Wine events in 200 words or less...

200 words or less? Sheesh. I don't know WHY I initiated this idea.... This week we're gearing up for several cool events here in Boston, and a bit beyond. Buckle your seatbelt! Please note, I'm issuing these must-attend wine events today, rather than my usual Friday, because the fun begins TONIGHT (and I'm heading out of town for some R & R Friday and don't want you to miss out!)! Boston Sommelier Society makes it's debut! I'm a proud member of this elite crew of fun-loving wine aficionados here in Beantown. And even though we've been kick'n around for about a year and a half, our ambition to make Boston a better-appreciated wine community and share the love with the public is great. Join us this Wednesday, July 15, at OM Restaurant in Cambridge. Tix are $40 in advance or $50 at the door  - if any remain, that is. Jump on the wine-loving bandwagon!

Mystic River Music Fest, July 18th.This is a great event promoting green awareness. Check out their website to see the list of bands, sponsors and learn more about the beergarten.

Divas Uncork The Cure. These fabulous, wine lovelies are celebrating their 10th anniversary by producing their annual Martha's Vineyard Food & Wine festival in support of Susan B. Komen for the Cure and the Island Grown Initiative. August 6-9. Don't miss out!

This week in wine news (rapid-fire style)!

With summer schedules coming into effect and the summer warmth finally landing on our New England shores, it's time to bring wine news to you in a briefer package. Starting this week, we'll be delivering wine news in ~ 200 words or less, offering something to whet your whistle as you daydream about weekend beach adventures ahead, but nothing to keep you from getting out by the early closing bell.  Here goes!

WalMart to resume wine/liquor sales: Tisk, tisk. Don't you prefer to support fine wines shops who provide expertise, find boutique selections you don't see everywhere, and offer these at the best price they can -  all without donning a horrifyingly bright-blue smock?

Gallstones less likely among wine drinkers: The latest in wine/health news suggests a glass of wine or two a day can prevent the formation of gallstones. Another good reason to toast to health!

LATE-BREAKING insider rumor: Gruner Veltliner and Godello are identical twins!

** Can anyone confirm these (verbal) reports? **

This week (and next) in wine!

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.

France in wine-lights this week

Tuesday night's local Taste of Somerville event went off without a hitch! Myriad folks from the area popped over to the (perhaps surprising venue of the) Holiday Inn on Washington Street to taste the wares of this greater Boston city. My colleague and I were proud to be one of the few (three, we think) establishments pouring a selection of wines for citizens to sample. While accolades abounded for each one on offer, it was hard not to notice the many pleasantly surprised faces of those who sampled one of my favorite Rose's of the season:  2008 Saint Andre Figuiere Rose from Provence, France. Why such surprise? Well, as much as we talk about it here at Pour Favor, it's one of those things where seeing, or tasting, is believing. Great rose is DRY, crisp and refreshing! We were not pouring the sweet pink stuff from California, also known as White Zinfandel. No, indeed! And, not one person (old, young or in between) was disappointed.  Our mission was accomplished.

Meanwhile, back on the proverbial farm, the Powers That Be in Brussels determined European rose production standards would remain. What's this, you ask?

Recall a few months ago we discussed headlines indicating European officials were attempting to change legislation such that the blending of red and white wines would be permitted in the production of rose wines.  Well, if you've been holding your breath in protest, you can go ahead and let it on out! This week the European Agriculture Commissioner, Mariann Fischer Boel, announced she had changed her mind. Advocacy groups had made their point: the blending of reds and whites would compromise the very essence of what makes (French) rose special - being made from old red grapes. I am so relieved.

Now to see if the French will overturn their ruling against outdoor alcohol consumption as of July 31st....

On a more somber 'French news' note, I am saddened to convey the passing of Johnny Hugel, the famous Alsatian winemaker/advocate. Open a bottle of Hugel this weekend and toast to a marvelous man. Afterall, even if you never knew the role he played in crafting today's Alsatian wine world, he is a man of great insight saying, "'People who like wine are nicer people than those who do not like wine."  I like to think that's true. ;)

Do you have fond memories drinking Hugel? 'Tis the season for these tremendous Alsatian whites!

Wine in the summer is easy...

I'm really excited. Not only is June but days away (and a trip to the beach imminent), but the wine community is just bursting with enthusiasm and anteing up with boucoups opportunities for you to taste their wares. And when I said a trip to the beach was imminent... I meant it! Starting this Sunday, Cape Cod Life is breaking out the vino and fabulous fare for one whole week! Each night a different cultural venue hosts a soiree of sorts - and most events are only $20. Check out the schedule to make your plans and then grab your sunblock to make a day (or two) of it!

If you don't have your sights set on the Cape just yet - or if you just like an excuse to stick around Boston's South End on a Monday night - Michael Dupuy from the boutique importing/distribution company Genuine Wine Selections will be pouring some pretty sexy stuff at Estragon.

When? This Monday night, 6/1/09 from 5 -7pm.

What? Some terrific, aged Riojas from Lopez de Hereria. When's the last time you tasted a 1999 Gravonia Crianza white? Or a 1989 Tondonia Reserva white? Or a 1998 Tondonia Gran Reserva rose? Let alone a 2002 Cubillo Crianza or 1999 Tondonia Reserva red?

For those of you heading to the hills or some such this summer, don't forget your bladder. Er, uh... your wine bladder, that is. Check out this little bit of wine wizardry!

Which wine adventures are you heading out on to celebrate the first week of June?

Friday wine news to keep you on your toes

This just in:  if you like Toasted Head Chardonnay, take note! R.H. Phillips is closing up shop. The product is being moved to Robert Mondavi's Woodbridge enterprise. I'm sorry to hear about the closure not because I enjoy Toasted Head, but because it is closing to improve "efficiency". Granted, this is no doubt a wise business move. But if you've ever read about the French winemakers scrambling to make ends meet just to produce their wines because they feel so passionately about creating something wonderful, it is more tragic. Not that I'm comparing the small French winemaker/viticulturist to a larger than life U.S. corporate entity that churns out wine like water. Rather, to me wine at its best is artisanal. I simply wish Big Business had nothing to do with it. That said, and knowing that's how it is in some cases, I'm bummed the local community will suffer. Meanwhile, on the heels of my Leftover Bubbly article, it turns out Zork is set to launch a special closure for sparkling wines - one where you open the bottle and can reseal it with the same closure thereafter. Studies indicate the wine will keep it's mojo for several days after being opened. I'll believe it when I see it - though if anyone can do it, it'll be Zork.

But the grand prize on wine journalism this week goes to (drum roll, please...) Decanter, for Richard Woodard's article about scientists' efforts in South Africa to pinpoint the reason these wines have a general reputation for smelling (and tasting) of burnt rubber.  I'm chuckling because research to date has been "inconclusive" and - get this - they "have not yet estabilished scientifically...whether it is unique to South Africa". Having just completed the March-May trade tasting season (which included several fairly large South African portfolios), I'm pretty confident stating here this characteristic is ABSOLUTELY unique to South Africa.

And so my question heading into the Memorial Day weekend is....

Why does it feel like New World wine regions in particular are constantly trying to use technology or science to "prove" some characteristic about their wine? Does anyone else feel this way? Can't it just be what it is?

Good old fashioned, mezmerizing Wine writing (and more)

I tried to write a novel a few years ago. Unfortunately I discovered I don't have the patience to develop characters in that special way that sucks you in and devotes you to their trials and tribulations and celebrations as if they were your real-life friends. Any wine writer who can do that to me is Prime Rib, or perhaps more appropriately, a glass of truly tremendous Growers Champagne. I've had the uncommon pleasure of "drinking" my Growers Champagne, if you will, at the pen of two different writers, given two very different wine context in the last week and a half alone.

The first are the fabulous duo from the Wall Street Journal, Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher. True, this is not the first time I have sung their praises. But usually I talk about their content, not their writing style. This week I read just the first few lines of their article and had to save it for later - like a much anticipated dessert. If you have not yet read their "Rails, Romance and Really Good Wine" article, you must. Romance, indeed. I aspire to such greatness.

The second is Deborah Haro, of the absolutely amazing Taberna de Haro of Brookline. If you want a good read, simply get your hands on her wine list. There are other truly savory things about Taberna de Haro, but I'll be getting to that in a future Wicked Local article. In the meantime, hussle over to Taberna to enjoy another tantalizing read (and meal!).

For those of you less interested in the romance of wine reading, but perhaps intrigued by broken hearts (or is that hearts rewarded? tough to say...) check out what Parisians have been up to to keep economically afloat. Bitter sweet, I suppose....

Which wine lists have you encountered that are simply a lovely read?

wine news worth making headlines

Climate Change? Image thanks to: http://watersecretsblog.com/archives/2008/01/scientists_pred.html

We've been fleshing out the topic of eco-friendly wines over the last few weeks. One different but related topic we haven't quite gotten to yet is the impact of climate change on wine. Whether you are a "believer" in global warming or not, if you are a wine drinker you should be noticing some degree of change in the product you've come to know and love (no pun intended). For example, if you've been drinking Alsatian Pinot Gris for the last decade, you've probably noticed the wines are a bit fleshier and sweeter now than they were when you first tried them. That's because the fruit has been getting riper.... Everything I've been hearing from winemakers, viticulturists and wine scholars alike suggests historically cooler regions, like England, will become hotbeds for winemaking. (One winemaker I met this week even joked they are considering purchasing land in Finland...) Ok, so maybe this move isn't immediate, but it is on the radar of producers.

Wouldn't you know, I saw in Decanter just yesterday  "London's first commercial vineyard since medieval times has been planted." Capel Manor Horticultural College is the' man behind the curtain' - and they are even hoping by 2012 they might have a little vino to boast. Go figure.

In domestic news, have you seen Murphy-Goode is pulling out the stops on their next marketing endeavors? If you are a wine nerd and super savvy in the arena of social media, this is your big opportunity to beat the recession. They have a new opening:  a 6 month marketing gig will land you $60K, plus perks.

Do you think I should apply for the Murphy-Goode gig - or are you their next hire?

Smell the flowers - and some wine! May wine events

Here in New England, May 1st can only mean one thing (in the wine world).... The Nantucket Wine Festival is just around the corner! The festivities officially kick off on May 13th, but most will descend on downtown Nantucket over the weekend (May 16-17) for one of the most well regarded food and wine events on the eastern seaboard.  If I had my druthers, I would arrive early to enjoy at least one of the various lunch seminars happening at some of the finest restaurants Nantucket has to offer, Friday May 15. Isn't it always a (rare) pleasure to enjoy a meal with tremendous wine and its maker in a more intimate setting? If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, be sure to get on the bandwagon quickly. Simply take your long Memorial Day weekend a bit early!

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If you can't swing the Nantucket event or are looking for a few ways to celebrate spring this weekend in/around Boston, two other events are on tap:

Tonight, May 1, the MSPCA Nevill's Farm in Methuen is the beneficiary of a bit of a wine & art soiree. Head to the Essex Art Center in Lawrence at 6pm and enjoy 3 hours of mingling, tasting and snacking! 50 wines will be on offer. Hubby not interested in the vino (from 4 continents, no less!)? How about craft beers from some of the nation's smallest breweries? Appetizers and the White Street Band will satiate you otherwise, too. Not to mention some great art... (Tickets $20 in advance; $25 at the door. See MSPCA link above.)

If you can't mobilize tonight, how about a trip to Belmont tomorrow, May 2? Avoid the threat of spring showers and hang out at Vintages from 2 - 6 pm as they celebrate their 1 year anniversary. The folks from Ideal, VIAS and Rosenthal will be offering a selection of their wares for your tasting pleasure. And, I've heard a rumor that Il Casale (recall, Dante Restaurant's latest undertaking) will be offering a selection of items from its new menu, too.  No tickets required. It's a free-bee!

What other wine events are on your radar this May?

A smattering of wine news - and an event!

Let's start today's post by clarifying that, despite significant fire damage to their new tasting facility at Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars, no one was hurt and no wine was compromised. I'm eager to hear more reports on how the fire was started, but in the meantime, the infamous Finger Lakes producer is still moving and grooving, with relatively little interruption to day-to-day activities; life goes on. Moving right along, I was happy to stumble on a pretty great article about the regional typicity of California Pinot Noir - and a move by some to take into consideration how well a wine shows it's true "roots" when it comes to wine scoring. The folks at Appellation America are introducing a Best of Appellation program. Click on the link to read more about the nuances you might hope to find in domestic Pinot, and how Appellation America is encouraging more focus on "terroir" (if I may be so bold as to use that term...) here in the US.

Then, consider this Wine Spectator article about Oregon's new statewide certification for sustainable wines a teaser for my article in Wicked Local, due out Monday!

And last, but certainly not least, if you are looking for a great way to celebrate the warmer temps we'll be enjoying this Sunday, sign up for the House of Blues Gospel Brunch. Divas Uncorked are at it again!

Any other special wine events you plan to attend in the coming week? Share the love so we can all raise a glass!