Winter is officially here and sometimes you need more than a warm blanket and a cozy fire to satisfy your soul. This is where a glass of really, REALLY good red wine comes in handy. Not just your ordinary, average, every day sipper, but one that gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling inside and makes you stop to actually think about the wine because it’s just that delicious. Advanced Sommelier Jenny Benzie highlights what should be on your winter drinking list this winter and the benefits of keeping warm with each of them. TUSCAN TREASURE Winter may not be the best time to travel to the vineyards of Europe, but it is a great time to either reminisce about the trip you took to Italy last fall during truffle season (!) or plan an upcoming biking trek through the vineyards of Tuscany for the ultimate wine vacation next year. In the region of Montalcino, the name Brunello is synonymous with some...Read More >
The holiday season is typically the time of year where we choose to offer thanks and praise to those who provide us with our year-round services. Whether it be a personal friendship, a business relationship, or someone you barely know but have a common bond together that you would like to acknowledge, a small gesture of thoughtfulness will go a long way and be greatly appreciated in the New Year to come. Remaining true to our gift giving philosophy that you should give gifts that you can be joyfully consumed, Advanced Sommelier Jenny Benzie offers a list of creative, spritzful suggestions that will not only make a splash with everyone on your list this year, but also not exceed your bubbly budget. A CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL TO REMEMBER Everything about Aperol is unique. Its vibrant color, the bright flavor, the festive spirit it evokes – especially this time of year. No wonder drinking an Aperol Spritz has been the rage this year! The...Read More >
Warmer weather on the horizon enables us to be a little more adventurous in our beach exploration. While there are a number of tried and true, easy accessible and readily available sand spots that are the regular go-to, hot spot beaches of Nantucket, the fact that the entire island is surrounded by sand enables you to also be able to venture off the beaten path as you wish and discover a less inhabited part of the island. Each beach is able to offer a distinct experience and the same holds true in making your summer rosé wine selections. Why not make it a perfect pairing for your next beach excursion by exploring these beaches less traveled and the rosé to accompany it. _____ Dynamic Dionis Beach Just off the rolling bike path that leads to Madaket, the leisurely three mile jaunt from town to gain access to this north shore beach will take you down Eel Point Road. The sound...Read More >
Anyone who has traveled to Italy will have most likely heard of the digestif ‘Amaro.‘ Just like wine with a meal, it is a way of life in this country with each region producing a distinctive amaro reflective of the area in which it is produced. These exceptional bitter herbal liqueurs have a vast history, with little modification in their production methods, and are a tradition to the end of delicious repast almost anywhere in Italia. Amaro is a bitter aromatic spirit. It is typically served as a digestif after a meal, to aid digestion as the name implies. They are typically served straight (room temperature) in a small portion, but can be served over a cube of ice if preferred. While amaros are typically served on their own, they can be used on a limited basis as a mixing component (not as the main ingredient) in cocktail recipes in order to not overwhelm the other components. The most common...Read More >
