Thoughts on a new year...
A good customer ends his Facebook and blog posts with the tag line "WINE LIFE." What this means to me is the appreciation of the ways wine can enrich your life experience. Having just turned 50 myself, I've also been thinking a bit more about life.I just read an article about Dan Buettner's book "Blue Zones" which distills pertinent tips from the longest living cultures in the world. Just a quick summary:
Move (our bodies were made for it, make moving unavoidable)
80% Eating Rule (stop eating when you're 80% full)
Plant-Power (more veggies, less protein and processed foods)
Drink Red Wine (consistency and moderation)
Find Your Purpose (without passion, it is dull)
Down Shift (work less, slow down, rest, take vacation)
Belong (create a healthy social network)
Your Tribe (make family & friends a priority)
All these make sense to me. When it comes to wine, I think it crosses over several of these principles. Wine, to me, is all about sharing. Some of my most memorable experiences are coupled with good wines. I've talked about tasting groups before and encourage all wine lovers to try and find a group of people that you would like to regularly share your wine with. We're happy to help organize them - just reply to this email if you are interested and we'll try to put some new ones together. Who knows, we might just all live a bit longer (and definately happier!)
Give Roger a birthday gift by posting a Wine Lab review at YELP (click)
Flights for Friday - Sunday
Did you know we change our tasting flights usually twice a week?! Why? We want you to taste as many wines as possible. It's the best (and most fun) way to learn about wine. Coming up this weekend:| Good Whites Flight $9 | bottle | half | glass | |
| 1 | Keenan Chardonnay 2007 Spring Mt. Napa | 23.99 | 5 | 10 |
| 2 | Caymus Conundrum 2008 Napa | 22.99 | 5 | 10 |
| 3 | Tangent Riesling 2008 Edna Vly. | 13.99 | 3.5 | 7 |
| Good Reds Flight $10 | ||||
| 1 | Ed's Red 2007 Napa & Sonoma | 14.99 | 3.5 | 7 |
| 2 | Matrix Zinfandel 2005 Sonoma | 16.99 | 4 | 8 |
| 3 | Cuvelier Los Andes 2005 Mendoza | 29.99 | 7 | 14 |
| Over The Top Reds Flight $18 | ||||
| 1 | Eric Kent Pinot Noir Windsor Oaks 2007 RRV | 39.99 | 9.5 | 19 |
| 2 | Adastra Merlot 2006 Napa | 34.99 | 7 | 14 |
| 3 | Four Vines Heretic Petite Sirah 2007 Paso Robles | 38.99 | 9.5 | 19 |
Wine Club Selections for January
We normally only send this out to our Insider Club members so here is a peek inside this month's selections (and you can taste them this weekend too.)This month's wine retails for $50, but club members are only charged $35. We give our club members some of the best values we find.
Club members also get 10% off all wine, bar, and anything else we sell at the Lab or online.
Adastra Merlot 2006 Napa
This is amazing Merlot! Ruby in color with aromas of plums, cherries, blueberries, chocolate, cocoa powder, cola and a hint of cardamom. Very well balanced, this velvety wine is delicious for quaffing and an excellent food wine; long, lingering finish. Organically farmed.Ed's Red 2007 AD Napa & Sonoma
Made by the same family as the Adastra above, this is their every day wine. It reminds me of The Prisoner. Enticing, satisfying and full-bodied, the 2007 vintage is dark and densely colored, with aromas including plums, violets, white pepper and barbecued meat, while on the palate there are additional flavors of cherries, blueberries, spice and licorice. 43% Syrah, 39% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit VerdotSanta Ynez Wine Tour like no other
Bella Terra Wine Tours (Wine Lab customers who do this for their passion for wine), are leading another two-day wine tour of the Santa Ynez Valley wineries on February 6 and 7, 2010. This is a personalized, hands-on wine tasting experience with the winemakers and growers themselves. You will have the opportunity to learn about wine making techniques from some of the best winemakers in the valley. Each winery has made special arrangements for the group, which we keep small enough to ensure individual attention.For more information on this wine tour, visit this link: www.btgrapevine.com/?p=2523#
Upcoming Events
| Daily |
Great flights and glasses of wine changed at least once
a week. Click here for today's wine |
| Friday Sept. 17 6 - 8 PM | B.R. Cohn Winery Tasting Event Current releases paired with fine cheeses. Wine will include Sonoma Chardonnay, RRV Pinot Noir, Silver Label Cabernet and Gold Label Cabernet. $25 - Reservations Recommended email us at: info@winelabnewport.com |
| Wednesday Sept. 22 5:30 - 8 PM | Tablas Creek Winery Tasting Event $20 - Reservations Recommended email us at: info@winelabnewport.com |
| Sunday Sept. 19 4 - 7 PM | Alzheimer's Research fundraiser $35 includes 5 wines paired with cheeses - 50% goes to charity plus 10% of all bottle sales |
| Thursday Sept. 23 6 - 8 PM | Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Ana fundraiser $35 includes 5 wines paired with cheeses - 50% goes to charity plus 10% of all bottle sales |
| Tuesday Sept. 28 5:30 - 9 PM | J. Lohr Winery Tasting Event (details TBD) |
| Thursday Oct. 7 | Kovacs Brothers Winery Tasting Event with Jesse Kovacs (details TBD) |
| Friday Oct. 8 | Milan Vineyards Tasting Event (details TBD) |
Store and Wine Bar Schedule
| Monday | Closed | Share a nice bottle at home with your friends |
| Tuesday - Thursday |
4 - 9 PM |
Happy
Hour till 6 PM - 25% off flights,
glasses & pizzas |
| Friday | Open early for your weekend wine. Happy Hour till 6 PM - 25% off flights, glasses & pizzas Reservations Recommended after 6 PM |
|
| Saturday | 2 - 10 PM | Happy
Hour till 5 PM - 25% off flights,
glasses & pizzas Reservations Recommended after 6 PM |
| Sunday | Happy
Hour till 5 PM
- 25% off flights,
glasses & pizzas Open till 9 if we have business or 7 if we don't. |
The Lab is available for your special event -- from small groups in our lounge to private events, contact us for details.
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More info at: winelabnewport.com
Wine Lab Newport
2901
W. Coast Hwy - Suite 100
Newport Beach 92663
949-515-VINO
info@winelabnewport.com
Thanks for reading. We appreciate your business.
Free Parking
Validation for the garage under our building.
The entrance to the garage is on the south side of the building (just north of the Chart House Restaurant.) There are two dedicated spots outside of the entry gate. If those spots are filled, enter the garage and park in any visitor spot and we will validate your ticket. If someone is collecting a parking fee - do not pay - tell them you are going to the Wine Lab and take a ticket.
© 2009 Wine Friends