Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
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1) This December, Santa Claus is coming to town – particularly the North End and Wayland – to host holiday brunches for festive families at Coach Grill (December 7) and Joe’s Waterfront (December 15).

While kiddies patiently await the arrival of their honored guest with cookie decorating, guardians can settle in for a leisurely brunch. In addition to serving their signature brunch menus, the kitchens will be whipping up adult-friendly breakfast delights for the occasion like stuffed crêpes ($14) with housemade Chantilly cream and fresh strawberries; bananas foster French toast ($18) with cream cheese frosting and maple syrup; Florentine eggs benedict ($20) with sauteed spinach, hollandaise and breakfast potatoes; and a Maine lobster omelet ($28) with chives, breakfast potatoes and toast. For the little ones, there are tree-shaped Christmas chip pancakes ($14) and a grilled chicken quesadilla ($11).

After capturing the perfect IG-worthy snap with your little ones and Mr. Claus, treat yourself to something sweet like the specialty peppermint ice cream pie ($12) in a cookie crust. There also are themed adult libations like the Bahh Humbug with Basil Hayden bourbon, housemade hot chocolate and mini marshmallows as well as kid-approved mocktails like Grinch Punch with lime sorbet, green punch, Sprite and a red sugar rim. While supplies last, grab a keepsake ornament as you exit your morning in the North Pole.

WHEN: Coach Grill: Saturday, December 7, 11am-2pm; Joe’s Waterfront: Sunday, December 15, 10am-1pm
COST: Complimentary admission. Special available at à la carte pricing.
Coach Grill: Reservations are recommended via OpenTable. 
Joe’s Waterfront: Reservations are recommended via OpenTable. 

2) MAZÍ Food Group (Gigi, Ilona, Kava Neo-Taverna) has debuted the newest addition in its growing restaurant collection: Desnuda Cocina & Bar. Located in the famed 647 Tremont Street space, the bilevel Desnuda Cocina & Bar brings two distinct concepts to the South End with its lower-level sound bar and an epicurean experience featuring bold Latin and Asian flavors.

Venturing downstairs to the sound bar – a concept created in Japan in the 1950s – the walls are lined with vertical wood panels where mood lighting peeks through the slats. Inside the hideaway, there is an expansive bar in addition to more intimate seating anchored by giraffe-print banquettes and a half-moon booth that sits beneath a glittering spherical light fixture. The backbar displays Desnuda’s collection of retro vinyl records, the heartbeat of the sultry and vibrant sound bar, that will be amplified over a customized vinyl sound system. The immersive, eclectic urban music experience will be curated with themed nights, guest deejays and mixologist-selected playlists complemented by deliciously complex cocktails and a late-night menu of small plates available after 10:00pm.

Upstairs, MAZÍ Food Group’s executive chef Jesus Preciado has reimagined a menu rooted in core Latin-Asian tastes and textures. With a passion for sourcing locally, Chef Preciado’s menu of ceviches, baos and proteins are intended to be ordered in multiples to encourage a social dining experience. Highlights from the menu include the catch-of-the-day ceviche clasico with leche de tigre, habanero, corn, chancha, sweet potato, red onions and cilantro; pork belly bao bun with braised pork belly, cucumber, pickled vegetables and soy reduction; acevichado roll, tempura white fish, tuna, salsa acevichada, sweet potato puree and togarashi; aji de gallina, shredded chicken, huancaina sauce, heavy cream, parmesan, olive aioli, rice, potato and boiled eggs; and arroz con pato, duck leg confit, aborio rice, vegetables and cilantro sauce.

On the liquid side, Desnuda Cocina & Bar features a beverage program that mixes timeless techniques with progressive twists while showcasing globally-represented wines and spirits including a collection of tequilas and mezcals as well as Japanese whiskys, gins and sakes. Standouts are Beet the Heat with spicy pisco, yuzu liqueur, beet syrup and lemon as well as Amarillo Passion with tequila, yuzu liqueur, aji amarillo, passionfruit syrup and lime.

Desnuda Cocina & Bar is open daily beginning at 4:00pm. In the coming weeks, Desnuda Cocina & Bar plans to reprise the epic weekend brunch party from the location’s yesteryears.

3) BOSA Coastal Italian, in Haverhill, has recently launched Brunch with an Italian flair and unique flavors when it comes to classic and contemporary dishes on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11am-3pm.

Enjoying starters like Burrata, olive oil, arugula, vincotto, sesame crunch, parmesan frico, confit tomato, maldon salt; Italian Wedding Soup, rich chicken brodo, sofrito, spinach, fregula, petite meatballs, parmesan, even add an egg. For main dishes, choose from unique brunch staples like the Banana Bread French Toast, sweet ricotta filling, fig jam, berries, maple syrup, cannoli crumbs, Chantilly cream; the Breakfast Burger, cheddar, pancetta, sunny egg, baby lettuce, tomato, Calabrian chili aioli; or the Brunch Pizza, chorizo, potatoes, melted leeks, spinach, cheddar, mozzarella, sunny egg; Snack on a Panuozzo Sandwich, a Neapolitan-style Italian sandwich made with pizza dough, and BOSA uses Sal’s Pizza’s own dough, made fresh every day, like the Ham & Cheese, prosciutto cotto, cheddar, arugula, scrambled eggs, chili mayo, scallions. For those looking for a classic favorite can nosh on Scrambled Eggs & Home Fries, complete with eggs and cheddar.

BOSA’s brunch cocktails include the BOSA Mimosa, Prosecco, orange juice, Bauchant Orange Liqueur; Gran Espresso, vanilla bean induced White Squall Vodka, Borghetti Coffee Liqueur, espresso. There are also shareable drinks like the Spicy Sophia (Loren), Corvus Grilled Pineapple Vodka, lime juice, tropical sour mix, spice chipotle simple syrup, tajin spiced rim, served in a whole pineapple; Mimosa Flight, one bottle of Prosecco, black cherry purée, white peach purée, and blood orange purée.

To make reservations visit www.bosaitalian.com. 

Rant: Don't Be A Selfish, Greedy Glutton

With the holiday season upon us, food and drink blogs are ramping up their holiday coverage. You'll soon read epic tales of sumptuous feasts, accompanied by expensive and rare bottles of wine. You'll find plenty of holiday recipes, describing how to prepare some of the most decadent dishes. You'll be regaled with tales of pricey gifts received, from costly electronics to tropical vacations. Colorful photos will display all of these hedonistic pleasures in their luxuriant glory.

However, I want to see something else, something more meaningful. Are you up to the challenge?

I don't want to be regaled by selfish, greedy gluttons. Instead, I want to hear about charitable efforts to help those less fortunate. This should be a time of generosity and charity, of giving to others rather than feeding our own gluttony. Though many love the holiday season, it can be a very sad time for those with little or nothing. Every community has some people who find it difficult merely to pay for basic essentials. Share your largess with others, helping those who truly need it.

Even for those of us who are having tough economic times, we all probably can help out others, even if only in little ways. If you cannot spare money, then donate your time or make something to give to others, maybe bake a pie, cookies or casserole. Donate old clothes or other durable items which you no longer use. There are many different ways to help out others besides just monetary donations. All it takes is a little creativity and thought.

During this season, there are numerous restaurants, chefs, stores and others which are holding special charitable events. Promote those events on your blogs, spreading the word far and wide. Attend those events, encouraging others to do the same. Give to your favorite charities, whatever they might be. Just don't revel in selfish, greedy gluttony, ignoring the plight of others.

This applies to our readers as well and I encourage all of you to be charitable as well, in whatever way that you can. Be creative in your efforts, even if your own finances are tight. That would be the best gift I could receive from my readers, the knowledge that you have all helped out those less fortunate.

Let us share with all during this joyous holiday season.

Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet: Happy 3 Month Anniversary

Today's the 3 Month Anniversary of the new Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet in Melrose, which replaced the former Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet. I worked at Beacon Hill for about 12 years, and have continued to work at the new Victoria Hill. So, let me share some of my thoughts and insights about the first three months of the new shop. 

First, the new owners, Vijay, Andy, Brian and Puja, are very sincere and hardworking, and intend the shop to be an artisan wine, beer and spirits shop. They are not seeking to turn it into a package store or convenience store. It's intended to be a destination shop, and not merely a neighborhood shop, so that people from all of the surrounding communities will want to shop there too. And the changes they have already initiated have largely moved towards the achievement of that objective. 

Second, the shop is obviously still a work in progress, and more changes will be coming over the next months. During the past three months, there has been much positive progress moving forward, and the new owners have various plans for the future, all continuing to move towards their primary objective. Many customers have been complimentary about the various changes. 

Third, the new owners have been expanding the available selections, both alcohol and gourmet food, on a variety of levels. There are numerous new beer selections, from local brews to beers from places like China and the Philippines. The whiskey selection has expanded, including some harder to find selections, from Blanton's Bourbon to Buffalo Trace. And there have been some additional intriguing new spirits, from Chartreuse to Japanese Vermouth.

Of particular interest to me, the wine selection has become larger and more diverse. The shop now carries over 500 different wines and Sake, from 19 countries, including: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States (California, New York, Oregon and Washington). And more wines are coming, including some from other countries, maybe including places like Armenia, Great Britain, Mexico, Moldova, Turkey and Uruguay. Numerous more natural wines are also on the shelves. 

Fourth, I now conduct Wine Tastings every Thursday evening, from 5-7pm, and every Saturday, from 1-4pm. I try to showcase all of the different wines we now carry, to expose people to the diversity of wine. Customers seem to be very appreciative of this approach, and open to trying more unique wines. We have plenty of repeat customers who regularly come to the tastings to experience new wines. The shop also conducts Beer Tastings on Friday nights. Please come by at any of these times to expand your palate and taste some delicious and fascinating new wines and beers.  

Fifth, some of the physical changes to the store include new lighting, to make the store brighter, and a new chiller case, which holds wines, single beers, and hard seltzers. Additional wine shelves have been added, with more to come, allowing the shop to stock even more of a diversity of wine selections.  

Much positive progress has been made, and it will continue in the future. If you live in Melrose, check out Victoria Hill and see what your new neighborhood wine, beer & spirits shop has to offer. If you live outside Melrose, please also check out Victoria Hill as you are likely to find a number of selections that aren't available at your own neighborhood wine shop. Victoria Hill is intended to be a destination spot, where people from all of the surrounding communities will want to come because of its unique and diverse selection.

Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet
538 Main Street, Melrose
(781) 665-3332
Monday to Wednesday: 10am-8pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10am-9pm; Sunday: 10am-7pm. 

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
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1) Some Thanksgiving dinner choices, so you don't have to cook. 

Abe & Louie’s: This Back Bay steakhouse will be dishing out a customizable three-course prix fixe menu ($78) this Thanksgiving in addition to serving their a la carte menu. To start, there is a butternut squash soup with crème fraiche and candied pumpkin seeds, or a roasted beet and goat cheese salad with pistachio, dill and aged balsamic. For entrees, there’s roasted turkey breast with braised dark meat, whipped potatoes, stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce and gravy, or an eight-ounce filet mignon served with a twice-baked potato, horseradish cream and bordelaise. For something sweet, dig into the pumpkin cheesecake topped with vanilla whipped cream. 

Reservations from 11:30am-10pm. Call them at (617) 536-6300. 

Atlantic Fish Co.: They will feature their full menu of seafood classics in addition to a three-course holiday prix fixe ($70). Start with parsnip soup with crème fraiche and candied pumpkin seeds, or a harvest salad with butternut squash, baby greens, pecan, goat cheese and maple vinaigrette. For the best from land and sea, the entrees are roasted turkey breast with braised dark meat, whipped potatoes, stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce and gravy, or hazelnut-crusted Atlantic halibut with butternut squash puree, haricots verts and brown butter sage. For dessert, a pumpkin cheesecake with vanilla whipped cream. 

Reservations from 11am-9pm. Call them at (617) 267-4000. 

Coach Grill: They will feature a Thanksgiving prix fixe ($70) in addition to their nightly menu. For appetizers, there is a split pea soup with smoked ham hocks and crème fraiche, or a quinoa and Tuscan kale salad with red endive, golden raisins, toasted almonds and Meyer lemon vinaigrette. For entrees, there’s roasted turkey breast with whipped potatoes, stuffing, butternut squash, green beans, cranberry sauce and gravy, or an eight-ounce filet mignon served with a twice-baked potato, horseradish cream and bordelaise. For dessert, indulge in pumpkin cheesecake with vanilla whipped cream. 

Coach Grill also offers a takeout Thanksgiving Family Feast (serves 4-6; $285) available for pickup on November 27 and 28. 

Reservations from 11am-8pm. Please call (508) 358-5900. 

 2) The InterContinental Boston has officially debuted a "secret hideaway for rebellious spirits" as Loyall Counting Room is now open and located in the hotel’s first floor, next to Bar Fellini. The intimate speakeasy can accommodate up to 25 guests and "offers a secretive flare that encompasses a nod to Boston’s rich history of intrigue and revolution. The discreet atmosphere brings history to life in a unique location, featuring drinks paying homage to that time period." 

Jenna Carlson-Carvalho, Director of Restaurants and Bars at InterContinental Boston, stated, "We take the art of crafting cocktails to the next level, focusing not only on carefully curated ingredients but also on the overall presentation—from period glassware to the garnishes. We pride ourselves on the smallest details to give an authentic spin to historic drinks.”

"The concept pays tribute to Boston’s Loyal Nine - especially free-thinkers like John Avery, Thomas Chase, Henry Bass and Captain Joseph Field, all who understood the value of a good, strong drink. These revolutionaries preceded the Sons of Liberty, who planned and executed events like the Boston Tea Party, which occurred on the very site of InterContinental Boston at Fort Point Channel. This space is inspired by that era, with a secret entrance and modern-day tribute to the hidden counting rooms and water holes of the time. Enter by secret password and experience a clandestine meeting among the rebellious. The color palette is dark and wood-clad at a candlelight brightness. Contemporary colonial references are seen throughout in the cabinet of curiosity entrance, patterned wallcovering in the main room, coin-inspired feature light fixtures and artwork."  

The cocktail menu features unique elixirs, each with a story to tell and accompanied by a tale of the drink’s name, origin and background like the: 

• Incident on King Street, the infamous event that came to be known as the Boston Massacre made with Broadbent Madeira, Plantation Rum, Ron Zacapa 23 Solera, Licor 43, Grand Marnier, lemon and raspberry; 
• Under the Liberty Tree, showcasing the powerful symbol of colonial resistance, featuring Fino sherry, coconut-washed cognac liqueur, and spiced pear liqueur; 
• The Gentlewoman’s Rebellion, highlighting Phyllis Wheatley, a young formerly enslaved poet who defied expectations by becoming one of the most celebrated literary figures of the colonies, created with Grey Goose White Peach, Rosemary, pisco, cantaloupe syrup, clarified grapefruit and soda.

Guests can also enjoy small bites of "colonial fare" like Meat Pie, puff pastry, ground beef, vegetables, creamy potato, horseradish creme, and pickled red onion; Maple Bacon Caramel Corn, popcorn, maple caramelized bacon; and Roasted Chestnuts, salted and smoked.

3) Marcelino’s, Levantine Cocktails & Cuisine, a new locally owned and operated cocktail bar and lounge is scheduled to open in Seaport this later this fall, taking over the space where The Daily Catch resided. It's cofounded by Marcelino and Basel Badawi, and will specialize in crafted cocktails—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic—and offer creative mezze-style small plates, plus dinner and dessert menus. The new Marcelino’s follows in the footsteps of the award-winning Marcelino’s Boutique Bar in Providence, Rhode Island. 

The goal of Marcelino’s, Levantine Cocktails & Cuisine is to reset the bar for cocktails in the city of Boston–thanks to acclaimed Levantine/Mediterranean Chef Maroun Nohra and bar director/mixologist Refaat Ghostine. Marcelino's is locally owned and operated by Marcelino and Basel (who lives downtown), owners of the hugely successful and highly award-winning Marcelino's Boutique Bar in Providence.
 
"Refaat Ghostine has over a decade of A-list award-winning experience in the restaurant and hospitality space, spanning across the United States, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. Refaat was part of the team that helped Central Station Boutique Bar in Beirut, Lebanon earn a spot on the prestigious World’s Best Bars List, ranking as high as no. 22 in 2016 and no. 27 as the Best Bar in Africa & Middle East in 2018. Refaat was also honored with the title of Diageo Lebanon World Class Bartender of the Year in 2015. He has been with Marcelino's since 2020." 

One of their new cocktails will be Marcelino’s Oregano Tomato Cocktail, which is composed of gin, white vermouth, fresh oregano essence, clarified tomato cordial, verjus, and salted white balsamic vinegar. "This cocktail captures the vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients of Lebanon. It is the Levant in a glass. The star of the show being the oregano essence, which evokes the fragrant herbs that flourish in the region, offering a herbal depth that invites exploration. The clarified tomato cordial adds a unique umami richness, reminiscent of the sun-ripened tomatoes that are staples in Lebanese cuisine, while verjus introduces a refreshing acidity that brightens the palate. To elevate the experience, a few dashes of salted white balsamic vinegar tie the flavors together, echoing the way traditional Middle Eastern cuisines often combine sweet, sour, and savory notes. The cocktail is garnished with a cracker topped with sun-dried tomato oil gel, sumac, and black salt—a nod to the vibrant mezze culture of Lebanon. Enjoying the cracker first enhances the tasting experience, allowing the rich flavors to meld with the cocktail, creating a sensory journey that embodies the essence of Lebanese hospitality and the joy of sharing good food and drink." 

The inaugural food menu features Eastern Mediterranean-inspired mezze small plates including olive sourdough, za’atar pita toast, bone marrow & tartare, and za’atar bread fattoush salad. Main courses include decadent grilled lamb chops with Turkish ezme, yoghurt and cumin salt; tahini chicken schnitzel and a house baladi salad, and an 8 ounce Levantine steak, spicy chermoula and rosemary potato matchsticks, among others. Also on the menu are cumin lamb, celeriac, saffron baby squid and arak chicken kebab skewers.

4) On Monday, November 25, at 6pm, Il Ponte in Woburn, one of my top favorite Italian restaurants, will be hosting a special Super Tuscan Wine Dinner. Chef Beni Kurti has created five courses of goodf while wine expert Ciro Pirone will lead the tasting of five Italian wines. This should be a delicious and exciting dinner, and there will even be live music.

The Menu Includes:
Sformato di Zucca (Pumpkin flan with Gorgonzola & Walnuts)
2021 Arrighi "Valerius" Toscana Bianco
Agnello Fritto (Breaded & fried lamb chop with artichokes)
2020 Innocenti Lume IGT
Garganelli al Ragu Toscana (Garganelli fresh pasta with traditional Tuscan meat sauce)
2007 Il Moro di San Giovanni (magnum)
Brasato di Manzo (Braised short ribs, horseradish mashed potatoes, carrots & cippolini)
2019 Tenuta di Trinora Magnacosta IGT
Torta di Mandorle e Semolina (Almond & semolina cake)
2017 Grevepesa Vin Santo del Chianti Classico

The cost is $125 per person and you can make Reservations HERE. I'm sure this will sell out, so make your reservation as soon as possible.

Rant: Holiday Wines? Don't Be A Cheapskate

The holiday season is here, and many people will stop by their local wine shop to purchase wines for parties, dinners, or gifts. Let me provide you an important piece of advice, which applies to all the wine you'll purchase this holiday season.

Don't be a cheapskate! 

In preparation for the holidays, people stock up on wine to serve their guests at the various parties and celebrations. Often, because they are buying bottles in bulk, multiple bottles, their primary concern is price. So, they too often buy the large, commercial "value" wines, the brand names which are known to everyone. 

Please don't do it! 

It takes almost no thought to buy such wines. Though such wines might be drinkable, they aren't going to impress anyone. You've chosen to take the cheapest route possible, in both price and time. These wines are generally industrial products, created to taste the same year to year, and you never know what additives might be in these wines. They are like the McDonald's of the wine world. Do you really want to serve such wines to your loved ones, your family and friends?  

There is a better way. 

If you're hosting a holiday party, don't you want to impress your guests? Or do you want to be known as the person who bought the cheapest wine available? Don't you want your guests to leave the party talking about the great time they had, telling others about the delicious wines they enjoyed? Or would you rather have them later complain that the wine was unappealing? It only takes a little extra work and price to elevate your wine selections. 

I certainly understand the need to control your wine costs when you are providing for a number of guests. You don't have to buy $50 wines to impress your guests and you don't even have to spend $20 per bottle. I've purchased numerous $10-$15 wines, only a few dollars more than you might otherwise spend on those "value" wines, and brought them to parties where the other guests loved them, wanting to know where they could buy them. 

There are good and interesting wines at this price point, if you know where to seek them out. If you want your holiday celebration to be even more popular, then you should serve those type of wines. The extra effort will elevate your party and please your family, friends, and other guests.

How do you find these inexpensive but interesting wines? At whatever wine shop you visit, it might be best to ask the wine store staff for recommendations of their best value wines. They should be able to direct you toward those inexpensive wines which will be more interesting and delicious than those cheap commercial wines. At Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet in Melrose, where I work, I can recommend a number of much better value wines. For example, we have recently carried a $9 Vinho Verde and an $11 Montepulciano which were excellent wines for that price.   

Most wine stores also offer a discount for bulk purchases, commonly 5-20%, and sometimes for as little as 3 bottles, which makes your wine cost even less expensive. And these are usually discounts that the wine store doesn't provide for the large-scale, commercial "value" wines. 

If for some reason you can't ask a store employee for some recommendations, then my best advice for selecting a good wine that is $15 or under, is to buy a Portuguese wine. I think some of the greatest value wines are coming out of Portugal, especially at this price point. Chances are that if you purchase a Portuguese wine costing $15 or less, you'll find a delicious wine, much better than similarly priced wines from most other regions. And there are plenty of Portuguese wines available in that price range. There is probably no other wine region where you can find as many good wines at that price point.

You also should know that paying a few dollars more for your wine can make a big difference. When you start considering wines priced from $15-$20, your options increase drastically. You can find some interesting wines from all over the world in that price range, though they still offer value. And if you are buying in bulk where the wine store offers a discount for larger purchases, you can save enough money so that the wines end up priced closer to $15 or less per bottle.

So this holiday season, don't buy the same old cheap wines. It won't take much effort to select some better choices, and still very inexpensively. In the end, you'll impress your guests, make your holiday party more memorable, and drink better wines.

(This is a revised version of a post originally from 2009.  It's an important enough issue to raise it again.) 

Rant: Don't Stress Over Thanksgiving Wines. Choose Wines That Make People Smile

Every year countless people stress over which wines to pair with their Thanksgiving dinner. Some of these people may even worry that their holiday might be a failure unless they have the correct wines. The holidays can be stressful enough without having to worry about the wine, especially when those worries are generally needless.

Cast your memory back to last year's Thanksgiving. Can you even remember which specific wines you had with dinner? Can you remember the specific wines you had with Thanksgiving dinner two years ago?

I'm sure that most people won't be able to remember except maybe in the most general terms. Maybe they recall having had a Pinot Noir or a Riesling. They are unlikely to recall the specific producer or much else about the wine. What they are more likely to remember is the good (at least hopefully it was good) time they had, the family and friends that shared their table. They might remember that the food and wine was good or bad but the specifics may be foggy.

Do you really need specific Thanksgiving wine recommendations? I don't think so. The more I ponder the question, the more I realize that all you need for Thanksgiving are some good wines, the varietals and/or blends being much less important. As long as they don't blatantly clash with the meal, then they should work just fine. And few wines are going to so blatantly clash. Drink wines you'll enjoy and don't worry so much about "perfect pairings."

A Thanksgiving meal is diverse, with many different flavors, from savory to sweet, and many different textures. No single wine is a perfect pairing with all of these different dishes. So you need wines that people will enjoy in of their own right. I don't think too many hosts are seeking the perfect wine pairing. They simply want something that people will enjoy and which won't greatly detract from the food.

Plus, who will remember the wines next year?

We must also remember that any wine shared with good friends and family is likely to taste better, or at least seem that way, than one drank alone. The circumstances of the day, the good feelings, the fond memories, the thanks for the past year, will all lead to your wine seeming better. And it's all those surrounding circumstances that people will most remember about Thanksgiving. The wine will always take the back seat.

The wine is simply an extra, not a necessity. It pales in importance to everything else about the holiday. Like the Whos from "The Grinch Who Stole Xmas," there should still be joy even if all of the food and wine have been taken away.

I will probably bring a variety of wines to my Thanksgiving feast, a mix of sparkling wine, white, red and dessert wines. In general, I'll pick interesting and delicious wines that I feel people will enjoy. I won't spend much time worrying about pairing them with specific dishes and foods. I just want wines that will make people smile, that will enhance the spirit of the day.

If you want some assistance with selecting wines to make your guests smile, then come see me at the new Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet shop in Melrose. I can show you plenty of delicious and interesting wines which would work well for your Thanksgiving table. I can show you different wines rather than the traditional pairings. Everyone else might bring the standard wines, so why not stand out by bringing a more unique wine? 

Consider wines, both whites and reds from Croatia, Greece, Lebanon, or Georgia. Consider Unoaked Chardonnay from Australia, Pinot Noir from New Zealand, or Bonarda from Argentina. If you want something domestic, consider Picpoul or Gewurtztramier from California. For after-dinner, consider Port (Ruby to White), Sherry or Marsala.    

And all this month, we'll be holding Wine Tastings on Thursday nights, from 5-7pm, and Saturday afternoons, from 1-4pm, showcasing wines for Thanksgiving. Come see me and taste something different. 

Whatever you do for Thanksgiving, enjoy yourself and appreciate all that you have, rather than worry about what you do not.

(This is a revised version of a post originally from 2009. My basic sentiment hasn't changed since that time and it's important enough to raise it again.)

Chateau Musar of Lebanon: Quality Wines of Elegance & Complexity

In the U.S., the best known winery in Lebanon is Chateau Musar, and the quality of their wines is an excellent reason for their renown. I've been a fan of their wines for over fifteen years, and was fortunate last week to attend a trade seminar for those wines, presided by Marc Hochar, one of the third-generation owners of Chateau Musar.   

I'll initially note that the logo above has a motto in Latin, "Labor Omnia Vincit," which translates as "work conquers all." The phrase is adapted from a line in Virgil's Georgics, "Labor omnia vicit / improbus", which roughly translates as "steady work overcomes all things." This motto is also the motto of the state of Oklahoma.  

The cultivation of vineyards and the production of wine extends back in Lebanese history about 7000 years, to the time of the ancient Phoenicians. They created vineyards in the Bekaa Valley, and sold their wines, some which acquired great fame, to many different countries in the Mediterranean region. Like modern-day Phoenician, a few importers have brought Lebanese wines to the U.S. 

Around the 2nd century A.D., a great Temple to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, was constructed by the Romans in the ancient city of Baalbek, later called Heliopolis by Alexander the Great. The temple is huge: about 200 feet long, 100 feet wide and nearly 100 feet high. The temple contains numerous depictions of vines and the enjoyment of wine. 

Unfortunately, in the 7th century, when Lebanon was conquered by the Islamic Caliphate, wine production suffered, although Christians were still permitted to produce wine for religious purposes. It wouldn't be until the 19th century that the modern wine industry rose in Lebanon, spurred on by Jesuits and the French. A few of the wineries which were established in the late 19th century still exist.

The country of Lebanon is about 120 miles long and 30 miles wide, bordered by Syria, Israel, and the Mediterranean Sea. It has a population of nearly 6 Million people. There are two main mountain ranges, the Anti-Lebanon Range (or Eastern Lebanon Range) and the Mount Lebanon Range, and between the two is the Bekaa Valley, an area perfect for viticulture. In the Anti-Lebanon range, the highest point is Mount Hebron. 

Marc stated that Lebanon doesn't fall under the categories of either Old World or New World wines. Instead, it's part of the Ancient World wines, similar to other countries such as Georgia, Turkey and Armenia. Almost thirty years ago, in 1996, there were only about 40 wineries in Lebanon, but over twenty years later, in 2020, the number doubled to about 80 wineries. However, please note that these numbers are tentative, as the wine industry lacks an official, regulatory body. Whatever the actual number of wineries, only a handful currently export their wines to the U.S.   

The photo above is of Marc Hochar, one of the owners of Chateau Musar, and he led the seminar and wine tasting, providing much fascinating information. He was personable and knowledgeable, humorous and easy going. He makes an excellent ambassador for the wines of Chateau Musar.  

In 1930, Gaston Hochar, who was only twenty years old, planted vineyards in the Bekaa Valley and founded Chateau Musar, inspired by his recent travels to Bordeaux. He began wine making in the basement of an old convent owned by a relative. Serge Hochar, his eldest son, would eventually take over the control and management of the winery in 1959, and Serge eventually created the Chateau Musar Rouge style. Serge had two sons, Gaston and Marc. Unfortunately, due to the civil war in Lebanon (1975-1990), much of the family moved, eventually settling in Paris in 1983. Marc got involved in investment banking, and spent about twenty years in that career, before deciding to return to Lebanon and get involved in the winery in 2010.

From the map above, you can see the location of Musar's vineyards and their winery. All of the vineyards are in the southern section of the Bekaa valley, where the climate is quite dry and there are about 300 days of sun each year. Because of the heat, the vines are grown at higher altitudes, with cool nights helping to balance the day time heat. The red grapes are grown at about 3000 feet above sea level, while the white grapes are grown even higher. The soils are mostly clay or gravel with limestone bedrock. The vineyards are all bush wines, an old pruning style, so all of the work in the vineyards must be done by hand. 

Lebanon lacks an appellation system, except the general "Lebanon" designation, so wine makers can plant any grape they desire. As for red grapes, Musar grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Carignan, Syrah, Tempranillo and Grenache. Cinsault has been grown in Lebanon since the 1850s, when Jesuit monks planted it in the Bekaa Valley. Carignan also seems to have been first planted in the 19th century in Lebanon. French winemakers had previously planted grapes in Algeria, so it was easy for them to start planting French grapes in Lebanon as well. There don't appear to be any indigenous red grapes still existent in Lebanon. The main white grapes Musar uses are both indigenous Lebanese grapes: Obeideh and Merwah, some of which are old vines, having been planted in 1920. 

As the winery is near the Mediterranean coast, it can take about three hours to transport grapes from the vineyards to the winery, although in 1984, there were significant problems, causing transport to take a lengthier path, and it took five days to reach the winery. The Musar winemaking philosophy is one of non-intervention as they believe they "tend" to their wines as they develop, rather than "make" them. It is more a matter of "timing" not "making." They use natural yeasts and don't use any "man-made additions." 

Marc also stated that "wine making is a gamble," as you never know what you will get. He continued that there aren't bad vintages, just  "different vintages," and sometimes it may take years for a more difficult vintage to get good. As for the current vintage, despite the element of war in the region, they had no difficulties with the harvest or getting the grapes to the winery. The only potential problem that might arise could be difficulty in transporting the finished wines out of the port.

Marc started the seminar with an intriguing story about why Musar wines may taste better on a sunny day rather than a rainy day. He noted that Burgundy wines can taste very good on rainy days. So why the difference? At one time, Marc tasted his wines on a Flower Day according to the Biodynamic calendar, when his wines should have been expected to show well. However, the wines didn't taste as good as they should have tasted. On a Root Day, when his wines were supposed to show poorly, they actually tasted excellent. He continued to monitor the Biodynamic calendar with his tastings but his wines didn't conform to those expectations. 

Instead, Marc found that the Musar wines generally tasted better on sunny days rather than rainy ones. Marc developed his own theory about this phenomenon. He stated that Musar makes more natural wines, from organic vineyards, and that wine is alive, and continues to evolve in the bottle and glass. If plants, like grape vines, are alive, they may possess a memory and even feelings, and that memory may be passed onto the wine. The plants may "recall" the 300 days of sunshine and how it made them grow so well, so the wine may "embrace" sunny days, presenting their best selves. In Burgundy, they tend to have more rain, so those wines may also present their best selves on rainy days.  

For all of their red wines, Chateau Musar uses a blend of three grapes, and two are always the same: Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault. Cabernet is seen as masculine, opaque, tannic and with dark red berries. The younger wines can be harsh because of their tannins. On the other hand, Cinsault is more feminine and silky, with low tannins and lighter red berries. They are like two extremes which then balance each other out, complimenting each other. Marc stated that few other wineries make such a blend of Cabernet and Cinsault.  

The objective of Musar is to "build the balance of the wine," almost like using Lego building blocks. The third grape varies in each specific red label. All of the grapes are fermented separately, and then will be blended together, after a period of 6-24 months. I'll also note that Musar relies on low yields in the vineyards as well. 

In 1977, Serge Hochar created the blend for their top red wine, the Chateau Musar Rouge. This was Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan, and that blend has not changed. For this wine, the grapes are fermented in cement and then racked after six months. They are then aged in mostly used French oak for about a year. After three years, the wines are blended and aged for an additional 3-4 years in the bottles, with each Rouge generally released 7 years after the harvest.

Volatile acidity (VA) basically is a measure of a wine's gaseous acids, and it's considered a flaw by numerous winemakers and wine lovers, although sometimes it depends on the amount of VA in a wine. High amounts of VA can produce off odors, and some people are sensitive to even small amounts of VA. Natural wines tend to have higher amounts of VA than other wines. Marc stated that VA is an important element of Musar wines, that when you smell their wines, the VA jumps out of the glass. Without VA, the wine has no life, no vibrancy. Personally, I haven't found the VA in any of the Musar wines I've tasted to be off putting and I haven't heard complaints from my wine lover friends about VA in the Musar wines. 

Marc noted that the Chateau Musar wines are often compared to Bordeaux, Rhone and Burgundy wines, dependent on the age of the wines. He added that there are basically 3 seasons for their wines, based on their age. First, the Spring wines are young wines, aged 6-10 years, and possess fresh fruit flavors. Second, there are the Summer wines, aged 12-15 years, and as the fruit gets baked by the sun, you get more stewed fruit flavors, more concentration. Finally, there are the Autumn wines, the older ones, where the "fruit goes into the earth," and these wines show more earthy, mushroom, and barnyard flavors.

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Now, let's take a brief detour into the early history of Chateau Musar in the U.S. Maybe the first mention of Chateau Musar in the newspapers was in the Chicago Daily News (IL), March 9, 1963. In an article about Beirut, it was briefly noted, “Lebanon does produce tasty wines, particularly the red Sahra and Chateau Musar.” At that time, the Musar wines were not yet available in the U.S. so this brief mention probably didn't spur much interest in the wines.   

Ten years later, it appears that the Musar wines had finally become available in the U.S., although it's possible they were primarily found in Texas at this point. The Houston Chronicle (TX), November 8, 1973, published a column about the Winetasters, a local group of wine lovers who met once a month to taste and rate inexpensive wines for value. At a recent tasting, they had sampled and rated three Musar wines, two whites and a red. Their main concern seemed to be the aromas of these wines.

First, the non-vintage Chateau Musar White Cuvee Reserve (about $4.29) received 2 Good, 4 Fair, and 1 Poor ratings. It was noted, “It had a strong somewhat medicinal nose totally unrelated to the taste of the wine.” Second, the 1966 Chateau Musar White Grand Cru (about $4) received 3 Good, 3 Fair, and 1 Poor ratings. It was said, “Again, the nose (or aroma) had nothing to do with the taste of the wine. It was unusually flowery and a darker gold than the first one.” One of the tasters also described it as “more like a French Graves than anything else.” Third, the 1966 Chateau Musar Red Grand Cru (about $4) received 4 Good, 2 Fair, and 1 Poor ratings. It was also stated, “Aromatic nose. Not unacceptable, just odd.” 

Five months later, the Houston Chronicle (TX), April 18, 1974, published another column about the Winetasters. They had conducted a tasting with numerous Chianti wines, but also blind tasted three other wines, including a Bordeaux and the 1966 Chateau Musar Red. As for the Musar, it was stated that, “Several Winetasters thought it was the best wine we had all evening.” No issue with its aroma was noted, and it seemed to appeal even more than at the prior tasting. Bottle variation might have played a role in their prior wine tasting.

The first advertisement for Chateau Musar may have appeared in the Houston Post (TX), June 14, 1974. In a large liquor store ad, it was mentioned that the 1966 Chateau Musar was "a Red Bordeaux Type Wine from Lebanon" and had received "Rave Reviews." The wine regularly sold for $3.59, but was on sale for $2.98. In comparison, the ad also mentioned a few other wines, including: Mateus Rose ($1.75), Baron Philippe de Rothschild Mouton Cadet ($2.50) and Harvey's Bristol Cream ($4.75).

The Express-News (TX), April 2, 1976, had a liquor store ad mentioning “Chateau Musar Rubis,” a Rosé from Lebanon, for $1.46. 

The first non-Texas advertisement was in the Chicago Tribune (IL), March 2, 1978. In a liquor store ad, it was noted you could save 50% on the Chateau Musar Grand Cru 1966 or 1970. It now cost only $1.99, rather than the usual price of $3.98. The ad also stated, “If you like French Bordeaux & Burgundy, you’ll love Chateau Musar.” A few years then passed without any other newspaper mentions of Musar wines. 

A lengthy, and very positive, article about Chateau Musar then appeared in the Winston-Salem Journal (NC), April 2, 1981. Titled, “Cabernet From Lebanon Has Astonishing Quality,” and from the New York Times News Service, the writer discussed a wine he had blind tasted at a Manhattan restaurant. He stated, "The wine was dark red, almost black, and rich with the fruit of the cabernet sauvignon grape, conveying a flavor intensity characteristic of the best Bordeaux or perhaps one of the great California estates where the Cabernet also achieves superb quality." The writer also felt that the wine was likely from Napa, maybe the 1970 or 1974 vintages.

He and the other tasters were shocked to learn the wine was actually the 1970 Chateau Musar. He then added, "To discover a cabernet of such quality from Lebanon was astonishing so I set out to learn more about it." The article also noted that Bacchus Selections, an importer and distributor, had brought the Musar wines into the U.S. but stopped doing so about a year ago. Then, Jack Callaghan, a former Bacchus representative, left the company a year ago and brought the Musar inventory with him. Callaghan opened a Wine Shop at 345 Lexington Avenue, selling the 1972 Musar ($5.99) and the 1975 Musar ($3.69). 

The writer sought out additional vintages of Musar, eventually acquiring the 1970, 1969, 1967 and 1964 vintages. He then put them into a blind tasting against two 2 well known California Cabernets and two famous Bordeaux wineries. The California wines included the 1975 Robert Mondavi ($11.99) and 1976 Clos du Val ($9.65) while the Bordeaux included the 1966 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste and 1970 Chateau Lascombes (both which sell for $25-$50). The writer concluded, "Clearly the best was the 1964 Musar which was fruity, rich, tannic and textured, with a classic Bordeaux bouquet of black currants.” 

This article was also reprinted in various newspapers across the country including in California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Oregon, South Carolina, and Texas. So, people all over the country learned about the quality of Chateau Musar wines, and it's very likely it garnered much interest from wine lovers, especially those keen to determine for themselves how the Musar wines held up against California Cabernet and French Bordeaux. This might have been the major breakthrough for Chateau Musar wines in the U.S.

The Daily Register (NJ), December 2, 1981, had this advertisement for the 1975 Chateau Musar, noting it was "an excellent red bordeaux style wine that has won many medals. This wine is equal to the great growths of bordeaux." The price is about double from that mentioned in the above April 1981 article. Why had the price jumped so high in nine months? An answer came in another newspaper article.

The Citizen Register (NY), January 20, 1982, provided more raves about the wines of Chateau Musar. It stated, “A littler less than a year ago, before a very successful promotion campaign began, vintages such as 1972 could be found gathering dust on store shelves for about $6. No more; they’ve been discovered and I’ve been reading praises for them locally and in foreign journals for several months now.” The article continued, “With that praise has come a tightening of supply—most are on allocation-and increased prices. You might find the 1975 Musar, a full-bodied, strong finishing red much like a Pomerol, in stores at $7.50, and the 1972, a lighter, more elegant wine at about $10.” Thus, its popularity was the reason for the higher price in the December 1981 liquor ad. 

Finally, the article concluded, “Still, the question is, why a Lebanese wine, and the answer is that the combination of soil, climate, dedication and skill have produced a quality wine in an unlikely place.”

Now, onto some notes about the various Musar wines I tasted during the seminar. Marc noted that we would be tasting the different vintages in order of younger to older wines, so that the older wines wouldn't overpower the subtleness of the younger wines. He also mentioned that you can drink Musar wines when they are young, as they aren't too bold, but that their complexity builds over time so they are worth storing away as well. 

Overall, I found the Musar wines to generally be elegant and complex, approachable and ready to drink upon release. However, I experienced some of the aged Musar wines, and they evidenced the great potential of these wines if you can lay them down for a number of years. These are wines which should greatly appeal to most wine lovers, and should encourage you to also seek out other wines from Lebanon. 

We began the tasting with their three "Jeune" wines, which are their "young" and least expensive wines (about $27-$30). They are all unoaked and produced to be fruit-forward, accessible and easy drinking wines. 

The 2022 Musar Jeune Rosé is produced from a blend of Cinsault and Mourvèdre, using the saignée method. The wine is fermented in cement lined vats and released about a year after the harvest. It was a pale pink color, with a fruity aroma, and on the palate it was crisp and dry, with pleasant red fruit flavors and a nice finish. Easy drinking on its own or with paired with food.

The 2022 Musar Jeune Blanc is produced from a blend of Viognier, Vermentino, and Chardonnay. It was fermented in cement lined vats and released about a year after the harvest. With a light golden color, it was aromatic and on the palate it was dry and crisp, with an intriguing and complex blend of flavors, including apple, pear, floral notes and subtle spices. With a lengthy finish, this wine was delicious. This was my favorite of the three Jeune wines.  

The 2021 Musar Jeune Rouge is produced from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and Syrah. The Syrah first became the third grape in this wine in 2005. This dark colored wine has a deeper nose of black fruits and spice. On the palate, it is fuller bodied, with noticeable but restrained tannins, and flavor of black cherry, raspberry and plum, accented by spice notes, especially on the moderately long finish. This is a wine best paired with meat or other hearty dishes.  

We then moved onto the 2021 Levantine De Musar (about $35), which is produced from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and Tempranillo. They have been growing Tempranillo for about 12 years, having planted it due to the effects of climate change. Another effect is that they now harvest about two weeks earlier than they once did. It took about three months to come up with the name of this wine, and the first vintage was in 2016. This is a small production wine, only about 10% of the production level of the Musar Jeune Red. This unoaked wine is silky smooth, with low tannins, and delicious flavors of red and black fruit, and subtle spice notes. If you enjoy Spanish reds, you will likely enjoy this wine. I very much enjoyed the Levantine, and think it would work well as a Thanksgiving wine.  

The 2020 Hochar Pere Et Fils (about $45) is produced from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and Grenache. It was fermented in cement vats and then aged in French oak. It's only released every four years. It's a bigger wine than the Levantine, with stronger tannins, but they are far from overpowering. It's a balanced wine, with dominant black fruit flavors, a spicy element, and a lengthy, pleasing finish. This is a wine you should probably pair with meat or other hearty dishes.   

We then moved onto four vintages of their flagship wine, the Chateau Musar Rouge, which is produced from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and Carignan (from organic vineyards). Robert Parker once reviewed the 1995 Chateau Musar Rouge, awarding it only 83 points. However, the 1995 vintage is very popular with wine lovers and sells out each time it is made available. Marc stated he feels that the Musar wines are too elegant, and not bold enough, for Parker's tastes.  

The 2017 Chateau Musar Rouge (about $65-$75) underwent a lengthy fermentation in cement vats before aging in French oak for a year. The wine is then typically released 7 years after the harvest. With an alluring aroma, this wine is silky and elegant, with mild tannins, and a complex melange of flavors, including both red and black fruits (like black cherry and plum), subtle spices, and hints of herbs. Well balanced, with a lengthy and pleasing finish, it may remind you of a fine Bordeaux. It's very approachable and delicious, and you could even enjoy it on its own, although it would pair well with a variety of foods. This wine has an excellent aging potential, although it's ready to drink now. 

The 2012 Chateau Musar Rouge is from an outlier of a vintage, and possesses more residual sugar than normal, about 5+ grams. They now ensure that their wines have no more than about 3 grams of residual sugar. Thus, this wine will tend to taste younger than its actual age, and as it ages, it will become more balanced and likely taste similar in some respects to an Amarone. I found this wine to be smooth and elegant, with a bit less juiciness in the fruit flavors, and it was also very approachable with a lengthy finish. There was a touch more sweetness to the wine, but it was still basically dry.  

The 2004 Chateau Musar Rouge was a more elegant and ethereal wine with much complexity and subtleties. Each sip seemed to bring something new to my palate. The fruit was still bright and there was so much life still in this wine. It was pure silk, well-balanced, and with a nearly endless and satisfying finish. Words cannot properly capture the magic of this wine. Highly recommended!   

The 1998 Chateau Musar Rouge possessed a hint of an almost musty aroma, and was a bolder wine, with much less fruit and more spice and earthy notes. It possessed a very light red color, almost translucent, and reminded me a bit of older Burgundy. It's become a very different wine than the other Rouge vintages. This shows the evolution of the Rouge wines, how they often seem to start tasting more like a Bordeaux and then move toward a Rhone-style wine or finally a Burgundy. This was an interesting wine, but my personal preference was still the 2004 vintage.   

We next sampled the 2018 Chateau Musar Rosé (about $65), an intriguing blend of 57% Obaideh, 40% Merwah, and 3% Cinsault. Marc called it a "white wine in disguise" and the tiny amount of Cinsault in this wine certainly brings truth to that claim. The grapes were co-pressed and co-fermented, not using the saignée method, and then the wine was finished in older French oak. They first started making this Rosé in 1994, and produce it every other year. It looks like a white wine, and drinks like a white wine as well. It's crisp and dry, elegant and complex with notes of citrus and peaches, hints of salted nuts and subtle spices. It's delicious, with a lingering finish, and can age very well with Marc stating it would only get better with time. You can see that their current vintage is already 6 years old. Marc also recommended that you enjoy this wine with food. 

Then, we moved onto two vintages of the Chateau Musar Blanc. The Blanc is a blend of 75% Obeideh and 25% Merwah, from organic vineyards, which are 100-120 years old, located at an altitude of about 4500 feet in the eastern Anti-Lebanon mountains. The vines also possess their original root stock, untouched by phylloxera, probably due to their remoteness. The grapes are late ripeners, so they are harvested in late September or early October. It was originally believed that Obeideh might be a clone of Chardonnay, and Merwah might be a clone of Semillon. However, DNA testing has determined that both are indigenous to Lebanon, with no connection Chardonnay or Semillon. Obeideh is said to be waxy and textural while the Merwah is said to be honeyed and floral. 

The Blanc is aged for 9 months in French oak barriques, and then aged in the bottled for another 6 years before release. The Blanc has been described as a "dry Sauternes" or "mature white Graves." Marc described the Blanc as a "nose wine," because so much is going on with its aroma and smells. You can sit, smelling the wines, and simply enjoy the aromas without even tasting the wine.  

The 2016 Chateau Musar Blanc ($60-$70), with a fine golden color, is aromatic, with an alluring and complex nose. You definitely could sit for a time just enjoying the aroma. On the palate, it's crisp and dry, complex and intriguing, with a melange of flavors including lemon, apricot, almonds, spice and herbal elements. Once again, this is the type of wine which is difficult to put into words. It's a more unique wine that is sure to interest wine lovers.  

The 1997 Chateau Musar Blanc possessed a darker, more amber color, and also possessed a fuller body. It was elegant and ethereal, with complex, but more subtle flavors of fruit, spice, honey, caramel and herbs. Each sip brought new flavors to mind, and I was mesmerized by the quality of this wine and how well it had aged. It's a wine that must be experienced, and for which words cannot do proper justice. Highly recommended! And I bought a bottle of this wine the next day after the seminar. 

We finished the tasting with the L'Arack de Musar ($65-$70), a traditional Lebanese spirit. It begins with grape alcohol (from red or white grapes which weren't used to make wine), in a solera system, and aged for an average of five years. It takes about five bottles of wine to make a single bottle of arak. The alcohol is then distilled three times, and then it undergoes a fourth distillation which includes anise seeds (not anise flavoring). The anise seeds come from Syria, as that is the source of the best anise. It's then placed into a terracotta amphora for a year. Musar has been making Arak for about 40-50 years. 

I tasted some of the Arak on its own, which is a clear spirit, and tasted smooth and sweet, with a prominent taste of anise (reminding me of Anisette cookies). The alcohol is noticeable, but it's not overly strong. Generally in Lebanon, they add water to their arak, which turns it a milky color and reduces the sense of alcohol. You can also use arak in cocktails, and Marc stated that a Sazerac would be a good choice.  

Seek out the wines of Chateau Musar and experience the terroir of Lebanon. With the holidays coming, now is the time to splurge on these wines, for yourself or for gifts. At Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet in Melrose, where I work, we carry several of the Chateau Musar wines, including the Levantine de Musar, Chateau Musar Rouge, and Chateau Musar Blanc. So, come by the store to see me and I'll show you the Musar wines we have available.

Pinoy Kabayan: First Impressions of the Only Filipino Restaurant in Boston

Last week, as I spent much of Tuesday in Boston, I made plans to have dinner at Pinoy Kabayan, the only Filipino restaurant in Boston, which opened about a year ago. Outside of Boston, there’s also Bright Light, a Filipino & Jamaican restaurant in Quincy, and Johnny Boy, a Filipino Sandwich Pop-Up in Somerville. Why aren't there more Filipino restaurants in the Boston+ area? 

Back in 2011, I wrote about the dearth of Filipino restaurants across the country. There was only one Filipino restaurant near Boston, a place in Quincy. And across the country, there were less than 500 Filipino restaurants, and in comparison, there were over 43,000 Chinese restaurants. As of 2023, there were about 1400 Filipino restaurants in the U.S., nearly tripling in number in about 12 years. In comparison, there were over 45,000 Chinese restaurants. Population-wise, there are about 5.4 Million Chinese in the U.S. and 4.2 Million Filipinos, so there definitely should be far more Filipino restaurants in this country. 

Why are there so few Filipino restaurants in the U.S.? There are many theories but no definitive conclusions. Since 2012, in my annual Rant: Forget Useless Predictions, I have often called for More Filipino Restaurants & Dishes. I don't have much experience with Filipino cuisine, but I have greatly enjoyed what I have previously eaten. So, it was also helpful that I dined at Pinoy Kabayan with a good friend of Filipino ancestry, to assist me in navigating the menus.

Pinoy Kabayan is owned by Janeth Millare Javier and Reynaldo Javier, both from the Philippines. Janeth spoke to us about the restaurant and their food, and she was personable and passionate. The fast-casual restaurant is primarily take-out, but there's also seating for about 16 people.  

There are roughly two levels to the menu offerings, the first being the dishes which are usually always available, and then some more specialty dishes which are offered only a different times. The first level menu includes a few Appetizers (Lumpia, Fish Ball, & Kikiam), Salads (Atchara & House Salad), Ulam/Entrees (Adobo, Mechado, Tocino, Tapa, & Longganisa), and Kanin at Pancit/Rice & Noodles (Kanin, Sinangag, Steamed Veggies, & Pancit Guisado). 

They also serve a few Breakfast dishes all-day, including Tap-Si-Log, Long-Si-Log, To-Si-Log, and Spam-Si-Log. These are portmanteaus for the components of each of the dishes, which include a protein, sinangag (garlic fried rice), and itlog (fried egg). 

These are all dishes which most food lovers would enjoy, very approachable Filipino dishes to give people an insight into the delights of Filipino cuisine. And it certainly makes me wonder once again why there aren't more Filipino restaurants in the Boston+ area. 

In a chiller unit, you'll find more Filipino dishes, those which aren't always available, and which can be purchased for take-out, although they would warm them up for you if you decide to dine there. You can check out their Facebook and Instagram pages for info about special Filipino dishes that are available for a limited time. 

Some of these dishes may be for more adventurous palates, but are worth sampling. Other dishes would appeal once again to most food lovers. You might find Lechon Paksiw, pork stewed in vinegar and aromatics, or Pork Humba, braised pork belly in a sweet and salty sauce. Or Galonggong, fried Mackarel Scad that's simply seasoned. I tried the Dinuguan from this chiller case, which I'll describe shortly. 

The meal began with some Lumpia Shanghai (4 pieces $6, 6 for $9, 12 for $15), which are thin, fried spring rolls with pork and veggies. The pastry skins for the lumpia were very thin and crunchy, and the savory filling was tasty, spiced nicely. In the Philippines, they make many different types of Lumpia, including some dessert versions. These Lumpia didn't come with a specific sauce, but at the table was a selection of condiments. 

One of those condiments is Banana Sauce, also called Banana Ketchup, which was invented in 1942 by a Filipina food technologist, Maria Y. Orosa. Due to World War II, there was a shortage of tomatoes but there still were many bananas, so this sauce was created to fill the need for ketchup. In general, banana sauce is made from bananas, sugar, vinegar, and spices. It may also be dyed red to resemble tomato-based ketchup. Lumpia are sometimes dipped in banana sauce, and I tried some. It was a mild flavored ketchup, not overly sweet, and did go well with the lumpia.

Each Ulam (Entree) is $15-$16 (Ala carte) or available as a Combo Meal, with rice or noodles & steamed veggies, for $14.50-$16.50. You can also get a Combo Meal with 2 entrees for $18.50-$22.50. I opted for the Combo with 2 entrees, and I chose the Tocino and Tapa, along with Sinangag. It was a hearty plate of food, and overall it was delicious and reasonably priced. 

The Tocino (sweet cured chicken or pork--and I opted for the pork) is from a Spanish word for "bacon." Traditionally, the dish is made from pork shoulder or pork belly, which is cured and then marinated in spices and sauces, commonly including pineapple juice. I enjoyed the sweet and tangy flavor of these tender pork slices, which reminded me in some respects to the boneless spare ribs you get in some Chinese restaurants. 

The Tapa is a Filipino jerky, which can be made from made different meats or fish, although the restaurant makes it as a Beef version. This beef was also tender, with a more savory taste of spices. It's definitely not as dry and chewy as most American jerky of which you might be familiar.  

For my side, I chose Sinangag, the garlic fried rice, which is basically made only with garlic, and topped with some scallions. It tasted nice and was a fine accompaniment to the entries, especially the Dinuguan. 

My dining companion ordered the Sinigang, a sour and savory soup, often flavored with tamarind. It is commonly prepared with pork, fish, or shrimp although the above version is made with just vegetables. I tasted the broth which was pleasantly sour, but balanced with savory notes too.

Then we come to the Dinuguan, and the owner, Janeth, was an initially a little hesitant about serving it to me. A rough translation of "Dinuguan" is "bloody soup or stew," and it's commonly made with pork, offal and pork blood. The use of offal and pork blood would obviously turn off many people who aren't familiar with such dishes, or who don't have an adventurous palate. For myself, I've enjoyed other blood-based dishes before, such as Spanish Morcilla, blood sausage, so I was willing to try the Dinuguan.  

I spooned some of the Dinuguan atop my garlic rice, and it was a delicious combo. The Dinuguan was hearty, with pieces of tender pork and an intriguing, thick sauce, nicely spiced, with plenty of umami and a touch of tartness. If you didn't know it was made with blood, you probably wouldn't guess it from the taste alone. This is a dish that I'd order again and I'd recommend my friends with adventurous palates to give it a try.   

I can't wait to return to Pinoy Kabayan to sample more of their menu, and I would strongly recommend it to all of my readers. The food is delicious, hearty, reasonably priced, and it's great to experience Filipino cuisine, which is so rare in this area. 

Tiki Rock: The BYOB (Bring Your Own Blender) Cocktail Competition

Five Frozen Rum Cocktails pitted against each other. Which one would prevail as the winner? Which bartender's creation would impress the most? 

Last week, at Tiki Rock on Broad Street in Boston, the B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Blender) competition was held, where five local and talented bartenders were invited to create frozen cocktails, using Appleton Estate Rum. The event was organized by Curtis McMillan, the General Manager at Tiki Rock, who is also a professional bartender with over 20 years of experience. He recently published, The Mischievous Mixologist: A Hardcore Hospitality Book, a fascinating cocktail book which blends  "hardcore punk culture with the art of mixology." 

The public were invited to the contest, to sample the cocktails, and vote for their favorite frozen concoction. There were also three official judges, who got to vote as well. Curtis invited me to be one of these three judges and I was joined by two well-experienced bartenders, including Van Hongthong of Row 34 and Palmer Matthews of Dotty's Kitchen & Raw Bar and Pearl & Lime. It was great to hang out with the other two judges, comparing and contrasting the various rum drinks. It was a fun evening overall. 

Each contestant kept busy with their blenders, creating frozen treats for all of the guests. It was fun to watch each bartender carefully craft their cocktail, listen to how they prepared some of their ingredients, and understand their inspirations. They were all very personable and I appreciated their obvious passion. However, hard decisions had to be made, and I had to vote for my top two favorite cocktails. 

The Winner of the BYOB Competition, as well as my own personal favorite, was created by Sean Leonard of Pearl & Lime. The Pura Vida, which is Spanish for "pure life," was inspired by Sean's recent honeymoon in Costa Rica. "Pura Vida" is a common saying in Costa Rica, exemplifying their outlook on life, a sense of positivity. I found this cocktail to be smooth, complex and fruity, a satisfying drink which immediately brought to mind the tropics. It was well balanced, and the alcohol seemed more subdued, a nice accent rather than overpowering. I could easily picture myself, lying on the beach, and enjoying several of these cocktails. Congratulations to Sean! 

In Second Place, as well as my own second choice, was the Marcy's Playground cocktail created by Matt Tetrault of Wusong Road. Chocolate flavors played an important role in this cocktail, balanced with sweet and bitter notes. Complex and tasty, it possessed bolder flavors and it's something I'd enjoy mostly after dinner, an accompaniment to dessert. 

The other contestants included Ben Meahl, of the Somerset Club, with his The Good Ship Appleton cocktail. Topped with whipped cream and pineapple, this was the simplest of the five cocktails, but it was a pleasant drink, and the addition of the Calvados was a nice choice.

Anissa Santiago, of Bootleg Special, presented a Mai Sweet Jerk, a spicy frozen cocktail which left you with a nice, spicy-hot aftertaste rather than presenting that heat on your initial sip. The other flavors of the cocktail showed well, although I think it might have benefited from a bit more sweetness, to better balance out the cocktail. 

Graeme Piette, of Spy Bar, created the Day-O (Banana Boat) cocktail. My favorite element of this cocktail was the foam atop it, made with absinthe orange vanilla angostura. It was a delicious and unique taste. The rest of the cocktail was pleasant too, with nice spice notes. 

Many thanks to Curtis for inviting me to be a judge, as well as to the five skilled contestants for exhibiting their mixology skills. It was a fun and tasty night, and the guests that evening seemed to enjoy themselves very much.