Boise Coop Wine Shop

Burgundy, the Côtes Du Beaune: A tasting at Café Vicino

• January 26, 2012
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While the Grand Crus in Burgundy generally come from the Côtes de Nuits, the real buys come from the villages of the Côtes du Beaune: Savigny, Volnay, Chorey, Aloxe-Corton. You can find Premier cru wines for under $40 that offer a lot of pleasure. We’ll be tasting a great line-up of these exceptional wines on Saturday, January 28 from 2 to 4 pm at Café Vicino. As always, Chef Richard will prepare small plates to pair with the wines. Join us to find the best of the bunch. The cost is $30 and you can call the restaurant at 472-1463 for reservations.

Colter’s Creek

• January 17, 2012
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Mike Pearson (Owner, Vineyard Manager) and his wife Melissa Sanborn (Owner, Winemaker) have always shared an interest in wine. On a cold, winter drive along the Clearwater River, they took a side path home and came across an overgrown yet picturesque vineyard for sale along the Potlatch River—the rest is history. They have since focused their zeal into establishing Colter’s Creek Winery and Vineyards.

Melissa studied wine chemistry and sensory science in grad school at Washington State University and now applies it to winemaking. Mike, a self-proclaimed engineering geek, enjoys designing both winery and vineyard systems. The grapes and wine now receive their full attention, which shows in both the beauty of the vineyard and the quality of the wine.

Not many know, but the Clearwater River Valley was once home to a prosperous grape and wine industry. In 1872, vies were planted near Lewiston, Idaho. Throughout the following 40 years up to 40 varieties of grapes covered the slopes of the Clearwater River canyon and its tributaries. The region is distinguished by its fertile soil, steep slopes, and long, hot growing season. The industry thrived until Prohibition. In the past 10 years, new vineyards have been established, with their fruit being turned into premium Idaho wine. There is little doubt that this region will once again stand out as one of the great wine regions of the world.

2010 Estate Riesling, $8.99
The little vines that produced this Riesling are some of the oldest in the state of Idaho. These vines are naturally cooled by the river, resulting in a crisp, flavorful wine. Slight hints of apricot and honey compliment its subtle sweetness.

2009 Syrah, $10.99
Sourced from the Dallas Vineyard on Candy Mountain near Richland, Washington, this 100% Syrah was aged in new American oak. It is a rich, full-bodied wine, with a nose of black pepper and vanilla, and flavors of black cherry and plum.

2009 Koos-Koos-Kia, $18.99
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Well balanced with aromas of plum, sage, current, and leather, this blend finishes with a slight minerality characteristic of our soils and clear water.

2009 Cabernet Franc, $28.00
Normally only available at their tasting room, 2009 provided perfect conditions at Colter’s Creek for this 100% Estate Cabernet Franc. They aged this delicate wine in French oak for 10 months. A nose of plum, raspberry, and a hint of clove are followed by cranberry and cherry flavors with a mineral finish. Pairs nicely with light pastas, seafood and white meats, or soft cheese such as brie.

Winter White Sale

• January 13, 2012
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Beat those Wintertime Blues

The white on the ground has been conspicuous by its absence, but those inevitable inversions just keep on coming, generating hazy days that contribute to an oppressive malaise. If you’ve got a case of the wintertime blues and can’t cure it with a day on the slopes, may we suggest a little springtime in a bottle. We’re talking our Winter White Sale. Instead of pouring another glass of a heavy red, fix yourself a dish of light pasta, fresh fish or grilled chicken and pop the cork on a refreshing white. It couldn’t hurt.

Here’s a list of delicious white wines (all on sale) designed to help you beat the Winter Blues, and if you buy six or more, you’ll save an additional 10%!

	Was	Now
Berger 2010 Grüner Veltliner, 1 liter	$12.99	$11.99
Chateau Coustaut 2009 Bordeaux	$8.99	$7.99
Domaine de Pouy 2010	$7.99	$6.99
Hiedler 2010 Grüner Veltliner	$15.99	$12.99
Le Bois Martin 2010 Sauvignon Blanc	$14.99	$12.99
Leitz 2010 Dragonstone Riesling	$16.99	$14.99
Raphael 2010 Verdicchio	$9.99	$8.99
Rayun 2009 Chardonnay	$7.99	$6.99
Selbach 2010 Riesling Kabinett	$12.99	$11.99
Sydney Ann 2010 Pinot Grigio	$8.99	$7.99
Tariquet 2009 Sauvignon	$8.99	$7.99

Columbia Crest

• January 10, 2012
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Get reacquainted with a Northwest icon famous for offering top quality wines at bargain basement prices since 1984. Columbia Crest was one of the first wineries to pioneer vinifera grape growing in Washington state. Today, they are a leader in viticultural research and sustainability. Their mantra is that environmental stewardship and responsible practices in the vineyards and winemaking facilities not only helps to make the best quality wines possible, but they are the right things to do.

“The perfect grape-growing climate, the best viticultural practices, and a people committed to crafting the best bottle of wine vintage after vintage is what Columbia Crest’s winemaking is all about.” – Juan Muñoz Oca, Head Winemaker

2010 Columbia Crest Two Vines Gewurztraminer, $6.49
With over 42 “Best Buy” / “Best Value” designations in the last five years, Two Vines delivers a style that exhibits richer flavors, brighter color and an expression of fruit that’s perfect for everyday enjoyment. This wine offers the typical Gewϋrztraminer aromas of rose water, spice and lychee fuse with notes of fragrant orange peel. Upfront, candied fruit flavors give way to a pink grapefruit essence, finishing with bright acidity that balances the wine’s subtle sweetness.

2010 Columbia Crest Two Vines Sauvignon Blanc, $6.49
This fresh, lively Sauvignon Blanc opens with aromas of lemon zest, honeydew melon, dried herbs and a hint of freshly cut grass which are typical notes of the variety. Juicy fl avors of melon, gooseberry and kiwi end with a lengthy, bright citrus-like finish.

2009 Columbia Crest Grand Estate Merlot, $9.99
Aromas of vanilla bean, coffee bean, and mocha introduce this classic Merlot. Dark chocolate covered cherries, caramel and nutmeg flavors meld with silky tannins and create a long and elegant finish. Five percent each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in this wine add structure and depth.

2009 Columbia Crest H3 Le Chevaux Red Blend, $12.99
From Horse Heaven Hills vineyards (H3), “Les Chevaux” is French for “the horses,” a reference to the wild horses that once roamed this region. “Aromas of fresh blueberries, anise and earth lead to firm and supple tannins on the palate. This red wine blend presents incredible depth, with layered flavors of candied nuts, licorice and dark chocolate that lead to a mocha finish featuring ample, sweet tannins.” Juan Munoz Oca

2006 Columbia Crest Walter Clore Red, $24.00
The Walter Clore Private Reserve is a unique blend of traditional Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc) and represents the pinnacle of winemaking mastery at Columbia Crest. Aged in the finest French and American oak barrels and blended to express the terroir of the most premium vineyard sites, the Walter Clore is a wine that is easily worthy of aging for 10+ years.

L’Ecole No. 41

• January 5, 2012
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L’Ecole N° 41 is a second generation, family-owned artisan winery located in the historic Frenchtown School depicted on their label. Founded in 1983, they are the third oldest winery in the Walla Walla Valley.  L’Ecole Nº 41 is known for producing reliable, superior quality wines that are terroir-driven, distinctive and expressive; wines that are crafted for richness and complexity, vintage after vintage.

“…what has been proven beyond a doubt is that anyone who values tradition, continuity, and a track record of excellence, will eventually find their way to L’Ecole’s wines. A lot of wineries succeed at making a few barrels of something good in their first or second vintage. The real challenge is to make consistently fine wine, over many years and vintages, across a wide number of varietals and blends.” -Paul Gregutt,  Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Today they are at the forefront of sustainable farming in the Walla Walla Valley, notably with their Estate Seven Hills Vineyard, but all of the Walla Walla Valley wines are made from grapes sourced from vineyards which are certified sustainable and Salmon Safe. Here’s a rundown of just a few of the wines from their outstanding portfolio:

2010 Chenin Blanc, $11.99
This fresh, tart and delightfully fruity Chenin Blanc shows Asian pear, perfumed honeysuckle and orange blossom aromas with flavors of apple, apricot, and grapefruit on a crisp mineral, lightly sweet finish.

2010 Chardonnay, $17.99
Some of the best Chardonnays in Washington State are grown in the slightly cooler growing conditions of Yakima Valley and in the northern latitudes of the Columbia Valley. The Schmitt Vineyard (Yakima Valley) provides nice tropical fruit, while Evergreen (latitude 47 on the Columbia River) contributes crisp acidity and minerality.

2008 Merlot, $23.50
Rich with pretty aromatic aromas of nutmeg, clove and spice, this dark and brooding Merlot shows black cherry, blackberry, and earthy dark fruit flavors encased in a peppery, cocoa, toasty finish.

2008 Syrah, $22.00
This luscious and exquisitely balanced Syrah shows aromas of ripe blackberry, alluring spice and earth. With dense mineral and oxblood tones, this rich and expressive wine shows opulent black cherry and black plum with peppercorn and olive tapenade on a finely textured and lengthy finish.

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla, $32.00
With an elegant, old world structure, this sophisticated Cabernet shows aromas of dark fruit, earth, and fresh herbs. A seamless core of blackberry, plum, and dark cherry mingle with notes of earth and leather on a smooth, lushly structured finish.