Wine Tastings at Wine Republic
Tonight's Tasting, December 3, 5-7 pm
Domaine Bousquet Natural Origins (Argentina), 3 liters
Fresh from the vineyards of Argentina’s Uco Valley in the upper reaches of Mendoza, meet Natural Origins Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, South America’s first 3-liter box wines made exclusively from organically grown grapes. Fruit comes from the Uco Valley’s Tupungato zone, known for grapes blessed with an abundance of aroma, flavor and freshness thanks to the combined impact of dramatic day-night temperature differentials, gusty springtime winds, and intense, year-round Andean sunlight.
Natural Origins Unoaked Chardonnay
Own Vineyards in Tupungato, Alto Gualtallary, by the foothills of the Andes at 4000 ft. altitude. The vineyards enjoy a marked thermal amplitude. Gravel and sand Soil. Tropical and citrus aromas follow by a medium body and fruity palate.
Natural Origins Malbec
Much like Bousquet's regular bottled Malbecs are impressive, so is this boxed one. Blackberry aromas with black pepper notes are bold and friendly, but simple in a good way, meaning the nose is open and uncomplicated. This is a fairly elegant wine with a little more complexity than the cab. Red and black fruit flavors mix with silky tannins.
Natural Origins Cabernet Sauvignon
A powerhouse of blackberry and black currants, layered atop a milk chocolate base. Lush but quite sweet, it’s a more
blunt wine than the Malbec, with a finish that tends toward the jammy. A cherry note is evident later in the game, maraschino of course.
Domaine Bousquet Natural Origins (Argentina), 3 liters
Fresh from the vineyards of Argentina’s Uco Valley in the upper reaches of Mendoza, meet Natural Origins Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, South America’s first 3-liter box wines made exclusively from organically grown grapes. Fruit comes from the Uco Valley’s Tupungato zone, known for grapes blessed with an abundance of aroma, flavor and freshness thanks to the combined impact of dramatic day-night temperature differentials, gusty springtime winds, and intense, year-round Andean sunlight.
Natural Origins Unoaked Chardonnay
Own Vineyards in Tupungato, Alto Gualtallary, by the foothills of the Andes at 4000 ft. altitude. The vineyards enjoy a marked thermal amplitude. Gravel and sand Soil. Tropical and citrus aromas follow by a medium body and fruity palate.
Natural Origins Malbec
Much like Bousquet's regular bottled Malbecs are impressive, so is this boxed one. Blackberry aromas with black pepper notes are bold and friendly, but simple in a good way, meaning the nose is open and uncomplicated. This is a fairly elegant wine with a little more complexity than the cab. Red and black fruit flavors mix with silky tannins.
Natural Origins Cabernet Sauvignon
A powerhouse of blackberry and black currants, layered atop a milk chocolate base. Lush but quite sweet, it’s a more
blunt wine than the Malbec, with a finish that tends toward the jammy. A cherry note is evident later in the game, maraschino of course.
Boozy Treats Pairing Event
Wine Republic and “From Scratch Baking”
Thursday, December 9, 6 pm at Wine Republic
$10 wine club members* | $20 non members
Cheese Scone paired with Dignitat Cava Brut Organic
34% Xarel·lo, 33% Macabeo, 33% Parellada. This single vineyard Cava is a simple yet well made and classic cava. It spent 10 months on the lees and features medium plus acidity. The palate bursts with flavors of pear, apple, citrus, grapefruit, brioche, minerals, honey, hazelnut, chalk. Medium plus acidity, fresh, light, classic with fine persistent bubbles. Try with appetizers or sweets and it's a wonderful companion to tapas.
Cheese Fondue Drizzle on Bread Cube and Pear Slice paired with Cave de Saumur, Saumur Blanc Les Pouches, 2020
100% Chenin Blanc. Straw‐yellow color with green highlights. Intense, engaging aromas of pears, lemon zest, grapefruit and minerals. A crisp, dry, ripely constructed palate with refreshing apple and fine lemon flavors. The smooth, long aftertaste is reminiscent of vineyard peaches. Try this with oven-roasted haddock sprinkled with fresh herbs, Asian food, goat's cheese, duck, or as an aperitif. Loire, France
Bourbon Caramel Oatmeal Cookie paired with Chicago Distilling Blind Tiger Bourbon Whiskey
Upon the birth of prohibition blind tigers became synonymous with speakeasies. Not as common as roaring speakeasies, blind tigers were locally known watering holes. By placing a tiger icon in the window of their establishment a proprietor signified that whiskey was being served. Patrons would pay to see an exotic animal and in return receive a complimentary pour. Our Blind Tiger Bourbon is a nod to the dedication of those proprietors and the patrons who frequented their establishments. Mashbill: Yellow Corn, Red Wheat and Malted Barley. Fresh oak nose, spicy with a pastry-sweet finish.
Chocolate Red Wine Cupcake paired with Matthews Blackboard Red Wine, 2018
"A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Blackboard offers lots of ripe black cherry and currant fruits as well as medium-bodied richness, lots of cedary herbs and lead pencil nuances, ripe tannins, and a great finish. If you love classic Bordeaux, give this a whirl. It's well worth checking out."
90 points - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com
Fruitcake Slice paired with Niepoort Tawny Port
Niepoort tawny, with an average age of three and a half years, originates from low yielding vineyards in the Cima corgo region of the Douro Valley. The grapes are predominantly trodden in lagares, prior to aging in small old oak casks at our lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia. Brick red/tawny in color, with delicate nutty aromas and a hint of dried fruits. On the palate, very well balanced with a youthful fruity, luscious character, which integrates well with a long finish.
Reservations Required
members rsvp HERE
Wine Republic and “From Scratch Baking”
Thursday, December 9, 6 pm at Wine Republic
$10 wine club members* | $20 non members
Cheese Scone paired with Dignitat Cava Brut Organic
34% Xarel·lo, 33% Macabeo, 33% Parellada. This single vineyard Cava is a simple yet well made and classic cava. It spent 10 months on the lees and features medium plus acidity. The palate bursts with flavors of pear, apple, citrus, grapefruit, brioche, minerals, honey, hazelnut, chalk. Medium plus acidity, fresh, light, classic with fine persistent bubbles. Try with appetizers or sweets and it's a wonderful companion to tapas.
Cheese Fondue Drizzle on Bread Cube and Pear Slice paired with Cave de Saumur, Saumur Blanc Les Pouches, 2020
100% Chenin Blanc. Straw‐yellow color with green highlights. Intense, engaging aromas of pears, lemon zest, grapefruit and minerals. A crisp, dry, ripely constructed palate with refreshing apple and fine lemon flavors. The smooth, long aftertaste is reminiscent of vineyard peaches. Try this with oven-roasted haddock sprinkled with fresh herbs, Asian food, goat's cheese, duck, or as an aperitif. Loire, France
Bourbon Caramel Oatmeal Cookie paired with Chicago Distilling Blind Tiger Bourbon Whiskey
Upon the birth of prohibition blind tigers became synonymous with speakeasies. Not as common as roaring speakeasies, blind tigers were locally known watering holes. By placing a tiger icon in the window of their establishment a proprietor signified that whiskey was being served. Patrons would pay to see an exotic animal and in return receive a complimentary pour. Our Blind Tiger Bourbon is a nod to the dedication of those proprietors and the patrons who frequented their establishments. Mashbill: Yellow Corn, Red Wheat and Malted Barley. Fresh oak nose, spicy with a pastry-sweet finish.
Chocolate Red Wine Cupcake paired with Matthews Blackboard Red Wine, 2018
"A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Blackboard offers lots of ripe black cherry and currant fruits as well as medium-bodied richness, lots of cedary herbs and lead pencil nuances, ripe tannins, and a great finish. If you love classic Bordeaux, give this a whirl. It's well worth checking out."
90 points - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com
Fruitcake Slice paired with Niepoort Tawny Port
Niepoort tawny, with an average age of three and a half years, originates from low yielding vineyards in the Cima corgo region of the Douro Valley. The grapes are predominantly trodden in lagares, prior to aging in small old oak casks at our lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia. Brick red/tawny in color, with delicate nutty aromas and a hint of dried fruits. On the palate, very well balanced with a youthful fruity, luscious character, which integrates well with a long finish.
Reservations Required
members rsvp HERE
High-End Wine & Song Tasting Event
Featuring Marcus Hanson
Saturday, December 18, 2-4 pm
Bull & Wren basement event space on Water St., Excelsior
$10 wine club members* | $20 non members
Time and introspection over the last 18 months, led me to create a Mission Statement for myself: "Connecting people and sharing joy through food, wine and music.” When I am doing this, whether hosting a wine dinner, presenting a private event or eating dinner at home, I am living my very best life.
With that, I graciously invite you to a very special tasting on December 18th at Bull & Wren in downtown Excelsior. The tasting will be in their basement, private dining space from 2-4 pm with food provided. We will be tasting wines from throughout the world including some of my 2021 highlights from Burgundy, Barossa, Tuscany and the good old USA. Dropping a few names here: Château de Chassagne-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, John Duval Shiraz Entity Barossa and Covert Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley.
We have room for 60 people, and I do anticipate this event selling out , so please make your reservation asap. I look forward to see you there and sharing some time with you.
With gratitude…
Marcus Hanson
Reservations Required
members rsvp HERE
Featuring Marcus Hanson
Saturday, December 18, 2-4 pm
Bull & Wren basement event space on Water St., Excelsior
$10 wine club members* | $20 non members
Time and introspection over the last 18 months, led me to create a Mission Statement for myself: "Connecting people and sharing joy through food, wine and music.” When I am doing this, whether hosting a wine dinner, presenting a private event or eating dinner at home, I am living my very best life.
With that, I graciously invite you to a very special tasting on December 18th at Bull & Wren in downtown Excelsior. The tasting will be in their basement, private dining space from 2-4 pm with food provided. We will be tasting wines from throughout the world including some of my 2021 highlights from Burgundy, Barossa, Tuscany and the good old USA. Dropping a few names here: Château de Chassagne-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, John Duval Shiraz Entity Barossa and Covert Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley.
We have room for 60 people, and I do anticipate this event selling out , so please make your reservation asap. I look forward to see you there and sharing some time with you.
With gratitude…
Marcus Hanson
Reservations Required
members rsvp HERE
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Wine Republic
438 Union pl., #2, Excelsior, MN 55331 phone number (952)-470-2220 Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-3 pm & 5-7 pm Closed 3-5 pm/Siesta Sat 10 am - 6 pm Sun - Closed |
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