food & wine, a river, a park, some bands and a good cause

Romance is half the fun in the world of wine. Every movie is chalk full of great imagery, enticing viewers to hit the riviera and sip a cool glass of rose, picnic on a hilltop overlooking the vineyard below, or dance around barefoot in a great big vat of grapes. Music and terroir are always part of the equation, too. If you thought you couldn't live a romantic food/wine life in the Boston suburbs of Medford/Somerville, here's your chance to test the theory! This Saturday from noon to seven the Mystic River Music Festival will bring together all the necessary ingredients for a fabulous afternoon - and all the proceeds from your snacking and imbibing will go towards a great cause, the Mystic River Watershed Foundation.

I spoke with Brian Lamb, full-time owner of Our Glass Wine Co. on Route 1 and part-time mastermind behind this great event. It seems that the Condon Shell (a Medford mini Hatch Shell venue, if you will) was the inspiration behind the event. A long-time lover of the site, Lamb approached Mayor McGlynn with the idea to use the Condon Shell for an afternoon of entertainment. McGlynn was more than happy to get on board. The Shell had been recently re-acquired by the city of Medford and McGlynn had hoped to bring music and the arts back to Medford. This was a perfect opportunity.

The event will feature music from local bands, grilled fare provided by Whole Foods, crafts by local artists, and other local vendors committed to all things Green. Perhaps most noteably (from my perspective), the wines on offer will all be organic selections.... and there are some TRULY phenomenal ones in the mix.

Here's a quick preview of just three of the many wines available on Saturday:

2007 Jelu Torrontes ~ Everyone knows Argentine Malbec. Well... Torrontes will have the same U.S. following as the leading white wine varietal coming from that part of the world soon enough! Not bitter at all (as some Torrontes can be) this wine is the PERFECT summer sipper. It offers gorgeous ripe fruits, healthy acidity and a nice medium body allowing it greater food pairing versatility. A welcome treat. The Cafe Europa team is responsible for bringing this little number to the event's wine roster.

2007 Mas de Gourgonnier Rose ~ If you've tasted the standard red Mas de Gourgonnier (in the crazy, 'fat' bottle with the long neck) you know you're in for a treat with this rose. This vineyard has been making organic wines before organic was "in". And this rose is one of the best out there. It offers fabulous summer strawberry and raspberry aromas and flavors, but is refreshingly crisp and dry (as all great rose should be). A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre, Cinsault and Cab, it can hold up to serious BBQ magic, too. Ideal Wine Imports are responsible for bringing this to a store near you and will be donating this selection to the event.

2005 Vinos Pinol Sacra Natura ~ This is a red wine blend from the Terra Alta region of Spain (near Priorat, south of Barcelona) where the soil lacks optimal nutrients; this causes the vines to 'work harder' and results in fewer bunches but more concentrated fruit. The Sacra Natura in particular hails from a vineyard boasting 95 year old vines (read: even more concentrated fruit). A robust blend of Cariñena, Merlot, Cab Sauvignon, Syrah and Tempranillo, this wine does not hold back. Ole Imports & Ruby Wines will be donating this bad boy.

Rain or shine, the Condon Shell should be your local event stop this weekend!

So, what are you waiting for? Do you plan to be 'romanced' in Medford?

Viva the Unusual Vinos! Gary V came, saw & tasted...

Last Thursday night 150 some odd Gary Vaynerchuk friends, fans and wine lovers attended his Boston Book Signing and Thunder Show tasting event at the Hotel Commonwealth downtown. The event certainly brought "the Thunder" featuring: a live filming of Thunder Show episode #494; a chance to meet Gary V while picking up a signed copy of his book; and - most impressively - a sample taste of the wines reviewed during the show. Attendees then headed downstairs to the Foundation Lounge for a special welcome cocktail, appetizers and their choice of libation (with wines from the show once again available at the bar). I must admit, though everyone gasped or groaned when Gary rated the wines between 86 points and 90 points, I was pretty impressed with the wines selected for the show given the regions that produced them. Four solid wines each having at least one unusual characteristic (hence the theme "Unusual Suspects") were on the wine flight. Vinha Alijibes winery in Albacete, Spain (Castella la Mancha region) took care of two of the wines, one a Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay blend and one a 100% Syrah rose.

What makes these selections so unique? First of all, Castilla La Mancha isn't one of the foremost wine making regions in Spain. You're probably more familiar with Rioja, Ribadera del Duero or Penendez (where Cava comes from). Second, when it comes to varietals used in each of these wines, these winemakers are definitely putting themselves out there. While Chard is a grape that can grow pretty much everywhere (albeit infrequently in Spain), Sauvignon Blanc is more often produced in the Loire Valley, California and New Zealand. As for the rose, Tempranillo and Grenacha are the dominant red grape varietals in Spain, with Grenacha often used for their rosado (rose) wines. Syrah is a relative new kid on the block in Spain and when used, is more often blended.

As for the reds, the 2006 Sur de los Andes Cab is, well... a Cab! From Argentina? Um, right. That's the thing. Gary may have been a bit misleading on the show, but Argentina is better known for its Malbecs; Cab's made there tend to really leave you wanting - a big glass of something else to wash away the green bell pepper flavors! At best, it is considered an 'up and coming' wine varietal there. But this Cab was a fan favorite among those that attended. And for $10, your near-impossible, under-$10-Cab search could end altogether.

Last but not least, the 2005 Palacio Quemado "PQ", another 100% Syrah attempt by Spaniards, but this time the full figured red kind. This selection is from the Ribera del Guadiana region, another lesser known wine producing region in Northish-Western Spain that essentially overlooks Portugal.

After the show ended Gary asked the crowd the following question: Do you like 1) mangos, 2) escargo and 3) sliders from White Castle? If you answered "yes" to ALL THREE of those, then you have the same palate as Gary. I answered yes to only one, mangoes. But Gary and I certainly share a similar philosophy about wine: get out there and taste!

Here's your "homework" then for this week: head out to The Wine Gallery or your local shop to pick up these wines. Taste them and then check out Gary V's episode featuring them. I'll post my own tasting notes later this week, too, for additional comparison. I'll look forward to your comments!

More on the pink stuff!

A couple of weeks ago I was on deck pouring a "sippy sip" of four different wines. Since it was bloody H O T that week in Boston, it was only fair to choose wines that were thirst-quenching or perfect for grilled fare. A South African Chenin Blanc, an Italian frizzante-styled white, a Spanish rose, and an all-American Zin were on offer. The tasters enjoyed the Chenin more than any other selection but the Rose stirred up the most conversation.... When I posted last month about rose I spoke more about what it is (juice pressed from red grapes after short-lived skin contact, so as to impart a touch of color, body and texture) and what it is not (sugary sweet!). What I didn't really get into is the myriad styles that exist. Between reps absolutely clamoring to sell the shop their rose wares before it is too late in the summer and the many conversations I had at the tasting a couple weeks back, I can't help but go into more detail today.

Let's start with the Spanish rose offered at the tasting because it goes against the grain by blending in white wine, too (egad!). Typical to the Rioja region's approach to rose, the Muga Rosado 2007 is a blend of Grenacha, Viura (a white varietal famous in the region and often used in Cava production) and Tempranillo. The wine sees about 12 hours of contact with the grape skins, resulting is a distinctly salmon color. It also is aged in wooden vats for 25 days (another Rioja/Spanish characteristic, as they are the country most famous for oak application), which contributes a touch more oomph to the wine and a certain toastiness, too. The addition of Viura is no doubt where this wine achieves its subtle tropical fruit flavors and aromatics.

Next, let's venture to France, a region well known for it's rose. I tasted Louis Chave's 2007 rose of Pinot Noir and it knocked my socks off! This wine is classified as a Vin de Pay d'Oc (or table wine). Perhaps because of this designation, I couldn't dig up more about this intriguing, delicious wine - so I'll stick to it's flavor profile and encourage others who might know more on its context to comment below. A light watermelon color, this wine has a gently, "dusty", floral nose. It is in the French style, so beautifully dry, offering simple red berry fruit flavors, just a touch of tannin and subtle, food-loving acidity. Bottom line: this wine smelled and tasted like a pinot, but dialed it back a touch to rose levels of thirst-quenching, grilled chicken-loving, yumminess.

Traveling back to Spain - because this wine was that good and 100% rose of Merlot (very cool) - let's head north to the Penedes region where Cava (Spanish bubbly) is king. The 2007 Avinyo Vi d'Agulla Rose was quite a charmer. It had a beautiful, rosey, Merlot nose. There's no other way to describe it; it just smelled like Merlot should! On the palate, it tasted like the winemaker had put rose pedals and strawberries together in the blender and then liquified them into a refreshing, slightly bold libation. This wine had terrific balance (neither fruit, nor tannin, nor acidity overwhelmed more than it should). But what I liked most about it was that it was dry but offered a refreshing crispness, and was completely worthy of a pairing with bolder meat dishes.

Hopefully this quick sampling of rose styles is enough to wet your whistle and send you heading for your local wine shop! If you are wary to experiment, start simple: pick a wine from your favorite region of the world, or your favorite grape, (or both, if you can find one!) and go from there.

Have you tried a rose before? What's your pick this year?

Red "Only" and White Wine "Only" drinkers...UNITE!

At the shop I work with some pretty great people. At worst they are wine curious and food aficionados (just like me). So after such a great weather weekend here in Boston I woke up rejuvenated and eager to hear what the others had been up to on a rare holiday off and - most importantly - what they ate and drank. Almost immediately I learned my coworker had also broken out her Weber - except she not only had thrown buffalo meat on the fire, but also pulled out a bottle of Rose to pair with it. This was nothing short of brilliance. I realize you may have just re-read my last two lines twice and are asking "Rose? Isn't that the horribly sweet pink wine my parents used to buy in a box and drink every night? White Zin or something?". Well, I suppose it could be as a few (American) folks are still making those wines. But likely if you're seeing pink wines fill the aisles or cooler at your wine shop and getting more mention on wine lists these days, those would NOT be the same wines our parents drank out of a box (or a 1.5L bottle). They would more likely be phenomenally tasty, DRY wines that pair with just about any fare and are at their best during warmer (or outright HOT) months.

Rose wines result when dark grape skins are allowed the briefest contact with the juice. This approach imparts a few mind-bottlingly fabulous things: just a hint of red pigments to give the wine its pink-ish color; just a touch more oomph (or body); and a kiss of tannin, so the wine is still at its tastiest when chilled but can also 'hold up' to heartier foods (like buffalo meat).

Rose sales in the U.S. have really started to take off the last few years. So at the shop we've worked to anticipate the demand and pre-order wines that are known to be tasty, sought-after finds. What's interesting is as we were recounting our weekend stories and getting the wine back in order, we noticed that one of our favorite Roses hasn't taken off quite as quickly this year. Is it because of the economy? Is it because our clientele is still waiting for (more consistent) warmer temps? Is it because folks aren't sure the (much-deserved) hype is worth trying some?

All I know is that Rose can be made from any red grape varietal and, as a result, there is something for everyone. Some of the most gorgeous offerings come via Tavel, France. Another one of my personal favorite styles is made from the Cabernet Franc grape; and these can also be sparkling. Yum! If you are even more of an adventure-seeker, apparently Slovenia is even dabbling in Rose. The point is ROSE IS GOOD. So go out and buy a bottle. And if you and your loved one can't agree on white or red wines, buy two (different ones, for the sake of experimenting, please).

Do you drink Rose? Why/not?