October marks the official start of Nantucket Bay scallop season, yippee! This special delicacy unique to our island is available first to anyone who obtains a recreational shellfish license from the Town of Nantucket before the commercial harvest season begins November 1st. Not only is it an adventure to put on your waders and spend some time on the water, it is also an experience to shuck all your little gems and easily use them to create a culinary masterpiece. Advanced Sommelier Jenny Benzie offers a selection of fabulous, distinctive white wines of distinction to pair with your favorite Nantucket Scallop recipes. COME ON IN, THE WATER IS FINE The Anjou region of the Loire Valley in northwestern France is better known for their red wines than the limited production of their stellar whites. Located in the heart of this region is the estate farmed by Jean-Bernard (4th generation vigneron) and Catherine Chauvin, along with their son Denis. Here they...Read More >
The most wonderful time of the year on Nantucket has arrived, and that means there is a lot to accomplish in the next few weeks. Restaurant week will soon be approaching to leisurely enjoy a repast at your favorite local dining establishment without the crowds. You look forward to hosting a festive cocktail party to celebrate and spend time with your friends and neighbors that you haven’t really seen much in the past few months. Before us is an opportunity to enjoy some of the finer things in life that our fair isle has to give in the last few weeks of summer. Advanced Sommelier Jenny Benzie offers a handful of perfect pairings for island indulgence as a reward for making it to other side of summer and into the next season. CHEESY MOMENTS We are always looking for the perfect pairing. The right shoes with that amazing dress, Mr. or Mrs. Right to spend the rest of your life...Read More >
You love finding the time to curl up on your beach blanket under your wide brimmed sun hat and reading a good book purchased from your local bookstore. Later in the week, you will enjoy the social aspects of your book club gathering that may discuss your latest read under the sun, but more importantly revolves around the wines you choose to toast and share with each other during such a jolly occasion. Taking it to the next level to create a perfect trifecta would be including another decadence that almost every person (but not absolutely everyone) has a fondness for – chocolate. On tasting wine & chocolate together: There are a handful of key points to make the most of your chocolate and wine experience. First and foremost, keep an open mind about what it is you are sampling when it comes to the chocolate or the wine. Think about the structure of the chocolate, which includes the texture,...Read More >