Saturday, June 4th Tastings at Ancona's Wines

This will be an exciting Saturday for us at Ancona’s Wines, we are hosting very special tastings at each of our stores.

In Ridgefield, from 3:00-6:00 PM, we are hosting a wine tasting to support Ridgefield’s Relay for Life. Proceeds from the sale of tasting wines will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Wines featured at this event are:
2008 Elio Sandri Langhe Nebbiolo
2008 Domaine Des Homs Minervois
2010 Chateau de la Selve Maguelonne Rosé
2010 Chateau de la Selve St. Regis Viognier

Relay For Life is an overnight event that joins communities in the fight against cancer. It is a way to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones, and fight back against the disease.

In Wilton, from 3:00-6:00 PM, we welcome Brian Smith, proprietor of Loca Linda Winery. Join us as this Rowayton native and Master Sommelier offers customers a taste of Loca Linda’s superb portfolio.

Wines featured at this event are:
2010 Loca Linda Torrontes
2009 Loca Linda Malbec

These Argentinian beauties are irresistible and offer superior quality at an amazing value. 2010 Loca Linda Torrontes is sunshine in a bottle, with a crisp clean palate. Loca Linda’s 2009 Malbec is fruit driven finishing with soft, sweet tannins.

Classified Growth Bordeaux Tasting Dinner

Ancona’s Wines & Liquors and Bernard's of Ridgefield
are proud to present:
Classified Growth Bordeaux Tasting Dinner
Friday, June 10, 2011 at Bernard's of Ridgefield

This dinner will feature an outstanding selection classified growth Bordeaux wine as well as a gourmet five course menu consisting of:

Canapes: Smoked Salmon Rosette on Toast / Spicy Tuna on Pomme Gaufrette / Beef Brasola, Hearts of Palm & Truffle Gougere / Chilled Tomato Soup with Avocado Shooter
NV Be Friends Cremant de Bourgogne Rose

Jumbo Lump Crabmeat Salad, Roasted Corn, Avocado, Cucumber, Tomatoes, Micro Greens & Lemon Chive Dressing
2005 Chateau Olivier White Pessac Leognan

Roasted Quail Stuffed with Foie Gras & Swiss Chard, Green Pea Ravioli, Pea Greens & Morel Sauce
2003 Chateau Berliquet Saint Emilion Grand Cru

Grilled Kobe Flat Iron Steak, Red Wine & Speck Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Spinach, Tri-Colored Carrots, Fiddle Head Ferns, Red Wine Sauce
2003 Chateau Desmirail Margaux

Assorted Cheeses & Fruit Plate

2005 Chateau Olivier Red Pessac Leognan

Baked Almond Cream Stuffed Peach Wrapped in Phyllo, Pistachio Ice Cream & Strawberry Compote
2005 Chateau Caillou Sauternes

Cost of dinner is $100 + tax & gratuity
For reservations, please call 203.428.8282

Barbecue & Wine Pairing

This weekend we are celebrating Memorial Day. This special holiday is a day to remember those who have died in the line of duty and the individuals serving our country today. Take a moment this weekend to reflect and honor these brave men and women.

Memorial Day also marks the unofficial beginning of Summer. Long days of sunshine and blue skies provide a pristine backdrop for outdoor celebrations. Barbecues and picnics are a great arena to experiment pairing wine and food. Here are a few guidelines to assist in your pairing adventures:

In the broad spectrum of things, red wine is typically matched with red meat while white wine is reserved for lighter fare.

To break it down further; bold, full-bodied reds pair well with meaty, smokey dishes. Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel hold their own against meat high in fat content and burgers topped with strong cheeses. Soft, fruit forward reds like Shiraz and Merlot pair well alongside spicy barbecue recipes. The light, fruity qualities found in Pinot Noir complement grilled fish, chicken and summer salads.

If white wine is more your style, try pairing an herbaceous, zesty wine like Sauvignon Blanc with herb rubbed chicken or grilled vegetables. Crisp, semi-sweet whites like Gruner Veltliner balance spicy, chargrilled flavors found in Jamaican jerk chicken. Rieslings also complement spicy dishes as well as recipes utilizing sweet fruit flavors like peach or pineapple. The sumptuous, creamy qualities of Chardonnay are an excellent match for grilled shellfish.

Barbecue season offers a wonderful opportunity to try new recipes and experience great wine. Take full advantage of the beautiful weather headed our way and fire up the grill!

A few of my favorites include:
2007 Spann Vineyards Mo Zin - This unique blend of Zinfandel, Mourvedre, Petite Syrah and Syrah is versatile and food-friendly. With a slight hint of spice, this wine is phenomenal served with strip steak topped with chimichurri sauce.

2008 So Be It Pinot Noir - Love at first sip! Elegant notes of cherry and spice are complemented by a silky smooth finish. A Pinot Noir of this quality for under $20 is a beautiful thing. An excellent mate for grilled salmon and orzo salad.

2009 Arnoux et Fils Vacqueyras Chapelle St. Arnoux - Aromas of red and dark berry on the nose. A lovely herbaceous quality on the palate finishing with a hint of black pepper and spice. Good concentration and nice depth. An awesome companion to grilled pork tenderloin or steak tacos with avocados.

Beer Review: Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA

Dogfish Head has an impressive portfolio of craft beer ranging from IPAs and belgian-style ales to a collection of rarities that includes their very own 'Bitches Brew' and their infamous 'Red & White' beer brewed with Pinot Noir grapes.

Their 90 Minute IPA is available year round in 4 packs. It is bright copper in color and has a thin head that sticks to the glass. Aromas of pine, citrus and an enticing caramel sweetness are found on the nose. There are bitter herbal notes with underlying tones of citrus and sweet malt as well as a generous amount of hops on the palate. It has medium weight and excellent carbonation. All around a great brew, Cash gives it two paws up!

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Tasting

To celebrate American Craft Beer Week Ancona's Wines & Liquors will be tasting Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp on Saturday, May 21 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. For two weeks in August Sierra Nevada invites "campers" to their brewery in Chico to learn about and create beer. Yup, campers get to create their own brews. The best of the best are here in Sierra Nevada's first beer camp 12pk. Three bottles of four different styles ranging from the lighter Cali Common to the opaque Juniper Black Ale. Stop by for a taste!

Kona Wailua Wheat

Aloha! Hawaii's Kona Brewery has a great line of year round microbrews as well as a great selection of seasonal beers. Lucky for us, Kona Wailua Wheat is in season!

Kona's Wailua Wheat is a shining example of what flavored wheat beer should be. Medium straw in color, with aromas of tropical fruit on the nose. A light body with nice crisp carbonation. The passion fruit and citrus flavors felt natural, they were not heavy or artificial tasting. The tart fruit flavors are balanced by a generous amount of sweet hop. I can not get enough of this unique beer, definitely one of my favorites!

Rouge Dad's Little Helper Black IPA

Rouge Dad's Little Helper Black IPA, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

"The new "hot" style, Black IPA, (aka American Black Ale) is a nice blend of malty/roasted notes and full throttle hops. They can range from dark brown to pitch black with an alcohol level of moderate to high depending on the brewers desires. This beer pours opaque brown with chunky, creamy tan head that retreats slowly leaving sticky lace. Nose is mostly malt driven with tiny hints of piney/resiny hops. Mouth is pretty heavy and dense with just enough carbonation. First few sips were disappointing, didn't get much more than short lived sweet malt that was quickly overwhelmed by harsh bitter hops. Luckily, I'm a slow typist. My inability to type allowed the beer to warm slightly, what a difference! The short lived malt expands and becomes complex, the thug like hops now is more subdued. Bitter dark chocolate with a layer of espresso flavors linger in the mouth. Nice by itself but more enjoyable with a rare burger swimming in caramelized onions and swiss cheese. Yummy!"-Mitch

Craft Beer... In A Can?

As the weather increasingly becomes more tolerable we find ourselves venturing outside to spend quality time in the sun. And like mother always said, it is important to apply sunscreen and stay hydrated. A cooler or backpack full of refreshments is a beautiful thing. But glass bottles can be heavy and cumbersome. No one wants to hike with the extra weight or risk broken glass on a boat. So what is one to do, nothing of quality could possibly be packaged in aluminum... right?

The answer to this question is yes, it certainly CAN! (Haha, see what I did there?)

Craft beer in a can, some consider this blasphemous... But there is a revolution taking place on the production lines of top craft breweries. The selection of canned beer has grown over the past 5 years to include a myriad of styles to suit any taste preference. Breweries like Cisco, Magic Hat, Oskar Blues, and New England are packaging their top sellers in cans, making them environmentally and travel friendly. A common misconception surrounding canned beer is that it tastes like metal. This can not be further from the truth. The inside of cans are sprayed with a protective coating so beer never touches aluminum. And unlike bottles, cans protect beer from premature spoilage due to light exposure and oxidation. Cans also become cold faster and stay cold longer.

Consider the aluminum can your new best friend, a faithful companion that will travel with you wherever you go. Grab a six pack, slap on some sunscreen and embark on an epic adventure!

A few of our my favorites include:
Magic Hat #9: A great summer brew, perfect for the beach! Light, crisp and refreshing. It tastes like a Pale Ale but drinks like a Hefeweizen.

Butternut’s Pork Slap: This Pale Ale really hits the spot. It is crisp and refreshing with a medium-body. It has a soft touch of citrus on the finish. It is brewed with a hint of ginger to give it a distinctive kick.

Oskar Blues Old Chub: This traditional Scottish Ale is silky smooth bursting with flavors of coffee, cocoa and a touch of smoke. Brewed with a considerable amount of malted barely, this dark ale is a crowd pleaser.

New England’s Sea Hag IPA: This rich, full-bodied IPA packs a ton of flavor into a 12oz. can. Sea Hag is an awesome IPA with a great hop character.

Relay For Life Wine Tasting

On Saturday, May 7, we joined the local community in support of Relay For Life by hosting a special wine tasting in which proceeds from the sale of the tasting wines were donated on behalf of Wilton Relay for Life. At the end of the day, we sold over 8 cases of wine and donated $500 to the American Cancer Society. A big thank you to all of those who came out to support this great cause!

We will be hosting another wine tasting in support of Ridgefield’s Relay For Life on Saturday, June 4.

Pale Ale Challenge (Sierra Nevada, Victory, Widmer, Keith's)

Pale Ale Challenge, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Oh what to do on a rainy Wednesday afternoon... I know, I'll blind taste four pale ales (two I know I like and two newbies).
#1- pale golden in color, nice head and retention...nice nose of bread and spice and fruit.... flavors of grain, spice and resiny hops.... mouth was medium in body with very active carbonation....nice bitter finish
#2- pale golden in color, better head than #1... similar nose with citrus added in for good measure...flavors mirrored the nose with a bready base and resin/citrus hops over top... rich feel, little bit more creamy than #1... clean long finish highlighting the complex hop flavors
#3- amber brown (this is a pale ale?), nice sticky head, similar nose to #2.... flavors were similar as well but the malt was more pronounced, this made for a fuller richer flavor.... feel was medium in body with good carbonation.... Finish was slightly sweeter than #1 and #2
#4- pale golden color, decent head (didn't last long)... Grain and corn on the nose, no real hops found?!.... Muted, sweet bread/malt with an adjunct overlay that I couldn't taste past....slick and somewhat still in the mouth...finish was yucky (technical beer term)
So, what did I like best?
(in order favorite to least favorite)
#2 Victory Headwaters Pale Ale
#3 Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale
#1 Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
#4 Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Style Pale Ale

It was no surprise to me that my favorite was the Victory, I'm a big fan. The Widmer was a surprise though, it was a close call between it and the Sierra. In the end I went with the denser, fuller Widmer (although I would be happy with either). I had never tried the Keith's before... I doubt I will ever again.
CHEERS!
-Mitch

2010 Red Tail Ridge Dry Rose

2010 Red Tail Ridge Dry Rose, originally uploaded by mitchancona.

Pinkish-orange hue, soft nose of candied strawberry and cranberry. Lush in the mouth with flavors of cherry and other tart red fruit. Very drinkable... Almost TOO drinkable. I love Rose season! -Mitch