Hello Everyone!
I'd like to wish all you mothers out there a very Happy Mothers Day (hi, mom!).

If you need something tasteful (and tasty) to give mom, of course we have cheese, chocolate, bubbly and FREE GIFT WRAP. Just think of us as your friendly neighborhood last-minute gift enablers!

Thanks to everyone who came out for Monday's Spanish Cheese Class. Can't wait for the next Cheese Class June 2nd. Sara and I have a slightly, ahem, competitive event in mind that will call into play our diametrically opposed Italian heritage: Tuscana vs. Puglia. See below...non farmi gambizzarti, cara!

Friday, May 9th, 5-7pm: French Picnic!
(Peter's Notes)

Pique-Nique a Pic: A Selection of French wines for Picnics and Backyard Fare

The month of May is, weatherwise, my favorite month of the year second only to October. The days are long and the weather is generally warm, but the mosquitoes and humidity have not yet become oppressive. On a leisurely evening, I'll sit outside with my wife and share a glass or two of wine to go with something off of the grill, disturbed only by our omnivoristic feline neighbor, Isabella, who has an odd appreciation for grilled shallots and portabella mushrooms. At any rate, it's a great time of year to dine outside whether that's at the beach, in the mountains or just in your own backyard. For the tasting this Friday, I've picked five reasonably priced, versatile French wines that are well-suited to picnic fare and cookouts. Here's what I will be pouring:

Chateau Magneau 2006 Graves Blanc: Produced from a traditional assemblage of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle, this crisp white wine from Bordeaux has lots of citrus and pear like notes as well as a stony quality.

L'Crocodile 2006 Viognier VDP d'Oc: Produced near the city of Nimes in Southern France, this dry white wine has nectarine and apricot notes.

La Bastide Saint Dominique 2007 VDP Portes de Mediterranee Rose: This dry, spicy rose with fresh cherry and berry flavors is made by a smaller Chateauneuf du Pape producer. Rhone-tastic!

Domaine Dupre 2006 Beaujolais Vieilles Vignes "Terre Noire": Old-vine Gamay gives more depth to this medium-bodied red from the southern end of Burgundy. A superb wine to be served slightly chilled!

Mission La Caminade 2006 Cahors: Opaque in color and characterized by dusty, dark fruit notes, this medium-bodied, dry, tannic red made from pure Malbec in Southwestern France.

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

SINGLE GIRL SEEKS CHEESEMALE!
(Sara's notes)

Hola amigos! Ahora, escuela del queso Espanol lunes fue muy bien! And, well, suddenly it appears that my short list of Spanish words has run out, save for my recently acquired kitchen Spanish and the
oh-so-inapropriate curse words. Ah, well, I'm sure I mangled my attempt at a full sentence anyways, so I'll fall back into the native tongue. Ciao ragazzi! Ha. Just kidding. English it shall be. I really just wanted to say that I had a blast at Monday's Spanish
cheese class -- and I hope all of you did as well! Special thanks to Erin McGrath for all the great Spanish pronunciation guides and for
her trusty assistance with proper cheese names during class! I really do want Spanish lessons. (If you do, too, let us know and we'll put you in touch with Erin.)

Oh, and for the record, Julia and I are preparing for a North vs. South Italian Cheese Cagematch (I mean Class) come June 2. Ha. Bring it on, Battaglini, give it your best shot, girl. Adduci comes first on a list for a reason. (Cara ragazzina, non ha paura, non ti faccio tanto male, ma senza dubbio, vincero!)* More details to follow, of course, but be sure that this will be a cheese class you don't want to miss! Come on, folks! Can you imagine? Battaglini vs. Adduci? Really?? All this AND a plate of cheese? You should sign up now. You gotta know that the Italian cheese class is bound to be the most fun of all.

On top of this, I have cheeses of all kinds on their way here within the next two days. More Caromont chevres of both flavors are due in on Friday -- I'm at the store all the time, whether working or not, and even I'm missing them! The salads just aren't the same without and my omelets seem really empty and depressed. (As do my roasted vegetable frozen pizzas and spoons for that matter, but now I'm just whining.) I also expect hundreds of herb and oil cured olives to escort a giant wheel of aged Gouda to its proper pedestal on the cheese case at any moment now. Good times! Good cheeses! I could go on forever...best to save some for when you come visit! So, until then...
*(Julia's response? Pericoloso: Testarossa!)

Wine Dinner at Six Burner! Thursday, 5/15 6:30pm
Join our good friends at Six Burner as they host a wine dinner with winemaker Jean-Francois Coquard of Tenuta Mazzolino (we'll be hosting a tasting here with him the Friday after so you can get a double shot of Lombardian vino)!

Tickets are $50 per person. Call 804.353.4060 to reserve.

Here's the menu:

white tuna tartar, lemon puree, local radish, chive oil
Chardonnay "Blanc"

roasted cobia, braised lima beans, yellow corn, smoked bacon
Pinot Noir "Noir"

grilled hanger steak, roasted vegetable salad, red wine reduction
Rosso "Terrazze"

yogurt panna cotta, local berries, homemade granola
Moscato

Beer-o-the-Week
(Jessica's notes)

Southern Tier Brewing Company
UnEarthly IPA
(Brewer's description)
An Uninhibited Infusion of Hops. We continue our commitment to innovation with our most aggressive
offering yet Unearthly is a manifestation of the brewers crafts skillfully balancing art and the forces of nature to produce a divine liquid. Delicately pour a taste into a fluted glass. Smell the enchanting aromas of the hops come forward as your first sip divulges this beer's fervent soul. To underestimate Unearthly is to trifle with the mysteries of the universe so please consume wisely.

Wine-o-the-Week
(Peter's notes)

La Slina 2006 Dolcetto di Ovada:
Located in the south-
eastern corner of Piedmont, Italy near the border with Liguria, the town of Ovada claims the Dolcetto grape as its own, with old references to the grape as "Uva di Ovada". Rich with dark cherry notes, hints of smoke and a bittersweet finish, the Dolcetto di Ovada from La Slina is an excellent red wine accompaniment for grilled lamb or burgers.
A great value at $12.99 per bottle!

River City Cellars-2931 W. Cary Street-Carytown-Richmond-804.355.1375

Hello Everyone!
We still have a few seats left in our Spanish Cheese Class Monday, May 5th, 6:30-8:00pm. $35 will get you full of tasty queso and loads of history and cheesemaking lore, Espana style. Call us at (804)355-1375 to reserve your spot.

Cheers!

ps: I'd like to wish the handsome and talented David Martin a Very Happy Birthday!

Free Wine Tasting:
Friday, May 1st, 5-7pm: Iberian Delights!
(Peter's Notes)

From the Atlantic-facing appellation of Rias Baixas in the northwest corner of Spain to the mountainous region of Rioja in the north central part of the country to the Mediterranean-oriented appellation of Almansa, Spain has a wide range of grape varietals and styles of wine. This Friday, I will be pouring five wines that shed light on some of the wines produced in this historic yet progressive country. Here's what I will be pouring:

Nessa 2007 Albarino: Crisp and fragrant, this dry white wine produced in the temperate and verdant Rias Baixas appelltation of northwestern Spain has flavors that recall apricots and nectarines.

Medina 2007 Rueda: Citrus skin, melon and herbal notes characterize some of the aromas of this dry but rich white wine made from the Verdejo grape in the Rueda zone north and west of Madrid.

Marques de Caceres 2007 Rioja Rosado: Produced in Rioja, Spain's most famous wine region, this dry yet fruity rose has strawberry and floral notes.

Arbanta 2007 Rioja Tinto: This medium-bodied, flavorsome red is made from Spain's reigning indigenous varietal, Tempranillo.

Loma Gorda 2005 Almansa Tinto: Full-bodied red from southeastern Spain made from 65% Garnacha (Grenache) and 35% Syrah.

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

CHEESEMAIL!
(Sara's notes)

Howdy. It has been such a full week people, I'll have to give you the abbreviated list. We tasted some great wines in the Terroir class, I have a baby robin and its two doting parents nesting in my front holly tree, the farmer's markets have started up again, I found the most amazingly glorious back yard garden with flowers, fountains, and fish, that has been hiding in plain sight just a couple blocks from my house, AND I'm all atwitter with final preparations for Monday's Spanish cheese class.

Speaking of which, we have six, slivers of Spanish succulence selected for all of you lucky folks who are attending the Sara and Julia Cheese Show this Monday night. (Sorry, sometimes I just can't resist alliteration's tempting embrace.) We also have some other traditional Spanish treats to accompany the aforementioned succulence. Yum! I must say that narrowing it down to 6 cheeses was tough, but if worse comes to worse, we will just have Spanish Cheese Class, Take Two. I mean really, would that be so bad? Another first Monday facing a plate of Spanish cheese? Ha. I, for one, can think of plenty of worse ways to spend a Monday night than in the company of a group of interesting folks who all share a penchant for the queso. Anyhow, I think there might be a few
spots left if you care to join us on the 5th!

I also have some new savory jellies in the house from Gracie's Garden. I'm eating some as I type this with one hand. Heh. I'm having the Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme with some Manouri -- a firm but fresh sheep's milk cheese from Greece. (I might have
mentioned this cheese, oh, about a gajillion times --as it has become a staple in my fridge and in my menus. I simply cannot stop eating it with anything and everything.) I also don't think I need to mention how delightful a combination savory and sweet can be, making this blend the easiest appetizer ever. Some of
this cheese and some of this jelly on a cracker. Salty, savory, herby, and sweet. Perfectly simple. I haven't even thought beyond this point yet, but I imagine there are all sorts of ways that this
condiment will find it's way into my food pyramid! Best of all, they are from Virginia. I have two flavors, the PSR&T I mentioned above, and the Onion, Garlic and Chive. Both are tasty -- come see for yourself -- there are jars open for tasting. Hope to see you soon.

CHEERS!
Julia, Peter, Sara & Jessica
HOURS: Sunday-Monday 12-6 Tuesday-Saturday 10-7

Beer-o-the-Week
(Jessica's notes)

Schneider-Brooklyner Hopfen-Weisse

Schmaltz Brewing
He'brew Rejewvenator
(limited edition)

The newest brew from the guys at Schmaltz brewing. Those wacky hebrewers came up with yet another fantastic fruit infused beer. The Rejewvenator is everything you need:
half dopplebock, half belgian-style dubbel with a fig juice infusion. The hint of fig juice juice hits your tongue immediately and then melts into delicious dopplebockiness with the right balance of malt and a kick of hops on the end. Schmaltz just can not make bad beer. Trust me, you'll love it!!! Why eat fig newtons when you can drink fig beer???

Open for tasting!

By the way, check out our latest ad (below) in RVA Magazine!
Wine-o-the-Week
(Peter's notes)

Ca' Bona
2007
Pinot Grigio Rose

Produced in the Oltrepo Pavese zone in Lombardy, south of Milan, this dry but delicately fruity Italian rosato is made mostly from Pinot Grigio with a dash of Pinot Noir.
At $9.99 per bottle, this simple yet delicious quaffer is great for impromptu backyard festivities & lighter fare.

Want a taste?
We have one open for you!
not getting our emails directly from the source?

Forward email

This email was sent to info@rivercitycellars.com, by info@rivercitycellars.com
Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.
Email Marketing by

River City Cellars | 2931 West Cary Street | Carytown | Richmond | VA | 23221

River City Cellars-2931 W. Cary Street-Carytown-Richmond-804.355.1375

in this issue...
Wine Class
Free Friday Wine Tasting
Cheese News: Spanish Class
BoW: Beer of the Week
WoW: Wine of the Week
(Julia's notes)

Hello Everyone!

Don't forget about these exciting upcoming classes:

"Terroir" Monday, April 28th
"Spanish Cheeses" Monday, May 5th. Details below. Sign up soon; seating is very limited!

As for this week's wine tasting, Peter doesn't mention it, but it's his birthday. He also doesn't mention yet another brush with fame for his Swedish Metal Band, Tulsa Drone ;) Rock on, Herr Neff & Herr Grotz.

Cheers!

Friday, April 25th, 5-7pm: Peter's Piemontese Birthday Bash!
(Peter's Notes)

More so even than Tuscany, the Piedmont region leads Italy in terms of production of top-quality wine. This Friday, I will be pouring five wines that showcase but a few of the appellations and grape varietals of this diverse region. Here's what I will be sampling:

La Slina 2007 Gavi: Made from the Cortese grape, this bright, vibrant, mineral-textured white wine is produced in the southeastern corner of Piedmont.

Cantine Sant'Agata 2006 Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato "Il Cavaliere": Perfect for lighter fare such as salami and sashimi, this dry red is made from the rare varietal Ruche near the city of Asti. Orange peel, spices and bright cherry fruit come to mind in tasting this memorable wine.

Fosco 2005 Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba: Long a favorite at River City Cellars, this plushly textured, fuller-bodied red is produced in the heart of Piedmont.

Proprieta Sperino 2004 Uvaggio: Paolo De Marchesi, the renowned winemaker at the Chianti Classico estate Isole e Olena, is actually Piemontese, and has more recently begun to devote some of his considerable energies at his home estate, Proprieta Sperino, located in Lessona, in the northern Piedmont. The "Uvaggio" wine is made largely from the most noble Piemontese grape, Nebbiolo, with smaller amounts of Vespolina and Croatina. Elegant and high-toned, this red wine has aromas of clove and tar, dried flowers and subtle fruits, as well as a silky texture. Barolo and Barbaresco aficionados should absolutely be here to try this!

Fracchia 2007 Casorzo "Voulet": Made from a red variant of the Malvasia grape, this wine has become our number one selling dessert wine for good reason. It's lighter-bodied, sparkles vivaciously and smells like roses and raspberries. Those who wish to ponder the pondersome may wish to look elsewhere, this is 100% exuberance and deliciousness!

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

CHEESE!

Monday, May 5th, 6:30-8:00pm: Spanish Cheese!
Join us here at the shop for a fun and informative SPANISH CHEESE CLASS! We'll taste and discuss six varied cheeses from all over this cheese-loving country, covering the basics of flavor, history, production and pairing suggestions. This a sit-down class and will include notes, tasting sheets and maps to guide your journey. Cost is $35 per person, all-inclusive (we accept Visa, MC, AmEx, cash & checks) and seats must be prepaid. Contact River City Cellars at (804)355-1375 to sign up.

(Sara's notes)
Hey cheese people!

So, the goat's milk cheeses from Caromont were such a big hit last week -- selling out in less than 24 hours flat. I wasn't kidding when I said they were delicious! For those of you who weren't fast enough, well, you'll just have to swing by early next week when our next shipment arrives and see for yourself what the fuss is all about.

In other news, Julia and I have decided that we will be featuring Spanish cheeses for our next cheese class on May 5. The entire line-up has yet to be determined, but with so many amazing cheeses to choose from, I guarantee it'll be a palate-pleaser. Don't dally, reserve your spot today! After all, learning is so much easier when a plate of cheese is involved.

Lastly, kudos to Dawn and Albert Schick of the Grace Manor Inn for hosting such a lovely Champagne Brunch last Sunday. The delicious food and trio of bubbles was not only the perfect antidote to the pouring rain, but also a great way to belatedly celebrate my Mom's birthday. Thanks!
CHEERS!
Julia, Peter, Sara & Jessica
HOURS: Sunday-Monday 12-6 Tuesday-Saturday 10-7

Beer-o-the-Week

Schneider-Brooklyner Hopfen-Weisse

Brewery notes:
In May 2007, Garrett Oliver traveled to the 400 year old Schneider brewery in Kelheim, Germany, to brew
Schneider-Brooklyner Hopfen-Weisse. This was
dry-hopped with the local Hallertauer Saphir hop
variety. In July, Drexler brought his yeast to
Brooklyn and brewed Brooklyner-Schneider
Hopfen-Weisse, choosing the American Amarillo and
Palisade varieties for the dry-hopping. Now you can
taste the result, the latest beer in our Brewmaster's
Reserve series. The beer has a full orange color and
the aromatics pair the banana and clove notes from the Schneider yeast with the mango and citrus qualities of the hops. The bitterness is robust but balanced, and the beer has a clean, hoppy finish.

Brooklyner-Schneider Hopfen-Weisse pairs well with Caribbean seafood preparations, crab cakes, jerk chicken, Thai cuisine, Szechuan cooking and many
Mexican dishes.

Open for tasting!
Wine-o-the-Week
(Peter's notes)

Muros Antigos
2006
Vinho Verde
Produced in northern Portugal, this (relatively) rounder style Vinho Verde is made from the Loureiro grape. Flavor-wise, this dry white has citrus and pineapple notes with just a hint of something herbal. Especially tasty during warm weather months! $12.99 per bottle.

UPCOMING TASTINGS AND EVENTS:

Thursday, April 17th 5-7pm: Organic Beers!
SAVE THE WORLD. WE MAY NEED IT LATER!

(Not that kind of green beer.)
In honor of earth day (Tuesday, April 22nd), I thought it would be appropriate to do an earth friendly, all organic beer tasting. Sure I'm biased, I do spend my spare time mucking around vineyards,wrangling vines, and praying for a good growing season, but don't we all want to do our part for a cleaner,healthier earth? Just to make you think about what you drink, I thought a few facts may open your eyes. Of course, everyone knows it is healthy to eat and drink organic, but organic farming makes the earth healthier as well. Organic farming uses 50% less energy than conventional farming and each acre of organic farmland absorbs and stores over 3,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year--better soil fertility,
fewer greenhouse gases. So if you think about it, the more you drink the better for you and the earth. Best of all these beers are DEEEELISH! This Thursday we will be tasting:

Butte Creek India Pale Ale (CA)
Pours clear and light amber. It is bottle conditioned so emptying a bottle into your glass will fill it with chunks of yeasty goodness.

Bison Organic Chocolate Stout (CA) (Commercial
DesThis richly textured, roasty dry stout has
a boost of bitter and charismatic flavor from the
addition of cocoa powder in the mash. We blend five
unique organic malts to create Bison's most award
winning beer

Schneider's Wiesen Edel-Weisse (Germany)Certified USDA
ORGANIC This one will remind you of good old
Schneider Weisse, but it is more bready-wheaty than
Schneider Weisse. A touch of hops, some banana and a
little more citrus.

St. Peter's English Ale. This one is a staff favorite.
A perfectly delicious English ale, the hops and malt
are so beautifully balanced, this beer is just heaven
in a bottle and boy does it go down smoothly.

Want to save the earth? Do your part by drinking these
tasty, earth friendly brews. (and don't forget to
recycle your bottles when you finish!!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, April 18th, 5-7pm: Wine X-Files!
(Peter's Notes)

Although literally thousands of grape varietals are used in making wine worldwide, only a scant few dozen (at best) garner any recognition in wine circles. While varietals such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Chardonnay are certainly capable of making fantastic wines, there are plenty of lesser-known grapes that also deserve attention. This Friday, I'll be sampling out five wines made from rather obscure grape varietals. Dare to be different! Here's the lineup:

Domaine L'Idylle 2005 Roussette de Savoie: This dry, tangy white wine is made from the Altesse grape in the alpine vineyards of Savoie, France. You'll want to pick up a wee wedge of cheese to go with this one!

La Yunta 2007 Torrontes: This dry white from Argentina has aromatic notes that recall apricot, citrus peel and something exquisitely floral.

Tegernseerhof 2007 Zweigelt Rose: Awesome dry rose from Austria made from the Zweigelt grape. Long a favorite at River City Cellars, most folks here refer to this wine as the "Mr. T. rose." We pity the fool that don't drink pink!

Au Bon Climat 2000 Mondeuse: Most Mondeuse is produced in the Savoie region of France, but California producer Au Bon Climat makes this mid-weight, plum skin and cherry scented red in the Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. A superb alternative to Pinot Noir!

Casata Monfort 2004 Teroldego Rotaliano: Blackberry and espresso come to mind in describing the principal flavors of this fuller bodied red from the Trentino region of northern Italy.

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

Cheese, Please!
(Sara's notes)

Howdy Cheese People!

Oh, excitement abounds! I have such glorious visions of Virginia based cheese expeditions dancing in my head!

I heard back from Dixie at Meadow Creek--they are up and running, making cheese 5 days a week. Fantastic. Now, we just have to pick a few days, covers some shifts at my various places of employment, and then it is off to Galax, I go! I wonder if I will get to milk a cow? Such the city girl, I am, so this will all be new to me. I'm tickled pink to have a day or two at the farm!

We also have some new, fresh goat's milk cheeses in from the talented cheese maker, Gail Hobbs-Page, from the Caromont Goat Dairy in Esmont, VA. Two delights have arrived from just south of Charlottesville and people, they are gooood. Today's lunch, in fact, was an omelette stuffed with their Farmstead Chevre, which is moist and soft with the perfect citrusy, salty, goat's milk twang. Yum. I must admit it is also quite tasty right out of the cup by the spoonful. The other cheese that we have from Caromont is the Old Green Mountain Round, which is a denser but still soft goat's milk that is topped with a hearty sprinkle of locally grown Herbes de Provence. So compelling and delicious. I couldn't tell you which one I like best! Not that it matters, as I'm just thrilled to have both of these fine cheeses at the RCC Cheese Counter.

When I spoke with Gail about perhaps making a quick jaunt west to check out her dairy and get some hands-on cheese making experience she told me to be careful what I wish for, that I may just end up elbows deep in curd!! Awesome! I say, bring on the curd! I'm ready --my sleeves are rolled up, my hair is shower-capped, and their are booties over my shoes! Now let's make some cheese!

Ahh, like I said before, there is no shortage of excitement around here. New cheeses to eat and a two great cheese adventures in my future? Ha! Lucky me! I can't get this silly grin off of my face! Come on by the shop and have a sample of these beautifully
made cheeses -- and look for lots of pictures and tales from the farm in my future installments of As The Cheese Turns!
CHEERS!
Julia, Peter, Sara & Jessica
HOURS: Sunday-Monday 12-6 Tuesday-Saturday 10-7

Monday, April 28th 6:30-8:00pm
Wine Class: Terroir
(with Ryne Hazzard of Potomac Selections)
You asked for it...our first wine class of the year! We're starting off strong with a selection of wines that demonstrate "terroir"--our underlying principle here at RCC. For ten years we have sought out wines that taste of their soil, region and climate, wines with integrity and history. What on earth does that mean? Come find out by tasting and learning about six amazing wines from France and Italy. Cost is $35 per person*. Call 804.355.1375 to reserve.
*The tasting part of the class is free. The ticket price covers educational materials, equipment rental and labor.

Hello Everyone!

You know it's Spring when all of a sudden the calendar is bursting with fun events. RCC is no exception: of course we have our regular Friday night wine tastings (Taxpayer Relief Night tomorrow), but we're also excited about our all-organic Beer Tasting next Thursday night, our decadent Champagne Brunch at Grace Manor Inn (see below) on Sunday 4/20, and our newly finalized Terroir Wine Class on Monday, April 28th (details at the end of the email). Sign up soon--space is rather limited until the expansion is done!

Other notables:

On a gratuitous foodie tip...we ate the MOST DELICIOUS FISH EVER last night from Yellow Umbrella: Opah (also known as Moonfish). Hard to get, line caught Hawaiian ocean fish that has a texture similar to swordfish and a flavor like heaven (and heaven, by the way, tastes like butter). Simply grilled with olive, salt and pepper. Yum! It's pretty, too if you like aethestically pleasing edibles.

The annual Taste of Powhatan event is coming up May 4th. Check out artsofpowhatan.org for details.

Get a little RCC in your garden! Indirectly, anyway. Our friend Carter Anderson makes fabulous garden furniture and other constructed items from concrete and glass from our very own (empty, of course) wine bottles! Check them out at the shop or contact Carter for custom designs at savethetrash@gmail.com

Cheers!
Sunday, April 20th 1-3pm:
Champagne Brunch at Grace Manor Inn

We are utterly pleased to be teaming up again with Dawn and Albert Schick--hosts with the most at Grace Manor Inn--for a Champagne Brunch! They have crafted a sumptuous menu to pair with three varied bottlings which highlight the differences within this famous region. Education never tasted so good!

Tickets are $40 per person, all-inclusive, and must be pre-paid. Call RCC at (804)355-1375 to reserve.

Menu:
~Mushroom & Gruyere Crepes With Fresh Thyme
~Ham, Provolone, & Chive Crepes
~Pineapple-Mango Salad With Cranberries, Pecans, Coconut, And Fresh Mint
~Mixed Greens With Sliced Fennel, Oranges, Cranberries, & Almonds With Red Wine Vinaigrette
~Dilled Shrimp Salad On Mini Croissants
~Chicken Salad With Grapes And Pecans Served On Raisin Bread
~Strawberries And Fresh Lemon Curd

Bubbles:
~Voirin Jumel Premier Cru Blanc de Blanc (Cramant)
~Dehours Grand Reserve Brut (Cerseuil)
~Gatinois Cuvee Tradition Brut Grand Cru (Ay)

Friday, April 11th, 5-7pm: Taxpayer Relief Night!
(Peter's Notes)

Ahh! April . . .the tulips are blooming, the birds are singing, and the IRS wants its money (or at least a tax return) on the 15th. Whether you owe or are owed, River City Cellars wants to commiserate/celebrate with you during our Annual Taxpayer's Relief Tasting featuring five delicious wines from our $12 and under rack. Here's what's being sampled out on Friday:

Domaine Bellevue 2007 Touraine Sauvignon Blanc: Snappy Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc perfect for warm weather sipping or to accompany asparagus or fish. Try the newest vintage of this old favorite!

Hillinger 2006 Pinot Grigio: This apricot and floral scented Pinot Grigio comes from a dynamic estate in Burgenland, Austria.

Chateau Bellevue La Foret 2007 Fronton Rose: Produced in Southwestern France near Toulouse, this dry but fruity rose is made from 70% of the local grape Negrette, 15% Syrah and 15% Gamay.

Terre di Poppiano 2006 Chianti: Produced at the historic estate Castello di Poppiano, this medium-bodied red is made from traditional Tuscan varietals including Sangiovese. Perfect for everyday fare!

Antano 2006 Rioja: Made from pure Tempranillo, this medium-bodied Spanish red has upfront fruit flavors and subtle hints of cedar and spice.

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

Cheese, Please!
(Sara's notes)

Another week, another cheesemail. You know, sometimes, when I sit down late Wednesday night, or, as is the case today, EARLY Thursday morning, I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to write about. Trying to condense the week's events into a few
paragraphs is a task I sometimes find utterly overwhelming! Whew! But what a week we've had!

Julia and I led another fun cheese class this last Monday -- I gotta tell ya, these classes are getting to be more and more fun each time we do them! I'm really starting to enjoy these monthly episodes of the Sara and Julia Cheese Show! We had such a good time with all cheese aficionados in attendance: we gabbed, we inundated with cheese-related information, we gabbed some more, but most importantly, we TASTED. Ahh, that is truly the best part, we tasted and talked about 6 great raw-milk cheeses, one from France, one from Spain, and 4 from the States (MA, CO, VA, PA). I just can't believe that our job is so cool that we get to eat great cheese and ramble on about it for a living. Really? Am I dreaming?

Thanks to all of you who participated and for those of you who did not, well, swing on by and try some of the raw-milk delights thatwe still have on hand. Mmm... especially the Berkshire Blue, from Lenox, MA. Lenox, for the record, is one of my all-time, absolute favorite places on the planet, and it is only fitting that this entirely handmade blue is a complex, rich, creamy, earthy delight. I think cows make more delicious milk when they live in such extraordinarily beautiful surroundings! Three cheers for the
Berkshire Mountains!

And what else? Hrm. This week marks the return of a few of my favorite things! More Poco Dolces are headed our way from San Francisco (if you don't know what they are yet, well, I suggest that you remedy that the next time you visit), the Gearheart
chocolates (both Ginger and Espresso) have already arrived from Charlottesville, a case of Spicy Plum Chutney is due in at any moment, and the fig and quince pastes are already here ready to accompany your favorite cheeses! And last but not least, Roaring
40's (for those of you who have been patiently waiting) Fiore Sardo and Mimolette are back in stock. See you soon!
CHEERS!
Julia, Peter, Sara & Jessica
HOURS: Sunday-Monday 12-6 Tuesday-Saturday 10-7

Wine Class: Terroir
Monday, April 28th 6:30-8:00pm
(with Ryne Hazzard of Potomac Selections)
You asked for it...our first wine class of the year! We're starting off strong with a selection of wines that demonstrate "terroir"--our underlying principle here at RCC. For ten years we have sought out wines that taste of their soil, region and climate, wines with integrity and history. What on earth does that mean? Come find out by tasting and learning about six amazing wines from France and Italy. Cost is $35 per person all-inclusive. Call 804.355.1375 to reserve (only 20 spots available).
Beer-o-the-Week

Allagash Brewing Company
Victoria Ale

(brewer's notes)
"To create our unique,
Belgian-style Victoria Ale, the brewers drew on references to Bacchus, the Thracian god of wine, in the history and artwork of the Victoria Mansion as
inspiration for this new beer. One hundred and fifty pounds of Chardonnay grapes were brought in, crushed on site and added directly to the mash.

Victoria Ale's aroma is of fruity spice with a hint of the Chardonnay, and the taste presents subtle notes of green banana, black pepper, and fresh-crushed mint.
With a focus on the subtle, wine-like character of the grapes, the 9.0% ABV brew boasts a pale copper color, Belgian yeast influence, and a medium body with a long candied fruit finish with hints of honeydew melon, and, of course,Chardonnay."

Open for tasting!
Wine-o-the-Week
(Peter's notes)

Domaine
du Pas Saint Martin 2003
Saumur rouge "Faucon Noir"

While most Saumur rouge is made from Cabernet Franc, the Faucon Noir cuvee from Domaine du Pas Saint Martin is made from Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark currant and pit fruit flavors mesh with woodsmoke notes in this fuller-bodied, structured red. This wine is certified organic! $14.99 per bottle.

Want a taste? We have a bottle open for you!

not getting our emails directly from the source?

Hello Everyone!

Last chance to sign up for our Raw Milk Cheese Class on Monday! Sara and I have a headshakingly enticing array of unpasteurized gems, and lots of proselytizing, I mean educational materials to share with you.

Also, don't forget about our Champagne Brunch at Grace Manor Inn (see below) April 20th and our upcoming Wine Class scheduled for Monday, April 28th: Unsung European Heroes. Details next week. In the meantime, here's the cheese class info:

CHEESE CLASS!
Monday, April 7th, 6:30-8:00pm
Join us here at the shop for a fun and informative RAW MILK Cheese Class! We'll taste and discuss six varied cheeses from all over the world, covering the basics of flavor, history, production and politics of unpasteurized cheese. This a sit-down class and will include notes, tasting sheets and maps to guide your journey. Cost is $35 per person, all-inclusive (we accept Visa, MC, AmEx, cash & checks) and seats must be prepaid. Contact River City Cellars at (804)355-1375 or info@rivercitycellars.com to sign up.

Cheers!
Friday, April 4th, 5-7pm: Special Cuvee'
(Peter's Notes)

Many of the world's great wines are based around single varietals. The majestic Piemontese reds of Barolo and Barbaresco are made exclusively from the Nebbiolo grape while the white Burgundies from Chablis or Puligny-Montrachet are made from pure Chardonnay. Even the less-acclaimed red wines of Beaujolais are made from 100% Gamay. The more famous wine producing areas in the New World such as the Napa Valley of California or the Barossa Valley in Australia generally focus on single varietal wines instead of wines made from an admixture of grapes. Some people actually wrinkle their noses upon hearing that a particular wine is made from something less than 100% of a given grape type, as if blending automatically implies something of lower quality.

In fact, many of the world's great wine traditions rely on the blending of two or more grape varietals to make the wine. Most of the great wines from Bordeaux, Chateauneuf du Pape, Rioja and Champagne have traditionally been made from more than one varietal. In blending, the winemaker seeks to extol the virtues of each grape varietal. One grape varietal might provide structure and earth, another high toned fruits and a certain spiciness, while another might provide color or acidity or some other quality that the other grapes lack. In addition to traditional blends, many contemporary winemakers both in Europe and the New World have experimented with various grape combinations to make interesting and compelling wines. This Friday's tasting theme explores this idea of blends, both traditional and innovative. Here are the wines that I will be pouring:

La Slina 2007 Bianco: Suitable as an apertivo or with lighter fare, this aromatic dry white is an innovative blend of the traditional Piemontese grape Cortese along with the introduced varietals Chardonnay and Muller Thurgau.

Chateau Les Arromans 2007 Entre-Deux-Mers: This dry white is a traditional Bordeaux Blanc made from 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon.

Avignonesi 2005 Toscana Rosso IGT: While Avignonesi makes classic Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in the ancient winemaking region of Tuscany, the estate also makes some less traditional wines including this elegant, full-bodied red made from an assemblage of Prugnolo Gentile (the local clone of Sangiovese), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Supertuscan!

Chateau de Bujan 2005 Cotes de Bourg: This full-bodied, structured red is made from a very traditional Bordeaux blend of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Edmund St. John 2004 "Rocks and Gravel": Although made in California, this spicy and full-bodied wine is modeled after the great red wines of the Southern Rhone Valley of France, and is made from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Although it has plenty of fruit, it also has a great sense of terroir, hence the name "Rocks and Gravel."

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

Cheese, Please!
(Sara's notes)

Another week flies by, bringing us deeper into one of Richmond's most beautiful seasons, SPRING! Everything has exploded into petal poufs, tender green leaves, and cute pairs of songbirds flitting about! I can't take enough pictures of this extraordinary beauty!!
If it weren't for the ridiculous allergy wallop that descends along with it, I swear it would be Utopia. But regardless of the intense sinus strife, this is SUCH an exquisite time round these parts. I simply adore the ideal yet completely inconsistent weather patterns: from rain and snow to sunburn sunshine and 80 degree temperatures: from hair curling humidity and condensation to crazy, door-whipping winds and back again. Perfect brisk to balmy temperatures that provide such great, bug-free porch sitting conditions--it is simply awesome, and so perfectly Richmond. I love spring!

But what's new in Cheeseland, you ask? Lots and lots, I'd have to say. Julia and I are preparing a fantastic cheese feast for you in next week's cheese class! I have so many raw-milk cheeses in the house that I can't even decide which 6 to pick! It's like a foodie version of American Idol (International Cheese Idol, we'll call it) with artisanal, raw-milk cheeses from Virginia, Colorado, New York, California, France, Italy and Spain vying for position in the top 6! Who will win? Ooh, the drama that will surely ensue! Act now, while there are still a few spots left in the front row --I'm certain the final line-up will be worth your while.

We also received a sizable care package this week from the folks at Cypress Grove Chevre, out in California, and this arrival always brings a serious smile to my face. Wheels of Midnight Moon and Humboldt Fog dance with discs of Purple Haze and rich slices of Truffle Tremor. I haven't had a bad cheese from these people yet. Mmmm...all such diverse goat-milk favorites of mine and yours!

All in all, folks, spring has definitely arrived here at RCC and the cheese case is simply bloomin' with all sorts of new cheeses to try from all over the world. Come see us soon!
CHEERS!
Julia, Peter, Sara & Jessica
HOURS: Sunday-Monday 12-6 Tuesday-Saturday 10-7

Sunday, April 20th 1-3pm:
Champagne Brunch at Grace Manor Inn

We're
We are utterly pleased to be teaming up again with Dawn and Albert Schick--hosts with the most at Grace Manor Inn--for a Champagne Brunch! They have crafted a sumptuous menu to pair with three varied bottlings which highlight the differences within this famous region. Education never tasted so good!

Tickets are $40 per person, all-inclusive, and must be pre-paid. Call RCC at (804)355-1375 to reserve.

Menu:
~Mushroom & Gruyere Crepes With Fresh Thyme
~Ham, Provolone, & Chive Crepes
~Pineapple-Mango Salad With Cranberries, Pecans, Coconut, And Fresh Mint
~Mixed Greens With Sliced Fennel, Oranges, Cranberries, & Almonds With Red Wine Vinaigrette
~Dilled Shrimp Salad On Mini Croissants
~Chicken Salad With Grapes And Pecans Served On Raisin Bread
~Strawberries And Fresh Lemon Curd

Bubbles:
~Voirin Jumel Premier Cru Blanc de Blanc (Cramant)
~Dehours Grand Reserve Brut (Cerseuil)
~Gatinois Cuvee Tradition Brut Grand Cru (Ay)
Beer-o-the-Week

LEGACY BREWING CO.
"Hoptimus Prime"

A 'Double IPA' from Reading, PA with 9+% ABV and ~100ibu. This is not a subtle sipper, and yet it is still balanced with
light malt, a reined-in alcohol flavor, and a refreshing grassiness, perfect for spring. Aside from the clever name, the beer is well crafted. I guarantee
our hopheads will love it and we just may get a few new hophead converts out of it too.

Open for tasting!
Wine-o-the-Week
(Peter's notes)

Domaine Bellevue 2007
Touraine Rose

The 2006 bottling of this delicious, dry rose was probably my favorite rose last year, or at least, I drank more of this than any other. Although the '06 is still drinking just fine, I was excited to hear that the '07 recently arrived. Made predominantly from Cabernet Franc with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and the highly local grape Pineau d'Aunis, this dry yet fruity rose has lots of yellow Rainier cherry like notes and delicate peach notes. It has a marvelous color like that of carnelian gemstones (thanks to Google Image Search for helping me pin that down). At any rate, this rose is $11.99 per bottle. Hooray for Spring!

Want a taste? We have a bottle open for you!

Hello Everyone!

We are so excited about this weekend! Once again it's time for the VCU French Film Festival. Mais bien sur we are stocked to les yeux with French candies, olives, cheeses, les vins and other delights for the perfect fete. Friday's tasting offers all you film buffs a delicious sampling pre/post showtime, so stop by!

Reminder: in only ten days we'll be hosting another palate-tickling cheese class! There are only ten seats left so don't dally. We are also happy to annouce a Champagne Brunch at Grace Manor Inn on Sunday, April 20th. See below for details.

CHEESE CLASS!
Monday, April 7th, 6:30-8:00pm
Join us here at the shop for a fun and informative RAW MILK Cheese Class! We'll taste and discuss six varied cheeses from all over the world, covering the basics of flavor, history, production and politics of unpasteurized cheese. This a sit-down class and will include notes, tasting sheets and maps to guide your journey. Cost is $35 per person, all-inclusive (we accept Visa, MC, AmEx, cash & checks) and seats must be prepaid. Contact River City Cellars at (804)355-1375 or info@rivercitycellars.com to sign up.

Cheers!
Friday, March 28th, 5-7pm: Vive La France!!
(Peter's Notes)

In honor of the 16th annual French Film Festival, our friend Katie Dorazio from Michael R. Downey Selections will be here pouring the following artisanal French wines from the fantastic Downey portfolio.

Jean Francois Merieau NV Methode Traditionelle Touraine: Snappy and apple-like, this crisp Loire Valley sparkling wine is made from 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Chardonnay. Organically produced.

Le Paradou 2006 Viognier Vin de Pays Vaucluse: Pure Viognier from the South of France, this organically produced dry white has flavors reminiscent of apricots and other yellow pit fruits as well as delicate floral notes.

Domaine Fontsainte 2007 Corbieres Gris de Gris: Made from a typical blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvedre and Cinsault, this dry yet fruity and floral rose from the Languedoc is as versatile at the table as it is delicious on its own. Provides extra zing for Spring!

Domaine des Huards 2005 Cheverny Rouge: This medium-bodied, elegant red is produced in the Loire Valley from 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay. Organic & Biodynamic.

Chateau de Lascaux 2005 Coteaux du Languedoc: Spicy, full-bodied red made from 60% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre.

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

CHEESE
Fromage? Mais Oui!!
(Sara's notes)

It is such a gorgeous evening! I'm sitting out on my front porch by candle light writing this week's cheesemail. It is way too nice to be sitting inside on a too-squishy couch in front of a computer screen.
So, I'm taking pen to paper instead, and enjoying the spring crickets, the slight breeze and the chimes tinkling in the cedar tree.

I waited on my first batch of French Film Festival Folks tonight at Rowland's and was truly wishing I could remember all my years ofroucoulons have to relay the news in English. In honor of the FFF, I've French! At least I had good cheese tidings for them, even if I did brought in some great French cheeses: Soreda Chevre cones, Roucoulons, Tomme Crayeuse, Levezou, Blue des Causses and Cuopole. (If there was ever a cheese from Vermont that could pass as French, the Cuopole would be it!!)

In addition to the swell of French cheeses, I am also stocking up for our upcoming Raw Milk Cheese Class (Monday, April 7th--call RCC to reserve) and will have some awesome new cheeses from all over the world for us to try. Most notably, we will have a highly regarded, raw cow's milk cheese from southwest Virginia! Grayson, meadowcreekfrom the Meadow Creek Dairy, is a soft, rich, beefy, washed-rind cheese that I hear is a 2nd cousin twice-removed from Italian Taleggio (jb's note: think Urgelia but with more oomph). I can't wait to taste it! I am also planning a cheese field trip down to Galax to visit these talented cheese-makers and to learn more about making cheese. This will be my first such visit and I am so excited to explore the inner workings of a dairy and see how it all happens! I plan on taking oodles of pictures to share with you from my trip, which will be sometime in the next few weeks! Yippee!

And that is about all I have to report from the land of cheese, so, au revoir, mes amis!
CHEERS!
Julia, Peter, Sara & Jessica

HOURS: Sunday-Monday 12-6 Tuesday-Saturday 10-7

Sunday, April 20th 1-3pm:
Champagne Brunch at Grace Manor Inn

We are utterly pleased to be teaming up again with Dawn and Albert Schick--hosts with the most at Grace Manor Inn--for a Champagne Brunch! They have crafted a sumptuous menu to pair with three varied bottlings which highlight the differences within this famous region. Education never tasted so good!

Tickets are $40 per person, all-inclusive, and must be pre-paid. Call RCC at (804)355-1375 to reserve.

Menu:
~Mushroom & Gruyere Crepes With Fresh Thyme
~Ham, Provolone, & Chive Crepes
~Pineapple-Mango Salad With Cranberries, Pecans, Coconut, And Fresh Mint
~Mixed Greens With Sliced Fennel, Oranges, Cranberries, & Almonds With Red Wine Vinaigrette
~Dilled Shrimp Salad On Mini Croissants
~Chicken Salad With Grapes And Pecans Served On Raisin Bread
~Strawberries And Fresh Lemon Curd

Bubbles:
~Voirin Jumel Premier Cru Blanc de Blanc (Cramant)
~Dehours Grand Reserve Brut (Cerseuil)
~Gatinois Cuvee Tradition Brut Grand Cru (Ay)

Beer of the Week
Kronenbourg 1664

The only beer to have for the French Film Festival! Light, crisp, with just the right amount of
effervescence, it is both refreshing and cheerful. Flavored with a touch of floral Alsatian hops,
Kronenbourg1664 will be perfect before, after, and dare I say during your favorite film?

Vive la Biere!!

Wine-o-the-Week
(Peter's notes)

Domaine d'Elise 2006 Chablis

This crisp, dry white, made from the Chardonnay grape in the distinctive terroir and cool climate of northern Burgundy, has delicate lemon custard like notes as well as distinctive limestone like minerality.

It's funny how many people who "don't like Chardonnay" love Chablis!

$17.99 per bottle.

Want a taste? We have a bottle open for you!

Hello Everyone!

We have so much going on here at the shop it makes my head spin! First of all, 5-7pm tonight is our Cheese & Beer Tasting with Devin from Dogfish Head Brewery (see Jessi's notes in the sidebar).
Friday is our Pacific Northwest tasting with Harry;
Wednesday, March 26th is Six Burner's Wine Dinner (see below);
and next weekend is (yay!) the VCU French Film Festival. With that in mind, Sara and I just placed the most mouth-watering order for French treats: Calissons, Cherries in Kirsch, Pastilles, Fennel Olives, Normandy Caramels, Anchoiade with Nyons Olives, Pierrot Lollipops, and loads of fabulous fromages...Vive La France!

Finally a reminder: we're taking reservations for our Raw Milk Cheese Class on Monday, April 7th, 6:30-8:00pm. Tickets are $35 per person and must be prepaid. Call RCC at 804.355.1375 for details. Limited to 20 cheese lovers.

Cheers!

(ps: We'll be closed this Sunday for Easter)

Wine Tasting
Friday, March 21, 5-7pm:
Pacific Northwest With Happy Harry!!
(Peter's Notes)

Hi Everyone! This week's wine tasting takes us to the Pacific Northwest. Our friend Harry Tatian from the Roanoke Valley Wine Company will be on hand to pour five wines from Oregon and Washington State. He will be featuring:

Independent Producers 2006 Sauvignon Blanc: Produced in the Columbia Valley of eastern Washington, this dry white has citrus and mineral notes as well as subtle herbal hints.

Patricia Green 2006 Yamhill County Chardonnay "Four Winds": Patricia Green is justifiably famous in wine circles for her fabulous, individuated Pinot Noirs from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. She's also capable of making superb, food-friendly, complex, balanced wines from Burgundy's other noble grape: Chardonnay.

Foris 2006 Pinot Gris: Located in the Rogue Valley of southern Oregon, Foris produces, amongst other things, this full-bodied, Alsatian style Pinot Gris.

Sass Winery 2006 Pinot Noir "Christi's Cuvee": Nuanced and expressive, this unfiltered Oregon Pinot Noir has a nose that recalls freshly turned- earth, forest and wild berries.

Powers 2004 Syrah: Full-bodied Syrah from the Columbia Valley with rich flavors of cassis, plum and black cherry as well as hints of clove and cedar.

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

Beer-Cheese!
(Sara's notes)

Ah, beer and cheese, two of my favorite things in the whole wide world. So many different styles of each and so many ways the two can meet, join hands and make gustatory magic. Some people might not even be aware of just how wonderful the two can be when simultaneously enjoyed! Poor things, missing out on so much fun. Well, all that's about to change tonight, my lucky people, when we have a huge Dogfish and Cheese Pairing Extravaganza here at River City Cellars. You heard right, for one night, and one
night only, you can sample some of the most sought after beers with some of our most favorite cheeses. It's a wedding you don't want to miss, so I fully expect to see your faces!

And in other news, it has been one heck of a week. I definitely need more hours in the day to fully accommodate my crazy work and social calendars! The super-abbreviated version, you ask? My show is up and looks great at Zed (thx bb), I was here, I was there,cateandsara I was up, I was down, but BEST of all, the lovely Cate was in town for an extended spell, which, not only put my in the presence of her glorious self, but also in the presence of all the spectacular people that tend to gather around her!! And who could be luckier than that? For those of you who know her, I needn't elaborate. For those of you that don't, well, she used to be me here at the RCC Cheese Counter. In other words, if I am the current RCC Queen of Cheese, well, then, she is, without a doubt, my most revered Queen Mum. And such a great visit, it was!

But getting back to good things to eat, I do have a some new mimolettecheeses making there way here as I type this that I so look forward to sharing with you. Aged Mimolette, I hope, (one of Julia's favorites from her NYC cheese weekend) and a bunch of other French delights in anticipation of next weekend's French Film Festival. Yum.

Oh, and Poco Dolce is back in all of it's burnt caramel and Aztec chile glory! Really, people, there are over 300, sea salt dusted, sweet or spicy stuffed delectable tiles of bittersweet chocolate here at the store, how many will you claim as your own? I've had four already and was this close to stopping by the store on my day off today to have another few. Chocolate perfection, they are.

But back to the joys of beer and cheese for just a second before I sign off! I must leave you with one of my all time favorite pairs: Storm King Victory Stout with a shard of our 3-year aged Gouda. Yum. What a gift that blend of hearty, dark stout and caramel-sweet-salty Gouda is. So, here's to cheese and beer! Hope to see you at the tasting!
CHEERS!
Julia, Peter, Sara & Jessica
HOURS: Sunday-Monday 12-6 Tuesday-Saturday 10-7

Wine Dinner at Six Burner Restaurant:
Wedensday 3/26, 6:30pm
sixburner Our good friends Tracey Love & Chef Lee Gregory at Six Burner are teaming up with Dashing Dave Martin of the Country Vintner for a wine dinner! They've come up with a fabulous menu exploring "next door neighbors"--wines from excellent but less famous areas. Tickets are $55 per person (all-inclusive) and can be reserved by calling 804.353.4060. Enjoy!

Trouillet Cremant de Bourgogne, Macon, France (neighbor of Champagne)

First course
Scallop, pea puree, mint oil, morel mushroom foam

Chateau Rougerie Entre-Deux-Mers, France (neighbor of Graves, Bordeaux)

Second course
Suckling pig, pickled sweet onion, ancho chili puree

Perlat Crianza (Garnacha/Syrah/Carignan), Priorat, Spain (neighbor of Rioja)

Third Course
Lamb, eggplant raisin puree, mustard consomme

Liberty School Syrah, Paso Robles, California (neighbor of Napa)

Dessert
Caramelized apple tart, granny smith apple sorbet

Lawsons Late Harvest Gewurtzraminer, Marlborough, New Zealand (neighboring grape to Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough's pride)

Dogfish Head Thursday, 3/20, 5-7pm

dogfishheadHowdy hopheads!!!
The big day has finally arrived!!! Devin from Dogfish will be here for our big beer and cheese tasting. Bring your favorite glass, grab a friend and stop on by tonight (3/20) for a free bliss-filled tasting. Here's the lineup:

Red and White Belgian-style Wit brewed with coriander and orange peel and fermented with Pinot Noir juice~paired with Roaring 40's Blue

Black and Blue a Belgian-style Strong ale fermented with blackberries and blueberries~paired with Pecorino Rustico

Aprihop brewed with apricots, finished with whole-leaf hops~paired with Drunken Goat

Raison d'Etre a deep, mahogany ale brewed with beet sugar, green raisins, and Belgian-style yeast)`paired Aged Mimolette

Burton Baton a blend of oak-aged English strong ale and the 90 Minute I.P.A~paired with L'Etivaz

90 minute IPA an imperial IPA, for the true hoplover~paired with Gres des Vosges

(Tell me you aren't salivating like one of Pavlov's dog's after reading this great list!)
Wine-o-the-Week
(Peter's notes)

Le Pigeonnier
de la Dourbie
2005 VDP d"Oc

dourbie

Produced in the Languedoc region of south central France, this fruity yet savory red is made from Carignan, Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon.
$11.99

Want a taste? We have a bottle open for you!
bottle logo
not getting our emails directly from the source?
Join Our Mailing List
Forward email
Safe Unsubscribe
This email was sent to info@rivercitycellars.com, by info@rivercitycellars.com
Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.

Email Marketing by
River City Cellars | 2931 West Cary Street | Carytown | Richmond | VA | 23221

Send a test version of your email to yourself, and to others including a personal message. Up to 5 addresses may be entered separated by a comma ",".

Email Address(es):
info@rivercitycellars.com
(Separate multiple addresses with a comma ",")

Personal Note:
Send both HTML & Text versions

View Html Version
View Text Version
View Printable Version View Printable Version

Hello Everyone!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Generally we don't talk about the Irish element that may or may not be present in the Battaglini gene pool, but I will readily admit to having a "Jamie" tooth and an unfettered love of Guinness Stout. That said, we have all your party needs covered this weekend! See Jessi and Sara's notes for details...

Event season is officially upon us, so sharpen your pencils and get out your calendars! I'm pleased to announce we're partnering with Six Burner for another delicious wine dinner, so save the date: Wednesday, March 26th, 6:30pm. Menu details coming soon.

In the meantime we still have our beer and cheese pairing next Thursday with Dogfish Head Bewery, our Raw Milk Cheese Class on April 7th, a Champagne Brunch at Grace Manor Inn on April 20th and a wine class in the works. Stay tuned!

Finally, Sara has a wonderful show up next week at Zed Cafe. Check out the RCC blog for a preview!

Friday, 3/14, 5-7pm: North by Norteast (Italy)!
(Peter's Notes)

For the wine tasting this Friday evening, I'll be focusing on wines from the northern Italian regions of Friuli, Lombardy and the Veneto. I'll be pouring:

Gemin NV Prosecco di Valdobbiadene: Produced a couple dozen miles north of Venice, this dry, lemony sparkling wine is a great wine to welcome guests to the table or just to drink on its own on a lazy afternoon while playing bocce.

Di Lenardo 2007 Tocai Friulano "TOH!": The ubiquitous Pinot Grigio may pay the bills for many a Friulian wine producer, but the real love is found in wines from indigenous varietals like Tocai Friulano. Weighty yet aromatic, this is a dry white that can stand up to heartier fare such as ham or smoked salmon. Try the new vintage of this old favorite!

Tenuta Roveglia 2006 Lugana: The appellation of Lugana lies along the southwestern shore of Lake Garda. The local grape, Trebbiano di Lugana, is substantially weightier (and more interesting) than the generally lackluster Trebbiano Toscano of central and southern Italy.

Vercesi del Castellazzo 2005 Oltrepo Pavese rosso "Pezzalunga": Produced some thirty miles south of Milan, this full-bodied, elegant red is made from a blend of (traditional varietals) Barbera, Bonarda, Uva Rara, and (innovative varietals) Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Degani 2005 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso "Cicilio": Dried cherries and bittersweet chocolate come to mind in trying this dry but rich red from the Valpolicella Classico zone near Verona. Seriously delicious!

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

Cheesemail!
(Sara's notes)

Truth be told, I was hoping to find a ghost writer for this email since I've been thinking more about photography than cheese this week! I had another great day of abandoned house exploration, treasure collection and photo documentation in the Northside a few days back. Three cheers for urban decay! Again, I have to ask, how can decomposition be so gosh-darned pretty? And, on top of that lovely day of tramping around in the woods in search of cool, abandoned cement castles and the like, I am also pleased to
announce that I am having a show of my photographs at Zed Cafe! (Cue dramatic music for shameless self-promotion.) It has been ages since I've had a show and I'm so in love with the huge, 20 x 30 inch color prints that will be displayed. You can get a preview on the RCC blog, but I hope you'll check them out in person over dinner at Zed!

So, cheese who? Cheese what? Cheese where? Huh?

I do have some delicious Cashel Blue just in from Ireland to help us celebrate St. Paddy's Day. I thought that it came with a pot of gold but alas, it was only wrapped in gold foil. Sigh, so in lieu of a money miracle, I guess that this rich blue cheese will have to suffice! Created in 1984 by the Grubb family in Tipperary, this pasteurized cow's milk blue is made entirely by hand and has a rustic, earthy flavor to it that is balanced by a hearty dose of lush creaminess. I'm thinking it would be grand in a salad of apples and walnuts or melted into a sweet potato soup. Come on by and try a bite to see what you think!
CHEERS!
Julia, Peter, Sara & Jessica
HOURS: Sunday-Monday 12-6 Tuesday-Saturday 10-7

Beer-o-the-Week
(Jessica's notes)

Moylan's
Tipperary Pale Ale
(California)

Sláinte!!!
(That's Cheers--to your health! for you non Irish folks.) Having a husband with a "purebred" Irish- American family comes with certain requirements, but with that, there's always a reason to drink. For starters, there's the family... a good reason to drink. Then there's the fact that I'm a vegetarian living
with a shepherd's pie connoisseur... yet another reason to drink. Of course the obligatory celebration
of St. Patty's day is a perk and with that comes... yes, another reason to drink!

Keeping that in mind, I have tons of Guinness and Harp and a brand new California beer with an Irish spin to
it. In the spirit of Saint Patrick's Day we're
unveiling Moylan's Tipperary Pale Ale, the perfectly hyphenated, Irish-American beer.

commercial description:
"A version of the classic Pale Ale style is named in tribute to County Tipperary, our founders
Father's Homeland. Sweetly sharp and smoothly bitter, this beer straddles the line between what you want and what you need. It's not a long way to Tipperary anymore! Slainte."

Wanna try? We'll have one open for you!

Wine-o-the-Week
(Peter's notes)

Chateau Jouclary 2005
Cabardes

Weather-wise as well as wine-wise, the Cabardes appellation of southwestern France is located at a crossroad between the Atlantic (and Bordeaux) and the Mediterranean (and the Midi). This deep-toned red is made from Merlot, Grenache and Syrah. Ridiculously inexpensive at $9.99 per bottle!

Want a taste? We have a bottle open for you!
not getting our emails directly from the source?

Friday, 3/7, 5-7pm: Peter's Picks!
(Peter's Notes)
This week's tasting theme is, well, five tasty wines. While I often plan tastings around a region or a country or at least a continent, but, I'll confess, the recent spate of Spring-like weather has distracted me a bit. That said, the following wines, ranging from a light sparkling white to a very full bodied red, are suited to this time of the year as the weather fluctuates and flurries can be followed by warm, sunny days. Here's the list of what I will be pouring:

Fitz Ritter Riesling Extra Trocken Sekt: Produced in the Pfalz region in Western Germany, this crisp, sparkling Riesling has delicate lemony notes and fine bubbles. Dry delicious stuff from start to finish!

Burgans 2006 Albarino: Produced in the Rias Baixas appellation of northwestern Spain, Burgans Albarino is a dry white wine with snappy flavors that recall granny smith apples and bosc pears.

Chateau La Grange Clinet 2005 Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux: Long a staple at River City Cellars, the much-vaunted 2005 vintage of this Bordeaux rouge is made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Domaine Paul Autard 2006 Cotes du Rhone: Rich, full-bodied Rhone red from Chateauneuf du Pape producer Paul Autard.

Brampton 2005 Shiraz: Australia is not alone in making great Shiraz. Made in the Stellenbosch district of South Africa, this full-bodied Shiraz has lots of dark cherry notes meshing with spice and cocoa notes.

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

Cheesemail!
(Sara's notes)
Now that spring has sprung (at least, the crocuses and daffodils think so!) I have been following suit with lots of rose drinking and porch sitting this week. I still haven't given up all hope of a snow storm this season, however unlikely, but even I must admit a
high level of contentedness at sitting outside in gloriously temperate weather without the bugs and humidity that come later. I made a really delicious pasta the other night, too, for my post-yoga class, porch dinner -- orrechiette with broccoli, sauteed
garlic, a spicy tomato sauce and a bunch of Tomme Crayeuse melted in. Quick, easy and yum. It would surely make my father proud and definitely make my mother wish for a less-spicy version!

Anyways, before I get further sidetracked by the other delicious meals I've had this week, I better start talkin' cheese. We have a new stinker 'round these parts for all of you who like a cheese that talks back and will not sit meekly in the corner! Gres des
Vosges, from Alsace, is another great example of French cheese making prowess. This washed rind, pasteurized cow's milk cheese, is really swell and makes me quite happy. It is salty, yeasty, hearty, creamy and peachy-bitter. The best blend of funky and fruity. If you had baths in cherry brandy, I bet you'd be tasty too! Ha. It is also really pretty to look at, with it's petite fern frond gracing its orange-amber sticky, stinky skin! If you like Munster D'Alsace, then this cheese will be your new favorite.

Thanks must go out to our most recent cheese class 101 graduates from this past Monday! I'm looking forward to more sessions of cheese gluttony as we move on from the basics and head into uncharted raw-milk cheese territory. Remember that all First Monday's should be full of cheese!
CHEERS!
Julia, Peter, Sara & Jessica
HOURS: Sunday-Monday 12-6 Tuesday-Saturday 10-7

Beer-o-the-Week
AVERY
'Hog Heaven' (Boulder,CO)
It may be 70 degrees outside, but it is March in Richmond. You most certainly will be freezing, miserable and craving a big, alcoholic, "warm-me up" barley-wine any day now. Avery's Hog Heaven
fits the bill. I won't lie to you, this beer is deceptively easy to
drink and perfect for the hopheads in your life. The alcohol content is surprisingly in check and there is
a yin-yang thing going on with the finish. A
caramelized sweetness with just the right amount of hoppy bite: perfect harmony. But wait, it gets even better. Better with age, that is. Buy one for now and one for later. These bad boys will mellow and gain complexity with age. (Will cellar up to 3 years).

Wanna try? We'll have one open for you!

Wine-o-the-Week
(Peter's notes)

Capestrano 2005 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Ahh! Here's a delicious, medium-bodied red from Central Italy with plenty of plump cherry notes and dusty tannins. At $12.99 per bottle, it's perfect for pasta, pizza or, weather permitting, cookouts!

Want a taste? We have a bottle open for you!

Hello Everyone!

Don't forget!
Monday, March 3rd is our repeat Cheese 101 Class, 6:30-8:00pm. There are a handful of seats left, so call to reserve asap. Tickets are $35 per person and must be paid at time of reservation. Plus, you'll get a sneak preview of the new space we're expanding into next door...

Speaking of cheese, I just returned from Cheese Utopia in NYC: Murrays Cheese-U Bootcamp! Nineteen hours of INTENSE tasting (2 pounds, 13 ounces of fabulous fromage to be exact); complementary beverages; fascinating lectures; eye-popping, palate-tickling affinage demonstrations; and subterranean secret cave tours--all augmented (of course) by gut-busting amounts ofmurraysidewalk professional-grade, extra-curricular eating and drinking. I cannot thank the warm, inspiring, energetic folks at Murray's enough for fanning the flames of my cheese passion. I highly recommend getting to the City for one of their classes whenever you can. If you want more details and pictures of my foodie adventures, go to http://rivercitycellars.blogspot.com/
(and please forgive my first-time blogging gaffes).

Finally, KUDOS! to our buddy Chef Bill Foster for his Richmond Magazine cover story. You can sample his culinary skills at Zed (and see Sara's notes below).

Friday, 2/29, 5-7pm: Southern Italian Delights!
(Peter's Notes)

"Il Mezzogiorno" or, Land of the Midday Sun as Southern Italy is frequently referred to, will be the tasting theme this Friday as I pour five wines from the southern regions of Campania, Lazio, Puglia and Sicilia. Long overlooked in favor of wines from Central or Northern Italy (such as Brunello di Montalcino or Barolo), the wines of "Il Mezzogiorno" have finally started getting due attention in the outside world. To beg a line from the great Louis Armstrong, it's time to "direct your feet to the sunny side of the street!" Here's the lineup:

Terra Elima 2006 Aceste Bianco: Made from local grapes Catarratto and Insolia as well as French varietals Chardonnay and Viognier, this dry yet fruity white wine from Sicily has lovely daphne floral notes as well as hints of tropical fruits. A hint of Spring in a bottle!

Cantine Grotta del Sole 2006 Greco di Tufo: Produced near Naples in Campania, this nuanced white has notes of yellow fruits and wild herbs as well as a delicate mineral component. Deservedly considered one of the best white wines of Southern Italy, Greco di Tufo traces its origins back to the ancient Greeks.

Poggio le Volpi 2005 Cesanese del Piglio: Produced in Lazio on the fringes of the ever-growing megapolis that is Rome, Cesanese del Piglio makes this full-bodied red with dark plummy notes and a bittersweet finish. It's obscure to be sure but has a taste I prefer.

Cantele 2005 Primitivo IGT Salento: Primitivo was, for a while, thought to be the same as the Zinfandel grape of California. While DNA testing has ruled this out, the Primitivo grape produces similar, full-bodied, blackberry-esque wines in Puglia.

Terre di Giurfo 2004 Cerasuolo di Vittoria "Maskaria": Made from 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato, this full-bodied, complex red is produced along the southern coast of Sicily. Hints of incense, licorice and clove meet up with ripe red fruit notes. It's no wonder why the appellation of Cerasuolo di Vittoria has since become Sicily's first DOCG with the 2005 vintage!

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

Cheesemail!
(Sara's notes)

Hello my cheese people. Here we are, another Thursday, another cheesemail! I'm ashamed to admit how infrequently I get out for a nice, lengthy meal, you know, the kind that involves a posse of good friends, multiple courses of things I never cook at home, and bottles of wine I've never tasted. But this week? This week has been a week of extraordinary dining. As much as I sometimes whine about Richmond, there are truly some GREAT places to eat in this town!

I was nothing but thrilled by my meal at Enoteca Sogno this Friday past, not to mention the great group of people that joined me for dinner. Yum. Duck confit, Barolo, and lamb shanks, oh my! Thanks and gratitude must also go out to Bill Foster and Zed Cafe for feeding me so very well just last night when I dined solo at the bar. Apparently, Zed is the place where everyone (or almost everyone) knows my name! I ran into 5 people that I know, and that's not even counting the friends I have who are employed there. Funny, that, but I implore you, go there, tell them Sara from RCC sent you, and simply place yourselves in the hands of the chef. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

On top of these two great dinners out, I also created a new version of an old pasta standby of mine with one of last weeks mystery cheeses. I often make this pasta with sauteed garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and asparagus, but instead of the fresh goat cheese that manouriI normally use, I used Manouri instead. Manouri is a super-tasty, soft sheep's milk cheese from Greece, that is, in my opinion, a perfect hybrid of ricotta and feta. A fantastic cheese that really complements this simple, quick and delicious dish that is as good cold as it is hot. This cheese, I believe, is going to be one of my new favorites. Sometimes I imagine it with lemon zest, fresh ground pepper and finely pressed extra virgin olive oil on a crusty piece of baguette. Sometimes I imagine it in my grandmother's
glorious lasagna recipe. Ahh...this cheese is good.

I also have a new cheese for you Berger de Rocastin fans -- Brebicet. This plump, square of soft French sheep's milk is creamy, salty, sheepy, and rich. Right now, in this late night, peckish moment, I"m wondering if it would be good with the sweet peach chutney from the VA Chutney people. Hrmm..I'm definitely going to try that when I get to work tomorrow. I'll let you know what I find out!

And last but not least, I'm so looking forward to Cheese Class, take two this Monday. We certainly have a nice assortment of cheeses picked out for you to taste, and Julia is full of all sorts of great info
from her own cheese class experience last weekend in NYC, but, really, where has this month gone?? Has a month really gone by already? I can't stand it, this time flying by stuff. And we even get an extra day this year, to boot! So, on that note, Happy Leap Year
and I hope to see you soon.
CHEERS!
Julia, Peter, Sara & Jessica
HOURS: Sunday-Monday 12-6 Tuesday-Saturday 10-7

Beer-o-the-Week

Weyerbacher Brewery
"HERESY"

heresy

From Easton, PA.
Another Weyerbacher winner! This stout is made by aging Old
Heathen in oak bourbon barrels.

Black as night and
uber-complex with notes of oak, whiskey, and vanilla, this is the cure to your end of winter woes.

We have one open for tasting!
Wine-o-the-Week
(Peter's notes)

Finca
Lugilde Goulart
2005
Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon
"Paris Goulart"

bottlestack

This full-bodied red from Mendoza, Argentina is made from 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. The vines are more than 90 years old, and the resulting wine, aged for eight months in French barrels, is sumptuous with dark fruit notes and a long, lingering finish. $16.99

Want a taste? We have a bottle open for you!
bottle logo
not getting our emails directly from the source?
Join Our Mailing List

Hello Everyone!

There are many things I love in this world and right now I'm extra giddy because I'll be combining at least two of them this weekend: I'm attending Murray's Cheese Boot Camp in NYC to learn the secret of the caves. Imagine it! Six weeks' worth of study, tasting and testing all crammed into three days... Cheese Mecca, here I come! And what besides certification and a food coma awaits me after graduation? Well, have you noticed the sign in the window next door? That's right. RCC is expanding. We've got big plans. And big plans mean big cheese...among other delights. Stay tuned!

Cheers!
Thursday, 2/21, 5-7pm: Free Beer Tasting!
(Jessica's notes)

Although I am laid up with a nasty case of the flu, I can't help but get excited about Thursday's tasting. I'm sure the traditional prescription of ginger ale, gatorade and water (about the only things I have consumed in the past few days) is fine, but I am confident that a good beer could cure any affliction better. (My doctor of course doesn't see it that way, so back to ginger tea it is) But I will follow the doctor's orders to ensure that I make the tasting. I wouldn't miss it for the world, and neither should you. We have four fantastic beers lined up for you to try and I assure you they will heal your ills. (These statements have not been approved by the FDA.)

Allagash Four (Allagash Brewery, Portland, Maine)
(Commercial description) is brewed with four malts, four hops, four sugars and four Belgian yeast strains. During the mashing process,allagash4 we add Date Sugar to the mash tun. Later, during the boil, we add Light Candi, Dark Candi, and Light Golden Molasses. After primary fermentation with the first strain of yeast, we add more Candi Sugar, and referment the beer with a secondary strain of yeast... that process is then repeated with a third strain of yeast, and finally a fourth for bottle conditioning in the cellar. The Allagash Four Ale is presented in a strikingly decorated bottle, and is truly a unique beer!

Lefthand Widdershins (Lefthand Brewery, Longmont, CO) (Commercial Description):
This English-style Barleywine is fermented and aged for ten months and dry hopped for two months prior to packaging to give it a smooth mouth feel rarely found in the bitter American barleywines. Its copper color is the result of twelve house of boiling to caramelize the sugars and we also add five varieties of hops during an additional two hour boil. As you can see and taste, we brew this beer with the highest level of quality in mind. Please enjoy this warming barleywine with its warming flavors and hint of peat very responsibly. Malts: Pale, Crystal, Peated. Hops: Magnum, Centennial, Northern Brewer, Cascade, Tettnanger, East Kent Goldings, Fuggles. 70 IBUs.

Jan De Lichte (De Glazen Toren Brewery, Belgium) is the only Glazen Toren beer to which spices are added, following the Belgian tradition of wheat beer brewing. The use of coriander and curaçoa makes for the extremely fresh, citrus-like taste. The rather high alcohol percentage (7.5 %) indicates that it is more than just a thirst quencher. Lots of flavor, lots of style and lots of deliciousness await you in this blue and white paper wrapped beer. Its the perfect present to yourself.

Vapeur Cochonne (Brasserie Vapeur, Leuze Belgium) This very Amber beer is strong, but fruity and elegant. Slightly hopped and flavored with chicory, coriander and orange peel. (And on a side note it has one of the most bizarre beer labels I've seen, take a very close look)

Friday, 2/22, 5-7pm: Mr. Hazzard Does France
(Peter's Notes)
Our friend and former cohort Ryne Hazzard, now of Potomac Selections, returns this Friday to pour an all-French lineup from his superb portfolio. Here's what Ryne will be sampling:

Domaine Joel Delaunay 2006 Touraine Sauvignon: Hailing from the Loire Valley, this snappy Sauvignon Blanc has vibrant citrus and apricot flavors with delicate hints of hay and green herbs.

Chateau de la Greffiere 2006 Macon La Roche Vieilles Vignes: Apple and floral notes mesh with chalky minerality in this crisp Chardonnay produced in the southern stretches of Burgundy.

Mestre-Michelot 2005 Bourgogne Rouge: This elegant, high-toned Pinot Noir from Burgundy has aromas that recall cedar, red cherry and juniper.

Domaine Nicolas Croze 2005 Cotes du Rhone "Les Petits Coins": Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault are the grapes behind this richly textured red from the south of France.

Plaisir des Lys 2005 Minervois: This full-bodied red from southern France has flavors that recall dried cherries, oil-cured olives, lavendar, thyme and assorted spices.

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

Mystery Cheese!
(Sara's notes)
There is an impending mystery back here by the cheese case at River City Cellars. There are 6 unknown cheeses due to arrive today from 5 different countries that I have never, ever tasted. Newbies, unfamiliars, cheeses I've only researched and read about. Now, how am I, in good conscience, supposed to honestly tell you about them when this email has to be written before I've even put sliver to palate??? Huh?

Well, I could ramble on about which ones are sheep's milk or cow's milk or both and how odd it is that, for once, there is nary a goat's milk in the bunch. I could ramble on about the nature of disparity and how my own personal biases and affinities have led me to
choose TWO cheese emissaries from ONE country in particular, while all other countries are represented only once. I could ramble on about geography and texture and aroma and flavor and which ones are raw and which ones are not. I could even ramble on and on about some tangential nonsense that relates not a bit to the topic at hand, but that wouldn't change the fact that I simply have not tasted these cheeses yet. Any prattling I could do on the subject would, in fact and quite sadly, be a combination of pure conjecture and hopeful expectation. Sigh. This never happens. I always taste before telling.

And so, my dear cheesemail readers, I will not bore you with any unsubstantiated cheese propaganda today, but instead I invite you to come and taste these new cheeses with me. Let's find out together if they have what it takes to earn a regular spot in our small but bountiful cheese case. It is always such fun to set out for new and uncharted cheese territory! Won't you come along for the ride?

Oh, and before I go, a Friday night cheese challenge:
A prize to the first who correctly picks out all 6 new cheeses in the case. Some hints: LL Cool J., Brothers with talent. Flat top with legs. And, well, enough hints. Hope to see you soon!

Happy Valentines Day!

Since today is Valentines Day, I'm sure we'll be seeing many of you about fifteen minutes before closing tonight ;) No worries, after all, RCC's unofficial name is Procrastinators Enabling Center for the Delicious Arts! A chilled bottle of bubbly or gift-wrapped luscious red, a little frou-frou gift bag of cheese andchocolate, and you're a hero in under six minutes! Plus, to get the party started, we'll have tasty sparkling beverages out for you to sip while you do your last minute shopping.

Cheers!

ps: Hey all you Comfort fans, time for a road trip! Grab a date and drive to P-town Monday, February 25th for a fantastic wine dinner at Comfort Portsmouth! Great space, great food, and a cool strip of bars and shops right on the water. Menu details follow the email.
Friday, February 15th, 5-7pm: Portugal!
(Peter's Notes)

In this past Friday's tasting, entitled "Next Door Neighbors," we focused on wines similar to but produced outside of famous appellations in Europe. While we featured wines from France, Italy and Spain, it was not an oversight that we did not include any wines from Portugal. With the exception of sweet Port wines and perhaps Vinho Verde, Portuguese grape varietals let alone appellations remain almost completely unknown outside of Portugal.

While fame has long eluded most of the wines from Portugal, this is changing as both modern winemaking and the inclusion of Portugal into the European Union have brought Portuguese wines into the international arena. This Friday, we will be sampling the following Portuguese wines:

Broadbent NV Vinho Verde: The names of grapes varietals Louriero, Trajadura and Pederna may not be memorable, but the resulting brash, zippy, lime and tart apple scented, ever-so-slightly effervescent wines from Vinho Verde certainly can be. Perfect as an aperitif or served with all kinds of seafood, this light-bodied white from Broadbent is a delicious example of this wine from northern Portugal.

Alandra Tinto: Produced by Herdade do Esporao, one of better known producers in the Alentejo zone east of Lisbon, this medium-bodied, well-balanced red is made from the local Moreto and Castelao varietals.

Grilos 2005 Dao: Perhaps the best known area for dry red wines in Portugal, the Dao region lies in the central part of the country. Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro combine in making this fruity yet savory, fuller bodied red.

Quinta de Roriz 2005 Douro Tinto "Prazo de Roriz": Established in the late 18th century, Quinta de Roriz is a small but highly regarded Port producer that also makes dry wines including this rich, full-bodied red with flavors that recall plum, raspberry and spice.

Quinta do Infantado NV Tawny Port: Port wines remain the best known of Portuguese wines, and this elegant tawny from Quinta do Infantado is an excellent introduction to these most famous fortified wines. Aged in casks and smaller oak barrels, this tawny port is rich in flavors that recall coffee, toffee and plums.

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

Valentine Redux!
(Sara's notes)

Moving parallels in midpassage
steaming into nowhere
sometimes meet somewhere
out of space, out of time.
-Robert Posen

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I found that poem in a book I got forever ago at the Strand Bookstore in NYC. Great steal for a buck, I must say. It has a couple real swell pieces, and a bunch of really odd collages in it that have kept it with me all these years. But, doesn't that nowhere/somewhere place, free of time and space, where parallels intersect sound so gosh-darned romantic? I've no idea what was the author's true intention, but for me this poem really sums up the whole ridiculous serendipity of love and that beautiful, little, magic bubble that can be created by two. I thought it was perfect for today.

So, this is my suggestion for those of you who saved everything until the last minute and are now floundering for the perfect I-didn't-save-it-all-until-the-very-last-minute gesture for your sweetie. And for those of us who are doing things Be-My-Own-Valentine style, well, my recommendations are the exactly the same. If you can't pamper yourself, how can you expect someone else to do it for you?

First things first. At this point, a dinner reservation at a time not 5 or 9:30 pm will be hard to come by, and quite honestly, I think an infinitely more pleasant time can be had at home on these HUGE everyone-must-dine-out holidays. So, save the fancy dinner for another night and stay in instead. Remember the power of simple. Buy as many daisies as your rose budget allows and put them all over the house. Why have 12 boring red roses when you can haveoodles of bunches of bright, vibrant daisies instead? Get a nice bottle of the bubbles, a trio of cheeses including a triple cream to go with the sparkler, some bread, fruit, olives, pheasant and rosemary pate, a few good-quality chocolates, and have yourself an evening in. Make a homemade card, light up the candles, steal a good idea from Elizabeth Barrett Browning and count the ways you love the one you love, even if, right now, the one you love is you!
CHEERS!
Julia, Peter, Sara & Jessica
HOURS: Sunday-Monday 12-6 Tuesday-Saturday 10-7

Jefferson Vineyards Wine Dinner at Comfort Portsmouth: Monday, February 25th
reception: boiled and spiced peanuts
2006 Jefferson Vineyards Viognier

first course: fried Rappahannock river oysters, grilled lemon/country ham butter
2006 Jefferson Vineyards Reserve Chardonay

second course: oven roasted rockfish, chestnut/celery root puree, red wine mushroom reduction
2006 Jefferson Vineyards Petit Verdot

third course: braised Gryffon's Aerie suckling pig, smoked paprika, dates, and pears
spoon bread and truffled white beans
2005 Jefferson Vineyards Meritage

fourth course: stewed apricot and fig cobbler, almond iced milk
Jefferson Vineyards Late Harvest Vidal Blanc

$70 per-person all inclusive
RSVP to 757-393-3322

Beer-o-the-Week

Geary's London Porter (Portland, Maine)

Don't let the brewery location fool you. This is stylistically a London Porter. Not too carbonated, just the right amount of lingering coffee flavor. And.... dare I say
it? This beer is zippy, so help me. This is a crisp,
zippy porter with all the malty, espresso goodness you love. Give it a try, you won't regret it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Newly Arrived & Recently Returned

Singha (just a few steps away from takeout at Mom's Siam)

Hoppy Otter (UK)

Hitachino (classic Japanese ale and white)

Weyerbacher Heresy

and (for those of you who miss David G. from up the street) two new Czech Lagers:
Krusovice
Zatec
Wine-o-the-Week
(Peter's notes)

Domaine Laurent Gauthier
2006 Morgon
"Cote du Py" Vieilles Vignes

A cru within a cru, the Cote du Py is a parcel of land within the Beaujolais cru of Morgon. With its ideal southeastern exposure and slate soil, this area gives substance to this profound, complex red that makes it stand head and shoulders over standard Beaujolais. Flavors of sweet and sour cherry mesh with earth and smoke. $15.99

Want a taste? We have a bottle open for you!

Hello Everybody!

Sara and I love to throw parties, and we're both fans of Chinese New Year (see below). Any excuse to have friends over and share tasty treats is a good one...she even wants to bring back Lupercalia. Ask her about it at the wine tasting tonight!

Reminder: Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Color me curmudgeon, but this is not usually a holiday I pay much attention to (aside from all the risque, ABC-violating window display ideas we envision every February), until now. Thanks to Mongrel across the street, this year I have something besides excuses to give my handsome brown-eyed man: Adult Mad Libs. Let's just say "more fun than the original" and leave it at that. Need provisions? Poco Dolce chocolate helps. Brut Rose Champagne is even better. Think of us as Valentine enablers! Whether you're planning on serving bubbly or sweets, Belgians or triple creams to your beloved, we've got your romantic dinner needs covered. (I wanted to say "RCC puts the 'ate' in 'date night," but was voted down.) Oh, and the magic words: free gift wrap! Read on for other ideas*...

See you soon!

*if you need non-comestibles, check out the sweet sale at Glass and Powder across the street this weekend!

Friday, February 8th, 5-7pm: Bargains Next Door!
(Peter's Notes)

Maps are an indispensable resource in learning about wines, particularly those from Europe where the labels tend to focus on the provenance of the wines rather that what kinds of grapes are used. For example, bottles will state Rioja, Sancerre, or Barolo rather than Tempranillo, Sauvignon Blanc or Nebbiolo. Maps are also useful in finding bargains. While it's not always true, wines from adjoining areas are often made from the same grape varietals and come from similar terroirs (microclimate, soil, sun exposure) but are not equally priced. While it is true that wines from famous appellations (such as Chianti Classico or Chateauneuf du Pape or Sauternes) are generally of a high standard, it's not always the case, and mediocre (yet still pricey) productions abound. Conversely, wines from adjoining or nearby areas are frequently as good or nearly as good, and are substantially less pricey. This Friday, I'll be exploring this idea in a "Next Door Neighbors" tasting. Here's what I will be pouring:

Abadia Retuerta 2004 Sardon del Duero "Rivola": Produced just a couple of miles west of the highly acclaimed Ribera del Duero zone in central Spain, this medium-bodied red is made from a blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French and American oak for 12 months. Ripe, red fruits, coffee, and hints of vanilla come to mind in tasting this modern Spanish red.

Domaine de Piaugier 2005 Sablet Cotes du Rhone Villages: Located a dozen miles northeast of Chateauneuf du Pape, the village of Sablet continues to develop a reputation for its wines. Made from 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah, the Piaugier Sablet rouge is an ample wine with flavors that remind me of dried figs, plums, anise, and white pepper.

Castello di Poppiano 2004 Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva DOCG: This Chianti Riserva is definitely classy but not "Classico." Located just a couple miles to the west ot the Classico zone, the ancient Poppiano estate, owned by the Guicciardini family since 1199, produces this full-bodied but elegant riserva wine in the Colli Fiorentini subzone. Made overwhelmingly from the noble Sangiovese grape, this wine is capable of ageing for a long time but is difficult to resist now.

Benotto 2003 Monferrato Rosso "Nebieul": Produced in Costigliole d'Asti, about a dozen or so miles northeast of Barolo, "Nebieul" is nothing less than Nebbiolo, and fine Nebbiolo at that. I've had some Barolos at more than twice the price that were far less interesting and expressive. This full- bodied, aromatic red has classic scents of clove, cinnamon, leather and dried fruits.

Chateau Loupiac-Gaudiet 2003 Loupiac: Made from late harvest, hand-selected botrytis affected Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, the richly textured sweet white wines of the Sauternes district in Bordeaux are amongst the most famous (and expensive) wines produced in the world. The 2001 vintage of Chateau d'Yquem costs about five hundred dollars for a 375 ml bottle. Just a few miles away, across the Garonne River lies the Loupiac appellation where similar wines are produced at the Chateau Loupiac-Gaudiet yet command a fraction of the price. While the Yquem is probably more impressive, is it really "forty times as good"?

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

Happy (Chinese) New Year!
(Sara's notes)

Happy Year of the Rat! Now that all of those silly New Year's resolutions we all made back in January have been conveniently disremembered, we have another chance to make things right! It's New Years, take two! So, in order to ensure that we all have a
prosperous and lucky New Year, I did a bit of research to find out what we should and should not do.

Well, apparently, you are supposed to clean your house from top to bottom BEFORE the new year, which sadly I didn't know until today, which makes it too late formy decidedly cluttered and entirely un-vacuumed house. &%$#.

All hope is not lost, however, as I think I found a loop hole that will bring that happy rat energy back. Two things, they say, will definitely bring good luck: keeping your lights on at night to scare away the ghosts of misfortune and eating sweets to guarantee a sweet year. Fantastic. I plan on devoting the first two weeks of the Chinese new year to staying up all night with every last light aglow, eating all the chocolates we got in to sell for Valentine's Day. (Gearhearts and Lake Champlain and Poco Dolce, oh my!) Watch out, 'cause my luck this year might just knock you over. I can be a very dedicated sweets eater, you know, and I'm confident that this will make up for my distinct lack of house-cleaning prowess.

And what does this all have to do with cheese? Well, nothing, really, save for the fact that rats like cheese. I do have a cheese case full of wonderful things to eat, though. Perhaps I should get down to business.

Etivaz is back in, fresh from the Swiss Alps, here to provide us with all of it's fruity, nutty, raw cow's milk glory. Fire up the fondue pots, people, this stuff is tasty!

Abbeydale is making her debut here at RCC. This English Cow's milk cheese is simply brimming with onions and chives. It is similar to Cotswold, but a wee bit softer, sweeter, and more onion-y. Really easy to eat. (As long as you are not Julia, who did her best cat-with-a-hairball impression when I gave her a piece. Who knew she doesn't like onions? Who doesn't like onions???) I think I'm making bacon, egg and Abbeydale sandwiches for dinner tonight.

Explorateur is back in the house, just in time for Valentine's Day. This French triple cream is THE cheese to pair with bubbly, making it exactly what you want to romance your sweetie with. Rich, decadent, buttery, delicious, tempting, and heart warming, need
I say more?

Finally, I want to thank all of you lovely folks that
joined us for our first cheese class this Monday
past. It was a nice change of pace to step out from
behind the cheese case (even if I was a bit nervous!)
and spend a bit more quality time talking about one of the things I love the most. Julia and I had a great
time and we hope you did too! I'm so looking forward
to all the cheese classes yet to come!
CHEERS!
Julia, Peter, Sara & Jessica
HOURS: Sunday-Monday 12-6 Tuesday-Saturday 10-7

Beer-o-the-Week
(Jessica's notes)

Bells Brewery Consecrator Dopplebock

Arrived just in
time for Fat Tuesday and boy did it live up to the hype!! Consecrator is a fairly traditional
doppelbock-just a little lighter in body then the
standard. Reddish brown with a mild hops, Consecrator is still a full bodied beer with hints of caramel, a touch of fruit and a hearty helping of malt.
DEEELISH!!!!

New Arrivals:
Left HandBrewery Widdershins Barleywine, a few 6 packs of Bells Hopslam left, the highly sought after Cidre Dupont Pommeau.
And don't forget Thursday March 20th - DOGFISH BEER
AND RCC CHEESE TASTING!!!!!!!!
Wine-o-the-Week
(Peter's notes)

Michael Pozzan 2006
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Annabella"

Named after Michael Pozzan's grandmother, the "Annabella" Napa Valley Cab is a big, juicy red with lots of dark fruit notes, hints of cocoa and cedar, and fine grained tannins. Delicious stuff for $15.99!

Want a taste? We have a bottle open for you!

Hello Everybody!

I'll be honest--I'm a a little verklempt. I was up until 2am typing my little heart out. Since I'm doing the South American tasting tonight (Peter's a rockstar and will be playing with Tulsa Drone at the WRIR anniversary party), I had loads of anecdotes and wry comments about my wine trips to Argentina and Chile. But my inability to "save" in a timely manner (insert joke here) means it was all lost in cyberspace. I can sum it up with 'Qué sucede en las estancias de la Argentina en la Argentina (that's babelfish for 'what happens in Argentina stays in Argentina'), or you'll just have to come by tonight to hear for yourself.

Other exciting news: Sara and I are thrilled to be "developing" our syllabus for Monday night's cheese class. Thank goodness it's baggy sweater season! Even those of you not attending will benefit, because we have an extraordinary amount of cheeses in at RCC right now ready for tasting. Also, I'm gearing up for my trip to NYC in three weeks for Murray's Cheese Boot Camp. More on that later. If I don't get this email out I'm firing myself!

So, Superbowl Sunday is this weekend. That means BEER people! We are stocked to the gills with so many new brews, we're expanding the beer section. As always, special orders are welcome so let us know what you can't live without.

Finally, we all have a little spring fever at the shop. A few days of sunny 50 degree weather and we're yearning for warmth. What better way to appease the winter blues than with pink? Say hello to delicious rose from one of our favorite Provencal producers. Yes, it's a rainy cold winter day and I have cases stacked high of Roquefort Rose. Doesn't it look tasty? You know you want some. Oh, and it's biodynamic.

See you soon!

Friday, February 1st, 5-7pm: Sud America!
(Peter's Notes)

I know that those of you who are transplants to Richmond from the midwest and northern states will find this amusing, but I'm already a bit weary of Winter and can't wait for Spring. While this weekend's weather forecast in Richmond doesn't look too bad (for February), I have been looking at some even nicer forecasts for some other locales. In Montevideo, Uruguay, for example, they're calling for highs just under 80 and lows in the low 60's. In Mendoza, Argentina, it will be a bit warmer with the mercury possibly surpassing 90, while the forecast in Santiago, Chile calls for high temperatures in the mid-80's. Within a short distance of each of these cities, grapes are ripening under the mid-summer sun. Hmm. . . sounds like a perfect opportunity for a little "research" trip. While I mull that over, it's also a great time for a tasting of wines from South America! Here's what Julia will be pouring on Friday:

Bodegas Carrau 2006 Sauvignon Blanc: Produced in temperate Uruguay, this snappy, dry white has lots of citrus zest -like notes.

Cono Sur 2007 Carmenere: Full-bodied Chilean red produced with juicy flavors of ripe berries as wells and hints of coffee and smoke in the backdrop.

Cousino Macul 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon "Antiguas Reservas": From vineyards in the Maipo Valley, this full-bodied but elegant Cabernet is produced at one of Chile's most historic and esteemed estates.
OR......(that's right, we don't know which will show up)
Terra Andina 2004 Cabernet Franc-Merlot "Altos": Full-bodied but elegantly high-toned red from the Valle Central of Chile.

Dolium 2006 Tempranillo: Produced in the renowned Mendoza region of Argentina, this full-bodied red has ripe cherry notes, supple tannins and a long finish.

Zuccardi "Q" Malbec: Top bottling from an acclaimed estate, this opulent, full-bodied red is made from carefully selected Malbec grapes.

ps: Don't forget to bring your own glass (unless you like plastic)!

Fomage Brebis!
(Sara's notes)

Bonjour mes amies! Bienvenue a la jour de la fromage de brebis Franscais! Sigh. I really don't remember my French anymore, so I suppose I should stop before any further mangling of beautiful French words can occur! Anyhow, it is French Sheep's milk day at RCC and I have a bunch of lovely new cheeses for you to
try.

Abbaye de Belloc.
This Benedictine monk-made, semi-soft cheese from the French Pyrenees is rich and dense, with a perfect balance of salty and caramel-sweet flavors. It is very easy to snack on and I imagine it would also make a grand toasted cheese sandwich. Further evidence that monks rock.

Petit Agour.
I'm eating this paprika dusted cheese from the Basque country right now. Mmm... hints of salt and grass and barnyard and rich, hearty
deliciousness. Complex and quite delightful. Excuse me, but I think I need another piece...

Ossau Iraty.
Now, you've all had the pasteurized version of this cheese, but this is the RAW-MILK Ossau which is an altogether different beast. Whoa. The consistency is so different, it has little crunchy,
crystally bits, and the flavor? Well, it is piquant and salty and tastes a wee bit like prosciutto. Very compelling. I'm amazed at the difference a little un-pasteurizing can make!

Come on down and get yourself some brebis in groups of three! Bon Apetit!
CHEERS!
Julia, Peter, Sara & Jessica
HOURS: Sunday-Monday 12-6 Tuesday-Saturday 10-7

Beer-o-the-Week
(Jessica's notes)

Buffalo Bills Blueberry Oatmeal Stout

Brand Spankin' New (to Virginia) this stout is perfect for winter weather. It has the Oatmeal stout richness
and creaminess, but a whopping dose of blueberries gives just the right amount of zip. Brewed with REAL
blueberries and oatmeal, healthy eating never tasted better!

Beer News:
HOPSLAM HAS ARRIVED!!! We've gone through almost 7 cases
in less than 24 hours! Get it before it's
gone!!!!!!

DOGFISH TASTING!!!!! Mark your calendars now for Thursday, March 20th. Devon with Dogfish Head Brewery
will be here for not just a beer tasting, but a beer and cheese tasting. Dogfish Head beers and our delicious RCC cheese--this is not a tasting to miss.
Wine-o-the-Week
(Peter's notes)

Domaine D'Elise 2006 Petit Chablis

While the "Petit" prefix before Chablis would seem to indicate something "small," that would hardly be an apt descriptor for this delicious wine that brought HUGE smiles and EMPHATIC nods of approval to those of us at the shop when we recently tried this. Made from pure Chardonnay in the limestone soils in the northern reaches of Burgundy, this dry white has vivacious flavors of mineral and green apple. "Petit" does, however, accurately describe one aspect of this wine: the price. $15.99.

Want a taste? We have a bottle open for you!