Real Wine. Junk Food.

Wine writers are often suggesting that certain wines are best when paired with a particular delicacy, like roast duck, foie gras, kobe steak tartare. Really, how many times this year have you eaten rabbit?  Tonight we will navigate away from the three stars of Michelin, and wade through the depths of American gastronomy into the genre of culinary delights affectionately known as ‘junk food’.  We have unofficially partnered with some of the North End’s premier sources of our own guilty pleasures (White Hen Pantry and CVS) to procure a veritable feast, full with natural and artificial flavors and colors.  How will our favorite new Lambrusco fare when put to the test against the intensely satisfying, slightly alarming flavors in pizza-flavored Combos?  Let’s find out!

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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 …

As featured in The Nashua Telegraph…

Traditional, modern mix together in Boston’s North End

by Frances J. Folsom

“Even if you don’t know beans about wine, the knowledgeable staff at the Wine Bottega on Hanover Street will take you in hand and guide you. The shop houses thousands of bottles of wine from all over the world.”

Read the whole article!

Visions of the Pyrenees

The journey by train from Barcelona to San Sebastian only takes about five hours, but the land traveled is immense.  Just outside Barcelona city limits, you see miles of somewhat flat vineyards whose grapes have a bubbly destiny.  On you go into the dusty desert plains dotted occasionally with ghostly Roman ruins, with the menacing, toothy snarl of the Pyrenees slowly approaching from the distance. In a flash of dark green you plunge into the dark green forests of the western Pyrenees, and the villages grow into towns before you finally arrive in San Sebastian, a city surrounded by beaches.  The feather-light, spritz-y whites of the Bay of Biscay must have been created with parched travelers in mind. Read on for more information…

It’s Here! Amarone Abbondanza II

Hope to see you all tonight for this amazing tasting!  Sixteen wines have been selected to fully immerse you into the Veneto and Lombardy.  You are guaranteed to leave this tasting a dried grape expert!  Thursday, February 25th from 6pm to 8pm.  $10/person.

First come first served!  Since you asked nicely, read more for a sneak peek at the lineup…

History, Individuality and Value: Portugal

We have spent the past few weeks tasting A LOT or Portuguese wine and we are consistently amazed by what we are tasting.  These wines are intriguingly diverse, delicious, and incredible values. When you hear of Portugal and wine, most minds jump right to Port, the famous fortified wines of the country.  As Port consumption has fallen over the past few decades, savvy Portuguese winemakers started making dry table wines from the traditional grapes used for Port.  These beautiful, fruit and spice driven reds opened the world’s eyes to the treasure trove of indigenous grape varietals this country has to offer.  Due to its relative isolation, Portugal is not awash in a sea of internationally ubiquitous varietals found in many other “value” regions.  Read on for some of our favorite new finds…