The "Feel the Love" Edition

Lageder Riff Pinot Grigio 2009 - $10.99

(100% Pinot Grigio; Alto Adige, Italy)

In a perfect world, the most beautiful wines come from the most beautiful vineyards. This lovely white wine originates in a heavenly vineyard in the Adige River Valley of northern Italy, with mountains on all sides. It is brilliant, fresh, and vibrant with white citrus and peach aromas with mineral notes on the palate. Riff is German for reef and refers to the limestone in the soil (from the coral reefs on the ancient sea).

Le Chapeau Cuvee Napoleon Pinot Noir 2009 – $8.99

(100% Pinot Noir; Corsica, France)

“This inexpensive charmer actually tastes like pinot, and it's good pinot. Don't expect the velvet of a top Burgundy; you'll still have to pay for that. But this should be a "by the case" selection to enjoy on a weeknight.” – Washington Post

Primitive Quiles “Cono 4” 2008 – $11.99

(100% Monastrell; Alicante, Spain)

“The Quiles family has been involved in wine in Alicante since the late eighteenth century, indeed, their bodega is the oldest bodega in Alicante, and probably in all the Comunidad Valenciana, and it shows, with its enormous, gnarled, century-old barrels. Senior Primitivo Quiles is one of the great figures of Spanish wine, both in terms of the trade and as a fund of knowledge of the history of Alicante and Spanish wine.” – www.winesofvalencia.com

“This young wine is from “Cono 4,” the fourth tank. Super-pretty, full of fresh wild strawberries & raspberries. Cracked white & black pepper-corns, violets and sweet soil. Nice blend of new world & old world styles.” – www.backroomwines.com

Silver Palm Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – $16.99

(79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cab Franc, 4.2% Merlot, 2.6% Petite Sirah, 2.2% Petite Verdot; North Coast, California)

Balance, balance and more balance. That is the number one trait a good wine maker will tell you to make a great wine, you have to have balance. Not the kind that keeps you from falling, but where the acidity, tannins, and concentration of fruit all come together like a fine symphony. Silver Palm Cabernet Sauvignon is just that, balanced to perfection with flavors of peppercorn, wood, smoke and espresso. This northern California wine is what I call a “gotta have it” wine.” – Sommelier George Zaboura  (Silver Palm is usually only found in restaurants. We loved it so much we just had to have it!)

Chocolate Shop Chocolate Wine – $13.99

"The chocolate lover's wine!"

Red wine with natural dark chocolate flavor. Inviting aromas of black cherry and dark chocolate entwine and continue on the palate surrounded by hints of cocoa powder. Nuances of red wine and residual sugar linger on the smooth finish. It embodies both rich, velvety chocolate and deep, ruby red wine, artfully blended together to create a decadent wine experience. The combination is like liquid chocolate truffle in bottle. – The importer

Abita Andygator Helles Doppelbock 22oz – $3.99

What do you get when you cross a German with a gator? I don’t know, but you’d better “get bock!” - Helles Doppelbock, that is. Abita takes German Lager yeast and German Perle hops and brews this uncommonly high-gravity helles bock. It features a subtle sweetness that leads to a dry finish. Try it with a po’ boy, a catfish sandwich, or anything fried.

He'brew Rejewvenator Dopplebock 22oz - $4.99

America’s smallest, biggest and most award-winning Jewish Beer Company, Shmaltz Brewing, kicks-off its 14th year of delicious beer and delicious shtick with the third incarnation of their annual celebration ale, Rejewvenator. Brewed with Organic Concord Grape Juice, Shmaltz proudly introduces a new recipe of their Half Dopplebock, Half Belgian Style Dubbel hybrid lager/ale – a truly unique brewing performance.