We’re keeping things closer to home and sticking to domestic hap’s in the wine world this week.

First up… it’s harvest time! And the reports from Napa are look’n good. Moderate summer temps have kept viticulturists and vintners happy with easy, early-ish picking. Not only are sugar levels lower (which is a constant struggle in California) but yields are manageable. (In a down economy, there’s always bound to be more juice available than consumers demand. This year there might actually be a fairly happy balance on that front!) Check out what some vintners are saying via Decanter’s recent article.

Next up… we have some new developments on the highly contested Massachusetts Direct Shipping Laws.  Check out this update via Wine Business!

Last, but certainly NOT least…. Here at Pour Favor we work with any wine shop that can supply the fine wines we select for a given wine tasting event. One of our favorites (and actually our first partner in crime) is Ball Square Fine Wines in Somerville. This Saturday, Oct. 17, they are hosting their annual Fall Grand Wine Tasting soiree. This is never an event to miss, but this year in particular you’ll want to get in on the fun: they’ve just expanded their shop! See how far along they are with the renovations at 716 Broadway while tasting 50+ wines.  The event will run from 2 – 5pm. Be warned! The early bird gets the worm…

Are you sick of the direct shipping madness in MA? What’s your take?

Good news! This week there was much more wine fodder to catch my fancy. So, let’s jump right in!

First, from the tasting “room”:

Gaiter and Brecher over at The Wall Street Journal are continuing their plight to find domestic wine deals. I’m not convinced my taste test would have produced the same outcome on their American Cab-off, but their banter and findings are worth checking out here. And they are right on this point: you should ask your local wine guru what deals they have in stock. ‘Cause they’re definitely out there!!

Last but not least, Dr. Debs has had her own challenge at play: finding good Pinot Noir under $20. I argue it’s nearly impossible to find anything drinkable under $15, but there are some good ones in the $15 to $20 range. I may have to join her efforts and supply the wine curious out there with a few of my own Pinot Noir recs. Too good to miss those, too!

And now, from “Hollywood”:

New wine movie in the making: “The First Big Crush” is being made into a movie, reports Decanter. What’s better than a visual tour of New Zealand, wine making – and wine drinking? Here’s hoping the premier allows a bit of that…

New wine show in the making?? I have to say, the New Zealand headline also reminded me that “The Winemakers” reality show should have premiered by now. Granted I’m not much of a TV watcher, but I thought I would have seen more fodder in the wine world prompting me to turn on the tube! Noth’n. Has anyone seen this yet? Day/time??

The New England Patriots got the nod this year to play opening week’s Monday Night football – as it happened, not just on a gorgeous night in Mass., but with the re-introduction of Tom Brady to the line-up. (Yeah, we’ve lost a few of our key defenders; but we still have Belichik. And we still have one of the top QBs in the league, even if he is a little banged up and not my personal favorite beyond the playing field.)

What’s a girl to do on such a momentous night? Make pizza. From scratch. And enjoy exceptional wine(s) – during the preparation process and throughout the meal!  What better excuse do you need to open two of the most highly sought and difficult to find wines in our market: Spencer Roloson Grenache Blanc and Grenache Noir? (Note, the former was enjoyed throughout the preparation process and the latter for the meal and game time festivities!)

Last Spring my “buddies” Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher wrote about the Grenache phenomenon in the US. I was thrilled by their musings. Yet, the only two Grenaches I’ve really been completely thrilled with coming out of the California winemaking community are both executed by Spencer Roloson. And they are hard to get your hands on!

Their Grenache Blanc is, quite simply, a rare treat. It is robust, lush, fleshy/fruity (think quince, citrus and pears) – almost perfect for Chardonnay drinkers looking for something different or unique, but more for the nerd drinker in each of us because of its incredible layers and unsuspecting earthiness. It’s one of those wines every person I’ve ever introduced it to has enjoyed, no matter their usual wine drinking habits. It is a true, special and quasi-celebratory wine because it is so difficult to find and oh-so-satisfying on so many levels.

Their Grenache Noir is also a wine of true grace and panache… that’s also a “teeth sinker”. It is freaking delicious (a technical term…), offering concentrated red berry fruit with some herbs and a sprinkling of burnt orange peel. It finishes bittersweet, like the chocolate. YUM. This wine was a really nice, luscious pairing with our pizza topped with rosemary roast chicken, fresh pineapple, buffalo mozzarella, black pepper and basil. I wish it was 24 hours ago now, as I write this post….

Suffice to say, we’re now officially in Football Season. I like a good beer with my  ball. But a great wine – or two – is far more memorable. Cheers to Sundays!

What’s your go-to Football wine?

Those of us in the wine industry know August is a sleeper month. Sales always drop as folks head out of town for some rest before school starts again. This calm-before-the-storm is a relief to many of us because we’re about to embark on Trade Tasting Season, which starts in just a couple of weeks – and is, quite frankly, insane.

Further evidence of this quiet month is just how little truly newsworthy wine “news” is out there these days. No less, Decanter comes through for us once again this week! Here are three articles that rose to the top for me:

Wine from Finger Lakes wins top prize. (Do they really think any other region can compete?)

Find out what “The Terminator” is doing to get CA back on the consumer radar…

Sad news for wine professionals… Our beloved Wine Report is going off-line.

What’s your reaction to these news tidbits?

Rose is one of my all time favorite wine genres. Seriously. I met a woman over the weekend who had just discovered it for the first time – and she was absolutely exhilarated by the find. She and a group had been out to eat at Dante in Cambridge. The wine guru there who I’ve mentioned before, Chas Boyton, recommended a Californian take on rose: the Sutton Cellars Rose.

She couldn’t get enough and had popped into the shop to see if we stocked it. We don’t, as it turns out, but I happily chatted with her about the wonderful world of rose and helped her choose another. I was pleased she had already learned a lot from her one jaunt with the stuff (and no doubt at the tutelage of Mr. Boyton):  no matter if everyone at your table is enjoying different cuisine, it pairs wonderfully; it is lively and refreshing on a hot day; it is NOT sweet; and it is a terrific way to spice up an otherwise non-celebratory night out.

Tra-la! Pop on over to Wicked Local today to learn a bit more about this DRY wine and how to find one to suit your palate. I focus on my favorite style (French) providing but a general overview of one is likely to encounter, but there really is something for everyone on the market. That’s part of its magic.

Which rose is your favorite this summer?