December 2024 newsletter

December Tasting Events

                                  Sunday, December 8th, 2024 – 1:00pm -4:00pm
                                                  OUR 16th ANNUAL -
                                            often imitated, never equaled
                                      Champagne and Sparkling Wine Tasting
                  We will present an eclectic selection and all sparkling wines will be discounted.

                              WINE TASTING EVERY SATURDAY   2:00pm-5:00pm
                                              “Whatever we feel like opening”

UNCORKED WINE SCHOOL - DECEMBER CLASSES

*Bordeaux with Aymeric D’Alton Part III:  Margaux & Saint-Estephe - The third class in our Bordeaux series. Savor 8 wines from two of the most important Bordeaux appellations that framed our modern understanding of wine. Enjoy cheese plates, and a delicious meal from Chef Guy Reuge while learning why this region is so renowned from a native son of Bordeaux!             
          Wednesday, Dec. 11th or Thursday December 12th from 5:30pm-7:00pm: $125/person
                        Call 804-285-8011 or email us at:

UNCORKED WINE SCHOOL – January Class Preview!
We are thrilled to announce our newest Uncorked series focusing on the wines of Spain and Portugal:
BIG TROUBLE in LITTLE IBERIA.  We are kicking it off with The Catalan Conspiracy: The Wines of Priorat and Montsant on Thursday, January 9th at 6pm. Tickets are $65. Sign up now!
                        Call 804-285-8011 or email us at:

DECEMBER Champagne & Sparkling Wine SPECIAL OFFERS (no further discounts)

R. Dumont & Fils Tradition Brut Champagne, France - (90% Pinot Noir & 10% Chardonnay, aged 3 years on the lees, disgorged 10/23) The Dumont family has owned vineyards in Champagne for over 200 years and today their 22 hectares are planted on kimmeridgian chalky clay. This grower champagne which is certified organic and Biodynamic has been our go to basic Champagne for many years.  There are notes of crusty bread, pears and green apples. The Pinot Noir adds a delicate touch and a bit of richness to a crisp and persistent finish.                                Regular price: $41.99/ ON SALE IN DECEMBER: $33.99

Vina La Ronciere Selva Oscura Extra Brut NV, Malleco Valley, Chile – This is an everyday sparkling wine, made in the traditional Méthode Champenoise, that EVERY associate thought was outstanding! Here is a review: “Aging 60 months on lees, this sparkling wine from the cool Malleco Valley displays inviting aromas of butter, toast and apple. On the rich palate, crisp fruit makes its appearance in the form of lime and apple accented by yeasty flavors. Lively acidity and fine bubbles lead to a pleasant finish.” (WE)      Regular price: $25.99/ ON SALE IN DECEMBER: $19.99

DECEMBER SPECIAL OFFER– From the Cellar! (no further discounts)

2010 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon & Fils Bourgogne Pinot Blanc Burgundy, France – Original Winery notes:“Produced in the town of Gevrey-Chambertin with `100% Pinot Blanc, this wine shows aromas of white flower, grapefruit, lime brioche, beautiful balance of fruit and acidity, round rich structure with a lingering and aromatic finish.” Today the wine remains very aromatic with a touch of nuttiness and it retains the balance of fruit and acidity on the finish. Reg. price $29.99 On Sale in December for $17.99 ( limit 6 per customer)
2007 Domaine d’Eole Cuvee Confidence Blanc IGP Alpilles, France – (60% Roussanne, 30% Rolle, 10% Grenache) Original Winery notes:“Pure Roussanne vinified in barrels for 8 months, it shows fresh white peach, pear, passion fruit, pineapple aromas combined with a round and creamy structure of fresh fruit and herbal essence from the soil of Provence.” Today the wine can have some light sherry/almond notes with honey, pineapple and delicate chamomile in the background finishing with good acidity. Interestingly, d’Eole has been certified organic (AB and Ecocert) since 1996. Reg. price $29.99 On Sale in December for $12.99

NEW ARRIVALS

The Godfather of skin contact wines!
2016 Gravner Ribolla Venezia Giulia IGT, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy – Winemaker Joško Gravner, is considered one of the founders of the “orange wine” movement. Starting in the mid 90’s, his use of subterranean amphorae and extended skin contact (five weeks) with years of bottle storage before release revitalized millennia-old Georgian viticultural traditions. The Ribolla is silky, lush and expressive with dried oranges, peaches and honey notes with a frim finish. It tastes like your “favorite orange wine” but this is the original and everyone who loves skin contact wines should try a bottle of Gravner at least once. $166.99

If you are a fan of Portuguese red wines, this is a must try!
2021 Casa de Saima ‘Tonel 10’ Baga Bairrada, Portugal - (100% Baga) This Baga (which is the indigenous red variety of Bairrada) has aromas of wild strawberries, sour cherries, and cassis that counterpunches the earthy dried oregano and fennel notes for a balance between rusticity and elegance. It is a lighter bodied wine with excellent acidity and mild, refined, tannins. $25.99  
 
This is one of the best Trebbiano’s we have tasted!
2023 Azienda Vitivinicola Tiberio Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Italy-“The 2023 Trebbiano d’Abruzzo opens with a vivid bouquet of yellow apples,incense, chamomile and a dusting of confectionary spice. It contrasts salty mineral tones, sour lime and Granny Smith tartness with juicy acidity to create a tense yet zesty performance on the palate. This leaves a citrusy concentration that puckers the cheeks as hints of sour melon fade. Masterfully done. In myopinion, the Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is one of the most overlooked & underrated wines in the Tiberio portfolio.” (Vinous 7/24) $25.99

A couple of our spectacular new California arrivals from iconic wine maker Joel Peterson.
2022 Once & Future Frank’s Block Teldeschi Vineyard Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley, USA -  “The 2022 Zinfandel Teldeschi Vineyard Frank’s Block is a complex, dynamic wine. In this tasting, the Teldeschi impresses with its striking energy—a feeling that builds with time in the glass. Dark toned fruit, leather, game, spice, tobacco and menthol are all dialed up. This is fabulous.” (Vinous Galloni 1/24) $56.99
2022 Once & Future Palisades Vineyard Petite Sirah Calistoga, USA – “The 2022 Petite Sirah Palisades Vineyard builds beautifully, with layers of dark fruit, leather, licorice, black pepper and herbs that are all amplied. There’s gorgeous structure and persistence to the 2022—a wine that impresses with its fabulous balance and stylishness.” (Vinous Galloni 1/24) $66.99

The Holidays are for Cheese Lovers here at Emerson's

Holiday Exclusives From Blakesville Creamery
We like to keep our cheese case full of the most fantastic fromage the US has to offer – and that includes some limited edition holiday cheeses!  Many of our favorite goat cheeses come from Blakesville Creamery in Port Washington, Wisconsin. We’ve tried most of Blakesville’s cheeses – as Ellen says, “we’re obsessed” – so we had to include them in our holiday selection.
Holli special ordered these cheeses in August and they were made just for Emerson!

Holiday Cheer
is a soft ripened goat cheese with a bit of orange zest — finished by wrapping the cheese in brandy-soaked sakura leaves. This beautiful jewel of goat’s cheese is the perfect addition to your holiday celebration.
And the label art is adorable. $19.99/lb
And what could be more luxurious at the holidays than truffled goat cheese?
Truffle Shuffle
is a bloomy rind goat’s milk cheese made to look like a traditional ashed goat cheese. But instead of a line of ash in the middle, you’ll find a black truffle and mushroom jam. This cheese is decadent and delicious — rich, tangy and not too truffle-y. It’s creamy near the edible rind with a fudgier paste in the middle.And yes, this cheese is named for the dance Chunk does in The Goonies, for all you Gen Xers out there. $34.99/lb.
Both the Holiday Cheer and Truffle Shuffle are limited edition, small batch cheeses. We’ll be receiving one more shipment of each before Christmas.
Get yours while they last!
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More Special Holiday Cheeses
If you’re looking for a little simplicity this holiday season (who isn’t?) – allow us to suggest a delightful fromage frais from
Nettle Meadow Farm in Luzerne, New York. These little buckets of spreadable deliciousness are made with a blend of fresh goat and cow’s milk cheese – and subtly flavored with high end ingredients.The goat and cow blend gives you the best of both worlds: the tanginess of goat’s milk is tempered by rich and buttery cow’s milk – and the flavors are fresh and natural.  We have Nettle Meadow Farm’s Fromage Frais in two flavors:
• Cranberry -  $14.99 each
• Fig and Honey - $14.99 each
    Perfect paired with a little bubbly!
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Small Georgia Dairy With Award Winning Cheeses
Asher Blue
Another new addition to our cheese case for the holiday season is the Asher Blue from our friends at Sweet Grass Dairy. This decadent cheese is styled like a Stilton — savory and pungent, with a thick, fudgy paste.
Handmade in Georgia, this raw cow’s milk blue is a stellar example of what cheese artisans are doing right here in the US. Asher Blue smells rich and earthy — and the luxurious paste crumbles before it melts in your mouth. The blue cheese flavor is strong, and raw cow’s milk gives the cheese a buttermilk-y funk. The finish is long and lasting. This is a blue cheese lover’s blue cheese. The best thing about Sweet Grass Dairy is that it is a small family farm. Asher Blue is named for one of the cheesemaker’s sons, and their herd of 500 cows graze year round, so their milk is full of flavor. No wonder they’ve won so many domestic and international cheese awards.  $34.99 /lb.
We’re also carrying three other cheeses from Sweet Grass Dairy this holiday season:
• Green Hill – a pillowy, mushroomy double creme delight. - $19.99 each.
• Griffin – a crumbly, raw cow’s milk cheese washed in Porter beer – festive and nutty .- $34.99/lb.
• Thomasville Tomme – a semi firm crowd pleaser with a craveable salty finish. $29.99/lb.
We are passionate about supporting small farmers and creameries who practice humane animal husbandry and create handmade artisanal cheeses.
Come discover your new favorite American cheese at J. Emerson!

MONTHLY SPECIALS