Wines

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This German wine was chosen for our first book club meeting. It was deemed the favorite of the night and was the only red that we provided. White wine lovers may have fallen in love with this sweet smooth red. 

P.J. Valckenberg 2012 Dornfelder

$10.99 Alc. 10%

"A medium bodied fruity red with a pleasant cherry aroma accompanied by lightly sweet flavors of blackberry, black currant and vanilla. the velvety soft tannins and touch of sweetness make this dark red wine a perfect food partner, matching well with pork, beef, cheese and barbecue."

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This wine was also featured at our first book club meeting with a German theme. It was the second favorite of the night. It is categorized as a dessert wine, but everyone seemed to enjoy it with their food and throughout the night. It is a Riesling, was sweet with a hint of bubble.  

Peter Freimuth 2011 Auslese

**

Unfortunately I could not find information on this wine and did not save the bottle. 

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This is the final German wine featured at our first meeting. Although it was liked by some, it was the least favorite of the night. Everyone tried it and basically was deemed "okay, not my favorite." It's a classic German Gewurztraminer.

Twisted River 2007 Gewurztraminer

**no alcohol or pricing information

"Classic Gewurztraminer, with intense pear, apricot and litchi flavors and a hint of mineral. Excellent with Szechuan or Thai curry, shrimp or barbecued chicken."

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There were three wines featured in our August/September meeting and they were all from Cedar Lake Cellar in Hickory Grove, Missouri

Fire Truck 2010 

"Our fully restored 1939 Ford Fire Truck is the inspiration behind this sweet, fruity red wine. A tantalizing blend of raspberry and cherry aromas, this chilled sweet red dazzles the palate with rich layers of ripe fruit. A well balanced wine that pairs well with picnic fare."

Pink Sunset 2010

"Cedar Lake Cellars enjoys some of the most spectacular sunsets in North America. (Hang with us late and you will see!) Similar to our sunsets, this unordinary blush will leave you wanting more. Our wine is made with the Native American Catawba grape, providing a bold fruit flavor and pleasantly sweet finish. Pink Sunset is fun and friendly, ready for any festive occasion."

Moon Route 2010 

"Crusin’. . . That’s what the locals did in the ‘50s along the famous Hwy M, Hwy OO and Hwy N corridor.  Today, it is the back route used to visit the winery and a shortcut to Innsbrook. This sweet white wine is a unique blend of Cayuga and Vignoles and features pear and apple notes.  Recommended pairings are mild cheeses, tree fruit and grilled chicken."

**All wine information was found here on Cedar Lake Cellar's Website

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The first of our Australian wines featured in September is the white wine that we chose with a fun name! Considering that the bottle was the first one gone it was definitely the favorite! It was a white blend which we all thought didn't exist. It was light and refreshing, not too sweet and not too dry. 

Shoofly Buzz Cut 2008

Alc. 14% Price $10.99

Riesling 37% Viognier 32% Verdelho 21% Chardonnay 5% Sauvignon blanc 5%

"It takes a lot to get an Australian hot under the collar! Even a billion flies don't seem to bother us-a casual flick of the wrist, the 'Aussie salute' is enough to deal with their infernal buzzing Although when it comes to wine making we're not so relaxed and it shows in this wine with fleshy, tropical fruit flavors followed by a refreshing dash of citrus."

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The second Australian wine is a classic Shiraz and although it's heaviness prevented it from being the favorite, it was definitely my favorite bottle. The wine maker dedicated this bottle for his grandfather and the writing on the back is so cute. It was a little dry but the name definitely does it justice. 

Layer Cake 2012 Shiraz 

Alc. 14.5% Price $17.99

"My old grandfather made and enjoyed wine for 80 years. He told me the soil in which the vines lived were a layer cake. He said the wine, if properly made, was like a great layer cake, fruit, mocha, and chocolate, hints of spice and rich, always rich. 'Never pass up a layer cake', he would say. I have always loved those words."

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This was the second favorite of the Australian wine night. It was the perfect in between sweet and dry. This red blend was done very well and was well liked by both red and white wine lovers. There was only one glass left at the end of the night so it definitely went over well. It also has a wonderful message on the label that goes perfectly with our September book. 

Scrubby Rise 2010 Wirra Wirra Winery

Shiraz 50% Cabernet Sauvignon 37% Petit Verdot 13% 

Alc. 14% Price $9.99

"When the Wirra Wirra tribe built a viewing platform to take in the majestic outlook over our scrubby rise vineyard, it was soon christened The Jetty. The fact this structure overlooks gnarled old vines and not a raging sea, seemed somehow appropriate given Greg Trott's decision all those years ago to name a flat, barren landscape, Scrubby Rise. At Wirra Wirra things are not always what they seem, like our twist on an Australian classic-Shiraz and Cabernet with a splash of petit verdot. To be enjoyed with food sometimes, without occasionally, and with friends always." 

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October wines were fall inspired and all delicious! One Riesling, one sweet red, one white Merlot, and one pumpkin apple cider wine. 

Crystal Creek Winery Riesling 2012

Price: $5.99

"Semi-sweet light with notes of honeysuckle, apricot, and bright pear flavor layered with refreshing acidity and balance."

Beringer White Merlot 2010

Alc. 12.5% Price $7.99 

"Crisp and refreshing, bursting with the aromas and flavors of fresh fruit." 

St. Gisbertus Halloween Sweet Red 2012

Price: $5.99

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We had absolutely perfect holiday wines for our December book and wine night! Cranberry wine and home made mulled one make for a perfect holiday party!

Cranberry Snow Cranberry Wine Illinois River Winery

Price: $14.09 Here 

Recipe for home made mulled wine:

1 750ml bottle of red wine

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup brown sugar

4 milling spices tea bags 

mix ingredients in small pan or crock pot and set on low heat for a minimum of 30 min. 

*Do not let boil*

Add orange slices or cranberries if desired.

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Our February choices were all fun and flirty for Valentine's Day! We had a syrah, white blend, and pink blush wine. 

Flirty Bird Syrah

Price: $4.99 @ Aldi

Very smooth, semi-dry with a hint of sweet and spice

Flirty Bird White Blend

Price: $4.99 @ Aldi

Very unique blend of sweet and semi dry white wines

Flattery Sweet Pink

Price: $4.99 @ Aldi

Delicious sweet and crisp blush wine with a hint of bubble

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