The Wellesley Wine Press

10 Ways to Get into Wine Without Spending Top Dollar

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:00:00 +0000

This is a guest post from Louise Baker from Zen College Life.

Wine is one of the most celebrated beverages in the world, and for good reason. Not only is it delicious and perfect to pair with food, it is rich in antioxidants and is actually very good for the body in moderation. Unfortunately, it can also be rather expensive. However, you don't need to break the bank to learn how to enjoy good wine. Here are 10 ways to get into wine without spending top dollar.

1. Take a Class

Taking a class at a college or private institution is a great way to learn how to enjoy wine. More often than not, you'll be tasting some of the best wines available, all under the veil of "homework."

2. Attend Wine Tastings

Wine tastings are usually free, and are a great way to get acquainted with good wine. Usually, the wines featured at tastings are also relatively affordable.

3. Order Wine By the Glass

Ordering wine by the glass at restaurants is a great and economical way to learn about different types of wine quickly. Also, ordering by the glass is far less expensive than ordering a bottle.

4. Read Wine Literature

There are plenty of high-quality books and magazines on the market that focus on wine. The more often you read, the more up to date you'll be on current trends.

5. Shop at Closeouts

Wines are always going on sale because of overstock. Shopping at closeouts is a great way to try a number of different wines for less expense.

6. Go To Dinner Parties

Drinking with friends at dinner parties is an excellent way to learn more about wine, especially if they are wine enthusiasts. Bring a bottle of something you know is good, and chances are they'll have wines that you've never tried before.

7. Never Buy the Same Bottle Twice

Unless you've found a wine you really enjoy, try to vary your wine buying habits. Always pick up a bottle of something you've never tried before when going on a shopping run.

8. Tour a Winery

There are wineries all over the world that welcome guests in to view their operations and try their wine. Not only can you often purchase high-quality wines for discount prices at wineries, but they will usually offer you tastings of all of their different varietals.

9. Drink Locally

Local wines often cost less to purchase because they haven't traveled nearly as far as other wines. Try to drink local wines whenever possible.

10. Be Open Minded

One of the most important things about trying new wines is to be as open minded as possible. Just because you don't like a particular glass of wine doesn't mean that the style does not appeal to you. Be sure to try as many different wines from a particular style as possible before formulating any opinions.

When she's not trying to learn more about wine, Louise Baker is a freelance writer. She currently blogs about online schools at Zen College Life, where her most recent post was on the top online colleges.

Latching on to a Certain Wine "Like You've Found the Cure"

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:00:00 +0000

Forgive me if I don't credit a specific episode of Wine Library TV but I remember hearing way back from @garyvee about how people tend to latch on to a specific wine they've enjoyed and want to drink it forever as if it contains the cure.

I remember hearing that and thinking "That's not me! I rarely want to buy more than 2 bottles of a single wine and it annoys me when I can only get good pricing on a wine when I buy 12 bottles."

But if I extend the statement a little further and try to think of the last wine I wish I would have bought more of in the last few years the first that comes to mind is the 2007 Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel. Good luck trying to find this wine around favorably priced- the 2008 vintage is more expensive and just doesn't offer the same level of excitement somehow.

What was it about this wine that made it disappear so quickly from my stash? I think it's a few things coming together: Price point around $20. Delicious flavor profile. Fruit-forward yet offers layers of complexity. Luscious. Consistently popular with guest. That about sums it up.

Why was I thinking about this? Because I think I've found the first wine since 2008 that's got me thinking about backing up the truck. I've been talking about it on Twitter (@RobertDwyer) but I'll be writing it up here in the coming days. I'm looking forward to talking more about this wine because I feel like it will serve as a good litmus test of whether you should listen to my wine recommendations. Check back soon or subscribe so we can continue the conversation.

Question of the Day: What's a wine you've bought in the last few years that you wish you would've bought more of? And/or what's a wine that's still available in the market now that you'd recommend others stock up on and why?

A Brief History of Wine Shipment into Massachusetts (as H4497 withers on the vine)

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:11:00 +0000

A summary of developments related to direct shipment of wine into Massachusetts over the past couple of years:

For the longest time, wineries outside of Massachusetts couldn't ship here at all. But then a law went into effect that allowed wineries which produce less than 30,000 gallons a year to ship here. The logic was that in order for the small wineries in MA to be able to ship out, the state should let similarly small wineries out of state ship in.
Good old Mitt Romney vetoed the bill because he thought it was discriminatory towards large out of state wineries, but the legislature overrode his veto and the 30,000 gallon cap went into effect.
You'd think this would have freed up a lot of wine shipment to Massachusetts but it didn't. Why? Because the cost and complexity of obtaining a permit that needs to be renewed each year is an excessive burden for small wineries. It costs them a hundred dollars in annual permitting to ship the first bottle (plus administration costs) and they'd rather not take the risk of not selling enough wine to the state in a given year to justify the expense and hassle. Massachusetts is just one state out of 50 after all.
Small wineries were further limited by the fact that UPS and FedEx (so called "common carriers") don't ship wine to Massachusetts because the state has inordinately stringent licensing requirements for vehicles that transport alcohol. Each individual vehicle needs a permit.
Further, there is wording in Massachusetts law stating that each individual consumer can only receive a certain amount of wine per year and any individual winery that put said consumer over their annual volume cap could be held responsible for an illegal shipment.
In 2008, the Family Winemakers v. Jenkins case determined the 30,000 gallon cap was unconstitutional. Family Winemakers represented California wineries, Eddie Jenkins was then the chairman of the Massachusetts ABCC.
The discussion around Jenkins focused on protecting small Massachusetts wineries, but if you're a small Massachusetts winery you must have been indignant while this debate was going on. Why? Because it never had anything to do with protecting small Massachusetts wineries in the first place. It had to do with protecting the 3-tier system that channels wine from producer to distributor to retailers and restaurants.
Somewhat concurrently with her unsuccessful run for the US Senate against Scott Brown, Martha Coakley appealed this decision in her role as Massachusetts Attorney General. When the appeal was denied earlier this year, there was dancing in the streets and it seemed direct shipment from out of state wineries to consumers would finally be a reality. The local TV station even came over to interview me.
Though it seemed direct shipments would now be possible, the same laws that stifled small wineries are now effectively stifling all direct shipments of wine to the state. Since it's unreasonable that each individual truck should need a permit, and impossible for a given winery to know a given consumer's annual wine shipment capacity, new legislation is needed to make the direction from Jenkins effective.
Massachusetts House Bill 4497 is that piece of legislation, but it's currently "stuck" in the House Ways & Means Committee.

The bill is the "model legislation" for direct shipment of wine. They call it model because it strikes a balance between the rights of out of state wineries to ship directly with consumers interested in purchasing their wines -and- the rights of each state to collect tax revenue for the shipment and regulate the shipments. Massachusetts isn't the first state to grapple with these issues and it won't be the last.

Even if you don't drink wine or ever intend to get wine shipped to you as a Massachusetts resident you might be in favor of allowing legal direct shipment of wine. Why? Because it will increase tax revenue to the state by providing a channel for shipment and tax collection of wine which otherwise couldn't legally be shipped into the state. The typical wines we're talking about here are ones that aren't available from retailers either because they're too small to warrant interest from distributors -or- are in such high demand that they only sell directly to consumers. Believe me- as a wine enthusiast I'd love to buy all my wine directly from local retailers to save on shipping costs. But many wines simply aren't available in the state.

Your call to action? Visit the MA H4497 page on the Free the Grapes website and send an E-mail to the members of the House Ways and Means committee that are sitting on the bill. If this bill isn't sent to the floor for a vote by the end of the week it will likely languish until next year effective keeping the status quo for at least another year. Let's enact this bill to allow the intent of Family Winemakers v. Jenkins to become a reality.

Cheap French Wine

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:06:00 +0000

Let's face it- there's something more sophisticated and adventurous about drinking imported wines, especially from France. However, the charm evaporates when you encounter bitter, austere, or otherwise "challenging" wines when you're just looking for something delicious to serve your guests. Especially when they're expensive.

I realized while looking around at my empty bottles in the recycling bin (I'm currently the mayor of the town dump on Four Square so let me know if you need any favors) that I've recently strung together a run of ~~cheap~~ inexpensive French wines that would be fun to write-up. All 2009s: A white, a rosé, and even a red. Some fared better than others but I thought they were all discussion-worthy:

2009 Earl Charpenties Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne Haut Marin Cuvée Marine (white)

Price: $8
11.5% Alcohol

Maybe it was the occurrence of the word "Marine" on the label but I thought this wine was "of the ocean" on a number of levels. It had this really enjoyable slightly-salt-watery characteristic that made me think it would pair well with oysters.

It also offered tropical aromas- bananas even. Combined with just the slightest hint of effervescence, this makes for an excellent summer white wine with well-balanced fruit flavor.

87/100 WWP: Very Good
Purchased at Bin Ends Wine

2009 Château de Fontenille Clairet (rosé)
Price: Around $10
12.5% Alcohol

It seems to happen to me every year. The weather starts to warm up and we have dinner out on the deck and crack open a delicious rosé. I swear I'm going to drink nothing but white and pink wine all summer long! Then reality sets in and I scurry back to my comfort zone which is still juicy new world reds. But when you catch an affordable, delicious, guzzleble rosé it's hard to imagine one that's not utterly enjoyable.

Unfortunately, this Fontenille didn't quite deliver for me and the guests I served it to on a hot summer afternoon. Smells of delicious strawberries, but a little thin and bitter flavor-wise. Though it's only 12.5% alc guests noted that "you can definitely taste the alcohol".

PS The wine I had at the beginning of summer and liked more was this one from Zepaltas.

78/100 WWP:Mediocre

2009 Chateau Roc de Segur (red)
Price: $10
13.5% Alcohol

The hype surrounding 2009 Bordeaux is a little different then 2005. Whereas everyone seemed genuinely enthusiastic about the quality of the 2005s everyone seems uniformly stunned by the high prices of the 2009s. Some of the retailers I trust most are suggesting there's limited upside in buying these wines as futures for a variety of reasons.

Sold almost entirely always as futures at this point (as in: pay now as part of a straight case or six-pack if you're a pauper, pick up in a year or two when they arrive) I've noticed a few retailers nationally offering this Roc de Segur as a first-look 2009 red Bordeaux.

When I opened this wine, my first impression was unfavorable. It smelled like run of the mill red wine with Home Depot-esque wood notes wafting above the glass. After some attempts to save it with various wine aerators things improved a bit but I decided to save it for the next day to see how it fared.

Fortunately, things were looking up the next day! I'm not familiar with the composition of this wine, but it tasted like a Cab Franc to me the second day. Green peppers and spice on top of a more solid foundation. It even held on and showed well a 3rd day, which is something I see consistently in red Bordeaux at all price points: It fares well on the counter overnight with a stopper.

Now, the fact that a wine lasted three days around here says something: It wasn't too hard to resist. This one definitely needs time to settle down, but the question I'd ask is how much space do you want to devote to laying down cheap Bordeaux?

Check out the notes from Garagiste posted on CellarTracker.

84/100 WWP: Good
Purchased at: Hingham Wine Merchant

Question of the Day: Have you had any of these? If so, what did you think of them? If not, any tips for good affordable French wines?

Robert Foley Wine Dinner at Stonehedge Inn

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:22:00 +0000

Robert Foley is coming to Stonehedge Inn in Tyngsboro, MA for a paired wine dinner Monday July 26th, 2010. The cost is $135.

I attended a wine dinner at BOKX109 in Newton last year and enjoyed it very much. Mr. Foley got around to each table multiple times to answer questions and interact with guests. At that event, we tasted through his 2006s. I thought they were fantastic and his 2007s are even more highly anticipated. I tried the 2007 Robert Foley Merlot recently and thought it was outstanding.

If you're interested, give Stonehedge Inn a call to check availability and make reservations at the number below:

Check 'em out:
Stonehedge Inn & Spa
Tyngsboro, MA 01879
978-649-4400
On Facebook
Twitter: @StonehedgeInn

15% Off at Bin Ends Wine Friends and Family Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:34:00 +0000

Wednesday, July 21 from 5-8PM is Friends and Family Night at Bin Ends Wine in Braintree, MA. To celebrate their 2nd anniversary they're offering an additional 15% off all purchases even if you're a new friend. This is a pretty good opportunity to save even more off their already-low prices.

Pro Tip: Always check the bargain bins in the back of the store as your first course of action. From there fan out and search their unique selections in regions you're interested in.

I last visited the store as part of my unencumbered Father's Day wine jaunt. While at Bin Ends, I enjoyed talking with Dan Kline and taking his recommendations on wines they had in stock. Here are a few selections that stood out:

2007 Villa San-Juliette Petite Sirah
As soon as I opened this one I knew I was getting into something serious. The wine is so intensely dark you could use the cork to write your name on a piece of paper and have color left over. "Blueberry motor oil" the producers call it (who themselves are the producers of American Idol). Definitely check out this Paso Robles wine at just over $10 after discount if you're into into big California reds.
2006 Lachini "S" Pinot Noir
Solid Oregon Pinot Noir from a voluptuous vintage. I don't think they have much of this one left but it was a really nice wine at $30. Even nicer 15% off.
2009 Red Newt Circle Riesling
Click here for a review I wrote of this wine previously. This is a fantastic warm-weather, food-friend Finger Lakes Riesling for just over $10 after discount.

If you can't make it Wednesday night, they're having their monthly Fine Wine Flea Market Sunday, July 25, from 1-5PM where you can try dozens of wines before you buy them at 20-50% off retail.

Check 'em out:
Bin Ends Wine
236 Wood Road, Braintree, MA
(781)817-1212
Facebook: Bin Ends Wine
Twitter: @binendswine

Made in Massachusetts: How Marco Montez Put Travessia Urban Winery on the Map

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:00:00 +0000

When I first started using Twitter a few years ago, primarily as a means for connecting with people interested in wine and from there hopefully this blog, one of the first people I followed was @TRAVESSIA. They're a small urban winery in New Bedford, Massachusetts producing wines from grapes grown in Massachusetts. Sure- why not follow them?

Over the past few years I've gotten to know Travessia's owner and winemaker Marco Montez better, and it's been great to watch his winery grow and gain notoriety. We had a chance to visit Travessia's unique winery this past weekend and it was great to round out my familiarity with the brand.

Like Any Other Small Business

I find small businesses fascinating. It seems like almost everyone I know has a side-interest or hobby they'd like to derive income from at some point, but it's often hard to take the leap of faith required to get that small business off the ground especially in uncertain economic times.

Regardless of the topic you're interested in, a common set of core marketing strategies need to be tended to. A website, a blog, establishing a social media presence- all of it takes time. But those who do it effectively are able to establish a connection with their customers that transcends a commoditized transaction and positions the business for success.

One of the first small companies I worked for had about 100 employees. I remember a new Marketing Communications person being hired on and their job description was "to make the company look bigger than it was". If this was Travessia's aim when they launched their first wines a couple years ago- I'd say they were successful. If you look at their website you'll see a professional looking, easy to navigate site with just the information you're looking for. To my eye, the site looks better than some businesses many times larger.

Travessia has taken advantage of being small and nimble by establishing an authentic presence on ~~free~~ important social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. They maintain a blog and I was particularly impressed with the FourSquare special we were greeted with upon arriving:

Summing it all up, the key thing I think Travessia has done well is to establish an honest human connection with would-be customers and partners that aligns with their brand. Well done- definitely one to watch and learn if you're interested in promoting your small business effectively.

In Real Life

I've met Marco and tried his wines before but this was the first chance I had to see him at the winery in New Bedford. He had the day off but was kind enough to meet us there after I pinged him on Twitter. Just as we were trying to figure out whether we needed to feed the street meters he pulled up and gave us the Insider's Tip: No need to feed the meters on Saturday even though the meters indicate they're in operation on Saturdays.

The winery is situated on nice medium-density street with parallel parking. It's about 1,000 square feet in all including the wine-making operation and the tasting room. The back has the winemaking equipment: Fermentation tanks, barrels, a corker, etc. We had our kids along so we weren't able to get into as much detail as I would have liked but there was something very cool to seeing a winery of this scale in action. Here's why...

There's clarity in small scale. In my day job, I look at integrated circuit designs with millions of devices. When something goes wrong and I want to test a theory I have about what's causing the problem, I create a tiny design that has only 2 devices in it. 90% of the time I can replicate the problem concisely and then know exactly where to focus. With wine, production numbers and the winemaking process can be a blur until you see it hands-on and can visualize the steps involved. I'd love to follow along with a winery from grape to glass to reinforce what I've only read about and seen bits and pieces of.

It was great to see the tasting counter occupied by at least one group the whole time we were visiting. Edson was pouring the wines the day we visited. Bottles are available for purchase and they offer a wine club that I finally signed up for after meaning to for months.

We tasted through their Pinot Grigio, Unoaked Chardonnay, Oaked Chardonnay, and Vidal Blanc. All are made with 100% Massachusetts-grown grapes.

The Pinot Grigio is a relatively new addition to the line-up. It's bone dry and I'd like it more if it had a little more weight. The Chardonnays are well-made but I'm not a fan of the variety in general and if there's a grape out there that can be polarizing in terms of taste preferences it's Chardonnay. A lot of people say they like unoaked Chardonnay lately (and some people indeed do) but I recall a wine dinner at Legal Sea Foods a while back where the well-regarded California Chardonnay producer Sonoma-Cutrer was pouring their wines. Half of the people loved their oaky Chardonnay and the other half preferred a lighter, crisper style. Fortunately, Travessia offers both- take your pick. I prefer the oaked.

Their Vidal Blanc continues to be my favorite of the bunch. If you like Riesling with just a kiss of sweetness or Gewürztraminer you might enjoy their Vidal Blanc. Their 2008 was a little drier (less sweet) than the 2007 we enjoyed so much. Both vintages are great but we took the opportunity to pick up a couple more bottles of the 2007. Vidal Blanc is a hybrid (a cross between grapes of different species) commonly used in Canadian ice wines. I think it does well in Massachusetts and I've enjoyed other examples from wineries on the Southeastern New England Coastal Wine Trail.

As we were leaving a dozen bachelorettes arrived in a limo- what a great way to start the night and good business for the winery.

We asked Marco where we could get some clams in a waterfront setting and his suggestion of the Waterfront Grille was spot-on. You're looking out over fishing boats (as opposed to yachts) and the ambiance is coastal enough that you appreciate being on the water but not clam-shacky as to be grubby. Funny side note: A group of guys came in while we were there and asked the waitress if they could take off their shirts outside. I got the distinct impression she gave them the once-over before saying "um- no".

My impression of New Bedford after the visit is that it's a lively coastal city with an eclectic mix of charming cobblestone streets, a waterfront with active fisheries, a launching point for Vineyard ferries, and a cool collection of urban businesses.

When we go back next I'd like to visit the Whaling Musueum and/or the Ocean Explorium. We had a chance to drive by both and they looked inviting. Click here for a list of other activities in the area.

Conclusion and Recommendations:

About an hour south of Boston, a visit to Travessia is highly recommended. Paired with a visit to a nearby restaurant and/or museum it makes for an enjoyable day-trip. They're producing some delicious wines in a cool urban environment and I look forward to watching them grow.

Know how I'm always complaining about Massachusetts wine shipping laws? Fear not- you can buy Travessia online and have it shipped to your home or office in Massachusetts. What a novel idea!

Check 'em out:
Travessia Urban Winery
760 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
774-929-6534

As a mater of disclosure I'd like to mention Travessia has run an ad on this site in the past. It was more than a year ago, but just so you know. Click here to read my advertising policies.

New To The WWP? 7 Things You May Have Missed

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:13:00 +0000

I try to be cautious about repeating myself. I never want to be "that guy" who says the same thing over and over again as if we're in a conversation and I've forgotten something I've told you before. But in the context of blogging it would be unreasonable to expect you've read every word I've written here or on Twitter. (If someone has been with me from the beginning or even over the past year drop me an E-mail and let me know- I'd truly appreciate it.)

I think I've mentioned before that I've found Darren Rowse's Pro Blogger to be helpful in getting my arms around blogging and motivating me to get this site off the ground, but it's been a while since I took one of his suggestions and immediately implemented it. Until today, which is a style of post that you're reading right now.

Here's a list of 7 things you may have missed on The Wellesley Wine Press:

What I consider my first post wasn't even published here on the WWP- it was published on our family blog Casa Dwyer.
Lesson Learned: Before starting a blog on a specific topic, try writing about it on a general-purpose blog like a family blog or a personal Tumblr blog.
The post I enjoyed writing the most was probably this piece about Bobby Parkerchuk on Twitter. Sometimes I've got a half dozen things I feel I need to write about. The night I sat down and wrote that summary of tweets I had a great time and laughed out loud.
Lesson Learned: Sometimes it's best to write about what you want to write about- not what you feel you need to write about.
A post I thought had a great discussion was this one describing the WWP QPR Calculator. It's gratifying when someone finds their way to the site after seeking out wine QPR calculators on Google and actually finds one and we get a chance to talk about the subject of quality-price-ratio in wine.
Lesson Learned: One of the best things about blogging is connecting with folks with the same ridiculously specific interest.
A post on someone else’s blog that you wish you’d written was probably this piece from Dr. Vino about Robert Parker and ethics because it shined a light on an inconsistency between the Wine Advocate's stated tasting policy and what was evidently going on.
Lesson Learned: Sometimes the most important posts ruffle feathers. It might make you unpopular with certain people. Always be thinking about where you want to go with your writing long-term.
One of my most helpful posts was probably this list of Grocery Stores in MA that sell wine. Every time someone lands on the site after trying like heck to figure out which Trader Joe's in the state sell wine (and why) I feel like I've silently helped out.
Lesson Learned: Assembling information and presenting it in a single easy-to-find place is a useful service.
A post with a title I am proud of? What You're Doing Might Be Illegal. It's a story about how Massachusetts wine consumers might be unknowingly breaking the law by performing everyday acts with wine. When I've reviewed past blog entries the headline caught my attention and I clicked it myself. Aside: Yes we need to fix our laws in this state.
Lesson Learned: Sometimes you write headlines for search engine optimization, sometimes you write them to entice a click... This one was for for a click, but one thing that bothers me to no end is the over-hyped headline that doesn't deliver. This story, I hope, delivers.
A post I wish more people had read was this one about a wine shop in another state being squeezed by a larger competitor. It really opened my eyes to aspects of the wine trade I hadn't considered previously.
Lesson Learned: Contrary to popular belief, wine shops do go out of business. Sadly, I received an E-mail from this retailer just recently saying he was closing his shop.

As always- thank you for reading. If you enjoy reading this site the nicest thing you could do for me is encourage someone else to check it out and subscribe.

Photo Credit: pshegubj

Massachusetts Voters to Decide Whether to Repeal Alcohol Tax

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:34:00 +0000

Photo by philip

I read today on the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Licensing Blog that those in favor of repealing the Massachusetts sales tax on alcohol were successful in getting their initiative on this November's ballot. This is potentially good news for those who buy wine in the state, but get ready for the political maneuvering to begin.

It was just over a year ago that Governor Patrick signed into law the increase from 0% at the point of sale to 6.25%. Already subject to excise taxes, alcohol is now double-taxed much to the delight of state revenue collectors and much to the chagrin of wine enthusiasts and wine retailers (especially those near New Hampshire where there is no tax on wine at the point of sale).

I'm in favor of repealing the tax on alcohol at the point of sale. Here's why:

Once in place, sin taxes have a way of escalating irrationally any time more tax revenue is needed. The right thing to do is determine what an appropriate tax level is for alcohol and stick to it. Has the appropriate taxation level for alcohol changed suddenly? Or has the state's need for tax revenue changed suddenly due to the economy? I would argue it's the latter.

If the logic is that funds are needed for state-sponsored rehab programs then increase the excise tax. Why? Because if you want to discourage excessive alcohol consumption you do it by taxing alcohol based on the volume (as the excise tax does) not by dollar value (as the sales tax does). Anything else is just an arbitrary unbalanced way to squeeze more tax revenue out of Massachusetts residents who purchase alcohol.

Question of the Day: What do you think of the alcohol tax?

Recommended Viewing: Jon Rimmerman from Garagiste at Small and Special

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:25:00 +0000

Garagiste is a Seattle-based retailer with a unique business model. Proprietor Jon Rimmerman travels the world finding unique wines and then offers them for purchase through beautifully worded stories in daily E-mails. I've been receiving his E-mails since February of this year and one in particular this past week really impressed me. The guy is a fantastic writer.

The video embedded below is from last year's Small and Special conference, but I just made time to watch it today. Here are some points that jumped out at me:

He started the business with just $500 after building up relationships in the organic food trade.
They do somewhere south of $30 million in annual sales and they don't have an e-commerce system. You just reply to their E-mail offers and tell them how many bottles you want. The famous Niki responds and, assuming they have your credit card on file, your order is processed.
They've got almost 100,000 people on their E-mail list, many of whom subscribe just for the writing.
He recognized that consumers like connecting directly with people and immediacy long before Twitter existed. They're on Twitter now (@Garagiste_Wine) but their business still hinges primarily around connecting personally from proprietor to consumer through Jon's E-mails.

Unfortunately, they can't ship to Massachusetts.

At minimum, your call to action today is to sign up for their E-mail list. And when you can set aside some time, watch the video. I think you'll enjoy getting to know Jon a little better and you'll benefit from the ideas he shares whether you're a wine lover, a small business owner, a blogger, or all three.

Thanks to @joshiemac for the referral in the comments section of this piece from last year on the top wine deals of 2010. Like he says- the action is in the E-mails not on their website.

Jon Rimmerman - Garagiste - Small and Special 2009 from Small and Special on Vimeo.

Monday, July 12th: Ridge Wine Dinner at L'Espalier

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:16:00 +0000

This one caught my attention as an amazing food and wine combination. It brings together the highly regarded L'Espalier restaurant with the long-standing reputation of quality from Ridge Vineyards.

From the L'Espalier website:

Ridge Wine Dinner

Join L'Espalier's Wine Director Erik Johnson and winemaker Eric Baugher as we showcase the winery's incredible selections. Paired with a multi-course dinner perfectly tailored to complement each wine, the Ridge Wine Dinner will be a spectacular evening and a rare experience for the restaurant and all attendees.

Seating is very limited and we expect a quick sell out. Reservations are required and can be obtained by calling 617-262-3023.

Monday, July 12 at 7pm
$185/person
Click here to view the menu.
Learn more about Ridge wines on the web at www.ridgewine.com.

Check 'em out:
L'Espalier
774 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02199
617-262-3023
On Twitter
On Facebook

Tasting Report: 2009 Red Newt Riesling Circle Label

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:56:00 +0000

Red Newt Cellars is a small Finger Lakes producer of mostly Rieslings. Like many smaller production regions, the wines from the Finger Lakes often have a hard time delivering value on par with higher production regions of the same grape varieties. In the case of Riesling, German wines are the standard and domestically Washington state (and Chateau Ste Michelle specifically as the largest single producer) are the giant wine-producing gorillas to compete with.

You can find a number of Finger Lakes Rieslings around the $15-$20 price point, but there's a big difference between $10 and $20 on a retailer shelf. And you can get a fine bottle of German Riesling in this range. With the introduction of the Circle Label in 2008, Red Newt changed the game by ramping production levels and delivering a Finger Lakes Riesling for $11.99. But how was the wine?

Determining how sweet or dry a Riesling will taste based on the label can be tricky. One wine labeled "Off Dry" might not be as sweet as we'd like or vice versa. And even if we become familiar with what levels of residual sugar we like, the interplay of acidity and alcohol with the sugar can influence our overall impression of a wine. What's needed is a "sweetness index" so to speak.

I first heard of a Riesling index when Dr. Ernest Loosen and Bob Bertheau from Chateau Ste Michelle were in town presenting their wines at Blanchards West Roxbury a couple of years ago. On the back of the Red Newt label is this standardized Riesling Taste Profile from the International Riesling Foundation. I think it's a handy quick-reference to help determine whether a given wine aligns with each of our ideas about how sweet a Riesling should be and this one promises to be "Medium Sweet"- and to my palate it was.

Here are my thoughts on the wine:

2009 Red Newt Cellars Riesling Circle Label
2,100 cases produced (for the 2008 vintage)
11.7% Alcohol
$11.99

Aromatically impressive with peach and citrus on the nose. Lemony on the palate. Neutral finish- nicely devoid of any off-putting flavors. Nice weight: Not too syrupy heavy and not too thin. Towards the sweeter side as advertised, but finishes clean. I liked it.

88/100 WWP: Very Good

Further Reading:

Where to buy in Massachusetts
An excellent write-up about Red Newt's Circle Label from The New York Cork Report and their thoughts on the 2008 vintage of this same wine.

Purchased at Bin Ends Wine.

Check 'em out:
Red Newt Cellars Winery & Bistro
Hector, NY 14841
607-546-4100
On Twitter: @CircleRiesling
On Facebook

Tasting Report: Stepping Stone by Cornerstone

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:09:00 +0000

Cornerstone Cellars is small producer based in Napa Valley best known for the high quality Cabernet Sauvignon they've been producing for 18 vintages. Over the years they've branched out to other grape varieties (Sauvignon Blanc), regions (Oregon), and with Stepping Stone price points ($16-$35/btl).

The idea with Stepping Stone is "to produce beautiful wines of outstanding quality that are both reasonably priced and capable of expressing their full charm and complexity in their youth." Not a second label to their pricier ($59+) Napa Cabs but rather a label of wine that delivers high quality that's ready to drink on release.

As part of an tasting that was part live at the 2010 North American Wine Bloggers Conference and part virtual via Taste Live, I had a chance to taste through 5 wines from Stepping Stone. 1 white, 1 rosé, and 3 reds. Here are my thoughts on these wines:

2009 Stepping Stone Sauvignon Blanc
13.7% alc
325 cases produced
$16/btl

From the winery: "The Sauvignon Blanc Musqué clone is responsible for some of the finest Sauvignon Blancs in California. Used by many wineries as a blending component, a few wineries are now using the Musqué clone as if it were a unique grape variety – Sauvignon Musqué."

My Tasting Notes: Detected very little residual sugar- this wine tastes very dry. Would have expected rounder flavors from California. More Loire in style than New Zealand, but without the minerality you'd expect in Loire. For my palate, it was almost searingly acidic without food. Is this typical of the Sauvignon Musqué clone?

82 WWP/Good

2009 Stepping Stone Red Hills Lake County Corallina Rosé
50% Grenache/50% Syrah
13.9% Alcohol
196 cases produced
$16/btl

From the winery: "named for its brilliant coral (corallina in Italian) color...Our 2009 Rosé Corallina is a stylish medium-bodied Provençal-style blend with the juicy flavors of fresh strawberry, cranberry and pomegranate. A touch of citrus and red current dance on a palate that exhibits a slight creamy
texture."

My Tasting Notes: The color of watermelon juice. Gets more apparent aromatically as it comes to room temperature which may or may not be a good thing. Some strawberries on the nose. Its quirky, somewhat bitter flavor profile might disappoint those looking for a summer guzzler- or even a porch sipper.

74 WWP/Not recommended

2008 Stepping Stone Cabernet Franc
14.5% alc
602 cases produced
$30/btl

From the Winery:"From the Carneros vineyards of Southern Napa, the 2008 Stepping Stone Cabernet Franc highlights the special nature of this region. Due to the moderating inﬂuences of the Bay (San
Pablo and San Francisco) the growing season starts earlier, but extends longer than most inland
areas. Cooling begins earlier in the afternoon and the resulting wines are deeper, more stable in
color with mouth-ﬁlling, textural tannins. All of this with slightly more acidity and refreshing
fruitiness than normal."
Vineyards: Carneros 96% (Truchard Vineyard); Howell Mountain 4% (Ink Grade
Composition: 96% Cabernet Franc; 4% Cabernet Sauvignon

My Tasting Notes: I remember drinking a Chimney Rock Cabernet Franc years ago and I thought it was great. It single-handedly sent me on a Cab Franc buying spree that lasted for over a year. Affordable CA Cab Franc was hard to come by and I don't think that's changed a whole lot since. This one at $30 is an intriguing play.

I thought the wine was reminiscent of Cab Franc from cooler climates but this one had darker color and more oomph on the palate (we see Cab Franc produced here in New England as well, some of which is grown in New York). A hint of bell pepper at first but then comes big ripe red fruit. Sizable tannins for a wine aimed at approachability. Not for the faint of heart.

86 WWP/Very Good

2008 Stepping Stone Syrah
14.9% alc
153 cases
$20/btl

From the Winery: "From the Carneros vineyards of Southern Napa, the 2008 Stepping Stone Syrahhighlights the special nature of this region. The various combinations of terrain, geology and marine moderated temperatures provide unique winegrowing conditions. The results are wines with deeper, more stable color and mouth-filling, textural tannins, all with slightly more acidity and refreshing fruitiness. A dollop of generous Red Hills Grenache adds a warm roundness to the blend."
Composition: 95% Carneros Syrah (Truchard Vineyard) 5% Grenache Lake County,
Red Hills (Fore Family Vineyards)

My Tasting Notes: California Syrah is hard for me to get excited about sometimes. I don't know what to expect of it and too often it just tasted like run of the mill red wine. This one included unfortunately.

Dark in color with mild red raspberry aromas, some leather and white pepper. Sharp acidity with somewhat harsh edges. Apparent heat from the alcohol. Succeeds in bringing flavor and presence but lacks control. Shows potential? Would have liked it more with warmer characteristics. A little unfriendly.

82 WWP/Good

2008 Stepping Stone Cabernet Sauvignon
14.9% alc
964 cases produced

$35/btl

Winery Notes: "Our 2008 Stepping Stone Cabernet Sauvignon is a concentrated, multi-layered wine where the dark, rich fruit dominates as the palate expands, but the acid remains lively, juicy and focused. The tannins are long, youthful and satisfying and bring richness and length to the palate. While enticing, generous and elegant upon release, this wine will become even more delicious in the cellars of the patient among us."
Vineyards: Oakville (UC-Davis Block, Cassanova Vineyard), Wooden Valley (Rancho
Chimiles), Coombsville (Hardman Road), Carneros (Truchard Vineyard)

My Tasting Notes: Ah- here is the warmth I was looking for in that Syrah along with some other nice characteristics to boot. Fruit-forward and nicely accompanied by chocalate/vanilla notes in the background. Still a little edgy at this point, else I'd have been more impressed with it. The tannins are still quite apparent and somewhat abrastive. I'd bet this improves with just a year of bottle age.

87 WWP/Very Good

Conclusions:

One of the more interesting discussions from the tasting, I thought, was whether $35 is a pricey bottle of wine. Whether something is expensive or not depends largely on personal perspective so I can only answer for myself here of course but I do consider $35 a pricey bottle of wine. It's a price that's near the top of the target budget for a lot of wine consumers and a price at which I think it's relatively easy (thankfully) to get an outstanding bottle of wine.

In terms of Napa Cab in particular there are some great wines available somewhere around the $35 price point. Honig, Chappellet Signature, and Snowden come to mind. Then there's labels like Chappellet Mountain Cuvee, and Buehler that come in closer to $20. And if you're willing to explore Sonoma or Washington you can drive the price down even further and still enjoy a wine with similar flavor profiles as Napa at a fraction of the cost. I mention all of those to explain where I'm coming from when I say "$35 is a pricey bottle of wine- they better be good!"

Taking that into consideration I thought the Stepping Stone Cabernet Franc was one of the more interesting plays in the bunch because I've found it more difficult to find a good examples of California Cabernet Franc in the $30 range. I found the flavor profile intriguing and enjoyed the density of the wine.

Samples for Review.

Check 'em out:
Cornerstone Cellars
On Facebook: CornerstoneNapa
On Twitter: @CornerstoneNapa

Today: Tent Sale at Blanchards West Roxbury

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:00:00 +0000

Blanchards is having an inventory reduction sale at their locations in West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and Revere Thursday July 1st, 2010 from 4-7pm. Grilled burgers in the parking lot and deals in-store.

At their West Roxbury location, they'll be offering bin ends from their Internet wine sales department. Favorable pricing on beer and spirits for the 4th of July weekend as well:

Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio $15.97
Fris Vodka $15.97
Bud 36 Packs $22.97

Other wines on sale at "cost plus a dollar". Who knows what to expect. 90-point Australian GSM for $102 a case. I'll try to get over there and check it out. Follow me on Twitter for play-by-play: @RobertDwyer

Check 'em out:
Blanchards Wine & Spirits
418 Lagrange
West Roxbury, MA, 02132
(617) 327-1400

If you stopped by, leave a note to let us know how the deals look!

Tasting Report: 2007 Robert Foley Merlot

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:00:00 +0000

When I tasted through wines from Robert Foley Vineyards at a dinner at BOKX109 in Newton last year, my favorite was the Merlot. The 2006 Claret (a wine made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon) was a little tight at the time and for immediate consumption I thought the Merlot was drinking much more enjoyably- and cost half as much.

With the highly-anticipated 2007 Napa Cabs and Merlots coming to market I was looking forward to trying the new releases from Foley. I was surprised to see the alcohol content on the Merlot: 16.2%!

I doubt I'd have guessed the alcohol was so high if I hadn't seen it on the label. I'd consider 14% about average for Napa Cab and Merlot, and 15% the high water mark. I've seen 16% Shiraz and Zinfandel, but never a Merlot this high.

Those I shared it with really liked it. One said: This might be the best wine I've ever had. What can I say? America (or at least some part of it) loves the high alcohol wines.

Wine Spectator rated this wine 91 points. Robert Parker rated it 95 points.

My Notes:

2007 Robert Foley Vineyards Merlot
$52 Release Price
16.2% Alcohol

Remarkably bold and flavorful. No way I'd identify this as a Merlot blind. Shiraz maybe. Napa Cab probably. Very big and serious with tons of delicious fruit and a bit of anise. The alcohol was occasionally slightly-searing, but overall the stunningly-high 16.2% alcohol is well concealed. Don't operate a motor vehicle after tasting this one, but quite nice and heartwarming in moderation.

92 WWP/Outstanding

Purchased at the Hingham Wine Merchant
Shop for this wine on Wine-Searcher.com
Opinions are favorable on CellarTracker with median of 93 from 15 reviews.

Question of the Day: What do you think of the wines from Robert Foley Vineyards?

Ends Today: 1 Cent Shipping on Cakebread Cab at Wine.com

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:55:00 +0000

A while back, a group of us got together and bought a couple cases of 2005 Cakebread Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. I think we paid in the high $50s per bottle and there were some shipping costs involved. Recently, I spotted the 2007 in stock on Wine.com but shipping costs made the offer less compelling. However, through the end of the day today (June 29th, 2010) Wine.com is offering 1 cent shipping on orders over $99 with the code 1CENT99.

Although Wine Spectator doesn't seem to think much of Cakebread and rated this vintage 87 points, it's one of my favorite brands. I thought the 2005 was fantastic and the 2007 vintage of Napa Cab in general is highly acclaimed. This is a wine I'd like to have on hand for special occasions over the next few years.

Early indications on CellarTracker are positive: Two 94s
I don't see a lot of this wine in Massachusetts: Search for this wine in your state on Wine-Searcher.com

Frustratingly, Wine.com availability varies by state. After I bought a couple bottles yesterday I think there are just 3 bottles remaining in Massachusetts on Wine.com

Click here to shop for this on Wine.com
The WWP is a Wine.com affiliate.

Store Review: The Urban Grape in Chestnut Hill, MA

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:26:00 +0000

Depending on your vantage point, the economy may or may not be on its way to recovery. Although there are some encouraging signs statistically, I still sense a lot of caution in the air. Even if you're gainfully employed at the moment, I don't think anyone feels particularly secure and upbeat in the near term, and this leads to each of us being cautious with our financial decisions.

In the wine trade we continue to see retailers offering wines at low prices unheard of just two years ago. In Massachusetts in particular last year's 6.25% tax increase on alcohol continues to encourage consumers to buy wine in nearby tax-free New Hampshire. And the Massachusetts ABCC prohibits retailers from selling wine to out of state customers.

So what do you do if you're a young Massachusetts couple with good jobs and two young children? If you're Hadley and TJ Douglas you open a wine store!

Smart Location

The Urban Grape recently opened in the newly-redeveloped Chestnut Hill shopping center. They acquired their license from the Fine Wine Cellars of Chestnut Hill that closed a couple years ago while the center was under construction. A new Star Market that doesn't sell alcohol anchors the shopping center (check here for a list of grocery stores in MA that do sell alcohol) as well as a Comella's Italian restaurant, a Rosie's Bakery, and an Aquataine French restaurant. Verizon and AT&T are also present allowing you to comparison shop while you're visiting the wine shop. Overall, it's a nice spiff-up of a shopping center that was getting a little run-down and The Urban Grape is a polished addition.

Upon entering the store, the first thing I noticed was how sleek and minimalist the feel of the store was. Everything in the store has a purpose and although they sell premium beer and spirits, the focus is clearly on wine.

Off to the right are two Enomatic machines- one for reds and one for whites. These machines allow you try a rotating assortment of their featured wines before you commit to buying them. I've seen these around in several stores and their effectiveness varies I think. Not because of the machine itself but because most customers aren't so brazen as to grab a glass themselves and start pouring themselves tastes. I bet they'll do well at The Urban Grape however because the store is so focused on customer service and hand-selling their products.

Arranging Wines by Weight

The store carries roughly 800 different wines which is quite a bit fewer than large old-guard Massachusetts package stores and quite a bit more than you'll see at Costco. The single-most unique thing about the store is how they arrange these wines. Most stores arrange wine by region: France, Italy, California, etc. At The Urban Grape, the wines are broken up into whites, rosés, and reds then within each of these categories they're sorted by weight: 1-10.

The arrangement concept is somewhat similar to what you'll see at Best Cellars and Wine Styles.

In talking with owner TJ Douglas, the idea aligns with Kevin Zraly's philosophy from his Windows on the World book which is to pair wines with foods of similar weight. This is great for when we have a specific dish in mind. But when we're looking simply for all of the Barbarescos they carry it takes a little more work. But no fear- the store is well-staffed with knowledgeable and helpful folks, many of whom have graduated from the Elizabeth Bishop programs at Boston Univeristy.

In addition to the wines on the wall, they've got higher end stuff in a 160-bottle EuroCave at the back of the shop. Here you can pick up your $100+ a bottle wines for special occasions. Overall I think the store does a great job of hitting wines at all price points- they're not afraid to carry Cavit Pinot Grigio magnums. They're next to a grocery store and I think it's a smart play to lure people in with familiar brands as they encourage exploration into other regions.

The Brand

TJ's passion for wine is immediately apparent, as is his expertise in speaking with people on the subject. He honed his skills working at the Massachusetts distributor Ruby Wines where he sold wines and educated restaurant waitstaff about how to present their wines.

Although he's got his favorite categories, Italian Nebbiolo I understand, he doesn't want the shop to become a showplace for his preferences. This is something I asked him about- does he want the store to have a wine category it becomes known for? "No" he answered. I have a sense his background gives him an appropriate feeling for serving a customer the way they want to be served rather than forcing his preferences on his would-be customers.

I asked Hadley and TJ: What type of wine consumer do you think Urban Grape will resonate with most? They responded:

"The Urban Grape is a store for wine lovers, no matter where they may be on their personal journey. We truly believe that our store will build a community of wine enthusiasts who will inform each other, support each other and inspire each other to engage in wine in a way that is accessible and inclusive. So leave the attitude at the door and join us for a taste!"

I think we'll see more Urban Grape locations opening up once the concept has proven to be effective. The branding is very well done and I can see it playing well especially in locations even more urban than Chestnut Hill.

Pricing

Ah yes, pricing. Chestnut Hill has a reputation for being ritzy in my book, and the store looks too nice to be considered a discount joint. Does the pricing at The Urban Grape follow suit?

First off, the quantity discount policy at The Urban Grape is 15% off a mixed case. I took note of the pricing of a few wines I think value hunters typically benchmark. Some seemed a little high, yet others seemed quite favorable. $18 for a bottle of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc seemed high. $9 for a Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier seemed low. $50 for a Faust Cab. $48 for a Groth Cab. $44 for an 07 Ridge Lytton Springs. $27 for a Segeshio Zin you see below $20 at warehouse clubs. Depends on what you're looking for.

Tuesday Tweets are one way they're looking to push the values. Follow them on Twitter to get wind of their 20% off deals. I'd love to see them (and any retailer for that matter) leveraging their E-mail list to push out deals to get people in the store and buy more while they're there picking up their orders. They've got an impressive array of communications channels they're leveraging already so I'm sure we'll see E-mail blasts as part of their strategy.

Tip: Wines from The Capitol Grille Available Here

I mentioned it last week in this piece about The Capitol Grille but it's worth repeating: All of the wines being poured as part of the restaurant's Master Wine Tasting Series are available for purchase at The Urban Grape at favorable pricing. They've even got a blog they're updating regularly including this entry on a recent visit to The Capital Grille.

Conclusions and Recommendations:

The Urban Grape is an upscale, suburban wine shop that's positioned itself intelligently-close to affluent consumers.

Will I buy a lot of wine there? It depends on how they leverage their communications channels I think. I remember being equally impressed with nearby Winestone when I visited there last year yet I haven't made it back for whatever reason. Retailers that hook me in with regular E-mail offers and communication seem to set the agenda for weekend pick-up visits.

The one question I couldn't get an answer to? "How much does it cost to open a wine store?" I could make some guesses but I'm sure it's like asking how much it costs to build a house: It depends.

I wish TJ and Hadley all the best. So many people dream of opening a business and never do. Their entrepreneurial spirit is motivating to see and The Urban Grape is a welcome addition to a growing list of exceptional fine wine shops in the Boston area.

Check out these other reviews of the store from:

Check 'em out:
The Urban Grape
7 Boylston Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-232-4831

On Facebook
On Twitter: @UrbanGrape
On Yelp
On FourSquare

Question of the Day:
What do you think of The Urban Grape?

Review: Master Wine Tasting Event at The Capital Grille

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:00:00 +0000

If there's one thing I want this blog to be about, it's about stretching your wine dollar further than it would otherwise go. I'm a huge fan of luxury for less. For example: Why book a studio hotel room at the Four Seasons for $400 a night when you can rent a villa at the same property via timeshare rental for $250 a night?

The other thing I want this blog to be about is relating to brands that deliver on the promise of down to earth intuitive service. Here's a list of brands I feel fit into this category:

Four Seasons Hotels
Nordstrom
BMW

Here's a list of brands I feel *don't* fit into this group:

Ritz Carlton Hotels
Nieman Marcus
Mercedes Benz

The difference is in the nuance but to me it's a powerful difference. It's the difference between enjoying a remarkable experience with a great brand vs. a feeling of pretentiousness. More on this here: Your "best available strategy" is "providing remarkable service and an honest human connection". It's the difference between an employee of the firm using flowery unnecessarily stiff words vs. using plain language without going so far as to be sloppy. A relaxing environment can be elegant and when both come together it's exactly what I'm looking for as a consumer.

I recently had a chance to check out The Capital Grille's Master Wine Tasting Event at their Boston Newbury Street location. Those of you who know me in real life know I'm a fan of The Capital Grille. And those of you who don't know me in real life may recall this piece I did previously on a Chef's Table we won via a WGBH auction. At the auction dinner I met Capital Grille Newbury Street Managing Partner Christopher Scott. I was thrilled to get a call from him recently inviting me and a guest to come in, have dinner, and taste through the wines offered as part of this summer promotion.

The offer provides a chance to taste through up to 10 different wines with your dinner, paired anyway you'd like for $25. I asked our server, also named Chris, how it usually works- do people consider the offer at the beginning of the meal? Is it a hard sell? He said they mention it while a guest is making a reservation so they can think about it ahead of time and not feel like it's a meal-time decision. Very good plan I say- gives you a chance to think about the opportunity before you arrive.

The first series runs through July 25th, 2010 and features wines from California, Italy and New Zealand. Starting on July 26th, a second series starts up that features California, Spain and Australia.

We started off with a Lunetta Prosecco from Trentino. I thought the notes provided were spot-on for this one: "aromas of apple and peach...crisp fruit flavors...clean finish". A tasty, fruit-forward sparkler to start off the night. Paired nicely with Figs wrapped in Prosciutto with goat cheese and balsamic vinegar.

Tip: Ask To See the Captain's List

When I go to The Capital Grille, I usually try a couple different wines by the glass given that I find their selections pretty interesting. And their bottles, like most restaurants, are quite expensive. I got to talking to Chris Scott a bit further and asked him to share some tips for navigating metropolitan steakhouse wine lists like those found at restaurants like The Capital Grille. He pointed out their Captain's List which I previously thought included only uber-expensive bottles.

There are some very expensive bottles on the list for sure ($1,500 Harlan for example) but there is also a list of bin ends. The list included some favorable pricing on a bottle of 2000 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cab for example (at $85 as compared to a retail release price of $125) and other more obscure selections. That being the case, definitely ask to see the Captain's List in addition to the regular wine list. It's not just for big spenders.

A Trio of Whites

Next up came some white wines paired with an always-impressive Capital Grille Cold Seafood Platter. Lobster, Alaskan King Crab, Shrimp, and Blue Point Oysters along with some delicious dipping sauces.

The first wine we tried with the seafood was the 2006 Cambria Bench Break Chardonnay. It's described as offering "rich, buttery citrus, peach and nutmeg flavors with a minerality that is seldom found in California Chardonnays". It was definitely a warm-weather California Chardonnay but for my palate didn't go over the top. I thought it paired wonderfully with the shrimp.

Next was a 2007 Teruzzi & Puthod Terre di Tufi from Tuscany. It's a blend of Vermentino, Chardonnay and Vernaccia. "Firm acidity and fresh flavors of citrus zest, walnuts and a pleasant touch of toast on the finish". Tasted alongside the California Chardonnay, I was surprised how similar they were. I was expecting the Italian wine to be more austere but I actually tasted a bit of butterscotch on the palate- which I enjoyed.

Finally, a 2008/09 Craggy Range Te Muna Road Sauvignon Blanc from Martinborough New Zealand. Less pungent than my New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc benchmark Kim Crawford, I enjoyed its fresh-grapefruit-sweetened-with-just-a-little-sugar flavors. Some oak influence seemed to soften this wine to the point that it was characteristically somewhere between Sauvignon Blanc style you may have had from New Zealand and California. Very approachable. Try it with the Alaskan King Crab and some honey mustard dipping sauce (which sounds like it might overwhelm the seafood but is surprisingly mild).

Don't Forget The Wedge

For a salad course we were locked and loaded on The Wedge. With its incredible blue cheese dressing, ripe tomatoes and bacon, it's one of the best salads I've ever had.

I was looking forward to trying the lone Pinot Noir of the evening, the 2008 Wild Rock Cupid's Arrow Pinot Noir. Why? Because during the WSET course I took a while back the single most impressive wine I tasted was a Blind Trail Pinot Noir from the same region as the Wild Rock- Central Ottago. Relative to other grape varieties, I drink a lot of Pinot Noir. As compared to domestic Pinot Noir, I'd associate New Zealand Pinot Noir from Central Ottago most similarly with Oregon Pinot Noirs from riper vintages (btw, 2008 Oregon Pinot is supposed to be incredible- read more here).

The Wild Rock Pinot didn't disappoint. "dark cherries...plums...spice notes. full-bodied and well balanced with fine tannins" said the description. I noted beautiful red candy fruit without getting too sweet. A little earth and very smooth tannins. Really nice. It was my *wow* wine of the night.

Next- a 2006/07 Craggy Range Te Kahu from Hawkes Bay New Zealand. Labeled on the menu as a Merlot, it's a Bordeaux blend. Strawberries. Sour cherries. It definitely behaves more like the new world continent it's sourced from. While approachable and friendly, I would have appreciated more firm tannins on this one.

Rounding up this trio was a 2003 Beringer Bancroft Ranch Merlot from Howell Mountain in Napa Valley, California. Menu description: "Ripe, black-fruit...roasted coffee beans". I thought this wine was pretty darn delicious. Mocha came through in a big way.

Insider's Tip: $16 Red Sox Valet Parking

We took a short break from the wines and I had a chance to ask more about The Capital Grille's collection of restaurants and the Newbury Street location in particular. Almost every time I go there, I seem to see a celebrity of some sort. This night there was a table of a half-dozen LA Dodger players. Last time it was Ben Watson from the Patriots. It's popular with Yankees players in particular.

Remember the time Yankee's manager Don Zimmer and Pedro Martinez got in a fight at a day game at Fenway? After getting out of the hospital, Zimmer made his way over to the restaurant to meet up with his family and was greeted with a standing ovation from everyone in the restaurant- Red Sox fans included. Zimmer detailed this in his book The Zen of Zim. Zimmer writes:

"I finally got to my table and the waiter comes over and says. 'The guy over there wants to buy a bottle of wine for you.' I looked over to where he was pointed and it was Wakefield who was smiling and waving to me again. 'Tell him, no thanks, I'd rather have the cash!' I said to the waiter.'"

"The waiter" was Managing Partner Chris Scott. He's got dozens of stories like this, but he deals them out with discretion. He's got an ability to maintain a conversation while keeping an eye on their Yelp and Open Table reviews on his iPhone and running the restaurant with all that entails. I showed him we'd checked in on FourSquare and he took note of who the mayor was. He knew him and said he'd say thanks to him the next time he saw him. You've got to cover a lot of space when you're in his position and he does it very well.

The first Capital Grill was opened by Ned Grace in Providence, RI in 1989. After expansion and a few mergers, with Bugaboo Creek Steak House and Longhorn Steakhouse, the group was formerly publicly traded as RARE Hospitality. In 2007 RARE was acquired by Darden and each of the separate restaurant brands were maintained.

There are now over 40 Capital Grille locations in the country. Like the Four Seasons Hotel group, each location is built on a certain set of core values and then they adapt their style just a bit to be align with each locale they serve. 65% of each wine list is consistent nationally but the remaining is selected locally.

The Newbury Street location opened in 1996 as just the second in the group after Providence and is now a Boston fixture. Locals know you can valet park for $16 and grab a quick bite to eat at the bar before a Red Sox game and catch a cab or take the short walk over to Fenway. There are 2 other locations in Boston: Chestnut Hill and Burlington. The Burlington location is open for lunch.

Value Added Service

Walt Disney used to call the small attention to details that took something from good to great plussing. This tradition continues today in Pixar films in the form of tiny differences that take the animation to the next level. At the Capital Grille they call it value added service.

It's the little things they do that make a visit more memorable and enjoyable. Like having your table ready and waiting when you've made a reservation, complete with a little confetti or rose petals if the occasion warrants. The dark cloth napkins when you're offered when wearing dark clothing so you won't get white lint on yourself. Your server passing you a business card (or sending a hand-written thank you like they sometimes do at Nordstrom) at the end of your meal. They work hard to execute these things in such a way that it looks like it comes naturally. But it's got to be a lot of work to consistently deliver this kind of intuitive service.

Three Big Reds

As we migrated from the salad course to the main course, we were presented with 3 reds- 2 from Italy and one from California.

First, was a 2003 Freemark Abbey Sycamore from Rutherford, Napa Valley. Description: "Black raspberries and dark cherries wrapped in a milk chocolate coat. This is the benchmark for what great California Cabernets should be." Wow- sounds good. Sounds like it would be right up my alley. My first impression was that some menthol characteristics overwhelmed the straightforward fruit the description alluded to. Our waiter asked how we liked it and I said I was a little underwhelmed so he opened a new bottle (the original bottle we were drinking from was nearly empty). The newly-opened bottle was substantially better, but that menthol was still on the background on the finish. Not a flaw or a bad thing in any way- just not what I was expecting.

Next was the 2003 Sella & Mosca Marchese di Villamarina from Sardinia, Italy. This was a Cabernet-based wine with "flavors of vanilla and black currant, soft tannins, and a long, powerful finish." I thought this was an elegant red wine that was definitely old world/Italian in style. It provided a nice contrasting style to the Freemark Abbey and especially the Beringer.

Finally, the 2007 Fonterutoli Poggio Alla Badiola from Tuscany, Italy. A Sangiovese/Merlot blend, the description included "flavors of wild blackberries and raspberries with a pleasant earthiness". I thought this one was a little limited aromatically with tart cherry flavors.

Tip: Try the Kona

If you haven't already, I highly recommend you try the Bone-In Kona Crusted Dry Aged Sirloin with Carmelized Shallot Butter. Even if you're a purist who simply likes a well-prepared piece of premium steak, and you're afraid the Kona treatment will be too sweet, you might be surprised with how utterly delicious this steak is. They're willing to prepare other steaks Kona-style but I'd stick with the recommended cut. I've strayed a couple of times and it hasn't paid off.

For sides we had:

Roasted Seasonal Mushrooms
Sam's Mashed Potatoes
French Green Beans with Roasted Tomatoes and Fennel
Lobster Mac 'n Cheese

All of the sides were tasty (as I've said before I like The Capital Grille because all of their food tastes so good- not just the steaks) but the Lobster Mac 'n Cheese once again stole the show. So delicious and decadent without getting too heavy. It's hard to stop eating.

A side I've enjoyed in the past but didn't get is the Creamed Spinach. A steakhouse staple for sure and they do it up pretty well. One side we've had in the past and didn't care for: Truffle Fries. Nothing special: Skip 'em.

Don't Forget Dessert

Two of my favorite desserts at The Capital Grille are the Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake and the Coconut Cream Pie. The Espresso Cake is so dense and rich- it's really special. And the Coconut Cream Pie is more of a recent discovery for us but we had it again and it was delightful. It's not just a slice of pie- but rather a 5" round which provides more of the highlight of the dish which for me is the delicious crust. I was stuffed and wanted something lighter so I went with the Fresh Strawberries Captial Grille- basically glazed strawberries over vanilla ice cream. It was OK but I don't think I'd make that choice again.

Conclusion and Recommendations

As you can tell I'm a big fan of The Capital Grille, and this was an amazing visit. Not only for the great wines and fantastic meal, but for the chance to learn more about their collection of restaurants and their style of service.

This Master Wine Tasting Event provides a great opportunity to try a lot of different wines with your meal at a reasonable price ($25 per person). I've been consistently impressed with their by-the-glass selections and these picks continue a tradition of flavorful wines with broad appeal. Wine drinkers can try some new things and without getting too far off in the wine-geek weeds.

Tip: If you want to purchase any of these wines in the Boston area they're available retail at Bauer Wine and Spirits and The Urban Grape. The Urban Grape is a new wine store in Chestnut Hill that just opened. I'll be doing a write-up on them soon.

Check 'em out:
The Capital Grille
Locations Nationwide
Location Visited:
Boston
359 Newbury Street
617-262-8900 for reservations and information

Opinion: What Dads Really Want for Father's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:30:00 +0000

I've been seeing a lot of creative offers rolling in from wine retailers the past couple weeks. I think to myself- what am I supposed to do? Forward this on to my kids and ask them to buy wine for me?

I've also seen a number of news articles and blog entries with Father's Day buying guides. All creative and helpful for sure, but what do dads of young kids really want for Father's Day? Especially dads who are wine enthusiasts?

I can only answer for myself of course but I thought to offer this approach up for what it's worth.

What I'd really like for Father's Day is some unencumbered time to go to a favorite wine shop or two with enthusiastic encouragement from my family to buy some nice wines.

That's it. No gift certificates needed to complicate the situation, no tickets to events, no expensive bottles need to be purchased for me. Just some quiet time to peruse my favorite wine shops and pick up a nice bottle or two.

Don't get me wrong- I want to see my family on Father's Day for sure. My little guys (5 and 3) are at such a cute stage. And sometimes I really enjoy going to certain wine shops with them. And I don't mean to suggest that I don't get the opportunity to visit wine shops by myself or that my wife begrudges me spending our money on wine. They're all so supportive of my wine hobby and I especially appreciate their enthusiasm and support for the time I spend wine blogging.

I just think this would be a nice way to spend a couple hours this weekend.

What do you think? As a Dad who is a wine enthusiast- what do you really want for Father's Day?

WWP Featured on Foodista!

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:05:00 +0000

The nice folks over at Foodista: The Cooking Encyclopedia Everyone Can Edit have featured this site as their Wine Blog of the Day. Thanks! I appreciate it. They chose to highlight a piece from last week regarding the very-cool GoBYO restuarant-finding website. Check that out too if you missed it.

Click here for an archive of other wine blogs that have been featured.

Tasting Report: Olson Ogden 2008 Pinot Noir, Marsanne and Red Blend

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 03:12:00 +0000

Olson Ogden Wines is a small producer located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County (California) that focuses on Pinot Noir and Rhone varietal wines. Last fall I had a chance to taste through Olson Ogden's 2008 line-up. I thought most of the wines were outstanding and rated some as high as 92/93 points. They just released a batch of 2008's which includes the introduction of some new wines in their portfolio.

Here are some thoughts on these new wines:

2008 Persuasian North Coast Red Wine
14.5% Alcohol
1,400 cases produced
$19/btl

A interesting "kitchen sink" blend (69% syrah, 12% pinot noir, 13% grenache, 6% marsanne) that aims for approachability. Succeeds in delivering bright aromatics and substantial flavor. Red raspberries on the nose accompanied intriguingly by some pink grapefruit notes with a surprisingly long finish.

84 WWP/Good

2008 Olson Ogden Pinot Noir Manchester Ridge Vineyard Mendocino
14.2% Alcohol
112 cases produced
$38/btl

The Manchester Ridge Vineyard is 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean in the Mendocino Ridge AVA 2,000 feet above Anderson Valley. I was curious whether this wine might be affected by the not-so-distant wildfire smoke taint that was said to affect some grapes grown in Anderson Valley in 2008 but I didn't detect smoke in the finished product.

I asked John Ogden about this issue in general and he shared the following:

"The Manchester Ridge Vineyard was not affected by the smoke issues in 2008. Andersen Valley was especially hard hit by smoke but Manchester Ridge is just outside that appellation fortunately and was spared from a lot of the smoke from the forest fires. We were fortunate that none of our 2008 wines appear to have been affected. It was a tough vintage for growers and winemakers due to what mother nature threw at us but we are very pleased with the results."

Clear ruby red with auburn highlights on this one. Initially, bright strawberries on the nose but after some time toasted marshmallow aromas come forward. On the palate a really enjoyable combination of slightly sharp acidity that is softened by the toasty aromas and flavors. Some tobacco notes. A finish that goes on for a mile. A big flavorful wine. Hotter at times than it's relatively reasonable 14.2% alcohol level would lead you to expect, but perhaps it will settle down with time. Legit Pinot.

91 WWP/Outstanding

2008 Olson Ogden Marsenne Margaret's Mandate Stagecoach Vineyard
14.7% Alcohol
144 cases produced
$35/btl

Named for John Ogden's wife Margaret, a non-red wine drinker who hass been lobbying for a white wine for years, this is Olson Ogden's first Rhone white wine. Marsanne is one of the grapes used in white wines from Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

This wine offers a stunning onslaught of delicious perfectly ripe pear aromas. As it comes to room temperature, vanilla and baking spices are are revealed. Depending on the mood you're in, this wine could really hit the spot. Not necessarily what I'd consider a summer deck party wine but a white wine to drink indoors on a cooler night. Freakin' delicious.

91 WWP/Outstanding

Samples for review. If you'd like to submit wine for review on this site please click here.

Check 'em out:
Olson Ogden Wines
On Twitter: @OlsonOgdenWines
On Facebook: Olson Ogden Wines

Interested in reading more about these wines?

DrinkNectar.com: Episode 85 Olson Ogden Wines
Benito's Wine Reviews: Olson Ogden Wines
NorCal Wine: 2008 Olson Ogden Marsanne Margaret’s Mandate Stagecoach Vineyard Napa Valley

Blanchards West Roxbury: Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Event

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:30:00 +0000

Blanchards Wine & Spirits is offering a unique educational wine tasting experience this coming Thursday, June 17th. Dr. Dirk Richter of Weingut Max Ferd. Richter will be presenting his wines in the Blanchards Vintage Room from 7:00p-8:30p.

I've attended similar events at Blanchard's in the past- I think they're a great deal. You get to try some nice wines and learn more about a specific producer or region directly from an expert from that region. It's a sit-down format in a comfortable setting and the wines presented are usually offered at a discount (along with a 10% off coupon for the entire store). Each time I've gone I've made friends with wine enthusiasts seated nearby. Bonus!

The cost is $15.

Click here for more details.

Check 'em out:
Blanchards Wine & Spirits
418 Lagrange
West Roxbury, MA, 02132
(617) 327-1400

Further Reading:

GoBYO Reveals Bring-Your-Own-Bottle-Friendly Restaurants Near You

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:00:00 +0000

I remember a few months back I was kicking around the idea of getting together with some other Boston-area food/wine bloggers and compiling a list of restaurants that allowed you to bring-your-own-bottle of wine to enjoy with dinner. I remember reading somewhere how this would be a bad idea. That to publish a list of restaurants that allow BYOB would be outing law-breaking restaurants and therefore such a list shouldn't be published.

Well, GoBYO hasn't just published such a list, they've created a full-functioning website complete with radius search,Wine-Friendly Ratings, Corkage Fees, and Composite Ratings of restaurants:

They even have an iPhone App and provide an overview of state-by-state BYO legal regulations. Very well done. What a service.

I particularly appreciate the Wine-Friendly Rating as it shows an awareness of recognizing the difference between restaurants that permit BYOB vs. those that enthusiastically embrace it. Which reminds me of the excellent Tuesday-only wine program at West On Centre in West Roxbury, MA. We've done a coupe of tasting dinners there and their enthusiasm for wine is outstanding (read about our "Steakhouse Cab" tasting HERE). I found it interesting that GoBYO doesn't have a per-night notion in their system- West On Centre is listed as not permitting BYO- perhaps this is an area for improvement.

At any rate, definitely check out GoBYO next time you're seeking a BYO-friendly restaurant near you.

Thanks to VinoDivino for the heads-up about GoBYO- it is appreciated.

The Capital Grille: A Master Wine Tasting Event

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:00:00 +0000

With locations across the country, The Capital Grille is announcing a unique wine tasting opportunity. From June 7th - July 25th, 2010 you can taste up to 10 wines from California, Italy and New Zealand along with your meal for just $25.

The way it works is this: Chat with your server and tell them you'd like to take advantage of this offer. From there you can choose to focus on any one of the regions presented -or- take a tour of all of the regions in a way that pairs best with your meal. Or just focus on the reds. Or the whites. It's flexible and good like that- they aim to please.

Click HERE for more information about the series.

Further Reading:

A review of Chef's Table Dinner at The Capital Grille on Newbury Street in Boston
A review of the 2010 Master Wine Tasting Event

Follow Capital Grille Sommelier George Miliotes on Twitter: @TheWineExpert

Event Report: Oregon Wine Dinner at Blue Ginger Wellesley

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Dwyer) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:44:00 +0000

I recently attended a wine dinner at Blue Ginger in Wellesley that featured wines from Oregon. This provided an opportunity to try some highly anticipated 2008 Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs.

After a lackluster 2007 vintage, the 2008s are the product of what some are describing as near-perfect growing conditions in the fickle region. Professional ratings are just being released and some of the wines are already available at retail.

Head on over to Corkd to read more about the event and these wines.