Preview of, "Explore The Wines Of Italy"

On Thursday, February 18th, Cheers will host a wine tasting event featuring the native wine varietals of Italy with Mr. Alfonso Aiello. A native of Napoli Italy, Alfonso is the sales and import manager for local distributor Wine Merchants.  Alfonso is an Italian wine specialist and manages over 65 Italian wineries.  Alfonso travels all over Italy working personally with wine makers and wine families experiencing firsthand what is going on at the wineries. Alfonso will share his expertise and his wine with us in the club room at Rare Steak & Sushi located in the Life Time Athletic Club, 755 Prairie Center Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota Thursday February 18^th from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

 The evening presents a unique opportunity to learn about and taste wines from all over Italy. With only 25 seats available for this special tasting, reserve your spot today. Tickets are only $25.00 per person and include the wine tasting, appetizers, tax and gratuity. Click here to book your spot.

Here is a preview of the wine that will be featured at this event

	Nua Brut This sparkling wine is produced in the Piedmont region. spe Specifically, the morainic hills of Serra, Viverone, Province of Biella. This spectacular Brut is produced with Trebbiano grapes.  It has an intense pale yellow color with golden highlights. The bouquet is full, candidly intense, hints of freshly baked bread with a final scent of honey and hazelnut. Notably balanced, full-bodied and full of flavor; persistent almond finish.
	Terredora Di Paolo Falanghina Aged on its lees in stainless steel, but sees no oak. Pale yellow color with a rich and intense aroma of fruit with hints of apple, pineapple, bquince and pear.  Fresh and clean in the mouth with excellent acidity, good structure and a floral finish. Versatile enough to serve for the whole meal; ideal with appetizers, soups, fish dishes, cold dishes, buffalo mozzarella and fresh cheeses.
	Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva Ruby red color with garnet streaks. The nose is intense and complex, with notes of candied fruits and spices that evolve into clean underbrush, tea and amber hints. Enhanced by notes of red flowers, the aromas  return on the palate transported by confident but not overbearing alcohol. The tannins and fresh acidity work in counterpoint to create a balanced, smooth wine.
	Pecchennino Dolcetto di Dogliani The color is ruby red with violet highlights. The bouquet is fruit-forward with notes of currants, raspberries, blackberries and prunes. The flavor is well-balanced with sweet tannins and good acidity. This wine pairs well with appetizers, pastas, white meats, red meats.
	Colpetrone Sagrantino di Montefalco Sagrantino is a native varietal of Umbria, which, according to some, was brought to the region by Franciscan monks centuries ago. Intense ruby red.  Ample nose of red fruit with spices and a subtle hint of vanilla.  Well-structured with concentrated tannins in its youth. Suitable for roasts, game and aged cheeses.
	Damilano Cannubi Riserva 2008 This Barolo is a very limited production from one of the smallest and oldest Borolo appellations. There are less than 100 bottles of this wine in the state and this event will be the first time this wine will be tasted in Minnesota! Grape varietal: 100% Nebbiolo                                                                      Production area: municipality of Barolo - single vineyard Cannubi Age of vines: 30 to 50 years old                                                                     Colour: Garnet ruby red                                                                     Bouquet: intense and balanced, with notes of violet, red fruit, cherry and plum, spices, liquorice, cocoa, leather and tobacco                                                                Taste: Dry, robust, full-bodied, very persistent, rich and velvety Vinification: fermentation for 20 days + 30 days of submerged - cap maceration depending on the vintage                                                                 Ageing: 60 months in large oak barrels, 24 months bottle refinement

Explore the wines of Italy.

On Thursday, February 18th, Cheers will host a wine tasting event featuring the native wine varietals of Italy with Mr. Alfonso Aiello. A native of Napoli Italy, Alfonso is the sales and import manager for local distributor Wine Merchants.  Alfonso is an Italian wine specialist and manages over 65 Italian wineries.  Alfonso travels all over Italy working personally with wine makers and wine families experiencing firsthand what is going on at the wineries. Alfonso will share his expertise and his wine with us in the club room at Rare Steak & Sushi located in the Life Time Athletic Club, 755 Prairie Center Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota Thursday February 18^th from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

 The evening presents a unique opportunity to learn about and taste wines from all over Italy. With only 25 seats available for this special tasting, reserve your spot today. Tickets are only $25.00 per person and include the wine tasting, appetizers, tax and gratuity.

Click here to book your spot.

 This event is by invitation only and space is limited to the first 25 people who purchase tickets.

Vote for “Best in Show” and you could win one bottle of each of the winning wines!

Click Here To Vote!

Polls for the Chanhassen event are open until midnight Thursday March 26^th 2015

Cheers Chanhassen has a new convenient drive up door and extra parking. Check it out!

As promised here’s the preview of Cheers’ Spring Wine tasting events to be held at Cheers Chanhassen

Thursday April 3^rd 6-8

And

Thursday April 10^th 6-8 at Cheers Bloomington

Follow the links next to the wine listed for a sneak peek at the yummy selections we will be featuring!

Cheers annual spring wine tasting events will feature a variety of wine that’s perfect for summer. You’ll find assorted white varietals, for an evening on the deck, as well as an interesting selection of reds to accompany a steak on the grill or an evening fireside. We’ll be focusing on some old favorites as well as some new kids on the block!  Your friends and neighbors at Cheers Wine & Spirits look forward to welcoming you into their back yard to kick off the summer. All day both days all of our wine* will be discounted 15%,

Wine sale BOTH LOCATIONS all day both days!

All Cheers wine* will be discounted 15%

*sorry no further discounts no coupons apply

Click "Read More" below for the preview

Save the Dates!

Cheers Annual Spring Wine Sale and Tasting Events

Cheers Chanhassen

Thursday April 3rd 6:00-8:00

Tasting event at Cheers Chanhassen only

Wine sale BOTH LOCATIONS all day!

All Cheers wine* will be discounted 15%

Cheers Bloomington

Thursday April 10^th 6:00-8:00

Tasting event at Cheers Bloomington only

Wine sale BOTH LOCATIONS all day both days!

All Cheers wine* will be discounted 15%

*no additional discounts apply, no discount on clearance items or anything marked “no Further Discounts”

Believe it or not, spring is right around the corner, and the warm weather is a great opportunity to enjoy fine wine.

Cheers annual spring wine tasting events will feature a variety of wine that’s perfect for summer. You’ll find assorted white varietals, for an evening on the deck, as well as an interesting selection of reds to accompany a steak on the grill or an evening fireside. We’ll be focusing on some old favorites as well as some new kids on the block!  Your friends and neighbors at Cheers Wine & Spirits look forward to welcoming you into their back yard to kick off the summer. All day both days all of our wine* will be discounted 15%,

Thursday April 26^th. Cheers Wine & Spirits welcomes two very special guests. Kieran Folliard, and his Two Gingers Irish Whiskey will visit both Cheers locations.

Kieran will be at Cheers Chanahssen from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and Cheers Bloomington from 6:30-8:00 p.m. We’ll have plenty of two Gingers on hand for you to sample, and if you purchase a bottle (or four) Kieran will autograph them. So please mark your calendars and plan to stop by Cheers on the 26^th and meet two Irish legends!

Born in 1955 in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo in the West of Ireland, Kieran started out in the hospitality industry carrying the bags for the passengers in his father’s Hackney (taxi cab) business.  After 17 years spent in corporate marketing including time in Ireland, Saudi Arabia and the U.S, he realized that he loved being in pubs.  So, like any good self-respecting Irish guy, he decided to open one.

In March of 2011, 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey was launched. The trademarked drink The Big Ginger® would become the portal to the new passion. Achieving the title for selling the most Irish whiskey in the world at a single establishment, Kieran’s leadership would spotlight this drink further and hone his dream in on the new whiskey. After a well-received introduction, the product has drawn inquiries, which lead to a strategic decision to pursue a wider distribution of the whiskey brand.

Cheers' Annual Spring Wine Tastings are coming up in a couple of weeks!

We wanted to give you a preview of the events and remind you that  the tasting events will be...

Thursday March 22nd, Tasting Event in Chanhassen ONLY

Chanhassen will host the wine tasting event on the 22nd from 6:00-8:00 p.m., but remember cheers entire wine inventory* will be discounted 15% all day at BOTH LOCATIONS!

Thursday March 29th, Tasting event in Bloomington ONLY

Bloomington will host the wine tasting event on the 29th from 6:00-8:00 p.m., but remember cheers entire wine inventory* will be discounted 15% all day at BOTH LOCATIONS!

Below you will find a preview of each of the events, click on "Read MORE" to see the previews.

These events are always fun and well attended and we hope to see you at either or BOTH! Here are the previews...

Cheers Wine & Spirits Annual Spring Wine Tasting Events!

http://www.mnbellacucina.com/

Here is a preview of this Thursdays Wine tasting in Chanhassen hope to see you there!

Mark Nordstrom- The Wine Company

Riondo Prosecco

Light bodied with terrific floral notes, a clean, delicate finish, #1 selling Prosecco in America.

Cline “Cool Climate” Chardonnay

A new wine for Cline.  Green apple and pear aromas, very elegant and crisp with a touch of vanilla toast.

Cline “Cool Climate” Pinot Noir

Bright red fruit in the nose, lush and rich with some vanilla and strawberry flavors, great with red meat.

Alexander Valley Vineyards- Temptation Zinfandel

Nose shows plum and red cherries, round, full and jammy in the mouth, black pepper on the finish.

McManis Cabernet Sauvignon

Aromas of black cherry and cassis, dark fruit flavors with a little mocha.  92 points- California State Fair.

Chris Brown- Paustis & Sons

Entwine Pinot Grigio

This Pinot Grigio is sustainably farmed and harvested from select Estate vineyards in California, whose topography, soils and climate provide optimal grape-growing condition to develop ripe, round fruit flavors.

LaForcine Vouvray

100% Chenin Blanc, there’s an off-dry hint to this, but also cut and purity, with lovely quince, pear and green apple fruit laced with lime zest and ginger hints.  The long, mineral-filled finish is mouthwatering.  Drink now through 2013.  Score of 90-  Wine Spectator, October 15, 2011.

Castle Rock Willamette Pinot Noir

This elegant medium-bodied wine offers aromas of cherry and spice.  On the palate the wine gives flavors of berries, cinnamon, black cherry, sweet vanilla oak, and floral notes, with a long velvety finish.  This versatile wine pairs well with lamb, chicken, veal, salmon and light pasta dishes.

Entwine Merlot

This merlot was aged for 12 months in American, French and Eastern European oak barrels.  These grapes were harvested and fermented in upright stainless steel containers.  Perfectly ripe and juicy, like summer plums and cherries with a hint of black tea.

Chocolais Chocolate Wine

Cream from Holland, Swiss Chocolate and Italian White Wine, fancy French name!!  What’s not to love?

Dave Richardson- Phillips Wine & Spirits

Seaglass Pinot Noir

Premium Santa Barbara juice makes up this great value wine.  Bright red cherry and strawberry flavors emerge on the palate.

Seaglass Chardonnay

This Chardonnay captures the best of Santa Barbara’s terroir.  Tropical fruit aromas lead to a creamy pineapple and zesty citrus fruit flavors on the palate, followed by a refreshing, lively finish.

Starling Castle Gewurztraminer

Soft golden hue with fresh aromas of rose petal and apricots.  The wine is semi-sweet with a hint of spice.

Hess Select Cabernet

Ripe plum and raspberry aromas.  Flavors of tobacco and caramel.  Easy to drink wine.

Menage A Trois Moscato

Three different growing areas make up this easy to drink wine.  Creamy peach, juicy melon, and rich golden honey flavors.  Plenty of acidity make it a great food wine, or pleasant sipper.

Paul Ragghianti- Grape Beginnings

Lagaria Pinot Grigio

A brilliant, smooth, medium-bodied, fresh and well balanced wine; extremely eclectic with food; ideal for aperitifs and parties.

Grayson Chardonnay

Aromas of bright peach and pear.  The pallet offers green apple with a crisp finish showing gentle hints of apple pie and toasted French oak.

Klinker Brick Zinfandel

Produced from vines with an average age of 85 years, this wine exhibits a bright bouquet of wild strawberry and plum intermingled with cedar.  Filling the palate with flavors of black cherry and vanilla, supple tannins support good structure.

Klinker Brick Syrah

Deep garnet in color, this wine exhibits aromas of dark fruits, tobacco, leather, and pepper.  On the palate, there are layers of plum, chocolate, tobacco and exotic spices.  This wine is mouth filling with bright fruit, velvety texture and exceptional balance.

Big Ass Cabernet

Fruit-driven and full-bodied with lush aromas of cassis, crushed red berries and slight cinnamon and oak nuances.  Perfect complement to any rich or savory meal.

Quality Wines

Simi Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark red with a ruby cast.  Ripe plum and sweet raisin laced with blackberry, soft cedar and spice.  Fresh berries and cassis with undertones of tobacco and lush, ripe tannins ending in a long, velvety finish. 

Estancia Chardonnay

Light straw gold in color.  Bright tropical notes and stone fruit compliment the vibrant nuances of citrus.  Soft touches of toasty oak and cream accentuate the lingering, minerally finish.

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

Pale green in color.  A bouquet of citrus and tropical fruits backed by characteristic herbaceous notes that Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is known for.  An exuberant wine brimming with flavours of pineapple and stonefruit with a hint of herbaceousness, the finish is fresh and zesty.

Wild Horse Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir showcases vibrant aromas and flavors of cherry, pomegranate, cola, and Asian spices, a very approachable food friendly wine with a light spice finish.

Ruffino Prosecco

Crisp, clean and delicate with fine bubbles caressing the palate.  Intense sensations of apples and peaches drive a pleasant aftertaste that is reminiscent of fruity and floral aromas.

Martin Thompson- Wirtz Beverage

Vinas 3 Row Eleven Pinot Noir

Vinas 3 is a blend of three clones, picked from Sonoma, Santa Barbara, and Monterey Vineyards.  This Pinot Noir delivers a luscious, rich cherry pie aroma and a silky smooth finish, with hints of spice and vanilla.
 
Kendall Jackson Avant Chardonnay                                

This refreshing Chardonnay is NEW and delivers a burst of intriguing layers of fresh pineapple, bright green apple, crisp Meyer lemons, juicy pear and wildflower. 

 
Allure Pink Moscato

This fun sparkling wine has become a huge hit in Minnesota!  It’s festive in nature and has a flavor profile of peach, apricot and mint.  The combination of bubbles and off dry balance enhance the refreshment with every sip.  This Moscato is also great to mix for some fun holiday cocktails.  Think of vodka over ice with a splash of bubbles!
 
Smoking Loon Merlot

This brand was made for Minnesota, we gave it its name!  This wine has classic Merlot character, with bright cranberry and cherry flavors and light herbal notes.  Medium bodied with moderate tannins, the zesty acidity makes this an excellent wine for food paring.

Smoking Loon Cabernet

This wine is the perfect match to enjoy by a winter fire!  It has vibrant aromas of blackberry and strawberry, backed by hints of cinnamon.  A medium bodied Cab with moderate tannins balance out the long finish, with smoky, toasted marshmallow and mild herb nuances.

Lin Deardorff- Parley Lake Winery

Brianna Breeze

The Brianna grape was cultivated by Elmer Swenson, the grandfather of the early generation grapes that paved the way for many of the current success from the University of Minnesota.  The Brianna grape was sourced from Parley Lake Winery’s mobile bottling line partner, Tim Nissan, in Nebraska.  It makes a great introduction to Cold Climate wines.

Apples & Vines

Apples & Vines is more than a name:  80% of the wine is produced from Honeycrisp and Haralson apples.  The balanced and sophisticated style come from the blending of 14% un-oaked Chardonnay that adds a pear and apple nose along with 6% Frontenac Gris which adds freshness and fun.

Artisan Series 11

A proprietary blend of four grapes, aged in Minnesota and French Oak barrels to add complexity.  The wine pairs well with beef, pork, and lamb chops.