We've done it before, but never to this extent. Lost our minds? Maybe. We've reviewed all the numbers and found over 200 wines that just don't meet our standards. Our sales standards, that is. It's time to say goodbye to old friends and drop prices to levels we can't even show George. What are they? They're an assortment of wines from around the world at prices better than anyone can match. But they're limited to the bottles we have on hand. When they're gone, they're gone. Here's an Excel list you can download and carry with you. Call us or stop by to take advantage of these special prices. As an extra incentive, we're telling you, our most loyal customers, that this list will be available on our Web site tomorrow morning, three days earlier than we usually post Say-Vino features. Don't miss these huge savings.

Whether you're a fan of Rubens or Picasso, Copland or Stravinsky, all artists share a passion, a vision of something the rest of us can't see until they're done. Manfred Krankl and his wife Elaine, "E", share a passion about the finest grapes they can find across California and the juice they can bottle from their discoveries under their Sine Qua Non labels. Few people have ever had a bottle of Krankl's wine, and the artist in him is all right with that. If architect Mies van der Rohe had it right when he coined the phrase "less is more," Krankl sticks to this with a fervor few match in winemaking. There are only a handful of bottles released each year, all creatively named, and most sold through a direct-mail list Krankl maintains, or through select restaurants. We got our hands on a few bottles of the following and urge you not to sit on your hands. Order? It's easy, just use the handy links below. (And read more about Sine Qua Non and Krankl's background in this Ventana Magazine article.

 

SINE QUA NON ATLANTIS FE SYRAH 2005, California $179.97 (NORMAL $249.95) ("95-97 points." - Parker)

SINE QUA NON ATLANTIS FE GRENACHE 2005, California $179.97 (NORMAL $249.95) ("96-98 points." - Parker)

Don't ask me why I like everything New Belgium Brewing Company makes. Is it the rational fact that they try really hard to make a product that's better than that made by the big guys with the Dalmatians? Is it the rational association anyone has with the mountains of Colorado and the fact that a great Rockies brew has to be better than anything else? Or is the irrational fact that my older daughter introduced me to them on a recent trip to the mile-high city. Whatever! Here's the brew to celebrate Earth Day and every Spring day with, the Mothership Wit. Their first venture into organically-produced beer, Mothership Wit Organic Wheat Beer elevates the zesty Wit or White beers of Belgium. New Belgium's far-flung Beer Rangers affectionately refer to the Fort Collins brewery as the Mothership, a name that conjures images of earth shot from space and the interconnectivity of it all. Mothership Wit is brewed with wheat and barley malt, as well as coriander and orange peel spicing resulting in a balance of citrus and sour flavors held in suspension by a bright burst of carbonation.

 

MOTHERSHIP WIT, Colorado $9.49/six-pack

What could be simpler? Twenty-five-plus ounces of red wine that just beg to be enjoyed with anything you can think of to grill this Spring. This is not just some regional Spanish red for Paella, it's a worldwide success that deserves to sit beside any reasonably spicy red meat meal. Thai curries? Sure. KC BBQ? Absolutely. And not to stress this too much, but it's an organic Monastrell (Mourvedre) to boot. Full of ripe, earthy flavors and inky, juicy personality, this is the red to store close to the back door so the next time the grill fires up and burgers leap off the plate to sizzle to medium-well, you'll have a glass of this in hand to celebrate.

 

LUZON VERDE 2006, Jumilla, Spain $7.97 (NORMAL: $9.95)

A month ago I spent a weekend locked in a hotel in downtown Rochester, NY. Why on earth would a person volunteer for the duty? I was invited to be one of the judges at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. Up early every day, panel after panel, flight after flight, we trudged through over 2,000 wines making this one of the largest similar competitions in the States. Not all the wines were from New York, or even the East Coast, but there were a wide number of discoveries that really helped me appreciate what winemakers are doing outside California, the Pacific Northwest and the rest of the known wine world. Would I do it again? In a New York minute! Why? The beneficiaries of the competition and the resulting auction of wines from winning wineries and other generous donors are the kids who attend Camp Good Days on Lake Keuka in the Finger Lakes. At Camp Good Days, participants have the opportunity to regain some of what cancer, sickle cell anemia, or violence has taken away from them. Sign me up again! Want to make a donation to the camp and their wine auction in May? Have a little extra auction-worthy wine in your cellar you'd like to donate? Contact me, I'll put you in touch.

Rejuvenation often brings out the best in people. New starts. New ideas. Wow, are we huge fans of the Alma Rosa or what? Dick Sanford stands as one of California's living pioneers with Pinot Noir. Few others alive today have done as much as he has to propel this variety from obscurity and disdain to the front of the classroom. Anyone with any sense making wines in California when Sanford got his start made Cabernet. Hurray for Sanford's crazy idea that he could do something with Pinot. But then one thing led to another and the "Sanford" winery was sold to someone else and Dick Sanford got to start over. Make something safe like Cabernet? Heck no! Pinot! Thekla and Dick Sanford are proud to tell you too that this time they're sustainable winegrowers, just one more way they can make it better.

 

ALMA ROSA PINOT NOIR 2005, Santa Rita Hills, San Luis Obispo $37.95

The Organic Olive Oil Company is a small company dedicated to seeking out the finest quality, artisan-produced extra virgin, organic olive oils from around the world. They were founded in 2001 by Field Reichardt of Grand Haven, Michigan, a passionate lover of great foods with years of experience in the specialty food and wine business; and Tito Mirisola, son of Salvatore Mirisola, an organic olive oil producer from Riesi, Sicily. Their Organic Olive Oils have extremely limited production and are 100% true extra virgin, organically produced and packaged. As with all great oils, these are first, cold processed, lightly filtered, or unfiltered. They have exceptional flavor and are winners of numerous international awards. Fresh from the growers, the company buys its oils directly from the farmers who make them and sells directly to discerning retailers and gourmets across the United States. The Organic Olive Oil Company's products are truly rare, fresh and carefully handled. The farmer-direct relationship reduces time to market providing retailers with the freshest possible products.

 

We tasted these fantastic olive oils and couldn't wait to place an order. The oils we chose come from Argentina, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, Portugal and Italy. They are made, bottled and sold like fine wine. Like fine, rare wines they are sold in small batches and allocated to a great extent. These Organic Olive Oils are absolutely phenomenal and really deserve your attention.

 

Some of the oils have an extremely limited production and we are very lucky to be allocated a case or two. Please, come on in and taste. We have lots more information, and amazing recipes for each of the oils, such as Lakeland's Kim's Lamb Leg Steak with Roast Summer Vegetables and Pesto and a crazy delicious Argentine Beef Stew with Pumpkin. Contact us to place an order or request these recipes. Of course, we will have a precious bottle of each open in the store for sampling. You've got to try these!

 

ARMANDO MANSUR, Rivadavia, Mendoza, Argentina $15.97/250ml (Normal $16.99)

HERMANOS CATALÁN, Rioja, Spain $18.97/250ml (Normal $20.99)

JOANA & JOAO OLIVEIRA, Tras-os-Montes, Douro, Portugal $30.97/250ml (Normal $32.99)

MOUTERE GROVE, Nelson, South Island, New Zealand $28.97/250ml (Normal $30.99)

LAKELANDS OLIVES, Clandulla, New South Wales, Australia $27.97/250ml (Normal $29.99)

VILLA STABBIA, Mazza e Cozzile, Tuscany $25.97/250ml (Normal $27.99)

Highland Park's Bluegrass restaurant runs a series of popular winemaker dinners and their next is right around the corner. Amada Wittstrom-Higgens, owner/partner of Ancient Peaks will be their featured winemaker. A special menu has been planned to highlight four of Ancient Peaks' wines. We will offer special pricing that evening only for the wines as well. Seventy-five dollars per person, all inclusive (tax and tip). Amanda is a fourth-generation Paso Robles native with deep family roots in local agriculture and ranching. Monday, April 28, 6 PM. Plan to call them to make a reservation for a great evening of fun and new wine discoveries: (847) 831-0595.

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.