Tired of drinking the same old blush plonk that you don’t even like anyway? Feel lost and overwhelmed in the rosé aisle these days? Not sure how to get the biggest bang for your buck amongst the current sea of pink wine? With summer season soon approaching, and your Nantucket social calendar quickly filling for the next few months, now is the time to brush up on your rosé wine tasting skills and discover a few new favorites to pair with your summertime activities. While most pink wines that hail from the traditional rosé region of Côtes de Provence in France are a blend of grapes that grow exceptionally well in this warm, southern region, rosé wine these days is made from almost any red grape variety (sometimes with a splash of white added as well) and an array of regions. Pinot Noir, a thin-skinned, low-tannin grape, produces a soft, lovely rosé and offers different characteristics in the wine based...Read More >
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 >
There are those who live and die by the game of football, and then there are those who enjoy everything else about the game. Creating new traditions and long-lasting memories by tailgating with friends and family, trying out the latest and greatest of lip-smacking snack food recipes, showing your utmost team spirit by donning your colorful game-day uniform, and ultimately spreading good cheer and being a good sports-person no matter what the outcome of the game. All of this hard work, either by the host providing such an experience or attendees cheering on the game, is sure to draw up a thirst that needs to be quenched. Advanced Sommelier Jenny Benzie offers us a quick list of “First and Ten” wines that will not only be game day crowd-pleasers, but also leave room in your pocket to do it all over again next weekend! THE AWAY TEAM In the division of West Coast wines from the United States, Washington State is...Read More >
Not only does Labor Day mark the (unofficial) closing of the summer season, more importantly it is a celebration to honor the working people and the contributions that they have made to our country over the years. Our celebrations often include parades, barbeques and most likely beverages in which to toast those who have paved the way for our country at some point in history to be what it is today. With this in mind, we look at a handful of pioneers in the California wine business who are considered icons in the industry based on the contributions they have made to the trade. ROMANCING THE LAND The Chappellet family’s romance with Pritchard Hill in Napa Valley started more than four decades ago. When Donn and Molly Chappellet first glimpsed the magnificent view of forests and wildflower-filled meadows from this location, they knew this is where they wanted to be. In 1967, they became the first winery to plant vineyards...Read More >
