WE ARE SO SORRY! LIVE AND LOCAL IS NOT THIS FRIDAY!

As excited as we are about live and local, we got carried away... and apologize for our mistake.  Live and Local is actually Sept 19th from noon to 4pm.  We will send you the reminder again next week.  For corrected event info and more information about Live and Local, please click here.

AGAIN OUR APOLOGIES... WE HOPE YOU ARE AS EXCITED AS WE ARE ABOUT THE EVENT!!!

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PERNOD ABSINTHE

Pernod absinthe, made from a great variety of plants, including the famous wormwood (artemesia absinthium) became the source of inspiration to many painters and poets and enjoyed immense popularity both in France and throughout 19th century Europe.

According to legend, we owe this elixir to "Docteur Ordinaire", a French doctor in exile in Switzerland.

In 1805, the Pernod Fils Company from Pontarlier in France began distilling the secret formula.
Absinthe was the subject of much stormy, impassioned debate, and was banned in 1915 in France.

Pernod “aux extraits de plantes d’absinthe” calls for a special ritual, requiring particular skills.

A lump of sugar is placed on a perforated spoon balanced on a glass containing a measure of Pernod “aux extraits de plantes d’absinthe”. Cold water, poured very slowly over it, becomes impregnated with sugar, passes through the holes in the spoon, and dilutes the drink which becomes cloudy ("goes cross-eyed") and takes on its almond green colour. This knack requires practice, and cannot be acquired the first time round. It is not a question of pouring on the water any old way, but of "surprising the spirit" by letting the water fall, drop by drop, onto the sugar…

This ritual of preparation enhances both the pleasure and the flavour of the drink.

Pernod “aux extraits de plantes d’absinthe” can also be drunk without sugar, simply diluted with 5 to 7 volumes of well chilled water.

The water and absinthe plants extract form a subtle mixture, becoming an opal colour and revealing complex flavours.
 

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TOO NEW FOR PICTURE! ARRIVING TODAY!

FINCA DECERO FROM MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

Decero, meaning ‘from scratch’, was born of a bare patch of land and a family’s love affair with wine. Winemaking in Thomas Schmidheiny’s family goes back to his grandparents in Switzerland and, just as Napa had inspired his mother Adda in the 1970s, so too did the Agrelo sub-appellation in Mendoza capture the heart and mind of Thomas when traveling over the Andes into Argentina 20 years later. In Agrelo, perhaps now considered the source of Argentina’s finest red wines, Thomas instinctively knew that he had found the place to continue the family legacy and to handcraft wines whose allure would lie in being true to their origin. Once a desolate piece of land in the foothills of the Andes, absent of everything but shrubs, Finca Decero is now a one-of-a-kind vineyard where each vine is nurtured by hand and the winemaking is without compromise.

The estate has followed an ‘amano’, or ‘by hand’, approach that is sensitive to natural differences, sustainable, and human. Their philosophy is to tread lightly in an environment they have come to know intimately, almost inch-by-inch, and allow the unique natural attributes of the Remolinos vineyard and of Agrelo shine to through in the wines. The vineyard at the estate is named “Remolinos” after the tiny whirlwinds in the area that thread their way along the vines, keeping the grapes dry and in perfect condition. The 110 hectare estate was planted in 2000 to Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot (unusual for Argentine producers) and Tannat. All the Decero wines come from this single vineyard, all from hand-picked fruit.

Malbec 2006
$17.99
The Decero Malbec has a deep ruby color, with bright fruit and spice in the nose. Intense violet aromas and purity of raspberry and red fruit flavors are typical of the Remolinos vineyard. The wine has good structure, but remains elegant in the mouth, with a long finish, and a noticeably good acid balance. 

Hi everyone . . . I've seen Sarah get excited about some wines before, but this Malbec has really "rocked her wine world"!  I also had a couple crew members taste and they too are raving - this might be one you want to take advantage of our 15% case discount !  Would love to hear your comments if you try . . .   I can't wait - enjoy!  Georgia Gietzen, Proprietor
 

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DON'T FORGET . . .

BACK TO SCHOOL WINE TASTING
Sep 17, 2008

Wednesday 6 - 8 PM at Schnitz Ada Grille

A “back to school” sampling and discussion of six different varieties of wines from around the world. Hosted by Monica McClean with Viviano Wines and Grand River Grocery Wine Chick, Sarah Andro. Light appetizers will be provided. Reservations and sign up required, call 676-9292 or email us at events@grandrivergrocery.com to reserve your space. $25.00. Why don’t you just plan to stay and have dinner at the Schnitz? They’re offering a 15% discount on your bill if you do . . . that’s nice!

 

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