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!