Text Box: Kudos to the Winemaker!! Our first feature this month is the Laboure-Roi Pouilly-Fuisse Vallon d’Or– truly thrilling!! Pouilly Fuisse, the finest wine of the Maconnais and one of the best known names from Burgundy, comes from 2,100 acres of vines to the west of the town of Macon, covering the five communes of Fuisse, Pouilly, Sclutre, Chaintre and Vergisson. These grapes are harvested by hand in the vineyards of up to 40 growers and a severe selection occurs at the winery before they are pressed, the juice being allowed to settle a few hours before fermentation. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled tanks. Following the malolactic fermentation, the wine spends 8 to 10 months in tank before bottling. This is 100% Chardonnay. The French style is our favorite Chardonnay. It has a pale buttery gold presence—with a captivating aroma that is floral and fruity, with hints of honey and hazelnuts. This full bodied white is rich but complex—delivering very good harmony, with a ripe buttery finish. Pairs excellent with crab cakes, turkey, pork or creamy cheeses. Retails for $15.99. This next one is for our ‘dry red wine’ drinking friends—definitely a crowd pleaser. It is the Chateau de Parenchere 2001 Bordeaux Superieur—imported from France. Situated in the eastern edge of the Bordeaux wine growing area, the Chateau de Parenchere vineyard lies on the borders of the Dordogne and the Lot et Garonne departments. Very dark reddish-purple with a clear, bright violet edge. Pleasant and typically Bordeaux on the nose, cedar and a floral hint of roses over black fruit. Well-balanced flavors, simple fruit and tart acidity, with substantial tannins beneath. Allow this one to unwind in your glass a bit. A blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Looking to impress? Serve with a grilled T-bone. Retails for $15.99. Text Box: To our best friends, who know the worst about us but refuse to believe it.

Heard it through the grapevine. . .
Text Box: April 2006

Furlong’s Liquor Wine Club

         April is a very exciting month for all.  First of all, we get to welcome back Spring!!!   Yeah!!  And once our taxes are done, we get to look for the Easter Bunny.  Soon the golf courses will be open, the ice will leave the Lakes, the Robins will return, the NHL and NBA Playoffs start and the boys of Summer begin to play ball.  What a month . . . 

     To help you celebrate, we are featuring wines from one of our favorite wine regions in the world—France.   A votre sante.