Just in time to enjoy the dog days of summer, our latest wine sale has just kicked into gear. We've got some old favorites on sale as well as a number of new wines. Be sure to stop by and see what's new, as the brochure just went into production and won't be ready to mail to you for a couple of weeks.

 

I've picked out three new arrivals I am sure are going to be among the favorites of the sale, and they are worthy of your attention. The first on my sneak preview list is Cavalchina Bardolino 2006, sale-priced at $12.97 (reg. $15.95). This is what real Bardolino is all about: earthy, zesty with a tart (almost pickled) cherry taste and a lively, delicious finish. Perfect for Ravinia or your next barbeque.

 

From the high hill vineyards of the Runan area of the Languedoc, with its old vine Grenache, comes Black Beret Grenache/Syrah 2005, sale-priced at only $7.97 (reg. $9.95). The great red fruit flavor and spice of the Grenache is blended with the cream of the crop Syrah (20%) to give the wine dark berry backbone, resulting in a wonderful wine meant to be enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere with a Mediterranean dish.

 

Lake County, California, nestled between three of the most famous wine areas in the United States, (Mendocino, Sonoma and Napa), is the source of my next stellar wine. Guenoc Petite Sirah 2005, sale-priced at $12.97 (reg. $15.95). This Double Gold Medal winner at the 2007 California State Fair Wine Competition is everything you expect: dark, rich and concentrated with luscious blackberry, spice and licorice flavors.

Last Saturday was the official release date of Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, intro-priced at $59.97. Since the first vintage in 1972, Silver Oak has been a favorite of wine drinkers around the world. The rich, complex and smooth style offers flavor and depth to those who want to enjoy it young, as well as offering fine cellar potential.

 

"88 pts. The Alexander Valley cuvée is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new oak. The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley reveals an exaggerated tannin profile along with sweet plum, cherry, and currant fruit as well as notes of licorice, dried herbs, spice box, and toasty American wood. It could use a bit more flesh and depth, but it is certainly a very good, aromatic, spicy wine to consume during its first 8-9 years of life." -Robert Parker

 

We also have a limited number of magnums available at $119.97. Contact us with your request and we will do the best we can to meet your needs of 750s and mags.

Join us on Thursday, August 16th for our next wine class, entitled BASICS OF WINE: SUMMER SESSION. We will be tasting several wines and discussing approaches to analyzing and enjoying the world of wine. The session will start at 6:30 PM and end at 8 PM. Reservations are required in advance because space is limited. Admission is $20 for CAP members, $25 for non-CAP. (CAP is our customer appreciation program that costs nothing to join and offers you shopping points and savings on selected items in our store.)

Enjoy a wine and cheese tasting featuring the Robert Mondavi Stemware collection from Waterford. Anje Schaefer will speak about pairing wine and cheese as the experts of Waterford reveal how the correct glass can make your wine taste that much better. For more information, please call Bloomingdale's at 847-675-5200 ext. 2399. (We gave you the Oakbrook phone number last week, sorry!)

 

WHEN & WHERE:

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

BLOOMINGDALE'S OLD ORCHARD

7:30 - 8:30 pm

Demo Kitchen on 3

It's August and time for vacations. If you have any free time, take a moment to visit www.simpsonizeme.com and find out what you would look like if you were an animated character living in the cartoon land of The Simpsons. This web site is like a modern day Mr. Potato Head; you'll have a lot of fun visiting it. Make sure you see the totally silly and brilliant movie about this Springfield family, if you get the chance. Here's a picture of our leader, George Schaefer, as interpreted by the web site artists. Enjoy, and have a great summer! Stop by the store when you have the chance.

That's all for this week. If we may be of any further service, please stop by our store at 9965 Gross Point Road in Skokie (for directions, click here), visit our website at http://www.schaefers.com, give us a call at 847-677-WINE (9463), 800-833-WINE (9463), or click here to contact us.