Vol. 6 No. 11
Standard Selection - (1) Red, (1) White
Alexander Valley Vineyards Two Barrel Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 - U.S.A.
Rockbare McLaren Vale Chardonnay 2002 - Australia
Red Wines Only Featured Selections
Heinrich Zweigelt 2002 - Austria
White Wines Only Featured Selections
Maria V.O. Saar Riesling 2002 - Germany
Congratulations to the Paquins for placing our 100,000th Order!
Instead of 25 free cigars, we have given them a complimentary 12-month membership to our wine of the month club!
My wife Kathleen and I live in Clifton, Virginia which is a suburb of Washington, DC. I am an executive of a financial services company and my wife is studying horticulture. We both enjoy working outdoors, sports cars and of course, fine wines.
We purchased a membership to the International Wine of the Month Club for my father on the occasion of his birthday. He is the stereotypical person who has everything and is very difficult to buy for. My wife came up with the idea of a wine club (worse case was that we could enjoy the benefits of our gift whenever we visited!). We particularly liked the fact that a gift would arrive year round which would undoubtedly initiate a monthly call to discuss this month's selection and catch up with each other. We initially looked at a well known club offered by a competing web site but were disappointed by our initial impressions of the wine quality and variety. We then found the International Wine of the Month Club using a search engine (Google). The quality and niche nature of the selection was very interesting and we found the price to be competitive with other offerings.
My father is now looking forward to enjoying the bouquet of the first installment!
Charles & Kathleen Paquin,
Clifton, Virginia.
Alexander Valley Vineyards
Two Barrel Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 - U.S.A.
In 1842, seven years before the California Gold Rush sent an array of gold miners and fortune seekers to populate what is now the state of California, nineteenth century pioneer Cyrus Alexander had already come to Northern California, to the area known as Sonoma County. Alexander settled the fertile valley now named for him, selecting the premier site in the Valley for his own residence. Today, Cyrus Alexander's homestead enjoys a twentieth century renaissance as Alexander Valley Vineyards, one of Sonoma County's most consistent yet, innovative wine estates.
Before the California wine boom of the late 1960's, when most of the country still had no idea where Sonoma County even was, Harry and Maggie Wetzel purchased this now chosen wine estate from the heirs of Cyrus Alexander in 1962. Recognizing the agricultural potential of the area, the Wetzel's hired vineyard manager Dale Goode (Yes, indeed, the very same Dale Goode of Murphy-Goode fame) and began planting premium varietal vineyards, pioneering the earliest trellised vineyards in Sonoma. Within 10 years, 125 acres were planted and plans were underway for a small estate winery.
From the beginning, Alexander Valley Vineyards has been a family affair. The Wetzel's son, Harry Wetzel III, better known as Hank, graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1974 with a degree in Enology and made the first estategrown wines in 1975. With this inaugural vintage, Dale Goode and Hank Wetzel formed a strong business relationship, teaming together to produce exceptional estate-grown wines literally from the ground up. Hank's younger sister Katie Wetzel joined the family business in 1979 as Sales and Marketing Director, and the saga continues.
Today, over thirty years from inception, the Wetzel family continues to explore and fine tune vines and wines at Alexander Valley Vineyards, with the assistance of Vineyard Manager Mark Houser. Presently, older vineyards are being replanted with newer rootstocks and clonal selections. Costly French oak barrels and advanced winemaking equipment continuously replace older apparatus. Katie Wetzel Murphy remains a tireless ambassador and spokesperson as she travels to national and international markets, not only for Alexander Valley Vineyards, but also on behalf of the Sonoma County wine industry. But best of all, Alexander Valley Vineyards continues to experiment and improve its repertoire of proprietary blends and varietal offerings. Its most recent success is Two Barrel, a limited bottling of Syrah (70%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), the two red varietals most conducive to the climate and soil of Alexander Valley. Not surprisingly, over the years, it has also been AVA's Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah varietals that have consistently tantalized the grateful palates of the tasting panel.
Presently, annual production at AVA is in excess of 80,000 cases, from at least nine different varietals. The principal varietals, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon comprise about 70% of the estate's total acreage. However, Syrah (the hottest red varietal internationally) continues its ascent in all respects. Small amounts of excellent Gewürztraminer, Chenin Blanc, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc are also produced for a dedicated following.
Syrah or Shiraz?
Whether we refer to this great varietal as Syrah or Shiraz, we are talking about the same illustrious grape. Grown for centuries in the Rhone Valley of France, where it is responsible in all or part for some of the greatest red wines of France (Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape specifically), the exact origin of this full-flavored varietal remains in debate. However, historians do agree that it was brought to Europe from the Middle East, but when and by who remains a mystery. Some still believe that it was the Crusaders, who first brought Syrah to France, while others point to the earlier Roman legions under Probes, and yet others claim it was the remnants of Alexander the Great's army on its return from Persia. The latter theory is particularly intriguing since Alexander himself was so enamored of the wines he found around the city of Shiraz in Central Persia, that he insisted on staying there, far longer than he should have, apparently, since he died there. Nonetheless, the one point that has been ascertained that everyone can agree upon is that the name Shiraz, from the Persian city of that name, is the origin of the varietal's name. In any case, Syrah flourishes today in other warm climates, particularly in California and Australia where it is often called by its original name Shiraz.
Tasting Notes: The 2001 Alexander Valley Vineyard Two Barrel Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon is true to the Alexander Valley Vineyard style. It is deep, dark, lush, and hedonistic. A hypothetical blend of a top notch Australian Shiraz and a great California Cabernet, its bouquet is redolent with the scents and savor of black fruits, cassis, eucalyptus, wood smoke and vanilla. Dense and masculine, this extroverted charmer is not without backbone. It possesses a substantial strength and tannin, but remains impeccably balanced, with plenty of up front fruit and subtle complexity. Wearing a regal purple robe and a long finish that lingers gleefully in the mouth, the 2001 Alexander Valley Vineyards Two Barrel Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon has everything going for it, including a boatload of flavor, an expressive textured feel, and one of the finest vintages to date in Alexander Valley. This all bodes well for the further development of this outstanding offering, which would repay us handsomely, if we could put in cellar and keep our hands off of it for a few years. Serve it at cellar temperature (55°-60°) or at cool room temperature (65°) depending upon the weather. The warmer it is out, the cooler we suggest you serve this wine.
Accompaniments: We like the hearty stuff with the 2001 Alexander Valley Two Barrel Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon, so bring on the grilled Italian sausage, Pasta Arabbiata, chicken or pork in black olive paste, with capers and Provencal spices, and for the love of food, let's not forget beef. Steak, just about any cut, style, or way you slice it, makes a terrific accompaniment to the 2001 Alexander Valley Vineyards Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon, and in this case you don't have to worry about a little marinate overpowering the wine. Foccacia and oven baked pizzas, with plenty of toppings, provide other winning combinations with AVA's latest success story. Certainly, roasts and game are other excellent choices. Several panel members are partial to buffalo and ostrich as superb pairings with this wine. However, the lush nature of this Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon blend lends itself to great versatility and a wide range of accompaniments; even heady vegetarian dishes and a plate full of creamy cheeses provide excellent companions for this Alexander Valley offering. A Thanksgiving turkey, with a savory, full-flavored stuffing provides another mouth-watering delight. And Alexander Valley Vineyards chef Jeff Young has a killer recipe for lamb that fits this wine like a glove. This month's recipe is one of Jeff's own original recipes, created to accompany the estate's wines. No lack of gustatory choices here.
Recipe for Red Wine:
Chicken with Capers
1 chicken cut-up into 8 pieces
3 Tbl. fresh parsley
5 plum tomatoes seeded & chopped
3 Tbl capers
4 Tbl. olive oil
1 cup red wine
Salt & pepper to taste
Rinse chicken pieces and pat dry, sprinkle with salt & pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet and brown the chicken. Add wine to skillet and simmer on high heat, stirring often until wine is reduced in half. Add the tomatoes, capers, parsley and ¼ cup of water, if necessary. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Add chicken pieces, cover and cook entire dish for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
Rockbare McLaren Vale Chardonnay 2002 - Australia
Rockbare is the handiwork of Tim Burvill, Australian winemaker extraordinaire, in collaboration with the great terroir of McLaren Vale. McLaren Vale is a relatively small viticultural area of South Australia that is known for its premium grapes and its abundance of meticulously tended, family owned vineyards, which not surprisingly turn out some of the very finest fruit Australia can produce. And we have not even begun to mention the outstanding wines that flow from McLarenVale.
Tim Burvill gained extensive winemaking experience working at Southcorp, one of Australia's leading wine conglomerates, where he was responsible for making what many consider to be Australia's most exciting and expensive premium Chardonnay Yattarna. Well versed in the merits of technical razzle-dazzle, Tim made a conscience effort when he created the Rockbare label in 2000 to eschew technical homogeneity along with the smoke and mirrors employed by so many other Australian Chardonnay makers. Instead, he employs winemaking techniques that were more in vogue a hundred years ago or more. Using minimal filtering or even a no filtration approach and very little oak, Tim does not obscure or obliterate the great McLaren fruit he sources from the region's premier vineyards. Rockbare's wines are filled with complex flavors driven by outstanding fruit and natural acidity, not some wine technocrat's rendition of the Molotov cocktail.
Rockbare produces two outstanding McLaren Vale offerings: Chardonnay and Shiraz. Both varietal offerings are produced from 100% McLaren Vale fruit, much of it from old vines that are dry-farmed.
Tasting Notes: With the color of pale straw and a sparkle, the 2002 Rockbare Chardonnay sets the stage for the complex aromatics that leap from the glass. Many on the tasting panel perceive peach, mango, and pear tones in the nose, while others subscribe to lime, passion fruit, and pineapple as the dominant aromatic profile. In addition, a crisp Chablis-like minerality, complete with steel, lemon and hints of tangerine, emerges in the bouquet and on the palate to dispel any notion that subtle complexity is merely elusive. This medium-bodied wine finishes well, too, with just the right amount of acidity and a hint of oak. Rarely, does a Chardonnay elicit so many different perceptions from the tasting panel, but this offering from Rockbare has a lot of good things going on it. It is easy to see why critics have so quickly become enamored of Rockbare wines; recently, the 2002 Rockbare Chardonnay has garnered high praise from all corners of the globe. We suggest serving this versatile Chardonnay fairly well chilled (about 40º F), and then allowing it to warm gradually as it sits in the glass. In this manner, the taster is most likely to catch all of the nuance and latent goodness the 2002 Rockbare McLaren Vale Chardonnay has to offer.
Accompaniments: The 2002 Rockbare McLaren Vale Chardonnay is the ideal wine to drink now with family or friends, or it can be put aside for a year or so in search of an occasion. With food or without, in warm weather or cold, this Rockbare offering is easy to like. Shrimp, clams, oysters and scallops, or just about any fresh fruit de mer would be our first choice to serve with this Chablis-style Chardonnay. Some of our other favorite food accompaniments include an herb-grilled chicken with julienned vegetables and dried cranberries; penne pasta primavera; and a spinach salad, served with walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and a mild goat cheese. But what ever you choose to serve with the Rockbare Chardonnay, we are confident you are in for some fun. Enjoy!
Chardonnay: The Planet's Most Planted White
Of all the world's premium white varietals, Chardonnay is the most widely cultivated and its wine the most highly sought after on earth. Each year at harvest time, whether it be in its native France or in the Land Down Under, Chardonnay commands the highest prices and the most attention for its grapes. In tribute, Chardonnay produces the finest, most flavorful dry white wines in the world to which writers and connoisseurs devote countless columns and untold hours exalting its virtues and dissecting its flavors. Whether it be from Chablis or Champagne, Napa or McLaren Vale, or from the most illustrious of vineyards perched atop the slopes of Corton and Montrachet, Chardonnay is the yardstick by which all other dry white wines have come to be measured.
From its home in the Burgundy region of France, Chardonnay has traveled the length and breadth of France where it is planted in areas as diverse as Champagne, Alsace, the Jura and the high mountain valleys of the Alps, as well as the hot plains of Languedoc. Never content to be a homebody, Chardonnay found its way to Italy centuries ago and then to Eastern Europe, before traveling the seven seas to Australia, Argentina, Chile, California, Japan, New York, New Zealand, and almost everywhere fine wine is made. Today, Chardonnay is produced on all continents, except Antarctica. In these varying locales, Chardonnay produces premium wine that reflects in ever detail the soil and climate (terroir) in which it is grown.
With food, Chardonnay is a peerless match. In the company of seafood, Chablis-style Chardonnays provide superb complements and are in turn elevated by the union with fine fruits de mer. Fuller, fleshier Chardonnay wines, typified by the best Australian and Californian versions, can more than hold their own with more complex fare, rich cream sauces, and meats. Moreover, the finest Chardonnay wines shine on their own, requiring nothing but a corkscrew and a glass to please the palate. Right about now, can't you hear the distant strains of Hail to the Chief, along with thunderous applause?
Recipe for White Wine:
Sautéed Scallops au Gratin
1 1/2 lbs. bay scallops rinsed
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
3 Tbl. olive oil
4 plum tomatoes- seeded & chopped
1 Tbl. garlic chopped
2 Tbl. fresh basil leaves - chopped
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup grade Gruyere cheese
½ pint heavy cream
Salt & pepper to taste
Combine scallops with milk in a large bowl and let sit for 1/2-1 hour. Drain scallops, dry them slightly and sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper. In a gallon size zipper-type plastic bag, shake flour and scallops together until scallops are well coated.
Preheat oven to 400. In a large skillet, heat 1/2 stick of butte and half of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Before butter and oil begin to smoke, but are sizzling, lower heat and sauté scallops a few at a time until golden brown (1-2 minutes each). Remove to a plate to drain and wipe skillet clean of any browned oil. Melt the remaining butter and oil and add the chopped tomatoes. Cook on high heat for 1 minute. Add the chopped basil and scallops and mix well.
Transfer the mixture to a baking pan and pour cream over scallops and sprinkle with cheese. Bake in preheated oven until cheese is bubbling ( about 10 minutes). Garnish with basil leaves.
Heinrich Zweigelt 2002 - Austria
The Heinrich story is a happy one, the age-old tale of a small family owned winery that for generations produces simple, tasty wines for family and friends, while selling the balance in bulk, until suddenly it emerges in a new generation as a dynamic tour de force in winemaking. In the case of the Heinrich winery, in less than a decade, the young Gernot Heinrich has established his family estate as one of the most exciting producers in Austria.
In Heinrich's case, leaving his native Austria has been the catalyst for success. After an extensive stint of study abroad, where Gernot gained an understanding of the place of wine in the world and the demands of a discerning international clientele, he returned home to his family's winery and began turning out limited quantities of exemplary wines, all from native varietals. Gernot was determined to concentrate on traditional varietals, but with the goal of vinifying them in a more contemporary and international style. This bent has translated into less rustic wines, with more body and fruit, and far less tannin in short, more charming and harmonious wines.
Heinrich's tiny Burgenland estate comprises a mere 10 hectares (22 acres), and though this small winery would seem to have approached its potential, with the production of a half dozen traditional varietals, led by Zweigelt, Blaufrankisch and Weissburgunder, Gernot is not content to stop with his present success. Recently, he planted Merlot, Syrah, and Pinot Noir; and he is completing the construction of a whole new winery. Happily, we have more to look forward to from this young, energetic producer.
Tasting Notes: Fleshy, plump and ripe for the picking, the 2002 Heinrich Zweigelt recalls all the best attributes of Heinrich's splendid 2001 Zweigelt but with even more fruit and warmth than its predecessor. Moreover, this wine has critics rightfully proclaiming the virtues of Zweigelt, Austria's very own varietal. Wrapped in a regal purple robe, the 2002 Heinrich possesses all the charming vinosity of Grand Cru Beaujolais but with more bouquet, body, power and punch. The Heinrich Zweigelt offers up scents of crushed raspberry and plum, along with a subtle spiciness. And not surprisingly, it is already round and generous in the mouth, and quite easy to drink. We suggest you serve the Heinrich Zweigelt cool but not chilled, allowing it to open slowly in your glass.
Accompaniments: Certainly, Austrian Schnitzels and traditional German fare, such as Sauerbraten or Black Forest Ham offer wonderful accompaniments to the 2002 Heinrich Zweigelt. Yet, the Heinrich Zweigelt provides a wonderful partner to many, more eclectic dishes, too. Grilled Smoked Chicken Breast, served with lentils; a thick Split Pea Soup, served with slices of white Vermont Cheddar and Pumpernickel Bread; Sautéed Wild Mushrooms and Risotto; and even a Seafood Pasta in a light cream sauce present other tasty combinations for the hungry palate. We even suggest the Heinrich Zweigelt with burgers; it can turn an outdoor cookout into a memorable meal. A plate full of American or European artisan cheeses is another pretty fine way to drain a bottle of this comely Austrian beauty. For other specific cheese suggestions, why not check out this month's Cheese of the Month offerings at www.monthlyclubs.com.
Maria v.O. Saar Riesling 2002 - Germany
The Maximilian von Othergraven estate dates back to 1805, but intensive, high quality viticulture in Kanzem, the present site of this domain, can be traced back even further to 1500. Today, Dr, Heidi Kekel, the niece and goddaughter of Maximilian von Othergraven, owns and runs this extraordinary property. With the passing of Maximilian and Maria, his widow, Kekel is the heir to the throne, and what a job she has done.
In Germany, it is widely acknowledged that the Saar is the best of the Mosel, which is one of Germany's two premier wine regions for the noble Riesling varietal. At Kekel's von Othergraven estate the electric, stately elegance of the Mosel reaches its apogee. From one of the steepest and few great south-facing slopes above the Saar that is protected from the cold north wind, Heidi Kekel produces wines of supreme elegance, finesse and flavor. Possessing 13 of the 50 acres of the great Altenberg vineyard, Kekel is unquestionably the region's leading grower.
Von Othergraven's Maria v. O. is named for Heidi Kekel's aunt Maria, and if the wine that bears her name even slightly resembles that grand lady, what a winsome, scintillating, crowd pleaser she must have been. In addition to the delicious Maria v. O. Riesling, Kekel also fashions several other show stopping wines from the ancestral Altenberg estate as well as fine Ockfener Bockstein and Wiltinger Scharzberg Rieslings from nearby sites.
Tasting Notes: Lovely, lovely, lovely, is how one taster described the 2002 Maria v. O. Riesling, and we heartily concur. The 2002 Maria v. O. Riesling possesses a pretty nose, redolent with apple, pear, nectarine and mineral tones that seem to grow with each successive sniff. On the palate, the stony, pinpoint essence of the Saar meets soft, natural tasting fruit that is joyfully accentuated by a faint spritz. This sprightliness adds just the right amount of zest before it fades into a well-balanced clean finish, which makes you want another glass, and then another, and How sweet it is! Enjoy the Maria v. O. moderately chilled about 50º F.
Accompaniments: As an off dry Riesling, the 2002 Maria v. O. provides a delightful pairing for an eclectic group of foods. Aside from some of the traditional tried and true Riesling pairings, such as grilled fresh water fish and light charcuterie, we also suggest mild tapas or even seafood with a twist, like Green Tipped New Zealand mussels in a Tamatillo sauce. We are also fond of the Maria v. O with Prosciutto, served with either sweet cantaloupe or honeydew melon. Pâté de Foie Gras and assorted soft cheeses make for a most pleasant evening with Maria v. O. as well. Delicate tempuras make for another fine marriage. Nevertheless, the panel is rather enamored of this Riesling as either an aperitif or simply unaccompanied at any time as it exhibits plenty of flavor and subtle nuance to hold our attention, unlike most Rieslings, which seem to need food by virtue of their flab or jarring acidic edge. Happily, Maria v. O. is one smooth operator, and not likely to ruffle any feathers. Enjoy!
For Members Only
Give Your Friends FREE Beer, Wine, Cheese, Chocolate, Cigars & Flowers!
Through our Customer Appreciation Program
Your name has real value to your friends, co-workers, and family members! Every time a friend, family member, or anyone else you know joins any one of our clubs, [or gives a gift] for 3 months or longer, we'll give them 50% off of their first month, but only when they mention your name. And we'll also give you 50% off your next month too which can either be applied towards your current membership or you can try one of our other Clubs out! (We can add one more month to your order at 50% off for prepaid memberships!)
The Fine Print: Members giving gift memberships do not qualify for referral credits and you can't give yourself a gift to qualify! This Program is mutually exclusive of any other promotions.
Membership Q & A
Note: Please do not use the web site to make any account related information changes such as address or billing changes, membership extensions, or terminations. To ensure timely processing of your request, please call us at 800-625-8238.
Q: What can I do if I’m having difficulty receiving my shipment at home?
A: You should consider having our discrete box delivered to your work location or to a neighbor 21 yrs. of age that can receive it for you. The box is brown corrugated cardboard and doesn’t say “Wine” on it anywhere. Consider having it shipped to your work location as many of our customers do.
Q: What should I do if I’m moving or want to extend my membership?
A: Please call us prior to the 9 th of the month to make all account related information changes such as address changes, membership extensions & terminations, or gift accounts desiring to continue their memberships. Address changes made after that time may require a repackaging and re-shipping charge and will incur a $5.00 service charge from UPS that will be charged to your account.
Q: What happens if my shipment is damaged?
A: If your shipment arrives damaged, please call us immediately toll free at 1-800-625-8238 and report the incident for a prompt resolution.
Q: What happens if my credit card is declined?
A: We will send you a courtesy notice asking you for an alternative payment method and your order will be temporarily suspended until we hear from you. As we incur a $ 2.00 re-processing fee each time your card does not clear, that charge is passed on to you.
Q: What happens if I join under a special incentive program and don’t stay a member for the entire term committed?
A: Not a problem. Although we want to do everything we can to keep you as a member, we will allow you to cancel your subscription early, however, you will be responsible to pay for the item which was given to you as part of the promotion. If you received a discount based on a specific term, the amount discounted will be charged to your card.
