George’s Wine Picks for September 2008
As the co-owner Siips Wine and Champagne Bar, I have the opportunity to taste a great deal of wines each month. Since we cannot revise our wines menus monthly, I believe that I should from time to time offer recommendations for wines we have either featured in the past or should offer to our clientele.
Here are my recommended wines selections for this month: (click wine for info)
| Sparkling Wine – Kluge Blanc de Blanc 2004 |
3oz - $7.00 |
6oz - $12.00 |
Bottle - $36.00 |
The vibrant Chardonnay aromas of Kluge SP Blanc de Blancs are focused and complex, exhibiting notes of ripe apple and pear with hints of hazelnut and roasted almond. The wine is medium-bodied with a creamy, finely-beaded mouth feel and a clean and zesty finish. Hint: Try this with two ounces of the Kluge Cru dessert wine for a Cru Royale.
**Cru Royale – 6oz only -$14 per glass |
| Sauvignon Blanc – delfosse |
3oz - $6.00 |
6oz - $9.00 |
Bottle - $27.00 |
| Made in the classic old world style with crisp citrus and floral notes. This is a popular and versatile wine that works with a wide range of fare. Nose – Bright and fresh aromas of melon, lime and spring flowers. Taste – Well structured, with a tangy acidity and grapefruit notes. This is made in the old world style with crispness and vibrancy. |
| Chardonnay – Blenheim 2006 |
3oz - $6.00 |
6oz - $9.00 |
Bottle - $28.00 |
| A full bodied wine with aromas of spice and fresh fruit. Silky yet lively acidity leads to a palate caressing lingering finish. The wine is 100% estate grown Chardonnay and 100% barrel fermented in French oak. This wins is aged for 10 months in 50% new 50% neutral oak barrels. Drink now or hold for 3-5 years. |
| Red Wine – delfosse Grand Cru Olivier 2005 – Virginia |
3oz - $5.00 |
6oz - $8.00 |
Bottle - $26.00 |
| 53% Petit Verdot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot , aged 10 months in French oak barrels. The wine was bottled in July 2007 and released in January 2008. Nose – True to its Virginia roots, this wine displays hints of tobacco. Slight cedar and black sherry scents add to its complex nose. Taste – A wine with mild tannins and medium weight, it exhibits rich berry flavors and should age gracefully for several years Food Pairing – Will pair well with pork, lamb and veal dishes. |
| Meritage – Barboursville Octagon 2005 – Virginia |
3oz - $8.00 |
6oz - $14.00 |
Bottle - $47.00 |
| "It is harder for a grape to get into a bottle of Octagon," it is said, "than any other wine in Virginia." The reserve of our Reserves, Octagon is not produced in any year unless the harvest is both superior, and not otherwise allocated to varietal production. Octagon III is based on select lots of superb estate-grown Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Nebbiolo, and presents a lavish and silky palate of bright berry fruit and spice, with earthy, leathery, smoky, and subtly floral undertones, woven together with great finesse. |
| Cabernet Franc – Barboursville 2006 Reserve – Virginia |
3oz - $6.00 |
6oz - $10.00 |
Bottle - $32.00 |
| This wine is a Virginia classic. It contains layers upon layers of ripe berries, plum, currant, cherry and cedar elegantly woven together by twelve months of barrel aging. Cabernet Franc’s great character combines intense flavors with remarkable softness. |
Siips Hosts Miller Center
We were pleased to have recently hosted the Miller Center of Public Affairs and their distinguished Director Former Virginia Governor Gerald Baliles and his wife Robin. The evening was special for us at Siips as Virginia Governor Tim Kaine was the keynote speaker and delivered a great address on the past and future of Virginia's education. Thank you Miller Center for allowing us to enjoy your company.
Yappy Hours
Siips is pleased to announce Doggie Yappy Hours every Tuesday and Thursday (weather permitting) from 5-7 p.m. Bring your best friend or friends for Doggie treats, water and support the Charlottesville Albermarle SPCA. Siips will donate 5% of all sales during those hours to the SPCA. Good times, good wines and good cause.
“Friend of the SPCA” Program
Let Siips know that you are a Friend of the SPCA, and when you:
• Purchase wine at Siips retail shop; or
• Enjoy a weekday lunch at Siips
Siips will donate 5% of the profits to the SPCA. So eat, drink and be merry, and raise money for the homeless animals in our community.
Read the most recent SPCA newsletter
Community Involvement
Siips was proud to host and donate to the MACAA Champagne tasting and fundraiser March 13th. Siips strongly urges their followers to attend MACAA’s 21st annual Men Who Cook event at the Doubletree Hotel May 4th, 5-8:30 p.m. For details go to www.macaa.org.
Siips also hosted the Tiara Tuesday event during March, raising funds for the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital. Special thanks to Arianne Davenport for her dedication to the event.
Siips is pleased to be hosting fundraisers for the SPCA of Charlottesville Albermarle in April and the Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville Albemarle in May.