A Little Loire Drama…

Pascal Jolivet checking our facts.

 So, we had an unexpected visitor to the Bottega today.  Pascal Jolivet is one of  the best known names in Loire sauvignon blanc for his crisp Sancerre and  Pouilly Fume. The most interesting part  of our conversation was regarding biodynamic winemaking.  Matt mentioned that that Dom. des Huards (whose 2002 Cour-Cheverny we just  brought in) had installed a sprinkler system that in the case of frost would  allow them to dampen the grapes so that the water would freeze and create a  protective ice blanket for the grapes.  Monsieur Jolivet looked at us like we  were completely insane and when we insisted, he quickly jumped on the phone  to his friend in Cour Cheverny to check our facts.  Turns out, we were right!  Go Bottega!  Ok, on to the wines…

Spring Fling Tasting!

Whether the weather cooperates or not, we’re celebrating!

Ok, here is the debate… Which is better: that it’s the first day of spring or it was the last day of winter? An informal poll revealed that the latter is the winner!  If you are anything like us, we were beginning to think that this winter would never end.  We know that this is New England and anything can still happen, but the tide is turning and we are all looking forward instead of hunkering down in hibernation! You don’t want to be caught on one of the first beautiful spring days without a crisp white to sip on the balcony, porch,or window sill that you are pretending is one of the former.

Enter Our Raffle to Win a Private Tasting!

In the mood for an evening of amazing wines? Enter our raffle to win a Private Wine-Tasting Party for ten!

Ok, so there is a bit of a catch… just fill out the brief survey listed below, and we’ll enter your name into the store’s FIRST wine-tasting raffle.
Click here to link to the survey…
If you win (and we hope you do!), you and nine of your favorite friends and family members will enjoy an evening of fine wines in our charming old world wine cellar.
Thank you and as always, we value your loyalty and hope to see you soon.

Don’t Judge a Wine by the Size of its Package!

Tonight we seek the answer to the age-old question: “Does size really matter?”

Why is it that with so many things “bigger is better”, but put wine in something over 750ml and people start to get skeptical of its quality?   Our goal is to de-bunk yet another wine myth and show you that good things don’t have to come in small packages. wines are a triple threat: tremendous value, environmentally conscious and let’s face it, solve that problem of a single bottle not being quite enough wine for two to share. You’ll find something among tonight’s selection to meet the most challenging of your wine needs.

Rah! Rah! Ree! Kick ‘em in the Knee!: A Tasting of Lazio

Poor Lazio… (Located at Italy’s “knee”) The first I ever heard of winemaking around Rome, was in a guidebook about the majestic city.  It warned that if you were offered “local wine” to immediately demand something from Tuscany.  While in general it is best to drink local, the Lazio wine scene was sufficiently underwhelming to deserve this disparagement.  Even in Jancis Robinson’s latest edition of the World Atlas of Wine, a thorough ode to the vine if ever there has been one, she devotes only 59 words to cover the region!  However, when we decided to tackle Lazio this month given its proximity to Umbria, we were delighted to see the first signs of improvement.  Read on…

Italy’s Green Heart - A Tasting of Umbria

“Il Cuore Verde D’Italia”: Umbria is often referred to as Italy’s “Green Heart”.  Being the fourth smallest Italian region, landlocked between Tuscany to the Northwest, Le Marche to the East and Lazio and Abruzzo to the South, Umbria is often overlooked.  The expansive Umbrian Valley is split by the mighty Tiber that rushes towards Rome.  The Appennini Mountains cut the landscape leading to Italy’s largest central lake, Lago di Trasimano.  A multitude of ancient villages dot the hilltops: Perugia, Assisi, Bettona, Torgiano and the looming Montefalco.  The towns are surrounded by Central Italy’s sleeper region for wine and olive oil, not to mention tartufi!  From the mineral driven Orvieto Classico Bianchi to the earthy and rustic powerhouses of the cult favorite: Sagrantino, a specialty found only here. Read on…