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The
season is in full swing, the shop is dressed up for the holidays and,
most importantly, the fresh crop of olive oils just landed from Italy
and California, with a 'first day of harvest' pressing from Spain on
the way.
What is Olio Nuovo?
Literally, it is 'new oil' but more importantly, when the first batch
of olives are harvested earliest in the season, they are still the
greenest and, as a result, the lowest in acid. With olive oil
quality, it's all about the acid - specifically, the lack
thereof. Low acid means high quality and as the olives mature and
ripen on the tree, they tend to lose their flavor and start to develop
more astringent characteristics. So those in the know are always
quick to snap up the first press young oil while it is still green,
murky and thick. We've been avid followers of the new harvest oil
from two Italian producers for the last decade. Capezzana in
Tuscany and Olio Verde in Sicily produce two very distinct and
top-notch estate oils and both release a limited amount of olio nuovo,
which is flown to the states for sale each December. Our small
supply is on hand now, and makes a great stocking stuffer for your
family and friends who love chef-quality cooking ingredients.
More New Arrivals. With just two frenzied shopping weeks left to go, we've loaded up with new food and wine books, decadent chocolate bars from DePaula Confections, gorgeous new wine openers from Laguiole and a wide variety of new Oregon Pinot Noir so you can bring them along to family gatherings or send to the out of towners on your list.
Extended Hours - Thursdays & Fridays until 8:30 through Christmas.
To aid with your shopping needs this season, we will be open a little
later on Thursday and Friday for the next two weeks. Grab some
dinner after work, then wander down to cork to do some gift getting.
To read more about all of our new arrivals, jump to the bottom of this email.
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FRIDAY NIGHT FLIGHT · Nero d'Avola vs. Negroamaro · $12 tasting fee · 4:30-8:30pm
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BATTLE OF THE RED WINES OF SICILY and PUGLIA.
Join us Friday anytime from 4:30pm to 8:30pm, as we taste Negroamaro
from Puglia and Nero d'Avola from Sicily. We've got some of the
best producers from each region, including CUSUMANO, REGALEALI, LI VELI
and TAURINO. These are classic 'red sauce' wines, perfect to have
on hand for the drop-in guests sure to appear, as they are crowd
pleasing and easy on the wallet. Come sample with us. $12
to taste 6 wines.
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SARA'S CORNER
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 With
only 13 more shopping days until Christmas, I have nearly finished
compiling my wish list. While it includes such larger gifts as the Beaumont des Crayeres Brut Rosé and a Vinum Ultra Decanter, there are a few ambrosial items on my list that will fit snugly into my (or your loved ones) stocking.
ALMA Habanero Caramel Sauce · $7 ·
Of all the toothsome little truffles made by ALMA Chocolate, the
Habanero Caramel Crown has always been a personal favorite. So
can you imagine my joy when I heard they had decided to fill JARS upon
JARS with that delicious caramel filling? I assure you it included a
squeal of deligh! Not only is it spicy and satisfying, it comes in a
stocking stuffer sized jar. If you prefer a more mild but equally
divine rendition, we also carry ALMA's Lavender Caramel Sauce.
Kopke 10 year Tawny Port
· $16.50/375ml · Port is the perfect holiday sipper for lounging near
the fire with your slippers on and your favorite chocolate bar in hand.
Kopke Port, the oldest known port shipper dating all the way back to
1638, makes this dark and ripe 10 year Tawny with hints of dried plums
and toffee. A cold evening concoction to warm your port-drinking
darling's belly, and tiny enough to fit into her stocking too.
Stop
into the shop anytime and I can show you a few other favorites to help
you fill the holidays with wine, chocolate and olive oil
goodness. Happy Gift Hunting!
Sara |
| NEW ARRIVALS |
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
2007 CAPEZZANA Olio Nuovo Extra Virgin Olive Oil · $39/500ml bottle. Capezzana is located in Carmignano, just about 15 minutes to the West of Florence. The estate
has
produced olive oil since 800 AD, so you can bet there are some old
olive trees here. But following the big freeze of 1985, replanted
sections of the estate have yielded higher quality olives and
modernized oil crushing techniques have resulted in some of the
thickest, cloudiest and most unctious oil we've ever tasted. Oil
Nuovo is intended to be used while it is still young, over the first
few months following harvest. Enjoy with bread, over pasta or for
a truly special treat, over dark chocolate ice cream with flakes of sea
salt. Mmmmm.
 2007 OLIO VERDE Olio Nuovo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
· $39/500ml bottle. Gianfranco Becchina makes a striking
extra-virgin olive oil from his estate on Sicily's west coast.
Using Nocellara olives and hand harvesting, followed by rapid cleaning
and pressing, he is able to maintain the freshness of the oil while
still extracting its fruit and peppery spice. An oil for those
who love the big bite on the finish, this is great for braised meats
and winter bean soup.
 2007 BULK Olio Nuovo from California · $11/375ml in our own cork
oil bottle. If the price pressure from the Euro is too much for
you to swallow with your oil this season, we've got another choice for
you. We just received 20 liters of glorious, green oil from Olive
Ranch in California from the 2007 harvest. Thick and full of
artichoke, grass and some white pepper flavors, this will brighten up
your winter greens, soups and roasts just in time for the holiday
table. Refills are just $10 while supplies last!
CHOCOLATE
PETIT NOIRS 6 Piece Truffle Gift Box · $15
On
Thursday we will receive a handful of these beautiful gift boxes filled
with truffles from Petit Noirs. The assortment includes one each
of Fig, Lavender, Toasted Anise, Sesame Coconut, Chilipepper and
Champagne. All in an attractive box perfect as a hostess gift or
stocking stuffer for the season. As these are perishables that
should be eaten by New Year's, we're only getting one batch this week,
so stock up early!
 DEPAULA CONFECTIONS Chocolate Bars · Assorted · $10
John
DePaula has been providing us with wonderful truffles, including the
popular Caramel Fleur de Sel, since we opened our doors in 2005.
Now he's really outdone himself, with handmade chocolate bars studded
with nuts and dried fruit. Choose from Pecan, Pistaccio or the
Mixed Bar with Hazelnuts, Pistaccios, Currants and Candied
Orange. Made with a dark bittersweet chocolate base, this is pure
chocolate pleasure!
WINE FINDS
2006 OWEN ROE Sharecropper's Pinot Noir · $21 reg. ($18.90/cork club price)
If
you're after great value in Oregon Pinot Noir for holiday entertaining
or gift giving, this new arrival from Owen Roe should fit the
bill. Soft crushed cranberry and cherry fruit with an easy
finish, it will pair well with the usual Northwest fare, or that tasty
DePaula chocolate bar pictured above!
2005 JK CARRIERE Pinot Noir 'Antoinette' · $65 reg. ($58.50/cork club price)
Maybe
the best bottle of Oregon Pinot we've tasted from the 2005 vintage, if
you are shopping for someone who loves a fuller-style Pinot that is
also elegant and balanced with acid and berry fruit, they will be
tickled to pop the cork on this gem. Very limited supply.
2002 COTTONWOOD Bridgette Catherine Pinot Noir · $48 reg. ($43.20/cork club price)
We
were thrilled to discover there was still a small amount of this
stunning wine available. Frankly, this was the best bottle of
Pinot we carried last year and I know many of you are going to come
running in to restock the pantry now that we have a little more.
Balanced, refined and elegant, this would compare well in a tasting
with Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Brick House and Cameron's Abbey Ridge
Pinot.
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