Wines to Beat the Heat!

Notes From the Cellar….. Summer is in full swing with a week of fun in the sun and we are loving it! This weekend we will be pouring some lighter, more refreshing wines and we have a new shipment of beers from Nightshift and Down the Road! Also we will be sampling Prufrock semi-soft cow’s milk cheese from Grey Barn on Martha’s Vineyard! 10% off the wines we are tasting this weekend: Cotes de Provence Rosé 'Corail' Chateau de Roquefort, Provence, France– Provence has become synonymous with rosé wine with good reason. Many producers set out to make rose as their only wine, rather than as an afterthought. The Corail is blended from Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan, Vermentino, and Clairette grapes from Organically grown vineyards at over 1200 feet elevation. The resulting wine has a delicate spicy nose of citrus fruits followed by white fruits, & citrus on the palate. The finish is clean and refreshing. It is an excellent match with Mediterranean style dishes, particularly with garlic and olive oil, seafood, and wood grilled meats. $18.99 Cordero di Montezemolo, Langhe Arneis, Piedmonte, IT- Grown in Piedmont since the 1400’s, Arneis shared a historical relationship with Nebbiolo, often blended in Barolo to soften its harsh tannins. With over 200 years of family winemaking in and around Barolo, the Montezemolo family has converted to Organic farming. With a highly aromatic bouquet of peaches, flowers and citrus, it is medium bodied with mouthcoating fruit and lip-smacking acidity. Excellent as an aperitif, with seafood or rich pasta dishes. $19.99 Murgo Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy- Arguably Sicily's center of concentrated quality is Mount Etna, where some 50 producers of, um, dubious sanity work vineyards that wind three quarters of the way around the active volcano; where the Murgo family has been making wine since 1860. A blend of the indigenous Nerello Mascalese & Nerello Cappuccio (90%/10%) de-stemmed and aged in a combination of steel and ultra rare chestnut barrels, this is a lively wine that is fresh and perfumed. Lightly textured, showing soft red fruits and minerality from the volcanic soils, it possesses refreshing acidity to maintain its simple elegance. $14.99 On the beer front we have brews from Down the Road, Night Shift, Lord Hobo, Aeronaut, Nightshift, SixPoint & Banded Horn.

This Week in Wine!

Notes From the Cellar….. With a break from the heat this weekend and a chance for our gardens to get some needed rain we figured we’d open a of couple hearty bottles of wine to keep warm and enjoy with a variety of meals. This weekend we will be featuring wines from Brack Mountain Wine Co. out of Sonoma County, California. Founded in 2008, they are a next generation winery focused on producing hand-crafted, premium wines sourced from great growers and follow sustainable winemaking practices both in the vineyard and in the cellar. This weekend’s wines (10% off all tasting wines): ’15 Barrique Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, CA- The Barrique Chardonnay is sourced from three of Sonoma County’s most prestigious growing regions: Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Sonoma Valley. The grapes are whole cluster pressed to tank & gets full malolactic fermentation with indigenous yeast to dryness. Aged for 14 months in 50% Stainless steel and 50% barrel (30% new) to preserve the wine's bright aromatics, the wine maintains bright fruit aromas & flavors of lemon curd, green apple & orange citrus well balanced by lively acidity, a round, rich palate and a lingering finish. $18.99 ’15 Barrique Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, CA- The 2015 Barrique Cab is sourced from two noteworthy California AVA's: Dry Creek Valley and Knights Valley. De-stemmed before fermentation, the wine is fermented dry on indigenous yeasts and then left on its skins for an extended period to develop a deeper color, mouthfeel and structure. Aged for 14 months in French oak (some new), their Cabernet is deeply colored with classic nose of black cassis & plum with rich dark fruits on the palate complemented by hints of vanilla, toffee & some spice. With soft, dusty tannins on the finish, it is balanced and structured.. $18.99 On the beer front we have brews from Exhibit A, Dogfish, The Tap, Lord Hobo, Aeronaut, Nightshift, SixPoint & Banded Horn. Store Hours: Tues-Sat. 10:30- 8:00 Sunday 12:00-5:00

Bring on July 4th!

Notes From the Cellar….. Happy July 4th weekend and we hope it’s a long, relaxing one for everyone! The weather looks all set for a perfect weekend and a great summer for getting outside and sitting on the beach, and we have you covered for all your entertaining needs! We will be open extra hours including Monday for your convenience and will be pouring lots of refreshing summer wines for a weekend of fun! We’ll skip the lengthy details this week, but we have a couple of delicious rosés, a crisp, light Gavi di Gavi, a rich barbecue friendly Shiraz, a great box of Côtes du Rhone (sold by the bottle too) and we’ll be cracking open some cans of sparkling wine that have been a huge hit already! We are fully stocked with tons of excellent new beer options, ice and the best craft spirits and mixers around. The cheese fridge is full and we have all the goodies to accompany the tasty cheeses and charcuterie! This weekend’s tasting wines will be 10% off all weekend: Schlosskellerei Gobelsburg Cistercien Rosé, Osterreich, Austria- One of our absolute favorites! $19.99 Bodegas Olivares Rosado, Jumilla, Spain- We love their reds- now a tangy, berry filled rosé that is dry, light and oh so easy drinking! $12.99 Picollo Ernesto Gavi di Gavi, Piedmonte, Italy- Need a light, crisp white for the beach or evenings on the deck- this is your go-to! $14.99 The Winner’s Tank Shiraz, Langhorne Creek, South Australia- Dark fruited and rich but without being one of the overripe, juice-bombs that have become all too common- perfect with grilled meats! $17.99 VRAC Côtes du Rhone, France- Medium bodied with delicious berry fruits, balanced acidity and grainy tannins- a great deal by the bottle but even better wine out of the box. Four bottles worth of wine that stays good for close to a month and perfect for entertaining groups of people! $29.99 On the beer front we have new offerings from Exhibit A, Relic, The Tap, Dogfish, Lord Hobo, Harpoon, 21st Amendment as well as a few others… also plenty of ciders, 12packs & ice. Also new to the store we have official Cellar d’Or cooler bags and wine coolers bags- a perfect way to keep your beer and wine cold for the afternoon and show off your impeccable sense of taste & style! Store Hours: Monday July 3. 10:30-8:00 Tues-Sat. 10:30- 8:00 Sunday 12:00-5:00

Wines for Dad!

Notes From the Cellar….. Happy Father’s Day! While dad generally is happy with getting the big piece of chicken at the dinner table why not go the extra mile and get him something to wash it down with? :) This weekend we will be pouring a lovely rosé from Provence vineyards off the Mediterranean Sea (because yes, real men drink pink!), a rich, textured Chardonnay from southern Burgundy and a full bodied, concentrated Napa Cabernet Sauvignon! As always we have a great selection of craft spirits that are a great treat for dad as well as the best selection of beers around along with charcuterie and cheeses to keep him fed and happy! Also just in are Cellar d’Or beer and wine coolers perfect for an afternoon on the golf course or boat! This weekend’s wines (10% off all tasting wines) Mas de Pampelonne Rosé, Côtes de Provence, FR- From vineyards just outside the famous Pampelonne Beach near the idyllic Saint Tropez, a delicate blend of Grenache, Cinsault & Tibouren, a classically pale colored rosé showing berry and melon fruits and floral notes on the nose. $19.99 Verget “Grand Elevage” Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay, Burgundy, FR- The 2015 vintage for Burgundy is one of the best in recent years. While the reds benefited most from the hot growing season, the whites fared very well as well offering a more full bodied and textured Chardonnay. While unoaked, as is the custom for the Mâcon, this year’s Chardonnay drinks very rich and round while still maintaining fresh acidity. $21.99 Cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA- A second label to Casper Winery this latest vintage of their Cabernet is exceptional. A much more full-bodied release with concentrated, dark fruit, balanced acidity and well integrated tannins on a long finish; it is a classic example of what Napa is renowned for producing without the price tag that often accompany ones of lesser quality. $32.99 New Hours: Tues-Sat. 10:30- 8:00 Sunday 12:00-5:00

Something for Mom!

Notes From the Cellar….. This weekend we celebrate all the mothers in our lives and remember everything they do for us- we will be sampling 3 exceptional wines that we are sure will bring a smile to her face and can be enjoyed anytime. We are pouring Friday from 3-6 and Saturday so stop by to sample these and find some great Mother's Day gift ideas. This weekend’s wines & the latest in new beer arrivals: '15 Sancerre Rosé, Henri Bourgeois Les Jeunes Vignes, Loire Valley, France- The Bourgeois family is in their 10th generation of family winemaking in the Loire Valley making exceptional wines from Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Noir. Using only Organic fertilizers their young vine Sancerre Rosé spends 3-4 months on its fine lees for a longer fermentation and intense aromas. Soft & fruity, this refreshing rosé has a delightful bouquet of ripe red fruits & a well balanced structure. $22.99 '15 Champ Divin Chardonnay, Jura, France- This is a Chardonnay that absolutely blew us away when we tasted it. Situated at the foot of the Jura Mountain’s first plateau, Champ Divin is an organically and biodynamically farmed vineyard on soils of shale, silty-clay and limestone. This is not in the oxidized style typical of Jura, rather a rich & round Chardonnay that is opulent and textured on the palate with low oak presence, bright fruits and a smooth, balanced finish. $27.99 '15 Valpolicella Classico, Ca' La Bionda, Veneto, Italy- The Castellani family are wine-growers through and through, and their sensitivity to terroir is unrivalled. They allow the limestone soils to express themselves in lively but elegant wines. While the family takes enormous pride in their Amarones, it’s fair to say that their ‘normal’ wines are unusually serious. Far from the over-extracted style, their wines are distinguished by their purity & balance. With a nose of fresh red cherry fruits and floral notes of violets, this wine is elegant and light, and pairs with a wide variety of Italian style foods from pasta to roast meats. $16.99 This week new arrivals from Exhibit A- Goody 2 Shoes Kolsh Ale, Mindset Project Pale Ale & more Cat's Meow IPA. New beers from Banded Horn, Wormtown, Aeronaut, The Tap & Relic.

May Days- Cinco de Mayo & The Kentucky Derby

Notes From the Cellar….. It’s a cool start to the month but with Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby happening this weekend along with an intense Celtics playoff series, there is plenty to keep us occupied around the house. Stop by Friday from 3-6 and Saturday to sample some wines and get suggestions for great Mint Julep and Margarita mixers. As always we have a great selection of craft beers for your weekend needs and a fully stocked selection of cheese & charcuterie to snack on! This weekend’s wines & the latest in new beer arrivals: Dm. de la Chapelle St. Victor Rosé, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, FR- Family owned since the 1940's by the Breban family who started making sparkling wines in their garage, this organically farmed blend of Grenache, Cincault & Syrah is a classically styled Provence rosé- pale pink with sweet berry fruits, rose petals and refreshing acidity. De Wetshof ‘Limestone Hill’ Chardonnay, Robertson Valley, South Africa – The de Wet family is dedicated to producing world class white wine from the ideal terroirs found in Robertson Valley. The Chardonnays have balance and structure rarely found outside of Burgundy. The Limestone Hill is rich in chalk and clay, giving this unoaked Chardonnay aromas of grapefruit and pear, with flavors of grilled nuts, lime, and mineral, followed by buttery richness and nuttiness on the finish. This is a great pairing with lobster, shrimp, or crab dishes. $16.99 Château Lanessan Haut-Médoc, FR- Based in the Village of Cussac Lanessan sits on the border of St, Julien and the Haut-Médoc. Lanessan counts the famed hateaux Gruaud Larose and Beychevelle as its neighbors. Grown in gravel based soils typical for the region, the vineyards are planted with about 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and lesser amounts of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the wine is traditionally fermented in concrete before seeing a year in a mix of new and used French oak. A classically styled Bordeaux, it is deeply colored showing ripe cassis and black cherry fruits with notes of cedar & tobacco. Concentrated with balanced acidity and firm tannins on the finish. $24.99 New on the beer front we are excited to be carrying beer from Exhibit A in Framingham- currently in stock the Cat’s Meow IPA and Opus 3 a rotating (slightly) Sour. New in and super fresh! Also The Tap, Aeronaut, Bunker Brewing, Relic & the latest Nightshift releases! Winter Hours: Tues-Sat. 10:30- 7:00 Sunday 12:00-5:00

Summer On Our Minds!

Notes From the Cellar….. Finally after a month of April showers, the sun is shining and the temperatures are going up! Nothing reminds us of the warm days to come like a cold bottle of rosé and the chance to finally fire the grill back up! This weekend we will be featuring a rosé and some new sparkling summer pounders named for one of the iconic beaches of Saint Tropez in Southern Provence- Pampelonne, as well as a soft, easy drinking Malbec from its home in Cahors, France. New on the beer front we are excited to be one of the only stores on the South Shore to be carrying beer from Exhibit A in Framingham- currently in stock the Cat’s Meow IPA and Opus 3 a rotating (slightly) Sour. New in and super fresh! Also The Tap, Aeronaut, Bunker Brewing, Relic & the latest Nightshift releases! This weekend’s wines we will be pouring Friday 3-6 and Saturday: Mas de Pampelonne, Côtes de Provence Rosé, France- A blend of Grenache, Cinsault & Tibouren- Fresh and elegant on the palate with rose petals and stone fruits and a hint of mouthwatering salinity from the proximity of the vineyards to the Mediterranean. $19.99 (10% off this weekend) Pampelonne Rosé Lime- A refreshing blend of dry white wine infused with grapefruite juice, lime & sparkling water $12.99 4/pk (10% off this weekend) Pampelonne French 75- A St. Germain cocktail in a can! White wine, elderflower, sparkling water & citrus $12.99 4/pk (10% off this weekend) Georges Vigouroux Gouleyant Malbec, Cahors, France- Le Gouleyant (in French, it means easy to drink) is a selection of the best Malbecs grown on the highest gravely and clay terraces of the Cahors Appellation. With notes of ripe red and black fruits- cherry, blackberry, raspberry, its mouth is also very fruity and finishes with soft and elegant tannins. A great wine with BBQ meats and soft cheese. $14.99 (10% off this weekend) We have lots of new cheeses in stock as well as some great charcuterie and plenty of great crackers and fixings to make a great cheese board! Winter Hours: Tues-Sat. 10:30- 7:00 Sunday 12:00-5:00