Come by for a tasty time. |
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This Week: Actually, TODAY. Join us at the tasting table from 4pm until 7pm to taste with winemaker Cole Thomas of Madson Wines, a small production gem in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We love pouring for you, but it is certainly an extra special occasion to taste with the one that made the wines themselves. A bit more on Madson Wines directly below.
It is a bit hot for Scotch sippin', but in case you missed it... National Scotch Day was yesterday. Can we even keep up with the drinking holidays? Hardly. But per usual, we'll take any excuse to enjoy a nice beverage. Todd has some ideas on what to try.
Oh, and did we mention how great our AC is?
Cheers,
The Team at NL Wine & Spirits
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ON THE TASTING TABLE: MADSON WINES
Again, 4pm to 7pm TODAY. Don't miss out.
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Join winemaker Cole Thomas to taste and ask everything you ever wanted to know about winemaking in the Santa Cruz Mountains. You've seen us mention Madson Wines a few times since we put them on the shelf, so you can imagine how ecstatic we are to welcome him to the shop.
The Santa Cruz Mountains is certainly one of the more underrated growing areas of California - if you aren't as familiar, that's an extra reason to not miss this tasting. Per usual, all wines tasted will be offered at 10% off. Featuring:
2019 Madson Santa Cruz Mt. Pinot Noir
2019 Madson "Ascona" Pinot Noir
2019 Madson "Toyon" Pinot Noir
2019 Madson "Arey" Chardonnay
2019 Madson "Toyon" Chardonnay
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Madson Wines showcase the extreme coastal and mountainous terroir of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Stewarding vineyards as a priority, Madson focuses less on manipulation in the winery and more on growing quality, organic wine grapes. The wines that come out of this small cellar are translucent, focused and full of life.
The team includes winemaker, Cole Thomas and viticulturist, Ken Swegles. Both have spent time working at great wineries such as William Sellyem, Prophets Rock, Rhys, Amisfield Estate and others. With an appreciation for classic European wines and avant garde natural wines, the viticulturist/winemaker team employ natural techniques to make wines of depth and class.
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SCOTCH, SCOTCH, SCOTCH
Celebrating... a day late.
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Tuesday, July 27th is celebrated as National Scotch Day in the United States. While I am happy to celebrate Scotch any day of the week, it is certainly nice to have a special reason. Scotch is, in many ways, is how the world says "whisky". Scotch exports were valued at 5.2 billion dollars in 2020, compared to bourbon's 319 million dollars of exports during the same period. Scotch is a big deal, especially when you consider that Scotland is roughly the same size as South Carolina.
Scotland is home to 134 operating distilleries spread throughout five distinct regions. There are five Scotch Whisky regions - Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. Each region has unique characteristics which impact the flavor of the Scotch.
Speyside
The most densely populated Whisky region in the world, famous for fertile glens and, of course, the River Spey. Speyside whiskies are known for being frugal with peat and full of fruit. Apple, pear, honey, vanilla and spice all have a role in expressions from this region, which are commonly matured in Sherry casks.
Bottle to try: Glenallachie 10 Year Old - $74.99 (750ml)
Lowland
Soft and smooth malts are characteristic of this region, offering a gentle, elegant palate reminiscent of grass, honeysuckle, cream, ginger, toffee, toast and cinnamon. The whiskies are often lighter in character and perfect for pre-dinner drinks.
Bottle to try: Auchentoshan 12 Year Old - $54.99 (750ml)
Highland
This region, which also takes in the islands, has a huge diversity of flavors and characters. From lighter whiskies all the way through salty coastal malts, the Highlands offers a Scotch for all palates.
Bottle to try: Aberlour 12 Year Old - $56.99 (750ml)
Campbeltown
Campbeltown whiskies are varied and full of flavor. Hints of salt, smoke, fruit, vanilla and toffee mingle in whiskies of robust and rich character.
Bottle to try: Kilkerran 12 Year Old - $74.99 (750ml)
Islay
Islay (pronounced ‘eye-luh’) is a magical island where the majority of its population are involved in whisky production. Famous for fiery, heavily peated whiskies.
Bottle to try: Lagavulin 16 Year Old - $108.99 (750ml)
Many distilleries that produce single malts also produce whiskies to be sold in bulk and used in blended Scotch. Blended Scotch makes up the majority of Scotch consumed around the world. Fun fact: Johnnie Walker uses whiskies from 32 different producers to create their famous blended Scotch.
Bottle to try: Johnnie Walker Black Label - $45.99 (Liter)
There is no right or wrong way to enjoy a dram of Scotch. Drink it neat, add a little water, or an ice cube. Make yourself a cocktail. Around the world Scotch is enjoyed with cola, club soda, and even cold green tea. Drink it how you like it.
Cocktail suggestion:
Rob Roy
2 ounces Scotch
¾ ounce sweet vermouth
3 dashes bitters
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir until well chilled.
Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry.
Pick up a bottle today and raise a dram to celebrate Scotland and its largest export. No kilt required, but highly recommended.
- Todd M. (Scotch enthusiast and Serial Kilter)
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Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should drink.
2020 Shofer, Areni Rosé, Vayots Dzor, Armenia - $26.99
Take a trip to Armenia with wine! Shofer, the Armenian word for "chauffeur" features the emblematic Soviet-era Lada car, used near-exclusively by the country's cabbies who delight in showing off the beauty of their homeland. Shofer rosé from the Areni grape, Armenia's leading red grape variety, is sourced from century old mountainside vineyards at high elevations in Vayots Dzor. Grown in volcanic soils and on ungrafted vines, this dry and highly aromatic rosé is a perfect introduction to the wines of Armenia. We don't get much of this one so make sure you grab it while you can!
-Angie
2019 Tentuta Roveglia, Limne, Lugana - $21.99
On the south end of Lake Garda, just west of the romantic city of Verona, lie the vineyards of Lugana. This DOC wine region is devoted to one varietal, the Turbiana grape. Once thought to be a clone of the journeyman Trebbiano grape, it has recently been shown to be more closely related to the more expressive Verdicchio grape of Italy's Marche. I also like to think of this lush wine as a great alternative to Chenin Blanc. If you enjoy French Vouvray but are wishing to expand your choices of something similar, this is a great place to start. Fragrant aromas of peach blossom and wild flowers lead to a creamy palate of ripe peach, yellow pear, and mandarin orange with a nutty touch and bright acidity holding it all together. I recently enjoyed this wine with Fettuccine Alfredo and sautéed chicken breast. Salute!
-Patrick
2020 Ruth Lewandowski, Feints Blend, Mendocino - $27.99
If you are unfamiliar with Ruth Lewandowski wines, they are the true definition of a cult winery. Very small production, obscure grapes and blends, all natural winemaking techniques with nothing added or taken away from the wines. Feints is a co-ferment of Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera, Montepulciano and Arneis (white grape) all coming from the Testa Vineyard and Fox Hill Vineyard in Mendocino county. This carbonic blend is light, fresh and juicy. Showing lots of rhubarb, violet and pomegranate. This is a light-bodied red with bright acidity and crunchy tannins. Best served with a chill and drank by the gallon!
-Nick Z.
Glengoyne Scotch
In honor of National Scotch Day (July 27th), I'm highlighting one of my favorite distilleries and it's one that you may not have heard of. The distinctive nature of this scotch most likely comes from very slow distillation and the complete absence of peat smoke. I consider myself an omnivorous drinker, giving space and time even to the smokiest of scotches, so believe me when I say this intentional omission is it's strength. The resulting liquids are refined and elegant with bold and delicate flavors seamlessly layered. the bonus, of course, is that you can entice your smoke fearing friends to try scotch again. The flavor palate will certainly appeal to dedicated bourbon drinkers but hard core scotch heads shouldn't sleep on these. Glengoyne's entire range is at once unique and classic.
Available bottlings: 15 year ($72.99), 18 year ($134.99), 21 year ($189.99)
- David
Mars Iwai Tradition "Natsu," Umeshu Cask Whiskey - $69.99
As we continue to soldier through the dog days of summer, it can help to think about the less scorching, more enjoyable parts of summer: lounging around, pool parties, anything we can do to beat the heat. Okay, maybe I'm hung up on the heat. But summer is still a great season, and it should be celebrated. With whiskey. Japanese whiskey. Located between two chains of mountains, Mars Shinshu, Japan's highest distillery, has been creating whiskey for over 80 years. Each year, they release a line of seasonally-inspired versions of their staple "Iwai" whiskey. Their summer release, "Natsu," is inspired by the popular Japanese summer beverage umeshu—a plum wine. Aged in umeshu casks, "Natsu" has a depth and sweetness that pairs wonderfully with a hot summer night. The typical honey, ginger and toffee notes of Iwai are amplified by a nose of cinnamon and black tea, leading into a palate of Japanese grapes, unripe plums and ripe red berries. Drink it on the rocks or enjoy it in a Gold Rush with some honey syrup and fresh squeezed lemon juice. (2 oz. whiskey, 3/4 oz. lemon juice, 3/4 oz. honey syrup).
-André
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VERY IMPORTANT: Greetings from Roscoe & Bingo
We usually feature our cute visitors here, but our dog photographer had a week off. So, in the meantime.. Roscoe & Bingo, two beloved former employees, send love from California!
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Cheers everyone!
-The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits
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