Saturday Feb 18th
Le Petit Bijou
Wine Tasting 2-4pm
Delicious wines from Portugal & Spain!
($20)
Call 256-964-7980 to Reserve!
2020 Frago Do Corvo Mencia, 2020 Can Sumoi "Perfum," 2020 Can Sumie Garnatxa, 2021 J Palacios Petalos Bierzo, 2020 Dirk Niepoort Twisted Branco, 2021 Dirk Nieport "Drink Me," 2021 Sao Joao Rose Bruto!
2021 Sao Joao Rose Bruto, Portugal $21.99
The singular terroir of Bairrada makes for world-class sparkling wine. The vineyards are planted 20km from the ocean, battered by the northern Atlantic winds for which the area is well known. Méthode traditionnelle gives this wine a soft, silky texture, combined with the floral tones and bright fruit of its indigenous varietals. 60% Baga, 40% Touriga Naçional. Grapes planted in clay and limestone.
Touriga Naçional gives intense rose petal aromas and Baga a bright red fruit character. On the palate, delicate and persistent bead makes for a silky, rich texture. Bright strawberry and red raspberry on the mid palate, complemented by mineral, white pepper and more floral tones. Racy acidity cuts a beam through the middle, making for a food-friendly sparkler.
2020 Can Sumoi “Perfum” White, Spain $18.99
Lively Malvasia and Macabeo gives freshness and vivacity, aromatic Moscatell lends its unmistakable floral notes, and Parellada adds structure and minerality. The four waltz in perfect harmony in this unique wine with loads of personality.
Grapes from five plots: The soils here are primarily clay and limestone and very compact. Vineyards are farmed organically with biodynamic practices in place. Primary fermentation naturally with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks. This was followed by spontaneous malolactic fermentation.
2020 Dirk Niepoort “Twisted Branco”, Portugal $17.99
Citric coloured wine, with intense mineral character and strong citric aromas, peaches and white flower notes. On the palate, shows great balance and complexity, with juicy stone fruit flavours, and a refreshing acidity. Very long and salty aftertaste.
Fermentation was made in stainless steel vats (75%) and French oak barrels (25%). The wine aged in these two types of containers for 7 months with fine lees, without steering and without malolactic fermentation. GRAPE VARIETIES Rabigato, Códega do Larinho, Gouveio, Dona Branca, Viosinho, Bical and others
2021 Dirk Niepoort “Drink Me” Tinto , Portugal $18.99
Nat Cool is naturally “cool and funky”. It represents an innovative concept initiated by Niepoort, in which various producers came together to create light and easy-to-drink wines. In the Bairrada region we have produced the DrinkMe, the first Nat Cool, where we try to showcase a different and elegant side of the Baga grape variety. An incredibly light and accessible wine which just begs to be enjoyed. Welcome to the Nat Cool world!
It showcases the character of the Baga grape variety and Bairrada region superbly, with beautiful aromas of strawberries, dried roses and some spice. These notes are embedded in a minerality reminiscent of the vines’ calcareous soils and unmistakeable Atlantic climate. Fresh, direct and very seductive, this wine is light on its feet and so easy to drink, it will entice you to have another glass. It makes a very versatile food wine – just add a good meal and good friends! Serve chilled. Pure pleasure! Naturally cool!
2020 Can Sumoi Garnatxa Sumoll, Penedes, Spain $22.99
Can Sumoi, an estate with forests and vineyards in the Serra de Montmell, in the Baix Penedès (Catalonia). This is where they make natural wines that are free from anything artificial, but steeped in tradition.
These wines are made from the Can Sumoi vineyard, which is planted with Sumoll, a variety that is at risk of extinction in Penedès and is known as the “Mediterranean Pinot Noir.” The Can Sumoi Sumoll-Garnatxa wine is made with this variety accompanied by another native variety, the Garnacha. The grapes come from vines lying at an altitude of 600 metres above sea level. These vines are cultivated according to biodynamic principles and the grapes are fermented in the winery with minimal intervention in stainless steel tanks. The wine remains in stainless steel tanks for 12 months and finally it is bottled without stabilisation or filtering and without adding any oenological products.
This work results in Can Sumoi Sumoll-Garnatxa, a natural high altitude red wine from the DO Penedès, with a great Mediterranean character and made through minimal intervention.
2020 Frago Do Corvo Mencia, Monterrei, Spain $
Mencía 100% . Selection of grapes from vines on historical slopes in Monterrei. Practice organic and sustainable viticulture. Soil: Granite based sand and slate.
Fraga do Corvo is the name given locally to the landscape, an area of Monterrei nearby one of the vineyards. In September, Corvos (crows) sit on the electric power lines near the vineyards and performe a “natural” grape selection. The crows help by eating some of the fruit creating lower yields and thus provide a very important and helpful task for the winery.
Fresh ripe fruits, minerality and focused full bodied wine. Long finish with notes of spice.
2021 J Palacios “Petalos” Bierzo, Spain $25.99
Winemaker, Ricardo Perez, is Spain’s foremost expert on Biodynamics. He translated Steiner into Spanish and has taught many courses to aspiring winemakers on biodynamics.
The winery is a small part of the “complete” farm. They grow many other products, raise animals and make many of the bio preps themselves. The entry level wine Petalos is perhaps the most difficult wine of theirs to make. It is produced from over 300 plots that are managed by a full time viticulural team. The area of Bierzo they are focused on is a small area around the village of Corullon with near the highest elevation of the appellation and with the oldest most complex soils. Beyond managing the entire biodynamic farm, Ricardo also hosts classes for the local residents on baking breads, making cheeses and other skills from the region that are slowly being lost with the younger generations. Ricardo is currently working very hard on changes to the DO of Bierzo rules getting further designations approved, village designations allowed and many other things which will benefit the quality and communication to consumers.