Summer Passport Series 2013 – Week 3: Portugal

One of our most popular events continues with a trip around the wine world!

This week we’re off to unsung Portugal, often overlooked for its incredible array of affordable yet quality wines. We’ll be pouring a value themed selection of wines this evening as we explore the Dao, the Douro, Alentejano and one or two other places you may have never heard of.

Every Friday, from June 7th to September 6th (14 weeks), we’ll feature a different country or region at our wine tastings. With each country you “visit” (wine tasting you attend) your passport will be stamped. As the summer progresses, coupons will be awarded at different levels as your passport fills with stamps:

4 Stamps = 15% off Coupon

8 Stamps = 20% off Coupon

12 Stamps = 25% off Coupon

With 4 Stamps you will earn your first coupon. Keep your passport and continue to work towards the next level. At 8 Stamps we’ll give you your next coupon (for 20% off) and with 12 Stamps the final coupon (for 25% off). Coupons may be redeemed anytime through September 30. It’s that easy…earn 3 money saving coupons just for tasting great wines from around the world.

Bring this passport to your first tasting and begin your wine travels! If you forget your passport, we’ll have extras available.

The Fine Print

• It’s just like a real passport so only one per person.
• You must be present to have your passport stamped.
• Passports are only stamped during scheduled tastings on Fridays, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Coupons can not be used in conjunction with case discounts or other discounts.
• Coupons apply to wine and cheese purchases only (sorry beer drinkers).
• Coupons are valid thru 9/30/2013.

Summer Passport Travel Itinerary

• June 7th – Italy
• June 14th - Germany
• June 21st – Portugal
• June 28th - Spain
• July 5th – Australia
• July 12th – Chile
• July 19th – New Zealand
• July 26th – Austria
• August 2nd – Greece
• August 9th – Pacific Northwest
• August 16th – California
• August 23rd – Argentina
• August 30th – South Africa
• September 6th – France

The Caboose & Iron Horse Restaurant Summer Passport Pasrtnership

Corkage Fee Free Fridays: June 7th – September 6th

Looking for something else to do once you’ve bought your wine and left the tasting? Why not walk a couple of doors down and enjoy the bottle of wine you just bought with dinner on the tracks? This summer we’re partnering with the Iron Horse Restaurant for an added bonus to our Summer Passport Series. Now you can enjoy any bottle of wine that you purchase in the Caboose the Friday evening during a Passport tasting at the Iron Horse without paying a corkage fee. That’s right…the Iron Horse will waive the normal $20 corkage fee on the Friday evening of a tasting if you come down and enjoy dinner with your bottle of wine. This is a great chance to match up your wine with one of Chef Rusty Stone’s delicious dishes and take care of your Friday night dinner plans without having to leave the block.

• Offer valid only on Friday evening’s during our Summer Passport Series (June 7^th – September 6^th).
• Valid only with wines purchased that evening at the Caboose. Must present a Caboose Tasting Passport and receipt to void the corkage fee.
• Corkage fee only waived for one bottle per table.

First Friday Wine Tasting: Italy, Center of the Universe Brewing and Blue Bee Cider

The beginning of our Summer Passport Series which will take us around the wine world in 14 weeks of wine tastings. Our first stop takes us to beautiful Italy, a country that certainly ranks high among wine lovers favorite wine destinations. This evening’s passport tasting will be conducted by none other than Garry Moore from Siema Wines, a customer favorite among our wine reps and a walking encyclopedia on Italian wines. Garry will take us a on virtual north/south tour of Italy as visit some of the most famous and lesser known wine producing regions the country has to offer. On the table this evening…

• Barbi Orvieto Classico “Abbocatto” Umbria
• Cantine Cipressi Falanghina Molise
• Corte alla Flora Giuggiolo Rosso Tuscany
• Anarkos Puglia Ross Puglia
• Salvano “Fosco” Diano d’Alba Piedmont

A special treat for this First Friday beer tasting as we welcome Chris Ray from Ashland’s own Center of the Universe Brewing Company. Known as COTU for short, Chris and his brother Phil started the brewery last year with the help of former Legend Brewing Company brewer Mike Killelea who took on the role of Head Brewer.

Chris will be here premiering the brewery’s new packaging of 6-pack cans of the Main Street Ale and Ray Ray’s Pale Ale as well as pouring some special releases including the brand new Homefront IPA.

In addition to this evening’s first Friday beer tasting we are very pleased to welcome cidermaker Courtney Mailey from the very new Blue Bee Cider in Richmond. Courtney will be pouring their limited bottlings of Aragon 1904 and the just bottled (two days ago!) Charred Ordinary. Here’s the run down of the cidery from their website…

“Virginia’s first and only urban cidery, Blue Bee Cider is located in the heart of downtown Richmond’s Old Manchester district at the fall line of the James River. The name for Blue Bee Cider is derived from a common name for one of Virginia’s native bees, osmia lignaria, or the blue orchard bee. These hardworking bees are solitary and wild, emerging early in the cool spring just in time to pollinate apple blossoms.

Blue Bee Cider produces artisanal ciders on a seasonal basis, pressing apples when they are ripe, fermenting them over the winter and finishing them for sale in the spring. When you come to visit, you have a good chance of meeting the cidermaker or a family member who wants to spread the joy of our craft.

Blue Bee Cider’s expected production from the 2012 harvest is about 1,500 cases. So don’t miss your chance to try Richmond’s very own cider!”

New Product: The Virginia Chutney Company

A very exciting product from the Virginia Food Expo! The Virginia Chutney Company produces chutneys  based on traditional Southern recipes that are sweet and savory. Since they are all natural and full of fruit, you will not find any fat or artificial preservatives. Chutneys are beautiful paired with cheeses, roast chickens, hams, salmon or, here is a real twist…peanut butter and chutney sandwiches!