I attended the Town Gown Quarterly meeting yesterday. Here’s a brief summary of items that might be of interest.First from the University-Eagle Village remains on schedule, with delivery to the University planned for July 10thNegotiations for leases o…

Bring in your own wine tote or bag and we’ll give you 10% off your purchase today. Don’t have a bag? Buy one from us! Happy Earth Day, y’all.

Calling all cheese lovers…..you simply HAVE to try this (especially at our special price!) So sinfully delish.

Read about it here.

Now that we have a butcher across the street I like trying the new stuff they get. Pictured: a Wagyu beef hot dog with a glass of Beaujolais. These hot dogs are much better than the standard grocery store variety (bigger too). Now that it’s warm enough to grill out we recommend trying these. I topped mine with mustard, salad onions, and 5 spoke tumbleweed cheddar (available at kybecca, of course).

Normally I would pair beer with a hot dog, but I decided to try wine this time. I went with a Beaujolais because they are lighter bodied and very food friendly. If you ever have a tricky wine pairing Beaujolais is a fail safe. More common reds like Cabernet and Shiraz tend to be too big and rich.

Oh, and don’t forget the salad to get some vegetables. I sauteed spinach and tossed it with vinaigrette and tomatoes.

It’s not too late to enjoy these tasty craft beers…at the same price the owners pay for 6 packs.

Bell’s Winter White – ABV 5%
A Belgian White (Witbier) – bananas, bread dough, lemon & spice. This beer screams POOLSIDE!

Weyerbacher Winter – ABV 5.6%
English Strong Ale – Deep roasted, with chocolate malt flavors and a smooth, dry finish.

Bell’s Christmas Ale – ABV 5.8%
Scotch Ale – Fruity, citrusy, doughy & spicy. Yummy.

Avery Old Jubilation – ABV 8%
English Strong Ale – Hazelnuts, mocha, toffee. 94 points on Ratebeer. Stock up on this one…it’s cellerable for 2 years!

Blue Mountain Lights Out – ABV 7%
Caramel, fruits, pine hops. Sweet finish, with moderate bitterness to balance. Delicious.

Long growing seasons, of moderate to warm temperatures and very little rainfall create a unique environment for viticulture along the coastal Mediterranean. Steeped in the roots of the ancient Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans, wine is as essential to the Mediterranean diet as bread and oil. If you want to understand wine, you can never remove its connection to its human and natural environment. The final bottle of wine is an integral part of a wider wine universe that permeates whole Mediterranean towns and wine countries, and embellishes their landscape with beautiful vineyards. Poets sing their praises of their breathtaking beauty, like in the final stanza of Josep Maria de Sagarra’s poem:

Green vineyards by the sea,
green at first light
soft green toward nightfall…
Always keep us company,
Green vineyards by the sea!

Try a delicious sampling of Mediterranean wines in this month’s 6 for $60…not to be missed!

[Editor’s Note: This blog post is one of our most popular and it has prompted many excellent questions from interested readers. Please take the time to read through the comments at the end of this posting as the additional information may be very usefu…

We only have a few left…they are going fast!

kybecca wine & gourmet February 6 for $60 – Great Finds From South Africa
South Africa, especially the coastal parts, has an ideal climate for growing grapes. Not too hot or cold with plenty of sun, the winemaking potential for the country has been recognized since it was first colonized. Over the last twenty years production has greatly increased along with exports and today South Africa is recognized as one of the top wine producing countries in the world. Here are six wines which represent some of the various styles and grape varieties grown there.

Oracle Chardonnay – Chardonnay is a grape that seems to be grown everywhere and South Africa is no exception. The Oracle Chardonnay was fermented in stainless steel tanks and then half of it was aged in French oak barrels and then blended back together. This ensures that the wine gets some oak influence without being dominated by oak. Ripe tropical fruit flavors of pineapple and melon with creamy vanilla notes as well.

Paarl Heights Chenin Blanc– Many wine producing countries have particular grape varieties that are favored, and for South African white wines that grape is Chenin Blanc. Chenin Blanc seems to attain a fantastic ripeness in the South African climate. The Paarl Heights Chenin is a textbook example. Floral and citrus aromas with flavors of ripe tropical fruit and honey (without the sweetness). A very under-rated grape variety in America. Excellent with seafood.

Bradgate Chenin Blanc/Sauvignon Blanc– Sauvignon Blanc is also widely planted in South Africa and blending it with Chenin is very common. What you get are the honeyed fruit flavors of the Chenin mixed with the citrus and grassy notes from the Sauvignon. This one is made in the Stellenbosch area.

The Wolftrap – Here is a South African style field blend modeled on the blends of southern France. This one is 65% Syrah, 32% Mouvedre and 3% Viognier. Oddly, adding the Viognier actually darkens and strengthens the wine. The Wolftrap is has flavors of spicy black fruits and a full body from aging in French oak.

Kanonkop Kadette – This is what’s known as a Cape Blend, based on the Pinotage grape, a grape made and cultivated in South Africa. The Kadette is 45% Pinotage, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc. Cape blends often take Bordeaux varieties and blend them with PInotage. The result is a full-bodied red with flavors of blackberries and cassis, herbal notes, and smokey notes from the PInotage.

Man Vintners Pinotage – PInotage is the South African variety. Made by a university professor, it is a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault (called Hermitage in South Africa, hence the name PInotage). Although Pinot Noir is a parent Pinotage is very different. Like the Man Vintners, it is usually medium to full bodied with flavors of dark fruits and a characteristic smokey aroma and flavor. Very good with gamey meats like Venison.

Here’s an early heads up.Commencementa t UMW this year will be split into two events.On Friday evening May 7th, the graduate schools will be hosting their ceremony at Dodd Auditorium – this will be for 200 masters students and their families.On 9 am Sa…