Quality House Wines

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas from Quality House Wines

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:08:02 +0000

Give Mom the Gift of Wine this Monther’s Day.
Here are some great options that she will love.
We can also customize gifts to meet any specific tastes or price range.

Rosé 3 Bottle Gift Set $50
1 Coste Brulade Rose 2011
1 Wolffer Estate Rose 2010
1 Rose Hubert Veneau 2010

Italian Red & White 2 Bottle Gift Set $50
Pirra Varone Fiano 2010
Primitivo Polaverna 2008

Sparkling Gift $50
2 Prosecco Soligo

1 Magnum of Domaine Ott Rosé 2010 $80

Taste of Tuscany 3 Bottle Set $100
Rosso di Montalcino Valdicava 2009
Rosso di Montalcino Romitorio 2009
Rosso di Montalcino Canalicchio di Sopra 2009

Burgundy Sampler 3 Bottle Set: $100
Pouilly-Fuisse Chalet 2009 (Chardonnay)
Pouille-Fume Bardin 2009 (Chardonnay)
Aloxe-Corton 2009 Delarche 2009 (Pinot Noir)

Mother’s Day White Wine Sampler 6 Bottles Set: $135
Roth Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (Alexander Valley, CA)
Pouilly Fuisse Chalet 2009 (Burgundy, France)
Chablis Montmains 1er Cru 2009 Fevre (Burgundy, France)
Pirro Fiano 2009 (Puglia, Italy)
Ch. Roquefort 2009 (Bordeaux, France)
Ch. Dereszla Tokaji Dry 2010 (Hungary)

We will elegantly gift-wrap and deliver or ship the gift to arrive by Friday May 11th.

All the Best,
Everyone at Quality House Wines

Americans Love French Wines

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:20:18 +0000

It’s all about Value

The wine boom began in the mid 1940’s and escalated into 1970’s . The “fine wine market” was almost exclusively Bordeaux, with a smaller percentage of Burgundy and an even smaller amount of Rhone wine. There was no other place in the world that could compete in quality with French wines.

Deals were made with large volume purchases. When you bought more quantity, you paid less. There was a relationship, a bond between the producers and the wine trade. As the demand grew for top tier Bordeaux, deals disappeared. If you wanted to buy 50 cases, the first 20 cases were set at one price and the next 30 cases cost you 20 % more (if you could get the wine).

Loyalty was substituted with who would pay more. A lesson was learned.

The top Chateaux began to act independently with exaggerated prices and sold where they could get the top dollar. At the present it is in Asia. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of Chateaux that would love to have a presence in the US market. We welcome them. As the taste for good wine grows, so do the boundaries in France. Burgundy, Rhone Valley, Languedoc, satellite areas of Bordeaux such as Fronsac.

The idea of the French wanting to reconquer us sounds amusing. Who wants to be conquered?

We are people who want to be loyal and appreciated. We have the knowledge and appreciation for wine and have the confidence to buy what we believe is good. No need for fancy labels.

-Gary Fradin, Third-generation owner of Quality House Wines & Spirits

An Incredible Wine Tasting at Quality House Wines

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:19:28 +0000

We had five award-winning Italian wine makers, at our store, pouring and talking about their wines. It was a full house with friends, customers and press. The reaction from everyone was overwhelmingly positive. Here are a couple of comments: ”Given the extensive list of Italian wine possibilities for Season II of Vine Talk on PBS, I was thrilled with the select group poured at Quality House’s recent tasting. And all very reasonably priced! At the risk of not being allowed back in certain parts of Italy, I’ll speak the truth and say that all of the 2008 and 2009 vintages were an excellent way to end my day.” -Bruce Marcus, Executive Producer, Vine Talk, national PBS television series

“Thank you for the most professionally and tastefully coordinated wine tasting I have had the pleasure of attending. Bravo to you for doing an outstanding job hosting the Italian tasting. The wine selection was the perfect amount of variety without overwhelming the palate…All guests were absolutely courteous; bottom line it was a very friendly inclusive atmosphere. I had a wonderful evening.” -Patti

We stayed open until much longer than planned. Thanks to our wine makers, who were more than accommodating:

Giovanni Manetti of Fontodi

Raffaella Bologna of Braida

Giorgio Pelissero of Pelissero

Francesco Rippaccoli of Canalicchio di Sopra Stefano

Cesari of Brigaldara

Syrah at the Highest Level

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:18:55 +0000

Michel Chapoutier is one of the most highly regarded winemakers in France. Since taking over his family firm in 1990 at age 26, Michel Chapoutier has transformed the winery into the leading Rhone Valley producer.
He combines the modern and the traditional; crusading for biodynamic winemaking, while expanding operations around the globe and experimenting with cutting edge winemaking techniques.

Today, M. Chapoutier is the only producer to own vineyards in all of the major Rhone appellations. With Michel’s guidance, the family firm has become the benchmark Rhone wine producer. The legendary Selections Parcellaires of Maison M. Chapoutier are among the greatest red and white wines produced in the world. These small-production wines made from distinct, very low-yielding parcels of land express the unique terroir of the Rhone’s most important appellations.

“In this short period, Michel Chapoutier has amassed a record of unprecedented achievement… he is one of the most influential wine personalities of the last 20 years.”
-Robert Parker Jr.

“The Chapoutier Ermitage L’ Ermite 2007 and 2004 vintages are examples of great Syrah from the northern Rhone Valley. The L’ Ermite is his best wine.”
-Quality House Wines

Chapoutier Ermitage L’ Ermite 2007 $350 per bottle/ $3,600 per case

Chapoutier Ermitage L’ Ermite 2004 $300 per bottle/ $3,000 per case

For more information or inquiries, call 888-204-3928 or email
info@qualityhousewines.com

Gifts are not just for the Holidays

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:17:44 +0000

During the holidays we are generous people. We show our love and appreciation to those that we care about by giving gifts.

Unfortunately, it starts and ends with the holiday season. Gift giving should be a year-round endeavor. I’m not talking about birthdays or special occasions. In this digital age we are losing that personal touch. Gift giving has become depersonalized. We do what we have to do.

Let’s thank someone, not by text, but by sending a gift of appreciation. How about “thinking of you,” “miss you,” “hang in there” or “good luck.” What a novel idea! Gifts do not have to be expensive but they should be personal. Don’t give someone who loves tea a pound of coffee or a wine enthusiast beer or vice versa. So let’s spread the cheer all year round. Who knows, it might become contagious. The world could certainly us it.

Michael Leob was an executive in the luxury goods industry for over 30 years. He is presently a consultant in the retail industry.

For more information or inquiries, call 888-204-3928 or email
info@qualityhousewines.com