Just say no to snow! Winter's over! Get out and celebrate Spring with our latest discoveries and additions. The new yellow sale tags are up, so stop by to see what's on sale, and watch your mailbox soon for the hardcopy.

We've just brought two new Pinot Noirs onto the shelves and can't wait to tell you about them. On the high end, we have a new Oregon treasure from Bergstrom, a family-run winery that sources from a number of powerful vineyards throughout the state. Their total production is only 10,000 cases, and both their own and their source vineyards are hand-farmed using sustainable agriculture and organic practices. The 2005 Cumberland Reserve is a blend of grapes from 9 different vineyards. These diverse lots were harvested over several weeks in late 2005, fermented and barrel aged 9 months in 50% new French oak barrels before being blended together. With the different wines coming together in the final blend, this is one that benefits from aging. The winery recommends waiting between 3 and 8 years from the vintage, which means this one is just coming into its own. The 2005 Cumberland Reserve showcases the best aspects of the vintage with bright acidity, dark color, and lower alcohol than past vintages, wonderful red fruit character and intense spicy aromatics. Robert Parker gave it 91 points and said "The 2005 Pinot Noir 'Cumberland Reserve'  has an expressive perfume of smoke, cassis, black cherry, and black raspberry. Medium-bodied, it offers a fleshy mid-palate, ripe fruit, and excellent balance. There is structure but it is well-concealed. The finish is long and pure. Give it 3-4 years to evolve and drink it through 2022. In a remarkably brief time (the first vintage was 1999), Bergstrom, under the leadership of winemaker Josh Bergstrom, has become one of the quality leaders of the Willamette Valley."

 

Our second new Pinot comes from Montoya Vineyards, source for one of Sterling's favorite easy-drinking Cabs. Montoya Vineyards is located just outside Greenfield, CA, in southern Monterey County. Because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean this is a cooler growing region, perfect for Pinot Noir. The grapes come from old vines planted in the 1960s - this gives more concentrated flavor to the fruit, adding a sense of dried figs and spice to the standard strawberry. A pale purple shading to brick at the edges, this Monterey wine offers nice fruit with a soft mouthfeel. This is an easy-drinking option for all lighter meals - and a new favorite for all of us.

 

Last on the list, another organic Pinot Noir. Alma Rosa Winery is the latest venture from Richard Sanford, of Sanford Winery fame. The first to plant Pinot Noir over 30 years ago in the Santa Rita Hills (now an officially accredited American Viticultural Area), Sanford founded Alma Rosa in 2005 as a benchmark for organic farming, sustainable agriculture methods, and environment-friendly commerce. The 2005 is their first release and it's terrific, a really big Pinot Noir that will wow you with its depth of flavors. Wine Spectator gave it 90 points and said "With enticing aromas of lavender and berry, this is rich, supple and elegant on the palate, with a vibrancy to the fruit and a suppleness to the texture. Long and fruity on the finish. Drink now through 2011."

 

BERGSTROM "CUMBERLAND RESERVE" PINOT NOIR 2005, Oregon $45.97, $551.64/case ml CAP (regularly $54.95)

MONTOYA PINOT NOIR 2005, Monterey $13.97, $167.64/case CAP (regularly $16.95)

ALMA ROSA PINOT NOIR 2005, Sta. Rita Hills $39.95, $479.40/case-Save 10%

In a world of artificially flavored vodkas, rums and tequilas, it is really nice to see an all-naturally flavored spirit. 267 Infusions carefully selects fresh fruits and blends them with ultra-premium vodka, rum or tequila. Nothing artificial is added. The fruits' own natural juices, colors and essence become part of the spirit. The resulting 42 proof 267 Infusion can be enjoyed chilled or over ice or as a mixer. At Schaefer's, we carry two vodkas, Cranberry and Olives with Pearl Onions; Rum with Mango and the Chili Infused Tequila. 267 Infusions spirits are packaged in a handcrafted contemporary bottle with the fruit clearly visible inside. When you've savored the final drop, the fruit can be enjoyed on its own, as a spirited dessert, added to a favorite recipe, or as a reminder to open another bottle. So much pleasure for as little. (Mui)

 

CRANBERRY INFUSED VODKA $29.95

OLIVE & ONION INFUSED VODKA $29.95

MANGO INFUSED RUM $29.95

CHILI PEPPER INFUSED TEQUILA $29.95

Celebrate the end of winter with Rising Moon Spring Ale. The smooth, balanced ale is brewed with three varieties of specialty malts and an infusion of fresh Kieffer lime leaves and lime peel to bring out the freshness of spring. At the Blue Moon Brewing Company, everything they do stems from their artistic approach to brewing beer. They're determined to take great, classic styles and make them better by adding unique twists. Rising Moon is crisp with a subtle citrus taste that pairs great with Thai food. Or pretty much anything!

 

BLUE MOON RISING MOON SPRING ALE $7.97/6-pack CAP (regularly $8.99)

There are lots and lots of Italian sauces out there today. They are tasty, convenient and time saving. Yet they all seem to taste the same! The flavors just don't have gusto. Our friends at Isola Imports Chicago bring us a sauce with authentic, fresh taste, the kind you get at the finest restaurants. Our search for the best took us far and wide; we tried so much great sauce that we went far and got very wide! The unique taste of their sauce comes from using the Carmelina Brand San Marzano tomato grown in only one place on earth, the rich volcanic soil in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. This is an extraordinary sauce made in the tradition of Giovanni's (John Nitti, President of Isola) Italian family, one small batch at a time, using only the freshest ingredients. No compromises. No preservatives. All natural. Isola's Artichoke and Sundried Tomato sauce is absolutely delicious. Think sundried tomatoes are over? Not here. They brighten up and give a richness to this rustic sauce already full of those gorgeous San Marzano's, artichokes, parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, onions, garlic and just the right touch of basil.

 

We like to serve this sauce on Gia Russa's gorgeous Pasta Nest All'uovo or egg pappardelle. Mmm. Two simple ingredients combined to produce the perfect "egg nest" pasta. Farm fresh eggs and Italian Durham wheat semolina are mixed, kneaded and rolled, then cut into their distinct and beautiful forms. Made of 21% egg and uniquely cut reginette style. In an industry rarity, this fine pasta is also preservative-free and beautifully packaged.

 

GIA RUSSA EGG PAPPARDELLE $3.97/8.8 oz CAP (regularly $4.49)

ISOLA ARTICHOKE & SUN DRIED TOMATO SAUCE $7.97/26 oz CAP (regularly $8.99)

Continuing our extremely fun series of Third Thursday Wine Classes focusing on individual grapes, this month we'll look at Cabernets. Sterling Pratt will be leading this one and he has picked out some terrific wines from around the world to make it well worth your while. The food department will, of course, offer some appropriate snacks - please remember, if you would prefer a vegetarian tasting plate, let us know when you register. As always, reservations in advance are required so call or e-mail right now because space is limited.

 

03/20 THU - 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., $20 for CAP members (and you will become a CAP member). Contact Schaefer's at 847-677-WINE (9463) or by email to sign up.

Join us this Saturday in our tasting room as we focus on some of the wines in our new Spring Sale. We will also be sampling a range of beers and of course snacks, too. Hope to see you there!

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.