Jump to Section Tastings & Events Save the Date! Sara's Selections Bar of the Week SHOP HOURS Mon - Wed: 11 - 6 Thurs - Fri:  11 - 8 Sat:  11 - 6 Sun:  12 - 5		Okay, it's official.  If you haven't noticed, it's May and while Tuesday I was still chasing slushy snowflakes off the windshield coming over Skyline, the forecast is for warmer days ahead.  With that in mind, we've started the migration to more white wines and rosé in the shop so stop in to check out the many new arrivals. The only news for you this week is that you need to watch for next week's email for our big announcement about what we've been up to with all of this remodeling.  In the tastings and events section, you'll find news on Friday's tasting of some new producers and new vintages of Oregon Pinot we're now stocking in the shop, as well as a chance to sign up for Wine 101 and more details about our 2nd Anniversary Party on Friday, May 16. Finally, don't miss the Chocolate of the Week from the ChocolateShop and check out our Wine of the Week in Sara's Selections for great savings on a terrific new arrival.
TASTINGS & EVENTS   This Friday: FRIDAY NIGHT FLIGHT - New Oregon Pinots ˇ 4PM - 8PM ˇ Tasting Fee We've stumbled upon some new producers over the past year and finally, with the recent expansion of our Local Wines section, have room to feature more Oregon Pinots than ever before.  For our Friday tasting, we'll pull the corks off wines that are new to the shop, including Methven, LeNez and Ana along with some new releases from Cameron, Roots, Ponzi, Patton Valley and Penner Ash.  We'll have a main flight of wines for $15 and two bonus pours for an additional $6.  See you there. Drop in tasting, no reservations required. Sunday, MAY 4 ˇ CORK WILL BE CLOSED THIS SUNDAY! The final phase of our monthlong remodel requires a day of rearranging, so the shop will be closed this coming Sunday and reopen on Monday with most of the final pieces in place.  Stop in next week to see what we've been up to and watch for next week's email to hear our latest news! Wed, May 14 ˇ WINE 101 ˇ 6:30PM ˇ $25/person  SIGN UP NOW! LEARN, DRINK, HAVE FUN!  Sara will guide you and your friends on the basics of wine tasting.  We start with aromas, then analyze the difference between tannin, acid and sugar, and finally taste 5 examples of different styles of wine from around the world.  These classes are always informative to the beginning wine drinker and those who have never had a chance to learn the basics along the way. Class is limited to 14 people and includes some light appetizers. Class participants receive 15% off all store merchandise the night of the class. Reservations required, call 503.281.2675 to sign up for this class. SAVE THE DATE OUR SECOND ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND ˇ Filled with Wine & Chocolate Fun! Fri, May 16 ˇ ANNIVERSARY PARTY ˇ $10 Entry Fee Our second anniversary will be a fun winetasting bash, with 9 wineries already committed to attend and pour their wines.  The $10 tasting fee gets you a glass and the chance to taste as many as 30 wines, plus we'll have a spread of antipasti and cookies from Two Tarts to celebrate the occassion.  All proceeds will benefit the Art on Alberta Foundation that has contributed to Alberta Street becoming one of Portland's premiere art destinations. Drop in tasting, no reservations required. Sat, May 17 ˇ CHOCOLATE TASTING ˇ 1-4pm ˇ FREE To celebrate the addition of our ChocolateShop, special guests from Sahagun, Theo and Alma will be on hand sampling their chocolates and talking about their inspirations for making wonderful truffles and fair-trade certified chocolate bars.  Don't miss a chance to meet Elizabeth Montes of Sahagun and have her sign The Chocolate Guide, a new book which features her and other Northwest chocolatiers. Note: Alberta Street will be closed to car taffic all day for this year's Art Hop. The tastings is free, no reservations required. Sara's Selections A slew of new wines are now available at the shop, and with them some considerable values under twenty bones. These two selections are shocking values for all the complexity they pack and hail from neighboring regions in the South of France. 2005 DOMAINE PUYDEVAL Vin de Pay d'Oc Rouge ˇ $13.50/bottle ($12.15/cork club price) Domaine Puydeval in the Languedoc region is a partnership between grower Dominique Menjucq and brilliant young winemaker Jeff Carel, who is regarded as one of the best vintners in the Languedoc. The duo was brought together by a mutual belief that Cabernet Franc is the choice grape for this area. Judging entirely on flavor, the joining of forces has proven to be a successful effort. This blend is mostly Cabernet Franc (60%), balanced with 30% Syrah, and 10% Merlot. It spends a little time in oak, but the flavors are less barrel-driven, and more a rich fusion of dark berries and violets with a lush texture, a touch of earth, and lingering herbs on the finish. WINE OF THE WEEK ˇ 2004 CHATEAU MAUPAGUE Sainte Victoire ˇ $12 On Special (Reg. $15) If you're feeling like something different, unusual, nearly eccentric - sit down with this Provence blend and see what a many-layered thing can occur at a steal of a price. The name Maupague means "giving little," a curious title considering how interesting this wine actually is. Weird, funky, gamey Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre shaped by appealing notes of barnyard (think fresh barn with clean horses and week old baby lambs), deliciously rich red and dark fruits, and hints of black licorice and sage. A good match for cassoulet or a hearty vegetarian casserole. Our WINE OF THE WEEK PICK is just $12 - try it now.  No further discounts.  Sale ends Tuesday, May 6 or while supplies last. Chocolate Bar of the Week Clearly we've got some adventuresome chocolate lovers out there, as we literally ran out of Chocolate Adventure Cards last Friday.  We've printed a fresh batch, and to get you started or to continue your journey around the ChocolateShop, here's this week's specially priced bar: CAFÉ-TASSE Noir Amandes ˇ $4.80 On Special (Reg. $6/bar) Let's get down to basics.  Having grown up addicted to Hershey's with Almonds, despite now having more grown-up chocolate tastes, I still can't resist the combination of these toasted nuts with pure chocolate.  Café-Tasse, a Belgian chocolatier with a long history of making high-quality chocolates, uses cocoa beans from African and Central American regions to add a darker and earthier flavor profile to their bars.  With the intent of pairing the chocolate with coffee, this producer has a distinct flavor profile which, frankly, I find addictive.  But then my own adolescent experience of eating chocolate waffles topped with hot chocolate and nuts for breakfast in Bruges may have something to do with that! Come check out this week's Bar of the Week and save 20% off the regular price. No further discounts.  Sale ends Tuesday, May 6.