08/17/2020 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:

People have been asking when we might be able to resume pouring wines by the glass and offering wine tasting at the Wine Cellar.  Well, it’s complicated.  The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) recently posted the requirements for bars to re-open in light of the ongoing pandemic at its website, www.azdhs.gov .  They are as follows:

“There are two key components (with respect to bars) to resuming business operations. First is the quality of the establishment’s implementation of COVID-19 mitigation strategies. This plan outlines mitigation strategies tailored for specific types of business operations. Businesses must attest to their implementation of these strategies prior to operating. The second is the level of spread occurring in the community.”

The level of community spread is defined as either “Substantial,” “Moderate,” or “Minimal” for each county in Arizona, as determined over the previous two weeks.  For bars to be allowed to reopen in a particular county, the level observed by ADHS has to be at or below “Minimal.”  Unfortunately, Yuma County’s latest recorded community spread figures are well above that level, so there is no current ability for the Wine Cellar to reopen regardless of our implementing the state’s required COVID-19 mitigation strategies for bars (which require greatly reduced occupancy levels and a host of other restrictions).  Therefore, the Wine Cellar will be required to continue to operate only in “store mode” for the time being.  Which means we are still OPEN!! But I truly hope everyone will keep thinking positive and staying as safe as possible, and hopefully before too long you’ll be able to again enjoy a glass of good wine or sample our weekly lineup again at the Cellar!

NEW WINE & BEER ARRIVALS:

Terra d’Oro 2017 Old Vine Zinfandel, Deaver Vineyard (Amador County)   $29.99
Sourced from a vineyard planted in 1880, this Amador old vine Zin is a deep garnet color in hue, and exudes lifted aromas of brambly dark fruit, clove and spicy toasty oak in the glass.  The palate is beautifully focused, with ripe blackberry and spiced cherry fruit and softly structured tannins.

Tenuta Fratelli Povero 2019 Roero Arneis (Piedmont, Italy)    $15.99
Arneis is an ancient grape varietal that originated in northern Italy’s Piedmont region.  It makes a refreshingly crisp and lightly floral white with bright flavors of pears, apricot and citrus. The finish is bracingly clean and dry, with a tangy minerality.

Blandy’s 10 Year Aged Malmsey (Madeira, Portugal)    $32.99
This Malmsey is a burnished golden-amber in the glass, with the classic Madeira bouquet of raisins, toffee and roasted nuts, along with a fine lacing of honeycomb.  Lush and waxy on the palate, it has exquisite flavors honey, almond, fig paste and apricot.  Fresh acidity balances the wine’s fabulously rich, caramel-candy sweetness.

Cheers!

Mike Shelhamer
Old Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona  85364
928-373-0405