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Complimentary Ferrari-Carano Wine Tasting Friday 9/28!

Founded in 1981, Ferrari-Carano, located in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley in Calfornia, is the dream and hard work of Don and Rhonda Carano. Decades later, this family-owned and operated winery continues to make remarkable wines, vintage after vintage.

Drop by the Beverage Warehouse this Friday, September 28, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm and enjoy free tastes of wines in the fantastic Ferrari-Carano portfolio! Read on to check out more about the six wines that Cathy from Ferrari-Carano will feature this Friday.

Old vine Zinfandel at Ferrari-Carano
Old vine Zinfandel just starting to bud at one of Ferrari-Carano Estate’s vineyards

Ferrari-Carano’s many Italian wines honor the family’s spirit of Italy, their Italian heritage, and their philosophy of celebrating life. This tradition is carried on by a winemaking team that notably includes three female winemakers: Sarah Quider, Rebecca Deike, and Christy Ackerman.

Earlier this year, Jason and Kate from the Bevie visited Ferrari-Carano on their trip to Napa & Sonoma, and were treated to an incredible tour of the vineyard, winery and cellar…where the acoustics were fantastic!

Learn more about the Ferrari-Carano family, history and wine portfolio at www.ferrari-carano.com.

Jason and Kate enjoying a fabulous tour and tasting at Ferrari-Carano!
Jason and Kate enjoying a fabulous tour and tasting at Ferrari-Carano!

The famous boar at Ferrari-Carano's historic estate!

The famous boar at Ferrari-Carano’s historic estate in Sonoma County.

WINES AVAILABLE FOR SAMPLING AT THE BEVERAGE WAREHOUSE TASTING ON 9/27:

2017 Pinot Grigio
What’s the difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris? Answer: nothing, it’s the same grape. In France it’s Pinot Gris and in Italy it’s Pinot Grigio. And Ferrari-Carano is Italian, so it’s Pinot Grigio the Ferrari-Carano label! Speaking of labels, this wine is one of the first wines to bear a new seal guaranteeing that it’s made from certified sustainable grapes grown in Sonoma County. This wine is created when you take grapes from the Ferrari-Carano vineyards right along the river in cool-climate Russian River Valley and ferment them only in stainless steel — a crisp, clean, refreshing, light-bodied wine with a lot of sass, and delicious with aromas and flavors of white peach, honeyed citrus, kiwi-lime, lychee, orange blossom, apricots and Meyer lemon. This Pinot Grigio’s concentrated aromas, flavors and refreshing acidity linger to the finish. Read more…

2017 Fume Blanc
One of the first two wines Ferrari‐Carano ever made over 35 years ago, this Fumé Blanc is comprised of Sauvignon Blanc grapes from Sonoma County. This wine has delicious aromas and flavors of pink grapefruit, lemongrass, lychee, peach, pear, honeydew melon, orange blossom, pineapple, guava and a touch of minerality. The Fumé Blanc has bright acidity and crisp freshness from the cool, stainless steel tank fermentation, while the subtle oak character from neutral French oak barrels adds body, complexity and depth. Read more…

2016 Chardonnay
This Chardonnay delights with aromas of pear, white peach, orange blossom, vanilla, graham cracker and buttercream, perfectly balanced by flavors of Fuji apple, cinnamon, apricot, quince and hazelnut. Lingering creamy and toasted oak notes round out the finish. Read more…

2014 Reserve Chardonnay
The grapes for this wine come primarily from Ferrari-Carano’s vineyard in Napa Valley Carneros. This wine entices with aromas of baked apple, white peach, cinnamon, butterscotch, hazelnut and marshmallow complemented by elegant, upfront flavors of pear, fig, orange blossom, creamy vanilla, graham cracker and caramel toast on the finish. The cool climate of Napa Valley Carneros and Russian River Valley impart their unique finesse to the wine, while the Alexander Valley component adds an intensely rich mouth-filling character. Read more…

2014 Pinot Noir
A beautifully-balanced, ample and refined wine made with grapes from three distinctly different Mendocino County Pinot Noir vineyards. With its velvety texture and bright acidity, this SF Chronicle 2018 Gold medal winner is a perfect representation of the land from which it comes. Aromas and notes of cherry, raspberry, cola, spice and a touch of toast fill the senses, followed by vibrant flavors of complex red fruits and pomegranate with spice notes of cinnamon, cardamom and anise. Warm toast notes of graham cracker and pie crust persist on the soft finish. A velvety texture and bright acidity distinguish this naturally-balanced wine. Read more…

2015 SIENA
Ferrari‐Carano’s Italian heritage is reflected in this 25th Anniversary SIENA, an easy‐sipping, Sangiovese‐based, red wine blend. SIENA has delicious aromas of raspberry jam, bacon, maple, leather and cardamom spice. Flavors of sweet plums and cherries are followed by graham cracker, with more plum on the finish. SIENA has supple tannins and a balanced mouthfeel with lively elegance and depth. Read more…

 

Cider, Wine

Vermont Vigneronne Krista Scruggs Named a Wine Enthusiast “Top 40 Under 40 Tastemaker” 2018!

We’re so proud that Vermont winemaker and vigneronne Krista Scruggs has been named to Wine Enthusiast magazine’s 2018 list of the “Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers”! Congratulations Krista, from all your friends at the Beverage Warehouse!!

Krista Scruggs 2018 apple harvest
Krista Scruggs, Vigneronne and Winemaker, and the Beverage Warehouse’s Kate Cartwright on an early (very early!) morning foraging windfall apples at Canamack Farms in Grand Isle, Vermont.

From Wine Enthusiast:

Krista Scruggs, Vigneronne, ZAFA Wines

Farm, forage and ferment

It may seem counterintuitive for a native Californian to open a winery in Vermont, but Scruggs specializes in work that lies outside the ordinary. After she assisted Deirdre Heekin at Vermont-based winery La Garagista, Scruggs ventured out on her own to develop this wholly original brand. She uses biodynamically farmed hybrid grapes and sometimes co-ferments them with foraged apples. Her wild-fermented, unfined and unfiltered bottlings debuted in March and drew raves. There seems no limit to her sustainable and delicious creations.

Read more about the Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers list published by Wine Enthusiast, and check out the other up-and-coming wine, cider and beer makers in America!

More about Krista:

NOTE: ZAFA Wines are currently extremely limited, and not available for retail sale, but stay tuned for more information when her next vintage is released!

All Posts, Wine

60 Days of Rosé #11 | Peyrassol Côtes de Provence Rosé | #LOU

60 Days of Rosé #11 | Peyrassol Côtes de Provence Rosé | #LOU | $14.99

Peyrassol Provence Rose Lou 2017 Beverage Warehouse of Vermont

If you’re looking for a perfectly dry, everyday Provence rosé without the higher price that Chateau de Peyrassol commands, their #LOU rosé is the answer!

A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah, this Provence rosé is a perfect apéritif. #LOU is a soft, fresh pink color, and leaves a trail of gooseberry, raspberry and white blossom in its wake.

The delicately spicy nose reverberates on the palate with red berries and peach, and transitions to brighter, more more citric tones on the finish.

What’s also awesome is that you can drink this wine without worrying about a sulfite headache! Peyrassol adheres to strict organic guidelines in the vineyard, eschewing synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides for natural methods. The wines are a beautiful expression of the region’s clay and limestone terroir, capturing the very essence of Provence: fresh, refined & elegant.

Peyrassol Provence Rose Lou 2017 Glass Beverage Warehouse of Vermont

All Posts, Beer, Events

Taste with the Owner!! Von Trapp Brewery Free Tasting | FRI 6/22 4:00 – 6:00 pm

Taste with the Owner!! Von Trapp Brewery Free Tasting | FRI 6/22 4:00 – 6:00 pm

Whether you prefer your beer light or heavy, hoppy or sweet, smooth or bold, von Trapp Brewery has something to satisfy your palate! Owner Sam von Trapp will be in the house to answer all your questions as you enjoy a heavenly libation.

Sam von Trapp - von Trapp Brewing Tasting Beverage Warehouse

Wine

60 Days of Rosé #10 | Jenny & Francois Selections | “Gaspard” | Organic Touraine Rosé | $16.99

60 Days of Rosé #10 | Jenny & Francois Selections | “Gaspard” Organic Touraine Rosé | $16.99

This organic wine is gorgeous from start to finish! The intense salmon pink sunset hue and playful label will catch your eye, and when you pop it, all your other senses are rewarded. The nose is precise and angular, like a well-cut diamond, with an appealing steeliness. Swirling around and above that core is a perfume of nectarine, peach, and green strawberries, with light hints of toasted cashew and dried apricot.

Take a sip, and your mouth is filled with mouthwatering fuzzy nectarine and peach pit notes, backed by super high-toned acidity. The only problem with this wine is that it’s hard to share! If you must share though, this wine pairs incredibly well with BBQ’d pork, grilled chicken & peaches, or spicy duck.

Jenny & François is one of our favorite natural wine importers, and Gaspard is a Jenny  & François Selections house label. This means that the grapes are sourced from a winemaker in France’s Loire Valley, who makes the wines to their specifications.

From jennyandfrancois.com:

Gaspard Rosé

  • Age of Vines: 30 to 40 years
  • Soil: Clay and Limestone
  • Varieties: Pineau d’aunis, Cabernet Franc, and Gamay
  • Yields: 45 hl/ha
  • Vinification Method: Grapes are hand harvested, pressed immediately and fermented traditionally, resulting in a light extraction of color.
Wine

Shelburne Vineyards Capsize Rosé and White Wine Cans – Free Tasting! FRI 5/18 3:30 – 6:30 pm

Shelburne Vineyards Capsize Rosé and White Wine Cans – Free Tasting! FRI 5/18 3:30 – 6:30 pm

When the sun is out and you need cool, refreshing cans o’ wine to accompany your outdoor fun, local winery Shelburne Vineyards has you covered!

Join rockstar winemaker Ethan Joseph on Friday, May 18 at the Beverage Warehouse for the Vermont launch of their brand-new CAPSIZE ROSÉ in cans! Grab your opportunity to taste this crispy fresh & fruity rosé for the first time, along with the smooth & refreshing cans of Capsize white blend.

Shelburne Vineyards - Capsize Rose cans - Beverage Warehouse tasting
Four cans of Capsize = 1 liter of wine for you and your friends!!
Ethan Joseph Winemaker at Shelburne Vineyards and Iapetus Wines
Ethan Joseph, Winemaker at Shelburne Vineyards and Iapetus Wines

Be sure to follow the adventures of Capsize wines on Instagram!

From www.shelburnevineyard.com/capsize:

We’re not knocking your candle-lit dinners or sliding into an Adirondack chair with your favorite bottle of wine on a warm summer night. Don’t get us wrong, we love those things too.

But we’re Vermonters, which means equal parts relaxing and roving. And it’s clear that your favorite bottle of wine isn’t following you to the top of Mt. Mansfield or rowing you out to the center of Lake Champlain.

Sustainably grown, damn good Vermont wine. Anywhere.

Where do Capsize Wines come from?

From the east bank of the Champlain Valley, on the sunny Shelburne slopes in the brave little state of Vermont. The grapes are grown and wines are crafted by the team at Shelburne Vineyard.

Why “Capsize”?

We’re a wine for people who live life adventurously, who head out to the wild like true Vermonters. We also know that any excursion isn’t much fun without a bit of controlled chaos. That’s why our motto is “If you flip the boat, the cans will float”. If you need a fun and refreshing break from your journey, we’ll be there.

Is wine in a can as good as wine in a bottle?

We believe it is. It should theoretically be more stable than wine in a bottle, because there is virtually no risk of the wine developing a fault due to the lack of oxygen exchange that a cork allows.

How should I drink it?

Whatever the situation allows. If hiking a ridge trail, glasses are going to weigh you down. If relaxing on your back porch, pour it out. It tastes great either way!

The wines taste best when served icy cold.

What sort of wine is it?

It is comprised of two Hybrid varietals: Louise Swenson and LaCrescent. Louise gives the wine it’s refreshing and bright characteristics. The LaCrescent gives it that distinct, delicious fruit aroma. All of the grapes that go into our wines are grown and hand-harvested in Vermont.

How much wine is in a can?

Each can is 250mL, which equals 8.5oz. That is almost two glasses of wine! Capsize is sold in 4-packs, and 4 cans equals 1 liter of wine. That is one and a third standard bottles!

Where can I get it?

Wherever Shelburne Vineyard wines are sold [like the Beverage Warehouse in Winooski, of course!].