Greetings!
This summer we tasted lots of wines from around the world. This offering is the fruit of our labors. It includes several firsts for Community Wines: wines from Portugal, New Zealand and the Republic of Georgia. In addition, we have some Spanish and French selections. Please enjoy reading about the new wines as well as some past favorites. Also, we will begin taking credit cards, if all goes well, within the month. We are getting with the 21st century! Lastly, if you know anyone who would like to rent out 500 or so square feet of retail space to two schoolteachers, let us know! We’re contemplating a small store front.
To purchase any of these wines, send us an email at communitywines@gmail.com or call us at 415-454-1244. We look forward to hearing from you!
Brad and Francie
New Wines
The Whites
2009 Haut Bourg Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu Sur Lie (France)
Our first white epitomizes our goal to bring you great wines from the road less travelled. When we tried it, I insisted we carry it. Brad was reluctant – most Americans (excepting the serious wine geeks in need of therapy) aren’t familiar with Muscadet, a wine from the Loire Valley. (It’s true that we can’t remember seeing Muscadet sold anywhere in Marin.) I bet him that anyone who tried it would love it and become a convert. Let’s just say I won, and he’s glad about it! This Muscadet is a light white that jumps out at you from the glass. With a perfect combination of citrus and minerality, it goes beautifully with anything from the sea, and makes for a great aperitif.
$13.50 per bottle/$145.80 per case w/10% discount
2009 And Co The Supernatural (New Zealand, organic)
And now for a completely different hemisphere! Not only is this Sauvignon Blanc made from organic grapes by a woman winemaker; it is out of this world. The winery’s website describes this wine better than I could: “passion fruit and guava, spice and honeysuckle lime and a luscious long palate.” This still wine comes in a champagne bottle and is topped with a bottle cap. You’ll need a cork to close it, if you manage to have any left over. (We didn’t.)
$19.00 per bottle/$205.20 per case w/10% discount
The Reds
2008 Schuchmann Saperavi (Republic of Georgia)
Announcing Community Wines’ first ever selection from a former Soviet republic! No surprise here: it’s red. This is made from the Saperavi grape, which is indigenous to Georgia. The Saperavi grape makes for wines that remind me of dark fleshed plums. I can smell them in this bottle. This wine has gentle tannins and a light, refreshing acidity. It’s dark in color but light on the palate. If you’ve never tried wines from this part of the world, now is the time! We only have 18 bottles for sale – this wine sells like blini (Georgian hotcakes).
$14.50 per bottle/$156.60 per case w/10% discount
$14.50 per bottle/$156.60 per case w/10% discount
2009 Marquès de Montemor Tinto (Portugal)
Our first selection from Portugal is made predominantly from Touriga Nacional, a grape popular in Portugal. The wine maker, a German woman living in Portugal, modestly describes it this way: “An honest wine, fruity with fine berry flavors, simply round and balanced and all this without wood. Sometimes I like to drink it cold, tastes fantastic.” My winemaker friend Justin tasted this with me and his comment was “Polished.” Not like a car, but an old wooden banister.
$12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount
2007 Tarantas Crianza Tempranillo (Spain, organic)
If I could find value wines like this all the time, you’d be reading about me in the New York Times. I hunt hard for a good bargain, and when I say a good bargain, I mean a wine that tastes like it costs far more than it does. When I found this one, I immediately bought three cases. I was afraid the price in the catalog was a misprint! Made from organic grapes (90% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon), this wine is uncomplicated and is made for drinking with just about anything. It’s easy to like. Try some, and you’ll see why.
$11.00 per bottle/$118.80 per case w/10% discount
$11.00 per bottle/$118.80 per case w/10% discount
2009 Zaumau (Spain)
Here we have a fabulous combination of Garnacha and Samso, or what the French call Grenache and Carignan. It will gently seduce you with its charms. Imagine a Zinfandel that’s neither sweet nor hot, singing to you like a siren. This wine is very low in acid and tannins, a rare thing in the Priorat region of Spain, where it’s made in the traditional manner. To see some photos of the winery, click here.
$20.00 per bottle/$216.00 per case w/10% discount
$20.00 per bottle/$216.00 per case w/10% discount
Returning favorites
2010 Vevi
Same great wine, new label! We’ve brought back one of our most popular wines, the Vevi. This wine is light and refreshing. You won’t taste any butter or oak in this bottle, unless you add them yourself. This comes with a screw top, which is convenient for those who just can’t wait to get some into their glasses.
$13.50 per bottle/$145.80 per case w/10% discount
$13.50 per bottle/$145.80 per case w/10% discount
2010 Benaza Monterrei Godello (Spain)
Godello, an indigenous Spanish grape from Galicia, is the star of this apple crisp white wine. This wine will win friends and influence people… that is, if you share it.
$13.50 per bottle/$145.80 per case w/10% discount
Godello, an indigenous Spanish grape from Galicia, is the star of this apple crisp white wine. This wine will win friends and influence people… that is, if you share it.
$13.50 per bottle/$145.80 per case w/10% discount
2009 François Chidaine Touraine Rouge (France, biodynamic)
This bottle has all the hallmarks of a Community Wines selection, a wine that reflects the place it was made and the person who made it. This wine is made from equal parts Cabernet Franc, Cot (Malbec) and Pinot d'Aunis; these grapes form a wine of balance, distinctiveness and clarity. Here you will find pleasant tannins and lovely acidity ready to complement your evening meal. Pour yourself a glass and take a journey to a place you may never have been before. When you return, you will find yourself richer for the experience.
$15.00 per bottle/$162.00 per case w/10% discount
This bottle has all the hallmarks of a Community Wines selection, a wine that reflects the place it was made and the person who made it. This wine is made from equal parts Cabernet Franc, Cot (Malbec) and Pinot d'Aunis; these grapes form a wine of balance, distinctiveness and clarity. Here you will find pleasant tannins and lovely acidity ready to complement your evening meal. Pour yourself a glass and take a journey to a place you may never have been before. When you return, you will find yourself richer for the experience.
$15.00 per bottle/$162.00 per case w/10% discount
2008 Le Roc Cuvée Classique (Red, France)
This wine is a blend of Negrette, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has personality. It’s a welterweight in a heavyweight world with medium body that reminds me of a gymnast or a yogi. You know, the kind of folks with those lithe bodies whose abilities aren’t always apparent until you see them do their thing. Serve this with something grilled and you will see it do its thing.
$12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount
This wine is a blend of Negrette, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has personality. It’s a welterweight in a heavyweight world with medium body that reminds me of a gymnast or a yogi. You know, the kind of folks with those lithe bodies whose abilities aren’t always apparent until you see them do their thing. Serve this with something grilled and you will see it do its thing.
$12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount
