Introducing D66: ORIN SWIFT'S New Must-Have Grenache

Orin Swift has done it again, this time going beyond our borders:  Introducing D66, a fantastic new red from winemaker Dave Phinney.  D66 is the inaugural release from Orin Swift's new winery and vineyards in the small town of Maury, France (in Department 66) in the outer Roussillon very close to the Spanish border where owner Dave Phinney owns approximately 235 acres of mostly Grenache vines with a little Syrah and Carignan.  The majority of the vines were planted more than 60 years ago. The terrain is dominated by black schist, a crystalline rock based soil that retains heat well but is poor in organic nutrients and nitrogens. In other words, these vines really have to struggle. The result is a very dark, concentrated, and rich wine.

Orin Swift 2009 'D66' Grenache - $42.99 Tasting Notes:  "The wine has a very dark, opaque red color with subtle aromas of toasted oak, ripe blueberry jam and dried rose petal. The entry is mouth coating and lush. Opulent plum and ultra ripe cherry are balanced with asian spices and a bright vein of minerality and acidity that give great structure, weight and balance to the long finish. The tannin chains are long and will lend to ageability for 5 to 10 years. 80% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 8% Carignan.  Another must-have." Also available from Orin Swift: "Veladora" Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Napa Valley - $28.99

Twisted Spoke Bloody Mary Mix

A native of Illinois and the best Bloody Mary mix around!

The world-famous house Bloody Mary Mix of Chicago's own Twisted Spoke Bar and Restaurant. She’s hot. She’s meaty. She goes down easy. You can call her Road Rash Mary. Now you can take home a bottle of their mix! The Twisted Spoke Brand Bloody Mary Mix is available for $7.99 per bottle.

Next time get spoked...

Freshen Up: New on the Menu!

Every year about this time, we like to refresh the menu for the Spring and Summer. But every season it becomes harder and harder to make changes to our menu as our friends, family and guests are loath to give up any of their favorites! When it comes to this time of year, we know that we'll be breaking a few hearts with the new menu, but let's only hope that some new favorites are in the offing...

Here's what's new this Spring:

SMALL PLATES

Greek Nachos
Diced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, spices and feta cheese served over Mediterranean seasoned pita chips.

Caprese Plate
Locally grown tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze

SALADS

Spinach & Lobster Salad
Baby Spinach, langostino lobster, almonds, Mandarin oranges, parmesan, cucumbers served with a Champagne Mango vinaigrette

GOURMET SANDWICHES

Cajun Chicken Po’ Boy
Cajun spiced chicken breast, spiced pickles, remoulade sauce and lettuce on a hoagie roll

Cuban
Smoked Ham, Swiss cheese, bacon, pickles and Caribbean aioli pressed on a hoagie roll

The Tuscan
Genoa salami, ham, pepper cheese, tomato, lettuce & a Cabernet vinaigrette on a hoagie

Pizza Panini
Naan bread pressed with marinara sauce, crumbled Italian sausage & shredded mozzarella cheese

Roast Beef & Bacon
Roasted Beef, bacon, garlic mayo, lettuce and tomato served on toasted Black Pepper bread

DESSERTS

Sweet Orange Bread
Served with strawberry sauce and whipped cream

White Chocolate Raspberry 7 Layer Cake
Served with raspberry sauce and whipped cream

Ginger Beer Float
Vanilla ice cream, Goose Island Ginger Beer, whipped cream & ginger snaps

Blackberry Mousse
Brandy snap tulip cup filled with blackberry mousse and fresh berries

Vanilla Bean Crème Brulée
Creamy egg custard with vanilla bean and Tahitian Vanilla

Mango Sorbet
A scoop of freshly made Mango sorbet with ginger snap

Double Chocolate Cake Roll
Served with chocolate sauce & whipped cream

Congratulate if you made it this far.  Now isn't it time to drop by the Wine Bar Cafe and try out these new Summer favorites for yourself!

 

 

 

 

Totally Germain

The Elegance of Elderflower

St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur from France

The world’s first liqueur created in the artisanal French manner from freshly handpicked elderflower blossoms. Neither passionfruit nor pear, grapefruit nor lemon, the sublime taste of St-Germain hints at each of these and yet none of them exactly. It is a flavor as subtle and delicate as it is captivating. A little like asking a hummingbird to describe the flavor of its favorite nectar. The taste is divine and  the possibilities are endless…Très curieux indeed, n'est-ce pas?

Saint ‘G’ Martini  $8.50
Raspberry Vodka, St. Germain & lime

St. Germain Sparkler  $7.00
Freixenet with a St. Germain float

St. Rita  $7.75
Ranchero Tequila, St. Germain & lime

St. Germain Kir Blanc  $7.00
Chardonnay with a St. Germain float

Cuzco Fizz  $7.75
Fuegos Pisco, St. Germain & Lime

VPB Daiquiri  $7.75
Brugal Anejo Rum, St. Germain & lime

Join us in the Wine Bar Cafe for a selection of cocktails crafted around this unique liqueur.

All Stacked Up & Ready to Go

MONTINORE 
'Borrealis : The Northern Whites' 2010, 
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Montinore's inspiration for this wine grew out of the enjoyment of wines like Albariño from Spain and Torrontes from Argentina, wines with pronounced aromatics and great fruit flavor but a dry finish. 

This blend of 34% Müller-Thurgau, 15% Gewürztraminer, 17% Pinot Gris, 34% Riesling has pronounced aromatics and great fruit flavor, but a dry finish. The aroma practically covers the full fruit spectrum with notes of papaya, quince, yellow apple and hints of grapefruit and lime made all the more exotic with whiffs of jasmine and sandlewood. On the palate it starts with a slightly sweet expression of ripe fruit with a crisp acid balance and evolves to a delicious fresh finish of grapefruit and lime. This is a great wine for sipping on its own or pairing with fresh fruit and cheese.

 SPOT ON CELLARS Pinot Blanc 'Orsi Vineyard' 2007, Mendocino, California

Spot On Cellars is a small Sonoma-based winery that creates small lots of vineyard-designate wines from vineyards located in Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties in northern California.  Theiir wines are hand-crafted to be an accurate reflection of a particular grape varietal and the vineyard and terroir in which it was grown.  It's their belief that if you find the right spot for growing the right grapes, winemaking becomes a simple process of shepherding the grapes to the bottle.  Hence the name "Spot On".

The color is a pale yellow.  The aromatics include green apple, lemon zest, star fruit and talc. Citrus with lime leaf, lemon curd, orange blossoms and wet concrete.  The wine has a bright acidity and a touch of tannin that leads to a long and persistent finish.

 

 FIRESTONE 'Discoveries' Chardonnay 2009, California
It’s not always the journey that changes our lives. It’s often the Discoveries we make along the way. Working with local growers to source grapes from premier appellations across the Central Coast these approachable and affordable wines ultimately showcase the Central Coast as one of the world's most versatile winegrowing regions.
Bright straw yellow in color, the 2008 California Chardonnay exhibits aromas of apple, pear, melon, lemon and honey with slight caramel undertones from the oak aging. On the palate, moderate acidity balances creamy notes of ripe pears, melons and caramel, with a bright and lingering finish of citrus and minerals.

 

NOVA 'Norma Jeane' Merlot 2010
California
Norma Jeane wines reflect the freshness and youthful charm of the young Marilyn Monroe. These are wines full of vibrant fruit flavors that are meant to be enjoyed soon after they are released. Since the first vintage in 1998, each Norma Jeane Merlot has been produced from grapes grown in the Tallerico Vineyard in French Camp, California. A little Syrah is blended with typically 80 percent or more Merlot, giving an abundance of fruit flavor and luminous color to each vintage.
The label for this 2010 vintage of Norma Jeane – A Young Merlot is graced by a 1940s photo of Norma Jeane making an entrance in a shimmering gown, and perfectly captures her vivacious charm – qualities that are reflected in this wine, which is so fresh and exuberant.
The grapes for this wine were sourced predominantly from the Paso Robles AVA, where Merlot is a leading grape variety, yielding wines often noted for their generosity of flavor, elegance, and balance.

It's My Own Damn Fault

MARGARITA LEMON LIME SQUEEZER
AND SALT RIMMER GIFT SET

The sizzling tastes of summer straight from the barbeque. Hot days, cool nights, even cooler drinks. Gourmet du Village is very pleased to announce their Lemon Lime Squeezer & Rimmer, a completely new and novel tableware accessory for your summer patio entertaining. When you treat your guests to a refreshing glass of Gourmet du Village Margarita your presentation will be easier and more elegant by using this new accessory.
This two piece porcelain gift comes with a base to hold the gently lime-flavoured sea salt (included) for rimming your glass and a traditional shaped top piece for squeezing Lemons or Limes with easy hold handle and pouring spout. Squeeze your lemon or lime, dip the rim of your Margarita glass in the freshly squeezed juice, then dip the glass rim into the tangy sea salt. You are now ready to fill your glass with a frosty refreshing Gourmet du Village Margarita.

Lime Margarita
This best seller is now available in stylish new packaging, the look has changed the colours have been refreshed, but the product inside remains the best margarita you have ever enjoyed, freshly presented for Spring. Serves 2.

Mango Margarita
The success of the Margarita as a refreshing drink to enjoy year round continues to grow. Gourmet du Village is  very pleased to introduce a refreshing twist on this most enjoyable of classics, Mango Margarita.