Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Lots of love for Louis Jadot....

Although I can honestly say that I'm not personally a huge fan of Pinot Noir, this is a really decent one. I love just about anything from Louis Jadot anyway - just about everything is so easy to drink.

I had this with dinner last week, and I paired it with a filet that I had pan seared with a hoisin based sauce that wasn't too sweet so as to take away from the fruit of the wine. We enjoyed it.

Louis Jadot 2005 Bourgogne Pinot Noir has a red cherry fruit and a touch of earth on the nose and palate. It is nicely balanced with a hint of acidity and smooth tannins; It's not the most exciting or complex Burgundy, but it's really well balanced and good example of an solid red Burgundy at a very affordable price!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Have fun while watching the football game....

Listen, football doesn't have to be all about beer and pretzels.
Having a group over to watch the Patriots game?

Try offering your guests something different, even for only just the first quarter...

All-American Cocktail
(We like to call it "The Patriots Mixer".)
Serves 1

1 1/2 ounces Stoli Razberi
1 1/2 ounces Stoli Vanilla
2 ounces simple syrup
1/4 ounce grenadine
1/2 ounce Blue Curacao

In one shaker, blend Stoli Razberi, simple syrup, grenadine and ice.
In a second shaker, blend Stoli Vanilla, one third of the simple syrup and ice.
In third shaker, blend Blue Curacao, one third of the simple syrup and ice.

In a glass, place the red mixture, the white mixture and finally the blue mixture.
Garnish with a miniature Patirots swizzle stick. (Not required!)

(The vodkas listed are brand suggestions; feel free to use any brand of flavored vodka you enjoy - though we don't recommend downgrading the vodka brand, as it will impact the flavor of your drink.)

Monday, September 15, 2008

Spooky...trendy....and fun!

So we went to the Gift Show to order Halloween decorations for our small window display:
(This isn't a great shot of it, but hey - it was only his cell phone that took the video!)



We always have a nice display for the holiday season, both winter and summer; but Gene has really been wanting to do a Halloween display. Everyone loves the displays we do - most especially the kids - and who doesn't love Halloween? So we went to the Gift Complex to order from the distributor who supplies our window display items. We had fun picking out the haunted pieces and creative lighting that will illuminate the front of the shop...

And, I popped into the distributor who sells alot of the glasses, and other items that we will be offering in both locations soon. Now that was a lot of fun. Fun and funky handpainted glasses, beautiful classic styles....fantastic books about wine and cheese, great linens -- and so much more.

All of the products that will be sold in our second location - will be available in the Beacon Hill location as well. It will just take some creativity to display them due to the lack of space in Boston - but we'll figure it out.

Imagine, you'll be able to pop in - order a case of wine and some delicious artisan cheese to go with it if you choose. Maybe a couple of fun wine glasses to surprise your significant other...some great music -- the possibilities are endless...

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

House Favorite - Perfect for Fall!

One of the things we really try to specialize in is providing decent wines in a variety of inexpensive price ranges. Sure, you can spend a fortune on wine - but if you don't have to break the bank when looking for something to have with dinner - why would you?

Dom Brunet Pinot Noir is an easy drinking, and not overly complex Pinot Noir. At $11.99 we can't keep it in stock! Is it the best Pinot on the market? No - but it's not meant to be. Is it probably one of the best Pinots you'd find at this price break -- absolutely.

From the French region of Languedoc, this is has potential to be a Pinot lovers inexpensive favorite. With cherry and raspberry spiced notes, this is a surprisingly good value that is food friendly. Pairs nicely with chicken dishes -- or try with a pan seared tuna.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Coming Soon...Beacon Hill Wine & Spirits - Part Two!

So, it's been a long time coming. We'd been trying diligently over the last two years to either buy an existing business or open a new one from the ground up, and each time - we've run into obstacles at the last minute that might prevent it from happening.

This last effort was in the town in which we live, where we were going to open a shop named "The Wine Shop of...(enter town name here.). But with the litigation that was tying up the only available liquor license, it seemed that was going to be a fruitless effort.

But then....in a nearby community - and one with ample licenses available - a suitable location became available on the market for lease. And the community is such that we would not have to change the name - but open a second location of "Beacon Hill Wine & Spirits". It will be larger than our present location, offering the same outstanding customer service and eclectic selection - but in addition we will be offering artisan cheeses, barware/giftware, fine linens and aprons, appetizers, menu preparation -- and all things entertaining! Gift baskets will be made on premises - and delivery service will be available daily. We are at the final step of preparation before we can formally announce the location and specific details -- but we feel that it is close enough to be able to share in generic terms. If all goes to plan, we should be open for business in January.

So those of you who are clients of ours but don't live in the city -- well, have no fear. Beacon Hill Wine & Spirits may be coming to a suburb near you!