Happy 4th of July!

Boston is brimming with excitement this weekend, and hopefully Mother Nature will cooperate with all of us who are having a "staycation" in town to watch the extravaganza -- as well as those who have travelled to the best place in the world to celebrate the 4th of July.


We have icy cold beer available, as well as an abundance of fantastic wine and spirits ready for all of your festive celebrations this weekend. Gene has been busy loading the store up for you so that all that you could want and/or need is available.

Playing bartender, or want to add a little color to your glasses this weekend?
Feeling festive?

Try these fun red, white & blue cocktail recipes -- and let us know what you think!
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Red Fizz
Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:
1 cup passion fruit vodka
1 cup cranberry juice
Champagne
Fresh cranberries

Directions:
Shake vodka and cranberry juice together with ice until chilled. Strain mixture into a champagne glass about 3/4 of the way full. Top with a splash of Champagne and a few berries.
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Red, White & Blue

1/2 oz. Framboise
1/2 oz. Half-Half
1/2 oz. Blue Curacao

Build in a pony tall shot glass. Beginning with the Framboise, layer each successive ingredient on top using the back of a spoon

2006 Chateau de Cazeneuve Pic Saint Loup

So, the official tasting notes are: "Deeply-coloured , with an intensly savoury nose with dominant aromas of roasted meat, dried herbs and crushed peppercorns. The palate is elegant, yet sufficiently rich, with a smooth fruity (cassis and blackberries) mouthfeel and flinty tannins. Excellent on its own or for pairing with red-sauce Italian dishes. "

I have to say, I agree. It's a very easy drinking, fruity and not overly big bodied Languedoc wine. If you enjoy Chateneuf du Pape, this is a lighter but similar style.

We had it tonight with a relatively over cooked steak (oops, it happens sometimes) and a spring penne, which is just tossed with olive oil, garlic, green onions and blueberries. The wine worked -- and truly, was fabulous by itself.

This will not disappoint!

A work in progress....

I'm thinking of starting a separate blog for the buildout of the new Melrose shop. That will be coming soon... You'll be able to link to that blog from here, and of course from our regular website which will host both stores' individual presences.

The process is a new one for us. We bought the Beacon Hill location as an existing business -- this time, we're going from the ground up and so there's much new territory to cover and things to learn. Construction alone, though minor is the biggest part of the deal, next to the administrative "stuff". Then, probably refrigeration - and after that, racking and inventory.

Stay tuned, and come along for the ride....

Finally..... it's official!

As many of you know, we have been looking for the last two years to find the right location to open a second instance of our store -- one that is larger, and more expansive, to offer cheeses and gourmet foods and services -- to truly be an entertainment shop.

We have officially been awarded a liquor license in the once previously community of Melrose. The downtown area of Melrose is very similar to Beacon Hill; not only is it a walking neighborhood, it is a lovely mix of residential homes and small businesses -- and the businesses are the unique "Mom & Pop" small businesses that carry the same type of charm and personal involvement into the community as we like to do.

The building we will be in is beautiful -- truly a labor of love by the owner who painstakingly refurbished this corner building into being brand new, yet true to the charm and antique feel of the downtown area. We are going to be located on the corner of Main & Essex - just as we are on the corner of Charles & Mt. Vernon in Boston. I think I can comfortably and truthfully say that we are fortunate to be situated on two of the best possible locations in each area.

Finding the perfect spot has been challenging, but well worth the reward -- we hope that Melrose will be as happy to have us, as we are to join them.

Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet is proud to be looking forward to calling Melrose home.

More details to follow.

Cheers!

Update on second location....

Last night was the public hearing regarding the competitive process for the liquor license in Melrose.

It is very difficult to gauge what the determining factors are for the board to make a decision. I am a little biased of course, regarding our business model and presentation. But we just don't know; and we will have to wait until the 28th of May when the continuance of the hearing takes place.

But we will keep you posted -- and if you live, work or play in the Melrose area -- please feel free to show your support for Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet.

Turkey & Unoaked Chardonnay....

This morning, before we started our day - I knew I had to use the remainder of the turkey I had roasted Friday night. And what's one of the quickest ways to utilize turkey leftovers? Use it to make soup!

So, I put the soup together and slow simmered it for a few hours, so that when we wanted it for an early dinner tonight, all I'd need to do is pick a wine to enjoy with it.

I selected Lioco, a Sonoma County Chardonnay. I often refer to Sonoma as Napa's "softer" sister; wine from Sonoma is typically less "oaky" - and this particular one is entirely unoaked, which means it's steel casked.

It tastes fabulous - a little bit of residual sugar on the finish like you might expect from a Reisling, but it's got a fabulous honey-like flavor that you would expect from a Chardonnay from this area, that hasn't been oak aged. And no acidity -- which, while I personally love acidity in my Sauvignon Blancs, I don't care for it so much in my unoaked Chards.

And the pairing with the soup...was nothing short of spectacular.
If you're looking for an Unoaked Chardonnay that will pick you a bit -- give this one a try.

It's official....

As many of you know - we have been actively pursuing the opportunity to open a second location for some time now. To find the right location takes time and patience. We'd been close a time or two, but we believe timing is everything -- and the location we'd always hoped would become available, finally has.


We are officially in the competition for a wine & beer license in the previously dry community of Melrose.


We will be going before the board on May 12th, to discuss our business concept and hopefully have the community be as excited about having us be a part of their neighborhood - as much as we're excited to be hopefully joining them. Downtown Melrose is very similar to Beacon Hill in many aspects, as it's a beautiful walking neighborhood - mixed with residential homes and lovely small businesses.

This particular location will be larger than our Beacon Hill store -- and will also be offering cheeses, gourmet appetizers, menu planning and a variety of other services that our Boston customers will be able to capitalize on as well. We're hoping to not only embrace the community of Melrose - but also be able to offer our existing customers items and services that we aren't able to do now, that fully encapsulate all entertaining needs.

These are exciting times.....stay tuned!