Have a Jolly Joli Weekend
Featured Wine

This weekend we are putting a favorite on a special price feature. The Clos La Chance Joli 2007 is an American Meritage (rhymes with heritage) blend that is rich and smooth with deep fruit and soft tannins. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec offers hints of cherry, currant and a touch of vanilla on the nose.

Joli is a well-balanced blend with a silky mouthfeel, deep cherries on the palate, and a lingering finish. Easy to enjoy on its own, it is also excellent when paired with rich, flavorful cheeses or robust meals. Try it with our Down to Earth flatbread as the combination of earthy mushrooms plays well with the deep richness of the wine.

Special weekend only pricing on Joli will be $10 by the glass instead of $15, or order a bottle for $40--great price for a beautiful red blend wine!

Because of the already discount pricing, no further discounts, coupons, or promotions will be applied.

Cheese to Accompany Your Wine
Some Old Favorites Make a Return

Our cheese and charcuterie plates continue to grow in popularity as a great way to nosh and nibble with your selected wine varietal. Two cheeses that have always remained popular return to our cheese list this weekend.

The Explorateur is a triple cream cow's milk cheese from the Isle de France region. It was created in France to honor the first US Satellite, Explorer One. Some call Explorateur the most decadent and indulgent cheese you will ever encounter. This creamy cheese has an ivory interior with a soft rind. It is buttery and smooth, because by French law it must contain 75% butterfat. While this may not bode well for the diet, let yourself indulge a bit anyway. Explorateur pairs beautifully with Champagne or sparkling wine as well as with any bright citrusy white.

The Bellwether Farms Pepato is a sheep's milk cheese that is semi-soft. It is combined with peppercorns. Made in California, it is aged for at least three and a half months. The flavor is smooth while also retaining some of the original tang found in sheep's milk cheeses. The cheesemaker's at Bellwether farms enjoy their Pepato with a glass of Pinot Noir.

Memorial Day
Remember Those Who Have Sacrificed Their Lives

Throughout our nation's history, many brave and courageous men and women have served our nation in the various branches of the military. In so doing, some have sacrificed their lives. Memorial Day is the day set aside to remember those who have died in serving our country. They are members of our families and they are our friends.

This Monday, let us all take a moment or more to remember those who have given their lives in service to our country. May all their memories be for a blessing.

Don't Forget to Pick Your Per Cent
Our New Weekend Feature

If you order a bottle of your favorite wine for yourself, to share with a friend, or for your table, don't forget to ask to "pick your per cent." Reach into our Champagne bucket and pull out a card with your per cent discount for the bottle. It will range anywhere between 10% and 40%. Enjoy a bottle of your favorite varietal and save a little money too.

Pick your Per Cent applies only to on-premise bottles and does not apply to retail or already discounted bottles. May not be combined with other promotions, offers, or coupons.

Sunny Italy
A New Sandwich to Try

We have just added a new panini sandwich to our menu called Sunny Italy. It is a flavorful combination of sundried tomato spread, thinly sliced sweet red onion and smooth fontina cheese. Lightly grilled until it gets crispy on the outside and the cheese becomes wonderfully soft and gooey on the inside, it offers a great combination of tang from the sundried tomato contrasted with the somewhat nutty flavor of the melted fontina cheese.

This sandwich pairs well with many of our summer white varietals including the Pinot Gris or the Albariño. If you prefer a red, then order a glass of Pinot Noir or lighter Cabernet to highlight this panini's flavors.

Need a vacation? Take a quick trip and order the Sunny Italy the next time you are at the wine bar.

Let's Talk Pinot Gris
Another Great Summer White

As a white varietal, it might surprise you to know that Pinot Gris is a white mutation that sprang from Pinot Noir. Because of this relationship, Pinot Gris produces wines that are soft, gently floral and with more substance and color than most other white varietals.

Pinot Gris is grown in France in the Alsace region as well as in Italy and Germany. It has recently taken hold in the US, and in 2000 became Oregon's most widely planted white varietal, surpassing Chardonnay. It is now second only to Pinot Noir in Oregon.

The flavor profile of Pinot Gris can vary depending upon where the grape was grown. Domestic Pinot Gris wines tend to offer flavors of pear, apple and melon. Those from Italy tend to be more acidic and lighter, while those from Alsace tend to carry a touch more minerality.

Many of you are already familiar with one of the Naked Grape favorites, the Big Fire Pinot Gris from R Stuart winery in Willamette. We recently brought back in an Alsatian Pinot Gris which we carried a couple years back: the Lucien Albrecht Cuvee Romanus. It is a very elegant white wine that is made by one of the oldest wine making families in France.

Pinot Gris pairs well with a wide array of cheeses and foods because its flavors are not overpowering, but rather refined and elegant. Try it with creamy cheeses as well as pungent cheeses such as Maytag Blue. It also pairs well with light grilled fare and is equally at home with a simple sandwich.

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Are You a Naked Grape Wine Bar Facebook Friend?

If you have not recently checked out our Facebook page, you should do so. Modern, hip, up to date, you can check out what's happening, menu features, photos and more. Post about your own favorites on the wine menu or the tapas menu.

Also, we will be starting some "Facebook Features" that will be limited feature pricing on particular wines or menu items, posted only on Facebook. You just might be able to catch a feature and save yourself some cash!

Featured in The South Florida Chronicle.Click here.