Whether you're an Event Planner looking for inspiration and ideas or a bourgeoning wine enthusiast wanting to know Why You Should Use a Decanter Every Day, we cover the wine and event planning bases here.
You read correctly! There is one great, (arguably) new, spot in Cambridge, MA bringing the thunder when it comes to every important aspect of a nice meal out. Curious what place has captured my attention and enthusiasm?
Click on over to WickedLocal today to get the inside scoop on Craigie on Main!
Where do you go out to eat to be utterly satisfied?
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.
A few months ago I discovered a wine bearing my family name, Rethore, would be coming to market here in Massachusetts. Tra-la! I had my father do a bit of more specific digging (we knew we were French, but...) and learned my family is actually from the Loire Valley; long story short, it is possible the folks who make this wine are, in fact, cousins. (See! I knew it was in my blood...)
The Loire Valley is lesser known for its Gamay wines. (Recall Beaujolais in Burgundy is the appellation in France where these wines are at their best.) The Loire is better known for Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and, for the reds, Cabernet Franc. Yet, Rethore-Davy has crafted a Gamay for the red-wine-drinking public.
Finally landing on our shores, I had the opportunity to try the Rethore-Davy 2007 Gamay last Friday night. And it was exactly as it should be: bubblegum-flavored, tart and a bit high in acid. Not my favorite grape, that Gamay. But it is wicked cheap! For about $11 those who enjoy a solid expression of Gamay can enjoy the Rethore-Davy here in Massachusetts and possibly elsewhere in the US.
A bit anticlimactic, I have to admit. But cool nonetheless. Perhaps one day soon I'll get to try their Sauvignon Blanc? (That one seemed to get a solid review from a fellow blogger.) Here's hoping!
Is wine in your lineage? Have you had the chance to taste an offering?
The last few weeks we’ve taken a break from our conversation about different viticultural and winemaking processes, like sustainability and organics, in lieu of what wine is all about: the experience of wine discovery! But last week the Pircas Negras Torrontes made the “cut” as a June “Wicked Wine” worth seeking out. What we didn’t mention was this wine also happens to be... vegan.
Head on over to Wicked Local today to get the official Pour Favor scoop on what this means - and whether you should be frightened or excited by the idea!
Will knowing a particular wine is vegan impact your buying? How so?
Tuesday night's local Taste of Somerville event went off without a hitch! Myriad folks from the area popped over to the (perhaps surprising venue of the) Holiday Inn on Washington Street to taste the wares of this greater Boston city. My colleague and I were proud to be one of the few (three, we think) establishments pouring a selection of wines for citizens to sample. While accolades abounded for each one on offer, it was hard not to notice the many pleasantly surprised faces of those who sampled one of my favorite Rose's of the season: 2008 Saint Andre Figuiere Rose from Provence, France.
Why such surprise? Well, as much as we talk about it here at Pour Favor, it's one of those things where seeing, or tasting, is believing. Great rose is DRY, crisp and refreshing! We were not pouring the sweet pink stuff from California, also known as White Zinfandel. No, indeed! And, not one person (old, young or in between) was disappointed. Our mission was accomplished.
Meanwhile, back on the proverbial farm, the Powers That Be in Brussels determined European rose production standards would remain. What's this, you ask?
Recall a few months ago we discussed headlines indicating European officials were attempting to change legislation such that the blending of red and white wines would be permitted in the production of rose wines. Well, if you've been holding your breath in protest, you can go ahead and let it on out! This week the European Agriculture Commissioner, Mariann Fischer Boel, announced she had changed her mind. Advocacy groups had made their point: the blending of reds and whites would compromise the very essence of what makes (French) rose special - being made from old red grapes. I am so relieved.
Now to see if the French will overturn their ruling against outdoor alcohol consumption as of July 31st....
On a more somber 'French news' note, I am saddened to convey the passing of Johnny Hugel, the famous Alsatian winemaker/advocate. Open a bottle of Hugel this weekend and toast to a marvelous man. Afterall, even if you never knew the role he played in crafting today's Alsatian wine world, he is a man of great insight saying, "'People who like wine are nicer people than those who do not like wine." I like to think that's true. ;)
Do you have fond memories drinking Hugel? 'Tis the season for these tremendous Alsatian whites!
Last weekend my "Supper Swap" group met again for the first time in a while. (We try to meet at least quarterly, picking a theme to inspire our respective culinary adventures for the night and otherwise help us break out of any cooking ruts we may have fallen into.) As we sat around the table discussing our "Summer-is-coming" dishes and what changes we would make to the recipes, I realized I have gotten away from discussing food more specifically in relation to wine on the Pour Favor blog. I've been talking wine first, then food. But most of the time we work the other way around, right? You pick your meal or what you are going to chef, and then select a bottle to accompany it.
Food is important.
I mean, yeah, there is the whole sustenance factor, lol. But in seriousness, wine is meant to be enjoyed with food. There are certainly some that excel on their own; but for the most part winemakers hope their wares grace your table and, ideally, take on a whole new meaning when matched with a wonderful meal.
This isn't to say we should always strive for the perfect pairing. Nonsense! Rather, we should be mindful that the components which make a wine a wine - fruit, acidity and tannin - are elements that, by nature, are designed for food. On that note, let's start talking about the union of food and wine over the next few weeks, shall we?
Supper Swap dish #1: Watermelon, mint salad.
Apparently this dish was inspired by the Mustard Seed restaurant out in Davis, CA. Now their (online) recipe calls for cucumber, watermelon, mint and feta - but my friend recalled it with red onion, watermelon, mint and feta. Either which way you slice it, this salad was terrific. A true summer crowd pleaser. Fresh, healthy and delicious. And there is literally nothing more to it than dicing up the ingredients and tossing them together.
What wine would pair? This dish is incredibly versatile. But my instinct is to go for a terrific, DRY, rose - still OR sparkling! Rose tends to have terrific strawberry, raspberry or watermelon characteristics. One with more minerality (typically French offerings from areas such as Provence) or a more spice-nuanced flavor profile would be best because of the mint, bite of onion and slight richness to the feta. You can certainly try one with more fruit-forward flavors. But the watermelon on its own is so delicious, I'd want something nuanced in other ways to draw out it's more subtle, secondary (et. al.) flavors.
White varietals to consider would be Spanish Albarino or Txakoli or lesser known/sought French offerings like Muscadet, Gros Manseng and Picpoul. Sauvignon Blanc might be an easier grab-and-go choice that would certainly work. Simply think crisp, refreshing, minerality.
Prefer red? Try a fruity, ligher-styled, dry summer red. You don't want to upstage the juicy watermelon on your plate!
What wine(s) would you pick for this dish?
I can hardly believe it is already June - 6 months of 2009 are behind us and only 6 more to go! Time to officially get our beach chairs out of storage and fill up a second propane tank as "back up" for those terrific nights of grilling ahead. The only thing needed is a few good ideas for what to uncork this month...
Head on over to Wicked Local today to get the skinny on four great wines you should give a (s)wirl. Some are a party all in themselves; others will help get it started (without breaking the bank).
What other wines have you tucked into this month? Any destined to become your official summer "house" wines?
I was channeling Disney and Belle a couple of weeks ago. Today I envision a Greek god named Minervois. Except the name "Minervois", a small sub-region of the Languedoc in France, actually comes from the village of Minerve. Who knew? Because when I re-tasted an old favorite from this area, I wasn't just pleased with the result, it was a near-spiritual experience - for just $13 (retail).
Backing up a touch, Minervois offers the world reasonably priced reds typically comprised of Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre, perhaps with some Carignan or Cinsault mixed in for good measure. It depends. It's an experimental part of the world down there. Some wines are purely easy quaffing selections. But others are quite memorable. Typically the latter come from low-yield vines (remember, this means concentrated fruit flavors) in the rocky hills above the plateau.
The 2006 vintage of Chateau Coupes Roses Minervois La Bastide was a wine I first tasted nearly two years ago. I remember it having very floral notes and a tannic structure. It was very good, but it needed either food or a few breaths of fresh air to come alive and loosen up a bit. Perhaps both. Several weeks ago I happened to retaste this same vintage. Holy canolies. The extra bottle time served this wine well! If you can get your hand on a bottle (or several) I highly recommend it because it is tasting out beautifully right now. I saw the imaginary god Minervois, I'm not kidding.
To paint you a clearer picture, the Bastide is comprised of Grenache and Carignan with a touch of sultry Syrah. Today I find those same enticing floral aromatics from two years ago, with violets and juniper coming through most clearly. Tasting it is also like taking a dip in my spice rack! Sage and marjoram flow on the palate, with accents of resin and other earthy notes chiming in. It's the lush, fleshy- smooth, velvety blanket of black raspberry, plum and strawberry fruit that leaves you breathless, however. The wine finishes with mouthwatering acidity, like a little wave washing onto the shore.
Imagine my delight when I popped over to Aquitaine in the South End last week and discovered this wine is available by the glass. It really is a savory wonder, absolutely delightful on its own and, of course, a good match for their beet salad, steak, lamb or chicken dishes. If you think you'll have more than one glass (and I suspect any wine-sipping citizen might), just treat yourself to the bottle!
Do you enjoy Minervois? What selections are in your "cellar"?
I'm noticing places that take customer service to a new level. When I get my hair cut now, I also get a bit of a neck massage. When I go out to eat, the places where the GM comes over to check on us get high points. And when I go to a wine shop and am greeted warmly, I feel comfortable both perusing on my own and asking a question if the need arises. These "little" things make a place stand out.
Hop on over to Wicked Local today to meet Brian Lamb, owner of OurGlass on Route 1. He's created a shop that gives customers that little something extra. And... he's selected a handful of GREAT wines for you to take note of as warmer temperatures approach!
Have you had the pleasure of meeting Brian Lamb? What makes a wine shop stand out for you?
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?
