Friday, March 6th & Saturday, March 7th, 2020
1. Arcan Rias Baixas Albariño
Cooper’s Price $16.99
The Arcan Albarino is made by Adega Pombal a Lanzada, a small family winery in Rias Baixas. The winery is named for the longest stretch of beach in the region, La Playa Lanzada, which the winery overlooks. The Pombal family were actually traditionally mussel farmers, but like most families here also had some vines for making wine for themselves. At about five acres they actually have more land than most and so eventually made the jump to making their own wines. All their vines, which range in age from 35 to 100 years old, are cultivated organically and hand-harvested before fermentation in stainless steel using only indigenous yeasts.
The Arcan is more aromatic than many Albarinos, offering lots of stone fruit, citrus, and apple blossoms; it is fresh and zingy on the palate, with lively acidity and minerality and a salty, briny rockiness that summons up the Atlantic Ocean at the winery’s door.
2. Ferry Lacombe Mira Rose
Cooper’s Price: $12.99
Chateau Ferry Lacombe is located in Provence, in the southeast of France. It’s in the heart of the Arc Valley, at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire mountain range, 12 miles east of Aix-en-Provence. The Mediterranean-Continental climate has contrasting day and night temperatures along with the gusty northern Mistral wind, making it an ideally located vineyard for the production of Provence’s rosé wines. The Mistral wind is a cold, dry wind which, blows down from the Rhône Valley, and helps to naturally dry the grapes thus avoiding mildew and traditional grape diseases.
80% Grenache, 10% Caladoc & 10% Grenache Blanc
This fresh, fruity and delicate 2018 Mira Rose has a beautiful pink color, with clear lychee shades. The nose reveals aromas of red berries (raspberry, strawberry and currant), which is enhanced by lemon-lime citrus notes. The palate is pleasant, with fresh citrus fruits including lemon and grapefruit.
3. Barale Fratelli Castlé Barbera d’Alba
Cooper’s Price $19.99
The Azienda Agricola Barale traces its roots all the way back to 1870 when Barolo wine had just appeared on the scene in the Langhe, promoted by the Marchesi Falletti and Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour. Francesco Barale, great-grandfather of the current owner, was among the pioneers in the production of this blessed wine. Today Sergio Barale and daughters Eleonora and Gloria carry on the centuries old family tradition. The nineteenth-century manor house in the historic center of Barolo is the administrative and commercial headquarters of the company.
Nearby are the historic underground cellars, where new technologies have been introduced in accordance with traditional rules. The vinification and aging are aimed at producing balanced wines in which the characteristics of the grape variety and region prevail.
Organically-grown Barbera from estate vineyards. Castlé is the Cru that lies on the other side of the narrow, long valley where the Cannubi Cru is located, at the foothills of the Barolo village. The fruit extraction is moderate with a ruby red translucent hue. The mouth feel is fresh with aromas of orchard fruit, chocolate, and mint. There is no new oak on this bottling. Deep cherry and blackberry fruit with some tobacco and graphite minerality. A fine, traditionally-styled, Barbera that satisfies in every way.
4. Alverdi Cabernet
Cooper’s Price $11.99
Alverdi is a tribute to Italy’s diverse winegrowing regions that offer unique expressions of well-known grape varietals. These approachable styles were designed to suit any and all occasions. The wines embody the esteemed traditions of Italian winemaking and those of Opici Wines’ standards of producing high quality wines at an excellent value. The Opici family partnered with some of Italy’s largest and oldest producers to create wines that reflect the unique character of each grape.
After gentle pressing and destemming of newly harvested grapes, the wine is transferred to stainless steel tanks where a traditional fermentation occurs. To preserve the fresh fruit flavors and acidity no malolactic process is utilized. The wine is racked and rests in tank for 6-8 months, before an additional 2 months in the bottle before release.
Bright ruby red in the glass, with aromas of tart cherry, raspberry, and spice. Soft on the palate, with red and blackcurrant fruit accompanied by herbal and pepper notes. A straightforward style with a fruity, round, savory personality, it can be enjoyed over the next 1-2 years. Pairs well with simple Italian dishes, or enjoyable on its own.
