And…. we’re back!

What better way to come back from the holidays than to find out this month’s Wicked Wine picks? I figure it’s worth celebrating the end of 2009 with some truly wonderful selections you can snuggle up to on the coldest nights of the winter. Pop on over to Wicked Local to see what I have up my sleeve!

Does your New Years resolution have anything to do with wine? If so, what have you decided to pursue in 2010?

An eclectic array of wine news/events to share this Friday, so I’ll skip to the “good stuff” and hold my pen as much as possible so you have time to investigate these for yourself.

Twitter magic reveals great Decanter/YouTube video. Check out this video to discover Decanter Editor Guy Woodward’s take on “the risers, the fallers and the surprises of the 2009 Power List”.  It’s quite tasty – even without a glass of wine to accompany it! (And remember, Twitter is a crazy, fun world where you can soak up all kinds of juicy tidbits like this one shared by @melissadobson! Be sure to follow me if you aren’t already!)

Argentine’s spread the “gospel of wine” – Christmas comes early! Wine & Spirits Daily reported this week that the Argentine government is investing in its small wineries. I’m not sure how hard hit Argentina is by the “global recession” but I can’t shake a finger at any country ramping up their wine program – particularly when they are already on solid footing! The extra dough shows just how large a role the wine industry plays in their economy. Giddyup!

Local charity leverages it’s giving power – Boston area wine event, July 25! Join Housing Family as they work to support the Rodman Ride for Kids, “an umbrella matching gift charity raising funds to help at-risk children in Massachusetts.” School might be “out” this week, but giving – and wine tasting – is in! For just $15 per person you can join in the fun at the Dockside Restaurant in Malden. Call 781-322-9119 for tickets or more information.

I can hardly believe it is already June – 6 months of 2009 are behind us and only 6 more to go!  Time to officially get our beach chairs out of storage and fill up a second propane tank as “back up” for those terrific nights of grilling ahead. The only thing needed is a few good ideas for what to uncork this month…

Head on over to Wicked Local today to get the skinny on four great wines you should give a (s)wirl. Some are a party all in themselves; others will help get it started (without breaking the bank).

What other wines have you tucked into this month? Any destined to become your official summer “house” wines?

I spend a lot of time in the shop hanging out in our Argentine/Spanish section. Not only do our customers gravitate to that area, but I found my first bottle of love from a non-US producer in that aisle: (Altos de las Hormigas) Malbec.

I was hesitant to talk about Malbec in my mini series, Wines for Fall, because there are other grape varietals (e.g. Petite Verdot, Petite Sirah) that are lesser known and lesser consumed, but no less worthy of our attention this time of year. But I realized there was no real reason to keep my personal favorite off the list – and at least once a week I introduce a customer to a bottle of Malbec, so that proves there are still some grasshoppers out there who need to know of this magical varietal!

Malbec is THE Argentine (red) grape of mass export to the US. (I tried to find the exact figure to back this up, but was unable to do so! Please feel free to comment below if you know the answer…). When I was first introduced to Malbec some years ago it was considered an ‘up and coming’ project in Argentina. The vines were still young (not that they aren’t still now, but every year helps!) and so lacked depth, concentration and, key word, ripe berry fruit. The wines tended toward the more vegetal, or “green” flavor profile as a result. As a new wine-exporting/producing nation, there also existed a natural lack of funding, interest (from winemakers and consumers across the globe) and modern technology. These facts could make finding truly phenomenal Malbec a bit more of a challenge. In just the last 10-15 years or so however, the funding is there, Mendoza is better known and appreciated for its happy climate to grow Malbec, and even curious winemakers from all over the world are happy to jump on a plane and get in the fray.

The result? Malbecs of many shapes and sizes are in the US market offering a range of tremendous flavor.

I find it thrilling to help others navigate this range of possibilities. The undercurrant to Malbec tends to be: dark fruits (like the plumbs or blackberries you often find in Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot); spice (sometimes simply black pepper, other times more exotic spices you may play with in the kitchen); earth (think outdoors, woodsy, wet soil or even a touch of saddle leather); gentle grip (not too dry, but evident tannin); and solid acidity (mouthwatering & food-friendly). What makes each (good, non-vegetal or bell-pepper tasting) Malbec fun to expore is which of these elements is/are more evidant and – most important – what role the winemaker has played in coaxing a truly lushy, soft, velvety (or not) mouthfeel.

I’ve come to know and love the softer, lusher Malbecs (Melipal makes a great example); the earthier style (I’m a fan of Nieto Rsv Malbec); or the berry-forward, unreserved, slightly more rustic basic level offerings like Altos las Hormigas (their Reserva is definitely bigger, bolder and more lush than their $10/bottle offering).

As for the Fall connection? Let’s turn to food pairings, of course! But, wait, what’s my rule of thumb on this again? Look to the culture from whence the wine came! So, let’s also not forget Argentines consumes a LOT of beef. Throw that herb-encrusted steak on the grill and, well, I think your inner child will have no choice but to emerge. Then again… anything on the grill makes Malbec a great choice. Whenever I host a BBQ, I have a case on hand. Malbecs are approachable yet intriguing and ever-so worthy of grilled fare.

What’s your favorite Argentine Malbec of choice? Or do you head to France, where this grape got its start, for a Cahors selection?

Romance is half the fun in the world of wine. Every movie is chalk full of great imagery, enticing viewers to hit the riviera and sip a cool glass of rose, picnic on a hilltop overlooking the vineyard below, or dance around barefoot in a great big vat of grapes. Music and terroir are always part of the equation, too.

If you thought you couldn’t live a romantic food/wine life in the Boston suburbs of Medford/Somerville, here’s your chance to test the theory! This Saturday from noon to seven the Mystic River Music Festival will bring together all the necessary ingredients for a fabulous afternoon – and all the proceeds from your snacking and imbibing will go towards a great cause, the Mystic River Watershed Foundation.

I spoke with Brian Lamb, full-time owner of Our Glass Wine Co. on Route 1 and part-time mastermind behind this great event. It seems that the Condon Shell (a Medford mini Hatch Shell venue, if you will) was the inspiration behind the event. A long-time lover of the site, Lamb approached Mayor McGlynn with the idea to use the Condon Shell for an afternoon of entertainment. McGlynn was more than happy to get on board. The Shell had been recently re-acquired by the city of Medford and McGlynn had hoped to bring music and the arts back to Medford. This was a perfect opportunity.

The event will feature music from local bands, grilled fare provided by Whole Foods, crafts by local artists, and other local vendors committed to all things Green. Perhaps most noteably (from my perspective), the wines on offer will all be organic selections…. and there are some TRULY phenomenal ones in the mix.

Here’s a quick preview of just three of the many wines available on Saturday:

2007 Jelu Torrontes ~ Everyone knows Argentine Malbec. Well… Torrontes will have the same U.S. following as the leading white wine varietal coming from that part of the world soon enough! Not bitter at all (as some Torrontes can be) this wine is the PERFECT summer sipper. It offers gorgeous ripe fruits, healthy acidity and a nice medium body allowing it greater food pairing versatility. A welcome treat. The Cafe Europa team is responsible for bringing this little number to the event’s wine roster.

2007 Mas de Gourgonnier Rose ~ If you’ve tasted the standard red Mas de Gourgonnier (in the crazy, ‘fat’ bottle with the long neck) you know you’re in for a treat with this rose. This vineyard has been making organic wines before organic was “in”. And this rose is one of the best out there. It offers fabulous summer strawberry and raspberry aromas and flavors, but is refreshingly crisp and dry (as all great rose should be). A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre, Cinsault and Cab, it can hold up to serious BBQ magic, too. Ideal Wine Imports are responsible for bringing this to a store near you and will be donating this selection to the event.

2005 Vinos Pinol Sacra Natura ~ This is a red wine blend from the Terra Alta region of Spain (near Priorat, south of Barcelona) where the soil lacks optimal nutrients; this causes the vines to ‘work harder’ and results in fewer bunches but more concentrated fruit. The Sacra Natura in particular hails from a vineyard boasting 95 year old vines (read: even more concentrated fruit). A robust blend of Cariñena, Merlot, Cab Sauvignon, Syrah and Tempranillo, this wine does not hold back. Ole Imports & Ruby Wines will be donating this bad boy.

Rain or shine, the Condon Shell should be your local event stop this weekend!

So, what are you waiting for? Do you plan to be ‘romanced’ in Medford?