Happy Monday...

It took awhile this year, didn't it? Getting into the groove of summer? Like...we're sorta' somewhere approaching normal (although still miles from it and likely never to resume precisely) but collectively we all are...rusty? Sure, summer in Maine is like riding a bike, but I promise if I mounted a two-wheeler right now it'd look tenuous for the first few yards. Or more.

So it feels like we're only now finding those moments that grant us surety. "Yes," they seem to whisper, "this is the way life should be." The roar of the speedboat followed by the giggles of those being towed, the breeze in the leaves cooling you as you ascend a hill, or the gently nagging orders of your daughter telling your son where to pick blueberries. Maybe that's just me.

I write this even as I sit in a darkened house preparing to go to work...that, too, reminds me it's summer in Maine. While they all sleep, or stir, out to the family camp, I get a few hours of respite every day or two by coming in to check the cats, sell some wine, and the like. Not complaining...for me, the calmness here helps alleviate the occasional madness not just there, but at all our associated camps, each of which is fully overrun at this time of year.

Yessir, for though it took a longer ramp up, summer is here full of life as ever, and we're settling in nicely. Just like the bike ride. Still might wear a helmet though...



Current regular hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12-4.
Please visit our website: www.bangorwineandcheese.com
Don't forget to catch Eric each Tuesday at 4:40pm on Downtown with Rich Kimball on WZON AM 620. Downtown airs weekdays from 4-6pm.
Wine Of The Week
Chateau du Grand Bos
Graves Rouge 2010

"Château du Grand Bos is located in Castres, in a part of the Graves appellation where one finds some of the oldest Bordeaux vineyards dating from 2,000 years ago. The vineyard lies near the old Roman road named “Chemin Gallien”. The Château is listed as a leading estate in its commune in editions of Cocks & Feret going back to 1868. The vineyard, whose soil is composed of very deep gravel, ceased being cultivated in the 1950’s and when Andre Vincent bought the property in 1988 it was in poor condition. Mssr. Vincent had sold his property in Saint Estephe, Chateau La Haye, with the idea of retiring but instead immediately set out to replant and restore the vineyard as well as the Château. The winery was further renovated in 2005 when the underground cellar where wells had been dug in the 17th century, was refashioned into a pristine barrel room with lots of natural humidity.

15 hectares are planted to red grapes in the proportions: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Each variety and parcel is vinified separately. Maceration lasts at least a month including a pre-fermentation “cold soak” which occurs before the temperature is raised in the tanks and the yeasts begin working. Vincent prefers to use cultivated yeasts for his alcoholic fermentations, a different one for each varietal." - Ed & Barb, Wine Traditions, Importers

I've proudly worked with this estate for many, many years, dating back to vintages from the latter years of the last century. Grand Boo is one of the lucky estates that can afford to hold their wines until they feel they are ready to drink...which is why the 2010 (a fantastic year, by the way) is the vintage we're working with now. Always worth every penny, and still highly affordable given the state of wines from Bordeaux, I cannot recommend this bottle enough.
Chateau du Grand Bos Graves Rouge 2010
W.O.W. Price: $37.79
Bangor Wine And Cheese
86 Hammond Street,
Bangor, ME 04401
(207) 942 3338