An Interview with Elian Da Ros

Soon after placing our order for these wines (see previous post A Wine Epiphany), Mike managed to reach M. Da Ros via email to answer some of our questions.  Thought you might all like to see what he as to say in his own words…

“Thank very much you for your interest in my work and wines.  I answered your questions writing “I”, but note that I am nothing without my team, the ladies who work hard in the vineyards all year long, the harvest team…  Regards, Elian

Read on for more…

Terry Hughes of Domenico Selections

We were thrilled to host the fantastic Terry Hughes, founder and partner of Domenico Selections at last Friday’s tasting.  His portfolio has found its way onto our radar recently in our unending quest for “real” wines.  His company’s focus is on Italian artisan producers whose wines tell the story of their land, so clearly we have a lot in common.  It’s always refreshing to bring in an outside voice to our Friday events, especially someone with firsthand knowledge of conditions on the ground.  Terry did not disappoint with his exuberance, joie de vivre, and clear passion for his discoveries!  We can’t wait to see what he finds next!  Oh yeah, the wines rocked too!  Read on for the lineup …

I feel the need, the need for MEAD!

It was our great pleasure at The Wine Bottega to have Garth from our favorite local Meadery, Green River Ambrosia, join us this past Wednesday for our first ever Mead Fest!  We met Garth a couple months ago while preparing for an event that featured local organic agriculturalists and international music.  The Wine Bottega took part by pairing wines with local honeys and we serendipitously encountered Garth (the quintessential name for a mead brewmeister!).   Boston has a great core group of mead enthusiasts and we at The Bottega had been searching for the best way to really dive into this ancient fermented brew.  Green River Ambrosia is a three man operation located in Greenfield, Massachusetts, just a couple hours to our west. 

Resonance Vineyards, Oregon

Kevin Chambers of Resonance Vineyard

We were visited this week by Kevin Chambers of Resonance Vineyards a small producer of biodynamic wines from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA Oregon.  For many years Kevin and his wife Carla grew grapes on their 20ha estate and sold them to area wineries, such as Wine Bottega favorites Sineann and Lemelson.  In 2006, they decided to start making their own wines and we were excited to taste through his line-up.  We started with the 2007 g3 Resonance White,which is a blend of 75% gewurztraminer, 20% pinot gris and 5% muller-thurgau (not a grape that I knew they grew in Oregon).

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…

Good Morning, Gianluca Grasso!

Every day should start off so well!  As I wrangled our ridiculous grates off the windows this morning, shivering in the frigid air, I looked up to see Gianluca Grasso of Azienda Agricola Elio Grasso heading my way.  I had met Gianluca, his mother Marina and his father Elio last April when I visited their beautiful winery in Monforte D’Alba.  I have always been a huge fan of their beautifully crafted wines and this was only reinforced after experiencing their passion and commitment to quality first hand, not to mention the warmth of their welcome and sincere hospitality.   Gianluca is in Boston this week with samples of the yet to be released 2005 Barolos and his 2006 Barbera.  I will admit that I was a little worried about how the 2005’s would stack up after the epic 2004 vintage, but I should have known better.