Perman Wine Selections Chicago

Hello and Happy Friday,

As many of you learned last Friday, I have been nominated by Time Out Chicago’s Readers Choice Awards for Best Wine Store. If you haven’t voted for me, the voting ends March 15th at 9 am.

What I didn’t mention last week was that you can also vote via text. It is even simpler, all you have to do is text Wine 5 to 46786. If you prefer to vote the whole list then go to Time Out Chicago and mark your ballot for Perman Wine Selections.

Today’s Friday Feature is going to be very exciting to all my Italian wine fans. While its popularity has gone in waves, Chianti Classico continues to be one of the great expressions of Sangiovese. In the hands of a top producer like Querciabella, it translates everything that is right with wine from Tuscany today. (more…)

Hello and Happy Friday,

I am honored to be one of the finalists in Time Out Chicago’s Readers Choice Awards for Best Wine Store. The credit goes to all of you out there in e–mail land who have helped grow the business toward a successful future.

So now it’s time to win this thing! You can do your part by voting, having your parents vote, your animals, whoever. Go to Time Out Chicago and mark your ballot for Perman Wine Selections.

On another note, if you haven’t become a fan of Perman Wine on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter – well, you really should. You will find up–to–date notices on store hours, tastings and anything else on my brain.

Back to business. I am very, very excited about today’s Friday Feature offerings.
These two Pinot Noirs offer exceptional value in what is normally a much more expensive world. (more…)

Hello and Happy Friday!

Before we get started today, a quick scheduling note. Tomorrow (Saturday, February 27th), Perman Wine will have shortened hours, opening at 11 am and closing at 6 pm. My lovely, brilliant wife will be in charge of the store while I travel this weekend to Montreal. She will be armed with pre–packed “Six for $60’s.” I will also be closed on Monday, March 1st, while I travel back. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes.

Now, it is time to get down to business! If you haven’t heard of the “six for $60” it is about time you did! It is pretty simple, a monthly sampler featuring six recently tasted and Craig approved wine values. Together these six individual bottles cost only $60 (excluding tax).

The “six for $60” is highly recommend to those learning about wines, trying to stock their wine rack with affordable and tasty adult beverages, or wanting to bring a gift to someone hosting a party. (more…)

Hello and Happy Friday!

One of the greatest trends in the California wine world over the past decade has been the emergence of Syrah and other Rhône varietals. In the Central Coast of California, these varietals make a lot of sense, and a handful of producers are making top–notch wines that have even taken their place on the world wine stage.

Two years ago I was first introduced to Joey Tensley, winemaker and owner of Tensley Wines based in Los Olivos, within Santa Barbara County. After tasting through his line–up at the time, he instantly became my favorite producer in the area. (more…)

Hello and Happy Friday!

This week in my tastings, I tried a wine that was up to my strict criteria.

Tardieu–Laurent is an excellent producer focusing on wines from throughout the Rhône Valley of France. Their ‘04 Rasteau “Vieilles Vignes” is a wine that is at its peak, and will be enjoyed by anyone who gravitates toward wine from this part of France.

Cheers,
Craig

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Hello and Happy Friday!

If you haven’t heard of the “six for $60” it is about time you did! It is pretty simple, a monthly sampler featuring six recently tasted and Craig approved wine values. Together these six individual bottles cost only $60 (excluding tax).

The “six for $60” is highly recommend to those learning about wines, trying to stock their wine rack with affordable and tasty adult beverages, or wanting to bring a gift to someone hosting a party.

So how does this work? To order simply e-mail me back and say “Hey Craig, hook me up.” To join the devoted legions of fans who receive them every month you can just say “and keep ‘em coming!” All of the wines are available by the bottle or case, but for total jubilation just do the whole sampler. Some people are challenged by some of the wines that I put in to my sampler. If wines from the Languedoc give you nose bleeds, Frascati makes you break out in hives, or you just simply hate something I am offering, I will substitute and try to get the sampler as close to $60 as possible.

A suggestion to those folks trying to learn from this as well as get a buzz, print out a copy of the newsletter to keep with your sampler. That way when you are in the mood for a bottle you have your own mini wine lesson on hand. So what are you waiting for? Order yours today!

The sampler is in stock and ready to be picked up or shipped out!

Have a great weekend,
Craig

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2007 CHÂTEAU ETANG DE COLOMBES CORBIÈRES “TRADITION”
I love a good case study, and this month we delve into the “terroir” of the Languedoc, that widespread region that sits in the very southern part of France, north and northeast of the Spanish border. This month’s sampler feature two wines from different appellations of the region. (more…)

Hello,

I’m back, and ready to roll with a really exciting Friday Feature!

Two wines today that deserve extra special attention.

In one corner, a really amazing ‘08 Pinot Noir from a producer that I visited while away. Here is a glimpse into how good the ’08’s are from Oregon, and this example is a great value!

In the other corner, a wine that is highly sought after by the Rhône enthusiast, none other than the exciting ‘07 Santa Duc Gigondas. With its big review and legion of fans, this is quickly disappearing.

One last note, tomorrow should be a great day to visit Perman Wine as I will have 3 or 4 interesting bottles opened for tasting. Stop on by!

Cheers,

Craig

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2008 AYRES PINOT NOIR, WILLAMETTE VALLEY
As a whole, the 2008 vintage in Oregon has turned out some of the finest young Pinot Noirs that the state has ever produced. While I tasted many very good ‘07 Pinot’s, I was told by one winemaker that “if you made a bad wine in 2008, you may want to find a new job.” (more…)

Hello and Happy Friday!

What’s new at Perman Wine Selections in 2010?

- Check out the new website!  Share it with all your friends, so they too can become a fan of Perman Wine Selections.  There are links at the bottom to join me on Facebook and even follow me on Twitter.  These social networking tools will benefit you as they will provide tools to get even more wine information and events updates! www.permanwine.com

- I’m going AWOL!  Before I opened the store I was traveling to far off wineries to improve my knowledge and bring you information directly from the winemakers mouths.  I’m back at it this year with trips to Oregon, Italy and France planned.  To get things started, I will be going to Oregon next week from Thursday, January 14^th, and returning on Wednesday, January 20^th.  The store will be closed part of that time and I will have some guest stars filling in for me a couple of days.

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Happy Holiday’s!

Normally on the last Friday of the month I release my monthly “six for $60” wine sampler.  Due to yesterday being Christmas, I am announcing its availability today!

If you haven’t heard of the “six for $60” it is about time you did!  It is pretty simple, a monthly sampler that I put together based on some favorite wine values I have tasted recently.  Six individual bottles are put together equally $60 (excluding tax).

The “six for $60”  is highly recommend to those learning about wines, trying to stock their wine rack with fun things, or wanting to bring a gift to someone hosting a party.

So how does this work?  To order simply e-mail me back and say “Hey Craig, hook me up.”  To join the devoted legions of fans who receive them every month you can just say “and keep ‘em coming!”  All of the wines are available by the bottle or case, but for total jubilation just do the whole sampler.  Some people are challenged by some of the wines that I put in to my sampler.  If Grenache and Syrah blended together makes you itchy, Pinot Noir from Argentina makes you uncomfortable in public settings, or you just simply hate something I am offering, I will substitute and try to get the sampler as close to $60 as possible.

A suggestion to those folks trying to learn from this as well as get a buzz, print out a copy of the newsletter to keep with your sampler.  That way when you are in the mood for a bottle you have your own mini wine lesson on hand.  So what are you waiting for?  Order yours today!
The sampler is in stock and ready to be picked up or shipped out!
(more…)

*UPDATE – Monsieur Dauvissat has thrown us a bit of a curve ball this year, shipping the following wines in three separate waves.  The Petit Chablis and Chablis have arrived at the store.  The Premier Cru’s as well as “Les Preuses” will arrive late January ‘10 or early February ‘10.  “Les Clos” will come last arriving Fall ‘10.  I apologize for the miss communication, but these are worth the wait!”*

SPECIAL PRE-ARRIVAL OFFER FROM LEGENDARY CHABLIS ESTATE VINCENT DAUVISSAT!

This is always one of the most exciting times of the year for me. Each year at the end of December one of France’s most sought after white wine producers, Vincent Dauvissat of Chablis, releases his newest vintage.  This time the ‘08’s are just a few weeks away.

Chablis is one of the greatest examples of Chardonnay in the world, and Vincent Dauvissat is one of the greatest names of that region. This family winery owns a tiny 11 hectares of vineyards in the region, 90% of which are Premier or Grand Cru vineyards.  Terroir driven wines of elegance are the focus at the estate, and as Vincent Dauvissat says himself “Over-ripe Chardonnay isn’t very interesting.”

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