April 09 Crash Courses
Crash Course: THE CHAMPAGNE "411": The Buzz behind the Bubbles with Bertil Jean-Chronberg, sommelier and General Manager and Libations Master of The Beehive. Join Bertil as he explains the difference between Champagne and Sparkling wines. He'll teach you how to enjoy the perfect glass, forget about the pretentious details and impress even yourself with your champagne opening skills!
SATURDAY RIOT Crash Courses
Downtown Wine and Spirits: Davis Square’s source for hootch with over 1,300 beers, 1,000 wines, a deep cellar of high-end favorites and almost 200 whiskies, among other libations. Jeff Golden, Wine Buyer and all around rockstar, will be dropping wine knowledge all day.
Visit Downtown Wine and Spirits @ 225 Elm Street, Somerville (617) 625-7777 downtownwineandspirits.com
Crash Course: Spain, The Wine World's Worst Kept Secret
Spain has more land under vine than any other country [this is actually true: http://www.wineinstitute.org/files/WorldVineyardAcreagebyCountry.pdf ] and hundreds of unique grape varietals making it well equipped to offer consumers value, variety and quality. With, "new world" upstarts like South America taking the lion's share of the limelight Spanish wine is poised to surprise us all.
Crash Course: Portugal, Old World Cool for Pennies on the Dollar
At a time when everybody is looking for tasty wine on the cheap, Portugal offers up deliciously cool and inexpensive vinho [editor note: this is the word for wine in Portuguese – please keep -tb]. Those drinkers brave enough to sample the fruits of Portugal's vineyards can count themselves among the smartest and hippest of consumers.
Crash Course: Rosé, Just Drink it!
It's springtime, and that means it’s time to drink the pink! These are dry wines with bright fruit flavors and are NOT to be confused with blush wines. Rosé wines are perfect for summertime luncheons, picnics, romantic evenings, or general poolside guzzling. Just shut up and drink it!
Bin Ends: New England region's premier off-price fine wine retailer, Bin Ends offer tremendous deals on close-outs with a Filene’s Basement-style pricing system. Join Owner and Wine Buyer, John Hafferty for informative and hilarious wine seminars.
Visit Bin Ends @ 236 Wood Rd, Braintree (781) 817-1212 binendswine.com
Crash Course: Mendoza? I Didn't Even Know Her!!
There is more to Argentine wine than just Malbec. This country produces unknown but fabulous wines made from grapes like Torrontes, Bonarda, and even bubbly. Sample the unique fruits from the foothills of the Andes Mountains.
Crash Course: Those Crazy Calabrese
From Naples down to Sicily you’re in tomato sauce country. While the grapes may be difficult to pronounce and nearly impossible to remember the wines are fan-damn-tastic. Sample vino like Ciro, Negroamaro, Primitivo, Nero d'Avola and Falanghina on this mini tour of Southern Italy.
Crash Course: Is That a Magnum or Are You Just Happy to See Me?
You know what they say about wines in big bottles right? Austrians and some Alsatians bottle in 1L, there is quality wine now coming in boxes and Magnums (1.5L bottles) not only turn boring nights into a party, but they age and taste different. Learn why size does matter.
Terra Andina: By blending grapes from different valleys with different micro-climates and soil conditions, Terra Andina takes full advantage of the richness and diversity of Chile’s different wine growing regions.
For more information visit Terra Andina.
Crash Course: (Re)discovering Chilean Carmenere, Comedy or Mystery?
The French forgot about this grape decades ago but it recently resurfaced in Chile and is teetering on the brink of rock-stardom. Hear and taste the full story on this awesome grape.
Crash Course : Chile’s Past and Present, Why You Should be Drinking Chilean Wine Now!
In a short amount of time (relatively speaking) this country’s wine making has come a long way. Contemporary Chilean winemakers and modern international influence have lead to new wine regions with some kickass yet completely affordable vino.
