Newsletters: March-April 2009

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Beer and Wine Feature

Natural Times March/April 2009

By Brandon Chaplin, Specialty Manager

Spring is a wonderful time. It's a time of renewal and rejuvenation. Spring also brings warm days and cooler evenings that are perfect for Pinot Noir. While it is a delicious red that can easily stand up to beef, its versatility also makes it the right wine for lamb, chicken and fish. In fact, Pinot Noir is one of the world's most versatile wines. That is great news for those of us who are trying to eat lighter and healthier in preparation for the summer months, but prefer a red wine over a white. Pinot Noirs are typically light in body and color with notes of cherry or other red berries. They can also, depending on growing conditions, have distinct earthy or woody notes. While we carry many excellent Pinot Noirs, there are two that I find absolutely delicious and easy on the pocketbook. Priced at $11.99, HobNob is a wonderful example of a French Pinot Noir that is bursting with berry flavors and a hint of pepper in the finish. Another great offering is Parducci's Pinot Noir. I find this one slightly more robust with definite notes of plum and chocolate. Parducci also has the distinction of being the first carbon-neutral winery in the United States, using 100 percent green power and buying their grapes from locally-owned sustainable farms. All of this makes it a very worthy wine for its $11.99 price tag.

If beer is more to your liking, we have several for you to choose from. At this time of the year many of us move away from the fuller bodied, heavily spiced warmth of winter ales and seek the refreshment of their lighter bodied cousins. There are two beers that definitely should not be overlooked. Absolutely gushing with orange creamy goodness, Bell's contribution to the summer ale genre is Oberon. Oberon is a wheat beer that makes your mouth do a happy dance. Similar in style to Blue Moon, Oberon stands a full head and shoulders over its more mainstream counterpart with more body, more flavor, more characterÉmore everything. Oberon is a wise choice at $11.49 for a six pack. Another great choice for this increasingly warm weather is Lagunitas I.P.A. For those who prefer the sharp, clean flavor of hops, India Pale Ales are where it's at. Lagunitas' offering is a fine example of this increasingly more popular style. With its rewardingly lively hoppiness and slightly lemon back-bite, at $8.99 a six pack, this I.P.A. is a refreshing and easy drinker that keeps you coming back for more.