Monterey gains prestige as a top wine region
We all know the name Napa, Sonoma, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. Each one of these regions has the luxury of widely varying temperatures, cool nights and sunny, warm days. Grapes love to cool off at night and the fruit they produce is an indication of how often they are permitted to do this. Complexity and acidity are preserved when grapes are allowed to ripen slowly. Ocean breezes and fog create a wide variety of daily temperatures. Many of the earth's best wine grape growing regions are cooled by ocean breezes. Monterey is known for its sleepy fog and cooling ocean breezes. As the warm air rises during the day, the vacuum created by this movement pulls cool ocean breezes off the Monterey Bay.
It was not until a University of California at Davis professor categorized the growing areas of California in the early 1960s that Monterey's potential was uncovered. Growers were looking for new land to plant wine grapes and found Monterey's coastal temperatures ideal. According to UC Davis measurements,
Monterey and is considered the same type of climate as Napa, Sonoma, Burgundy, and Bordeaux.
Monterey's terroir has become so renown that eight additional interior AVAs have been established to define their vineyards even further. An AVA is short for American Viticultural Area. AVAs can be as big as several states and as small as a valley that can be surveyed from one vantage point to the naked eye. Monterey's AVAs are Santa Lucia Highlands, Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, Hames Valley, Chalone, Carmel Valley, San Antonio Valley, San Bernabe and the largest AVA containing the later regions, Monterey.
Chardonnay is a significant planting in Monterey, totaling forty percent of the county's grape vineyards. The next significant planting is merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and then pinot noir, but each only totaling about a third of the amount of chardonnay acreage. The next grapes in the hierarchy are syrah and riesling, each only amounting to about a tenth of the chardonnay vineyards. Beyond these numbers Monterey grows just about every other wine grape variety found in California, showing how versatile this prime growing area is.
Monterey has been producing wine grapes for less than fifty years, yet its wines are claiming their rightful place on our store shelves, next to some of California’s best growing regions. Wines from this region are impressive and possesses a quality often a great value for their price point.
Case Discounts
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
March 18, 2009
Pinot Party Week!
In store wine tasting
O'Reilly's Pinot Gris, Oregon - $15.29
Montoya Pinot Noir, California - $12.99
90 points California State Fair
French Maid, France - $10.99
Permutation, Australia - $13.99
March 25, 2009
South American Vacation for Spring Break!
New Age White Blend, Argentina - $11.99
Altos Las Hormigas Malbec, Argentina - $11.49
89 point
Wine Advocate
Amato Sur Malbec/Syrah/Bonarda, Mendoza, Argentina - $14.99
Layer Cake Malbec, Argentina - $16.29
Friday, March 27th, 2009
Import and Mico-brews
Fullers Beers and a surprise to taste!
ESB 6pack $11.79
London Pride 6 pack $11.79
London Porter 6 pack $11.79
1845 bomber $4.39
April 1, 2009
Spring Break in Spain!
Fuente Elvira Verdejo - $12.69
90 points
International Wine Cellar
Don Ramon Garnacha/Tempranillo - $9.99
El Arte d Vivir Ribera del Duero - $13.99
90 points
International Wine Cellar
Pablo Menguante Garnacha - $11.59
89 points
Wine Advocate
April 8, 2009
Easter feast recommendations!
Wine to pair with ham, turkey, prime rib, and more.
BR Cohn Carneros Chardonnay, California - $20.99
La Playa Cabernet Sauvignon Rose, Chile - $9.49
Boom Boom Syrah, Washington State - $18.49
Mumm Napa Blanc de Noir Sparkling, California - $19.99
89 point
Wine Enthusiast
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, (Denver Tech Center), downtown Denver, Parker,
or Eagle Bend, 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, 10am to 10pm
Sunday from 11am to 6pm
Phone: 303-766-0575
info@libationswines.com
libationswines.com
coupon
Montoya Pinot Noir, California - $12.99