Upcoming events at Ancona's Wines & Liquors

Get your taste buds ready! We have a handful of great events lined up for Spring 2016.

APRIL 14 THURSDAY

PALI WINE DINNER Thursday, April 14th @ 7 PM Bernard's - 20 West Ln. Ridgefield, CT 06877 $90 per person + tax & gratuity RSVP required - Please call Bernard's (203)438-8282

Ancona's Wines and Bernard's are teaming up to bring you a wine dinner dedicated to one of our favorite producers, Pali Wine Co.! Please join us on Thursday, April 14, at Bernard's in Ridgefield for an unforgettable evening featuring an exquisite menu expertly paired with seven sensational wines. Special guest, John Ireland from Pali Wine Co., will be in the house to discuss the distinct characteristics of each vineyard site and the vinification process that makes Pali's wines so darn delicious. 

APRIL 21 THURSDAY OLD WORLD SELECTIONS FROM THE GREAT IMPORTER LOUIS / DRESSNER Thursday, April 21th @ 6:45 PM Ancona's Annex - Ridgefield $20 per person RSVP required - please (203)544-8958 or e-mail holly   Join us as we explore Louis/Dressner's impressive portfolio of thought-provoking wines. These vinos are crafted with integrity and respect for the traditions of their native region. There are no gobs, no exaggerations, no over-this and over-that. They are produced by a group of growers who work their vines and make their wines with honesty, passion and humor. You don't want to miss this great event! An RSVP is required. To reserve your spot please call 203-544-8958 or e-mail holly@anconaswines.com.

MAY 05 THURSDAY

INTRODUCTION TO SAKE Thursday, May 5th @ 6:45 PM Ancona's Wines & Liquors - Ridgefield FREE RSVP required - please (203)544-8958 or e-mail holly@anconaswines.com

A first for Ancona's - We're demystifying the art form known as Sake! Please join us on Thursday, May 5, as we welcome special guests from Slocum distributors and SakeOne for an exciting introduction to the mystical world sake. This interactive tasting seminar will focus on the basics. Topics covered include: sake styles, tasting techniques, and food pairing tips. Space is limited. An RSVP is required. To reserve your spot please call 203-544-8958 or e-mail holly@anconaswines.com.

The best wines for Easter Sunday

Ancona's Wines & Liquors is fully stocked with a fresh crop of palate charming wines to enjoy on Easter Sunday. In preparation for the big day, our staff curated an enchanting collection to pair with Easter Brunch and your favorite main courses - ham and lamb.

When choosing wine for Easter Brunch it is important to look for easy quaffing varietals. Try light, mild red wines with low tannins and crisp, refreshing whites. And remember, you can never go wrong with a bottle or two of rosé! Here are a few of our favorite bottles for Brunch:

Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc
Domaine Eugene Carrel Vin de Savoie Rose
Loimer Rosé
Prager Gruner Veltliner Fedespiel Hinter Derburg

Ham especially is one of those meats that makes itself available to both white and red wines. The key to pairing with ham is countering its saltiness with fruit and/or residual sugar and cutting through its fattiness with acidity and freshness. For this reason spicy and crisp white blends, and cherry driven reds will work quite well. A couple bottles we had in mind to pair with Ham:

Cuvelier Los Andes Merlot
Falesco Tellus Syrah
Mckinlay Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Werner Hochheimer Riesling Trocken

As for Lamb, we generally prefer meaty reds and full-bodied whites. Look for reds that are concentrated and well fruited.Here's what we have in mind to pair with Lamb:

Mulderbosch Faithful Hound
Chateau des Deux Rocs Rouge Premices
Mara Syrage
A. et P. de Villaine Bourgogne Blanc Les Clous

Cheers to a safe and happy holiday weekend! For your convenience Ancona's Wines & Liquors will be OPEN 10am - 5pm on Easter Sunday.

Easter Wine Tasting Event at Ancona's!

Hippity, Hoppity, Easter is on the way! In preparation for the festivities we are hosting a tasting that features the best wines for the weekend. Please join us on Wednesday, March 23 as we welcome special guest, Monica McCall from Martin Scott Wines. These frisky, dynamic wines will awaken your palate and prepare you for the wonderful Spring weather ahead. This is a FREE tasting event. Space is limited. To R.S.V.P. please call (203)544-8958 or e-mail holly@anconaswines.com.

The line-up includes: Fritz Muller Muller Thurgau Bubbles, Chateau de Breze Chenin Blanc Clos du Midi, Eugene Carrel Rose, Loca Linda Jolie Folle, Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo, Michel Gros Haute de Cote de Nuits

WINES FOR EASTER 

Wednesday, March 23 @ 6:45pm 

Ancona's Wines in Ridgefield 

Fee: Free (RSVP required)
Please call (203)544-8958 or e-mail holly@anconaswines.com 

Springtime White Burgundy

Hello Burgundy lovers! Codey here...

 

At Domaine Domaine Dampt Frères, precision is the name of the game.

 

2014 Vignoble Dampt Chevalier d'eon Bourgogne Tonnerre Blanc.
Just like Ancona's, this is a family business.

The classic cork barrel shot. I couldn't resist.

 

 

This operation is run by three brothers diligently working under the watchful eye of father, Earl.

 

Eric, manages harvest.

 

Emmanuel makes the wine.

 

Hervé works the vineyard.

This trio has managed to piecemeal a kaleidoscopic array of white and red wines, specializing in the most Northern stretches of Burgundy including Chablis, Bourgogne Tonnerre, and Epineuil.

 

Bourgogne Tonnerre is a small appellation encompassing just about 250 acres of Chardonnay just a stone's throw from Chablis.  

 

The value here is outstanding.

 

This is a mouthwatering, thirst quenching kind of White Burgundy: a patio-pounder that will drink equally well on its own or with freshly shucked oysters, escargots, and the citrus-grilled types.

 

You probably didn't think you could get delicious White Burg for under $15. Well, you can today.

 

To order, simply reply to this email and let me know how many bottles you would like and which store you would prefer to pick them up in. Shipping available.

 

Have a lovely weekend.

 

Codey Foster CS, Wine Director

 

 

Regular: $16.99

Email Only: $13.50

6 Bottles or More: $11.88/bottle

 

Notes: Stellar value. Limey mineral cut meets creaminess and spice. Lime and limestone in harmony. Citrus zest, fint, lemon curd, not overyly acidic, more creamy, limey, and quaffable. This is bargain White Burg. Clingy and crisp green apple on the finish. A win-win wine.

 

Refer a friend: Save an additional 10% when you refer a friend who doesn't already get our emails.

1)    Simply place your order as usual

2)    Forward this email to your friend

3)    Ask your friend to mention your name if/when they place their order

4)    Both you and your friend save and additional 10%

 

fine print:

Orders due by this coming Monday 3/21 

Wine will be ready for pick-up sometime next week.

Wine Week: Day Light

It's Nice Having The Days Getting LongerT-minus 6 days until daylight savings!

Events Not To Miss

ONLY THREE SPOTS LEFT FOR THIS THURSDAY!

Cabs with Codey and Holly: Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet FrancThursday, March 10 @ 6:45pm
Ancona's Wines in Ridgefield
Fee: Free (RSVP required)

Wines for Easter Wednesday, March 23 @ 6:45pm
Ancona's Wines in Ridgefield
Fee: Free (RSVP required)

Traditional Rioja: Spectacular wines from Lopez de HerediaThursday, March 31 @ 6:45pm
Ancona's Annex
Fee: $20 (RSVP required)

Think Pink, Drink Rose
Wednesday, April 6 @ 6:45pm
Ancona's Wines in Ridgefield
Fee: Free (RSVP required)

Old World Selections from the great importer Louis/Dressner
Thursday, April 21 @ 6:45pm
Ancona's Annex
Fee: $20 (RSVP required)
Space is limited at all our events... please contact Holly to make reservations.


New 'OZ'While on the hunt for atypical Australian wines we came across Shaw and Smith.
Instead of big, bold, in your face and hedonistic, Shaw and Smith produces well balanced, complex wines. I'd put their Pinot Noir up against anything coming out of Oregon right now at a similar price ($37).

PalletPallet season is the best season! All of our "pallet" wines arrived on Thursday. What's a "pallet" wine, you ask? We purchased the remaining inventory of each of these vinos from our distributors and are passing the savings along to you. A little over 120 cases and are split between both stores. You can rediscover some old favorites (Villaine, Fontsainte, Joguet) and meet a few new ones (Mara, Prager, Loimer). We bought all there was so supplies are limited. They will not last long at these incredible prices. Don't miss out!

ISLAGI(It seemed like a good idea) to enroll Gianna in a Brazilian Jujitsu class. (Sorry, Julia)

Last CallOur third private bourbon barrel is almost (pre) sold out. Reach out to Eddie if your interested in a bottle or two.

Orin Swift Kick In The Pants
We just received a small allocation of Orin Swift wines the other day.These wines are not for the faint of heart. They're big, bold and unapologetic... not to mention, super delicious.

Ride.... Post-Ride

Beer tastes better after a long ride.

  

New and Noteworthy
In addition to the "pallet" wines we received a few other goodies last week. A stellar clean crisp Gavi, wonderfully mellow Malbec, a killer Chianti in magnum, and an '07, 90pt Parker, Spanish red! All are priced not to break the bank - sub $20.


Spell Check
The label for our Oregon pinot project has been designed and approved.
 Stay tuned.


Welcome To The Family
We welcome Alex Boucher to our AWL family...

Ancona's third private bourbon bottling - APB#3 - From our friends at Knob Creek

I am proud to introduce you to Ancona's third private bourbon bottling - APB#3! Our latest small batch bourbon comes to us from our friends at Knob Creek. Knob Creek holds the top spot as the world's most awarded bourbon. In 2015, Knob Creek collected 49 awards, including top honors at the International Wine and Spirits Competition.

APB#3 arrives March 15. I am only presenting this very special pre-sell offer to Ancona's e-mail customers. There's only one barrel and it's likely to sell out before it arrives.

Through Knob Creek's Single Barrel program Ancona's tasting panel carefully selected sample # 1827A. Undoubtedly, it was love at first sip. Ancona's Knob Creek barrel sets the benchmark for superior, single barrel reserve bourbon. APB#3 is unbelievably smooth and nuanced. This is a real sipping whiskey that's best enjoyed in a snifter. Its rich, mature flavor will mesmerize your palate for years to come.

Don't hesitate, APB#3 is an incredible value at the single bottle price and a no-brainer at the 6 bottle price. It's best to buy a few to savor now and a few to stash away for later.

Please let Eddie know how many bottles to set aside for you and at what store you will pick them up (Ridgefield or Wilton).

Send your requests to: eddie@anconaswines.com.

Offer expires Monday, March 7 @ 11:59pm.

REGULAR: $56.99/bottle

E-MAIL ONLY: $51.99/bottle

3 BOTTLES: $49.99/bottle

6 OR MORE BOTTLES: $45.99/bottle

Barrel Lot Information:

1827A	This is the identification assigned to the barrel. This barrel came from the 5th floor of a 7 floor house, a location considered upper-middle storage.
6B22	Lot ID: This barrel was filled and entered the warehouse on February 22, 2006.
Z5	House/Floor: This barrel was stored in warehouse Z on the 5th floor. This house has a total of 7 floors, was built in 2005 and has a storage capacity of 50,400 barrels.
19(2)	Rick/Tier: This identifies the specific rick and tier where the barrel has been stored for 9 years. This house has 96 ricks per floor, each rick consists of three tiers, each tier holds 25 barrels.
127.3	Proof: The approximate proof of the product in the barrel. The product will be reduced to 120 proof prior to bottling, but it is still considered cask strength at 120 proof.

Tasting notes: Knob Creek Single Barrel Sample Selection 1827A

Appearance: Deep, rich, warm amber to burnished copper.

Aroma: Seductive and complex. Full, yet delicate. The charred oak gives a distinctive caramel aroma with a light touch of honey in a straightforward, confident balance.

Taste: Hints of chocolate. And a seesaw of subtle, sweet crème brulee and toasted nuts are complimented by vibrant spice

Finish: Elegant, long, rich and glowing with hints of cinnamon.

Single Barrel:

Single barrel whiskey is a premium class of whiskey in which each bottle comes from an individual aging barrel, instead of being created by blending together the contents of various barrels.

Cask Strength:

APB#3 is cask strength, also known as barrel proof. This is a term used in whiskey making to describe the level of alcohol-by-volume strength that is used for a whiskey during its storage in a cask for maturation. APB#3 offers a taste of what it's like straight out of the barrel.

Aged 9 years:
Aging whiskey in Kentucky is not an easy task. Hot summers and cold winters cause the whiskey to expand into and contract out of the barrels. To put it simply, the wood "breathes" the spirit. The portion lost to evaporation is affectionately referred to as the "Angels' Share".

Wine Week: Brrrr

So I Went To A Warm Wine Shop...

  NY State Of MindCaught this nice sunset on a recent trip to lower Manhattan.The wind was blowing strong making it bone chillingly cold....and bought wine (and cider).

Like A Big Pizza PieTwo upcoming "uber fun" events to make note of.
First is this coming Thursday when we team up with the other "Ancona" boys. That's right Fat Cat is coming to Branchville for a fun night of vivacious vino
and perhaps a perfect pie or two.
Space is limited.... contact Monique for more information or to reserve a spot.

Then the following Thursday we join forces with Oak and Almond for a Soter Vineyards Wine Dinner. James Cahill - Winemaker, Soter Wines- will be on hand
to give us insight to his method and madness.
Please contact Oak and Almond @ (203)846-4600 to make reservations...
hope to see you there!
Love In A BottleWhat! You forgot to get that special someone something special?
Don't worry.... we have you covered.... Nothing says "I Love You" like a bottle of luscious liquid. Perhaps a little bubbly or a little sticky sweet something to prove your passion for that perfect person.

Kent Falls Beers Are Stupid Good
These guys are killing it. Had the pleasure of sampling a bunch of their wares at a recent LP beer dinner. The only hiccup is that they are so small in production we are constantly selling out. Contact Jules for our current Kent Falls inventory.

 
Some Old Favs... Some New FavsWe hit pay dirt at a recent wine tasting. Fell back in love with a few favorites (Villaine, Fontsainte, Joguet) and discovered a few new loves (Mara, Prager, Loimer). Some are on our shelves now.... most hit our racks the first week in March. Stay tuned!

WoooooHoooo For HollyCouldn't be prouder!

That makes 4 certified SOMMs on our staff. (but who's counting)


On The Hunt
Codey hard at work finding exciting "new" wines for you to discover.
  

Pedal
I'm really getting addicted to riding on snow.
I almost don't notice how cold it is out... almost.


Bubbling Right Along
Although my "A Year Of Champagne" photo project is complete I still find myself drawn to great Champagne. Discovered this awesome Ultra Brut from Laurent-Perrier just last week. Clean and ultra precise... it seemed to evaporate from my glass!


The Puppers on IG
Apparently Becca and Bear figured out how to sign up for an Instagram account.

Think outside the chocolate box this Valentine's Day

Think outside the chocolate box this Valentine's Day with these irresistible bottles from Ancona's Wines & Liquors. Whether you're dining in or heading out for a night on the town, this sensational collection of vinos offers a romantic variety to suit any plans you have this weekend.

Gran Passione Rosso - The 'Gran Passione' is a delicious little Venetian blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Corvina. This wine shares the best characteristics of rustic Italian Merlot and fine Amarone.

Wild Thing Old Vine Zinfandel - Aromas of black cherry, plum and raspberry fruit combine with a beautiful hint of vanilla-oak, smoothly textured in mouth, very creamy and round, the finish is long with lush jammy fruit--this wine is dangerously good!

Virgin Hills Meritage Red 1998 - The fruit for Virgin Hills Meritage is a succulent blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec, and Merlot. This delicious fusion is serendipitously unique.

Montevetrano Core - Core (pronounced Kor-Ay) is local dialect for "heart", and the label evokes the love of life, and wine that is the spirit of Montevetrano. This deep ruby-red wine displays aromas of red fruits and spices with undertones of licorice, earth, and leather.

Pascal Janvier Cuvee Silex - The "Cuvée du Silex" is the reserve bottling of Pascal Janvier. It is an unctuous white that's full of raw honey, chamomile, and white flowers.

Sharpe Hill Ballet of Angels - A bright, crisp, semi-dry white wine with an impressive floral bouquet. This wine has wonderfully refreshing fruit flavors reminiscent of peaches, pears and grapefruit.

Foradori Fontanasanta Manzoni Bianco - Manzoni Bianco, born from the cross of Riesling to Pinot Bianco, precisely express the character of the vineyards of Fontanasanta. It's fresh and savory balanced by just enough zing on the finish.

Rolet L'Etoile Chardonnay - A classic Jura boasting citrus and nut character. A slightly oily texture and a fresh finish, it is mouthfilling, complex and satisfying.

90+ Magic Door Champagne La Cle de la Femme - Expressive aromas of apple and white pear along with more subtle notes almond, buttered toast and baking spices.

Domaine le Fay d'Homme Z Bulles - A sensational, budget friendly sparkling wine from Loire. Domaine le Fay d'Homme Z Bulles is light, crisp, and fragrant with hints of citrus.

Bohigas Rosat Cava - Aromas of red fruits, strawberry and raspberry. In the mouth it is fresh, persistent and it brings notes of red fruits, with very good acidity.

Raventos I Blanc Cava Brut Rose de Nit - Delicate brioche aromas and wafts of floral perfume. The palate shows subtle red and orange fruits lifted by zesty acidity.

Beer Nirvana is stocked with hundreds of brews from around the world. Stop in and pick up a special bottle that encompasses the personality of the one you love. Here are a few staff picks for the weekend: 

 

Stone Enjoy By 02.14.16 - By letting this IPA go unfiltered, its peach and tropical fruit hop flavors are amplified while its golden-hued color takes on a hazy appearance. (Available in-store only.)

Rogue Voodoo Lemon Chiffon Crueller - This unique artisan creation contains a baker's dozen ingredients including lemon juice, vanilla bean, and marshmallows to match Voodoo's Lemon Chiffon Crueller doughnut.

 Lindemans Lambic Framboise- Magnificent aroma, delicate palate of raspberries with undertones of fruity acidity; elegant, sparkling clean natural taste. Style: Raspberry Lambic. Color: Rose. Serving suggestions: Chocolate desserts. 

Goose Island Lolita - Lolita is a pink rose colored Belgian-style pale ale fermented with wild yeast & aged on raspberries in wine barrels. Fresh raspberry aromas, bright jammy fruit flavors and a crisp, refreshing body make it ideal for those fond of Belgian Framboise.

  

You feta believe it's more than okay to brie cheesy on Valentine's Day. Visit our cheese case in Ridgefield to pick up a container of Ancona's Famous Cheese spread or to browse our collection of hand crafted cheeses provided by our friends at 109 Cheese & Wine.

Ancona's second private bourbon bottling - APB#2!

I am proud to announce the arrival of Ancona's second private bourbon bottling - APB#2! Our latest small batch bourbon comes to us from our friends at Four Roses.

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Four Roses, not only because they have been named American Whisky Distiller of the Year four times in the last five years by Whisky Magazine, but also because Four Roses' barrel program is only offered to a handful of retailers.

The tasting panel (comprised of friends, clients, and staff) unanimously chose this remarkable 10 year old, cask strength, single barrel bourbon to add to our series after blind tasting a handful of samples. APB#2 is extremely limited and a must-have for your collection. You will not find a 10 year old, cask strength, single barrel bourbon like this anywhere else. At the 6 bottle price it is an untouchable value.

 

Please let Eddie know how many bottles to set aside for you and at what store you will pick them up (Ridgefield or Wilton). Send your requests to: eddie@anconaswines.com.

One barrel, one bottling, and one exceptional offer... this is the ultimate rare bourbon.
 
ANCONA'S PRICE: $69.99

A little more about Four Roses & APB#2:
Four Roses is the only distillery that uses two mashbills and five proprietary yeast strains to produce 10 distinct recipes. Each of these 10 bourbon recipes has its own unique formula. Every bourbon recipe has a four letter designation. The first letter and third letter are constants with the only two variables being the mashbill and yeast strain.

Ancona's recipe: OESK
O - Indicates that it was produced at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY.
E - Indicates the mashbill: 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley.
S - Indicates "straight" whiskey.
K - Indicates yeast strain: light spice, light caramel, full body

OESK tasting notes (via Ancona's resident Bourbon expert, Eddie):
Nose: Caramel , Fig Newtons, mild oak, dark fruit, touch of spice and nice char notes
Palate: Dark fruit, vanilla, a bit of leather, caramel, spice, and toasted nuts
Finish: Wood, cardamom, earth, and vanilla that fades to a sweet allspice

Single Barrel:
Single barrel whiskey is a premium class of whiskey in which each bottle comes from an individual aging barrel, instead of being created by blending together the contents of various barrels.

Cask Strength:
APB#2 is cask strength, also known as barrel proof. This is a term used in whiskey making to describe the level of alcohol-by-volume strength that is used for a whiskey during its storage in a cask for maturation. APB#2 offers a taste of what it's like straight out of the barrel.

Aged 10 years:
Aging whiskey in Kentucky is not an easy task. Hot summers and cold winters cause the whiskey to expand into and contract out of the barrels. To put it simply, the wood "breathes" the spirit. The portion lost to evaporation is affectionately referred to as the "Angels' Share". Four Roses is the only distillery using single-story rack warehouses to minimize temperature variations, which provides a gentle, undisturbed and more consistent aging process.

Best Wines for Super Bowl Sunday

TOUCHDOWN!

ANCONA'S WINES & LIQUORS

SUPER BOWL CENTRAL

Let Ancona's be your Party Headquarters for Super Bowl 50! 

"1st Down" Wine Picks & "Field Goal" Food Pairing Advice  

 

Are you looking for something to serve alongside a heaping bowl of guacamole? Armas de Guerra Blanco is a mouthwatering white blend that pairs well with this Super Bowl staple.

Don't know what to pair with a crock-pot full of chili? Marietta Old Vine Red's lush red fruit plays well with spicy flavors.

Firing up the grill for mini sliders? Tessellae is a brilliant Carignan with decadently styled blackberry fruit that make it the perfect teammate for burgers.

Preparing a colossal pile of hot wings? Von Winning is a super sassy Riesling with enough residual sugar to tackle the heat and keep you fresh throughout all four quarters.

Rolling pigs in a blanket? Adegas Moure Fuga's superb balance, drink-ability and smooth, velvety finish are hot dog compatible.

Beer "Blitz" - Big Brews for the Big Game 

Get amped for Super Bowl 50 with Six Point's Hi-Res, Stone's un-filtered EnjoyBy, Finch's Pig in the Wood, and Pioneer's American Style IPA. 

Mix and mingle at Ancona's cocktail tasting

Unwind, relax, and taste through an exciting menu of cocktails this Thursday (January 21st) at Ancona's Annex. Special guests for the evening include Master Distiller, John Little, from Smooth Ambler and Josh Wortman, from Martin Scott Wines. Josh will mix classic cocktails featuring our favorite bourbons and gins while John reveals the history behind the ingredients. Here's an added bonus - our very own Mitch Ancona will be spinning vinyl! Space is limited. To reserve your spot please call (203)544-8958 or email monique@anconaswines.com.

  

COCKTAIL TASTING

Date: Thursday, January 21

Time: 6:45pm - 8:00pm

Location: Ancona's Annex

Fee: $25  

RSVP: (203)544-8958 or e-mail monique@anconaswines.com

Ancona's calendar is full of events to suit your tasting needs. Do yourself a favor and check out a few of our upcoming events below or see the full calendar here.

1/24 - BRUNCH IS BACK! Enjoy a mini tasting menu of traditional brunch dishes prepared by our friends at Collyer Catering paired with a captivating collection of killer vinos... Read more...

1/28 - WINTER WONDERS WINE TASTING: Baby, it's cold outside! Warm your palate with a cozy collection of hearty reds and full bodied whites at our Winter Wonders wine tasting event. Codey curated a killer line up to keep you toasty all season long... Read more...

2/4 - THURSDAY NIGHT SIX The Thursday Night Six will be a fun evening full of good music, great company and, of course, six delicious wines... Read more...