WOW: Not Just TV Dinners, Swanson

WOW: Wine of the Week

Not Just TV Dinners:  Swanson Vineyards


While wine drinkers may not first think of TV Dinners when approached with the name "Swanson," that was the norm in the early 1950s when first the Swanson name made a splash.

Today though, the Swanson name is VERY well know for its quality red wines and ever expanding portfolio.  Uncorked is pleased to have had the opportunity to offer three of their selections to our clients.  Enjoy!

Winery Notes

For more than half a century, the Swanson name has been recognized primarily for frozen food products, as in the famous TV dinners the family launched in 1953, which, at that time, was a groundbreaking innovation in the food business.

Twenty-five years ago, the Swanson family chartered another innovative course, this time into the world of wine. Commencing in the mid-1980’s, they were one of the earliest producers of Napa Valley Merlot.

Today, while its wines are extraordinary, the mission of Swanson Vineyards is straightforward: to celebrate the simple pleasures in life, made better with wine. And the winery continues to evolve into something even more extraordinary. By collaborating with some of America’s finest cultural talents, Swanson Vineyards invites its guests to reinvent how they live and entertain with wine and its many accoutrements.

Swanson Pinot Grigio 2010 Tasting Notes

"Bright, fresh pear and peach fruit mingle with litchi and Meyer lemon aromas in the complex nose of this wine. On the palate, these aromas are translated directly into the generous flavor profile. There is a nice weight in the mouth due to the synergy of the Oakville Estate components: Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay." - Winemaker Notes

Swanson "Alexis" Cabernet 2008 Tasting Notes

"The 2008 Swanson Alexis Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep ruby color.  The wine was not fined nor filtered, in order to maintain maximum flavor intensity and texture.  On the nose, super-ripe black cherry and cassis mingle with blackberry and plum.  Initial flavor is juicy, with sweeter concentrated black fruits, yielding to a firm, yet balanced underlayment of ripe, supple tannins and integrated French oak.  Overall, the wine exhibits what we consistently strive for in making Alexis Cabernet -- layers of nuanced flavors, a velvety texture and a persistent finish.  This wine will continue to age gracefully through at least 2020." - Winemaker Notes
Blend: 86% Cabernet, 12% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot

Swanson Oakville Merlot 2008 Tasting Notes

"The 2008 Swanson Oakville Merlot is a charming wine, reminiscent more of the Right Bank of Bordeaux than Napa Valley. The nose offers black cherry, plum, and dried red cherry with notes of well-integrated sweet oak and mocha. Firm, ripe tannins characteristic of our Oakville Estate vineyard fill the palate nicely. In the mouth look for raspberry, black cherry, and red licorice. The Petite Verdot contributes a graceful top note of verve and spice. Velvet-smooth and long on the finish. Should continue to improve in the bottle with the optimum drinkability continuing through 2017." - Winemaker Notes

WOW: Washington State Delights, Mercer Estates

WOW: Wine of the Week

Washington State Delights: Mercer Estate


Welcome back to Mercer Estates from Washington State!  Mercer Estates was recently acquired by a larger distributor and they now have more varietals to offer in North Carolina - which allows Uncorked to ship them out to our clients!  Visit the "Wine of the Week" page on ShopUncorked.com to view the three new whites (all priced at just $12.99) and two new red (both priced at just $19.49) selections.

Winery Notes

We are now into our fourth generation of farming in Washington State's Horse Heaven Hills. We look back to earlier generations with respect and appreciation for the work they did and the legacy they established.

Our wines are produced from premium grapes grown throughout the Horse Heaven Hills (primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Mourvedre, Malbec, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and Grenache), Yakima Valley (primarily Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris) and the greater Columbia Valley.

Mercer Estates Columbia Valley Pinot Gris 2010 Tasting Notes

"A nose full of ripe honeydew melon and pear continues on the palate complimented by racy green apple and nice minerality. A slight herbal note, reminiscent of fresh mown hay, adds complexity to the flavor profile. The mouth is broad and filling." - Winemaker Notes

Mercer Estates Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2010 Tasting Notes

"The 2010 Chardonnay exemplifies balance of acidity, mouth-feel, delicacy, alcohol, fruit and complexity. Aromas of pear and melon mix with lemon cream, yeast and oak spice. In the mouth, fresh fruit and acidity introduce a wine with backbone, good weight, chalky minerality and fruit purity that match well with most foods." - Winemaker Notes

Mercer Estates Yakima Valley Riesling 2010 Tasting Notes

"Delicate aromas of peach, apricot and beeswax in the nose are confirmed on the palate along with a mouthwatering acidic frame, revealing a hint of sweetness. Well balanced of acid and residual sugar, this dryer style Riesling is a refreshing aperitif or a delicious companion to crab cakes, blue cheese and spicy foods." - Winemaker Notes

Mercer Columbia Valley Merlot 2008 Tasting Notes

"Pronounced aromas of cherry, kirshwasser and cassis are completed with hints of cocoa, vanilla and allspice. In the mouth, spiced berry fruit plays a dominate role in a full-bodied, broad and structured style, finishing with moderate tannins and ripe savory overtones. Drink now through 2017." - Winemaker Notes

Mercer Columbia Valley Cabernet 2008 Tasting Notes

"Cassis and toasted oak mingle with ripe cherry and cocoa in the nose and continue on the palate with additional complexities of forest floor, sweet earth and spice revealed with air. Textured, full-bodied and long; supple tannins support the fruit which is framed by fresh acidity. Approachable and elegant upon release, this wine will age nicely and increasingly show its depth and additional complexities over time. Drink now through 2017." - Winemaker Notes

WOW: Valentine's Day Warning - Just 3 Days!

WOW: Wine of the Week

Valentine's Day is just 3 days away--Order Love Potions!
With Cupid knocking at your door, you ought to realize by this point that Valentine's Day is just 3 days away!

TODAY is the final day to order Uncorked Love Potion Gift Boxes for ensured delivery this Valentine's Day weekend.

With two options and price points of only $25.00 or $40.00, this is as sure of a shot as Cupid's arrow!

Choose from the following Gift Box Options:
  

• Cupid's Crush, $25.00

  Sensual Torrontes and Sensual Cabernet

• Liquid Pleasures, $40.00

  Monogamy Chardonnay and Alexander Valley "Sin Zin" Zinfandel

WOW: Valentine's Day is just 10 days away--Order Love Potions!

WOW: Wine of the Week

Valentine's Day is just 10 days away--Order Love Potions!

Uncorked is pleased to provide you with two unique gift box combinations to make your Valentine's Day gift giving as easy as Cupid's Target Practice!

Pricing for Love Potion Gift Boxes range from $25-$40.  Each packaged in Uncorked's Signature Gift Box.

All Gift Box orders must be placed by Friday, February 8th to ensure delivery on or before Valentine's Day (ground shipping).  For local delivery options, please place orders by Monday, February 11th.

Choose from the following Gift Box Options:

• Cupid's Crush, $25.00

  Sensual Torrontes and Sensual Cabernet

• Liquid Pleasures, $40.00

  Monogamy Chardonnay and Alexander Valley "Sin Zin" Zinfandel

Interested in creating a personalized gift for your Valentine?  Simply add the wines of choice to your cart and select our "gift wrap" option.  For just an additional $4.95 Uncorked will wrap your selections in our Signature Gift Box.   In addition, if there are specific wines that you seek, please do not hesitate to contact Uncorked.  Uncorked has access to all wines distributed in North Carolina but we simply do not post all available wines on the website.  Special requests are welcomed and encouraged!