Art of the Table -- Notes from Mike - 2006
Products for Entertaining
A specialty food, beverage & tabletop retail store.
606 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids, MI
askus@artofthetable.com

Hello it's 2006!

Truly, truly the past year has been amazing and thank you to all who participate in our little experiment we call Art of the Table. We do what we do for you all because there is a yearning out there to explore and expand our knowledge of wines from around the world. That you all have responded with such enthusiasm makes all the hard work seem like fun.

The mission with our wine program is to introduce and educate you, your friends, your family on some of the finer, or I like to think, smaller things in life: wines that are grower-produced in small batches in appellation specific regions. Wines that are made by people with families and friends who all chip in and contribute to achieve a specific and unique vision, just like how our store is run.

The 300 or so wines we feature at the store are carefully selected from literally over 40,000 wines available in Michigan. We feel they represent a cross section of the very best producers from the best vintages available for the very best value or price. Our selection constantly changes ~ though we do play favorites.

We hope you remember that:
*not only are we will willing but very happy to special order any wine we don't currently have on the shelf
*we always offer a 10% discount on mixed cases of wine (12 bottles)
*and a 15% discount on straight cases of the same wine
*we have a weekly wine tasting that is really a great time...find out more or call us to sign up at 301.1885

Thanks again for making 2005 such a stellar year!!

Some of the cool new finds include:

Tablas Creek 2003 Roussanne Paso Robles - $27.75
I had lunch with Jason Haas, the winemaker from Tablas Creek in September, and got to taste a number of his super-small production wines that only get sold at the winery and I convinced him to send us a case of his Roussanne, which is just wonderful. It's the loveliest New World Roussanne I've ever had. With vibrant aromas of pear, honeysuckle, marzipan and honey, this is super-complex and nuanced, with notes of mineral, lemon gelato and toast. Enjoy it with Coquilles St. Jacques.

Januik 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley - $31.75
This is small-production boutique Cab at it's very best. Mike Januik sources his fruit from Champoux, Klipsun, Red Mountain, Seven Hills and Ciel du Cheval vineyards, arguably the top-five Bordeaux vineyards in Washington State. This top-flight red is smooth and lively, with spicy aromatics of blackberry, black currant, tobacco and cedar. On the palate the flavors are dense and focused with black fruit intermixed with earthy spices wrapped in a soft blanket of fine tannins and toasty oak. Pair this with your favorite dolled-up seared beef tenderloin.