Club 25 – October 2009

It is officially Autumn in Vermont. The leaves are showing their colors, the delicate yellows, blazing oranges, and brilliant reds. This is one of my favorite times of year, when everything is so rich and vibrant. It is harvest time and a wonderful time for your senses to get blasted with all that comes with the season. You see pumpkins on people’s doorsteps; the aroma of apple cider and wet leaves is a particularly pleasant combination, the feel of your cozy sweater, the sound of wind rustling the leaves, and the taste of a warm red wine to pair with all of your roasts, soups, and stews.

Alpatico Pinot Noir, Patagonia Argentina, 2007

About the Wine: First we have the Alpataco Pinot Noir from Argentina. Located at the Neuquén River Valley, the hand picked grapes come from a climate of dry sunny days, cool nights, & high winds. This and the sandy & rocky soils lend a remarkable freshness and richness of flavors from the grapes. It has a dark color in the glass, not what you would expect from a Pinot Noir. Aromas of raspberry, currants and strawberries lead you in. On the palate you get a youthful, even cherry across the surface with hints at mushrooms and strawberries. It remains dry with ultrafine tannins and a well defined mouth feel. Allowing even a few minutes in the glass lets this wine open up to you further and red fruit flavors become more pronounced.

Food Pairings: Lovely with Roasted Pork Loin with sautéed apples and onions.

Andre Brunel, Grenache, Vin de Pays du Vaucluse, 2007

About the Wine: Andre Brunel is best known for his Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Les Cailloux. His grandfather was a winemaker, as was his father. The family has lived in the Rhone since the 1700’s. All of the care & attention that Brunel has for his CdP is well translated into his table wines as well. It is a fine example of when you get wine from a great winemaker, even a lower tier wine, you will still get an incredible product. This 100% Grenache is a Vin de Pays from the Vaulcluse area in the Rhone in southern France. The land here is rich with truffles, lavender, honey, and of course, wine. Nature here is strong and respected by its inhabitants and that comes across in the wines. This wine really grabs you by the nostrils. It has a mossy, earthy, mulberry aroma that invites you in further. On the palate juicy dark fruits, like black raspberry, plum, and blueberry are well balanced by a meaty quality that gives real complexity to this wine. This wine is full of rustic charm that really transports you.

Food Pairings: Imagine yourself in a French Country Inn by a stone fire place where you will be served roasted local sausages, creamy aged cheese, and rustic bread with this wine. You can have that feeling in your very own home. Be sure to throw on some classical music to set the mood.