Saturday June 14th Product Tasting Notes

NV, Mirame, Brut Rose Cava, Penedes, Spain 
The Balea Txakoli Rosé is a lively and refreshing wine from the Basque Country, crafted by the renowned Lasalde Elkartea winery in the Getariako Txakolina appellation. Made primarily from the indigenous Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza grapes, this rosé reflects the coastal influence of the region with its bright, crisp character. It offers vibrant red fruit flavors, balanced by a subtle touch of salinity, making it both refreshing and full of depth.

2023, Li Veli, “Torremossa” Salento Fiano, Puglia, Italy 

Straw yellow color with greenish tints. Delightful aromas of lemon flower, acacia, white peach, mulberry. In the mouth it is sapid and full. Very soft on the palate with a mineral and saline finish. The unique characteristics of this grape variety produce an intensely aromatic, fresh wine with notes of exotic fruits that make it particularly enjoyable.

2023, Valfaccenda, “Bis-Esto” Vino Rosso, Roero, Italy 

Valfaccenda continues to astound us with the quality of their wines and Bis-esto is the counterpart to the popular bis-lacco. From 100% Grignolino, a graceful and charming Piedmontese red grape, bis-esto is all about extreme grace and purity. Red fruited, floral, and downright ethereal, this showcases exactly why Grignolino is seriously underrated when in the capable hands of people like Luca and Carolina of Valfaccenda! Farming is biodynamic and cellar work is minimalist/conservative.


2023, Puzelat Bonhomme, “Le Telquel” Rouge, Loire, France 

Le Telquel Rouge is predominantly Gamay plus small amounts of local varietals like Grolleau, Pinot Noir, and Pineau d'Aunis depending upon the vintage. Semi-carbonic maceration takes place in wooden vats before ageing for 6 months in old oak barrels. This adds a pronounced roundness to the final wine but doesn't take away from its bright acidity and juicy red berry notes. A great wine with a variety of foods, but love to have it with a bit of a chill and in the company of good friends.


2022, Oddero, Nizza, Piedmont, Italy 

Historically known for producing some of the region’s finest Baroli, Oddero's Nizza is about as tasty an expression of the Barbera grape as you’ll find. Elevated to Cru status in 2014, Nizza had previously been a Barbera d'Asti Superiore bottling from Monferrato. Old vines coupled with a long time in big barrels guided by some of the finest wine making skills in the region result in a truly lovely wine that is chock full of dark red fruit notes that mingle with elements of baking spice, cocoa, and roasted coffee in a most satisfying manner. The flavor is dry and robust, enhanced by dense body and roundedness; full of character.

English Beer Tasting: 
The UK may not be the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of great European beer, but we're here to change that, especially since they have such a wide variety of styles that many other countries don't bother with, to the loss of beer drinkers everywhere. Tonight we are showcasing a couple of those lesser known styles, as well as a UK style IPA. They are the country that started IPAs, after all, so they know a little something about it


Chick-a-Dee (Nitro Bitter, Bunker Brewing, Portland, ME, 4.3%) Bunker is a brewery that understands there is more to beer than lordly imperial hopped IPAs, and Chick-a-Dee is their take on a classic English style. Ready for beer and a show? Give this a shake before opening, and enjoy the malty, bready slightly sweet notes of this porch pounder.


Ridegway (English-style Golden Ale, Lamplighter/Hook Norton Brewery, Cambridge, MA and Hook Norton, UK, 5.5%)
Ridgeway is a floral and fruity English-Style Golden Ale brewed with our friends from the historic Hook Norton Brewery in England. Aromas of black tea from the Tea Maker hops give way to tasting notes of orange and plum, finished by a light, pleasant bitterness. Keep cold and enjoy fresh





Lost Sailor (UK-style IPA, Berkshire Brewing, South Deerfield, MA, 5.8%) You don’t need a compass to find your way to BBC's flagship India Pale Ale. This classic British-inspired IPA boasts a well-rounded malt profile, complex floral and citrus aromas, and generous Goldings dry hopping. Well balanced between malt sweetness and hop bitterness, this style of beer dives into the historical style of IPAs, before the US started throwing ludicrous amounts of hops into everything