Hello dear Winos and happy summer!

And what a summer it's been so far. Yikes - hot, hot and hotter. So we thought what better for our July Flight than to feature super-hot Spanish wines - these babies are on fire. Now most of us know that Spanish wine offers great value, but Spain also offers a great deal of "green wine." We're not talking Vinho Verde here - we're talking about green as in the environment - and what could be more Asheville than that? So we present "Spaniards Naturales" - handcrafted, artisanal wines from importer Jose Pastor. Jose is all about the wine being authentic. He seeks out winemakers who respect the land by using the most natural means possible just like their ancestors and often this means organic and biodynamic farming practices. These winemakers also emphasize Spain's indigenous grape varietals and above all else work with their land to create honest wines with a sense of place (you know - that thing the Frenchies call "terroir'). To this end they also use indigenous yeast during fermentation (not many do - too risky - but more on that on Flight Night) and oak treatment and filtering is kept to a minimum. The result of all this? Amazingly delicious wines!

Here's the line-up:

Aforado Albarino 2008 - Riax Baixes - So here's a prime example of quality over quantity. As Albarino has taken off in the new world, we're starting to see the dumbing down of the varietal. It's rushed through the process, squeegyed up off the floor, bottled and sent across the pond. Aforado is not that product. No chemicals are used during production and this wine shows the pure mineral character of the region. So what you get in the glass is clean and fresh with a touch of sea salt - yes that should be a characteristic of Albarnio - it's what makes it so darn good with seafood. It ain't our cheapest Albarnio, but it sure is the real deal and it sure is tasty. Retail $24.00

Vinos de Terrrunos Siete 7 - 2008 – Navarra - So here again, we're experiencing what the Spaniards drink as this is not the modern, grocery store style of Spanish wine that mostly gets imported. This 50/50 blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha is a lovely light bodied red with spicy red berries, strawberries and no rough edges. This, my friends could be the summer red that you turn to time and time again as it's just so darn drinkable. Retail $12.50

Bodegas Hermanos Pencina Tempranillo Joven - 2007 - Rioja – 95 % Tempranillo, with Graciano and Mazsuelo – Ah, Rioja... this conjures up earth and spice and smoke and berries and leather and this wine delivers all of that and more with it’s sexy, silky tannins and medium weight. We think it’s a middleweight champion – Devon simply calls it a rockstar. Retail $16.50

Clos de Noi 'Vinyes Velles' Samso - 2008 - Montsant - This small production wine from winemaker Carlos Escolar is made from 50-60 year old Samso (Carignan - and with the Frenchies) vines and is a blend of three vineyard sites each representing the typical soils of the region - chalk, clay and galets - round, white stones, like you'd see in the Rhone Valley of France - and those stones show up on the palate as mineral. So what you get here is a juicy, tangy refreshing red with enough grip to handle any meat you'll pull off the grill. Retail $19.00

Now that's a flight friends and we know you'll want to join us and Devon Price of Bordeaux Fine and Rare on Thursday, July 8, at 7:00 PM. Cost is $15.00 (excluding tax and gratuity) and as always, we need you to RSVP. Additionally and as always, we'll have a very special surprise pour (also from Jose) that's available only on Flight Night. So call or e-mail today and get your name on a stool. You'll definitely be recovered from the long weekend by then...

Here's to hosing you soon. Have a happy and safe weekend!

The Santé Four

PS - Yes, we're open on the 4th - we'll open at 4:00 (or maybe a little earlier) and will close when the fireworks begin (or maybe a little later). So if you're downtown, we're a great gathering spot before the revelry.

PPS - Don't forget about our new Sunday 10 for $10 tasting (it can be 5 for $5 for the faint of heart). Each and every Sunday join us at the bar (and we mean the actual physical bar people – sorry but we’re not staffed on Sunday to run tastes to the patio) from 4:00 - 6:30. All who've done it have really enjoyed it. And yes, it will be offered on the 4th too...