West Concord Liquors

Fit for a King or Queen

When is the correct time to enjoy genuine Champagne?

To kick off the summer season?  Certainly.

At an event?  Top me off please..

When you are entertaining? You betcha.

By the pool when you want to feel fab? Most Def.

When you bring it to someone as a gift and he or she decides to open it while you are there? Heck yea!

When you want to feel luxurious just because?  Gitty Up!

When we have some for you at  HALF price also known as 50% off? Whoa now! Say that again!


Marilyn Monroe loved Champagne and so do I.   She took a bath in it.   I don't think that would be so much fun.   But as I sit here typing, and sipping my glass of Champagne...in my shorts and a tee shirt, papers scattered about,  I'm wondering why I don't drink Champagne more often.   Champagne goes with just about any type of food and can be enjoyed before, during and after a meal.   It makes a party a party,  and can also  make a mundane night seem a little more elegant.

Maybe I don't drink Champagne more because I can't afford to drink it all the time.  Or maybe it's because I feel like I need a  reason to celebrate.  The Champagne section of our store catches my eye on a daily basis though I rarely indulge.  Once in a while, I'll splurge for Champagne, whether it's from one of the big old Champagne houses or a boutique, grower-Champagne.   Of course there are alternatives.  There is Prosecco from Italy and Cava from Spain.  Both can be delicious, and there are some great ones for the price but compared to Champagne?  They don't hold a candle.
 

(Beware:  Women enjoying Champagne together...)

Let's get one thing straight.  Genuine Champagne must be from the Champagne region of France.   There are some good, bad and incredible sparkling wines from the U.S.A. and Australia, but none of these are Champagne.  What makes Champagne so special?

• Terroir.  Champagne has a cool climate combined with unique soil.  The geologic evolution of the region, at one time a sea bed, gives Champagne chalky, mineral-rich soil. It's climate promotes a level of complexity in the wines with minerality layered with a multitude of flavors and aromas.
• The number and diversity of vineyards.  Champagne has over 300 individual crus or individually named vineyards.  These single vineyards provide a unique range of wine for blending.
  
  
• The cold, deep, chalky cellars in which Champagne can age for decades.
  
  
• 300+ years of experience in production.  Experience counts, right?
  

• The time consuming, difficult process in which Champagne is produced.

Champagne comes in all levels of sweetness.  The level of sweetness is always displayed on the label.   The most common and popular is Brut also know as dry.  I like both dry and sweet,  but like may other people I  prefer my bubbly to be dry.


 
When I first saw the Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Extrem'  I was curious. They called it Extreme because it's the driest of dry Champagne.  There is no sugar added at all.  This style of Champagne (also known as Zero or Nature) is especially popular in restaurants because it's crisp finish pairs so well with food.   The winemaker of the Brut Extrem' commented that the Extrem'  is very popular in coastal states (like ours) because it pairs so well with local seafood cuisine.  Looking at the chart above, this wine would be on the far, far left in the dry area.   At first I thought...hmm...I wonder how it will be without any sugar?  And as we enjoyed our second bottle in as many nights, I've found it to be satisfying in so many ways.   And we drank it without any food. 

(Heads up: Champagne is for groups of dudes too!)

The Brut Extrem' is one sexy wine.  It has that classic, intense, bread dough  aroma you get from Champagne with some apple and macadamia nut in the background.  The mouth feel has a smooth texture, with hints of citrus.  And the finish....this is the best part.  It's sleek, crisp, refreshing and purifying.  The length of the finish is incredible...it goes on  for minutes.  But the most important question.....do you always want more after you finish a glass?  YES!  The Brut Extrem' wine is just too easy to drink .    

 


Nicholas Feuillatte Brut Extrem'

Regular Price $39.99
In stock now for $19.99 per bottle or $210 a case.  That's over 50% Off! 

Very limited quantity.  There won't be any left for New Years :-)

 Jean-Pierre Vincent's (winemaker) notes:

"With Brut Extrem’, I am looking for as pure a wine as possible. No sugar is added, so the champagne develops in the most natural way possible. This is champagne in its natural state. It is the diamond as it leaves the mine.”

In stock now and next to the registers up front. You can reserve  a case or more by emailing me.  Thanks, Chris

Wine

A Few Good Men 5/13/10-  Pictured above, these four men all import wine from Europe.   They all started with a passion for wine created in the most traditional, purist methods and over the years they've sought out winemakers in Europe (mostly France) who share that same passion.  

These men bring wine into the United States produced by winemakers that aren't driven by profit, but rather the desire to create an expression of their grape varieties, climate and soil with minimal use of chemicals and machinery.   They refer to the finished product as "natural wine" or "real wine".    More often then not, I find their wines have more character and personality, then wine that is mass produced in laboratories.   

The wine imported by these men might not be among the biggest or juiciest of wines.   It's doubtful their imports will be blind tasting winners and score big with the critics.  But there is something more to them that I want to convey to you....something very intriguing. 

These men import wine that I want to explore.   It's more then a "been there, done that" thing after the bottle is gone.   Each one of their wines comes with a story.   The wine may have been bottled by hand, unfiltered, or fermented in 200 year old barrels, with no sulphur added.   Those kinds of ancient techniques can give extra depth and character and lots of little surprises in the wine that you don't find in many mass produced wines.  

With these sort of wines, you can think about the soil types because you might even be able to TASTE elements of the soil in the wine.   Even better, the flavors in naturally made wine can give clues to what other kinds of plants  were grown near the grape vines. 

Focus on Kermit -  The #2 picture above is of Kermit Lynch.  One of Kermit's original producers from his early days of importing, the late Rene Loyau talks about smelling wild currants in wine from a passage of Kermit's book ...

"All the old vintages exhibited a strong smell of wild currants," Loyau begins, wide eyed with the wonder of it all.  "However, in more recent years the same aroma was not to be found in the wine. Mystery!!" He draws out the word mystery and let's it hang in the air.  His eyes narrow with cunning as he leans toward my secretary and taps her four times.  For emphasis, I presume, the old fox.  "I inquired of the grower and asked when he tad torn out the patch of currants near the vineyard. Of course I had NEVER SEEN his vineyard.  It was pure deduction.  And wouldn't you know it? There had been wild currants growing to the stone wall that separated his land from his neighbors until......his neighbor cleared the patch of currants in order to plant vines!!"

 

Kermit has been importing wine since the mid 70's.  Many of our customers already are very familiar with Kermit's wines.  Gary Vandeychuck (the loud, funny wine guy who does video wine reviews) recently did an interview with Kermit. You can click the picture on watch it here: Kermit visits Gary


 
(click picture to see video)

 

We are featuring two wines imported by Kermit Lynch this week.

2005 Domaine de Poujol - Proteus

True to Kermit's profile,  Poujol uses minimal chemical treatments, minimal sulphur does not filter and uses wild yeasts when possible.   The Wine Advocate mentions drinking this wine when it's young, but after having it last week I think it's hitting it's peak right now.   If you like, earthy, rustic style wine I encourage you to try this one.

This wine did get 87 Points from the Wine Advocate - "The 2005 Proteus is a blend of Merlot with classic Rhone varieties. Abundant red raspberry and tart cherry fruit are mingled with cocoa powder and dried herbs in a juicy, simply engaging, and impressively persistent wine."  I think that's a pretty good review of this wine. 

Regular $15.99, on sale at $10.99 (due in this Friday 5/14 and will be at the registers)





2008 Domaine Fontsainte Gris de Gris (Rose)

Regular $13.99 on sale at $11.19 (due in Friday5/14 and will be at the registers)

Kermit's own words about this wine: The Fonsainte Gris di Gris is a crisp, dry beauty that leaves you smacking your lips - the wine drinker's applause. 

My own words about this wine:  It's a great summah sippah a.k.a a porch pounder!

Steve Tanzer likes it too and gave it 88 Points - 60% grenache gris and grenache, 15% carignane, 10% each of mourvedre and cinsault and 5% syrah) Light, bright pink. Honeysuckle, green tea, cranberry and strawberry on the nose. Juicy, finely etched red berry and citrus flavors are gently sweet and given spine by nervy minerality. Richer on the finish, which repeats the strawberry and floral notes and leaves dusty minerals behind. Serve this with a good chill, to emphasize the wine's freshness.



The Laboucarié père and fils of Domaine Fontsainte--Bruno Laboucarié and his father, Yves. The elder Laboucarié says that a visit from his U.S. importer, Kermit Lynch, is worse than a visit from Inspector Clouseau; "He tastes everything twice, and pokes around everywhere." I'm sure that this news comes as no surprise to any of Lynch's customers. They have depended on his excellent palate and diligence for over 30 years.
 

A final quote from Kermit: "Wine is, above all, pleaure.  Those who would make it ponderous make it dull.  People talk about the mystery of wine, yet most don't want anything to do with mystery.  They want it all there in one sniff, one taste.  If you keep an open mind and take each wine on it's own terms, there is a world of magic to discover. "

---

2006 Bordeaux


The most critically reviewed Bordeaux of the last decade are from 2000, 2005 and now the upcoming 2009.    How about the other years?  There is so much media attention on those good years that often the years in between are overlooked.    

The 2006 Malmaison was #84 in Wine Spectator's top 100 wines of 2009 with a score of 90 Points.   Not too long ago I bought some of this wine and I was wondering whether or not it was ready to drink.  I took one home and found that while delicious, the wine needs to be laid down for at least few years.   While I can see why the Spectator thinks so highly of it, like many young and rising wines it's too tannic and harsh but it's a fine candidate to put in your basement.    And at this price, you don't usually find age-worthy wines. 

"Blackberry and raspberry jam aromas follow through to a full body, with very soft tannins and pretty berry and currant character. This is seamless and well done for the vintage. Best after 2012" - James Suckling --- 90 Points Wine Spectator

He's not kidding about best after 2012!  It's a set-it-and-forget-it kind of wine!   In 2012 and beyond you'll have a beautiful tasting treat. 

Regular Price $21.99

Single bottle price:
$17.59 net (in stock now)

Carmenere

Where in Concord is Carmenere San Diego?

Do you remember the TV show or computer game or movie about Carmen San Diego?  If you don't, your kids probably do.  I watched it with my girlfriends nephew a few weeks back.

This is my story about trying to find Carmen excuse me, Carmenere  San Diego.   First I had to think long and hard about where in the world ol' Carmenere could be found.  I checked all our favorite wine-making regions.  Just about every major wine-making region has a grape or a style of wine that put them on the consumer map of wine.   But Carmenere?    You don't have to be a detective to see what grapes besides Carmenere are well represented on the shelves of any fine wine store.

Burgundy is known for  Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
New Zealand is known for  Sauvignon Blanc
Argentina is known for Malbec and Torrontes
Bordeaux is known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Rhone is known for Grenache and Syrah
South Africa is known for Pinotage
Germany is known for Riesling
Barolo and Barbaresco are known for Nebbiolo
Tuscany is known for  Sangiovese
Australia is known for Shiraz
and of course the USA is the melting pot of grapes

But what about Chile??? 
Chile is known for.........

Carmenere!  That's where she is, in Chile.   Besides being a little used blending grape in some Bordeaux wines, Carmenere stands out wonderfully as a single varietal  when grown and bottled in Chile.    Carmenere has been on my mind for a few weeks now since I watched the show.   I've been searching for a winery that produces the perfect example of this grape.   It shouldn't be too hard, right?  Just another small task in my quest of  finding amazing examples of wine from under-appreciated areas at a fantastic price.

I  tried some Carmenere's that were real Cheap-O's and some that were delicious, and what I call Expensive-O's.  The real Cheap-O's were under-ripe, thin and tasted like green pepper and the Expensive-O's were silky smooth, lush, dense and chewy.   But that's what I expect from an expensive bottle - either something totally unique and tasty or something so juicy I could drink the entire bottle myself in a night.  



(Carmenere goes great with a BBQ burger eaten on your porch, especially when it's 80 degrees out like it's going to be this coming Saturday!)

Anyone can walk into any store and spend a lot to get a great bottle.   Getting a great bottle for a great price requires research, trial and error and the desire to hunt!  My hunt for Carmenere San Diego continued on until I found her last week.  She had the looks and the makeup of a $30, expensive and awesome Carmenere but the price tag of a Cheap-O.   Now, that sounds like my kind of date!

For $15 this is a no-brainer purchase.  Why? Let me give you 5 reaons why.  Here comes the windup, and the  pitch.....

1. It's different.  I know, different doesn't necessarily mean better but it's easy to get caught in that Cabernet, Merlot, or Pinot Noir rut.   If you've tried Carmenere, this one will be the best you've had under $25.  If you haven't tried Carmenere, you're about to be spoiled.  It'll be like watching Forest Gump as your first introduction to all Tom Hanks movies. 
   
   
   
2. In a single word, this wine is hedonistic. The reviewers at the Wine Advocate use this term fairly often to describe a wine which is fun to drink for sheer pleasure rather then for a critical review. A proper definition for hedonistic?  "devotion to pleasure, especially to the pleasures of the senses". Pleasure, good. Pain, bad.
   
   
3. The price is right.  It will be very difficult to find this wine at a better price. Don't worry, I already checked.
   
   
   
4. Tastes great...and filling.  I just poured myself another sip.  It's the deepest of deep purples in the glass follow by spice, woodsy and red fruit aromas.  Very round and juicy in the mouth.  A creamy texture.  Finish shows soft and elegant tannins with a long, caressing and soothing finish. 
   
   
   
5. If you like modern versions of Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and even Malbec it will be hard to not enjoy this wine.  If you like old world style wine - more rustic, earthy, and sometimes sharp I encourage you to try this one out.  It's different.  Or wait for my next email which should please your tastes.  
   
   Click the label to see what other consumers think of this wine on Cellartracker.com

2007 Concha y Toro Carmenere Marques de Casa Concha

Found elsewhere @ $21
Our special E-Club Price is $14.99 net (over 30% off)

91 Points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:

"The Marques de Casa Concha series begins with the 2007 Carmenere which spent 16 months in French oak. Saturated purple in color, it offers up a splendid bouquet of toasty oak, tobacco, Asian spices, plum, and blueberry. Mouth-coating, layered, and bordering on opulent, there is plenty of ripe tannin lurking under the fruit, succulent flavors, and excellent balance. This is an awesome value "  91 Points - Wine Advocate

In stock now and next to the registers up front. You can reserve a bottle, a case or more by emailing me or just stop by the store.  

Tastes of Concord

Update: We got more tickets to give away for the Tastes of Concord this Thursday, 5/6 from 6:30 - 9:00:

Support your local
establishments.  They'll all be at the Taste of Concord.  You'll try more wines then you can imagine, sample a ton of food, listen to music and have fun!

Experience an evening of locally prepared food and wine from around the world.  Get a babysitter.  C'mon down!

We got some additional tickets that we can give out so please stop by the store and pick up free tickets for the Tastes of Concord.  The weather is going to be perfect for an evening of food and wine!   Tickets are free for E-Club members.   Sign up to be a member on our website.  After signing up, come by West Concord Liquors and mention this email (instead of printing it) to receive up to four tickets for your group.   The event will sell out so come quick!

100 wines along with the BEST food Concord has to offer from Verrill Farm, Debra's Natural Gourmet, Nashoba Brook Bakery, Vincenzo's, Papa Razzi, The Colonial Inn, Walden Grille, Slow Pokes BBQ, The Cheese Shop, Club Car Cafe, To Die For Dips and more!   

Check out the lineup of Wine, Scotch and Beer and the special mixed case price below:



Peter Lehmann Layers                          12.74
Hess Select Sauvignon Blanc                 11.24
Hess Suskol Chardonnay                       16.49
Peter Lehmann Shiraz                           11.99
Colome Amalya                                       12.74
Colome Malbec                                        22.49
Glen Carlou Meritage                             13.49
Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon          13.49
       
 

    
    

















  NASHOBA BROOK BAKERY will be there      
       
Round Hill Chardonnay                           6.74
Lander Jenkins Chardonnay                 10.49
Rutherford Ranch Chardonnay             11.24
Scott Family Chardonnay                      16.49
Round Hill Merlot                                    6.74
Rutherford Ranch Merlot                      11.99
Scott Family Pinot Noir                          16.49
Lander Jenkins Cabernet                      11.24
Rutherford Ranch Cabernet                 12.74
Rutherford Ranch Reserve Cabernet   24.74
       
      
VERRILL FARM will be there      
       
Miguel Torres Sauvignon Blanc         8.99
Torres Vina Esmerelda                     11.99
Drouhin St Veran                               13.49
Ique Malbec                                          9.74
Drouhin Morgon                                 12.74
Cloudline Pinot Noir                           14.99
Drouhin Laurene Pinot Noir             59.99
Ricasoli Campo Ceni IGT                   11.99
Torres Celeste                                     16.49
Hakutsuru Sake                                    8.24
       
      
SLOW POKES BBQ will be there
     
Nantucket Pinot Gris                       12.74
Nantucket Chardonnay                   12.74
Nantucket Sailors Delight               12.74
Nantucket Merlot                                 12.74
Triple Eight Vodka Straight, Blueberry, Vanilla,     26.99
Hurricane Rum                                29.99

DEBRA'S NATURAL GOURMET will be there      

     
Chandon Riche(California)                                17.24
Veuve Clicquot Rose                                          55.00
Chateau de Sancerre Sancerre                         22.49
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc                            20.99
Lapastolle Casa Carmenere (Chile)                  11.24
Terrazas Malbec                                                 10.49
Termes Numanthia                                            24.74
Newton Red Label Cabernet                            20.24
       
    
Guy with a funky haircut might be there again
      
DiLenardo Pinot Grigio(Friuli,Italy)              10.49
Pepiere Muscadet (Loire,France)                   11.24
Cadette Bourgogne Chardonnay                     14.24
Neyers Carneros Unfiltered Chardonnay      24.74
Seaglass Riesling (Santa Barbara,CA)              9.74
Mas St Berthe Rose (Provence)                      14.24
Domaine Poujol Proteus (Languedoc  )           11.24
Chateau Fontanes Cabernet                             11.99
Scaia Rosso (Unoaked Corvina)                      10.49
Lang and Reed Cabernet Franc                       20.24
Marques de Caceres Reserva                                                              22.49
Chateau Aney Haut Medoc                              18.74


THE COLONIAL INN will be there
     
Slane Castle Irish Whiskey                            29.99
Four Roses Single Barrel                                42.99
Michters Straight Rye                                    39.99
Hedonism                                                         93.99
John Barr Red Label                                       18.99
Glenrothes 8 year                                            31.99
Highland Park 8 year                                      31.99
Benromach Organic                                         71.99
Strathisla 25 year                                          149.99
       
      
Taste, Talk, Eat!  Taste, Talk, Eat!  Repeat!
    
 Cabin Fever Maple Whiskey                           19.99
Available for pre-sell:   
Brancaia Chianti Classico                                 28.49
Michters 25 year old Bourbon                       290.00
Octomore                                                         175.00
Davidoff Cognac                                                89.99
       
      
VINCENZO'S will be there      
       
Caposoldo Prosecco                                         14.99
Helfrich Riesling                                               13.49
Solaire Chardonnay                                         11.24
Benziger Chardonnay                                      14.99
Centine Rouge                                                    8.99
Lane Tanner Pinot Noir                                  24.99
Solaire Cabernet                                               13.49
Benziger Cabernet                                            14.99
Blackbird Arise Red                                         45.00

      
"TO DIE FOR DIPS" will be there      
       
Michele Chiarlo Gavi de Gavi                         14.24
Monkey Bay Sauv Blanc                                    8.99
Acrobat Pinot Gris                                            11.24
Chalk Hill Chardonnay                                     29.99
Sonoma Cutrer Les Pierres                             44.99
Zuccardi Malbec                                                11.99
Oliver Hill Jimmy Shiraz                                 24.99
Sequoia Grove Cabernet                                 33.74
Emblem Cabernet                                            44.99

      
WALDEN GRILLE will be there      
       
Don Rodolfo Torrontes                                      9.74
St Urbanshoff Riesling                                     13.49   
Belasco Rose                                                      12.74
Girasole Chardonnay                                       11.24
Concord, MA Chardonnay                                 9.74
Pinot, Pinot Noir                                               13.49
Concord, MA Merlot                                          9.74
Concord, MA Cabernet                                      9.74
Belasco Swinto                                                  32.24

      
PAPA RAZZI will be there 
   
Mayflower Golden Ale                                       9.99
Mayflower Summer Rye                                   9.99
Mayflower Pale Ale                                            9.99
Mayflower IPA                                                 10.99
Mayflower Porter                                               9.99

 

 

---

The Tastes of Concord is like a city event right in your backyard! Usually you have to go into Boston for something this big. Bring your 21+ family, friends and dates. Dress code is casual or dress to impress.

When: Thursday, May 6th from 6:30 to 9:00 pm

Where: The Concord Cafe inside Solidworks. 300 Baker Ave in Concord. There will be balloons at the entrance!

Tickets available at: West Concord Liquors, 1216 Main Street, West Concord (978) 369-3872, the Concord Chamber of Commerce, 15 Walden Street, Suite 7, (978) 369-3120