ShareThe Merlot grape is one of the five varieties of Bordeaux and may be traced back to the first century in France. Even though Cabernet Sauvignon is the regarded the premier grape of Bordeaux, it is actually second for total acreage.  Merlot is often the primary grape in blends due to its ability to ripen [...]

Share Because we have chosen to begin our Autumn Wine Series in October with the wines from the Southern Rhone (we will have the perfect food to pair with them, as well),  I thought it would be particularly  noteworthy to discuss this scenic wine region of France.  Since the Middle Ages when the pope gave the order to [...]

ShareIt’s a warm summer evening in New England, after a sticky, sunny, near stifling day. Your mind begins to focus on a simple dinner, perhaps a salad or something simple on the grill. OK, first let’s take care of your wine choice:  something simple, light, cool and refreshing, perhaps low in alcohol, or even a [...]

ShareUnlike the rest of France, the vast majority of wines in Alsace are white wines (they do produce a small amount of Pinot Noir). Despite their world wide appeal, most wines of Alsace are consumed mainly in France.  The four primary varietals of the nine permitted are also the only varieties that are allowed to [...]

ShareIf Tuscany is Italy’s most popular wine region, than it is only natural to assume that Chianti holds the distinction of the best  known Italian wine.  A much larger region than meets the eye, Tuscany covers many different wine sub-regions and micro climates. This historic place is where Michelangelo visited the marble quarries in search of [...]

Share Back in the 1700’s a monk cellar master was making wine for his associates and similar to now, ideally wines were made free of bubbles. Any bubbles left from fermentation were an error in the wine-making process. So the monk worked feverishly to remove the bubbles and finally, he sealed the bottles. Well, some [...]

ShareA few years ago, all bets were on for Syrah to be the new emerging grape for California, maybe even the next Cabernet Sauvignon. In particular, the Central Coast, Sonoma and Mendocino each have steadily increased their plantings of Syrah for the previous fifteen years with hopes of increasing market share. But, sadly the predictions [...]

ShareOur Autumn Wine Preview took place last week in the Wine Bar, where we featured sixteen new wines to taste, compiled notes and determined our group’s responses.  We chose wines that would  complement the flavors and ingredients of autumn recipes.  Admittedly, there are many more wines that would easily fit the category, but we felt that [...]

Share As soon as temperatures warm in France, Italy and Spain, many restaurants and bars, particularly in shoreline regions, begin offering certain red wines with a little chill.  In general, most American wine drinkers shudder at the irreverent act of refrigerating reds. It’s simply incorrect. White wines are served cold, and reds are supposed to [...]

ShareBeginning just outside Strasbourg and extending southward for almost 70 miles through the wooded slopes and hills of the Vosges Mountains near France’s eastern border with Germany and Switzerland, here lies the ancient and impressive Alsace wine region. The Vosges Mountains tend to keep the region dry and protected from the cold Atlantic weather. Unlike [...]