GLENDALE SPIRITS MAY 2008 NEWS 

Hello to All. Wasn’t that “suddenly summer” run of weather the best thing? Nice to still have our beautiful springtime to experience, along with a Holiday, Mother’s Day, and celebrations of graduations and weddings…all of which make for a wonderful season of warmth and new beginnings.

 We have so many new wines in the store. Thanks for bearing with us as we all relearn where our favorites are now housed. Take some time when you’re in to check out the new wine rack, where most of the smaller production wines are now housed. Our organic selection, on the shelf next to the New York wines, now features Bonterra Vineyards (Mendocino Co., Calif.) line of varietals, Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio (Italy) Mas de la Dame Rose (France) Patianna Sauvignon Blanc (Calif.) Two Princes Riesling (Germany) Albet i Noya Tempranillo Classic (Spain) and a sustainably grown, meticulously farmed, and with little to no intervention during the winemaking process, Laurel Glen’s (Calif.) Red Wine for the People. And 3 selections from Four Chimneys (America’s oldest certified organic winery on Seneca Lake). Also from New York, we’ve added Thirsty Owl’s Diamond and Lot 99.New from California:  Clos du Bois Reserve Merlot and Russian River Chardonnay, and Riesling, Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay, Cycles Gladiator Pinot Noir, Gnarly Head Cabernet Sauvignon, “J” Pinot Noir, Sterling Napa Valley Chardonnay, and Piper Sonoma Brut. New imported wines include: Chateau Picau Perna Saint-Emilion (2005 Bordeaux) La Chablisienne Petit Chablis (Burgundy 2005) Lucashof Pfalz Riesling (2006 Germany—Biodynamic) and from Italy: Banfi’s Fumaio (a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay) and Centine (a blend of Cabernet, Merlot, and Sangiovese) Masi Masianco (Pinot Grigio & Verduzzo) and Masi Bonacosta Valpolicella. Also new, and great for summer:  Cruz Garcia REAL Sangria, Bacardi Classic Mojito…very refreshing and ready to serve, and a fantastic and reasonably priced premium gin, New Amsterdam No.485, made in California and called NYC’s original name. BIG NEWS in the Back-In-Stock department—Marietta Cellars Lot 46 California Red blend. You may recall when we tasted the Lot 45 a few months ago and all LOVED it, only to find there was no more available, and we had to wait until the winery released the new lot. We are very pleased to have it back! Also GREAT NEWS on the Shannon Ridge 2003 PETITE SYRAH—with the help of Opici’s sales rep., we have more in stock. Those who tasted this one on April 18^th and/or previously purchased a bottle know what an exceptional gem this is, so grab yourself some while the supply lasts! 

Our new website was launched in mid April. Go to www.glendalespirits.com to check it out. All of the wines can be found in the “our selections” section, most with a photo and description. If any of you have testimonials you would like to add, feel free to let us know by email or in person. We continue to place great value on any and all feedback from you, our customers. Thanks!                   (continued next pg.)

 Friday evening tastings will continue throughout the month of May. The schedule:                                                                                               

May 2^nd 4-7 PM  A representative from Empire North Distributors will pour the organic line from Bonterra Vineyards:  Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc ((Mendocino County, CA)

 May 9^th 4-7PM  A Bacardi rep will be here offering samples of their new premixed Classic Mojito, along with Bacardi Superior and Diet Coke.  Sue and Mike will pour two red wines—Masi Bonacosta Valpolicella 2006 (Italy) and Virgin Vines Shiraz (Mendocino Co., CA) May 16^th 5-8 PM  John from Southern Wine and Spirits will be our guide as we explore Barone Fini Pinot Grigio (Italy) Gnarly Head Cabernet Sauvignon (Calif.)AutoMoto Riesling (Calif.) Clos du Bois Riesling (Calif.) and Cruz Garcia REAL Sangria (Spain). May 23^rd 5-8 PM  Sue and Mike will pour 4 imported white wines:  Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, Banfi Fumaio, Masi Masianco (Italians) and Lucashof  Pfalz Riesling (Germany). SATURDAY, May 24^th 3-6PM   An Empire rep returns to offer Bonterra Vineyards organic selections (see May 2^nd above). May 30^th 5-8 PM  Samples of more organic wines, with selections from Lauber Imports:  Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio (Italy)  Patianna Sauvignon Blanc (Mendocino Co., CA)  Mas de la Dame Rose du Mas (France) and Laurel Glen REDS..a wine for the people (CA) Remember, Thursdays are always “Ladies Day” with 10% off any wine all day for our wonderful female customers. Mike is still working on the “perpetual tasting machine”…hopes to have it up and running soon… Think about wine and spirits for all of your spring entertaining and gift-giving needs and, of course, shop for them here. We are happy to help you with the right selections to fit your budget, and offer complimentary gift-wrapping. Hope to see you soon.                                Mike and Sue/Glendale Spirits “Bacchus (the Greek god of wine) opens the gates of the heart.”  Horace (65-8 BC)             “(Wine) stimulates the appetite and enhances food. It promotes conversation and               euphoria and can turn a mere meal into a memorable occasion.”  (Derek Cooper)                

GLENDALE SPIRITS APRIL NEWS

            Happy April, and doesn’t a touch of “Spring Fever” feel nice? This morning our new shelving unit for the wine room was finally delivered! Hopefully, only a few more days of disarray, then we can all enjoy finding our favorites in their new spots. Thanks to all of you for bearing with us as we continue to change and improve the store. Only a few more weeks now until the launch of our new website, and, we should also be getting the wine preservation system up and running this month. We will then be able to offer tastings on an ongoing basis, without being limited to Friday evenings.

            As always, we have several new selections to tell you about. Wines added over the month of March include:  Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet and Merlot, Red Diamond Chardonnay, AutoMoto Riesling, Castello di Monastero Chianti Classico, and an entire line of Shannon Ridge wines—Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Syrah, Petite Syrah, and Barbera. Also returning to our French wine inventory is the Jean Pierre Moueix Saint-Emilion Bordeaux (2003).

            Clay Shannon, who for 25 years grew grapes for some of California’s most prestigious North Coast wineries, established Shannon Ridge, a new California winery just north of Napa Valley. His vineyards, at altitudes of 2000 to 2500 feet, are on steep, windswept slopes on brick-red volcanic soil. The vines produce small, ripe berries with concentrated flavors, and the wines have earned ratings of 90+ points in Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine & Spirits.

            Kendall Jackson’s owner sponsors AutoMoto’s female winemaker. Her wines are also earning high marks, and we found the Riesling to be especially nice.

            Some of you may remember the Red Diamond Chardonnay from our wine deal last year. Though we are unable to offer their new label and later vintage at that incredible price, we have added it to our regular selection of Chardonnays.

            On the spirits side, new to the store are: Cruzan Rum Cream, and, Mickey Finn’s Sour Apple S’napps, priced at only $3.99.

REMEMBER:  Every Thursday is ‘Ladies’ Day’, with a 10% discount given on all wine

                          To All our Fantastic Female Customers!

            We learned just yesterday that the Mattie’s Perch line of wines will be no longer available. Due to a 2- year drought in Australia, there is not enough juice to go around, so the bigger winery which has been overseeing Mattie’s has decided to close their smaller sister winery. We do still have all varieties in stock, and they will remain at a great price while they last. If you’ve been a Mattie’s Perch fan, stock up soon.

            In honor of APRIL, which is NEW YORK WINE MONTH, our Friday night tastings will feature lots of New York (in this case Finger Lakes) wines. Schedule is:

  APRIL 4^TH  Lucas Vineyards (Cayuga Lake) Tug Boat Red, Tug Boat White, Miss Adventurous, Miss Behavin’, and Butterfly                                                                                     (Continued next page) APRIL 11^TH  Assorted Seneca Lake wineries:   Lakewood Niagara, Hickory Hollow Ol’Hickory, Red Newt Cellars Red Eft, Four Chimneys (organic) Eye of the Bee, and Atwater Estate Vidal Blanc 2006 

APRIL 18^TH  Shannon Ridge (Lake County, Calif.) Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Barbera    All are 2006 vintage. Sue and Mike are most excited to share with you these exceptional, dry wines.

APRIL 25^TH  A representative from Thirsty Owl Wine Company (Cayuga Lake) will be here to host tastings of their Blushing Moon, Riesling  (2007) Dry Riesling (2007) Lot 99 and Pinot Noir (2006).

We continue to shop for the next “Wine Deal”. ALMOST  had a beauty earlier this week, but alas, it was already gone from the warehouse. Stay tuned as you are in the store; we hope to find our next great value soon! Newsletter a bit late (it’s April 3^rd now) due to awaiting confirmation from Thirsty Owl. Thanks for your patience, and continuing business. See you soon!       Sue & Mike

 This month’s wine quote:  “A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine.”

                                                                                    Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)

GLENDALE SPIRITS MARCH NEWS

             As a very long, wintry February draws to a close, we can be sure that spring is right around the corner! Thanks to all for braving the weather to stop by for your wines and spirits and to attend our February tasting events. More improvements to the wine room are in store for March, as we await delivery of a beautiful, and large, custom-made wine rack—much needed to accommodate our ever-growing inventory! New to the store since last month:  Bersano Barolo (2001), JP Azeitao Vinho Tinto, Barone Fini Pinot Grigio, La Crema Pinot Noir, Chateau Gravat Medoc Bordeaux, Goose Watch Classic Cream Sherry, Cayuga Ridge Cranberry Essence, Francis Coppola Claret, Chateau Grand Colombier Saint-Emillion Bordeaux (2005) Tiz Red, Catharine Valley Lost Irishman, and Penfolds Club Reserve Tawny Port. On the spirits side, we have added Pernod, a French anise liqueur, Mickey Finn’s Sour Apple S’napps, and Bacardi Coconut Rum. 

 Getting the Wine Club started has been delayed while we reorganize our inventory, get our new website launched, and work out a “technical difficulty” with our small wine preservation system. It’s a good thing that Mike is such a mechanical genius! It’s going to be wonderful VERY SOON to offer perpetual tastings of some great wines.

The “Wine Deal” continues with a wonderful, Italian artisan red—Bottega Vinala 2002 Teroldego, an estate bottled beauty made from a unique grape variety in limited production. Regularly priced at $21.99, we are pleased to be offering at $9.99, and have just over a case left. The “Odds & Ends” Clearance Sale Table still has some nice selections at 25% off original prices.

March’s Friday night wine tasting schedule:

MARCH 7  John from Southern Wine and Spirits will be here to share his expertise and pour:  Tiz Red 2004 (Sonoma Co., Calif.)  Goat Door 2006 Chardonnay and Goats do Roam 2005 Red (So. Africa) and Barone Fini 2006 Pinot Grigio (Italy).                                            

MARCH 14  Sue and Mike are pleased to offer Marietta Zinfandel 2005 (Sonoma Co., Calif.)…. Remember their Lot 45 from a few weeks ago? It was primarily comprised of Zinfandel, and while we anxiously await possible availability of Lot 46, we have this one to enjoy… Virgin Vines Shiraz 2005 (No. Calif.) Caves des Papes Cotes du Rhone 2005 (France)…an amazing blend of 5 white varietals, and Penfolds Tawny Reserve Port (Australia).

 MARCH 21  Your friendly proprietors will offer Australian wines—3 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon blends: Rosemount 2004, Jacob’s Creek 2005, and Lindeman’s 2006, and Black Swan Chardonnay (2005/2006). 

MARCH 28  Sue and Mike again pouring samples of Ecco Domani’s 2005 Merlot, 2005 Chianti, and 2006 Pinot Grigio, and Bolla Chianti 2003/04 (all from Italy)

That’s all the news for now, and even though many wish that winter would hurry up and pass, consider the words of Jancis Robinson regarding taking your time: “Every glass of wine we drink represents a whole year of vineyard cultivation and perhaps several years of effort in the winery…Yet most of us throw it away, straight down our throats, without even trying to ‘read ‘ it.” Time means so much in the life of a fine wine, that time should not be stinted in its appreciation. Maybe there’s a life lesson here, for us, as we rush and hurry about our days? Wishing you all a great March. Look forward to seeing you soon. Have a Happy Leap Day!!                 Sue & Mike/Glendale Spirits