Chardonnay Madness!
Stop by to taste a fine collection of chardonnay from 4:30pm to 7:00pm,
on Wednesday, May 7, 2008. We have chosen four chardonnays with different profiles
in different price ranges.
More chardonnay is grown in the US than any other wine grape variety;
taste what all the fuss is about.
-Cousino Macul Antiguas Reservas
90 points Wine Advocate $11.69
-Spellbound NEW ITEM $12.99
-7 Heavenly Chards 2006
94 points California State Fair $15.29
-Petaluma 2004 Picadilly Valley
92 points Wine Spectator $28.49
·15% off wines poured during tasting hours.
·10% off beer poured during tasting hours.
·10% off spirits poured during tasting hours.
·Need a map to Libations?
·Take a look at the
archive of previous in-store tastings.
·Libations offers a coupon.
Libations has a new rewards program!
Each time you spend over $20 (pre-tax) you will receive a discount
RIGHT THEN!
The discount is based on the amount you spend each time.
If you don't usually spend $20, that's okay; we have a reward to suit you too!
Everyone will receive a cash back reward on their anniversary of joining
the program, based on what they have spent for the year.
You will get store credit to spend however you like!
No one else is offering a rewards program like this.
We want to show our appreciation to every customer.
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New items this month!
Take a look at some of the new items we have brought in during May.
These items have been tasted and received the Libations stamp of approval.
They will be on sale for the whole month of May.
For a list of everything on sale see our
sale page.
El Mayor Blanco & Anejo Tequlia
Eagle Rare Bourbon
Red Diamond Merlot
Cline Cashmere GSM
Terre Rouge GSM
Conn Creek Cabernet
Barefoot Moscato 1.5L
Delucia Falanghina
Cagnina d'Romagna Sweet Red
3 Rings Shiraz
Fuente Elvira Verdejo
Apaltagua Pinot Noir
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Chardonnay
Although chardonnay has been grown in France for millennia, most people are unaware that it has a legendary reputation dating back hundreds of years in Europe. California has taken chardonnay to an extreme that only California can do. Domestic winemakers have utilized the subtle processes employed for centuries in Europe and created a style of chardonnay that is rich and extreme in comparison to its elegant French sisters.
Domestic chardonnay is almost always aged in French oak. Small, new, toasted French oak barrels impart a flavor to wine with nuances of toasted nuts, caramel, marshmallow, vanillin, and nutmeg. California style chardonnay has usually undergone malolactic fermentation also. Malolactic fermentation is a secondary fermentation, taking place after most of the fruit juice has been converted to alcohol. 'Malo' replaces the mouth-watering, zesty flavor of the natural fruit acid, malic acid, with the creamy, buttery flavor of lactic acid. Although it imparts a richer facet to the wine, it can diminish a wine's distinctive fruit flavors.
California chardonnay is unmistakably American, yet the sparkling wine producers of California, are more interested in following the traditional script of one of chardonnays most legendary roles, that of Champagne. True Champagne hails from an area of France of the same name. It is the only sparkling wine that can rightfully be called Champagne. Its growing conditions are so unique that no other sparkling wine can compare. The region of Champagne has very white, chalky soil, which imparts a distinctly mineral-like flavor to the wine. Another unique factor is the lack of sun, which forces the grapes to be harvested a touch under-ripe. These under-ripe grapes are extremely high in acidity, which offers the perfect recipe for bright, lively sparkling wines. There are only three permitted grape varietals in this region, chardonnay is the only white variety. The two red varietals are pinot noir and pinot meunier. When a sparkling wine is made from 100% chardonnay, it is referred to as Blanc de Blancs, a convention that is accurately followed by winemakers globally.
While the chalky soil of Champagne creates a distinguished mineral-like flavor in its sparkling wine, Chablis offers another 100% chardonnay with markedly mineral notes. Chablis is yet another grape growing region of France whose name has been grossly misused. Chablis is still synonymous with cheap jug wine, whose grapes are not chardonnay, but rather uninteresting, workhorse varietals fermented into a sweet white wine. Genuine Chablis is usually fermented and aged in stainless steel vats to preserve its vivid apple, apricot, and lime zest flavors and tangy acidity. Chardonnay is a fairly hearty variety that can produce abundant clusters of grapes, but when it comes to producing flavorful wines, chardonnay prefers a cooler growing region, such as Champagne, Chablis, or Carneros.
Chablis is a sub-region of Burgundy and not surprisingly, the reining white grape of Burgundy is chardonnay. Chardonnay, regardless of where it is from, is usually bottled in a Burgundy style bottle. The tradition of Burgundy dates back thousands of years. In the tenth century, dutiful monks created detailed maps of Burgundy, which are the basis of Burgundy as we know it today.
These maps parceled off the land according to every nuance of the sun, wind, rain, temperature, change in soil type, and topography. This is called terrior (tair-whawr). The details of these unique parcels was preserved, categorized, named, and assigned stature. This is one of the reasons Burgundies are so daunting to the average wine drinker. Add to this excruciating endeavor in geography, the Napoleonic law, which dictates that all vineyards must be inherited equally among its owner's children and only their children. As the generations divide the vineyard, keeping track of producers is a task.
With this said, white Burgundies are a joyful, elegant, complex, layered, mouthwatering expression of chardonnay. They are the original model for California style chardonnays. Those who have attempted to tackle Burgundy puzzle, proclaim its chardonnay as the finest white wine in the world.
Chardonnay is known by many names and is made in many styles. Old world styles are elegant, zesty, and refreshing, while new world versions are rich, opulent, and plump. The tried and true versions from France are steady examples of this impressive grape. Domestic growing regions and those of the Southern Hemisphere have embraced the California style, but true to the new world form, are always open to the next evolution. Exploring the faces of chardonnay can be a delightful trip around the world leaving you with many impressions of the how versatile this grape can be.
Libations Wine & Spirits offers 10% discount on all cases of wine mix or match.
Join us most Wednesdays to sample wine, beer, and spirits in-store, at no charge.
Every Wednesday from 4:30pm to 7:00pm we pour samples for you.
Join us on selected Fridays too.
Upcoming Tasting Events
Chardonnay Madness!
MAY 7, 2008
Cousino Macul Antiguas Reservas 90 Points Wine Advocate $11.69
Spellbound NEW ITEM $12.99
7 Heavenly Chards 94 points California State Fair 2006 $15.29
Petaluma 2004 Picadilly Valley 92 Points Wine Spectator $28.49
Per Bacco Distributors
MAY 14, 2008
Fuente Elvira Verdejo 89 Points WineCellar and Wine Advocate $11.99
Delucia Falanghina Sannio DOC NEW ITEM $15.49
Genium Cellars Priorat 91 Points Wine Advocate $28.99
Roos Foss Marai Spumante $19.99
Red White & Rosé for Memorial Day
MAY 21, 2008
Bridlewood Reserve Viognier $18.49
Folie a Deux Menage a Trois Rosé $10.99
Cline Cellars Cashmere GSM NEW ITEM $15.29
Terre Rouge Tete a Tete GSM NEW ITEM 88 Points Wine Spectator $15.99
Beer Tasting
May 23, 2008
De Proef Saison Imperial 750ml bottles $9.99
De Proef La Grande Blanche 750ml $9.49
De Proef Signature Ale 750ml $13.99
Reinaert Flemish Wild Ale 750ml $9.39
Graduation Celebration of Sparklings
MAY 28, 2008
Gruet Rosé $15.99
Piper Heidsick NV Brut Red 92 points Wine Enthusiast $32.99
Vixen Sparkling Shiraz $21.49
La Tribuleira Moscato d'Asti $14.99
SPECIAL PRICING DURING TASTING HOURS
Wednesday tasting hours are 4:30 to 7:00 pm.
Each sample is a one ounce portion to adults 21 and older.
Limit four different samples per person.
Libations Wine and Spirits is a full service liquor store serving
Aurora, Parker, Centennial, and Littleton Colorado.
Libations has a comprehensive wine inventory, award winning beer selections,
all of your favorite spirits and few unusual items as well.
Whether you are driving from the DTC, downtown Denver, or Parker,
Libations is on your way home.
We are located in Southeast Aurora, near Cherry Creek Reservoir, at Arapahoe Crossings.
Our staff are knowledgeable about wine, beer, liqueurs, and spirits, and are
always eager to serve you.
You must be 21 years or older to shop at Libations Wine & Spirits.
Libations Wine & Spirits
Arapahoe & Parker Roads
Northeast corner at Arapahoe Crossings
6554 South Parker Road, Aurora, Colorado 80016
Monday - Saturday, 9am - 10pm
Phone: 303-766-0575
info@libationswines.com
libationswines.com
coupon
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