Pairings, Tasting Rooms, and a Special Treat...

This week has certainly been an "are we there, yet?" week.  With a perfect beach weekend on tap, I imagine I'm not the only one clamoring for the end of the work week. So entertain yourself today with these two tidbits from Wine Enthusiast Magazine, or their "UnReserved" on-line bits of juicy ramblings about this, that and the other of the wine world. Then be sure to pop back for info on a cool Greater Boston event that will make your weekend feel like a long one; it's sure to be the icing on your (Monday) cake! The value of food/wine combination experimentation: BBQ and... Riesling!

From the wine trail: summer get-a-ways for sipping and !@#$!?? Tasting Room Fun?

And last but certainly not least....

If you're looking for an incredible way to prolong your weekend (at least mentally), add a "Summer Highlight" to your list and enjoy the freshest of fresh seasonal, local goodies around town, head over to Gibbet Hill on Monday night.... Check it out!

What tales from the wine trail do you have to tell this summer? Or do you have any intriguing wine pairings you care to share?

Wine events in 200 words or less...

200 words or less? Sheesh. I don't know WHY I initiated this idea.... This week we're gearing up for several cool events here in Boston, and a bit beyond. Buckle your seatbelt! Please note, I'm issuing these must-attend wine events today, rather than my usual Friday, because the fun begins TONIGHT (and I'm heading out of town for some R & R Friday and don't want you to miss out!)! Boston Sommelier Society makes it's debut! I'm a proud member of this elite crew of fun-loving wine aficionados here in Beantown. And even though we've been kick'n around for about a year and a half, our ambition to make Boston a better-appreciated wine community and share the love with the public is great. Join us this Wednesday, July 15, at OM Restaurant in Cambridge. Tix are $40 in advance or $50 at the door  - if any remain, that is. Jump on the wine-loving bandwagon!

Mystic River Music Fest, July 18th.This is a great event promoting green awareness. Check out their website to see the list of bands, sponsors and learn more about the beergarten.

Divas Uncork The Cure. These fabulous, wine lovelies are celebrating their 10th anniversary by producing their annual Martha's Vineyard Food & Wine festival in support of Susan B. Komen for the Cure and the Island Grown Initiative. August 6-9. Don't miss out!

Celebrate Wine with the Boston Sommelier Society, July 15

Too often wine gets a bad rep as snooty, stuffy or just plain elusive. But since Day One, Pour Favor has been promoting the importance of having fun with wine. It is something to be understood only in so much as such appreciation allows for heightened enjoyment. Those on the professional side of the industry who take this idea to heart are those we should all be seeking out. Enter the Boston Sommelier Society (BSS). Many of the fifty or so folks who now comprise the BSS are professionals in the trade - but the only official “pre-requisites” for joining their ranks are pure, unadulterated passion for wine and a desire to learn more about it. According to Vice Chair, Kate Webber, BSS’ goal is to “expand the knowledge and reputation of the wine industry in the Boston area. We are primarily an educational organization, which is to say we focus on learning, both from outside entities as well as from each other.” So, how are they doing it?

Amazingly, these talented, passionate, respect-worthy folks started out only two years ago as a small, informal, but organized group called the Boston Tasting Group. They met regularly to practice blind tasting in order to gain the experience and support necessary to take different wine exams, including the Court Masters Sommeliers, the Wine & Education Spirits Education Trust and the International Sommelier Guild. Soon enough, word got out. Their initial group of seven grew. And, as Webber says, “with larger numbers came larger ideas; we realized we were something larger than a Tasting Group.”

Their membership base hails from all sides of the trade (e.g. restaurants, retail shops, importers, wholesalers, oenology educators, collectors and consultants), “offering a diversity and perspective that’s quite simply hard to come by,” admits Michael Meagher, the group’s Chair. Today the BSS is eager to access and create other opportunities and engage the public, from conferences to classes to lectures – and even one day host a regional, amateur competition for other aficionados.

On July 15 the Boston Sommelier Society will be hosting its first public soiree at OM Restaurant in Harvard Square, Cambridge. Meagher tells me BSS has designed this event “as an opportunity for folks curious about the trade or who just love wine to meet new contacts in a variety of roles in the industry. It’s a terrific opportunity for people to discover the great personalities around town who are energetic and enthusiastic about wine, who take their job seriously – but have fun with it!”

No doubt, this group is unique to the area – so much so sponsors are clamoring to support the OM event. They are excited about the Boston Sommelier Society’s “tremendous potential to serve as a caveat for wine accessibility”. And so with sponsorship already secured from the movers and shakers at Ball Square Fine Wines in Somerville, KoBrand, Martignetti, Vineyard Road and Gibbet Hill (Groton, MA), tickets are expected to sell out quickly.

Jump over to EventBrite now to secure your ticket for this unique event! This is your chance to grab a glass of bubbly, nibble on some hors d'oeuvres and meet the enthusiastic – highly entertaining – crew who comprise the BSS. As Meagher says, “wine is cause for celebration, not stratification. Just grab a glass!” Meet him and his fellow wine comrades on the 15th and learn just how much they mean it.

This week (and next) in wine!

An eclectic array of wine news/events to share this Friday, so I'll skip to the "good stuff" and hold my pen as much as possible so you have time to investigate these for yourself. Twitter magic reveals great Decanter/YouTube video. Check out this video to discover Decanter Editor Guy Woodward's take on "the risers, the fallers and the surprises of the 2009 Power List".  It's quite tasty - even without a glass of wine to accompany it! (And remember, Twitter is a crazy, fun world where you can soak up all kinds of juicy tidbits like this one shared by @melissadobson! Be sure to follow me if you aren't already!)

Argentine's spread the "gospel of wine" - Christmas comes early! Wine & Spirits Daily reported this week that the Argentine government is investing in its small wineries. I'm not sure how hard hit Argentina is by the "global recession" but I can't shake a finger at any country ramping up their wine program - particularly when they are already on solid footing! The extra dough shows just how large a role the wine industry plays in their economy. Giddyup!

Local charity leverages it's giving power - Boston area wine event, July 25! Join Housing Family as they work to support the Rodman Ride for Kids, "an umbrella matching gift charity raising funds to help at-risk children in Massachusetts." School might be "out" this week, but giving - and wine tasting - is in! For just $15 per person you can join in the fun at the Dockside Restaurant in Malden. Call 781-322-9119 for tickets or more information.

Wine in the summer is easy...

I'm really excited. Not only is June but days away (and a trip to the beach imminent), but the wine community is just bursting with enthusiasm and anteing up with boucoups opportunities for you to taste their wares. And when I said a trip to the beach was imminent... I meant it! Starting this Sunday, Cape Cod Life is breaking out the vino and fabulous fare for one whole week! Each night a different cultural venue hosts a soiree of sorts - and most events are only $20. Check out the schedule to make your plans and then grab your sunblock to make a day (or two) of it!

If you don't have your sights set on the Cape just yet - or if you just like an excuse to stick around Boston's South End on a Monday night - Michael Dupuy from the boutique importing/distribution company Genuine Wine Selections will be pouring some pretty sexy stuff at Estragon.

When? This Monday night, 6/1/09 from 5 -7pm.

What? Some terrific, aged Riojas from Lopez de Hereria. When's the last time you tasted a 1999 Gravonia Crianza white? Or a 1989 Tondonia Reserva white? Or a 1998 Tondonia Gran Reserva rose? Let alone a 2002 Cubillo Crianza or 1999 Tondonia Reserva red?

For those of you heading to the hills or some such this summer, don't forget your bladder. Er, uh... your wine bladder, that is. Check out this little bit of wine wizardry!

Which wine adventures are you heading out on to celebrate the first week of June?

Drinking red after Memorial Day

Folks have been coming by the shop with great gusto for warmer temps;  and they have been seeking out red wines for the occasion! No, we're not just talking about "BBQ wines". We're talking about wines to sip and enjoy with or without a meal while you sit on your porch watching the sun go down. Today I'm going to share some lesser known varietals or unique regional offerings (hybrids or blends) perfect for just such an occasion. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is taking this list (or a modified version, as you see fit) to your local shop to see which offerings they have on offer. These are some cool wines to keep your summer fresh - but they aren't necessarily available at every shop. They are, no less, worth seeking out.

Zweigelt. Austrian fruity goodness. Some earth. Often a touch tart. Lively. A hybrid of  St.-Laurent and Blaufrankish.

Dole. A Swiss wine, which blends Pinot Noir and Gamay. Fresh, ripe redberry fruits and cherries. Distinct in its own right, it has a unique identity I think many palates will embrace.

Dornfelder. Some argue this is the new "hottness" out of Germany. Another red berry-fruited wonder, but with a great spice. Terrifically light on its feet - without ever leaving planet Earth.

Gamay. Low tannin, light style red. Very fruity and THE grape in Beaujolais red wines. Seek out Beaujolais Villages offerings to get a bit more depth in your glass (aka a dash of Burgundian earthiness).

Lambrusco. An Italian, frizzante style wine. Vinified sweet and dry - so ask to accommodate your taste or intentions. A lovely spectrum of depth and redberry fruit flavors on the market.

Some of these may be familiar to you as we've bantered about several in the past. But I've been known to get stuck in traditional ruts when on a mission for an aperitif or a lighter style red to accompany a meal on a hot day. So, go on! It's a big bad world of refreshing RED wine out there.  Remember these options and... experiment!

What other reds do you like on a hot day? There are several more out there... please chime in!

Smell the flowers - and some wine! May wine events

Here in New England, May 1st can only mean one thing (in the wine world).... The Nantucket Wine Festival is just around the corner! The festivities officially kick off on May 13th, but most will descend on downtown Nantucket over the weekend (May 16-17) for one of the most well regarded food and wine events on the eastern seaboard.  If I had my druthers, I would arrive early to enjoy at least one of the various lunch seminars happening at some of the finest restaurants Nantucket has to offer, Friday May 15. Isn't it always a (rare) pleasure to enjoy a meal with tremendous wine and its maker in a more intimate setting? If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, be sure to get on the bandwagon quickly. Simply take your long Memorial Day weekend a bit early!

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If you can't swing the Nantucket event or are looking for a few ways to celebrate spring this weekend in/around Boston, two other events are on tap:

Tonight, May 1, the MSPCA Nevill's Farm in Methuen is the beneficiary of a bit of a wine & art soiree. Head to the Essex Art Center in Lawrence at 6pm and enjoy 3 hours of mingling, tasting and snacking! 50 wines will be on offer. Hubby not interested in the vino (from 4 continents, no less!)? How about craft beers from some of the nation's smallest breweries? Appetizers and the White Street Band will satiate you otherwise, too. Not to mention some great art... (Tickets $20 in advance; $25 at the door. See MSPCA link above.)

If you can't mobilize tonight, how about a trip to Belmont tomorrow, May 2? Avoid the threat of spring showers and hang out at Vintages from 2 - 6 pm as they celebrate their 1 year anniversary. The folks from Ideal, VIAS and Rosenthal will be offering a selection of their wares for your tasting pleasure. And, I've heard a rumor that Il Casale (recall, Dante Restaurant's latest undertaking) will be offering a selection of items from its new menu, too.  No tickets required. It's a free-bee!

What other wine events are on your radar this May?

A smattering of wine news - and an event!

Let's start today's post by clarifying that, despite significant fire damage to their new tasting facility at Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars, no one was hurt and no wine was compromised. I'm eager to hear more reports on how the fire was started, but in the meantime, the infamous Finger Lakes producer is still moving and grooving, with relatively little interruption to day-to-day activities; life goes on. Moving right along, I was happy to stumble on a pretty great article about the regional typicity of California Pinot Noir - and a move by some to take into consideration how well a wine shows it's true "roots" when it comes to wine scoring. The folks at Appellation America are introducing a Best of Appellation program. Click on the link to read more about the nuances you might hope to find in domestic Pinot, and how Appellation America is encouraging more focus on "terroir" (if I may be so bold as to use that term...) here in the US.

Then, consider this Wine Spectator article about Oregon's new statewide certification for sustainable wines a teaser for my article in Wicked Local, due out Monday!

And last, but certainly not least, if you are looking for a great way to celebrate the warmer temps we'll be enjoying this Sunday, sign up for the House of Blues Gospel Brunch. Divas Uncorked are at it again!

Any other special wine events you plan to attend in the coming week? Share the love so we can all raise a glass!

Wine musings for every palate

At last! It's Friday. After what feels like a longer week than usual (perhaps St. Patrick's Day had something to do with it?), this Friday it feels only natural to offer up a more random smattering of news headlines, wine musings and event updates than usual.  Much like wine can, I like to think I'm serving up a little something for everyone today. So here it is! Sting is making his own wine. Indeed. I've seen this bit of news posted by every possible media outlet. If the wine is as good as the coverage he's getting, we're in for a treat!

Merlot might be getting its second wind. I've been noticing the same thing myself, but this week Gaiter and Brecher conducted a hearty taste-off to see if the grape nearly sentenced to death by Miles is worthy of a reprieve. I was a little disappointed to see the duo reflect on mainstream offerings, but by the same token felt it was an interesting experiment - and certainly a testament to good Merlot being quite delicious. I for one prefer it 7 out of 10 times to Cabernet Sauvignon. Ask your local wine buyer what unique example they have on hand and give it a swirl!

If there is an opportunity to link wine with sports, you know I've scored court-side tickets, am sitting behind the dugout or rejoicing on the 50 yard line. Once again Grape Madness has developed a wine bracket in celebration of March Madness. Maybe you'll want to come up with your own version of this fun little game, but I can't resist passing it along. Thanks go out to Robert Dwyer for reminding me about this annual wine diversion.

Finally, for those of you around town looking for a fun night out in support of a great organization, WGBH is hosting a Wine Auction run by Skinner Auction House. The event will be a week from Saturday, on March 28th. Check it out!

Pour Favor, a little wine & style in Beantown!

Since I've gotten more and more passionate about wine I've become more acutely aware how much everyday experiences are impacted by the bigger picture, the larger context at play. With wine I find it's not just about the juice, but what you are eating while drinking it, if you are celebrating a special occasion with a great group, or if you just want to unwind on your porch after a long week. This year I've made a resolution to make the most of every experience I can and to stay ahead of the economic fray; I'm committed to maximizing every opportunity. This spring I'm orchestrating a bit of fun not only for me and fellow wine lovers, but also for those who are ready to bust out their spring spirit donning a piece or two of this year's finest fashions....

Jump on over to WickedLocal today to learn more about a Wine & Style event I'm co-hosting with The Stylish Eye next week. Come on... you know you're ready to put a little spring in your step! Join us!