What's new, delicious and exciting....?

Coming no later than July 1 (at least that's what my rep tells me), the Melrose store is going to be graced with the presence of the Bialetti Moka 6 cup! With all the expensive espresso makers sold around the world, native Italians prefer espresso from stovetop espresso makers and more Italians use Bialetti for their stovetop Italian coffee. For an excellent cup of Italian coffee, the classic eight-side household coffeepot is considered a true Italian tradition.


Of course, you can't buy an espresso maker without espresso....so, we're also going to be adding to our culinary treats - Lavazza Espresso & Coffee!  Since the Moka is not only an espresso maker but a coffee maker, we decided to give you the option to indulge in some fine Italian coffee outside of just the expected Espresso.  By the way - coming soon is also a frother companion - and can be used with either warm or cold milk!  Hello Latte....

Also new this coning week is something I'm pretty excited about too - and also from Bialetti.  Their line of Aeternum saute pans in beautiful colors will be here - match a pan with some fantastic olive oil, a pasta & a bottle of wine - and wish someone a warm "welcome home" if they've just moved in.  Or for that new Mom who is struggling to get it all together - bring her a meal that you made in the pan and bring it to her house with the pan as a gift.  Trust me - she'll thank you for it!

And finally -- every week we add new wine & beer to our eclectic inventory.  New beer to watch for:  21st Amendment's Hell or High Watermelon and Live Free or Die IPA, as well as Notch Session Ale; Wolaver Wildflower Wheat is also making a return.  The Melrose store gets beer deliveries starting each Wednesday - so send me your request before then and I'll be happy to get your favorite brew on the shelf!

Wine is always changing - and there's always something good.  We've added a few new Organic wines to our rack, and of course 'tis the season for fabulously delicious wines that you can bring to a BBQ.  Don't think red is just for winter because trust me when I tell you that there are plenty of Zinfandels that aren't too heavy when you're hanging in the yard having a burger.

We've got lots of events coming this summer as well.  Look for a Spanish Fiesta Sampler - complete with Sangria - coming soon, as well as another Champagne & Cupcake Soiree.  We have an upcoming Chandon Sparkling tasting which will debut a new flavor on our shelves -- the Riche.  And we also are going to be a participant in North Shore Magazine's Wine Week at the end of the summer.  So be sure to stay tuned as the dates for all these fun events and more will be posted here, on Twitter - and our Face Book page.

Happy Summer!

Are you ready for some football....

Okay, so we've adjusted to the fact that the Patriots aren't playing tomorrow.
That doesn't mean we can't enjoy a day of good eating & drinking with friends!

Love to cook?  Well, the Melrose store has everything from whole Muscovy Ducks, to Duck breasts, Confit Legs (for Cassoulet), Venison, Boar - and good ol' fashioned steak tips, chicken breast, pork ribs & sausages.  Speaking of sausages -- there's Chorizo, Duck & Armanac, Chicken w. Truffles, Garlic & Sausage - and of course, a selection of italian sausages and pepperoni for snacking.

Need cheese?  From Sage & Derby, to Taleggio -- Cabot Clothbound to Manchego -- Stilton w Cranberry to Huntsman Layer, have we got cheese for you.  Have you tried our Gorgonzola Stuffed Olives?  To die for.... (and we have a full selection of "To Die for Dips" as well, now that I mention it!)

Making chili for the big game?  We've got you covered with Chili Mix, cold beer and a large selection of hot sauces to help "kick it up a notch",  Pretzel dipping sauces, chocolate sauces, and of course - Chilly Cow frozen custard pies for dessert.

Ice cold beer - ranging from Budweiser to Pretty Things, Abita Purple Haze to Frosty Knuckle Ale, Hop Stoopid to Ommegang, Amstel & Heineken to Sierra Nevada - and everything in between....

And of course, the wine..... no matter what you're serving, who you're hanging out with - we have something for the novice to the most discriminating palate!  Need recommendations?  We're happy to help...whether you're looking for an inexpensive Cabernet that delivers big - or an easy drinking white wine, we've got something to make everyone happy.

(Suggestions?  LeMire Tuscan Blend, Chocolate Box Shiraz, Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc, Vivacious Vicky, Ruffino Orvietto, Liberty School Cabernet, Red Truck Zinfandel Blend, Dom Brunet Pinot Noir, Casa Del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc, Norton Merlot...just to name a few!)

Chips, dips, crackers, cookies, chutneys, gourmet popcorn and always the beverages.
Let's get this party started, shall we....?

'Tis enough of winter.....

Okay, so it's winter in New England -- we've had enough snow to last us a long, long time.

That being said - it's perfect red wine drinking weather.

If you're looking to expand your horizons and try something different - let us know, we're more than happy to make recommendations.

New in the freezer are things like:  Uncured Applewood Smoked Bacon, Demi Glace, Wild Boar Roasts, Duck & Armanac Sausage, Buffalo Steaks & Venison Medallions.  Coming next week should be Duck Legs and Boar sausages - amongst a few other surprises.

In the refrigerator - we have caviar; right now King Salmon is all that's left but look for Sturgeon, Paddlefish as well as smaller Salmon Roe; they have a fabulous shelf life, are in beautiful bottles and would the perfect accompaniment for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner.

Speaking of the Valentine's holiday - keep checking for tasting information!  I've got three tastings lined up and some include bubbles...!

Here's a tried and true recipe for the wild boar; I made it myself last week and it was fantastic.  If you've never had boar before (I certainly hadn't!), it's not as gamey as you might think.  There was a little something that was reminiscent of duck - but it was like the most delicious, darkest piece of pork you'll ever see.  Try it for yourself and see!

Take the roast and coat it with kosher/sea salt, black pepper, red pepper and then drizzle with honey. (You can drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil on top prior to seasoning; it's a lean meat - so it won't be greasy.)
Place a few cloves of garlic in the roasting pan as well.
Preheat oven to 425; cook the roast for 15 minutes at 425, then reduce to 345 for the next 30 minutes.

Remove from oven, slice it - then add additional salt/pepper & honey.  Add a little garlic salt if you like at this point; then finish under the broiler for 5-7 minutes to get a completely finished roast and a little crisp from the honey.

Serve with a delicious Cote du Rhone -- or try Chasse Garde Fitou!

Enjoy -and let me know what you think!

What's cooking..?

Just a reminder - if you need tenderloin, ribeye or any cut of beef for your Christmas dinner - we custom order from Dom's Sausage! You still have time....

We also have coming in over the next few days: Hand dipped Ricotta (if you've never used it before, check out this helpful link! ), Marscapone cheese, Bufala Mozzarella, Squid Ink pasta, Wild Boar, Foie Gras, Duck Breast, Meringue covered mixed nuts, Peppermint Funky Chunky, Buffalo Rib Eye, lots of appetizers and so much more.

If you we don't have a premade appetizers that suits your fancy, you can always buy our Smoked Salmon, Creme Fraiche and capers...perfect for a pre-dinner snack. Or bruschetta toasts, fresh roasted tomatoes and some truffle oil drizzled on top.

Of course, we always have the perfect wine for your glass.
(Speaking of glasses, don't forget our handpainted wine glasses make excellent gifts!)

What's going on..?

What are your plans for Saturday?
Why not come to an Afternoon Sampler, from 2-5 in our Melrose location.

Wines tentatively scheduled to be tasted are as follows:
Trentadue Chocolate Port, Hyatt Riesling, Bell Cabernet and one more that is escaping me at the moment. I'll have to update this tomorrow a.m. with the last wine, because truthfully - I'm exhausted and just can't remember what it would be.

As a reminder - every Friday, we have fresh bread.
And we are always happy and ready to make the perfect recommendation for you, whether it's a cheese to cook with - a wine to drink, or a gift to give to a friend.

We're also happy to make a fun beer recommendation for you as well. Which reminds me, we have some new product in coming tomorrow - and the one that I remember the most right now is Southern Tier's 2XIPA.

I'll tweet the updates for the beer cooler in the afternoon. Be sure to follow!
Cheers!

We're going to be on television, bread is back - and fine wine...

In case you missed us the first time this episode aired -- Chronicle is replaying the show from April where they profiled us during their "Toasting New England" edition -- Friday, September 17th at 7:30 pm. A completely apropos day (thank you, Anonymous!) since it's my birthday!

The past week has given me the opportunity to have some fantastic wine producers call on me; since most of the distributors have their portfolio showcases these next few weeks - that means some outstanding producers are in town. Unfortunately I'm not able to attend most shows, but fortunately my reps bring some of the best to call on me and taste their new vintages. As a result we've got some excellent and new wine from Marietta, Saint Come, Fisher Vineyards and some other higher end producers coming to the shelves over the next week.

On the food front....Funky Chunky Chip-Zel-Pop is coming in. Check out the link - because my description won't do it nearly the right justice it deserves. We also have Emmiez Croutons instock, new this week. More like a biscotti than a true crouton, I promise you can't eat just one! Coming soon also bread dipping seasonings, creme brulee sets with torches, soups and more. Best of all....the bread is back on Friday! A loaf of bread, a jug of wine...and the rest is up to you!

There's so much more....but I think that's good for today!

09' Bordeaux...They weren't exaggerating.

Okay, so everyone knows that I am personally not a huge enthusiast regarding hype from magazines on "how great" a wine may or may not be. With the recent press on the '09 vintage, I won't lie and will admit how skeptical I was. Mostly because, well - I always wonder how they can determine from so early in the barrell how well a wine will stand up to the test of time. It's not as if we all haven't encountered a wine that had promise right out of the gate - but fell apart after 30 minutes in the glass. It happens; so you can't help but wonder how they can be so sure of one vintage being so much better than another. I suppose that's why "they" get the big bucks, right?

Yesterday, I sampled 5 '09 Bordeauxs (Petite Chateau, non classified) that were less than impressive. I thought to myself "seriously, is this what all the hype is about"? These were not necessarily inexpensive either. I passed on bringing them in.

Today, I tasted 5 '09 (again, Petite Chateau) and they were fantastic and inexpensive. I'm talking ranging from $10.99- $14.99 on the shelf. Complete overproducers for the price range which made me step back and say "so this is what all the hype is about!".

They will be on the shelf tomorrow, and one -- is ORGANIC. Certified and on the label, so if you're looking for certification in a Bordeaux, I've got one for you - and it's delicious.

One can only imagine what the future will hold with the later releases.....

Back from vacation - fabulous feedback....and ch-ch-changes!

Like most of you, I am returning from a brief summer vacation. As we're approaching our first year in Melrose, I was able to take a few days to unwind and relax (well, as relaxing as a family vacation to Hershey Park can be!). As sad as I am for it to be over - I'm so glad to be back.

To make the return even better, this morning I read this great article which really made me so very happy; this encapsulates what our business model is, and why we want the small wine boutique shop to be an experience - not just an errand. (http://passionatefoodie.blogspot.com/2010/08/rant-best-advice-on-buying-wine.html)

Labor Day is approaching - and that means Harvest is upon us. This is probably my favorite time of year; and to celebrate - some changes are coming to the Melrose store in the next month....window displays featuring Henriot Champagne is a big switch; if you are an enthusiast of the bubbles and have not yet tried this line - I insist that you try. Speaking of windows, a plan is in the works to pretty up the windows and give us a very classic and unique outside appearance. I'd been hoping to unveil it for Labor Day, but the schedule seems to be slipping on that one..

Hours are changing as well! We are now officially open until 9pm on Thursdays - and look for Sundays to stay open until 7. We know how halftime during football season is always the time that everyone needs to run out and refresh the coolers; or maybe you've got a Sunday dinner plan and forgot that bottle of wine to bring. No worries - we're here for you.

And of course...the inventory. Not sure if you've noticed, but the last three weeks I started stocking Harvest/Pumpkin/Octoberfest beer! Dogfish, Victory, Ipswich, Sam Adams, Shipyard - just to name a few. Who doesn't love a good pumpkin ale, right? We also have Fall Ciders from Woodchuck & Harpoon for those of you looking for something other than traditional beer or wine.

In the wine department - I'm cutting down on some of the lighter Spanish white wines, and re-engaging my South African section. South Africa has some delicious and exciting wines at fabulous prices. The "bigger" wines and higher end (but still not over the top in price) are bulking up as well. It's never too early to think about holiday gift giving!

And then, there's food.... Bread is coming back on Fridays in the next two weeks! I know some of you have really missed that, so I'm happy to announce the return. I've got some great food lines that I found over the summer coming in over the next month - and best of all - they're all LOCAL. Small, artisan food producers are so much fun to find for me - -and you can feel good knowing you're part of supporting our local economy. Buy local, buy fresh -- it's not just a tagline; it's a principle and business model I work hard to follow.

My batteries are recharged - and hopefully, you will enjoy the subtle changes that are going to be happening. My wine shop is your wine shop - and it is a constantly evolving, living thing. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome, and as always - thank you for your support.

'Tis never too early for Pumpkin...

Yes, I'm a big fan of Pumpkin Ale.

Who am I kidding - I'm a big fan of all things pumpkin.

So, I couldn't wait until August to start ordering the harvest seasoned beer.

The following are in stock in Melrose -though truthfully, not sure how long they'll last on the shelves.

(And yes - Dogfish Pumpkin will be in stock next week; I've already pre-ordered!)

Beachbound, Visiting or Gift Giving...

We're happy to announce that we're now carrying beautiful handmade Beverage Bags & Cozies by local artist Liz Noonan.

A resident of Melrose, Liz uses classic patterns and styles for her product line -- and exceptionally good quality fabric. You have to see them for yourself to see, touch and feel.

Classic patterns such as English Toile, Striping and coordinating florals make these bags fabulous timeless gifts for yourself - or someone else! The bags perfectly fit a six pack of beer for those backyard barbecues that might be more casual -- and the cozies are perfect for dressing up your bottles.

They're actually perfect casual handbags for just about any use!

And as always - it's never too early to start thinking about holiday gift giving.

Sake Sampler...and a Sake Class!

So, this morning I had quite the education in Sake. Having a very limited understanding of this deliciously mysterious wine - I was quite interested in the portfolio I was tasting. I was not disappointed.



Good Morning Sunshine....





Interestingly enough, I've discovered that I enjoy a cloudy Sake - this one, a pearl. It tastes unfiltered, and has a delicious coconut like tropical flavor. There also was a fabulous Asian Pear flavored one that was spectacular - as well as some other ones that I'll post more information about shortly. I think my personal favorite was one that was incredibly crisp and dry - but not flat, as some I've tasted can be. When I say flat, think heavy minerality with little other flavor.

I'm writing this off the top of my head (as I drink La Nerthe Chateauneuf Du Pape Blanc, no less...) so I certainly don't want to misinform with writing the wrong names or styles of what I sampled. I'll post the correct information in a future post this week.

Needless to say, I'm quite excited about ramping up the variety in Melrose - and look for a Sake Class to come this fall.

Questions? Feel free!

Working for the weekend....

Plans for the weekend?
Whether you're staying home, or visiting friends - we've got everything you need.

Friday evening, 5-8pm join us as we taste out the following:
Cline Viogner, E Guigal Cote Du Rhone Rose, and two red wines that are to be determined. (I will update this page once they are finalized, so check back!)

Back by popular demand in the beer cooler: Clown Shoes Brown Angel & Clementine.

We've also increased our Greek inventory to 4 white wines, and 2 reds. Tomorrow's post will include the varietals because I am at home, and don't recall them off the top of my head.

Ford Farm Five Layer is available in the cheese case after what feels a far too long hiatus; there are few things that can irritate a retailer more than the words "back order".

We've also added a rather novelty and fun chocolate: Chocolate "Buffalo" Wings. They're peanut butter stuffed chocolates shaped in to chicken wings, complete with whipped marshmellow for Bleu Cheese. They're sinfully delicious.

And that's my mid-week wrap up.
Did you take advantage of our Wednesday Pasta Night?
If not....maybe next week,

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!

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!

Sake...it's not what you think!

Interested in learning more about Sake? Did you know that you can pair Sake with many foods - especially cheese? It's not the hot Sake you remember -- Sake comes in many finishes from dry, to sweet, to sparkling -- to all of the above!

Join us for a Sake class, taught by the well known and Sake afficianado Richard Auffrey - otherwise known as the Passionate Foodie.

Class is limited to 12 people, and sign up is required.
$20.00/pp for a 2 hour concentrated class that not only opens your world to the lovely Sake -- but pairs her with a variety of delicious cheese from our artisan case. It's guaranteed to be a delicious and educational night for all.

Thursdsay, June 10th
8-10 p.m.

Email to sign up - or come by the Melrose store!

Wine Tastings, New items and more!

Join us in the Melrose store this Thursday as we taste out wine from Qupe Winery some spectacularly delicious wine! California Marsanne from St. Ynez Valley, Bien Nacido Cuvee which is a Viognier blende (one of my personal favorite grapes!) and their Syrah. It starts at 5 pm, so come on by!

The Beacon Hill store has a tasting as well, on Friday at 5:30. We're scheduling to sample Rosenblum Zinfandel, Bargmore Rose, Estancia Cabernet, and Drylands Sauvignon Blanc. You won't want to miss it.....

We've also just pre-ordered and scheduled to arrive in time for Father's Day gift giving are the Beckett Chardonnay, and the Ellsbury Zinfandel. These wines should not disappoint as they are produced by the Clos La Chance wine makers -- and best of all, each purchase benefits the player's respective charities.

New food items in Melrose that you might want to check out are Duck Confit sausages and Chicken with Black Truffle sausages. We added Coffee to our Chilly Cow inventory, and coming this Friday we'll have local honey from Crystal Apiaries in Billerica. Delicious, chunky, organic --and best of all, local -- honey. With tea, on toast, on a spoon - or cook with it -- honey never disappoints!

Don't forget Mom....

This Saturday, from 2-5 join us for a Mother's Day Sampler as we taste out the following:

Bell Cabernet
Hyatt Riesling (Washinton State)
Hyatt Merlot (Washington State)
Trentadue Chocolate Port

We've got all sorts of new food items this week!
Pam's Black Bean Salsa -- a delicious and fresh black bean salsa; DennyMike's Rub Blends in Pixie Dust & Cow Bell Hell; and Cormier's Saute Sauces in Garlic & Jalapeno, Garlic & Ginger, and Orange Burst. Best of all -- they're all LOCAL products! Pam's Black Bean is based out of Marblehead, DennyMike is from York Maine, and Cormier's Saute Sauces are created out of neighboring Stoneham.

As always, I try very hard to have unique and delicious food items that are local because buying local means buying fresh. And -- it also helps surge our local economy -- and every little bit helps!

We also have a new cheese for the case -- Landaff cheese which is brought to us by Jasper Hill Farms in VT. It's a deliciously tangy and nutty cheese, but incredibly creamy and mild. Think along the lines of a Land o'Lakes White Cheese with a tang to it. It's amazing for a cheese plate - and I'd say fabulous for a fun twist on grilled cheese. Ask us for a sample - we'd love to have you try it!

New in the beer cooler is a local beer from Canton: Blue Hills IPA & Imperial Red. Good, good stuff.

Don't forget to check out our blackboard for staff favorite selections and upcoming tastings!
Hope to see you soon!

A lovely radio spot - and other tidbits!

Special thanks to Intermezzo Magazine's Roseann Tully for giving the Melrose store a fantastic "kudos" today on WBZ Radio: http://www.wbz.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=4539573. Look for Intermezzo Magazine to grace our store, hopefully soon!

We're having a "Take me out to the Ballgame" tasting on Friday, April 23rd from 5-7 pm.
Get ready for the Sox to take on Baltimore as we sample out Wachusett "Green Monster" Beer, and Boston Beer Works "Fenway Ale" -- as well as delicious Dom's Sausages, Double Chin fried onion & pepper relish, Chilly Cow Vanilla Frozen Custard and American Nut Roasted Peanuts. It's truly a tasting you don't want to miss! All items are local products --so shop fresh, shop local!

New items coming soon: the most insanely delicious and truly unique cookies from a producer in Essex, yet another local food product! Also, again a North Shore baby -- Didi Salt collections. A fantastically delicious collection of gourmet sea salts, pink himalyan salts, and gourmet sugars. And of course -- there's always new cheeses and "To Die For" dips on the shelves.

We've got some great new wines on the rack -- Raw Power Shiraz is a fun and surprisingly refined Shiraz despite the label; Home Grown Red is a delicious Barbera blend from California; Lelia Garnacha is a surprisingly delicious Grenache that has good weight for an incredibly inexpensive price. We've got some new Spanish whites: Mesta, an incredibly light and crisp blend, as well as a white Rioja who's name is escaping me at the moment. We also have a delicious Argentinian Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc called Luna Benegas that is just lovely.

Come by this weekend and pick up something special for your wine glass, or dinner table!

Radio Interview 1: Fairness Doctrine

Here's a link to the recent radio interview I did with the Fairness Doctrine from two weeks ago.
This link is for the whole show -- but we're the first segment, so you don't need to fast forward --right after the intro, it's showtime.

(I had a cold at the time, so I apologize if I'm a little difficult to hear.)

http://www.archive.org/download/TheFairnessDoctrine-March2010/F.d.March8Hour1.wav