an intense aroma of peat smoke, elements of grapefruit and pine needles from the hops and of course lots of tasting notes as espresso coffee, tar and chocolate from the roasted malts.Unlike many Imperial Stout has Xbeeriment Black Force One is not a massive residual sweetness. The beer has been allowed to ferment out to a density of 1010, which gives a beer that gets its sweetness from the 10.4% alcohol and not from large amounts of residual sugar.This gives Xbeeriment Black Force One a nice balance between fullness of malt and alcohol and the strong hop bitterness and sour notes from the roasted barley and malt."


Grand Teton Imperial Pilsner

Order Grand Teton online


A new limited release for 2011 is in stock now
Grand Teton Persephone Imperial Pilsner...$6.99 / 750ml

Persephone (pur-seff-uh-knee) Imperial Pilsner was brewed with one foot in the past and one in the present. We started by creating this beer in the German style, an offshoot of the original pilsner that features German noble hops and a lighter, crisper body than its Czech counterpart. We used a blend of domestic Idaho 2-row barley and imported German malts as well as German Hersbrucker hops for flavor and aroma. We then took a leap forward by making this brew twice the strength of a traditional pilsner (8.76% alcohol by volume), with a big hop flavor to match.
After fermentation using a German lager strain, we conditioned this brew for two months at freezing temperatures. This maturation process is known as lagering (from the German meaning “to store”) and the process lends its name to the broad category of beer known as lager. This long lagering period is essential to create the smooth and well-rounded flavor expected from a pilsner. We present this beer in the German kellerbier tradition, where beer is brought to the consumer without filtration or pasteurization, and recommend serving it at 40 degrees in a traditional pilsner glass.
Persephone Imperial Pilsner pours a pale, glowing yellow with a bright white and frothy head. A light aroma of dried hay lifts from the glass, but the flavor is marked by soft mint flavors with sherbet-like overtones. A strong, resinous bitterness lingers on and on, blending into each new sip and providing a strong backbone for this brew. Persephone features a light body, but softer and rounder than the mass-produced versions of this style. Try Persephone Imperial Pilsner with grilled tuna steaks or white pizza topped with caramelized onions and brined olives. Or keep it German and pair it with bratwurst, sauerkraut and spicy brown mustard.
Despite the strength of this beer, we don't recommend Persephone Imperial Pilsner as a candidate for extended cellaring. The light crisp body and deep hop flavors will fade with time, which means this brew is best consumed fresh.
The Persephone Imperial Pilsner label features original artwork by brewery artist-in-residence Gabby Prouty. It depicts the return of Persephone from the Underworld, bringing with her the return of Spring. Persephone, daughter of Zeus and Demeter, was abducted by Hades and carried to the Underworld. The devastated Earth goddess Demeter allowed the world to become barren while she searched for her stolen daughter. Answering the pleas of starving humans, Zeus ordered Persephone’s release, but Hades tricked Persephone into eating pomegranate seeds. By decree of the Fates, that meant that Persephone would have to return to Hades’ realm every year, once again causing Demeter to grieve, and bringing about the winter season.
website







Only brewed during full moons...

Wychwood King Goblin Special Reserve...$4.39 / pint

"Only ever brewed under a full lunar moon, with crystal malts and sovereign hops for a rich, smooth sublimely satisfying taste of pure beer indulgence." -- label


"As the full moon casts its eerie light over the shadowy old Eagle Brewery, a magical brew gurgles forth from the casks. A beer enlivened by the energies of the universe, when the elements are converging into a harmonious alignment. Truly a brew fit for a celestial majesty. King Goblin is hand crafted from roasted chocolate and crystal malts, with a timely infusion of fuggles, sovereign, styrian and cascade hops to produce an indulgently rich, full, smooth, beer of exceptional quality and character. A full rich sublimely fruity and satisfying indulgent beer, a beer for the connoisseur of finer things." -- Wychwood Brewery





Left Hand TNT

New, first time bottled....



Left Hand TNT Weizen Doppelbock...$8.79 / 22oz
I’m from the Chinese era Qing. Big batch of bad-ass brew, I will make you sing. Women on the left, men on my right. Ain’t got no corn, ain’t got no rice. I’m just malty nice. ‘Cause I’m TNT. Sometimes you’re not in the mood for what everyone else is having.




Weizen Doppelbock
Color: Hazy Black Walnut,
Body: Full
ABV: 7.90%
IBU's: 20
Malts: Malted Wheat, Premium 2-row, Munich and Chocolate Wheat
Hops: Warrior and Perle



Order Left Hand online





Avery Karma is here!

Avery Seasonal....

Beer Style: Belgian Pale Ale
Hop Variety: Sterling
Malt Variety: Two-row barley, Belgian special B, cara 45, aromatic
OG: 1.048
ABV: 5.2%
IBUs: 10 Color: Amber

We believe in Karma. We suspect most of you do, too. It truly is a global concept. Very simply put, "you get what you give." Inspired by this principle and the wonderful farmhouse and pale ales of Belgium, we've created Karma Ale, a decidedly fruity and estery ale, intricate in body and nose, all driven by a unique Belgian yeast strain. Remember, good things DO happen to good people. Here's to being good!
Food pairing: Grilled pork chops and traditional Belgian favorites like mussels are excellent pairings for our Karma Belgian Pale Ale.




Six Row Brewing - St. Louis, MO

Looks like Six Row Brewing is getting closer to bottling their beer....a label just got approved. We will need to clear more room on our shelves for their beers!!!

UPDATE from Six Row
"Yes, we plan on bottling 22 oz bombers to start with. We hope to have some in bottles soon. Right now, we just plan on bottling three styles, Porter, DIPA and Whale, but we may expand this list. This will be a smaller scale initiative to begin with, but we plan on launching into a larger bottling/canning operation in what we hope is the not too distant future."
-- Mike Rami
President, Six Row Brewing Company





St. Louis, Missouri




"Six Row Brewing Company produces quality ales from the site of the old Falstaff Brewery at 3690 Forest Park Ave., in the Midtown area of St. Louis, near St. Louis University. Our Old Plant No. 1 Pub is open to the public and features our craft brewed beers along with selections from other craft breweries and wineries. Stop by and enjoy a pint soon! Then, take home a growler to enjoy one of St. Louis' finest craft beers till your next visit!"

Check out their website for more info





Schlafly Export IPA

Just arrived
stock at Forsyth now!!

Schlafly Export IPA....$8.79 / 6pk
Bottled 03/17/11
(looks like somebody was working on St. Patricks Day instead of drinking beer)

"This full-bodied traditional English-style ale is brewed with a high gravity and extra hops, which originally helped to preserve the beer on long voyages from England to India. 8% ABV" -- Schlafly





Monday, March 21, 2011

Fresh Avery DuganA - new label

New Batch, new label....
in stock at Forsyth and online






Avery DuganA IPA...$6.99 / 22oz
Bottled 2/7/11


Beer Style: Double India Pale Ale
Hop Variety: Chinook, Centennial and Columbus
Malt Variety: Two-row barley, dark aromatic, caramel malt
OG: 1.076 ABV: 8.5% IBUs: 93
Color: Deep Gold

Lupulin Rapture Incarnate! As fervent devotees of hops, we found ourselves on a quest to create a transcendental IPA capable of quenching our voracious lupulin desires. Our mantra became "unity of bitterness, hop flavor and aroma." Enlightened, duganA IPA was born: A brutally bitter, dank, piney and resinous ale designed for those seeking a divine hop experience.

Food Pairing: The acidity and bitterness of duganA IPA is cleansing and refreshing while eating creamy, cheesy dishes such as pasta carbonara, fettucini alfredo or pepperoni pizza.








Food and Wine Pairing Class



Provisions Gourmet Market


Food and Wine Pairing Class
April 5, 2010
6:30 - 7:45pm
$30 / person


Reservations Required for this event - click here to sign up
or call Samantha at 314-989-0020




We have paired two experts Certified Sommelier Angela Ortmann (stlwinegirl) and Chef Scott from Provisions Gourmet Market for 5 courses of Food and Wine Pairing. The best bargain in town.
.
APRIL 5: Food and Wine Pairing Series at Provisions
"Classic Food and Wine Pairings"
We will be putting our own twist on classic pairings such as:
Champagne and Caviar
Chicken and Chardonnay
Pork and Pinot Noir
Lamb and Bordeaux
Chocolate and Port
They've stood the test of time, now you be the judge!