Boise Coop Wine Shop

Weekend Tasting: Red, White and French

• May 8, 2008
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This week we are featuring wine from two of our favorite importers: a bargain priced white from Robert Kacher Selections, and a delicious red Rhône from North Berkeley Imports.

2007 Domaine du Pouy Côtes du Gascogne, $7.99

Yves Grassa, the proprietor of Domaine de Pouy, has invested intelligently in modern vinification equipment in order to assure that this exuberant, super aromatic, dry white is the standard to which others are held. The wine is a perennial Robert Parker best buy, and year in and year out it is our top selling white wine. The estate is located in the foothills of the Pyrenees in the Côtes du Gascogne about two hours southwest of Bordeaux. The region is best known for Armagnac which is made predominately from Ugni Blanc and Colombard, the same two grapes for the blend in this vibrant wine. The fresh and floral nose has notes of grass, grapefruit and lime. It is loaded with fresh fruit flavors including sweet grapefruit and loquat with a crisp texture and touches of mineral on the finish. Priced for everyday consumption we call it the perfect “refrigerator white,” and just to be sure you always have one in yours this spring and summer you’ll want to buy it by the case. You’ll save an extra 15% off the already low price when you do.

2006 Le Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône, Vieilles Vignes, $18.99

Clos du Caillou wines arguably represent some of the finest values in all of France. Proprietor Sylvie Vacheron and winemaker Bruno Gaspard (pictured left in the vineyard) are keeping the great work of the late Jean-Denis Vacheron alive with wines that are heady, robust and mouth-wateringly lush. Caillou tends wonderfully old Grenache vines, some of which are 70 to 100 years old. With older Syrah and Mourvèdre added to the mix, it’s no wonder that Caillou wines are across the board impressive for their power, extract and deep minerality. The estate’s Châteauneuf terroir borders the impressive domaines of Chateau Rayas and Beaucastel. Yet many of the Vacheron-Pouizin family’s old vines are classified, by a quirk of 1923 politics, Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages. It’s why our Côtes-du-Rhône barrel selection shows surprisingly like its kin in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In 1996 Jean-Denis Vacheron took full control of the viticulture and élévage at this estate. Under his stewardship, the wines of Caillou steadily gained stature, and today are benchmarks for the appellation. He understood that temperature-controlled fermentation and a cool, clean cellar are necessary to craft wines with refinement and true complexity.

Stop by this Friday, May 9 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, or this Saturday, May 10 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm for a free taste of both wines. 

Rhône Wine Tasting

• April 17, 2008
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Join us for a wine tour of the Rhône Valley, April 27 at 3 pm. Bobby and Christian will present 8 to10 different wines from the Northern and Southern Rhône paired with scrumptious culinary delights prepared by Chef Richard Langston. We will take you through the ins and outs of all the different grapes and blends of this famous region of France. From Chateauneuf du Pape to Cote Rotie, we will demystify the mysteries of the mysterious Rhône Valley. Just $35 gets you a spot at the table: 4 flights of wine, 4 wonderful plates of food, and an experience you will never forget. Café Vicino is taking reservations, which are required. Please call 472-1463. Look forward to seeing you there.

In Support of TrICA

• January 16, 2008
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If you’ve ever been in the North End and admired that cool stone building at the corner of 14th and Eastman and lamented at its state of disrepair, read on. A former church, it was acquired recently by a group of people with a vision. They wanted to provide a space for Treasure Valley children to grow artistically. But visions take time, effort and money before they can be achieved. TrICA will be home to the Children’s Dance Institute and Open Door Children’s Theatre. As they continue renovations additional programs will become available: the Heart Song Music Studio, and outdoor children’s garden, a library brimming with the best in children’s literature, studio space for visual arts, puppet shows, storytelling, cooking, and more.

This is where the Wine Shop comes in. One of our distributors (Hayden Beverage) approached us with a plan to help raise money. For every bottle of wine we sell from a selection of shelf items and case stacks, they will contribute a dollar to TrICA . How could we say no?

There’s more than a dozen different wineries participating and you’re sure to find something you like. So look for the TrICA tagged items, buy a bottle and help raise money for a good cause.

Customer Appreciation Sale & Tasting

• November 27, 2007
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Thanks to Everyone!

Our 4th annual Wine and Cheese event was a big success from all perspectives, but would not have been without you, our loyal customers. We appreciate your braving the crowds and hope all the free tastes and the big savings on wine made it worth your while. We look forward to serving you throughout the holiday season and beyond. A special thanks to all of our distributors who gave up their Sunday to pour and talk about wine. Thanks again!

Mongolian Dreams: A Wine Shop Art Exhibit

• November 15, 2007
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A Photographic Presntation by Ninjin Puntsag

Wine and art are natural companions. There are those who would assert that wine making itself is an art with the final product designed to appeal to the senses. To help promote the work of local artists as well as guest
artists from around the world, the Boise Co-op Wine Shop is sponsoring the first of our opening exhibitions on Saturday, November 24. For this premier show we are excited to have with us Ninjin Puntsag who will exhibit her Mongolian Dreams collection. Ninjin, a young photographer and artist originally from Mongolia, has been living in Paris for the past few years fine tuning her photographic skills. Her show will display a hauntingly beautiful collection of landscapes, people, and a series focusing on form, shadow and light.

Her works will be on display at the Wine Shop through February

(Learn more)