Good Morning Gloucester

JOIN US FOR OUR FIRST FEBRUARY TASTING THIS SATURDAY FEATURING SELECTIONS FROM THE ACCLAIMED CAROLINA CONNOISSEUR PORTFOLIO, WINES MATCHED TO THE CUISINE OF THE SEASON, HEARTY FARE.  OUR TASTING TRAVELS FROM FRANCE’S SOUTHERN RHONE VALLEY TO CALIFORNIA …WASHINTON ST, ONTO OCEANIA AND NEW  ZEALAND, AND THE SINGULAR STORY OF THE McBRIDE SISTERS.  

WHAT & WHY: A special story celebrating Black History Month, two sisters and the grape.  Raised among the vines of Monterey, California and Marlborough, New Zealand, one could say that the McBride Sisters’ path to winemaking was destiny at work.  Beginning in the present, the McBride Sisters, Robin and Andrea, own the largest African-American wine company in the United States…and remarkably it all started with two half-sisters who didn’t know that the other existed for half of their lives. When they finally met, they realized that they had both been raised among vines some 7,000 miles apart – one in New Zealand the other in central California. Fate brought them together and today the McBride Sisters have one of the industry’s most exciting companies. Do join us today to  sample their energetic and fragrant Sauvignon Blanc showing the more tropical side of the Marlborough flavor spectrum while focusing acidity brings the refreshment factor… a wine that  brightens up winter fare! Food Pairing: Prosciutto Wrapped Blanched Asparagus.
>learn more about Robin & Andrea: https://www.mcbridesisters.com/Our-Story/SHE-CAN-Fund.

WHO: A special guest host, wine / food specialist from Carolina Wines Connoisseur Portfolio , together with Savor’s Kathleen Morgan have selected wines in sync with the culinary season

WHEN: This Saturday, February 5th , from 2pm to 4pm + at Savour

HOW: Saturday tastings are complimentary, as is parking behind the store with rear entrance.

Saturday’s Pourings include:

McBride Collection , Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, South Island, NZ, Alc. 13% Varietal: New Zealand  Sauvignon Blanc, Tasting: Pale straw in color bright nose of green apples, lemon and lime zest, unripened melons, kiwi, hay, fresh bread. Dry across the palate with tangy citrus fruits, nectarines, lemon rind, orange peel, mid-palate burst of kiwis, asparagus, lime zest, with fresh cut grass, Medium bodied, medium plus acidity with smooth mouthfee. Long lingering finish of slight whipped créme, vanilla Ice cream and fresh bread. Pairs Well: shellfish, vegetarian, goats cheese, spicy Asian stir-fry, Rating: 88 Wine Enthusiast……   $17.99

Neyers Sonoma County, North Coast, CA, 304, Chardonnay, 2019, Alc. 14.3%
Varietals: Chardonnay Tasting: The fruit for this stainless-steel chardonnay grows at Paul Larson’s vineyard on what was once a creek bed in Carneros. The salted caramel richness and flinty reduction come from the lees, recirculated from the bottom of the tank and slowly sprayed over the must at the top. As the reduction blows off with air, the wine reveals peach pit and bitter almond notes in a complex and integrated creaminess, incorporating the minerality of the lees. Pairs Well: Serve it chilled with chicken Milanese, roasted pork loin, rich fish (salmon tuna), vegetarian, Ratings:  Wine & Spirits 92, James Suckling 90….. $ 25.99

Frederic & Danie Brunier “Le Pigeoulet Vaucluse”, Rhone Valley, Southern Rhone, Fr.  2018, Alc. 14.1%, Varietal: Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre. Tasting: Fruity and bright, abundant aromas of blackberries, herbs, and licorice, a quintessential southern Rhone table wine consisting of a classic blend from the region. Lush dark berries and plums with excellent acid balance and surprising polish. Can complement a wide range of epicurean delights.  A Kermit Lynch selectionPairs Well: roast lamb, grille lamb chops, venison and elk, Ratings: Wine Spectator 88, Robert Parker 88 ….  $ 21.99

Terra d’Or Petite Sirah, Amador County, Sierra Foothills, CA, 2017 Alc. 14.5%
Varietal: Petite Sirah, Tasting: This Amador County red delivers rich, powerful flavor. The nose boasts aromas of sweet cream, raspberry pastry, anise, wet stone, and red currant before giving way to a focused, captivating palate full of soft tannins and dense red fruit characteristics. The flavors are complemented by an elegant, lingering finish. Pairs Well: A perfect fit with hearty meals such as Beef Wellington, Pot Roast, Beef Stew or Shepherds Pie. Ratings: Wine Enthusiast 90 ….$17.99

Hedges CMS Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Wa 2018, Alc. 13.5 % Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Tasting: Garnet red, licorice and vanilla on the nose. Dry, full bodied, with medium plus acidity. Smooth, juicy mouthful of blackberry, cherry, vanilla, black cherry, and black currant. Medium plus tannins. A comforting wine of the season. Pairs Well: ribeye roast, lamb chops, venison, poultry  Ratings: J. Sucking 92 … $19.99

Domaine Paul Autard, Chateauneuf Du Pape, Southern Rhone, 2018, Alc.14.5%, Varietals: the cuvee is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, Tasting: The base cuvée from this superb producer, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape has a relatively modern style in its black raspberry and cassis-driven fruits as well as subtle hints of background oak, vanilla, scorched earth, and white flowers. Beautiful on the palate as well, with medium to full-bodied richness and a seamless, elegant texture, it’s very much in the style of this charming, front end-loaded vintage, Pairs Well: lamb, pork loin, Cornish game hen. Ratings: Robert Parker 90, Vinous 92  …$45.99

Our Expanding Collection of Fine Wines In Half-Bottles …pleased to offer a wide selection of fine wine in half-bottles representing most every category…bubbly to dessert to fortified Marsalas!…Perfect for two when one glass each will do!  

Adding to the Carolina Wines Tasting This Saturday is Savor’s Everyday
Tech Tastings at the North Shore’s Only Digital Wine Machine. Fun to use!
>Taste up to 20 wines with new selection regularly rotated in, and yes, complimentary. Kathleen welcomes your questions for food pairings.

Welcome Your Donationplease in any amount (suggest $5) for Pathways for Children.
                                                                                          Thank You! …Kathleen

 For Your Mobile Calendar l Feb.-Mar., Savour Wine Tastings!

Feb. 5 –  Special Wines from Carolina Fine Wines (Martignetti)
Feb. 12 – Bob McVicker of Masciarelli Wines
Feb. 19 – Harry Zarkades – owner Maine Street Wines
Feb. 26 – Laura Rotondi of Baystate Wines
> Featuring Scott Family Sauvignon Blanc, $14.99, Wine Spectator Bargain Wine of the Year!
March 5 –  Kelly Ruby (Portuguese Wine Specialist)
March 12 – Dave Bender of Vineyard Road Wines
March 19 – Brooke Overheiser of Connoisseur Wines (Martignetti)

PLEASE NOTE: In Compliance with the City of Gloucester’s Board of Health COVID-19 Emergency Regulation, beginning January 10, 2022, masks covering the nose and face are required in all public spaces including retail businesses with a retail food service permit and public-facing staff providing on-site food services. This regulation includes all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, age 10-years and above. Your compliance ensures the health & well-being of our customers & our Savour team are maintained, thank you!

We are pleased to continue curbside pickup service

Savour Wine & Cheese  l  76 Prospect St.  l  Gloucester l  978. 282 .1455 
savourwineandcheese.com

Prelude…

Since yesterday was 2-2-22 and I was expecting to see more reference to it in my various feeds, I thought it might be fun to take a look at 3-4-56 as covered by the Gloucester Daily Times. Turns out 3-4-56 was a Sunday, so no paper but as I looked at the next day’s paper, I came across a couple of interesting tidbits I thought you might enjoy. Take a look at the gas prices!

These funds are available for Open Space, Historic Resources, Recreational Land and Community Housing 

The City of Gloucester is now accepting applications for the 2022 Community Preservation Act (CPA)  round of funding. Eligibility forms must be submitted by March 8, with full applications due May 3.  

Eligibility forms and more information can be found online at the City’s website:  https://gloucester-ma.gov/103/Community-Preservation-Committee 

The CPA is a Massachusetts state law (M.G.L. c. 44B) that allows communities to adopt a property tax  surcharge of up to 3%, the revenues from which are matched by State funds. By popular vote in the fall  of 2008, the citizens of Gloucester adopted a 1% surcharge to be spent in accordance with the  provisions of the CPA. Since then Gloucester has funded dozens of deserving projects that otherwise  would not have been able to go forward. 

CPA funds can be used for one of four purposes: 

o Acquire, create, and preserve open space; and rehabilitate and restore open space if acquired or  created with CPA funds 

o Acquire, preserve, rehabilitate, and restore historic resources 

o Acquire, create, and preserve land for recreation use; and rehabilitate and restore land for  recreational use 

o Acquire, create, preserve, and support community housing; and rehabilitate and restore  community housing acquired or created with CPA funds 

A nine-member Community Preservation Committee (CPC) of Gloucester citizens was established in  accordance with the terms of the Act. The CPC consists of four members at-large and one representative  each from the Historic Commission, the Conservation Commission, the Housing Authority, the Planning  Board, and Open Space & Recreation. 

The mission of the CPC is to study the needs of the City of Gloucester in cooperation with various City  boards, departments, organizations, and citizens and to solicit and evaluate proposals for the use of  Community Preservation Act funds for the maximum benefit to the City of Gloucester. The CPC will  recommend to the City Council those projects which it deems will best achieve the purpose of the  Community Preservation Act legislation in the areas of open space, historic preservation, affordable  housing, and recreation.

Winter blanket…