COMPLIMENTARY
WINE TASTING WITH DAVE BENDER OF VINEYARD ROAD WINES
Since 2000, Vineyard Road has offered high-quality and high-value wines that reflect their soils of origin. Some of the estates represented have been around for only 5 years. Others have been making wine for more than 500. Vineyard Road specializes in small production and artisanal producers who work in concert with the land to produce wines of distinct and authentic character.
WINES
2020 Aoton Winery, Attiki Roditis, Greece, Varietal: 100% Roditis, Alc. %14.5%
Aoton Winery makes Greek wines from just under two hectares of organically farmed vineyards planted in the mid-1990s. Sotiris Gkinis, their young winemaker, has a remarkable passion for the indigenous grape varieties of Attica, Savvatiano, and Roditis. Aoton’s Roditis white is made from 100% Roditis grapes, from a mix of 30-year-old and 5-year-old vines, grown in soil of slightly alkaline clay and sand. The vines are subject to the temperate Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The grapes are hand-picked at night and carried to storage before sunrise to maintain their freshness and low temperature. They are concentrated in stainless steel tanks and stay there, refrigerated, for approximately ten days to start the alcoholic fermentation by the indigenous, wild yeasts found on the fruit and in the vineyard. Every 24 hours, 10% of the fermented grape must be collected from the bottom of the tank and transferred to the top, and 10% of the freshly harvested grapes are added to the top of the tank. After the end of the fermentation, the fresh wine remains for 10 months on the fine lees. The resulting wine is balanced, well-structured, and dazzles with its golden color, clean floral and sweet, honey-like aroma, and dry flavors of stone fruits and citrus. Pairs well with Greek salad, fish, and shellfish. $$22.99
2022 Armand Heitz, Chardonnay, France, 2022, Alc. 12%
In 1857, the history of the estate begins with the family Nié-Vantey. They owned vines from Santenay to Clos de Vougeot and were important in the wine trade. At the beginning of the 20th century, Georges Lochardet, a Nié-Vantey family descendant and a large wine merchant in the Côte de Beaune, took over twenty hectares of vineyards and several houses. On his death, his son Armand Lochardet inherited half of the estate and passed it to his three children, Bernard, Catherine, and Brigitte. In 1983, Brigitte Lochardet married Christian Heitz and created the Domaine Heitz Lochardet a few years later. Today, vine cultivation is carried out by the Maison Joseph Drouhin under the Heitz Lochardet name using the principles of organic viticulture. In 2011, Armand Heitz, the grandson of Armand Lochardet, obtained his oenologist diploma and took over the reins of the Domaine. In 2012, Armand began the cultivation of vines on land in several parts of Burgundy, growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. In parallel, Armand created the House of Armand Heitz. This wine is golden with hints of tropical fruit, lemon, peaches, and a bit of cream on the palate. Serve with white fish, scallops, and soft cheeses. $$24.99
2022 Vom Boden Weingut MĂĽller Ruprecht Hibou, Riesling Trocken, Pfalz, Germany Alc. 12.5%, $19.99
Fruit is from Bockenheim. It has 5-6 g residual sugar and was on the lees until it was bottled in July 2023. This almost clear colored Trocken (dry) styled Riesling from the Pfalz region of Germany opens with a nectarine pit and wet stone bouquet with a hint of lime zest. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with great acidity. The mouthfeel is bright, zesty, and mouthwatering. The flavor profile is a lime and white grapefruit blend with notes of chalky minerality and tonic water, with some hints of white peach and a dash of white pepper. The finish is quite dry, and its flavors and acidity show nice length. Serve this Riesling slightly chilled on a hot day, on the beach, this summer. It pairs well with many dishes, including grilled chicken, Asian foods, Sushi, fresh fish, shrimp, and scallops. The 1 liter size (6.5 glasses) makes it a great buy. $19.99
2020 Azienda Agricola Calabretta, “Gaio Gaio” Vino Rosso, Sicily, Italy, Varietal: Nerello Mascalese, Alc. %13
For four generations, Calabretta has been a family winery focused on showcasing the centuries-old traditions of Etna. From Gaetano Calabretta, who began the commercial activities of the winery, selling mainly to northern Italy in the 1920s and 1930s, to his great-grandson Massimiliano, who manages the winery today. The Calabretta vineyards are found within the Etna DOC, where the volcanic soils (both sandy and rocky) and high elevation (600-1000m) create unique microclimates. High winds make it relatively easy to farm organically, the black soils and intense sunshine promote ripeness, and the pronounced temperature difference between night and day preserves acidity and elegance. Through thoughtful and minimal intervention, vineyard work using only copper and sulfur sprays, as little as possible; growing “green manure” cover crops; plowing to aerate the soil; and pruning and harvesting by hand. The cellar has multiple levels, including one underground, dug into the volcanic rock, allowing year-round maintenance of ideal temperature and humidity. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations occur spontaneously, and the wines age in large Slavonian old oak barrels, where they can gently settle and clarify over time without intervention. Gaio Gaio is a selection of young vine Nerello Mascalese, aged in stainless and cask, and is fruity with Etna’s classic minerally backbone. It is light-bodied with loads of fruit, with a light forest floor, and savory notes on the nose and palate. It pairs well with anything Italian. $24.99
2021 Two Mountain Winery, Syrah Yakima Valley, Washington, 100% Syrah, Alc. 13.9%
The name, Two Mountain Winery, was inspired by the majestic views of Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier, which serve as the backdrop of Copeland Vineyard. Bought by the Schmidt brothers from their family in 2006, Schmidt Orchards were planted by their grandfather, Phil Schmidt. In 1951, it became Copeland Vineyard, which the brothers planted with their uncle, Ron Schmidt, in 2000, and learned the business. Fast forward to now, and you will find them living, breathing, and drinking work in the vineyard and at the winery. This Syrah is 100% Syrah grapes from the Copeland and Schmidt vineyards. The wine is barrel-aged for 22 months in 79% French, 21% American (39% new, 61% neutral oak casks). It is a small release with just 419 cases produced. Bright red fruit aromas of black cherry, raspberry, and tobacco with similar notes on the palate, along with soft tannins and a mouth-filling finish. $24.99
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And don’t forget to check out what’s new in our beer case, including two juicy NE IPAs and a clean, refreshing rice lager from East Regiment Brewing, a veteran-owned brewery in Salem and a crisp new lager from Rockport Brewing.
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Kathleen’s Price-Value Gems:
Unique to SAVOUR our three price-value collections, with
each category ($9.99ers – $14.99ers -$19.99ers) offering hundreds of wines
at one price, personally curated by Kathleen, some have limited availability.
9.99ers…the quality is taste delivering above-price enjoyment …Value!
14.99ers…exhibiting qualities of complexity…Elevating the Experience!
19.99ers…value laden wines by innovative vintners…Expect Exceptional!
Adding to this Saturday’s wine tasting with Dave is Savour’s Everyday Tech Tastings at the North Shore’s Only Digital Wine Machine. Fun to use and enjoy! Taste up to 20 wines with new selections regularly added…& yes, complimentary. Kathleen welcomes your questions for food pairings.
Welcome Your Donation in any amount for Pathways for Children.
Thank You! …Kathleen
For Your Mobile Calendar
Savour Wine Tastings!
June 8 – Dave Bender of Vineyard Road
June 15 – David Gansler, owner of LaRosa Selections
June 22 – Anna G of Cynthia Hurley Wines
June 29 – Bill Hoey of 21st Century Wines
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Continuing to offer a case discount 0f 10% on wines and all items purchased with the case to all customers. Wine Club members get 5% off on 6 bottles and all items purchased with the 6 bottles. Thanks again for your support!
We continue using our 5 Molekule high performance air purification units that clear the air of 99.9% of viruses, bacteria and allergens every hour, store wide.
We are pleased to continue curbside pickup service
Savour Wine & Cheese l 76 Prospect St. l Gloucester l 978. 282 .1455
Good Morning Gloucester 