You love to entertain, and while you have that fabulous Martha Stewart flair for cooking and table décor, you would like some advice on what wine to serve with your fabulous Nantucket spread of fall bounty. From guesstimating quantities needed of beverages for cocktail parties, to the perfect pairing with your lobster bake on the beach, Advanced Sommelier Jenny Benzie offers answers to some of the most asked questions at her wine store on Nantucket. THE CHILL ZONE You wouldn’t serve your Juice Bar ice cream warm, it just wouldn’t taste as good (and it would be a big mess!). Just like chilled soup and piping hot cookies from the oven, certain foods require to be served at recommended temperatures, as does wine. A typical question, especially in the warmer months of summer, is What temperature should I serve my Champagne? Let’s start with bubbles (a personal favorite – do you know the name of our store?!). Sparkling wine should...Read More >
You drink white wine year round, Sancerre in the summer and White Burgundy in the winter. Some people drink red wine all the time as well, Pinot Noir when it is warm outside and a hearty Cabernet Sauvignon when it is not. Why then do so many people think they have to give up Rosé after Labor Day? Refuse to stop drinking pink if that is what you really want! Not only is it 5 o’clock somewhere, it is also rosé season wherever you may be. Advanced Sommelier Jenny Benzie gives us some direction in transitioning from your favorite summer pinks to heartier styles in this end of summer “Don’t You Forget About Me” rosé recap. SEASIDE SIPPING Bandol is a small wine region located on the Mediterranean coast, long known for producing some of the most classic, show-stopping rosés from France. (Think if wine was made by the shores of Cisco Beach!) BASTIDE DE LA CISELETTE BANDOL ROSÉ is...Read More >
Nantucket is home to a plethora of beautiful home gardens and bountiful farm fresh harvests, and summertime is when everything is in full bloom. Maintaining these fields of plenty takes time, effort, and patience. Keeping it green on our island is more important than ever these days. We must be stewards of the land and carefully choose how we cultivate it for generations ahead to continue to enjoy all of its beauty and splendor. The same could be said about the life cycle of working on a vineyard, where the grapes are currently growing and tended to in order to mature to just the right ripeness for picking. How a vigneron decides to care for their land not only affect this year’s harvest, but also the health and vitality of the soil for yours to come. Advanced Sommelier Jenny Benzie offers a summertime selection of sustainable wines for you to enjoy this summer that are also considerate to Mother Earth. DRINKING STARS...Read More >
Being on the waters of Nantucket can be life changing. The warmth of the sun on your skin, the smell of the ocean in your system, the feel of the salt water pulsing through your veins. The same can be said about an epiphany wine drinking experience. You remember the place where you had that first sip, can visualize who you shared the bottle with, and will never forget the aroma and taste of the wine as you swirled it around in your mouth. The beauty of boats and wines are both oft celebrated based on their craftsmanship and the elevated experience they can exude. Advanced Sommelier Jenny Benzie offers a selection of sips to pair with your next sailing vessel as you lean into summer on Nantucket. WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY? Winemaker Kelley Fox has been quietly making wine in the Willamette Valley for over two decades. Having honed her skill not through textbooks or working in other regions,...Read More >
