Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer...

Ah, the dog days of summer are here.
So what can you do to stay cool?
Keep your glass filled!

Let's think out of the box a bit, shall we?

Try some different whites - Pardina (Spain), Malvesia/Grechetto/Trebbiano Blend (Umbria, IT) Gruner Vetliner (Austria), Asyrtiko (Greece), Sylvaner (Germany), Tokaji Furmint (Hungary). All delicious and perfect for summer enjoyment.

And for some interesting reds -- Cab/Syrah/Merlot (South Africa), Cabernet (Greece), Nero D'Avola (Italy), Grenache/Syrah blends (France)

We're lining up some tastings for the next few weeks to help you get through the summer months. Be sure to subscribe to our blog via RSS - or keep checking back.

We're also on Twitter (@beaconhillwine) and on Facebook as well.

Stay cool - and cheers!

Sangria-la!

Looking for a quick and easy Sangria recipe?? Use a bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja reds, Zinfandel, Shiraz any inexpensive one will do.under $12. Think Yellowtail - they're perfect!) Add lemon & orange wedges, some sugar, couple shots of brandy and some ginger ale or soda water...You can also ...add sliced strawberries, peaches, or a handful of fresh blueberries...

(Okay, now I want some....)

Enjoy!!!

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!

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!

Holiday Sampler, Part 1

Please join us tomorrow, from 4:30 - 7:00 pm as we taste out the following wine that would be perfect for your holiday dinner table this weekend. We like to pick things that allow you to think "out of the box" a bit for each holiday, so be sure to stop by and try what we've got!

Domaine Pellehaut Rose
La Caplana Gavi di Gavi
Bell Cabernet
Annamaria Abbona Dolcetto

Holiday Week....

It's a big holiday week for everyone....and both stores have selections that are perfect for both the Easter & Passover Holidays.

Both stores are offering wines that are Kosher for Passover, including Tishibi Cabernet/Petit Syrah, Tishibi Emerald Riesling, Golan Chardonnay & Cabernet -- and of course, Manischewitz.

Our Melrose location has three tastings this week - and more specific information regarding what we'll be sampling will follow shortly, so keep checking back.

Thursday: Holiday Dinner Sampler, Pt. 1
Friday: Go Green Organic Sampling
Saturday: Holiday Dinner Sampler, Pt.2

We've got chocolates, candies, (even jellybeans!), oversized chocolate peanut butter cups and more for all your Easter gift basket stuffing.

The cheese case will have a fantastic selection, as well as a nice selection of fresh pasta that is available to add to your dinner table.

There's always something new going on in the Melrose shop.... and we're always changing our wine inventory in both locations, so come on by and pick out something that will be just perfect for your holiday table -- or just a quiet evening at home.

What's happening over the next few days...

Okay, so there's a lot going on so my wine recommendations have fallen to the wayside temporarily.

Sunday, we're having a fundraiser for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. In conjunction with Melrose Boot Camp, we're sponsoring a shopping day where 10% of our sales from the Melrose store from Sunday will be donated to DFCI via Joy Fay - who is running the Marathon and raising money for this fantastic facility. Unfortunately, in this day and age there is virtually no one that isn't affected by Cancer in some way and in some capacity -- so this is a great way to help contribute to the fight against the disease. So come by on Sunday and know that your contribution will help!

Monday, we will be part of the special that Chronicle is running on wine! So you dont' want to miss out on that...

We've got lots of tastings coming up in the next week for the holidays. I'll post more on that Tuesday.

In the meantime, here's a snapshot of our freezer and cheese case (at least how it looked as of this morning!) -- just in case you'd like to pop in at some point and indulge. Remember, we carry Dom's Sausages, Steak Tips & Ribs!

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

Happy Springtime.....

This week has certainly felt like Spring....and hopefully the fever will last!

Today in the Melrose store, you can come by and sample Silvaner; it's a lesser known varietal than Riesling and it's perfect for warm weather - and also a great wine to go with holiday fare.

At 3pm, we're going to be opening up some Black Raspberry Chilly Cow Frozen Custard, as well as Chocolate. You've got to give this incredibly decadent ice cream a try....and, here's a thought: drizzle Trentadue Chocolate Port over Vanilla custard. Oh yeah.....

Upcoming tastings to note: Thursdsay 4/1 and Saturday 4/3 we'll be sampling wines that go great for the holiday table! Keep checking back for specific details.

We'd hoped to do an Opening Day celebration but since the Fenway opener is Easter Sunday, we may have to just have a "Take me out to the Ballpark" day another time in April. Look for that to feature Fenway Park & Green Monster Beer, Dom's Sausages, and maybe some peanuts & ice cream!

Next post - I'll share some of my personal favorite bottles that we added to the inventory over the past few weeks.

What's going on this week...

Today I was interviewed on air with WDIS AM -- where I'm one of their wine sponsors for the show "Fairness Doctrine". I got a great 5 minute interview and if they post it online, I'll gladly share the link here. If you enjoy political banter, then you really should check their show out. Left meets Right - and everything in between.

This week, we've got new wine as always -- and some new products including dark chocolate covered espresso beans -- as well as savory chutneys, such as carmelized onion chutney which is amazing on tenderloin or any kind of oven roast.

Chilly Cow Black Raspberry is gracing our freezer chest....probably the most decadent tasting black raspberry I've ever had.

And Friday, we are sampling out delicious steak tips and country ribs from Dom's Sausage -- and pairing it with Plymouth's own Mayflower Beer. It's a shop fresh, shop local tasting that you will not want to miss!

Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet on Chronicle!

Today, the Melrose store was recorded for an upcoming episode of Chronicle that will be featuring wine and wine shops!

It was exciting, and a lot of fun - though truthfully, I'm a little nervous to see myself on television. Who really likes the way they look or the sound of their voice? But hopefully, the shop will look beautiful and I will have represented our corner of the world in Melrose fabulously.

One of the things I talked about is a feature that I hope will pick up -- did you know we offer a rack registry? Whether you're getting married, moving into a new home - or celebrating a golden anniversary, registering your wine rack is a great way to start your own private wine collection! You can schedule a private consultation to pick out your preferences -- we set you up with a web page that only you and your guests can access -- and they can shop for you. The best thing is -- duplicates are a welcome thing! Email or call for more details if you or someone you know is interested.

In the meantime, keep checking back to find out when the episode will air!

If you weren't able to attend the Sake tasting yesterday...

....then check this very generous review out!

http://passionatefoodie.blogspot.com/2010/02/beacon-hill-wine-gourmet-sake-tasting.html

Domo Arigato.... and more!

This Saturday (tomorrow....) we're having a Sake sampler. Join us from 5-7 as we sample the following varieties:

Moon Rabbit Sparkling
Murai Tanrei
Chikurin Fukamari Junmai
Hakushika Junmai Ginjo
Ozeki Osakaya Chobei Dai Ginjo
Murai Nigori Genshu

If you have always thought sake was only for chinese food -- or meant to be digested warm, you're in for an interesting and pleasant treat!

We've brought new cheese in this week: Three Cream Gouda, Duchess Sara Gouda as well as delicious Applewood Smoked Cream Cheese and Pesto Butter.

Did you know we carry Dom's Sausage Steak Tips & Turkey Tips - as well as Country Style Ribs? They're delicious, and we charge the same amount as Dom's does so you aren't being charged any differently and you don't have to travel to Dom's direct if you don't want to! We also can order custom cuts of meat for you from Dom's, with only three days notice!

Speaking of Dom's as you can see from the photo on our new chalkboard -- we're sampling out Dom's Sausage meats AND having a beer tasting the same evening. You won't want to miss it!

Lots of new wine this week on the racks -- and in all regions! So come on by and indulge a little bit. You deserve it, don't you?

Even though today feels like Spring, there's still time for a big Red...

Chateau D‘aydie “Les Sarments" Vin de Pays

Of humble origin in terms of the large growing area in southwestern France from which it comes, this offers loads of flavor and enjoyment - the ultimate over-achiever! A blend of Tannat, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, this exhibits ripe black fruits with some spiciness that lends more complexity than expected. Great with beef and all dishes with some heartiness to them. 

This wine is an example of a bottle which improves with aeration -- it loves to "breathe".

I personally love this wine; it reminds a bit of a good Pinotage. It's got a gaminess to it, and an earthiness that is very rustic and old world style. I think it just screams to be enjoyed with lamb -- but I had it with a sausage dish and enjoyed it just the same. Check it out and let me know what you think -- it's inexpensive, and worth the chance!

That's amore.....

So many things to do during the week & weekend of love......

Thursday-- it's bubbles, bubbles and bubbles in both stores as Beacon Hill & Melrose are both tasting out Rose, Blanc de Noir and Brut Chandon.

Friday -- Melrose is having a fantastic wine tasting with some new Bordeaux and a fantastic chocolate dessert wine, as well as a delicious White Burgundy.

Saturday --Melrose will be pairing Ruby & Tawny ports with Milk, Dark & Peanut Butter filled chocolate.

You won't want to miss these so be sure to stop on in!

New Things, Tastings & More...

Friday night, 5pm - 7pm in Melrose - it's a Beer Tasting! Sample Sam Adams Noble Pils & Cherry Wheat, Ithaca Cascazilla & Flower Power. Complete with some cheese -- it's a great way to start your weekend!

Saturday night, 4-7pm in Melrose - it's a Chandon Sparkling Wine Tasting! Demi Sec, Blanc de Noir & Rose...it's a great way to prep for Valentine's Day and enjoy a Saturday night before dinner.

New items this week are.... Foie Gras, Italian Cookies (coming Thursdsay!), Deano's FRESH Pasta (lobster agnilotti, canneloni florentine & four cheese shells -- delicious!), Food Should Taste Good Olive chips, Chocolate Covered Almonds, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, & Gummi Bears! Ricotta Salatte as well as Feta should be in by Thursday as well...

And of course, as always -- we're bringing in new and exciting wine for you to enjoy and try! Don't hesitate to ask for recommendations and suggestions -- we're happy to help!

Cheers & Bon Appetit!

What's new - and what we're tasting!

So, this week - we added some more fun things!
Now available -- Dom's Sausage delicious Steak & Turkey Tips! Available in both Original and Zesty Teriyaki -- and Caesar & Honey Mustard for the turkey. And trust me when I tell you that I've priced them right.....

Also new in the cheese case is Danish Fontina, and Fol-Epi - as well as Mimolette Jeune (young) and Veille (aged). I'm hungry just thinking about it....

Dijon mustard has found it's way to the cheese case....and I'm trying really, really hard to find a good local honey! If anyone knows a resource please share - because it's been quite difficult to find someone who will return my phone call. Who doesn't love a little honey with their cheese?

Tomorrow night, 5-7pm we'll be tasting out some truly delicious wine: Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Vouvray & a Chinon. We'll also be sampling an Argentinan Malbec -- so if you're in the neighborhood.....come on in!

Bring back "Wednesday is Spaghetti Day"....

Tomorrow in Melrose - we're running a special for dinner.

Your choice of a bottle of red wine or white, a bag of artisanal pasta, a jar of imported spaghetti sauce, a wedge of parmigian reggiano and a box of pizelles -- all for under $30.

What take out, when you can take in?

While supplies last!

Tasting information & more!

Tomorrow, look for three new cheeses in the case at the Melrose shop:

Fol-Epi, Chimay Beer, and Danish Fontina.
How's that for delicious?

We're also bringing in Multigrain Chips & Jalapeno Chips by Food Should Taste Good.
Chocolates and more coming this week as well.

On Friday, we're tasting out wines from Provence -- and they're outstanding. I'll have some tasting notes and more information posted here as we get closer. The tasting is from 5-7, and you won't want to miss it.

Also coming soon -- Feb. 13th, mark your calendars for a Port & Chocolate tasting, perfect for Valentine's Day!

It's a Crazy Camel Dessert Hummus Tasting!

Saturday, 1/23 at 10:30 a.m., Crazy Camel Hummus is doing an instore tasting in Melrose.

Delicious for snacking, awesome for cooking - and pairs fabulously with wine! Come on by and check out the varieties -- lower in fat than traditional hummus - and even better, you can buy it frozen and thaw in minutes!

Chocolate Mousse, Peanut Butter, Pumpkin Pie, Toasted Almond & Maple Walnut.

Check them out at www.desserthummus.com

See you there!

A little 'tage...a little chenin....a little Chutney... a little nougat....a little Biltong!

Mark your calendars for a South African soiree...
Join us Saturday, January 16th from 2p - 6p as we taste some of the delicious and new food items I brought in from Capetown Traders - South African specialty importers.

They'll be at the store at 2 -- and then at 4, we'll be pairing the food with some fantastic South African wines: Nederberg Pinotage (which by the way, is the official wine of the World Cup for all you soccer enthusiasts!), Cederberg Chenin Blanc, and Goats in Villages Shiraz/Pinotage.

We hope you can join us!

Speaking of out with the old.....

Well, it's not old - but not exactly seasonal!
All holiday candy -- including Holiday Gourmet Chocolate Pizzas -- are 50% off in the Melrose shop! Funky Chunky, oversized holiday peanut butter cups, pizza slices -- get them while they last for half the price!

Nothing like a little chocolate to make the day seem a little brighter.
As well as wine....

Speaking of chocolate - coming this week, Rosenblum Desiree Chocolate Zinfandel dessert wine!

Out with the old and in with the new....

Happy New to all....

So, in addition to always having different wine to choose from - we also try to mix things up in the food department. Starting this week, we'll be featuring some delicious products from South Africa -- and mark your calendars for a food & wine tasting, January 16th. We'll be sampling delicious food items such as cookies, chutneys and more - along with some delicious South African wine varietals such as Pinotage, Cabernet & Chenin Blanc. You won't want to miss it!

Sure, the winter holidays are over - but right around the corner is Valentine's Day. Champagne, sparkling wine, wine -- and of course chocolates and gifts -- are the perfect thing for that special person in your life. Just a little something to think about....

Another new something is delivery. Already available in Boston -- now Melrose residents can have orders delivered as well. Hours may be limited, so be sure to call ahead to schedule.

Until next time....

New Year's Eve is approaching.....

...how about inviting Montaudon, Pommery, Veuve, PJ, Dom, Gosset or Billecart to celebrate with you?

We've got all that and more -- including sparkling wines from all over the country if champagne proper isn't your "cup of tea".

Fresh bread in Melrose on New Years Eve for your dinner -- and your New Year's Day brunches!

Speaking of which - we are open in both stores on New Year's Day for you to be able to get bubbles for your morning Mimosa's, should you run out from the night before.

New Year's Eve -- Boston is open until 11; Melrose is open until 9.
New Year's Day, both locations are open regular hours.

As always, we appreciate your business and support this past year -- and we encourage you to enjoy your celebrations -- but please drink responsibly. Don't drink and drive; life isn't worth the gamble.

Happy New Year!

Holiday Tastings, Hours, and more!

Happy Holidays!

Wednesday evening, we will be celebrating the wrapping up of the holiday shopping season with a Chandon Sparkling Wine tasting. Come on down and indulge in bubbles while you shop!

Thursday, Christmas Eve -- fresh bread will be arriving for your holiday dinner tables... delicious.

And finally, the Melrose location will be closing at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Hope to see you!

Great gift giving tasting for Thursday!

Don't miss out!
Thursday night in the Melrose store, we'll be tasting the following presented by Ruby Wine:

Graham Beck Brut (I love this sparkler from South Africa!)
Gossett Champagne
Lucien Crochet Sancerre
Trimbach Pinot Gris (fabulous holiday dinner wine... perfect for turkey or ham!)
Pine Ridge Chardonnay
Brandini Barbera
Groth Cab (Delicious!!!)
Chateau Clairfont Margaux (You don't want to miss this one. Trust me....)

It starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. and these are fantastic holiday gift wines -- and even better if it's a gift for yourself.

See you there!

It's a big tasting week....

Mark your calendars -- Thursday, Friday AND Saturday -- tastings in the Melrose store.

Thursday evening is going to be a great gift giving tasting.... the list of 8 wines, will be posted tomorrow. Stay tuned....

End your week with a tasting.....

Tomorrow, 12/11 in the Melrose store -- join us as we taste out the following:
La Crema Chardonnay, Carmel Road Pinot Noir, and Pepi Sauvignon Blanc.

Wrap up your work week with something delicious for your glass....
Cheers!

Oganic, green, vegan, and sustainable.

So, today there are very many products that are organic -- however, very few will put it on a label because the producers don't want to be pigeon holed into being thought of as just organic. Also, if we're being honest - right now, at this time -- there are very few truly organic wines that are very good. We have a few on the shelves right now that are outstanding -- however, as I mentioned, there's nothing to note it on the label.

Due to the incredible amount of requests I'd received, I made a concerted effort to find some solid representations of organic and vegan wines for those who are interested. There are two Chileans, one is a Chardonnay - the other a Syrah. In my opinion the Chardonnay is quite nice; the Syrah....well, I'll honestly say it's not something that I would drink. However, if one is vegan and is looking for a completely vegan wine - this will do the trick. I'm sorry but the names are escaping me at the moment -- and I am home as I write this. There also is another lovely Chilean blend of Cabernet and Carmenere that is really delicious. It's called Paragua II and I was pleasantly surprised with it. The final product is an Australian Chardonnay called Spring Seeds and in my personal opinion it falls short of what a Chardonnay from Australia should taste like; but again -- for those living the vegan and organic lifestyle, it will allow for you to enjoy wine that you can feel good about.

Getting married? Buying a new home? Celebrating a Silver or Golden Anniversary?

Did you know that we offer a Rack Registry?

Perfect for soon to be newlyweds who are registering for their big day....or for someone who's buying a new home and plans on throwing a housewarming party! If someone you know loves wine and you are suprising them with an anniversary party, why not register their wine rack? It's a great way to pick out gifts you know they'll love - and duplicates are always welcome.

It's easy - we set up a web page that only your group can view, complete with the products and price ranges. Either you pick out the wine in store from our inventory - or leave it up to us to choose the perfect selection! It's a great way to start your wine collection - or add to your existing one.

Email or call the Melrose shop Monday through Friday for details.

A loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, a slice of cheese, some olives...

And some great olive oil and seasonings to enjoy it all with.
Does it get much better than that?

The bread has arrived.
While supplies last!

Change of seasons.....

So yesterday and today was the transformation from Harvest to Winter at Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet. That means new merchandise...new decor -- and new foods.

Coming Friday: the long awaited bread!!

Baguettes, Focaccias, Multigrain baguettes and more...

New cheeses this week too (assuming they aren't backordered...... ).

Our wine selection, which is always evolving -- will be adding some new Zinfandels tomorrow, as well as 3-4 new Sake selections this week, which is an area I'm excited to be expanding upon.

Come on down and check it out!

We are still restocking our beer from Thanksgiving -- so while the cooler is scarce at the moment -- it will be better come tomorrow afternoon.

Web logging it....

So, I'm thinking about launching a weekly wine tip via video log here on the Beacon Hill blog.
Thoughts?

Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching....

Still not sure what to serve in the glass on Thanksgiving?
Visit either our Boston or Melrose location -- and we'll help you figure it out.

Thanksgiving eve -- we'll be having a tasting in Melrose starting at 4:30, sampling out some delicious Italian wines, so while you're shopping -- feel free to have a taste.

Whether you prefer Beaujolais Nouveau, or Chilean Sauvignon Blanc - whatever the choice for your glass is, what makes it taste best is not just the food you're having with it; it's the people you surround yourself with.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with laughter, love, health and happiness.
And may your glass be filled with something that tastes delicious.

Beaujolais update, Tasting info - and more!

So, as I sit here sipping on Pinotage -- eating fabulous Kalmatta olives and 2 yr. aged cheddar -- I'm also snacking on the most delicious bread. I have to confess, this is the bread I'll be bringing into the store after Thanksgiving -- and I do not think it will disappoint. Baguette, Multigrain, Focaccia and this particular loaf that is chewy, but soft, and seasoned so that it's delicious plain or dipped in EVOO that has been seasoned to your liking. I'm beyond excited about this.....

Tomorrow evening, please join us for a Chandon tasting! Rose, Brut and my personal favorite - Blanc de Noir -- are on the agenda and I guarantee it will not disappoint. Sparklers are perfect for Thanksgiving, and if you've never tried Chandon -- I highly recommend that you give it a taste. Dare I quote the 70's cereal commercial and say that it's "magically delicious".... ?

Speaking of tasting good -- this year's vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau, in my opinion - is a thumbs up. For a young beaujolais it's got decent body, and there's nothing sour or bitter about it which is great. Previous vintages have dissapointed, so I was happy to taste it being rather balanced and just the right amount of sweet.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner -- we've got everything from the wine for your glass, to the appetizers for you table, to the cheese for your dessert plate -- to the gifts you're bringing to your host's house.

Let us put something something special in your glass....on your plate.....into your home this holiday season.

Cheers!

The Beaujolais Noveau is here....

The much anticipated arrival of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Noveau for 2009 is coming in off the truck as I type this.

I've only got 10 cases, and it's guaranteed to move quick -- so come in when you can and get yourself some!

Saturday night sparkler...

Mark your calendars for this Saturday, 5-7 pm -- and join us for a Chandon tasting!

If you've never had Chandon then you are in for a treat as we sample out the Brut, the Rose and my personal favorite - the Blanc de Noir. All three are perfect for Thanksgiving - and sparkling wine is fun to drink on any day, especially a holiday.

Come by and sip with us!

Cheese, glorious cheese....

So incase anyone hasn't heard yet - our cheese case opened this week.
Right now, we're proudly offering the following cheese available freshly cut - and cut to order:

Humboldt Fog, Brenta, Parmiagianno Reggiano, Huntsman (double gloucester layered w/ stilton), Stilton w/ Cranberry, Cotswald with Chive, Vintage Aged Gouda, Manchego (6. mos). -- and many more.

I'm always looking for suggestions on fun cheese to add and rotate in - so feel free to let me know some of your favorites!

Truffled cheese is on my list -- for the record!

Tastings, tastings and more tastings!

Mark your calendars for this Thursday and Friday as we're having tastings by Ruby Wines and Martignetti Wines respectively.

Check back as I may have a list of what is being sampled, in addition to the times!

We just restocked after the weekend (for the most part!) and brought some new and interesting wine in. Michael Pozzan Knights Valley Cab is a delicious addition to the Napa Cab selection - I love it and highly recommend trying it. We also brought in a new Dolcetto to the Italian section which I think people should try for Thanksgiving as opposed to Beaujolais. It's perfect for the bird, whether you cook it savory or sweet.

We're always looking to improve and keep our inventory fresh, and we welcome suggestions! We can't always meet the requests due to the sheer volume of them - but I assure you we keep them in mind and do our best to rotate in new product as the opportunity arises.

Cheers....!

Nothing says decadence like bubbly...

Join us tonight in the Melrose store from 4-6 as we celebrate "Yelloween" - a grown up version of All Hallow's Eve, courtesy of Veuve Clicquot!

Better than Phantom of the Opera....

It's Bogle Vineyards Phantom!
Only available once a year - and we're tasting it out tomorrow evening at 5:30 p.m. -- after the Halloween Trick or Treat in Melrose Center.

It's delicious, and perfect for your Halloween festivities!
Come on by and try it yourself!

Boston's seeking EXPERIENCED WINE RETAIL sales staff....

Our Boston store is crazy busy and short staffed.
We're looking for experienced retail wine sales for three nights a week, 5-11pm. You must be savvy and not needing training in any areas. If you've got that background and interested - please let us know!

We're thinking about bringing in fresh bread one day a week in the Melrose store.
Thoughts?

Scenes from a ribbon cutting.....

Tie a yellow ribbon round the ol'.....

Okay, so it's a wine shop - not an oak tree.
But you know where I'm going with this.

Tomorrow is our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!
This is really exciting! It's the first one for the city - and we are beyond thrilled that we are able to have that honor bestowed upon us. I never dreamed when we opened our second location that something like this would happen; sure, it's truly just a welcome to the community - but at the same time, businesses come and go - how many actually get the warm welcome of a Ribbon Cutting? Not many, and I'm proud to be a part of it.

More food is coming to Melrose tomorrow....lots more cheese for the pre-packaged case, lobster raviolis, pitzalles, soups and much more. Along with our fabulous selections of wine, and of course more craft beer! We're trying to fill as many suggestions as possible.

Tomorrow -- a tasting recommendation, and updates on instore tastings!

Sometimes you feel like a nut....sometimes you don't!

But just incase you do.....

I just started bringing out today some fabulous (and I do mean fabulous) nuts at the Melrose store.

Smoked almonds, roasted almonds, pistachios, roasted peanuts, oriental mix, Wasabi peas, and amazingly good chocolate covered pretzels. A small selection is out right now as I await my floor spinner to properly merchandise them - but at 4.99 and 5.99 respectively - they're a steal for the quality.

As always, I try to use local vendors - always good to promote small and local business -- and this is a Boston based company who freshly smokes and roasts the product 24 hours before delivery, ensuring the most delicious and fresh tasting product in town.

Have some Wasabi peas with your favorite beer.... or some smoked almonds with a good red wine (maybe a fabulous Chardonnay from Napa...?) and enjoy!

Announcing....

We finally opened up this past Monday, with little fan fare or announcement -- I wanted to try to have a softer opening, to work out the kinks prior to word getting out and us being overwhelmed with a very gracious and generous reception. We did have a few quieter days, but by the weeks end - we received our aforementioned reception, and fortunately while we still had some new staff being trained - for the most part, we had the basic concept of how we were going to run things.

If anyone is interested -- we received some fabulous feedback from the Passionate Foodie -- who in my opinion is rather like the Phantom Gourmet of the Wine & Cheese world. Check out his blog for his take on our second location...

We have a tasting coming up in our Melrose shop this coming Friday -- Bogle Phantom Zinfandel. And on Halloween night - it's Veuve Cliquot for all! A special "Yelloween" tasting for those who are jaunting out and about on All Hallows Eve...

Incase you don't already know - we are on Twitter, @beaconhillwine.

And finally, if you're looking for suggestions to add to your wine glass -- let me leave you with this one - tonight would be a really nice Montepulciano evening. Try Masciarelli's Montepulciano D'Abruzzo....it's dry, yet soft and fruity -- and for a rainy night such as this -- it would be perfect for relaxing in front of the fire and watching a movie.

Enjoy...

Almost the end of the summer...!

So it's been quite some time since I've posted here -- it's amazing how quickly time goes by without realizing.

The store in Melrose is coming along nicely; it was a little scary the last few weeks because it felt like it was never going to come together, but now..... it does. I can't wait to get in there and sharing all the fabulous wine and of course - my passion for food and cheese with the rest of the world.

Today I met with my primary cheese distributor and all I can say is "oh. my."

For wine recommendations, I can tell you to try something different and fun for what might be our last burst of warm weather this summer: Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc.

If you love champagne (or sparkling wine) and Sauvignon Blanc - then how could you not love the two mixed together? Sort of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of the wine world? Okay, maybe I wouldn't go quite that far, because I'd say the effervesence takes away a bit of the herbaceousness that a typical SB would have -- but on a hot summer night, it's definitely decadence in a glass.

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!
*******


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.
****
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!

What to drink tonight...?

Okay, so tonight I'm making plain old steak -- not on the grill or in the broiler - but grilled on the stove. I love making it that way, it's a great way to keep the meat flavorful and tender if cooked properly. Anyway - pairing it with some baby spinach sauteed with garlic and tomatoes and some brown rice with butter and rosemary -- so we thought pairing it with the following would be fantastic : The 2005 La Nerthe Chateauneuf du Pape.

Given 90 points on the Parker scale, it's a perfect pairing for our dinner. Lots of flavor with cassis, black cherries, smoke, roasted herbs, and licorice.

It is soft, round, full-bodied, opulent, and accessible, which is somewhat out of character for this virile/masculine and tannic vintage.

And...we have it in stock if you want to try it too!

Great gift giving ideas!

Christmas is quickly rushing upon us!
Still not sure what to get for the wine enthusiast in your life?
Let me make some suggestions as to a few "cherry" items we have in stock!

1986 Grange
1990 Mouton Rothschild
1992 Caymus Special Selection
2003 Silver Oak Napa
Cristal
.....and a small but excellent selection of 1997 & 1999 Barolos.

This is just a small sampling -- we have ample to choose from and in a variety of prices!

Call for specific pricing!

Gift wrapping is available....as well as beautifully handmade wine gift bags.

If you're in need of delivery, please call early!
Our schedule is filling up very quickly, even for the immediate downtown Boston area.

Happy Shopping!

Thanksgiving is upon us...

I can't tell you how many phone calls I've received this morning asking for recommendations on what to buy for the holiday dinner. And that -- is a great thing.

The best advice I can give you is to have fun with whatever your drinking; and the most important thing to keep in mind, is not buy a wine that will overpower what you are eating. Basically, that means if Turkey is on the menu (as it most generally is!), than you want to avoid big and heavy red wines, or exceptionally dry and/or heavy white ones.

If your holiday turkey menu features sweet side dishes such as glazed carrots or marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes, you could choose a white wine with similar sweetness, such as a chenin blanc or gewurztraminer. If your menu items are savory, you can lean toward a Johannisberg riesling, savignon blanc, or even a light, fruity chardonnay. If your bird boasts a spicy sausage stuffing, sip a Beaujolais (Nouveau is the rage for today) or lightly chilled pinot noir. (Though I personally do not care for my red wine chilled, at all.)

Think out of the box a bit... don't be afraid to play. A great pairing for Turkey is champagne. You can feel decadent and fancy while drinking a deliciously light and fruity one; Rose champagne is a perfect compliment -- and looks pretty in the glass, for those who are into aesthetics, right down down to the bubbles.

If you don't want to break the bank with the champagne, then I'd wholly suggest buying it's Italian cousin: Prosecco. Light, fruity and inexpensive - Prosecco will dress up any meal and it's very food friendly.

I mentioned a Johannisburg Riesling, but if you want to be a red wine drinker and stray from the traditional Pinot & Beaujolais - then I'd recommend a South African Merlot or Cabernet (avoid a Shiraz blend -- too spicy!). South African wine is bright, fruit forward and not so heavy that it would detract from the food you are eating.

If you're in town today -- please don't hesitate to stop in and ask for assistance with your holiday gift giving or meal pairing selections. Gene is there all day and night -- and will be more than happy to assist you. He's worked very hard to ensure that we have an outstanding inventory that is able to please even the most discriminating wine enthusiast.

From our family to yours....have a lovely holiday.

Looking to try something new?

Have you given South Africa a try yet?

Relatively still "new kids" on the wine block (at least in the minds of consumers) -- South Africa has quickly become the hottest trend in wine since Australia.

Pinotage is their signature grape -- and it's one of those varietals that to know it -- is to love it. I personally love a good Pinotage, however I do think it's something that there is no middle ground on; either you like Pinotage or you don't. It's one of the most interesting and different styles I've had and the best way I can describe it for you, is that if you have a good glass of it -- it will dance on your tongue.

But if you aren't feeling adventurous enough to take the chance, then feel free to stick to their traditional styles of wine. Inexpensive and delicious, South African wines are great for those who don't care for dry, or Old World style of wine. The varietals tend to be very bright, vibrant and fruit forward - without too much tannic aftertaste or acidity.

My personal favorites are from the Graham Beck vineyard, and the two I'll share with you are these: the Chenin Blanc is really nicely balanced with a ton of tropical fruits and crispness; and the Shiraz/Cabernet blend is absolutely delicious. The best part of that one is that it's casked in both steel and oak, so there's this great fruity taste with warm tones of chocolate and the spice you'd expect from a Shiraz.

So if you have the opportunity, give South Africa a swirl. You won't be disappointed.
Let us know what you think!

We're on Facebook!

If you have a Facebook account, and would like to participate in our online discussion board - log in and search the groups for "Beacon Hill Wine & Spirits".

Join in on the fun!

Getting married? Buying a new home? Engaged?

We're offering an opportunity for you to register and post your champagne, wine and spirits selections for your friends and family to be able to see... and purchase for you!

What's the best thing about registering for your wine rack? Duplicates are always a pleasant surprise, and something you're counting on!

That special day is coming up...whether it's your wedding, your anniversary -- or the housewarming party for your new home. Often you register your wish list at stores that sell dishes and glassware -- why not register your wine rack as well?

Email, or call to make an appointment for recommendations if you are in need of assistance with your selections. We'll then post your names, your photos (if you wish) the date of your event -- and your selections on line for your guests to review. Registering your wine selections is a unique way to start stocking your wine rack or bar!

For more information, or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or email.

More cheese, please!

I don't know about you - but I love cheese.
Love, love, LOVE cheese.
As a matter of fact, next to peanut butter -- cheese is an addiction of mine.

That is partly the reason why when we open a second location -- we will have cheese incorporated as a staple. It will not only feed my obsession -- but it complements wine so perfectly.

We all have our favorites -- just as with wine; but also like wine, the more we sample the more we enjoy - the longer our list of "favorites" becomes. My "favorite" cheese is the Parrano Rubosto; a Dutch cheese that is a cousin to Gouda, but who tastes like an outstanding Parmigiano Reggiano.

White wines hardly ever clash with cheese, whether they are mild or strong - soft or firm. Dry whites pair well with soft textured cheeses, espedially those with mild flavors such as Brie. Whites with a crisp acidity go well with acidic goat cheeses. For an experiment, try pairing a softer Chardonnay from Sonoma with cheeses such as a triple cream Brie, Brunet, Valencay or Hoch Ybrig.

Red wines tend to match best with firm mellow cheeses. Although hard cow's milk cheeses do well with red wines as well. Try sampling a typical California style Cabernet Sauvignon with a variety of cheese such as a Dry Jack, Marisa, Manchego -- or my favorite, the Parrano.

Next time...what to pair with Ports and Sweet Wine.

Jack O'Lantern, Jack O'Lantern....

Looking for something fun for the adults to drink for Halloween?
While pumpkin flavored wines are more often than not found at small fruit vineyards outside of MA -- have no fear, there's pumpkin flavored beer!


Pumpkin ales are perfect for Halloween and the autumn season in general.
Pumpkinhead by Shipyard is a great brand to try.


If you want to try something creative - make your own cauldron of Witch's Brew!

Place your "cauldron" into something deep, such as a planters barrel that you can paint black -- add some dry ice underneath and serve up a potion that's sure to make everyone feel as if you've cast a spell upon them!

Ingredients:
3 packages Lime Kool-Aid
1 bottle Vodka
1 bottle Fruit juice (any)
20-25 pieces Fruit, mixed
1 gal Sherbet (any flavor)

Mix all ingredients(in any order) in a large tub, which can hold several gallons. Stir so that the Sherbert is completely dissolved. With the exception of the kool-aid and sherbert, as much or little of the other ingredients may be used.

With all the flavored vodkas on the market today -- the possibilities for this Witches Brew are endless!!

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!

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.)

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...

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.

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!

Gewurtztraminer & Shiraz....

A few weeks back we hosted another in home wine party, and we used what has become the most popular theme of "Wine from Around the World". Depending on the audience, and the type of party the host is looking for, determines the variety that we will present. The party from last night generally speaking, was not a wine savvy crowd at all - so we stayed away from bigger and bolder wines, and presented very easy drinking variations of the themes.



Of the 6 wines that we brought, these two were particularly interesting to me. We brought a New Zealand Gewurtztraminer -- usually a German wine, it was interesting to taste this variation. We also brought a very delicious South Australian Shiraz that is a steal for the price given the flavor.



Personally, I thought it tasted exactly like a Sauvignon Blanc from that region, but with a hint of spice at the end. It was actually more acidic than I had expected.

Of course the names are escaping me at the moment....I'll have to go back in my notes and add them in for this posting.

Long overdue...

So, I must admit it has been quite some time since I've posted any wine tasting notes. Alot has happened since my last posting. While we did not win the "A-list" competition, we did win "Best Neighborhood Wine Shop" from Boston Magazine; while we are such a small business we aren't able to afford large advertisements, and to have accomplished such an award by our customers support exclusively -- is something we're exceptionally proud of.

We've been actively pursuing a second location; if you've been to our store than you know we're only 400 sq. ft and packed with amazing inventory. We truly are hoping to spread our wings and open a second location, expanding to include open air artisan cheeses, gourmet chocolates, barware, etc...and most importantly, room on site to offer wine education classes! We were this close to purchasing a location close to home, and it fell through this past fall. So, we're on the move again, this time hoping to open a business from the ground up -- and though we're running into obstacles with obtaining a license in the town we want to open in, we've received tremendous amounts of support from the community and feel confident we will make it happen.

And I'm happy to say that I've progressed to the 21st century with regards to blogging and got myself a laptop; my availability to post wine notes will no longer be restricted to my desk. So if I'm drinking a fantastic wine that we think you should know about - it's as simple as turning on the laptop. And maybe - just maybe - more posting will bring more people to interacting with us in this virtual tasting room.

So, long overdue - but hopefully well worth the wait.
Cheers!

We've been nominated!

Please click on the logo and place your vote - we truly appreciate your support. Without you we could not be the shop that we are, as it's you that we aim to please!
As we know there are a variety of shops to choose from, we're so very thankful for your patronage!
Cheers!
Gene & Rebecca Beraldi

A few worldy wine tips...

1. Altos Las Hormiagas Malbec
Here is an Argentinan wine, whose charms are irresistible. Nice, vivid boisenberry and plum fruit, with dark chocolate and toasty notes enveloping the finish. Ripe and solid - a great value for an Argentinian Malbec! Deep ruby colored, this wine approaches the "fruit bomb" category without going over the edge. A rich, full-bodied red wine from the Mendoza region of Argentina, this Malbec has flavors of plum and black currant with a hint of dark chocolate. A steak wine for sure, but also great for sharp cheese.

2. Michael Sullberg Cabernet
Great "entry level" red wine! This is a medium bodied and balanced wine that has a berry, chocolate and vanilla-wood flavor. Its relatively fruit forward with a lingering finish. Certainly worthy of cellaring but very enjoyable now. This would be excellent with red sauce pasta dishes, and clearly would go nicely with steak and beef dishes


3. Feudi-Saraceni Montelpulciano:
Ready to drink now –but able to be aged for another 4-5 years, this is a quintessential Italian red, capturing the intense aromas and rich, robust characteristics typical of the region. It is distinguised by its violet color with raspberry/currant fruit and spicy, licorice notes with a hint of tobacco and a slight acidity. A classic "all-rounder" suitable for hearty Italian cooking like your sainted grandmother made on Sunday afternoons or enjoying on its own. Great with pizza, veal, steak -- or roasted chicken.

4. Giesen Sauvignon Blanc
Light straw color with a glint of gold, this wine is exceptionally aromatic. Ripe peaches come up first, followed by juicy lemon-lime and a whiff of the "green chile pepper" scent that's often found in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Ripe and full, juicy fruit flavors are so intense that the wine almost seems sweet; but a snappy citric tang brings it into balance, clean and lingering. The wine's "in-your-face" flavors make it a challenging food match, but asparagus - here in a farfalle pasta dish with ham and a saffron-tinted cheese sauce - stands up to the herbaceous chile-pepper flavors in the wine.


5. Henri Bouregois Petite Bourgeois
This is an elegant, vibrant and crisp wine from one of France’s Loire Valley’s top producers (Henri Bourgeois). This wine is made 100% of Sauvignon Blanc, and is smooth, with a slightly creamy taste with generous ripe fruit and a spinal cord of acidity. If one is a fan of New Zealand type Sauvignon Blancs, then this will be a nice French alternative; not quite as crisp – as it’s been aged in oak - yet full and fruity. This wine would be the perfect counterbalance with foods ranging from Chinese chicken salad, to roast duck to grilled salmon w/mango salsa – fantastic with goat cheese!

6. Helderberg Steen (Chenin Blanc)

Steen is the South African name for the Chenin Blanc grape, the most widely planted white wine grape in South Africa. Give this one time to open, and serve just moderately chilled. Medium-bodied dry white wine; medium straw. Aromas of pear and honey, with the taste of honey (not its sweetness) shaping the ripe fruit flavors. Touch of banana, and other tropical fruits. Mineral accents. Seamless integration of flavors. Excellent value.

Food Pairings: Mild curried chicken salad; South African "pan" dishes, a combination of shellfish, calamari, prawns and yellow rice (Famous Fish Co., Peachtree City); chicken pot pie, seafood or chicken-filled crкpes; sundry vegetable dishes (squash casserole, stuffed baked Vidalia onion, macaroni and cheese, cannellini beans), grilled or baked salmon; crab, crawfish or salmon cakes; spinach ravioli with chicken and Thai seasonings; satay

Don't believe the hype...

I get so irritated everytime I see a "Vote YES on Question 1" ad.
It's such propaganda.

And what's so interesting is that I'm seeing so many "Vote Yes" ads, and have seen no "Vote No" ads on television. I received one mailer about voting "no".

Why are they working so hard, if it's such an obvious answer to the question? I'll tell you why. Because they're lying. They're not being honest with the public and the people behind this bill think the public are fools.

Question 1 does not "simply allow supermarkets to sell wine". That's a very misleading statement.Question 1 would grant ANY retailer who sells any type of perishable product - which by Massachusetts law requires them to carry a grocer's license - the ability to sell all alcohol that is covered under a retail wine license. This would include White Hens, 7-11s, Christys, you get the picture. This would even include some gas stations that are "Mini-Marts". Do you know that there are some malted liquors that are considered "wine" by retail licenses? This is what they are not saying on their commercial ads.

Don't be fooled. Supermarkets in MA have been able to sell wine and beer for a while now - it was regulated on a "x" amount of licenses per chain. BJs, Costco, Sam's Club - they've all been selling these products for years with little or no impact to most retailers. Will supermarkets have an impact on some stores....sure. Or if a store is located directly next door to a major supermarket - yes, it will be detrimental to them. Most major competitors of liquor retailers are other retailers and this is a competition we've had to deal with for years. For some reason, liquor stores seem to be bundled in areas. It's rare to be the owner of a liquor store and be the "only gig" in town. We are our own worst competition. And as the advent of Amazon and other online "malls" didn't destroy the retail walk in business - this allowing of supermarkets to carry alcohol is no way connected to preventing a monopoly amongst retail stores. That is just one of the most foolish things I've heard.

Here's why you should vote "no" on Question 1. It doesn't matter whether we "catch up" with the rest of the country with regards to our laws on selling alcohol. Truly, does "keeping up with the Jones'" mean anything with regards to our children's lives? We can't prevent our children from underage drinking, or doing drugs. But we don't have to make it so readily accessible to them either. As it is, Massachusetts has been pushing for the driving age to be raised as a result of the high rate of teenage driving deaths we've seen over the past few years. Do we truly need to add alcohol to the mix? Do we want our kids to pull into the gas station that has wine available and have them "fill up" on all levels? Are the teenage kids that work at the supermarkets responsible enough to card their peers? We have enough peer pressure in schools today regarding the use of controlled substances, let alone adding the pressure for distribution of them. And the ABCC is understaffed as it is. They're having a hard enough time monitoring package stores, how are they going to be able to monitor the sales from all of these additional stores.There is a liquor store on virtually every corner in Massachusetts. And most stores are open 7 days a week. Tell me, what is the true advantage to having the White Hen or 7-11 selling wine?

Call me crazy. Call me old fashioned. Call me responsible. Leave the sales of alcohol -- which is still a controlled substance, might I add - to the retailers who have been proven responsible enough to control the sales and distribution of such product.

Summer Sizzle....and Cigars!

While Boston is a tourist town, summer on the Hill slows things down quite a bit.
Fewer wine parties, fewer tastings...fewer postings on our blog.

However, we have added something new to the store: Cigars!We've started off slowly, offering 4 different varieties in very reasonable price ranges.
The next time you're looking for a stogie to go with that scotch, come on in! We're hoping to add to our collection and offer finer cigars in addition to what we've presently got in store.

Random question:Have you tried any new wines this summer, in light of the heat? Did you find any new favorites?If so....what is it? Please share!

'Til next time.....

Kali Hart Pinot Noir & Olivier Nyakas

Kali Hart Pinot Noir:
Kali Hart Pinot Noir is an inky-deep ruby in color with great clarity. The nose shows concentrated cherry, ripe strawberry, oak notes, cedar, and terroir. Fruit-forward and concentrated in style, the wine displays blueberry and strawberry jam flavors on the palate. The finish shows a good acid backbone with a balanced sweetness of French oak.

Olivier Nyakas:
Nyakas Cellars Olivier is a delightful Hungarian white wine made entirely from the native grape varietal Irsai Oliver of the Muscat family. This wine comes from the Budai wine region of Hungary, home of the Hungarian capital. Handcrafted for Monarchia by Nyakas Cellars.Nyakas Cellars Olivier is a brilliant crystal in color with a nose of muscat, citrus, floral and mineral notes. It is crisp and dry with light/medium body, offering flavors of lime, muscat and almond. Aged in stainless steel tanks, the wine is rich and aromatic, nicely balanced to enjoy over the next 4-6 years. On the finish, it is fresh, clean and crisp.Enjoy Nyakas Cellars Olivier with baked halibut, grilled chicken, fruit salads and mild cheeses.

Attention Realtors!
Looking for the perfect gift to give to your clients who just bought their dream home? Surprise them with a wine gift basket...select a wonderfully mixed half case....or a gift certificate to let them choose their own wines for their rack!

The options are endless, and we're more than happy to recommend something perfect for your gift.

Around the World with Wine....

Last night, I hosted a wine party up in Merrimack, NH for a group of wonderful women. This was a Wines from Around the World tasting, and so we sampled a variety of wines from different countries. There were lots of laughs, and hopefully the women walked away learning a little bit more about wine and a better understanding of what styles they may or may not prefer - than what they had walked in with. The following are the tasting notes.

1. Chateau Couronneau Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a style of wine - named for the region in France where it is developed. Bordeauxs are usually big wines – and the astingency, dryness, fruitiness and finishcan be dependent upon the region within Bordeaux they come from; St. Emillion wines for example are big and soft; this wine is from the Supriere region, on the northeast section of Bordeaux. As a result of being in a different area within the region, the wine results are different. This is not big and soft; it’s a bit thinner, and tighter than most Bordeauxs. This is an absolutely fantastic organic bordeaux from this region, created by Christophe Piat, (Food & Wines of France magazines 'Bordeaux wine-maker of the year in 2002'). (Organic meaning "no added sulfites".) It’s predominantly a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; this wine is more of a Merlot blend so you’ll see it’ s softer on the finish. Wonderful with roast beef, steak, rib roast, roast pork loin, rack of lamb, or duck; braised veal with mashed potatoes.

2. Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Shiraz

This medium-bodied Shiraz offers bright fruit-forward flavors of coffee, plums and strawberry, followed by a dash of pepper and a touch of black licorice. It’s fruity, but still has a hint of oak – so it’s got some structure to it. Shiraz is one of your all purpose wines – great for barbecue – great with pizza – great w. pasta.

3. Sabato Malbec

Here is an Argentinan wine, whose charms are irresistible. Deep ruby colored, this wine approaches the "fruit bomb" category without going over the edge. A rich, full-bodied red wine from the Mendoza region of Argentina, this Malbec has flavors of plum and black currant with a hint of dark chocolate. A steak wine for sure, but also great for sharp cheese.

4. Graham Beck "Pinno" Unoaked Chardonnay

A very fine example of one of the increasingly more available "unoaked" Chardonnays which are revitalizing the market. It's something new… that's actually something old. Both New Zealand and Australia have been practicing this method, and now South Africa is catching on as well. Unwooded Chardonnays, as they're inelegantly described, never really went away, we just forgot about them. Now they've been re-discovered and are gaining in popularity. This wine shows brightness, pure apple blossom aromas, straightforward but low key fruit flavors and a clean, engaging texture. It's quite dry throughout and its medium long finish is quite satisfying. Unoaked Chardonnays growing in fanbase as many people prefer the crispness of the wine over the vanilla creaminess that traditional oak aging provides. Food pairing follows the same as a Sauvignon Blanc, but can stand up to heavier cream sauces and pasta dishes quite well.

5. Macon Uchizy

The village of Uchizy in the heart of Burgundy (Loire Valley) produces very complex and sophisticated Chardonnay. This wine is made of 100% Chardonnay and is complex, dry and well structured with slightly spicy, ripe lemon flavours with a very zesty lingering finish. Pairs nicely with many styles of cheese – but do not pair with pears; the sweetness and softness of the pears takes away from the sweetness of the wine and leaves it tasting tart in comparison.

6. Giesen Sauvignon Blanc

Light straw color with a glint of gold, this wine is exceptionally aromatic. Ripe peaches come up first, followed by juicy lemon-lime and a whiff of the "green chile pepper" scent that's often found in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Ripe and full, juicy fruit flavors are so intense that the wine almost seems sweet; but a snappy citric tang brings it into balance, clean and lingering. The wine's "in-your-face" flavors make it a challenging food match, but asparagus - here in a farfalle pasta dish with ham and a saffron-tinted cheese sauce - stands up to the herbaceous chile-pepper flavors in the wine.

7. Muscat Vin De Glaciere Eiswein

The way Eiswein is made is simply extraordinary, something completely unique in the world of wine. Grapes--most often Riesling grapes--are left on the vine until the first frost hits. In the press house, they are pressed ever so gently as winemakers try to squeeze whatever honeyed drops out of them they can, without crushing the ice crystals that have formed. The secret of Eiswein is that nature has frozen most of the water in the grapes, and the winemaker crushes the grapes gently so as to leave the water behind! As one of the world’s truly great dessert wines, the best examples are very rich and sweet, but shot through with the most searing acidity you've ever experienced; the balance will take your breath away… Randall Graham, the brilliant clown prince of California wine at the Bonny Doon winery. Ice Wine has to freeze on the vine, of course--but some years ago Randall started chucking grapes in the freezer, then crushing them in the classic German fashion