October poses a cliche opportunity to pick truly wicked wines. But rather than picking “scary” (seriously out of the ordinary) wines for this month’s line up, we’ve gone a different route. October's wine picks reflect a greater need for something familiar and comforting in a climate-changing time. Better yet, they serve as an escape from the same-old-same, just in case you’ve gotten too set in your back to school routine or forgot to take a vacation over the summer. October is a month to mix it up! And so we have.
Pop on over to Wicked Local today to see what fabulousness we've stirred up!
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Wine Shopping
I heart Port. I have said this many times. So imagine my horror when one of the best in the Port winemaking business tells me they have done research.... and have found Americans are drinking Vintage Port younger and younger.
Five minutes later I was tasting the Burmester Vintage Port 2007. That's somewhat normal in the trade, because that's how we grow in our wine knowledge - knowing through a quick taste where Port starts, and, most importantly, gaining appreciation for where it goes. Trust me when I tell you the 2007 is some YOUNG stuff. The 2005 isn't much better. Both are bitingly acidic, tannic and, well, as someone recently described too-young-stuff (who I really respect), I wanted to pull my gums out over my teeth. Yes, you may have guessed, that is NOT cool.
Port is something to behold. It is something that, when done well and has the right amount of age under its belt, has finesse AND structure. I like mine best when it has been aged for an extended period of time. Like 20 Year Tawny. Or the 1985 or 1990 Burmester Coleheita (single vintage, single vineyard Port).
Please readers. Do yourself a favor and contribute to a more efficacious marketing trend: stop buying YOUNG Port! This stuff is meant to be aged. It mellows, often gaining exotic brown spices, burnt orange peel essence, sultry caramel and vanilla notes, all on top of a luscious layer of fruit - whether stewed plums, figs or blackraspberries. Why give that up?
Come on.
Don't.
Buy.
Port.
Too.
Young.
It's worth the wait.
Enough said.
Just a couple of weeks ago we were reveling in Luke Wohler’s Labor Day wine picks. But with the craziness of back to school/back to work/back to life, perhaps you’ve inquired at your local shop about the wines he recommended - but not yet made it over to Lower Falls Wine Co. to see what they’re all about for yourself. Who better to tempt you than Wohler’s himself?
Pop on over to Wicked Local today for four great reasons to break out of your autumn routine and get a little taste of something special!
Do you "travel" for great wine shop experiences?
As much as we may hate to admit it, the smell of autumn is in the air. September offers a great opportunity to embrace wines of all shapes and sizes, regardless of a specific need to celebrate. Sometimes simply unwinding at the end of a long day is the way to go. This month we offer some bubbly for just such an occasion, as well as a cool white that could fly under the radar screen if not given proper attention and a dynamic duo of opposing, but equally enticing reds. School may be back in session, but September is absolutely not a month for “Time Out” in the wine world!
Pop on over to Wicked Local for this month’s roster of recess-worthy picks.
What else are you sipp'n on this month?
I'm told I speak a special language with wine customers: Human. I think this is one of the greatest complements I can be paid. For some folks in the trade Human requires a bit of "study". But for my compadre Luke Wohlers of Lower Falls Wine, Co., it comes naturally. This is a guy who is Top Dog in the trade and someone I'm lucky to know.
This Labor Day treat yourself! Pop on over to Wicked Local to see what wines Luke thinks worthy to celebrate today's festivities....
What are you sipp'n on today?
A big fan of boutique wine shops, where lesser-known wines are given a fair shot and exceptional customer services are the name of the game, I'm not sure how I feel about chain stores getting press in major wine pubs. Don't they do ok on their own? No less, Decanter shared this week that Majestic (a big UK chain store) has not only won "Chain Store of the Year", but also that they are moving to a new purchasing requirement for customers: you don't have to buy 12 bottles any more, just 6. Are you kidding? This headline definitely caught my attention. How can you mandate something like that?
Meanwhile, Chile was also tearing things up at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Check this out: "Chile has proven itself a producer of some of the finest Sauvignon, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet blends in the world." This comment only supports my personal finding that Chile does pretty well with blending; but single varietal offerings are a) hard to come by and then b) when they do show up, it's a bit rough going (except, perhaps, Sauvignon Blanc). When will we start seeing some of these individual grapes winning awards? I think we're 5 years out at least.
What are your thoughts on this week's "news"?
After a summer respite of sorts, this Monday we find ourselves concluding the Pour Favor series on eco-friendly wines with a discussion on Biodynamics. It’s the topic that “mindbottles” people the most. But I happen to find it the most fascinating – and so have saved the best for last!
Head on over to Wicked Local today for some insight on the goodness...
Do you pay much attention to Biodynamic wines? What's your impression?
Rose is one of my all time favorite wine genres. Seriously. I met a woman over the weekend who had just discovered it for the first time - and she was absolutely exhilarated by the find. She and a group had been out to eat at Dante in Cambridge. The wine guru there who I've mentioned before, Chas Boyton, recommended a Californian take on rose: the Sutton Cellars Rose.
She couldn't get enough and had popped into the shop to see if we stocked it. We don't, as it turns out, but I happily chatted with her about the wonderful world of rose and helped her choose another. I was pleased she had already learned a lot from her one jaunt with the stuff (and no doubt at the tutelage of Mr. Boyton): no matter if everyone at your table is enjoying different cuisine, it pairs wonderfully; it is lively and refreshing on a hot day; it is NOT sweet; and it is a terrific way to spice up an otherwise non-celebratory night out.
Tra-la! Pop on over to Wicked Local today to learn a bit more about this DRY wine and how to find one to suit your palate. I focus on my favorite style (French) providing but a general overview of one is likely to encounter, but there really is something for everyone on the market. That's part of its magic.
Which rose is your favorite this summer?
I have now been to the beach a total of 4 days this summer - all of which have been during the month of August. So yes. It's official! Summer weather has finally arrived here in New England. And I just can't help myself! I am happily sipping from all categories of wine: red, white and... rosé!
It’s time to make hay while the sun shines, and try something uniquely delicious and satisfying at the end of a sticky, summer day. Head over to Wicked Local to check out which Wicked August Wines you might just want to give a s-whirl!
Have you had the pleasure of tasting any of these offerings? What are your tasting notes?
So... did you miss me?? In the next couple of weeks we'll be circling around to some topics that popped up over the course of my vacation -which wasn't specifically wine related, but, well, you know me! Wine is a big part of my life. Before we can get to all that, however, we have to get down to business. Immediately.
For Massachusetts residents like myself, there's only one wine news item to be discussed today: the MA State Wine Tax.
As of tomorrow - Saturday, August 1 - this much anticipated, much debated, (much hated) tax goes into play. That's right! When your office doors close early today, get yourself moving on over to your local shop to take advantage of the many discounts available in the final hours before we go from the blissful world of NO tax on wine to a whopping 6.25%! No joke.
Many stores are offering ridiculously good discounts to help customers stay ahead of the curve, for at least as long as your purchases hold out anyway. ;) Here's a brief list of folks working to better serve you; if your local shop isn't on here, be sure to give them a call! I'd be willing to bet their anteing up the discounts, too.
Ball Square Fine Wines in Somerville ~ 20% off twelve bottles ~ Any assortment of 750 ml bottles, sale items excluded
Bermans Wine and Spirits in Lexington ~ 20% off twelve bottles
Lower Falls Wine, Co. in Newton ~ 10% off twelve bottles, 20% off 36 bottles
Shubie's Marketplace in Marblehead ~ 20% off twelve bottles, 10% off six bottles ~ Any assortment, current inventory of 750 ml bottles, sale items excluded
What other stores are offering deals you know about?
WHO: Wine-Sense in Andover
WHEN: Thursday, July 30
WHAT: 15% discount all day long, plus tasting from 5 p.m. to closing
WHO: South Liquor Mart in Plainville WHAT: 15% off six bottles of wine WHAT ELSE: Beer and alcohol specials too
WHO: Shubie's Marketplace in Marblehead WHAT: 20% off twelve bottles, 10% off six bottles SPECS: Any assortment, current inventory of 750 ml bottles, sale items excluded
WHO: Bermans Wine and Spirits in Lexington WHAT: 20% off twelve bottles