Getting ready for New Year's Eve!

Caviar, capers, creme fraiche & crackers; Champagne, Cava, Cuvee & more; Cold Brews, Chocolates, Cheese...Cheers!

We are open New Year's Eve until 9pm in Melrose - 11pm in Boston  -- and we are also open New Year's Day, for normal business hours.

However you celebrate the New Year -- enjoy and be safe!
Best wishes for a Happy 2010!

What's cooking..?

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

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

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

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

Have you made your list - and checked it twice?

If you're as busy as many are these days - you may still not be done with your Christmas shopping. We can help make it easier on you!

We have everything from painted glasses, Vinturi aerators, artisan foods & fun baking gifts such as Molten Lava cake sets and Creme Brulee kits (with the torch!) - as well as gift certificates, and of course beer and wine. Best of all - we gift wrap as well. It's that simple.

Let us help take the stress out of your gift giving this season. And be sure to try some before you buy with our last tasting of the season on Saturday.

Need food for your dinner table? Then join us Thursday for a tasting with The Bread & Butter Co., and place your order for dinner rolls, biscuits, sweet breads and butters. We also have appetizers, fresh cheese, olives, souffles and so much more to help make your Christmas meal special.

'Tis the season....

We've had Black Friday, Cyber Monday - how about plain old fashioned shopping?

We have some tastings coming up to help you make the perfect selections for all the favorite people in your life.

12/3 - Kick off "Home for the Holidays" in downtown Melrose and Celebrate with Chandon! Sample all three sparkling varieties: Brut, Blanc de Noir & Rose. 5-8 p.m.

12/4 - Celebrate "Home for the Holidays" with live music and wine samplings. Wine TBD, 3-5p.m.

12/11 - Holiday Gift Giving, Part 1: Wines TBD, check back. 3-6 p.m.

12/18 - Holiday Gift Giving, Part 2: Wines TBD, check back. 4-8 p.m.

We have Vinturi aerators and gift sets...sake gift sets, beautiful glasses, gift ware, charms, cork screws and so much more for your gift giving needs. Come to downtown Melrose, shop and support your small businesses!

Are you ready for Thanksgiving....?

Just a reminder that no liquor stores are open on Thanksgiving Day - so be sure to stock up tomorrow on all your last minute holiday drinking & dining needs! Both locations are open early, and will be closing later than usual posted hours.

In addition to wine & beer - Melrose has plenty of fresh cheese, appetizers, ready containers of pepperoni, peppers, kalamata & gorgonzola olives, cookies, candies, pates, and so much more!

From all of us at the Beacon Hill Wine & Spirits - and Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet family -
we wish you and your family a happy, healthy and safe holiday.

As always - please drink responsibly.

Cheers!

Holiday Tasting Schedule and more...

We've got a full month of tastings to help you plan your holiday dinner table!

Fri, Nov 12th: 5:30 - 8:00, La Crema Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Nov 13th: 2-5pm Wines TBD
Nov 14th: See us at the Showcase Melrose - buy your tickets via the Melrose Chamber of Commerce
Nov 16th: Sake Class, $20/pp - sign up for space limited class with Richard Auffrey, certified Sake Master, 8-10p.
Nov 18th: The Bread & Butter Co., will be sampling fresh dinner rolls, home made butters, biscuits and sweet breads for your holiday table! 5:30 - 8:00
Nov 20th: Pre-Thanksgiving Wine Sampler, Part 1 - Wines TBD, 5-8pm check back for specifics
Nov 23rd: Pre-Thanksgiving Wine Sampler, Part 2 - Wines TBD, 5-8pm check back for specifics

Space Limited Sake Class!

Email or call to sign up for our first seminar - a Sake sampler class.
Learn from certified Sake Professional Richard Auffrey and expose your palate to a whole new world.

From sparkling to sweet, unfiltered to dry - Sake is more than what our experiences have probably shown us at local restaurants. Not only is it a fantastic accompaniment to a variety of foods...it's also a wonderful pairing for cheese, making it an interesting and unique way to enjoy a small gathering with friends, when wanting to depart from traditional choices.

Space is limited...and there are only 7 seats left -- so call or email to sign up.

$20.00/pp for a 2 hour class, where you will not only sample - but truly learn an education from someone who is exceptionally passionate (no pun intended!) about this exciting wine - and you can enjoy a variety of cheeses and foods that will pair wonderfully as well.

Pre-Thanksgiving Sampler

It's almost here - the first big holiday dinner that kicks off all things winter: Thanksgiving.

Join us Thursday, from 5-8 as we sample out the following:

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Oyster Bay Merlot
Michael Pozzan Cabernet
Casa Lapostale Carmenere

Hope to see you there!

It's a Yellow-Ween....

Have plans for Halloween day?
Come to our Melrose store from 2-4 p.m. and sample Veuve Cliquot champagne!

It's a Spook-tacular event...who doesn't love a little bubbly in the glass?

One Year Celebration for Melrose: An update!

Have you marked your calendars for Thursday, Oct 21st?

Henriot Champagne, Classic Wine, Harpoon Beer, The Bread & Butter Co., Emmiez Croutons, To Die For Dips are confirmed - others confirming by the week's end.

We'll also be sampling out cheese from our artisan cheese case!
This is one tasting event you won't want to miss...

It's never too soon for holiday gift planning....

If you're looking to buy a gift for the wine lover who has everything.... I have the latest Opus One vintage arriving late October.

If you are interested in a pre-sell and would like me to hold one aside - special pricing may be available.

Email if you are interested - and welcome to the beginning of the holiday season!
(Okay, maybe it's a little early - but it is almost Halloween - and that is the official kickoff, right?)

What's going on..?

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

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

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

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

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

Hard to believe -- one year is here!

It has been one interesting year.
We have our one year anniversary coming on 19 October -- with a "thank you" celebration being planned for the 21st.

Henriot Champagne, a flight of wine, artisan chocolates & port, cheese displays, food vendors and more - stay tuned for details and be sure to check the blog, Boston.com, Twitter and Facebook for details as I confirm them.

This is one event you will not want to miss!

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

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

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

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

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

September 11th, a time to remember....

Budweiser, though going through a variety of struggles at the moment with new ownership - has always been the quintessential American product.

Their commercials have always been creative, and often nostalgic and sentimental.
The following is a commercial they put it post 9/11 that only aired once. I thought it appropo to share with everyone today.

September 11th will always be a difficult day for Americans; but hopefully we can turn tragedy into triumph as only the American spirit can do.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tax Free Weekend Event!

This weekend - save 6.25% on all of your purchases!

And with our regular discount of 10% off 6 bottles -15% off 12 (mix and match) -- that's a great incentive to think about stocking up, or holiday gift giving ideas!

Today, we'll have two bottles open after 11 - we're still choosing which ones they'll be.

Tomorrow, join us for an "Old Time Summertime Sunday" as we sample out a selection of 4-6 wines - and enjoy music from members of local band "That Old Feeling" performing live! Specializing in music from the 20's, 30's and 40's, you'll be sure to feel like you've stepped into an era gone by.

And remember - this year's election will feature the ballot question to permanently remove the tax on alcoholic beverages. Your vote counts.... we didn't get the choice previously - and now we do. So be sure to rock the vote!

'Tis never too early for Pumpkin...

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

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

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

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

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

Beachbound, Visiting or Gift Giving...

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

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

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

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

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