Sommelier In Training

Baby Jade is making great progress, working her way up to opening wines by corkscrew after mastering Stelvin screw top bottles with the greatest of ease.
Next on the agenda -- decanting and serving of aged red wines, advanced food and wine pairing, cigar service and a final test in Champagne sabering!

Jade's pick of the month: 
Château de Montfaucon Côtes du Rhône Blanc "Comtesse Madeleine" 2008 paired with Strained Pea Purée.

Delicious Saber Rattling

Last month, Jack Van Antwerpen, Big Kahuna at Belgium's Bosteels Brewery was making a market visit to Colorado and dropped into the Cheeky Monk to remind the Elite staff and friends of how delicious his craft brews are (although he didn't need to).

After a few Kwaks and Tripel Karmeleits, Jack proceeded to open a few bottles of his incomparable Champagne-styled Deus Brut de Flandres--an amazingly complex and distinctive beer.
As a grand finale, he opened the bottles in the historic and dramatic Saber style (for those unfamiliar, read all about it here).
To date, The Cheeky Monk doesn't keep swords or sabers on hand, but a chef's knife from the kitchen proved to be up to the task (mostly due to Jack's skill). He shattered the lip of the bottle on the first try, sending a fountain of Deus with the intact wire and cork flying across the room).

There's nothing like a bit of fun and showmanship to make a world class brew taste even better. Personally though, I'll stick to opening my Deus in the standard way. It's much safer for my clumsy fingers, and not one drop of the stuff escapes my glass.

If you haven't already, grab a case or two of the Deus Brut for the holidays--it's perfect for holiday meals and celebrations, especially the New Years Eve toast (*saber not included).

Bruery Top Chef Sighting

For sure, we love all things Top Chef, but their latest permutation, Top Chef Desserts has really stretched our patience boundaries-a more dysfunctional collection of egos, tempers and flat out oddballs we've never seen.

On October 6th's episode, we couldn't help noticing a (seemingly) accidental product placement (compared to their many, many premeditated ones). Near the episode's end, while the chefs were engaged in a finger pointing bickerfest a near empty bottle of The Bruery Orchard White could clearly be seen on the table behind them. Nice.

 I'm sure the stress of competition weighs heavy on the Top Chef contestants, but seriously, how angry can a person be with a full glass of Orchard White in their hand?

Warehouse Trade Show Blind Tasting Results

As previously reported, Dave Moore of Divino was our 2010 Warehouse Trade Show Blind Tasting contest winner. Congrats again to Dave.
As everyone in the wine business already knows--blind tasting is hard. A lot of folks were on the right track and made sound assessments, but as usual, guesses ran the gamut of potential grape varieties and place of origin.
Wine #2, the Bierzo from Castro Ventosa proved particularly difficult. It wasn't a surprise that nobody pegged it correctly, although many were able to peg it as an Old World based on it's tannin and earth notes.
It's worth pointing out that both of the blind tasting wines wholesale for less than $11.00, and many of our tasters identified them as wines that sold for higher price points, which officially makes them great values.
Thanks to all who participated. We had fun, and we hope you did too.
Here's the scoop:

Wine #1. Cooper Hill Pinot Gris Oregon 2009

Old/New World Wine   
Old World      50%
New World    50%

Country   
Australia    7%
Chile    7%
France    32%
Italy    11%
New Zealand    14%
Spain     7%
USA     22%

Region   
Alsace    6%
Bordeaux    13%
California    6%
Loire    19%
Marlborough    6%
Oregon    13%
Other    13%
Rias Biaxas    6%
Veneto    6%
Vouvray    6%
Washington    6%

Varietal   
Albarino    7%
Chardonnay    7%
Chenin Blanc    7%
Muscadet    3%
Pinot Blanc    4%
Pinot Gris/Grigio    14%
Riesling    7%
Sauvignon Blanc    43%
Torrontes    4%
White Blend    4%

Vintage
2006    4%
2007    4%
2008    62%
2009    27%
2010    4%

Alc. Content   
<12.5%       32%
12.5%-13.0%    36%
13.1%-13.5%    29%
13.6%-14.0%    4%
>14.0%       0%
   
Approx. Wholesale Price   
$6-$11              43%
$11.25-$15.00    36%
$15.25-$20.00    21%
>$20.00        0%

Wine #2. El Castro de Valtuille Bierzo 2007

Old World/New World Wine
Old World    52%
New World    48%

Country   
Argentina   4%
Australia    8%
Chile       4%
France    8%
Italy      35%
Spain    15%
Uruguay    4%
USA    23%

Region   
Abbruzzo    8%
Barossa     8%
Bierzo      0%
Central Coast    8%
Napa      8%
Oregon    8%
Other    8%
Priorat    8%
Rhone    15%
Santa Rita    8%
Sonoma    8%
Tuscany    8%
Umbria     8%

Varietal   
Cabernet Sauvignon    12%
Carignan    4%
Carmenere    4%
Grenache    4%
Malbec    4%
Mencia    0%
Merlot    15%
Montepulciano    4%
Negroamaro    8%
Pinot Noir    12%
Sangiovese    15%
Shiraz    8%
Syrah    4%
Tannat    4%
Tempranillo    4%

Vintage   
2002    8%
2005    17%
2006    8%
2007    25%
2008    33%
2009    8%

Alc. Content   
<12.5%         0%
12.5%-13.0%    19%
13.1%-13.5%    26%
13.6%-14.0%    52%
>14.0%        4%

Approx. Wholesale Price   
$6-$11           15%
$11.25-$15.00    54%
$15.25-$20.00    19%
>$20.00       12%

2010 Warehouse Blind Tasting Winner

The results are in, and we have a winner!

Dave Moore of Divino Wine and Spirits came closest to identifying the two contest wines. He guessed Wine #1 as an Oregon Pinot Gris, and it indeed was an Oregon Pinot Gris.

The two wines were:
  1. Cooper Hill Pinot Gris Oregon 2009
  2. El Castro de Valtuille Bierzo 2007  (100% Mencia)


More (lots) detailed stats to follow soon about everyone's guesses. Thanks to everyone who participated, and have a great flight to California, Dave!

Postcard From Belgium

Several members of our lucky deserving sales staff have been spending the last week in beautiful Belgium on vacation an educational product knowledge fact finding mission.

Here's an update from our Boulder rep Joe (with more to follow later):

Our Elite crew just left Mechlin after some breakfast and a walk, and still am in awe on how great this country is. Yesterday we toured a brewery (Het Ancher) that has been around since the 1600's. One of the oldest breweries in Belgium, and has been in the family for 5 generations. Amazing. All the beers (Gouden Carolus) are TOP QUALITY. So much so, he brews many of the beers from other brewers in Belgium at his facility because of quality control.

After the tour, we went to the top of the chapel in Mechlin, I have some great pictures of this place. It took the people of the town 70 years to complete this, talk about the energy put into something, many families spent their whole life on this, and still never witnessed it's completion.

Then, we went to Charles LeClef's family home, (owner of the Brewery) that was built in 1630, older than America, where he just put two giant copper distillers in the old living room. He has been experimenting with single malt whiskey. Good product, can't wait for it to age another 10 years.

Right now the Elite crew, along with the Wetten Importing crew and guests, are headed to Bruges for a tour of the Halve Maan Brewerym.

Ciao,

Joe

La Trappe Is Back!

It is with great pleasure that we announce the return of La Trappe to the North American beer market, replacing Koningshoeven. It may not come as a big surprise to you given the success of last year’s La Trappe Isid’or, but we believe that La Trappe is a stronger brand name than Koningshoeven, even though that's the name of the monastery.
The artwork remains unchanged and is the same as the brand image across the globe. At the same time, the name “La Trappe” will eliminate any doubts as to the Trappist status of this world-class brewery.

La Trappe is one of the seven beers of the world that is allowed to carry the ‘Authentic Trappist Product’ label – the best guarantee of authenticity, recipe and tradition. This means that La Trappe is the only Dutch Trappist beer; the other six – Achel, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle and Westvleteren – are from Belgium. This makes La Trappe a very special beer. And you can taste it. The atmosphere of dedication, silence and contemplation that reigns within the walls of the monastery find their expression in this fine range of beers.

La Trappe Dubbel Splendid, authentic beer with a warm ruby red color. A touch of sweetness in the flavor with a fresh and gently aromatic character.

La Trappe Tripel Powerful, dark blond, well-colored beer. Its fruity, bittersweet taste gives it a special character.

La Trappe Quadrupel La Trappe’s strongest beer with a marvelous amber color. Its warm taste is full-bodied and mild, slightly sweet and pleasantly bitter. A unique beer that is actually laid down for years in the cellars of the abbey for further conditioning.

La Trappe Isid’or has been specially created to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Brewery de Koningshoeven. It is a mildly sweet amber beer with a hint of caramel. Soft bitter flavor with a fruity aftertaste.

GIBF Tasting Lineup

Here's the goodies we'll be pouring at our giant yearly trade tasting--the 4th annual Great International Beer Festival, Sunday May 23, from 1-4 pm. Meet the Brewers/Representatives and take advantage of special quantity discounts for attendees.
Call Elite if you need more info: 303-394-7535.

1 Lion Lager
2 Lion Imperial Lager
3 Lion Stout
4 Michael Plank Hefeweizen
5 Michael Plank Heller Weizenbock
6 Michael Plank Dunkler Weizenbock
7 Michael Plank Heller Dopplebock
8 Belgoo Magus
9 Ommegang Witte
10 Ommegang Hennepin Farmhouse Ale
11 Ommegang Rare Vos
12 Ommegang Abbey Ale
13 Ommegang Three Philosophers
14 Duvel Belgian Ale
15 d'Achouffe La Chouffe
16 d'Achouffe Houblon Chouffe
17 d'Achouffe McChouffe
18 Maredsous Brune
19 Maredsous Blonde
20 Maredsous Tripel
21 Shipyard Special Export
22 Shipyard IPA
23 MateVeza IPA
24 MateVeza Black Lager
25 Sünner Kölsch
26 Kwak
27 Tripel Karmeliet
28 St Feuillien Tripel
29 St Feuillien Saison
30 Urthel Hop-It
31 Urthel Samaranth Quadrium
32 Urthel Saisonniere
33 Koningshoeven Dubbel
34 Koningshoeven Tripel
35 Koningshoeven Quadrupel
36 La Trappe Isid'or
37 Tilburg Dutch Brown
38 Meantime IPA
39 Meantime London Porter
40 Redstone Meadery Sunshine Nectar
41 Redstone Meadery Boysenberry Nectar
42 Redstone Meadery Black Raspberry Nectar
43 Redstone Meadery Nectar of Hops
44 Redstone Meadery Traditional Mead
45 Redstone Meadery Juniper Berry Mead
46 Redstone Meadery Vanilla Bean Cinnamon Mead
47 Jenlain Blonde Ale
48 Hook Norton Double Stout
49 Baird Red Rose Amber Ale
50 EKU 28
51 Geants Saison Voisin
52 Serafijn Celtic Angel (Pale Ale)
53 Christoffel Nobel
54 Nøgne-0 Porter
55 Amager Sundby Stout
56 Henney's Vintage Cider
57 The Bruery Orchard White
58 The Bruery Mischief
59 The Bruery Saison de Lente
60 The Bruery Rugbrød
61 Hofbräu Hefe Weizen
62 Hofbräu Original
63 Hofbräu Dunkel
61 Hofbräu Maibock
65 St. Bernardus Witbier
66 St. Bernardus Tripel
67 St. Bernardus Prior 8
68 St. Bernardus Abt 12
69 Des Rocs Grand Cru
70 La Binchoise Reserve
71 Duchesse de Bourgogne
72 Oud Beersel Oude Kriek
73 Echt Kriekenbier
74 Val Dieu Grand Cru
75 Eel River Acai Berry Wheat
76 Eel River IPA
77 Eel River Porter
78 Eugene City Honey Orange Wheat
79 Track Town Ale 200 Meter
80 Issaquah Menage a Frog
81 Rogue Pink Spruce Gin
82 Rogue Dead Guy Whiskey
83 Delirium Nocturnum
84 Delirium Tremens
85 Lucifer Golden Ale
86 Gouden Carolous Classic
87 Gouden Carolous Triple
88 Gouden Carolous Hopsinjoor
89 Gouden Carolous Keizer Rood
90 Gouden Carolous Keizer Blauw
91 Kasteel Tripel
92 Kasteel Donker
93 Kasteel Rouge
94 St. Louis Peche
95 St. Louis Kriek
96 Samichlaus Classic
Bear Republic , Richard Norgrove
97 Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA
98 Bear Republic Red Rocket Ale
99 Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye
100 Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout
101 Saison Dupont Farmhouse Ale
102 Moinette Artisanal Brune Ale
103 Foret Organic Saison Ale
104 Scaldis Belgian Special Ale
105 Scaldis Refermentee
106 Witkap Single
107 St. Amand Country Ale
108 Dupont Avril
109 Aspall Dry Cider
110 Aspall Blush Cider
111 Aspall Organic Cider
112 Bateman's Triple XB
113 Bateman's Combined Harvest
114 Reinart Flemish Wild Ale
115 De Proef Grande Blanche
116 He'brew Genesis Ale
117 He'brew Messiah Bold
118 He'brew Origin Ale
119 He'brew Lenny RIPA
120 Coney Island Lager
121 Coney Island Albino Python
122 Coney Island Sword Swallower
123 Coney Island Human Blockhead
124 Port Brewing Wipeout IPA
125 Port Brewing Shark Attack Double Red Ale
126 Port Brewing Old Viscosity
127 Lost Abbey Red Barn Ale
128 Lost Abbey Devotion
129 Lost Abbey Lost & Found

A Plethora of Shmaltz Kudos

2009 Press Recap--

The beer media loves Shmaltz / Coney Island Beers as much as we do!




Click for the scoop:

Bienvenue Alexandre!

Big Congrats to our Sales Manager Nick and his wife Liz-- A brand new baby boy, Alexandre Nicolas, weighing 8 lbs, 9oz, and 20" long was born Sunday the 7th!

Now Nick gets to split his time between wine bottles and milk bottles.

Joel Aiken Joins Amici!

Amici Cellars of St. Helena, California, has announced that Joel Aiken will join the company as Winemaker and Partner, effective immediately. Aiken recently left his position as Vice President of Winemaking for Beaulieu Vineyard (BV), where for 25 years he made the highly praised BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon label.
“We’re thrilled to have a winemaker with such a long history of making superb wines from Napa Valley,” said Bob Shepard, Managing Partner of Amici Cellars. “Joel has a reputation around the world as a brilliant winemaker, and we know that he can make some fabulous wines for Amici Cellars.”
Aiken will bring his expertise in both traditional winemaking techniques as well as the latest innovations to Amici Cellars.    www.amicicellars.com

New Addition to Elite Portfolio

Elite is very happy to announce the addition of Duvel Moortgat USA, to their portfolio! Duvel Moortgat USA imports high-quality Belgian beers including Duvel Golden Ale, Maredsous Abbey Ales and Achouffe Belgian Ales, a portfolio has grown to include ten imported beers that distributed in over 45 continental US states.
Duvel Moortgat USA is owned by Duvel Moortgat of Belgium, which also owns our sister company Brewery Ommegang. Duvel Moortgat USA and Brewery Ommegang are both headquartered in Cooperstown, New York. Duvel Moortgat USA is in its 5th year of operation, and Brewery Ommegang celebrated its 10th anniversary on October 13, 2007.

If you're not already familiar with these fine producers, do so soon, they're an impressive selection of Belgian and Belgian-styled craft brews.

Duvel

 

 Maredsous

 

  

Ommegang

 d'Achouffe