Viognier Theme for WBW78

Nice theme for summer. Join us June 20th. Source: WordPress Via: Drink What You Like I?m delighted to announce that I am hosting Wine Blogging Wednesday #78 on Wednesday, June 20th. WBW78 will mark my second time hosting this monthly virtual wine event. Our theme for this month will be a grape that is near [...]

Viognier Theme for WBW78 originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/SaN6i1INvI8/

the wine library type of wine wine type italian wines types of wines

Today: Gordon's Wine Garage Sale

Eastlake Garage Sales Gordon's Fine Wine in Waltham, MA is having a wine garage sale September 29th from 11-4 pm.

I've never been to a Gordon's sale like this so I have no idea of it's going to be any good. But they carry some great wines so if you're available this afternoon it might be worth scheduling your weekend errands around this event.

Gordon's was included on Dr. Vino's list of Massachusetts wine shops worth checking out.

Separate from the garage sale, check out their assortment of 2010 Rhone reds. They've got a few nice bottles listed on their website (Donjon La Crau Cosme) that I think might be in stock. Hard to tell for sure (pre-arrival?) - when I've called them I couldn't get an answer and I didn't get a call back. Mercifully many of the Rhones are on sale so, if available, you don't have to work your way to a mixed case to get the price down out of the stratosphere.

For more information on today's Wine Garage Sale visit this landing page on the Gordon's website.

Question of the Day: Have you ever been to a Gordon's sale like this? If so what did you think? Either way, what do you think of Gordon's?


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/dSgLYJ8q-xE/today-gordon-wine-garage-sale.html

wine reviews fine wine wine on line red wines wines red

Age Verification Comes to Twitter

It is a common occurrence to be barred from entering a wine related website until you have confirmed your birthdate, or at least confirmed you are of legal drinking age in your country. On Facebook it is already possible to stop under-age members from seeing certain content. However, until now this could not be done [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/TxMx5Vsz_Eo/

buying wine wine brands brands of wine discount wine wine distributors

Charles Shaw: What A Long Strange Trip It?s Been

This week stories about the 10 year anniversary of Charles Shaw wines began to hit the news. If there is a single wine brand I get asked about by people not into wine, it’s this Trader Joe’s success story. The funny thing is the story of Charles Shaw started over 35 years ago but few [...]

Charles Shaw: What A Long Strange Trip It’s Been originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/RPN5S7ksNGA/

dessert wines vintage wine sparkling wines wine prices wine aerator

A ?Zinful? Experience

Last Saturday I was lucky to be able to attend the Zinfandel Festival at Fort Mason in San Francisco. ZAP, The Association of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers celebrates Zinfandel America?s Heritage Grape and is dedicated to preserving the history of Zinfandel through the Heritage Vineyard at UC Davis. It is the largest single varietal tasting [...]

Source: http://blogs.fairplex.com/blog/wine/?p=36

what is wine wines about wines champagne red wine

The Urban Grape Opens Location in Boston's South End


"Sometimes, you open your second store first." -Hadley Douglas, The Urban Grape

Massachusetts wine retailer The Urban Grape is opening a new shop in Boston's South End. It's their second location in the Boston area, following in the footsteps of their Chestnut Hill location they opened in 2010 which has already won multiple Best of Boston awards.

When they opened The Urban Grape in the decidedly sub-urban Chestnut Hill neighborhood we had a feeling their original intent was to open something closer to home in Boston proper. Things eventually worked out in the form of a new sophisticated space in the South End on Columbus Ave just east of Dartmouth.

The South End location is gorgeous inside and out, mixing warm dark wood with bright white shelving. Polished concrete with inviting window seats.


And walls and walls of wine.


Wines are sorted in The Urban Grape's signature progressive weight format. Whites, rosés and reds are separated, then within those sections, wines are arranged on a scale of 1 to 10 depending on weight. This format does wonders for helping customers select wines based on how full bodied they like their wines and is helpful for pairing wine with the weight of dishes.

It can make it tricky to find, for example, all of the California Pinot Noirs in the store or all of the Barbaresco. But their staff is always quick to provide assistance and I've never had trouble navigating the assortment at their Chestnut Hill location.


At first glance there appeared to be far more wines at the South End location. And the new location definitely feels larger and brighter. But they've actually got about 15% fewer SKUs than at the Chestnut Hill location. About 700-850 unique wines at each location depending on when you stop in.

Refrigerated beers and chilled whites and roses are available. A nice assortment of seasonal and regional brews with staples like Heineken and Bud.


They've also got a couple of walls of hard liquor and mixers.


Sake is available. (shout out to The Passionate Foodie for that one)


As I was perusing the store during the pre-opening event I thinking about what it was about The Urban Grape that's made their model so successful. After all, retail is a commodity business. But they've succeeded in differentiating their brand.

For me, the answer appeared in the form of a single bottle of beer they carry - a bomber of Goose Island Matilda Belgian Ale. I tasted this for the first time in Chicago at Xoco (full review). It was one of the most compelling beverages I've discovered this past year. I don't drink a lot of beer, but I've had it in the back of my mind I'd like to pick this up if I could find it locally. Sure enough they had it.


I've had a high batting average with the wines I've purchased at The Urban Grape, and they've turned me on to some great producers. Like a gorgeous Occhipiniti Frappato, a beautiful Lioco Chardonnay, and an amazing Braida Brachetto. Every time I leave there I come home with a few bottles more than I set out to purchase but somehow I never regret it.

They offer a 15% discount mixed case discount on wine, and if you look around the shop you'll find wines you don't see in many other shops. Like Littorai Pinot Noir, Coho Headwaters, Balletto Pinot Noir, and Mount Eden Pinot Noir. Look - you're already half way to a case. Mix in a few daily drinkers (they sell plenty of more affordable wines too) and you'll get to 12 before you know it.

I look forward to continued success for The Urban Grape. They've got a great sense of what customers are looking for, a smart, clean retail concept, and an enthusiastic appreciation for wine. What more can you ask for?

They offer free delivery in the neighborhood on $150+ orders. Meter parking is available on Columbus Ave. Call ahead if you'd like to arrange for curbside delivery.

Check 'em out:

The Urban Grape
303 Columbus Avenue (just east of Dartmouth)
Boston, MA 02116
http://theurbangrape.com
@urbangrape

Further Reading: A review of The Urban Grape's Chestnut Hill location

Shout out to new friends of the WWP! So nice to connect with Mark L, Tom G, Brad S, Philip B, Alan B, and Steve D this past week.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/jeGdcp5RVVo/urban-grape-opens-location-in-bostons.html

dessert wines vintage wine sparkling wines wine prices wine aerator

Trip Report: Interesting Times at Kosta Browne

The other day, I was listening to ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd when he shared that he'd be doing a guest appearance on Mike & Mike with Mike Golic. I thought this was an interesting way of cross-pollinating audiences so it served as a reminder that I should be doing more guest blogging for other wine blogs.

As I got to thinking about a good venue for a post about a visit to Kosta Browne, David White's Terroirist was the first that came to mind. David has been doing a tremendous job since launching Terroirist a couple years ago and I've particularly enjoyed his winery trip reports.

Here's a snippet. Head on over to Terroirist to read the full article:

These are interesting times at Kosta Browne. In 2009, the winery was acquired by Vincraft for almost $40 million. In 2011, one of its wines was named Wine Spectator?s Wine of the Year. And in 2012, one of its winemakers left the firm. But through it all, Kosta Browne?s Pinot Noirs remain the standard for bold domestic Pinot Noir. Read more...


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/tmKucRZ3miw/trip-report-interesting-times-at-kosta.html

moscato wine cooler merlot wine rack wine and spirits