The higher, the better...

Higher. Our little baby wanted to go higher. The squeaking of the swing was drowned out by her little giggling, that bursted out of her in an affectation of pure excitement the higher the swing went.

Higher. That's where the pleasure is. That's where the excitement is.

It can be the same with wine.

High elevation vines pass on a flavor that not only stimulates the senses with an added flair of intensity and brilliance, but it also imparts a lingering, taste-altering performance that makes other wines pale in comparison.

This Wednesday, for our Wine Flight Weds, we'll be featuring a stellar line-up of Malbecs, with the star, the showboat, the anchor to the line-up being, Catena's Alta Malbec.

Catena's Alta Malbec is sourced from small, carefully selected estate grown lots high up in the Andes mountain range (between 3000 - 5000 feet). Altitude becomes the determining factor in obtaining grapes of intense concentration, body, and flavor. Since there's no cooling influence from the ocean to help with grape development, they rely on the elevation to provide the perfect component to producing wines of enormous magnitude.

Come try one of the elite wines produced in Argentina, and see if indeed, the higher, the better.

The Devil's in that bottle

There are some that would argue that the devil lives in the bottles that line the shelves of our shop, waiting patiently to befuddle and influence the unfortunate soul who uncorks his lair.

Is there Evil lurking inside these bottles? Hmmm, perhaps. Depending on the bottle and the hand that opens it, I guess. Given enough time, and drink enough of his wile, most will succumb to a foul thought or two.

Yet, last night, at our Wine Flight Weds, we had a lot of enchanting devils that were unleashed, free to muck havoc, but everyone enjoyed themselves immensely, with joy and laughter abound. Not a trace of evil to be found.

Yes, we shook hands and drank with the devil last night, actually the "Devil's Elbow," and here we are, this morning, talking about it fondly. We had a tasting of big, big reds (and who doesn't secretly covet a big, hulking red?), and the "Devil's Elbow" Cabernet made quite a lasting impression.

Come in to Swirl Wine, and let's find a devil in a bottle for you to take home and enjoy.

James

Water, water everywhere, but what to drink?

Ahhhh, it's almost closing time here at the shop.

Another long day come and gone, and now a delicious dinner waits for me at home, expertly prepared by my loving wife.

Now comes the most difficult decision of the day: what wine to bring home to drink?

If you think you have a hard time picking out a bottle of wine, whew, let me tell you, it's a tough task, even for us, surrounded by all these goodies.
What to drink?

Perusing the aisles, up and down, from region to region, varietal to varietal. So many tempting choices.

Oh, yes, there's a lot of tasty drinking on these shelves.

But what to drink?

Tonight, it shall be....

Sierra Cantabria Crianza Rioja '07 $18

Mmmm, this stuff is just packed with delight. So many layers of intoxicating flavors and spices that intermingle and jump out, yet it's so cohesive that it flows smoothly down the gullet. Aged in French and American oak for 15 months, this wine is for that Pinot Noir lover who's looking for something a little different with a little bit more stuffing. If you haven't had a Spanish wine from the Rioja region, well this one would make an excellent introduction.

This is one savory wine, and a great way to end the day.

James

Wine Flight Wednesdays

Wine Flight Wednesdays at Swirl begin September 14th.

What are Wine Flight Wednesdays you ask?

Why, they are informal weekly wine tastings geared for fun and enjoyment. For a nominal ticket price (which will vary depending on the wines featured for the night), you can Swirl, sip, and relax. A discounted ticket price will be offered for those who purchase in advance.

Honestly, our Friday tasting format was getting a bit stale and boring. Coming up with fresh, interesting tasting ideas for every single Friday was getting a bit difficult. We always envisioned our Friday tastings to have more of a "cocktail hour" feel, in the sense that one would be comfortable chatting and mingling while tasting some new treasure that we discovered. But, the reality of Fridays is that most are dashing from work in a hurry to get home after a long work week. Alas, Wine Flight Wednesdays was born.

Each Wednesday we will feature something compelling, expect to sip on little known values, esoteric oddities, and decadent treats. We will announce the flight line-up in advance on our website, Facebook page, and in our weekly newsletter. Not on our email list? Sign up for our email list via our website and find us on Facebook to stay in the know of all things Swirl!

Feel free to contact us with any questions if your curiosity is piqued. We are totally excited to get this thing started. Finally, wine fun in the 'burbs.

Salud,

Austin & James