Pre-4th of July Tasting...

Are you getting ready for the big holiday weekend?
Well we are... lots and lots of ice cold beer, delicious wine - and of course, lots of great food.

To kick off the long weekend, we're having a Black Dog Friday....

As part of our "Staycation Summer", we're sampling out a taste of our very own Martha's Vineyard - figuratively speaking of course!

Join us Thursday evening from 5-8 pm as we taste out the Cabernet and the Chardonnay.

Simple and unpretentious - these wines are easy drinking and great for your weekend fun, especially if they include a little BBQ.

Inspired...

Today, a customer suggested I try a Live Chat here on the blog - sort of a weekly wine Q&A; some weeks there may be a topic, other weeks it may be more of a "ask anything you want to know" kind of forum.

I've got the software now, so it's just a matter of picking a day to give it a try.
Got a topic you'd like to discuss? Post it here, and maybe it will be the debut!

Cheers!

Thursday tasting - and other tidbits!

Join us tomorrow night in Melrose for a tasting of the following wines:
Isabel Estate Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Noir, and Jean Luc Columbo Rose.
5-7:30 p.m.

We've got a few new things foodwise to share as well!
Bucheron is new to the artisan case; in the fridge, we've got Wild Salmon, and Herring in Wine Sauce. These items are fabulous if you're having a brunch, or just feel like indulging in a little something different.

If you're entertaining and are looking for menu suggestions, please don't hesitate to ask!

New to the wine racks this week will be some new Sicilian wines, as well as some new Spanish wines as well. More details to follow - but remember, it's a "staycation vacation" summer - so get out of your comfort zone of the "same old same old" varietals and taste the adventure in some new regional grapes and styles that you may not have heard of before!

Hope to see you tomorrow...

Mambo Italiano....

So keeping in theme with our Staycation Summer -- I'm trying to get everyone interested and excited about trying varietals that might be out of their comfort zone of familiarity.

One of the red wines that I am really enjoying the reactions when people try it, is Salice Salentino. A blend of Negro Amaro & two different types Malvesia: Nera di Brindisi & Nera di Lecce. It's a delicious and light wine that is similar to Pinot Noir - but rather than being light and bright with a ripe cherry flavor - it's got that nice light body, and bright fruit - but more of a tart cherry flavor. The acidity makes it a perfect complement for food - though, unlike one of it's other Italian counterparts, Chianti -- it is just as enjoyable alone in the glass.

(This is not to say that Chianti is not enjoyable without food...however, in my personal opinion it's better served with a meal or antipasti than alone.)

Why not try Salice Salentino this week if you're looking to try a new red - or give a gift to someone who enjoys lighter bodied wine? I promise, you won't be disappointed!

Feeling hot, hot, hot...and delicious!

I'm always a little skeptical when a celebrity endorses a product; they often tend to be mediocre items that are relying on the celebrity to sell the brand.

Not this time.

Calling all hot sauce enthusiasts.... Big Papi En Fuego Hot Sauces are smokin' good.
Really.

Right now, we're carrying his original in the large size, the smaller sampler pack - and the jars of Mango Pineapple Salsa that is out of this world. Everything tastes fresh, the quality of the product is exceptionally high - but the price is perfect for your budget. Each of the four sauces is using different peppers so they all taste different -- and they're marketed as "lifestyle" sauces. You can cook with them, or use them as accents to cheese or however you so enjoy spice.

I'm starting a New England section of wine; right now I've got in Turtle Creek which is a vineyard out of Lincoln MA; tomorrow I've got the Black Dog Tavern wines coming in, as well as Sailor's Dream from Nantucket. And next week I should have another collection of at least two varietals from Fall River. Buy fresh...buy local.

We've kicked off our Staycation International summer! Check out the signs around the store to give you ideas on wines to sample, foods to pair - and how to turn your home into different international travel destinations on a shoestring budget.

And this Friday, 5:30 - 7:30 join us for a Saranack Summer Sampler!
There's always something delicious going on.... always!

Can't Vacation? Travel the World on a Staycation...

We all know the economy can be difficult, especially when planning for vacations. So if you can't get away this summer....why not get away in the luxury of your own home? You can travel the world - and even our own state - right from your own dining room table.

You can be sitting on a veranda in Italy or Spain....lounging in the hot springs of Portugal....enjoying Paris at night. And I'm ready to show you how!

Can't get to the Vineyard?
Help yourself to a bottle of Black Dog Vineyards Chardonnay or Cabernet!

Have a night in Spain with some of our very own Tapas Mix and a fantastic bottle of Albarino or Moscabel. Perfect for hot balmy nights with a bit of spice!

Bring the flavors of France to you with Sancerre, White Burgundy, Vouvray and maybe a bit of Brie or Camembert with Carmelized Onion Chutney.

Tour California wine country by sampling Chardonnay from Napa, Sonoma, Carneros, Ynez and more. Try different varietals as well..... Viogner is one of my personal favorites!

All this is just a sampling of how you can tour the world from your home.
Come to the store and see how we're calling out wine for your very own international experience!