February 25th Wine Tasting. Australia brings forth many great wines, including big, bold reds, and on Monday, February 25th, we will have a chance to taste some of the country's great selections that consistently occupy both the WS and Robert Parker's reviews. Click here for the list of wines. The Savory Grape (TSG) will hold the tasting at 7 PM at Main Street Coffee (MSC) in East Greenwich. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at TSG (886-9463) or MSC (885-8787). Payment is due upon making a reservation. Only a few tickets remain.

March 10th Wine Dinner, Post Office Cafe. Please save the date and join us on Monday, March 10th for a 5-course wine dinner at the Post Office Cafe in East Greenwich. Tickets ($60) are now on sale and can be purchased at The Savory Grape or the Post Office Cafe. Click here to view the full menu and wine selections, some which are rated favorably by the Wine Spectator and Robert Parker.

March 19th Siena Wine Dinner. Please join us for our second Tuscan wine dinner with Siena Cucina in East Greenwich. The menu, wine selections and pricing will be forthcoming. To make reservations, contact The Savory Grape (886-9463) or Siena (885-8850).

In Store Wine Tasting Events.
February 22, Jonathon Edwards Winery. Susan Denice will join us from 5-8 PM to present the Napa Valley line of Jonathon Edwards Wines, which is located in North Stonington, Connecticut.
March 7th, Dragon's Hollow. We are pleased to have David Henderson of Dragon's Hollow Wines join us to introduce the area to new upcoming Chinese wines. Join us to taste what China now has to offer.

For the Collector: 2004 Terra Valentine Cabernet, California. The 2004 Spring Mountain District was picked from 14 different vineyard blocks. The winemaker used a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from its Wurtele Vineyard Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon from its more recently planted Yverdon Vineyard Estate and a touch of Cabernet Franc. The result is a rich Cabernet that is drinking great now, but will only get better with age. The nose starts off with dark, jammy fruits, cedar spice, clove and toasted marshmallow. In the mouth the wine has bright cherry fruit on the entry with notes of dark cocoa. Smooth, lingering tannins lead to a rich, silky finish. This wine will age for the next 7-9 years. ($41.99)
2001 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino, Italy. This is a wine for any collector, and one that will age for the next 15 years. So treat your special someone to this Italian red that comes from the famed Montalcino region in Tuscany. This wine embodies power & elegance. Together with the captivating perfumes of red and black fruits and the clean freshness, the complexity of the wine proves an optimal equilibrium. ($73.99)

For the Novice: 2006 Tilia Malbec Syrah, Argentina. This is a fantastic blend from Argentina consisting of 50% Malbec and 50% Syrah. Together these two varietals have created a wine that has a rich ruby color. On the nose there are aromas of rich black fruit and roasted coffee. On the palate this wine is full and sweet with cherry and chocolate flavors. This wine is ready to drink now and provides a lot for the price. ($10.99)
Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, California. The rich, complex flavors of the 2005 Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon reflect both the diversity and synergy of grapes grown in Sonoma's soils and climatic regions. Moon Mountain's Cabernet Sauvignon has expansive aromas and mouth filling flavors which are thick with dark cherry, cassis and smoky spices. The ripe dark fruit flavors, supported by velvety tannins, culminate in an elegant finish that lingers with bittersweet chocolate and spice nuances. This is the perfect wine to enjoy with your loved one by the fire on a chilly Valentine's night, which is what's predicted for tomorrow night. ($15.99)

For the Hard to Buy: If you're having trouble finding the right gift for your loved one, The Savory Sipper Wine Club may be just the perfect gift. For the wine lover in your life you can purchase one of four levels of the wine club. Each month, that special someone will receive two bottles of wine, accompanied by vineyard and tasting notes, food pairings and a featured recipe for each particular wine. For more information on the wine clubs and pricing, click here.

For the Romantic: Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut Rosé Sauvage, France. What better way to celebrate a special occasion then with some bubbly. This Rose Champagne is just the wine with which to do that. This Champagne is lively, generous and intense. Its freshness is expressed by a slight tartness of red fruit, which then mellows with aromas of macerated fruit & red plums. The final sensation is exuberant. The perfect way to cap off the perfect evening. ($58.49)

2005 Jessie's Grove Earth, Zin and Fire, California. From Lodi California, Jessie's Grove Earth, Zin and Fire puts on a performance filled with upbeat jammin' flavors of blackberry and strawberry fields forever and groovin' with a deep bass of silky chocolate and high notes of spice. This Zinfandel has a deep opaque red-purple color and an intense nose. With a fruit forward and dense, jammy quality this wine has berry flavors hinted with exotic spice. In the mouth the wine has soft tannins and a long smooth finish. ($15.99)

2006 Domaine Roc De Chateauvieux Pinot Noir, France. This Pinot Noir from France's Loire has aromas of cherry, blackberry and a twist of vanilla which gives a hint to the velvety smooth flavors to follow. The citrus fruit flavors on the palate are supple yet rich with tannins and a backbone of acidity which is perfectly balanced with the rich fruit flavors. A wonderful, modern Pinot Noir with classic Loire at the heart of the wine. ($10.99)

2006 Le Vieille Ferme Côtes du Ventoux Rouge, France. This medium-bodied and fruity wine comes from vines grown high on the slopes of Mount Ventoux, one of the best vineyards in the Rhône Valley. This blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignane and Cinsault grapes has produced a typical Rhône Valley style, full of fruit and spice aromas; it has soft tannins and great body and is a great value. ($8.49)

Friday, February 15th (5 to 8 PM) A Look Into Zinfandels

• 2005 Jessie's Grove Earth, Zin and Fire, California. Please see tasting notes above in this week's Savory Selections. ($15.99)

• 2005 Peachy Canyon Westside Zinfandel, California. Located in beautiful Paso Robles, Peachy Canyon is a small family owned winery on the Central Coast of California. The 2005 vintage of this flagship wine has all the components of an elegant and exotic Zinfandel. (You may know its little brother the Incredible Red Zin.) The Westside Zin shows nice earth tones with black pepper and spice along with deep notes of cherries, strawberries and blueberries. This wine has a velvet texture on the palate of sweet plums, and lingers incessantly. ($23.99)

• 2006 Benziger Carneros Chardonnay, California. This great Chardonnay has wonderful aromas of peach, pear and green apple, all of which define this wine's wonderfully fragrant nose. On the palate, the wine is supple and long, with a clean and satisfying finish. Enjoy with fried calamari, scallops in a light curry sauce, crab cakes, filet of sole with almonds, or turkey panini. ($15.49)

Saturday, February 16th (3 to 7 PM) Wandering Around France

• 2006 Domaine Roc De Chateauvieux Pinot Noir, France. Please see tasting notes above in this week's Savory Selections. ($10.99)

• 2006 Le Vieille Ferme Côtes du Ventoux Rouge, France. Please see tasting notes above in this week's Savory Selections. ($8.49)

• 2005 Hugel & Fils Les Amours Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France. The bouquet of this wine is fresh and attractive, yet vivaciously young, crisp and open, with superbly balanced fruit aromas of green apple, citronella, lemon balm and sweet almond. On the palate the wine is dry, with perfect balance between a remarkably precise acidity that awakens the taste buds with refreshing coolness, and a subtle, delicate softness that only the Pinot Blanc can give. ($16.99)

email: jessica@thesavorygrape.com

phone: 401.886.9463

web: http://www.thesavorygrape.com