August 2007 Archives
Hear ye, hear ye . . . we’ve big news this week in Athens and at Gosford: the highly anticipated opening of The National is upon us, the football season is just about to kick off, and it has finally managed to rain some. These are all good things.
Our Wine of the Week . . . has been popularized as a consituent of our Italian Heat Wave special, and it’s been a hit all summer long, so put your hands together for the Luccarelli Primitivo, Salento, Italy; $8.99/btl. The Luccarelli is a delightful little summertime pleaser from extreme southeast Italy. It’s medium-light in body, with very soft tannins. What it lacks in weight and power is compensated by spice, minerality, and fresh, fruity acidity. These features combine to make for a perfect hot weather wine. We usually sell it for $9.99, so enjoy it while you can at the reduced price.
Don’t miss our Wednesday Seminar this week . . . which will feature wines from the less appreciated winelands of the southern hemisphere, specifically South America and South Africa – I’m not above calling it ‘Southern Accents’ or something like that. We’ll try some South African Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage, whilst hitting up South America for some Torrontes, Cabernet Sauvignon, and of course, Malbec. Join me for a look at how the other half lives . . . we might have a bit of fun doing it.
Lukas will be all alone this Wednesday, so please bring a little patience along with your $5.
Drop in anytime between six and eight pm.
The National has opened its doors . . . and it seems to have been well worth the wait. Hugh Acheson, of 5&10 fame, has opened a new restaurant at 232 W Hancock – adjacent to Ciné in downtown Athens. All reports have been extremely positive, and we look forward to hearing yours. The menu is designed in a Meditteranean spirit, and if you’d like to take a look at it, please do so at www.thenationalrestaurant.com. The dining room will be open and serving lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30a-2:30p. Dinner will be served from 5:00p-11:00p Monday through Thursday, and from 5:00a-midnight on Friday and Saturday. The National bar will be open from 11:30a to 2:00a Monday through Friday, and from 5:00p to 2:00a on Saturday. Both the bar and the dining room will be closed on Sunday. With its Enomatic wine preservation system, The National is now able to provide unparalleled wine service, whereby opened bottles will keep for weeks at a time, and each glass will be served at its proper temperature. I look forward to seeing you there.
Weekend’s Greetings from Gosford Wine . . .
We’ve Bubalis Bufala Mozzarella back in, but with only 14 portions left you should e-mail or call ahead to reserve yours.
We’ve also the Fra’Mani Chorizo back in, as well, which we’re letting go for $7.99.
The Italian Heat Wave is still available and selling well.
The new vintage of the Blanco Nieva Sauvignon Blanc is in, which I know many of you have anticipated.
My favorite Sauvignon Blanc of the summer is Jim Barry’s ‘Silly Mid On’ from South Australia. I drank a bottle yesterday in approximately 45 seconds (who’s counting?) – and that’s more a credit to the wine than to my powers of consumption. I believe that it’s the best $17.99 you can spend on a bright, refreshing white wine just now.
Just a few words . . .
Our Wine of the Week is (finally) here . . . it’s the 2003 Rosa Del Golfo “Scaliere,” Negroamaro; Salento, Italy; $10.99/btl. Upon the first whiff, I would have sworn that it was Vino Nobile. I’m not kidding. This wine is shockingly good for the money. . . .That said, it’s all the way Italian. Long aging (four years) gives this wine the mature, slightly oxidized, earthy, slightly almondine character that Italophiles rightly associate with Vino Nobile – for the uninitiated, Vino Nobile is one of the three great traditional reds of Tuscany. The wine was aged in stainless steel, however, which allowed the wine to maintain a freshness in its fruit profile that might otherwise be lacking. The surprise is that the wine is made from Negroamaro (“black and bitter”) grapes grown in Salento, Italy. The Leone de Castris “Maiana” was comprised mainly of Negroamaro, for example. I love the “Maiana,” but I think the “Scaliere” is definitely a step above. To make a long story short, this is the most serious wine I’ve seen for less than $12 in some time, and I encourage all of you to give it a try. Many tasters were surprised that the wine could be had for less than $15, and many expected to (willingly) pay $20. See for yourself. As always, call or e-mail ahead to reserve your bottles or cases.
Given that the heat wave of 2007 has not abated . . . I see no reason to cease offering relief therefrom. The Italian Heat Wave special is still alive until further notice, and it’s still $89.99 (after tax) for a case of delicious, summer appropriate reds and whites. Call or e-mail ahead to have yours waiting for you.
