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Al's Odds and Ends 6/17/15

Price key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60
Quality key:  * = decent    ** = very good    *** = superb    **** = elite
 

Tablas Creek Vineyards, Patelin de Tablas Blanc, Paso Robles '13  **1/2 $ VALUE
(Viognier dominated crowd pleaser, big body, off dry flavors)

Vignobles d'Azur Rosé, Cotes de Provence '13 *** $   VALUE
(Full bodied but delicate rosé, distributed by Washburn Wine Co. in Balto)

La Rioja Alta "Alberdi" Reserva, Rioja '08 ** $$
(A lovely, mature, ready to drink older Rioja with style and class)

Ravenswood Zinfandel "Old Vines" Napa County '12  ** $  VALUE
(Big enjoyable red zin that touches all the bases)

D'Arenberg "Darry's Original" Shiraz Grenache, McLaren Vale '10 **11/2 $ VALUE
(Aussie take on big Cotes du Rhone, powerful and fun)

Many of these fine wines can be purchased at Reds Wine, Spirits, Deli & Meats.
Visit them at www.redswinenspirits.com

Al Spoler, well known to WYPR listeners as the wine-loving co-host of "Cellar Notes" has had a long-standing parallel interest in cooking as well. Al has said, the moment he started getting serious about Sunday night dinners was the same moment he started getting serious about wine. Over the years, he has benefited greatly from being a member of the Cork and Fork Society of Baltimore, a gentlemen's dining club that serves black tie meals cooked by the members themselves who are some of Baltimore's most accomplished amateur cooks.
As General Partner of Clipper City Brewing Company, L.P., Hugh J. Sisson is among Baltimore's premier authorities on craft brewing and a former manager of the state's first pub brewery, Sissons, located in Federal Hill. A fifth generation Baltimorean, Hugh has been involved in all aspects of craft brewing.