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Greetings, //FirstName//! Now we really start to turn the corner! With longer, sunnier, warmer days you'll see our Wine of the Month selections leaning towards the chill-able, sip-able, grill-able categories. You'll see the Summer seasonal beers in full bloom. You'll see even more frequent and more exuberent smiles on the faces of the staff. You'll see all that's good about REAL springtime in New England. Join us this Friday as the celebration begins! Keep in mind as you sip on our wine, beer and spirits this weekend that this Monday we also have a bonus tasting event. Austrian Wine Month has been declared and we're doing our part to spread the word. Join Rebecca at the Tasting Station this Monday evening, 5-7pm. Lower right for more! Otherwise here is docket for the weekend: Wine: Another astonishing group of five Wines of the Month that defy reasonable expectations! Join Rebecca and I as we unveil these slam-dunk winners. Friday from 4:30-7:30pm Below for details. Beer: Tenth & Blake!! Friday from 5-7pm. Spirits: Cinco de Mayo is on the way! Mezcal it up with us before the big day. Saturday from 3-5pm. Lower right for more. Cheers! Dan Lech Ball Square Fine Wines
WINES OF THE MONTHEnjoy 10% off single bottles of Wine of the Month selections or 20% off a case of these wines, mix or match, all month long! This discount applies for all Wine Club members. Villa San Martino "Bianco Stadalta" 2012 ~ Italy Here is a bargain of the highest order. We've yet to go lower than $7.99 on a W.O.M. and we've only gone that low a few times. The reason being that Wines of the Month aren't chosen because they're "good for the money"; they're chosen because they're really good wines that happen to fall below a certain price level. Few eight-buckers make that cut. While it makes no mention of it on the label, this wine is comprised entirely of the grape formerly known as Tocai (the Hungarian"Tokay" won the court battle). This charming varietal (now generally called Friulano in the region) has more palate weight, nutty complexity and overall flavor interest than Pinot Grigio but can fit the same purposes. Unoaked, unpretentious and simply, snappily delicious, this is a white that will leave you amazed at the lowness of doughness needed to get it out of our doors and into yours. Enjoy! Pairings: Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Salad; Grilled Sea Bass (with a side of aforementioned salad) $7.99 Laroque "Classique" Sauvignon Blanc 2012 ~ Carcassonne, France Placing this piquant partner in the pantheon of particular Sauvignon Blanc styles is a personal pleasure. Fleshier than the Loire Valley (Sancerre etc.) style, more intense than Bordeaux's version, less oak and sweetness than California juice and not as overtly fruity as the New Zealand M.O. Now that we know what it isn't let's talk about what it is (directly from our tasting notes): Quince, Granny Smith, lime, white flowers, tart and tangy with salinity and a touch of grass. I'll add overall balance and seamlessness of texture (our usual turn ons) to that mix. This "city" white from lovely Carcassonne can brighten your day as an enticing sipper or a multiple meal match, either way YOU WIN! Pairings: Orrechiette with EVOO, Artichoke hearts, Capers, green Peas and Lemon zest (Scallops optional) $10.99 Cortijo III Rosado 2012 ~ Rioja, Spain We begin our W.O.M. rose journey of 2013 with a wine hailing from one of the most prestigious wine regions on the globe, Rioja! But don't let the pedigree of the region fool you. This robust and satiating rose is an offspring from the "shack" of Cortijo. Yes, shack. Cortijo values wine growing more than it values winemaking (i.e. the magic happens in the vineyards) so they don't get all bogged down with expenditures that won't improve their efforts in the vineyards - and named (and accessibly priced??) their project accordingly. Equal parts Grenache and Tempranillo this wine is traditionally Spanish, with a little extra ole! in the bottle. Super ripe strawberries and black raspberries are balanced by an intense cut of wet-stone minerality and spice. Not surprising for traditional Spanish rose, this is a wine that stands up to the damper days of spring yet truly rejoices with tapas alfresco while breaking in the patio furniture. Pairings: Charcuterie (Jamon Serrano) & Manchego; Curry Veggie Burger $10.99 Paul Mas Pinot Noir 2011 ~ Pays D'Oc, France Paul Mas covers all of the Languedoc bases. The estate uses the regional varieties (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, etc.) to make serious and long lived Coteaux du Languedoc and Corbieres appellation controlee wines. He also makes use of southern France's perfect wine grape growing climate to grow "international" varieties such as this little winner of a Pinot Noir. Capturing the light herbal nuances and cheery berries of the grape type in perfect proportion, this is not a compromise wine, this is a Wine. Subtle French earth tones lend a layer of interest to the black cherry and red raspberry fruit tones. Fine tannins and lifting acid incite further investigation. Overall a generously priced Pinot Noir that needs no caveats. Pairings: Herb-encrusted Pork tenderloin grilled in supreme moderation; Butternut Squash Ravioli in a light cream sauce $11.99 Villa Chigi Chianti 2011 ~ Tuscany, Italy Poggio Bonelli Chianti Classico ($19.99) is one of those wines that is loved by all who come in contact with it. A staff favorite that has "gone viral" amongst our Italophile customers, it's a wine of serious Tuscan "barnyard" that is magically interwoven with the perfect fruit balance. Villa Chigi is the second wine of Poggio Bonelli and is endowed with many of those same attributes. The fact that it is nearly half the price of its big brother doesn't hurt our feelings in the least. Thickish red and black cherry fruits stand boldly before an earthy backdrop and herbal cut in this humdinger of a Chianti bargain. Dry as dry needs to be and ready for a serious meal (got that grill goin' yet?) this will scratch that Euro zone red itch all summer long. Yes! Pairings: Grilled Lamb Chops; Grilled Eggplant, Mushroom, Goat cheese Flatbread $10.99
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