Taste the staff favorites for the month of November!
Sparkling:
NV Gerard Bertrand “Code Rouge” Cremant de Limoux, France (Robert)
An excellent brut Blanc de Blancs packaged in a cool red-tinted bottle from Limoux, the birthplace of sparkling wine. Serve with sushi, seafood, butternut squash soup, cream based dishes.
Regularly: $26.99
Mills Club: $24.29
Case Price: $21.59
White Wines:
2012 Meyer-Fonne Vielle Vignes Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France (Mary)
“I love this dry Alsace white from 100% old vine Pinot Blanc, a grape native to France, any time of the year but especially with Thanksgiving appetizers and turkey. This medium-bodied wine with a mix of pear, apricot, and apple flavors and some minerality is so versatile for food pairings. The French often pair this one with pork, ham, chicken, and fish dishes.”
Regularly: $19.99
Mills Club: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
2012 Picco Del Sole Falanghina, Italy (Amy)
A delicious dry white wine from Italy. Pair with roasted tomato soup and crusty bread, or poached chicken atop a salad of greens, dried cranberries, cheese and balsamic vinegrate.
Regular Price: $11.99
Mills Club: $10.79
Case Price: $9.59
Red Wines:
2011 Fairview Pinotage, South Africa (Mary)
“Pinotage is a South African grape developed in the early 1900s by crossing Pinot Noir with Cinsault. This Fairview is one of my favorite Pinotages with a great balance of dark fruit and spice that lingers on the finish. It is a great red wine to discover this time of the year as it pairs well with both white and red meat dishes.” Regular Price: $15.99
Mills Club: $14.39
Case Price: $12.79
2011 Line 39 Petite Sirah, Central Coast, California (Amy)
This wine is an incredible value from our $10 wine program. Lots of delicious ripe red and black fruits, smooth finish and nice body. Great everyday dinner wine!
Regular Price: $10.00
Mills Club: $9.00
Case Price: $8.00
2010 Bogle Phantom, California (Jen & Jerry)
Seasonally appropriate with its brooding, dark label, but the contents delight with full fruit flavor and a lovely but not overwhelming level of spiciness. A blend of 51% Zinfandel, 47% Petite Sirah, 2% Mourvedre, consider this a great pairing with your roast beef, stews or steak, or as the perfect gift to bring when you are a guest to autumn dinner.
Regular Price: $25.99
Mills Club: $23.39
Case Price: $20.79
White Wines:
2011 Montenidoli Vernaccia di San Gimignano Tradizionale, Italy (Pat)
One of three Vernaccias produced by Montendidoli’s (Montedoli=”Mountain of Little Nests”) winemaker Elisabetta Fagioli, the Tradizionale stays longer on the lees, and thus is a richer and more concentrated effort. “Sono Montenidoli” indicates the grapes are solely from the estate. A lovely blossom aroma precedes full lemony fruit and mineral acidity with a slight undertone of pepperiness. This would be a great pairing with fettucini alfredo, pork tenderloin, minestrone, or a delicious white meat chili.
Regular Price: $19.99
Mills Club: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
2011 J.M. Boillot Montagny 1er Cru, Burgundy, France (Mike)
One of our favorites and yours (a top seller at Mills), this Chardonnay from the Burgundy region of France shows apple, lemon, grapefruit and butter, pleasant minerality, medium body and a long finish. Try with scallops, poached salmon, lobster, or braised chicken thighs.
Regular Price: $29.99
Mills Club: $26.99
Case Price: $23.99
2012 Clos Fussay Reuilly, Loire Valley, France (Jen & Jerry)
A very dry but delicious Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley. We love the acidity, and the citrus, limestone and mineral flavors in this wine. We enjoyed this with Maine mussels and crusty bready the other night. I used the wine in cooking the mussels as well and the dipping juice was amazing!
Regular Price: $16.99
Mills Club: $15.29
Case Price: $13.59
2011 Joh Jos Prum Riesling Kabinett, Germany (Robert)
Rated 90 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, “From a mixture of Bernkastel and Graach sites plus a bit of Wehlen, the generic Prum 2011 Riesling Kabinett displays aromas already way above its station in complexity, featuring penetrating and metaphorically cooling scents of spearmint, apple blossom, fresh apple, cherry and lime, all of which – along with lusciously-dripping honeydew melon – then figure on a delicately refreshing, subtly spritzy palate that finishes with mouthwatering juiciness and impeccably-integrated, entirely discreet residual sugar. This fine value – whose May bottling, incidentally, was the estate’s first – will deliver delightful satisfaction for at least a dozen years.” April 2013
Try with seafood or some Thai food!
Regular Price: $28.99
Mills Club: $26.09
Case Price: $23.19
Red Wines:
2006 Terre de Trinci Montefalco Sagrantino, Italy (Pat)
This powerful red from the region of Umbria is a luscious, vibrant alternative to a brunello: amazing depth, complexity, and longevity are hallmarks of these wines. Aged for 30 months (one year in oak) before they are even released, these bottles can be cellared for years and should be decanted for a couple hours before enjoying. Full berry fruit, complex, firm tannins would complement a roasted beef dish perfectly- an amazing powerhouse Italian red value at this price point!
Regular Price: $25.99
Mills Club: $23.39
Case Price: $20.79
2012 Domaine Manoir du Carra Beaujolais-Villages, France (Mike)
Try this 100% Gamay grape from old vines in the Beaujolais region of Burgundy, France. This is an elegant red with a nice long finish, and would pair very well with Thanksgiving Turkey, pork, lamb chops, and meatloaf.
Regular Price: $12.99
Mills Club: $11.69
Case Price: $10.39
Come help us kick off the first of three, consecutive Saturday tastings featuring wines relevant to Thanksgiving holiday entertaining. This Saturday, we will explore the world of white Riesling wines: dry, off-dry, and dessert Rieslings, including two from New Zealand that are superb. These different styles pair well with Thanksgiving Turkey, appetizers, and a range of desserts, especially apple, pumpkin, and other fruit-based pastries. On the red wine side, we will have open Pinot Noir wines from France and Argentina that are especially nice with Thanksgiving turkey!
Riesling Wines:
2012 Domain Jean-Luc Mader Riesling, Alsace, France
Reg. Price $19.99
Mills Club Price: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
2012 Weingut Schloss Saarstein Riesling, Mosel, Germany
Reg. Price: $19.99
Mills Club Price: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
2012 Forrest Estate “The Doctors” Riesling, Marlborough, New Zealand
Reg. Price: $21.99
Mills Club Price: $19.79
Case Price: $17.59
Winery Tasting Notes: “Wow it’s like biting into a deliciously crisp Granny Smith apple, licking lime sherbet and eating your first of the season Central Otago apricot, all at one time! The 2012 Doctors’ Riesling is simply stunning, oh so easy to drink and at a modest 8.5% alcohol; who feels guilty having a second glass? It’s firmly established as New Zealand’s favorite Riesling; outselling any of our other, very fine, Rieslings ten to one. So chill a bottle and see for yourself what thousands of Kiwis are enjoying!”
89 points, Wine Spectator: “Features tangy overtones to the ripe peach, melon and pear flavors set on a smooth and fleshy body, showing a good balance of ripeness and acidity, with a Key lime pie finish.”
2011 Forrest Estate Botrytised Sweet Riesling, Marlborough, New Zealand (375 ml bottle)
Reg. Price: $26.99
Mills Club Price: $24.29
Case Price: $21.59
Pinot Noir Wines:
2009 Domaine Armelle et Bernard Rion Bourgogne Rouge « La Croix Blanche » Vielles Vignes, Burgundy , France
Reg Price : $23.99
Mills Club Price: $21.59
Case Price: $19.19
“Beautiful dark ruby. The nose reveals aromas of red fruit (cherry), evolving towards notes of aging undergrowth. The palate is elegant, sleek with good balance, tannins and a long finish. A bottle that can be drunk young enough to enjoy the fruit or after a few years to be more mature….”
2010 Las Perdices Pinot Noir Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina
Reg. Price: $19.99
Mills Club Price: $17.99
Case Price: $15.99
“Aromas of red and black fruits like cherry, strawberry, raspberry, morello cherry and red currant, tinged with elegant oak notes. On the palate it is delicate and smooth; the oak adds notes of vanilla and smokiness. Perfect with game, white meats, pastas with cream sauce and fish.”
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Mills is teaming with Ken’s Creative Kitchen to host the second in a series of Wine Dinner experiences. The dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12 from 7-10pm. Special guest Mr. Gus Kalaris, owner of Constantine Wines and creator of Axios wines and Kalaris Estate Wines, will be presenting an excellent variety of wines from his portfolio, representing the journey from his Greek American roots to his success in winemaking in California. Ken Upton created a four-course Greek inspired menu to pair with the seven featured wines.
The price is $125 per person. Call 410-263-2888 for reservations.
Vintage Sparkling Wine
2009 Hansen Lauer Riesling Brut (Sekt), Mosel Valley, Germany: 100% Riesling
– Wine Enthusiast (February 2014), 91 pts + Editor’s Choice
– Wine & Spirits Magazine (December 2013), 90 pts + BEST BUY
“Production techniques: the Sekt is bottle fermented, stayed on the lees for 12 months, thus giving it very fine bubbles along with a very nice fruit and minerality. The total production is around 110 cases annually. The vineyard sites are Bernkasteler Graben, Bernkasteler Badstube, Bernkasteler Bratenhöfchen, Graacher Himmelreich.”
Light Red Wine
2013 Domaine du Carra Beaujolais Villages Nouveau, Beaujolais, France
“Just barely three weeks old, this fresh fruity red from the granite hills of Beaujolais comes entirely from Gamay grapes. Beaujolais Nouveau day is November 21th this year and is a celebration of harvest and a festive event. This bistro style wine should be consumed in copious quantities in the first full year of its life.”
Dry White Wine with Turkey Dinner
Wolfberger Edelzwicker, Alsace, France (1 liter bottle): a blend of 40 % Pinot Blanc, 30% Riesling, 15% Gewurztraminer and 15 % Muscat.
“Each grape variety is harvested individually in early or mid-October on the most suitable date for each vineyard. Edelzwicker has a nose of grilled almonds and walnuts, with a light floral hint following. The first sip shows its true character: fresh and lemony with vegetal, herbaceous flavor. It is round and easy drinking, not overpowering and finishes clean. It is a good companion for food without ever dominating it.”
Off-Dry White Wine with Dessert (or with the main Turkey Dinner!)
2011 Erbach Riesling Rheinghau, Germany (1 liter bottle)
“Round and refreshing wine with light touches of lemon and lime on the nose. Slightly sweet mouthfeel, with juicy and fruity flavors.”
Non-Vintage (N.V.) Port Wines
N.V. Romariz Fine Ruby Port (750ml bottle)
“Ruby port (made from the grapes Toriga Francesca, Toriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Barrocca, and Tinto Cao) is a bright, deep red-colored wine….. Fruit and pepper character, well balanced, and ample body. You should expect your glass to be brimming with red cherry and fresh plum flavors……”
N.V. Romariz 10 year old Tawny Port (750ml bottle)
“Fragrant nose, velvety nutty flavors, rich dried fruit characteristics, powerful, and heady tawny.”
(Taste Saturday)
NV Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava, Spain (Mike)
This wonderful dry Cava from the Penedes region of Spain was rated a “Best Buy” by Wine Enthusiast. Enjoy citrus and vanilla notes in this cool crisp sparkling. We recommend this all the time as an in expensive Sparkling for mimosas but it is also delicious on its own!
Regular Price: $10/Mills Club: $9
(Taste Sunday)
NV Roederer Estate Brut, Anderson Valley, California (Mary)
Famous Champagne house Roederer started production in California in 1988, and this sparkling is an excellent representation of their efforts. 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, this Brut earned 91 points from Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast, and an Editors’ Choice brand from Wine Enthusiast. Expect apply aromas and strawberry-vanilla notes with a creamy consistency and excellent finish.
Regular price: $27.99/Mills Club: $25.19
(Taste Saturday)
2012 Cantina di Gambellara i Basalti Soave, Italy (Amy)
From Amy, “Garganega is one of Italy’s most widely planted light skinned varieties. It’s the pre-eminate white grape of the Veneto region dominating the Uuaggo, or blend, of Soave. Soave is a dry, crisp, fruity white wine. Theis would be a lovely wine to serve during the holidays to add excitement to hors’ douvres, goose, or simply by itself. Happy Holidays!”
Regular Price: $10/Mills Club: $9
(Taste Saturday)
2012 Masseria Li Veli Verdeca, Valle d’Itria, Puglia, Italy (Pat)
Made from the Verdeca grape in Italy’s Apulia region, this medium bodied white is simply awesome! Great apricot, nectarine and peach notes combine with an intense stony minerality to provide a stunning glass of wine. Pair with chicken or pork.
Regular Price $21.99/Mills Club: $19.79
(Taste Sunday)
2011 Jean-Francois Merieau “L’Arpent des Vaudons” Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine, France (Jen &Jerry)
We love the stony minerality of Loire Valley white wines, and this Sauvignon Blanc does not disappoint. Lots of citrus flavors, stone, and creamy texture. Great pairing with cheese or seafood dishes!
Regular Price: $19.99/Mills Club:$17.99
(Taste Sunday)
2012 Line 39 Pinot Noir, Central Coast, California (Amy)
From Amy: “The 39th parallel runs through the heart of California wine country and is home to Line 39. Real Pinot Noir for $10? Don’t think it’s possible? Think again! The 2012 Line 39 Pinot Noir begins with pleasant aromas of strawberry, raspberry earth and a hint of rhubarb. The medium long finish is lightly spicy and strawberry notes linger pleasantly in the mouth. Enjoy it during holiday celebrations.”
Regular Price: $10/Mills Club: $9
(Taste Sunday)
2012 19 Crimes Red, Victoria, Australia (Mike)
We brought this in upon the request of some Mills regular customers! “19 Crimes” refers to the 19 different crimes that a criminal could be convicted of and sentenced to life in Australia or death, but this red blend is anything but criminal. A blend of Shiraz and Durif (Petit Sirah), this wine serves up jammy strawberry and raspberry flavors and a bold, vanilla finish.
Regular Price: $10.99/Mills Club: $9.89
(Taste Saturday)
2011 Chateau Fontane “Cuvee M” Red, Coteaux du Languedoc, France (Mary)
A 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah blend, this wine presents black cherry, spice and dried herbs and round, well integrated tannins. Full bodied and earthy, this wine will pair very well with steaks or hearty stews. This is an incredible value from the Languedoc region of France!
Regular Price: $11.99/Mills Club: $10.79
(Taste Saturday)
2010 Duca Carlo Guarini Primitivo “Vigne Vecchie” (Pat)
Primitivo is closely related to the Zinfandel varietal, and this “Vigne Vecchie”, or, Old Vines version does not disappoint. Enjoy this deep, rich and velvety wine with bing cherry, fruit and spice flavors. Try with roasted meats and aged cheeses.
Regular Price: $22.99/Mills Club: $20.69
(Taste Sunday)
Hedges C.M.S Red, Columbia Valley, Washington State (Robert): Grapes from this blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 12% Syrah are sourced from vineyards in Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley’s Wahluke Slope and Red Mountain. This is a great and affordable introduction to Washington’s creative red blends. Expect black plum, creamy vanilla, chocolate and baking spices. Try with red meat dishes.
Regular Price: $15.99/Mills Club: $14.39
(Taste Saturday)
2010 Bodega Norton Privada, Mendoza, Argentina (Jen & Jerry): If you love Argentinian wines, you must try this blend of 40% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon which earned 91 points from Wine Enthusiast. This is a deep, rich and concentrated wine, with dark berry, graphite and coffee flavors. Very smooth finish.
Regular Price: $29.99/Mills Club: $26.99
(Taste Sunday)
NV Romariz 10-Year Old Tawny Port, Portugal (Ryan)
Marked by a fragrant nose and velvety, nutty flavors with rich dried fruit characteristics, this is a powerful, heady tawny.
Regular Price: $29.99/Mills Club: $26.99
(Taste Saturday)
NV Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava, Spain (Mike)
This wonderful dry Cava from the Penedes region of Spain was rated a “Best Buy” by Wine Enthusiast. Enjoy citrus and vanilla notes in this cool crisp sparkling. We recommend this all the time as an in expensive Sparkling for mimosas but it is also delicious on its own!
Regular Price: $10/Mills Club: $9
(Taste Sunday)
NV Roederer Estate Brut, Anderson Valley, California (Mary)
Famous Champagne house Roederer started production in California in 1988, and this sparkling is an excellent representation of their efforts. 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, this Brut earned 91 points from Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast, and an Editors’ Choice brand from Wine Enthusiast. Expect apply aromas and strawberry-vanilla notes with a creamy consistency and excellent finish.
Regular price: $27.99/Mills Club: $25.19
(Taste Saturday)
2012 Cantina di Gambellara i Basalti Soave, Italy (Amy)
From Amy, “Garganega is one of Italy’s most widely planted light skinned varieties. It’s the pre-eminate white grape of the Veneto region dominating the Uuaggo, or blend, of Soave. Soave is a dry, crisp, fruity white wine. Theis would be a lovely wine to serve during the holidays to add excitement to hors’ douvres, goose, or simply by itself. Happy Holidays!”
Regular Price: $10/Mills Club: $9
(Taste Saturday)
2012 Masseria Li Veli Verdeca, Valle d’Itria, Puglia, Italy (Pat)
Made from the Verdeca grape in Italy’s Apulia region, this medium bodied white is simply awesome! Great apricot, nectarine and peach notes combine with an intense stony minerality to provide a stunning glass of wine. Pair with chicken or pork.
Regular Price $21.99/Mills Club: $19.79
(Taste Sunday)
2011 Jean-Francois Merieau “L’Arpent des Vaudons” Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine, France (Jen &Jerry)
We love the stony minerality of Loire Valley white wines, and this Sauvignon Blanc does not disappoint. Lots of citrus flavors, stone, and creamy texture. Great pairing with cheese or seafood dishes!
Regular Price: $19.99/Mills Club:$17.99
(Taste Sunday)
2012 Line 39 Pinot Noir, Central Coast, California (Amy)
From Amy: “The 39th parallel runs through the heart of California wine country and is home to Line 39. Real Pinot Noir for $10? Don’t think it’s possible? Think again! The 2012 Line 39 Pinot Noir begins with pleasant aromas of strawberry, raspberry earth and a hint of rhubarb. The medium long finish is lightly spicy and strawberry notes linger pleasantly in the mouth. Enjoy it during holiday celebrations.”
Regular Price: $10/Mills Club: $9
(Taste Sunday)
2012 19 Crimes Red, Victoria, Australia (Mike)
We brought this in upon the request of some Mills regular customers! “19 Crimes” refers to the 19 different crimes that a criminal could be convicted of and sentenced to life in Australia or death, but this red blend is anything but criminal. A blend of Shiraz and Durif (Petit Sirah), this wine serves up jammy strawberry and raspberry flavors and a bold, vanilla finish.
Regular Price: $10.99/Mills Club: $9.89
(Taste Saturday)
2011 Chateau Fontane “Cuvee M” Red, Coteaux du Languedoc, France (Mary)
A 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah blend, this wine presents black cherry, spice and dried herbs and round, well integrated tannins. Full bodied and earthy, this wine will pair very well with steaks or hearty stews. This is an incredible value from the Languedoc region of France!
Regular Price: $11.99/Mills Club: $10.79
(Taste Saturday)
2010 Duca Carlo Guarini Primitivo “Vigne Vecchie” (Pat)
Primitivo is closely related to the Zinfandel varietal, and this “Vigne Vecchie”, or, Old Vines version does not disappoint. Enjoy this deep, rich and velvety wine with bing cherry, fruit and spice flavors. Try with roasted meats and aged cheeses.
Regular Price: $22.99/Mills Club: $20.69
(Taste Sunday)
Hedges C.M.S Red, Columbia Valley, Washington State (Robert): Grapes from this blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 12% Syrah are sourced from vineyards in Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley’s Wahluke Slope and Red Mountain. This is a great and affordable introduction to Washington’s creative red blends. Expect black plum, creamy vanilla, chocolate and baking spices. Try with red meat dishes.
Regular Price: $15.99/Mills Club: $14.39
(Taste Saturday)
2010 Bodega Norton Privada, Mendoza, Argentina (Jen & Jerry): If you love Argentinian wines, you must try this blend of 40% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon which earned 91 points from Wine Enthusiast. This is a deep, rich and concentrated wine, with dark berry, graphite and coffee flavors. Very smooth finish.
Regular Price: $29.99/Mills Club: $26.99
(Taste Sunday)
NV Romariz 10-Year Old Tawny Port, Portugal (Ryan)
Marked by a fragrant nose and velvety, nutty flavors with rich dried fruit characteristics, this is a powerful, heady tawny.
Regular Price: $29.99/Mills Club: $26.99
Try wines from two Anne Arundel County wineries and enjoy sale prices at the tastings. One of our special guests are the owners of Thanksgiving Farm-they recently brought by their 2009 Meritage which was delightful (Blend: 59% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and all from Thanksgiving Farm).
The other featured winery will be Dodon Vineyards. Meet the owners and hear the very interesting story of their 550 acre working family farm, which has housed nine consecutive generations of the Steuart (Pittman) family. Over the summer we tasted and fell in love with the 2012 Dodon Sauvignon Blanc, entirely estate-grown in sandy loamy soil. Delicate with nice minerality, this would pair perfectly with holiday seafood dishes.
Mount Gay Rum will also be involved in the Madness, try some samples of this Annapolis favorite while you find fun and unique holiday gift ideas.
