Super Bowl Weekend Wine Tasting!

Notes From the Cellar….. Winter finally established itself with that impressive storm that just passed and more snow to come along with more bitter cold and something else coming up...what was it??.... Oh ya- the Pats are in the Super Bowl this Sunday!!! With that in mind we're tasting a couple red wines perfect for entertaining and versatile enough to enjoy with any number of dishes. Also for the beer lovers we are sampling Berkshire Brewing's Cabin Fever Ale and Jack's Abby's super hoppy Kiwi Rising! Stop by Fri. & Sat. from 3-6 for our wine & beer tasting and don't forget that our "bar" is always open to sample craft spirits! (Closed Sundays so stock up early for your Super Bowl parties and have one less thing to worry about the day of) If you're heading North to ski country, don't forget to stop in first for your favorite craft wine, beer & spirits that aren't always readily available in the mountains. As always, take 10% a purchase of 3 bottles of wine from our tasting table. '13 Kings Ridge Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley – Another fine small production selection from Kings Ridge, the ’13 Pinot Noir is aged for 10 months partially in steel and partially in neutral oak barrels. Aromas of fresh blackberry, cherry, and hints of chocolate, give way to full berry flavors with a balanced acidity and fine tannins. Try this with seared salmon or even barbecued pork ribs. $19.99 '10 Luna Beberide "Finca la Cuesta", Mencía, Spain- From Spain's hilly Northwest in the region of Bierzo, the local Mencía grape shines in this cooler climate where vineyards are planted on rocky hillsides. The 60 year old Mencía vines of Alejandro Luna are planted at elevations over 450 meters in soils of slate and limestone based clay. Vineyards are tended to with a respect to nature and without the use of pesticides; the wine spending 1 year in French oak barrels before bottling. This aromatic red shows blackberry and cherry on the nose with a hint of oak and a rather concentrated palate of dark cherry & peppery notes complemented by refreshing minerality and vibrant acidity. Pairs with pork, veal, pizza & pasta dishes. $19.99 Berkshire Brewing Co. Cabin Fever Ale- This seems like an appropriate beer to crack open given the weather. This malty, medium bodied ale has a great warming feeling and a slight hop on the finish. $4.99/22oz Jack's Abby Kiwi Rising DIPL- This Double India Pale Lager is another intense offering from the lager specialists in Framingham that source most ingredients locally. In this case over 4 pounds per barrel of New Zealand hops are used resulting in an incredibly hoppy & strong, yet crisp lager- 105 IBUs and 8.5% ABV! $4.99/500ml

Cheers!

Wines to Lift Your Spirits (1/23)

Notes From the Cellar….. The temperatures may getting back to "normal" cold levels, but it looks like we're finally in for our first coastal storm this weekend. With that in mind (Fri & Sat from 3-6) we're pouring a dry Chenin Blanc that pairs wonderfully with seafood & shellfish and a rich, juicy California Cabernet Sauvignon that will keep you warm and can accompany heartier, meat dishes. On the beer front, we have Mayflower Brewing's new Limited Edition Double IPA, as well as offerings from High & Mighty, Sixpoint, Anderson Valley, and Rising Tide. Our "bar" is always open to sample craft spirits; just in we have Kirk & Sweeney- a 12 year Dominican Rum. If you're heading North to ski country, don't forget to stop in first for your favorite craft wine, beer & spirits that aren't always readily available in the mountains. As always, take 10% a purchase of 3 bottles of wine from our tasting table. '12 The Winery of Good Hope "Bush Vine" Chenin Blanc, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa- Chenin Blanc is one of France's Loire Valley's most famous whites- most notably in Vouvray, where this pale & somewhat delicate white can be extremely long-lived. In South Africa, Chenin Blanc is also performing quite well given the Mediterranean climate & the cooling effects of ocean currents from Antarctica that help to build acidity in the wines. This Chenin Blanc is the product of old, gnarly bush vines grown on decomposed gravel & clay soils that face the ocean- displaying notes of honeyed green apple & lime with a rich mouthfeel due to its time on its lees. Its vibrant acidity and minerality give it a clean, crisp finish. Pair with mild, soft cheeses, vegetable dishes, and white fish- including shellfish. $11.99 '13 Flying Cloud Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California- The Central Coast wine country of California stretches from San Francisco to Los Angeles and includes a number of mostly maritime climate appellations, the largest of which is Paso Robles- home to many of the vineyards that supply J Lohr, Mondavi & Beringer; as well as many smaller growers and winemakers. Winemaker Stephen R. Dooley first gained his winemaking experience at Louis Martini in Napa in the 1980's before being hired as winemaker for Edna Valley Vineyards for 7 years. His Flying Cloud Cabernet is sourced from 3 different vineyards with 7% Syrah blended in; then spending 15 months in old French oak after fermentation. A ripe vintage, this wine is deeply colored with juicy blackberry & blueberry fruits, savory notes and a little spice; balanced by fresh acidity and soft tannins. Pair with burgers & BBQ. $18.99

Cheers!

Hearty Wines for Winter Meals (1/16/15)

Notes From the Cellar….. With winter in full swing and the long MLK weekend up on us, we've selected a couple rich reds and another tasty offering from the Maine Beer Company that are perfect for hearty winter meals and keeping warm. Join us Fri & Sat from 3-6 to sample these selections. Whether you're heading north or sticking around and watching the big Patriots game, don't forget to stock up with your favorite selections of wine and craft beer & spirits. We have some great new selections from Stone, Crooked Tree, Rising Tide, Berkshire Brewing and Maine Beer Co. As always, take 10% a purchase of 3 bottles of wine from our tasting table. '10 Casa de Mouraz, Dão, Portugal- Here we have another great find from the Dão region of Portugal. The husband and wife team of Antonio Lopes Ribiero and Sara Dionisio gave up their careers in the London art world to move home to his family's old vine vineyards located on steep, rocky hillsides. With a great respect for nature they farm organically and became Portugal's first biodynamic winery. Grapes are hand-harvested, fermented on natural yeasts and spend 8 months in large French barrels. This local blend of Touriga-Nacional, Tinta- Roriz, Alfrocheiro, Jaen & Agua-Santa gives off notes of berry and red cherries with a little peppery spice. Well balanced with bright acidity, it is rich and structured. A great pairing for roasted meats and stews. $16.99 ’11 Chinon ‘Vieilles Vignes,’ Domaine Fabrice Gasnier, Loire, France – The Loire Valley is famous for the finest Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc in the world, often overshadowing some wonderful red wines from the region. Chinon is an appellation known for its great Cabernet Franc. Here the 4th generation Gasnier family- Fabrice & his wife Sandrine biodynamically farm their 57 acres of predominately old vine Cabernet Franc- some planted as far back as 1935 in varying soils of chalk, gravel and clay. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for 6 months in large neutral oak barriques resulting in intensity and subtle layers of aromas and texture. The perfume is of violets, raspberry, and clay, followed by flavors of blackberry, forest floor and chalky tannins. Loire Valley Cabernet Franc is an excellent pairing with cured meats, grilled meats, and a range of pungent, soft and semi-soft cheeses. $17.99 Maine Beer Company, Mo Pale Ale- One of our favorite New England breweries, Maine Beer Co. produces some world class, bottle conditioned beer- particularly their ales. This freshly brewed American Pale Ale contains 4 different malts and is generously hopped with Warrior, Falconer’s Flight, Simcoe hops resulting is a rich yellow/orange color. The palate is balanced with a slight math sweetness, but overall a dry finishing beer with intense notes of citrus, passionfruit and pine. Pairs great with pork belly or fish and chips. $6.99/500ml

Cheers!

Wines to Warm Your Bones! (1/9/15)

Notes From the Cellar….. Beat the deep freeze as we sample some hearty reds this weekend! Also, be sure to check out our selection of seasonal brews from Mayflower, Baxter, Great Divide, St. Bernardus, Anderson Valley, and Troegs. As always, take 10% a purchase of 3 bottles of wine from our tasting table. ’12 La Posta ‘Paulucci’ Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina – Sourced from 40 year old vines at elevations over 3000ft, the wine shows aromas of raspberry, violet and pepper. The palate is somewhat dense, dry and savory, finishing with fine grained texture, vibrant berry flavor and a hint of caramel. This is a wonderful comfort food wine to pair with hamburgers, chicken, pasta, and mild cheeses. $17.99 ’11 Chianti Classico, Poggio al Sole, Tuscany, Italy – Located in the heart of the rolling hills of Tuscany, Chianti covers a large area full of many producers, with the best vineyards located in the Classico sub-region. Poggio al Sole is a small, quality conscious producer with about 18 hectares of vines, the 2011 blended from 90% Sangiovese, the remainder being Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Aromas of black cherry and cocoa power are followed by a dry, medium bodied palate full of red fruit, cherries, and herbs. As with many Tuscan Sangiovese based wines, it matches very well with a variety of beef preparations. $24 ’12 Corbières, Domaine Faillenc Sainte Marie, Languedoc-Roussillon, France – Blended from Syrah, Grenache, and Cinsault, this wine is sourced from organically farmed rough, rocky limestone terraced vineyards in the Corbières district. A concentrated wine aged in tank, it displays rustic, gamey aromas with underlying wild berry, followed by dark fruit, licorice, and lavender flavors and a hint of grainy tannins on the finish. A good pairing with lamb and a variety of roasted meats. $18.99

Cheers!

Happy New Year's Eve! (12/26/14)

Notes From the Cellar…..

Another year is in the book and what better way to celebrate with family and friends than with some great champagne and sparkling wine! Come on in Wednesday, New Year's Eve and taste an amazing Premier Cru Champagne from a small grower/winemaker as well as a fantastic Cava & Prosecco perfect for toasting with friends!

Special New Year's Eve Sale- 20% off Prosecco & Cava through 12/31/14!

For all the beer lovers, we have some new selections from Berkshire Brewing, Dark Horse, Otter Creek, Boulevard Brewing, St. Bernadus and Bear Republic (grab these when you can as they won't be available in Mass for long!). Besides our wide selection of craft beer we have lots of craft spirits as well for cocktails or sipping- many of which we have open for sampling as well!

NV Godme Godmé Père et Fils, Brut-Réserve 1er Cru, Verzenay, France- The Godmes are 5th generation growers and winemakers who farm their chalky soils organically with biodynamic certification pending. All their wines are handmade and display great expressions of terroir & complexity. The Brut-Réserve 1er Cru is a blend of all three Champagne varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier- displaying rich aromas of fruitcake, lemon & smokey mineral with a palate of bright citrus acidity framed by a lithe & bright finish with a hint of spice. Pair with baked pork loin or whole roasted chicken in addition to oysters & shellfish. $29.99/$52 half/full bottle.

NV Valdo Prosecco Brut, Valdobbiadene, Italy – Prosecco is the name of both a village and the grape, which is sometimes referred to as Glera. Unlike Champagne, it is produced using the Charmot method where secondary fermentation takes place in steel tanks rather than in the bottle. This is a light, fresh aperitif displaying aromas of apple with hints of citrus followed by a well-balanced palate and touch of tart green apple on the finish. This can match well with starting courses and light seafood. $13.99

NV El Xamfra Cava Brut, Penedes, Spain - Cava doesn’t always get its due as a world class sparkling wine made using the laborious Champagne method. Blended from Macabeo, Xarello, and Parellada grapes, this Cava displays a warm nose and bright palate with smooth mousse and big body. This is a wonderful wine to drink on its own or paired with a variety of cheeses, appetizers, and fish dishes. $12.99

Holiday Wine Tasting (12/19/14)

Notes From the Cellar….. Happy Holidays! Take care of all your gift or entertaining needs at the Cellar d’Or with our wide selection of fine wines, craft beer and spirits, books, bar supplies, and other stocking stuffers. Thanks to all who joined us at the Rye Tavern last night for Champagne and raw bar. We are proud to offer the outstanding small grower Champagnes from the tasting – Moutard Grande Cuvée Brut, Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, and Godmé Brut Réserve 1er Cru. We will be open Sunday 10-6 and Monday from 10-8 for your convenience. Christmas Day we will be closed; opening at noon on Friday. Join us Fri. & Sat. from 3-6 as we sample a trio of new reds this weekend: ’13 Vaucluse, Saint-Arnoux ‘Big R’, Provence, France – Vaucluse is bordered by southern Rhône to the west and usually consists of grapes common to that area – Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Carignan. The wine displays a bouquet of red fruit with a touch of spice and forest floor, followed by a harmonious, supple palate and spicy finish. A great pairing with roasted duck or grilled fish. $9.99 ‘13 Sincero, Cosimo Maria Masini, Tuscany, Italy – This Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon is made from biodynamically farmed vineyards at Tenuta di Poggio. It is a ready to drink wine with notes of cherry and herbs on the nose, followed by a silky texture and hints of spice on the finish. Sincero pairs well with red sauces, red meat and an array of hard cheeses. $16.99 ’13 Valpolicella Classico, Cantine Buglioni, Veneto, Italy – Valpolicella is a delicious style of wine often referred to as “baby Amarone,” a reference to the famous great wine of the region. These are younger wines that don’t go through the extended aging processes of Amarone. The 2013 Buglioni is blended from Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Croatina grapes, indigenous to the region. The resulting wine has a nose of cherries and wild berry, followed by a freshness in the mouth with balanced acidity. A versatile food wine, try it with savory pasta or rice dishes, and grilled fish. $21.99

Cheers!