A special thanks top Jeremy Kosmicki and Founders Brewing Co. for joining us on the Beer Theater. Here’s the recording of our 10/21 tasting.

We did run into one snag (first time) with this recording in an intermittent hiss/static… it’s a touch distracting from time to time, but I know you’ll forgive us since this is still a work in progress (think of it as a reason to attend in person so you can drink the beer too!).

If you would like to skip through or listen to a portion of the event. I suggest you start the video and pause it to let the entire video load. Then you can skip to these markers:

Centennial IPA 2:48, Harvest Ale 4:08, Red’s Rye P.A. 12:23, Porter 16:06, Breakfast Stout 23:02 and Old Curmudgeon Ale 26:50

Please let me know what you think in the comments.

Cheers!

Here’s the recap of our Virtual Winemaker event with Matias Mayol. I’ve decided to keep it as one uncut video – if you think it would be better to cut the video into smaller bits please let me know in the comments. Here are the time breaks if you would like to fast forward to a particular wine:

Sauvignon Blanc 4:33

Bonarda 8:23

Malbec 16:40

Cuatro Primos 24

Finca Montuiri 36

Cheers and Enjoy!

Here’s a teaser of our Virtual Series and the action that our brave patrons have enjoyed so far…

Cheers!

Matt

Today we have the pleasure of welcoming Matias Mayol to our Virtual Winemaker Program at Wine and Beer Westpark from 5:30-6:30!

Matias will be joining us via video conference from his family winery in Mendoza, Argentina.

We’ll be sampling and discussing their Sauvignon Blanc, Bonarda, Malbec, Cuatro Primos (Meritage), and Montuiri Malbec.

The Familia Mayol winery began in 1990. The family now holds three properties around Mendoza from which they draw the fruit for their estate bottled, hand made wines. Quality drives the low production Familia Mayol wines, which highlight the high altitude and often single-vineyard grape sources.

Seeing these wines at under $20 is quite a remarkable feat! Join us in person today at 9631 West Broad Street, Glen Allen, Va or return to our blog to enjoy our first Virtual Winemaker video footage by the beginning of next week!

This is a free event…

Ladies and Gentlemen it is my esteemed honor to publish our first Beer Theater recording for your enjoyment. This is an MP3 recording of our conversation with Mitch Steele of Stone Brewing from September 18th. Cheers! This is just the first of may to come!

The actions begins about 1:30 in…

Last night Paul Cluver visited Wine and Beer Westpark to taste some of his fabulous wines from South Africa. Check out the video below, we think you’ll enjoy Paul as much as we do. And, of course, his fabulous wines (all for under $20) are available at WBW.

Hey Folks,

There’s a laundry list of news at the top here, enjoy the read – Get up offa that thing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq1w0syylZI

Wednesday (9/9) when we return from holiday stop in at 5:30 for Beer Theater Act  III: featuring Left Hand and the arts of Ro Guenzel – perhaps he’ll bring the boot… -> www.facebook.com/wineandbeerwestpark

Don’t fret wine friends, In two weeks we’ll welcome winemaker Paul Cluver to Wine and Beer Westpark to pour and discuss his Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Noir!

Last but not least, Social Media Club Richmond VA (SMCRVA)

Your truly will be speaking on a panel at Fuego (next to Mekong) from 6-7 this Thursday, Sep 3^rd regarding the impact of Social Media on local businesses.

This event will be quite informative for those learning to engage Social Media as a business development tool. There will be many marketing and PR industry folks there, but, more importantly, the event is geared toward anyone interested in learning more about Social Media.

Tix are $15 with a modest $1.36 fee that you can buy online, which get’s you entry to prepanel networking (cash bar), the panel discussion and the after party at Mekong for a beer or two and some light viddles (included in the ticket price). Seriously, this is a good deal – Mekong beer and learn about Twitter, Facebook, etc. Do it! DO IT! But come to our tasting first J

Please check out http://smcrvasept09.eventbrite.com/ for a proper description and to purchase tix.

Wine

2007 Meinklang Frizzante Pinot Noir, $16

A rose of the legendary Pinot Noir that Werner made as a surprise to his wife on their wedding day. The Pinot grapes are organic, sustainably farmed and quite marvelous.

2007 Jean Francois Merieau Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine & 2008 Gamay, Loire Valley

This guy is a badass. Wines of this quality for $15 make life worth living.

Here are some notes from importer Jon David Headrick (www.jondavidwine.com):

One of the new stars of the Loire, Jean-François Merieau is as ambitious as they come. Before coming back to settle at his family’s property in the Touraine just east of Tours, he wandered the world tasting wine and spent time working at several wineries outside of France including an extended stay in South Africa. It was this exposure that drives his creativity today. Instead of blending his wines, Jean-François produces most of the varietals with which he works in single varietal bottlings, often from a single parcel. This terroir-specific approach allows us to taste singular wines of great expression. He is converting the entire production to organic viticulture.

Without exception, all of the wines produced at this property offer tremendous value. The sparkling Touraine is aged a for 3 years before release and it is still less than a third of the price of most Champagnes. The Sauvignon de Touraine rivals many of the great Sancerre wines being produced today at half the price. Crisp, delicious wines.

Beer

Savage new beers: Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti & 15^th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA, Stone Juxtaposition Black Pilsner, and Harpoon Laviathan dbl IPA.

9/2 tasting 5:30 to 7ish:

Corsendonk Pale

Stone Juxtaposition Collaboration

Dogfish Head Ch Jiahu

De Regenboog t’Smisje Great Reserva

Souther Tier Pumking

Paulaner Octoberfest

Harpoon Leviathan

Great Divide 15^th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA (aka longest name ever)

*I’d like to state for the record that we selected the wines for the tasting before the winning votes were tallied…

The Scene: Wine and Beer Westpark Our weekly Thu tasting (8/27)

After a handsome bit of pestering from our favorite Luxembourgian we opened the Benegas Don Tiburcio (Argentina, $13), decanted it, and then presented the wine blind next to the 2003 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa, $$$).

Now there’s no arguing that the Don Tiburcio is an exceptional value at $13, as there was no pretending this would be a survey of merit. But, we’re a curious lot, and there was something remarkable in our customer’s reactions to the pair of decanters. Naturally suspicion arose that this was some kind of test to fail, but our novice tasters provided equal curiosity. Suffice it to say, close to an even split for the preferred decanter -  some admitted under reluctance, as well.

Then we did the unthinkable – we blended the two wines together.     Shock, and awe right? :0

Well, why not? Don Tiburcio’s rich Malbec played well in the smaller Insignia bringing more fruit and cocoa notes to the front, while the overall body of the Argentine blend was subdued by a touch of Napa elegance. Cuvee Don Signia was neither original, but, instead, quite an enjoyable wine all its own.

More importantly, our experiment – which evolved from the simple question “which do you prefer?” – became a deft lesson in the rules of engagement: enjoy wine first. Take pleasure in wine.

Don’t be afraid to have fun, and don’t worry about what other people like – your mouth is always the best judge of what’s best for you! The true luxury of wine is finding gems at every price point, and that’s something you can do everyday. Oh, and don’t be afraid if you spill a blend or two of your own, if the situation calls for it.

Cheers!

Last tasting of the Year of Doom – celebration glasses all around.

Wine

2007 Cousino Macul Sauvignon Gris, $15

Soft lemon nose, and minerality with a balance of white peach and pepper notes are reminiscent of its Sauvignon Blanc-self, but there’s texture and structure for us geeks to discuss.

2007 MacRostie Chardonnay, $20

A Westpark classic. This wine almost stemmed my anti-Chardonnay wave on its own, but, alas, I’m still lost to SB. French inspired? Pure, with elegant delivery. Down from $27.

2006 Mercedes Eguren Shiraz-Tempranillo, $11

A new wine for our inexpensive Spanish stable. Those familiar with Protocolo may recognize the Eguren name – this wine delivers plush, juicy fruit on a mild tannic structure. An enjoyable quaffer.

2003 Phelps Insignia, $If you have to ask…

What needs to be said? The unfortunate ’03 vintage was sandwiched between the classic ’02 wine of the year and the haughty ’04. We’ll take a look to see how this is progressing.

Beer

New Beer Rules! Octoberfest beers have taken over the seasonal shelf: Flying Dog, Paulaner, Beck’s, Starr Hill, and Bell’s are available now. Buffalo Bill’s, Ichabod Pumpkin and Southern Tier Pumpking are also available.

Heavy Seas Big DIPA (double IPA), and Terrapin are on the shelves – no surprises there.

Terrapin’s Maggie’s Farmhouse we have a few bottles left.

I have 1 or 2 bottles left of Abbaye de St Bon Chien Vin Jaune 375ml ($21). This is insanely limited, and if you have an interest you need to tell me this week.

Wine
2008 Yalumba Y Series Riesling, $15
After a few weeks of some heady tasting material I’m happy to say that Y Series from Yalumba is designed for your more carefree, everyday celebrations. The Riesling is bright with citrus, lime notes, and refreshing acidity.

2008 Jip Jip Chardonnay, $14
There’s been some stirring on Unwooded Chardonnay’s lately and this one has received some spritely recommendations. Having enjoyed the Terra Barossa Eden Chard so much, I have high hopes for this as well.

2008 Thorn Clake Shotfire Shiraz, $18
It’s a been a tough couple of years for the Aussies (heat/drought) and we’ve seen our regular selection shrink as quality has declined. Despite challenges, the Shotfire prevails yet again. I won’t say this is the richest, most jammy Shotfire I’ve had, but the production is well executed and the resulting wine is a fine example of the rich Thorn Clarke style overcoming adversity.

Beer
Don’t forget we’ll have John Cochran pouring through some Terrapin beers next Wednesday the 19th from 5:30 – 6:30.

The “End of Doom” promotional contest celebrates You and the completion of the “Year of Doom.”

The contest is simple: email me or post on our wall “Why you love shopping at Wine and Beer Westpark.” Each week (Wed- Tues) we’ll pick 4 quotations and post them at the store. Then, from Wed. Aug 26th through Mon. the 31st when you stop in the store for a regular purchse, vote and receive an instant discount.

1st place will be a $50 gift certificate second place $15 and third $10!

Why you should do this…1) you really do love us. 2) there’s a chance to win a free boozy gift certificate, and honestly, who can afford to pass that up 3) you wouldn’t want us to end the “Year of Doom” with a failed promotion!?! 4) you may not love us, but you’re not afraid to lie creatively for a boozy gift certificate.