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Saturday, April 12, 2014

Macallan 25 Year Old




Back in stock now
Macallan 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Sherry Casks...$919.99
We have 4 bottles in stock now.   Just found out is going up $100+ a bottle next time we get it in stock.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Weston Brewing Royal Lager


Weston Brewing Royal Lager...$6.99 / 6pk 16oz CANS
In stock now!

Craft beer from Israel!



New from Israel

Malka Beer is one of the first micro breweries in Israel, located in the upper Galilee, in the town of Yehiam (pronounced YEH-HEE-YAM), at the foot of the 12th century Crusader castle, Montfort castle. With state of the art brewing systems, Malka’s brewery maintains a tradition of hand-crafting small batches of beer, specializing in making traditional beers with a modern touch. They base their recipes on Belgian, German, and English methods of brewing while imparting a local Israeli twist using natural water from the Ga’aton Springs and local flavors.

Malka’s beers are all kosher. Their hekhsher/kosher certification was provided/overseen by Rabbi Shlomo ben Eliyahu. He is the mashgiach that oversees the kashering of food and drink for the Mateh Asher Regional Council located in Galil Ma’Ariv, Israel.

That being said, please don’t be taken aback by some of our “apikoros,” non-kosher food pairing suggestions! We base these suggestions on the craft beer world as a whole, considering dishes traditionally served with the individual styles of beer from the countries they originate, also on what we ourselves enjoy with them and more. Obviously, please feel free to pair Malka’s beers however you like!



Malka — Wheat...$13.99 / 4pk
Traditional Bavarian Style Wheat Ale, well balanced with light, unobtrusive flavor, low bitterness, and fruity aromas. Begins a bit like a German Hefeweizen starting with a lot of banana in the taste and a bit in the nose and ends like an American Wheat Ale, with significantly less banana in the taste and lighter body than the German. Overall, the Malka Wheat walks the line between these two styles very well. ABV is perfect, hidden from the palate. An excellent addition to the Wheat Ale family.
Style: Bavarian Influenced Wheat Ale, Bottle Conditioned
Alcohol: 5% ABV
Bitterness: Low/Discrete, 20 IBU
Glassware: Weissbier Vase
Tasting Notes:  Inviting Yeast Qualities in the Nose and on the Palate, Fruity Banana Esters, Hints of Vanilla Sweetness, Slight Tanginess, Light Graininess, Little to No Hop Characteristics, Medium Body and Carbonation
Pairings:  Incredibly Diverse—Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing, Mild Fishes, Cheese Omelets, Andouille and Chorizo Sausages, Traditional Mexican, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese Cuisine




Malka — Pale Ale
...$13.99 / 4pk
Classic English Style Pale Ale characterized by barley and bread flavors and deep red color. Brewing process rich of hops gives this beer pronounced hop character, balancing wonderfully between aroma and bitterness and finishing on the hop end, all without overshadowing its wonderful malt backbone. Resting comfortably on the cusp of sessionable, this ale is ideal for people who want a robust beer without high alcohol content. Overall, this is an excellent Pale Ale reminiscent of the English style, but with an Israeli twist.
Style: English Style Pale Ale, Bottle Conditioned
Alcohol: 5.5% ABV
Bitterness: Medium, 40 IBU
Glassware: Tulip Pint Glass
Tasting Notes:  Macadamia and Hazelnut Nuttiness, Lightly Woody, Currant-like Fruitiness, a Nice Light blend of Herbal Hops, Medium-Light Body and Carbonation, Dry Finish, Well Balanced
Pairings:  Fontina, Munster, and Colby cheeses, Prime Rib, Roasted, Seared, and Fried seafood, Jambalaya, Pâté, Quiche, Pasta with Cream Based Sauces





Malka — Dry Stout
...$13.99 / 4pk
A truly excellent Dry Stout from the Israeli home-front; Malka offers up an example of a quintessential Dry Stout. With its subtle roast blended with notes of toasted oats and light nuttiness, this ale reminds us of marble monk bread combined with dark chocolate and a soft espresso tinge. Frankly, this beer is awesome.
Style: English Style Dry stout, Bottle Conditioned
Alcohol: 6% ABV
Bitterness: Medium to Elevated, 45 IBU
Glassware: Snifter or Tulip Pint Glass
Tasting Notes: Well Developed Roast, Espresso, Toasted Oats and Grain, Dark Chocolate and Cocoa, Soft Coffee/Espresso Tinge, Toasted Almonds, Burnt Sugar, Well Textured, Full Body, Smooth, Low Carbonation, Soothing Dry and Bitter Finish
Pairings:  Salty, Sweet, and Creamy Cheeses, Oysters, Clams, Smoked fish, Prosciutto and Serrano Ham, Game Fowl, Chocolate Based Desserts, Berry Tarts, and Crème Brulèe

Spanish Craft Beer

Rafa Suñer and Sergio Iborra, longtime friends and “socarrats,” sought to create a beer having only a few distinct requirements: to be brewed according to tradition, with the best ingredients, in small batches, and to be “mel de romer.” We believe they hit their mark. Rosemary herbaceousness balanced by the subtle sweetness of rosemary honey in a solid golden ale, the result is a refreshing concept based on the millennial old stock, a benchmark for food pairing beers, what we like to call a “gastro ale.”

Rosemary Honey or “mel de romer,” is an exceptional mono-floral honey cultivated by bees that obtain their nectar from the rosemary flower. In the Valencia region of Spain it is believed that rosemary honey has no equal in quality or purity, so much so that “mel de romer” is an expression of accolade meaning “top of the line” or “best of the best.”

Socarrada is a translation from “socarrat,” meaning “burned.” At the turn of the 18th century during the War of Spanish Succession, the town of Xátiva (pronounced SHA-TEE-VAH) was razed to the ground and kept aflame for eight days by King Felipe V. However, the survivors thrived, rebuilding Xátiva, and to this day are referred to as the “socarrats.”





La Socarrada Cervesa Artesanal Premium...$11.99 / 25oz
Originating in Xátiva, (Valencia) Spain, La Socarrada is one of the most diverse food pairing beers we have ever come across; we encourage you to experiment, pairing this beer with food nearly any chance you get. It is brewed with Rosemary and Rosemary Honey, English Challenger Hops, and a Pilsner/Amber Triple-Malt base, imparting a reddish-golden appearance along with its crisp mouthfeel and dry finish. La Socarrada is Bottle-Conditioned providing additional effervescence and an opaque pour. Overall the beer has a wonderful nose, a slightly creamy off-white head, a light, crisp attenuation, high effervescence, and finishes dry.
Style: Golden Ale Brewed with Rosemary and Rosemary-Honey, Bottle-Conditioned
Alcohol: 6% ABV
Bitterness: Low/Discrete, 20 IBU
Suggested Glassware: White Wine Glass

Spanish Craft Beer




Mateo & Bernabé are changing the town of Logrono, Spain and the La Rioja region into a land of great beer. Alberto Pacheco, virtuoso chef and artisan brewer, provides the inspiration for Mateo & Bernabé. His dream is to create a beer of a unique identity with characteristics of excellent aroma and taste—An experience to enjoy and remember.


Mateo & Bernabé and Friends — Bernabé 11...$8.49 / 500ml
Hand-crafted Golden Ale. Sparkling golden copper color. Blended flavors: Subtly sweet, fruity and surprising citric finish. Perfect as an aperitif. Always with friends, during the festivities of San Bernabé and the whole year through, in Rioja and everywhere.
Style: Golden Ale
Bitterness: Low/Discrete, 25 IBU
Alcohol: 6% ABV
Glassware: “Nonick” Pint or Tulip Style Glass
Tasting Notes:  Subtle Malt Sweetness, Light Fruit Tones, Citric Finish, Medium-Light Body, Crisp, Effervescent
Pairings:  As an Aperitif or Paired with Brie, Chevre, and White Cheddar Cheeses, Fresh Salads, Seared Ahi Tuna, Blackened Fish and Poultry, Thai Dishes





Mateo & Bernabé and Friends — Mateo 21...$8.49 / pint
Hand-crafted Wheat Ale. Golden straw color. White, creamy head. Fruit tones. Smooth, refreshing taste best enjoyed when not rushed.
Style: Wheat Ale, Bottle Conditioned
Alcohol: 5.5% ABV
Bitterness: Low/Discrete, 20 IBU
Glassware: Weizen Glass/Vase
Tasting Notes:  Pronounced Yeast Qualities, Fruit Tones, Clove-Like Phenols, Light Graininess, Smooth, Medium-Light Body, Effervescent
Pairings:  Mozzarella, Burrata, and Chevre Cheeses, Leafy Green Salads with Vinaigrette or Light Cream Dressings, Mild Fish and Seafood





2nd Shift Collabs....


Available now at Forsyth, first come first served.
You can have 1 or the other.  With only 12 bottles of each we thought this would be a better way to spread it out...

  • 2nd Shift The Bridge Green Bird Gose...$6.99 / 750ml
  • 2nd Shift / STLHops Collab BARREL AGED  I am Become Death...$17.99 / 750ml



2nd Shift The Bridge Green Bird Gose...$6.99 / 750ml
So a Gose (say GO-SUH) is a German style of beer that is a little salty and coriandery.
Very easy drinkin and quaffable.
4.5% abv
6 IBU





Barrel Aged

2nd Shift / STLHops Collab BARREL AGED  I am Become Death...$17.99 / 750ml

It probably would not come as a shock that it’s always been my dream to collaborate with some of our local breweries to create some awesome beers with the STL Hops “brand.” Sometimes it’s just a matter of asking. Had I known it would have been this easy to convince Steve Crider at 2nd Shift Brewing to work with the STL Hops gang to put together this beer, I would have done it a long time ago.

I’m honored to have 2nd Shift collaborate with us. I say this without any hyperbole that 2nd Shift may be my favorite brewery in St. Louis. They make unique and delicious beers and always have a lot of fun making these beers. The fact they worked with us makes this beer even more awesome.

As for picking the beer, I’m a huge fan of Wheatwines. I think it’s an underrepresented style that gives you the huge mouthfeel of a wheat beer with a generous dose of hops. Rather than try and muck around with creating a recipe myself, I leaned on STL Hops Supreme Overlord Troy Meier to develop a recipe.

Troy’s recipe is backloaded with Cascade and Centennial hops (two of my favorites) to give it a big citrus punch. Enjoy it now and get a hop bomb (would you expect anything less from 2nd Shift?) Or you can let it sit for a long time and let the malt shine through. You can make the beer anything you want it to be.

I named the beer “I Am Become Death.” The backstory is that when J. Robert Oppenheimer first saw the atomic bomb detonate for the first time he quoted the Bhagavad Gita, “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” I wish I could say that I used this quote for some philosophical reason, but I didn’t. I picked it because it sounded cool.

The label was created by my friend Mike Atwood previously of Hoosier Beer Geek fame and now 38th in charge at Sun King Brewery. Mike wanted to not use any bomb imagery out of respect to those who lost their lives in war, which I completely agreed with. Instead he gave us this amazing label that I’m very proud of.

This beer will make its debut on draft at the STL Hops Anniversary Party tomorrow night and I can’t wait to try it. If it means anything to any of you, Steve Crider said this might be the best beer he’s ever brewed. That’s pretty high praise from a dude that is very critical of his own beers.

From STLHOps

A couple of big Chardonnays..


2011 Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills, Seven Springs Vineyard, La Source


2011 Evening Land La Source Chardonnay...$54.99
Compare to $65 at the wineryVibrant, expressive, focused and concentrated, dancing lightly with an array of toast- and mineral-accented peach, pear, lime and orange blossom flavors, lingering enticingly against refined acidity.
Rated 94/100 The Wine Spectator
Rated 94/100 The Wine Advocate




2011 Stonestreet Upper Barn Chardonnay...$62.99
Compare to $75 at the wineryFull bright yellow. Ripe, deep aromas of lemon peel, tangerine, beeswax, crushed rock and dusty herbs, with hints of honey and tropical fruits. Large-scaled, rich and tactile, with nearly viscous flavors of lemon, white peach and butterscotch. Really compelling, ripe, vibrant fruit here, and wonderfully broad and dry. Very complex and sexy wine, a brilliant rendition of this outstanding chardonnay vineyard
Rated 95/100 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Janasse Cotes du Rhone is back in stock!






2011 Janasse Cotes du Rhone Reserve...$13.99
Always a staff favorite and an amazing value
"Lively, with lots of briar, raspberry and licorice notes framed by a roasted apple wood edge. The juicy, energetic finish brings you back for more."
 Rated 90/100 The Wine Spectator

Great price on Delille Cellars D2



2009 Delille Cellars D2...$29.99
Lowest price on Wine-Searcher is $39.99
:(a blend of 55% merlot, 34% cabernet sauvignon, 9% cab franc and 2% petit verdot): Bright full ruby. Perfumed nose combines black cherry, plum, cinnamon, mocha, fennel and exotic spices. Suave, pliant and sweet, with a distinctly layered texture to the expressive flavors of blueberry, blackberry and black pepper. Finishes with substantial, broad tannins, a sweet note of dark chocolate and superb persistence. A great vintage for this bottling, which includes some of the Harrison Hill fruit
Rated 93/100 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Rated 92/100 The Wine Advocate

Hubert Lignier rare Burgundy

In stock at Forsyth - call 314.727.8788 to reserve

The Wines of Hubert Lignier

Since coming out of retirement in late 2006 after the passing of his eldest son, Romain, Hubert Lignier has shown the same deft hand that made his Domaine famous in the 80's and 90's drawing comparisons to the famous Domaine Leroy: “This was a strong set of pure, sensual, quite intellectual wines that I feel deserve more recognition, exhibiting prudent use of oak, ample freshness and wonderful expression of their terroirs not dissimilar to Lalou Bize-Leroy”- Neal Martin The Wine Advocate.

Sadly we only get tiny amounts of these fantastic wines
  • 2011 Hubert Lignier Morey St Denis...$86.99 (4 bottles)
  • 2011 Hubert Lignier Pommard “Les Chanlins”...$86.99 (2 bottles)
  • 2011 Hubert Lignier Gevrey Chambertin...$86.99 (3 bottles)
  • 2011 Hubert Lignier Chambolle Musigny...$105.99 (2 bottles)
  • 2011 Hubert Lignier Morey St Denis Les Chaffots 1er Cru...$157.99 (3 bottles)
  • 2011 Hubert Lignier Chambolle Musigny les Chabiots 1er Cru...$199.99 (1 bottle)
  • 2011 Hubert Lingier Gevrey Chambertin Aux Combottes 1er Cru...$235.99 (1btl)
  • 2011 Hubert Lignier Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru... $349.99 (1btl)
  • 2011 Hubert Lignier Bonnes Mares Grand Cru...$354.99 (1btl)

Very limited Ommegang

Another case arrived

In stock now and online

photo
Ommegang Wild at Heart....$13.99 / 750ml
Wild at Heart is an audacious new ale in our Brewermaster’s Obession Series. In a rarely-employed technique we use only wild brettanomyces yeast in primary fermentation - the very heart of the beer. The brettanomyces yeast imparts robust fruit flavors and aromas, and combines with Motueka and Topaz hops to create uncommon tastes and aromas.

Wild at Heart pours a rich amber hue, slightly hazy with a full white head. Tropical aromas include mango, passion fruit, pineapple, and a touch of slight lemon and lime. Complex flavors present a restrained fruity sweetness, green apples and a touch of tartness. Carefully balanced with gentle malt sweetness and moderate lemon and lime hop flavor. Faint hop bitterness is followed by a crisp, effervescent finish.

Famous Grouse is back!

Back in stock now!

The Famous Grouse 70cl 40%

Shop and compare our prices!  We are not afraid to post them.  Pull up our blog on your smart phone next time your are shopping somewhere else and compare easily.
The Famous Grouse Blended Scocth....$29.99 / 1.75 ml
The original blend of The Famous Grouse, perfectly balanced with notes of orange citrus, sherry and oaky tones

2013 Commanderie de Peyrassol Rosé

You may not be thinking that is is Rose time yet, but do not wait too long on this one, it might be gone by the time the weather heats up!





Only 7 cases available 
2013 Commanderie de Peyrassol Rosé...$19.99

Picked as the top Rose of the 2012 Vintage by both The New York Times wine writer Eric Asimov and Decanter Magazine.  We are very excited to kick of Rose season with the Commanderie de Peyrassol Rosé, why save the best for last?
For us, this wine is the classic representation of the pink-tinted wines of this region and is the workhorse wine of the estate. It carries a pale rose color, a lovely fruit blossom nose and finishes crisply dry with a stony touch that gives it class and elegance. The grape blend is usually Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah in varying percentages. The average age of the vines is 25 years or more. The Rosés of Peyrassol are made from the direct press method. The grapes undergo cold maceration before being pressed. This gives them their beautiful watermelon pink color. The fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures and is exceptionally long, resulting in rosés that are both lively, fresh and full-bodied. As production has increased at Peyrassol with the additional plantings, we too have increased our purchases. 

Sam Adams new Longshot!

In stock now at Forsyth!


Sam Adams Longshot...$9.49 / 6pk
Includes 2 bottles each of these 3 beers below...


American Stout
Created by Created by Russ Brunner, FL
Russ has been brewing for three years but this was his first venture into creating a recipe from scratch. The result of his hard work is a big malty stout with notes of chocolate and coffee that carry through to a velvety finish with hints of roasted cocoa. The richness is balanced by subtle citrus and pine notes from the American hops that add a touch of bitterness to this deep and satisfying brew. 7.2% ABV

Pineapple IPA
Created by Created by Samuel Adams Employee Teresa Bury, PA
Teresa made it a personal challenge to create a beer with a strong hop flavor that was balanced with her favorite fruit, pineapple. Brewed with four different American hops for a burst of grapefruit character that’s mellowed and complemented by the tropical fruit notes from the pineapple. 6.0% ABV

Grätzer
Created by Created by Cesar Marron, IL
After reading about the history of this unusual yet traditional Polish smoked wheat beer, Cesar was drawn to the idea of brewing a Grätzer. This unique & flavorful beer comes alive with its combination of smoky sweetness from the heirloom smoked malt and the spicy and herbal notes from Saaz hops. 4.4% ABV

2014 NB La Folie is here!






2014 New Belgium La Folie...$11.99
La Folie Wood Aged Beer is our original wood-conditioned beer, resting in French Oak barrels between one and three years before being bottled. Peter Bouckaert came to us from Rodenbach, home of the fabled sour red. Our La Folie emulates the spontaneous fermentation beers of Peter's beloved Flanders with sour apple notes, a dry effervescence, and earthy undertones.
Beginning in 2013 we'll do a single bottling of La Folie for the year. Collect the 22-oz. unique-to-2013 designed bottle and start a yearly wood-aged collection of goodness.

Butter Chardonnay



Butter Chardonnay comes from the former winemaker at Rombauer!


2013 Butter Chardonnay
Butter Chardonnay...$16.99 / 750ml
Delivering on its name, this wine has an ethereal creaminess on the palate, woven with smooth vanillin scented oak. Tropical flavors of pineapple and honeydew intertwine delicately on the mid pallet and linger on to the finish.


Winemaker: Rob Lloyd obtained his Masters Degree in Enology at UC Davis in 1999. Soon after he became the winemaker at Rombauer Winery in Napa where he helped them become named Wine Spectators Top 100 Wines in the World in 2007.


1970 Vintage!



Jean-Hubert inherited this estate from his father with all of its tiny parcels of old vines and its cellars filled with old, odd sized barrels. Descending into the cellar one gets the feeling of entering a medieval alchemist’s laboratory. Each barrel, some as small as 12 inches in diameter, is labeled with a cryptic numerical code, that keeps hidden from outsiders which nectar each barrel contains

Almost 45 Years old!
1970 Domaine de Rancy Rivesaltes Ambre Vin Doux Naturel....$149.99 / 750ml
The Rancy 1970 Rivesaltes Ambre is among the most haunting and rarified, yet paradoxically among the most succulent and fruit-filled examples of Jean-Hubert Verdaguer's father's artistry that I have tasted. The secret here lies in the wine's inhabiting these two parallel and equally compelling universes. Smoldering autumn leaves, Burley tobacco, peat and toasted hickory lend a dark, decadent cast while high-toned suggestions of distilled fruit essences exert ethereal fascination. At the same time, plum preserves, sultana, and caramel lend already multi-layered senses of sweetness to a wine that is lusciously full of sap. Saliva-inducing salinity and fruit pit piquancy perfectly compliment the sweetness and ensure that the long finish encourages return sips. This profound success will be virtually ageless, subject only to the vicissitudes of cork.
If fame depended solely on quality, Jean-Hubert Verdaguer ought to be famous for his trove of ancient Rivesaltes."

Rated 94/100 The Wine Advocate


How to Serve Rivesaltes: This Rivesaltes is a fortified wine made in the old ambré style rarely produced today. The wine is oxidized which means that it will not change in character after being opened. This allows one to enjoy it slowly over the course of weeks or months. This versatile wine is best served at room temperature to fully appreciate the intense, complex aromas that develop in the glass. It can be served as an aperitif with nuts, olives, and a variety of hors d’oeuvres. As a desert wine it goes very well with bread pudding, dates, figs, spice cake, pumpkin pie, or on its own as an after dinner drink. It is truly a delightful experience that captures the warmth and spice of the South of France.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Great 94 point Condrieu




The small plot that the Facchin’s now cultivate is a lieu dit called Les Grand ’ Maisons . The dizzyingly steep vineyard sits right in the sweet spot of the hillside with a southeastern exposure.


2010 Facchin Les Grand Maisons Condrieu...$59.99
My favorite of the lineup, the 2010 Condrieu Les Grand Maisons has slightly more maturity on the nose, with ripe apricots, caramelized sugar, crushed rock and hints of spice that give way to a full-bodied, supple and layered palate that carries excellent acidity, big fruit and a dry, length finish. It’s a beautiful bottle of Condrieu that will drink nicely for 2-3 years

Rated 94/100 The Wine Advocate

Rare Cornas - only 125 cases made!



Yes, only 125 cases made for the world!
We only have 3 cases!

The vines, planted by Jérôme’s grandfather, are next to the vineyards of the well-known producer August Clape and they are 50 years old!  100% Syrah

2010 Domaine J. Despesse Cornas...$49.99
Tightly coiled for now, with a gutsy core of blackberry, black currant and bitter plum notes held in check by broad, tarry tannins. Offers loads of dark olive, fresh espresso and singed iron accents that course through the finish, where the dark fruit echoes. Best from 2016 through 2025. 125 cases made. –JM
Rated 93/100 The Wine Spectator

Ska Decadent and True Blonde Dubbel


Finally back in stock - 




Ska Decadent Imperial IPA...$5.99 / 22oz
Lacking nothing, at ten percent alcohol by volume and 95 International Bitterness Units, the Decadent truly represents all that is self indulgent when it comes to drinking beer.


Ska True Blonde Dubbel...$5.49 / 22oz
Dubbel your Trouble.
It isn’t always the case, but when it comes to Blondes, two is definitely better than one.
Belgian, buxom and sweet as the candy sugar she’s made with. The TBD, a Belgian Style Golden Ale, features spicy clove and nutmeg undertones — a nice beer for brunch.
SOUL MATES

Cools strong garlic. Pesto, pasta with garlic and clam sauce. Also works well with roasted chicken or Tandoori. A great palate scrubber when eating strong opposing foods. Great aperitif served in a flute.











New Belgium Gruit and Helles




New Belgium Gruit...$7.49 / 22oz
Experimentation doesn't mean new. With our Gruit, the latest Lips of Faith release, it's all about revisiting the ancient craft of bittering with herb mixtures, not hops. In here horehound, bog myrtle, yarrow, wormwood and elderflowers get together with rich malts to create a bitter, dry, velvet-like sweetness worth revering.

VISUAL
Hazy golden with light white foam and lacing.
AROMA
A heady mix of cloves, pineapple, and peaches, with spicy pepper notes and touches of tangerine.
FLAVOR
Sweetness from the malt, flowers and ale yeast that are balanced within the unusual bitter botanicals.
MOUTHFEEL
Fizzy at first, it becomes smooth and creamy with a pleasant coating aspect. It finishes dry, with a light bitter and spicy linger.
BODY
Medium-light body.
BEER FACTS
ABV: 6.66%

SPECIAL PROCESSING
The bittering herbs were added to the boil the same way we would add bittering hops. The Elderflower was added to a maturation tank to add aroma and flavor.



New Belgium Summer Helles....$7.99 / 6pk
Light, bright and easy drinking, now is your chance to drink in the festival season. First brewed to celebrate 40 years of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, it has since become Planet Bluegrass’ signature New Belgium offering (under the name Summer Bliss). This Summer Helles pours a brilliant gold, with soft, white foam. The aroma is fresh grains and honey amount a spicy- herbal twang. This danceable lager carries the pleasant sweetness of pale and German Pils malts, and levels off with the light and noble bitterness of Hallertau and Tettnang hops. Summer Helles finishes crisp and dry, and is sure to refresh even the thirstiest reveler. Grab your banjo, crack a bottle and let the pickin’ shine.

4 Hands Contact High in CANS

Back in stock - new load!

Photo: Coming Soon....

4 Hands Contact High....$9.99 / 6pk CANS
Contact High is our summer seasonal inspired by the American craft movement. We made this wheat ale exciting by adding pacific northwest hops and dry hopping with orange zest. Contact high pours a bright orange hue with a bit citrus aroma. citrus zest + hops + wheat = summer.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Wine Education: Sauvgnon Blanc


Wine Tasting at all FOUR locations

Taste Kunde Sauvignon Blanc at all four of our locations this Saturday, April 12 from 11am-3pm. (each store will also have other wines out to taste)


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

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc:
Sauvignon Blanc’s roots, pun intended, are in France’s Bordeaux region where it is used to make both dry crisp wines and the great sweet wines of Sauternes. In fact, Sauvignon Blanc was crossed with Cabernet Franc to create the grape we now most associate with Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon. Though still important to the production of White Wine in Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc’s influence has spread not just throughout France, being the dominate varietal grown in the Loire Valley, but in fact the world. This is no more evident than in the wine industry of New Zealand where Sauvignon Blanc has become synonymous with the idea of New Zealand winemaking. This thin skinned grape does take a deft hand to handle its intense aromatics and flavors, but when done correctly Sauvignon Blanc can be a wonderful expression of place, whether that place be France, California, New Zealand, or even Chile. Come try Sauvignon Blanc from all over the world this weekend, you are sure to find a favorite spring/summer wine.

2012 Kunde Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc $11.99

Recipe of the Week : Quinoa Patties

Quinoa Patties
Have you ever wanted to try Quinoa, or get your kids to try Quinoa? This recipe is great and with all of the lovely Parmesan and Gruyere mixed in you are in for a real treat

2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa, at room temperature   ***
4 large eggs, beaten 
***
1 teaspoon sea salt  
***
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh chives
1 yellow or white onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan 
***
1/3 cup Gruyère cheese    
***
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup panko bread crumbs, plus more if needed   
***
Water, if needed
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive   
***

*** Available at The Wine and Cheese Place


Combine the quinoa, eggs, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the chives, onion, cheese, and garlic. Add the bread crumbs, stir, and let sit for a few minutes so the crumbs can absorb some of the moisture. At this point, you should have a mixture you can easily form into twelve 1-inch/2.5cm thick patties.

Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-low heat, add 6 patties, if they'll fit with some room between each, cover, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, until the bottoms are deeply browned. Carefully flip the patties with a spatula and cook the second sides for 7 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the skillet and cool on a wire rack while you cook the remaining patties

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

2012 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay





2012 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay Napa Valley....$69.99
Pahlmeyer’s spectacular 2012 Chardonnay offers abundant aromas of hazelnuts, buttered citrus, tropical fruits and honeysuckle intermixed with a touch of tangerine oil. It cuts a full-bodied swath across the palate, and possesses good acidity, exuberant fruit and an undeniably sexy style. Enjoy this terrific All-American, All-Napa Valley Chardonnay over the next 4-5 years. Bravo!
Rated 95/100 The Wine Advocate

Cutty Sark

We always feature the new stuff....here is a reminder about a classic...


We have great everyday prices on our liquor - shop around and check it out.

Cutty Sark Blended Scotch...$24.99 / 1.75 liter
If a single malt is like a virtuoso musician, then a blended whisky is the full orchestra. A top quality blended whisky has more range, depth, complexity and balance than a malt.

Carefully selected single malt whiskies, predominantly from Speyside (the cradle of single malt whisky distillation), are expertly blended with top quality grain whiskies to make Cutty Sark.

It is matured predominantly in American oak casks which impart less colour to the spirit but impart further subtle and complex flavours. Once matured, the malts are blended together, as are the grain whiskies. This process is a particular feature of Cutty Sark and ensures the final blend is harmonised and, therefore, consistent in colour and flavour.

Wood Hat Spirits from Missouri - meet the owner



Missouri Whiskey 
and Liqueur Tasting at NEW BALLAS
Wood Hat Distilling!
Friday, April 11 from 5-7pm
The Wine and Cheese Place
457 N. New Ballas, Creve Coeur MO
314.989.0020

Meet the owner and master distiller, Gary Hinegardner, of Wood Hat Distilling






Wood Hat Bourbon Whiskey Rubenesque...$36.99 / 750ml

We diligently control every step of the process to produce a full-bodied flavor.  By keeping the grains whole all the way to the end, a bigger robust flavor was created. It did not need much oak to finish it off.  Then, by selecting 3 year old, air-dried wood for the barrels, the flavor blossomed without the tannic bite ‒ a process only possible with a small batch, pot distilled, single barrel, field-to-glass creation. Aged 4 months.

Gary Hinegardner

Owner/Distiller


Wood Hat Whiskey Blue Corn...$29.99 / 750ml
"We make our quality whiskey with blue corn because its unique characteristics impart a sweet, nutty flavor unlike any other.  Enjoy our blue corn Whiskey neat, on the rocks, or with your favorite mixer.  We encourage you to try it without  added flavors first, so you can taste the full blue corn experience.

Wood Hat Whiskey Blue Corn Aged...$29.99 / 750ml
"Humans have made food from this corn for centuries and have selected it for their own tastes rather than high yields for livestock.  Although costly, its unique characteristics impart a sweet, nutty flavor unlike any other.  To age this whiskey, we selected white oak staves that were aged outside for three years to make our barrels.  Finally, we toasted the barrel rather than char it to bring out the more subtle flavors of the aok.  The result is a quality whiskey with a uniquely complex flavor" 
Gary Hinegardner
Owner/Distiller



Wood Hat Berry Berry Cordial...$19.99 / 375ml
Wood Hat’s Berry Berry Cordial is produced locally, from field to glass.  Our hand-crafted artisan cordial captures the essence of locally grown blackberries. The corn and wheat are also grown and ground locally, all natural and untreated. We ferment and distill our products with the utmost care.  Hand-crafting a unique cordial is like turning a hat out of wood, it is what you carve away that gives it shape. Although costly, we keep only the very best.

Gary Hinegardner

Owner/Distiller