2016: Favorite Wine-Related Items

What were some of my favorite wine related items of the past year?

Let me continue the lists of my best recommendations and favorites of 2016. I have already posted my Top Ten Wines Under $15, Top Ten Wines Over $15 and Top Wines Over $50 lists. This post will now concentrate on some of my Favorite Wine-Related Items, which are not specific wine recommendations. This is certainly not a complete list but it is more a sampling of compelling and memorable matters I have experienced and posted about over the past year.

This is also a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" of anything. But all of the items here have earned my strong recommendations and I hope you will enjoy them as well. For more wine related items, you can just search my blog posts for the past year.

Analysis Of Top Ten Wines: In my three prior Top Ten Wine lists, I mentioned a total of 42 wines, which included wines from 10 different countries. At the top was Spain, with 10 wines (which was in second place last year). Portugal and Italy (which was in first place last year) are tied for second place, with 7 wines. Nearly 60% of my top wines came from just these three countries. Greece and France are tied for third place with with 4 wines. The U.S. has 3 wines, 2 from California and 1 from New York. Georgia and Cyprus each had 2 wines on the lists while Argentina and Slovenia each has 1 wine. As for wine types, the list is also broken down into 5 Sparkling, 12 Whites, 4 Rosé, 13 Reds, 7 Fortified and 1 Dessert Wine. Thirteen of the wines were first tasted at the Boston Wine Expo, where I often find a significant number of intriguing wines.

Favorite Discount Wine Stores: Consumers always want bargains, excellent value wines which won't stretch their wallets. You can buy the cheap, mass-produced commercial wines which can be found in almost any wine store or instead, you can seek out excellent, value wines which put to shame those cheap wines. Certain discount wine stores provide not only excellent prices but also an interesting selection and good service. I want to highlight three such stores which continue to do an especially good job, places where I go to seek bargains: Bin Ends in Braintree & Needham, Wine Connextion in North Andover, and Rapid Liquors in Stoneham (which recently completed a major expansion). Shop at any of those stores and you won't be disappointed.

Favorite Wine Stores: This is a small list of wine stores which consistently impress me with their selection and service. Each shop is worthy of your patronage and wine lovers should make the effort to visit these places if you have not done so yet.
Lower Falls Wine Company in Newton Lower Falls
Wine-Sense in Andover
Wine Bottega in Boston's North End
Central Bottle Wine & Provisions in Cambridge
Wine Press in Brookline
Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet in Melrose (where I also work part-time)
Streetcar Wines in Jamaica Plain

Favorite Wine Lunch/Dinner: Champagne pairs well with food, but some Champagnes do it better than others. The Champagnes of Besserat de Bellefon are specifically produced to accompany food and lunch at L'Espalier helped to show its excellence with food pairings. The lunch tasting was educational and delicious, fun and informative. Two of the Champagnes also ended up on my Top Ten Wine lists. The secret of its versatility with food is its smaller bubbles, which makes the Champagne taste creamier, more unctuous, and lighter.

Runner-Up Favorite Wine Lunch/Dinners: This category was a tie, between an Italian wine dinner and a Cypriot wine dinner. The Piedmontese Wine Dinner at Osteria Nino presented several killer wines, three which ended up on my Top Ten Wine lists, accompanied by dishes from Gnocchi al Castelmagno e Noci to Bollito di Manzo. A Cypriot Wine Dinner at Committee offered several compelling wines, two which ended up on my Top Ten Wine lists, wines which you rarely see at other restaurants. The tasty cuisine was Cypriot as well, from Eliopites to Koupes. Both wine dinners helped to show how regional wines and cuisines pair well with each other.

Favorite High-End Wine Lunch/Dinner: Argentina would be hard pressed to find a better advocate for their wines than Laura Catena. At a special lunch at Bistro du Midi, Laura Catena shared with us some of the top wines from Bodega Catena Zapata, wines from the famed Adrianna Vineyard. From the White Bones and White Stones Chardonnays to three incredible Malbecs, we learned about this vineyard and its various expressions. The lunch was informative and inspirational, and the wines were stunning. And the food, from Lamb Carpaccio to Flat Iron Steak Frites, was delicious, pairing well with the two Malbecs at the table. One of the Chardonnays from this lunch also ended up on one of my Top Ten Wine lists.

Favorite Regional Wine Tasting: This category was also a tie, between Franciacorta, an Italian Sparkling Wine, and Georgian wines (the country, not the state). At the Wine Bottega, Jeremy Parzen was Spreading Love For Franciacorta, showcasing 11 wines and helping to give attention to this compelling bubbly. Jeremy is an excellent ambassador for these wines and it made sure the tasting was educational and fun. At Puritan & Co., there was a significant tasting of Georgian wines, which led to my post, Drink More Georgian Wine! Georgian wines can be delicious and intriguing, and it was fascinating to explore more of their wines. And both of these tastings had wines that ended up on my Top Ten Wine lists this year.

Favorite Large-Scale Tasting: This year, this award goes to the Boston Wine Expo, a huge consumer wine event. Thirteen wines from this event ended up on my Top Ten Wine lists. It has its issues, primarily due to the large crowds that attend, but there are ways to maximize your wine exploration and enjoyment, from attending the Seminars to focusing your tasting on certain regions and/or wine styles. Early next month, I'll be posting my suggestions and advice for attending the Expo, which should help to improve your experience. Check here for tickets for the 2017 Boston Wine Expo,

Favorite Private Wine Tasting: My good friend Adam, of Wine Zag, hosts a monthly blind tasting event which is always fun and interesting. There haven't been many tastings this past year due to a number of circumstances but it remains my favorite private event. A group of 15-18 people are assembled, and we taste through about twelve wines, usually with some type of theme. From Champagne to Southern Italian reds, the themes range wide and the wines themselves range in price and style. The attendees include wine newcomers and more knowledgeable tasters, but there is a lack of pretension and the casual atmosphere is one of fun and discovery. This is the fifth year in a row this tasting has garnered this honor. The house has changed, allowing a more intimate event.

Favorite Wine Travel Event: This past June, I attended TasteCamp Vermont, exploring the food and drink or Vermont. TasteCamp is always one of my favorite events as a small group of wine writers get together to explore a wine region, though the event has expanded to include additional alcoholic beverages as well. Vermont is a compelling destination, with delicious and interesting drinks from Hard Cider to Maple Syrup Beverages. There are a number of excellent Distilleries, producing wonders such as Barrel-Aged Gin. And I actually have more to write about this experience so look forward to more info about the delights of Vermont.

Favorite Wine Rant: Is wine simply a luxury, relatively unimportant? In one of my rants, I tried to answer the question, Wine Is Just Fermented Grape Juice? In one respect, it is just fermented grape juice, but there are other levels involved as well. Wine can be important, a key to bringing people together, creating friendships, and prolonging those friendships. Take a look at my Rant and think about its contents. Maybe you will see wine through a different lens.

What were some of your favorite wine-related items this year?

2016: Top Ten Wines Over $15 (But Under $50)

What were some of my favorite wines of the past year?

Welcome to my second Top Ten Wine List. Yesterday, I posted my Top Ten Wines Under $15, which I hope you enjoyed and found useful. Now it is time for my Top Ten Wines Over $15, though these wines also cost less than $50.

Like the prior list, this list includes wines that not only did I enjoy, but which I also found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They might be especially delicious, something more unique or just excellent values for the price. They all stand out, for some particular reason, above the other wines at this price point that I have tasted this past year.

This is a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" wines out there. It is primarily the wines which spoke to me the loudest, even when they were subtle wines. These are all wines that I highly recommend and which I believe many other wine lovers will also enjoy.

The wines are not listed in any particular order and each choice is linked to my more detailed prior review. All of these wines are worth your consideration but please also note that the prices are approximations and the actual price may vary in your area. In addition, some of the wines might not be available in your local area, though you might be able to order them from the winery or an online store, dependent on your state's shipping laws. Please also note that this is technically a Top 12 list as three Sherries are tied at one spot.

1) 1995 Caves Sao Joao Poco do Lobo Branco ($34.99)
This Portuguese wine is produced from 100% Arinto and for a 21 year old wine, it is priced reasonably, especially considering its quality. The wine is made in an oxidative style and reminded me very much of an aged Sherry. It has crisp acidity, with citrus flavors, briny notes, herbal accents, and a strong umami component. It is complex and intriguing, with a lengthy finish, and should continue to age well for at least several more years. An impressive wine that I highly recommend.

2) 2012 Ultreia St. Jacques Mencia ($29.99)
Produced by the Spanish producer Bodegas y Viñedos Raúl Pérez, it is made from 100% Mencia from an organic vineyard which was planted in 1889, pre-phylloxera. It is fermented with wild yeasts, partially in stainless steel, barrique and oak vats, and then is aged in 1,500 liter oak vats for about eight months. It is elegant and subtle, not a wine of power, and is something to slowly savor to revel in its complex and intriguing melange of flavors. With fresh fruit flavors of raspberry and black cherry, there are spicy elements, a touch of earthiness, and herbal accents. There is so much going on in each sip and I was quite taken with its taste. And at this price, it is a steal for a wine of such complexity and quality.

3) 2012 Jakeli Saperavi ($36.99)
A Georgian wine, made from a certified organic vineyard, is produced from 100% Saperavi, with indigenous yeasts, and spent about 30 months in stainless steel. The wine is a deep, dark red, nearly opaque and it has a more restrained nose of spicy black fruit. On the palate, it is a muscular wine, with intense black fruit flavors, rich spices and hints of earthiness and smoke. There is a touch of the exotic to it, something that is hard to put into words or nail down, but it enhances the complexity and allure of this wine.

4) Alexander Jules Sherries ($40)
Alexander Jules, a kind of negociant company, seeks out special Spanish sherry barrels, creating fascinating and delicious blends. Their previous Sherries have ended up on prior Top Ten lists and the latest three Sherries I've tasted from this company strongly deserve a place as well. These Sherries include Alexander Jules Manzanilla 5/41, Alexander Jules Fino 4/65, and Alexander Jules Amontillado 3/10. These are Sherries to slowly enjoy each delectable taste, relishing the wonders found within each glass. I placed these three together because they are all special, share similar characteristics, and showcase the fine palate of the company's owner, Alexander Russan. And it's just too hard to select one as my favorite of the three.

5) 2013 Bonny Doon Vin Gris Tuilé ($26)
An unusual California Rosé, it is a blend of 55% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre, 10% Roussanne, 7% Cinsaut, 3% Carignane, and 2% Grenache Blanc. It is made to be a vin tuilé , a solarized "brick wine," and sat in glass demijohns out in the sun and elements for about nine months. It has a more brownish-pink color and its aroma immediately brought to my mind the smell of sherry. And on the palate, it definitely tasted like a sherry as well, savory and nutty, with that oxidized element. There are some subtle notes of citrus and caramel, contributing to the complexity of the wine. As a sherry lover, I loved this wine.

6) 2014 Filipa Pato Post-Quercus Branco ($18)
A fascinating Portuguese wine, this is made from 100% Bical, from an organic vineyard. It is fermented with indigenous yeasts and then aged in clay amphorae which were buried underground. On the nose, I found this wine to present some appealing stone fruit aromas with floral accents and a slight herbal note. On the palate, it possesses bright and juicy peach & pear notes that are accompanied by some briny accents and hints of minerality. It also has a smooth texture with a mildly creamy aspect and a lingering, satisfying finish. There is plenty of complexity and each sip is both intriguing and delicious.

7) 2013 Orgo Kisi ($25.99)
From a small, artisan winery in Georgia, this wine is made from indigenous Kisi grapes from 50 year old vines, and is fermented and aged in qvevri for 6 months with skin contact for the entire time. Native yeasts are used, the wine is unfiltered and it possesses low sulfites. This is a delicious and aromatic wine, with an interesting and complex combination of black tea and ripe pear notes, with subtle hints of tropical fruit. A unique and delicious wine, showcasing the appeal of the wines of Georgia.

8) 2011 Ktima Brintziki Avgoustiatis ($19)
This Greek wine is made from 100% Avgoustiatis, which is a rare, indigenous grape, and is aged in new French barrique for about twelve months. This wine possesses a rich red color and an intriguing nose of red fruits, mild spices and savory notes, possibly a touch of olive. On the palate, the wine is dry with mild tannins, and tasty flavors of cherry, plum, savory herbs and mild spice notes. It is elegant, with nice acidity and a lingering, satisfying finish. This is a very food friendly wine, with a complex and interesting flavor profile.

9) 2013 Tsiakkas Vamvakada ($27.99)
A Cypriot wine, this is made from 100% Vamvakada, an indigenous grape which is also known as Maratheftiko. About 15% of the grapes are from old vines, over 80 years old, and this wine is aged, for about nine months, in 85% new French oak and 15% American oak. With a dark purple, opaque color, its subtle aromas are enticing and appealing, beckoning for you to taste it. And on the palate, it is a complex and compelling wine, with plenty of juicy ripe plum and black berry flavors, with hints of blueberries. It possesses low tannins, spicy elements and a mild herbal note, especially on the lengthy finish. So much going on in this wine, and each sip seems to bring something new to me.

10) 2010 Chateau Siaurac Lalande de Pomerol ($25)
This reasonably priced Bordeaux is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, from a sustainably farmed vineyard. This wine is aged for about 16 months in French oak, 30% new. With a medium-red color, the aromas are compelling with a delightful blend of black and red fruits with some herbal accents. On the palate, it has plenty of more acidity and moderate tannins though it is well balanced. It is a complex and intriguing wine, with delicious flavors of black cherry, ripe plum, and blackberries with dark spices and a hint of earthiness. A lingering and satisfying finish caps off this stellar wine, especially at this price point.

This is always my toughest list to compile because there are numerous other excellent wines which I could have added. I had to ponder long over which wines to actually select for the main list, meaning that I had to eliminate other worthy wines. To give some credit to those other worthy wines, which almost made the Top Ten list, I have an Honorable Mention list. These are also wines you definitely should check out.

Honorable Mention

1) 2005 Vina Olabarri Gran Reserva ($28.99)
A Spanish wine from a winery founded in 1958 in Haro, Rioja Alta, this is a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Manzuelo & Graciano. It is smooth and complex, with an intriguing melange of flavors, including black cherry, ripe plum, spice accents and a hint of herbal notes. The tannins are well integrated, it has a lengthy finish and is well balanced. An excellent example of Rioja at a reasonable price for wine with some aged. 

2) 2013 BOE Broken Land ($29.99)

Produced in Brooklyn, New York, this "orange" wine is a blend of 52% Gewurtztraminer and 48% Pinot Gris from the Finger Lakes. After fermentation, the wine sits on the lees for about eleven days and then it is pressed and aged in neutral oak for about nine months. On the nose, the wine provides enticing exotic aromas with earthy elements. On the palate, the wine is elegant, with a subtle earthy aspect, a complex melange of flavors of citrus, dried fruit, mild herbs and a briny element. It is a more subtle wine though, not as intense as other orange wines, which would make it an excellent introduction for wine lovers to the wonders of orange wines. 

3) 2008 Quinta Dona Matilde Colheita Porto ($37.99)

Made from a blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Amarela, and Tinta Barroca, this is made to be a fresh, easy drinking Port. Usually, these Colheitas are released after 10-12 years but this is an exception. With a pleasant nose of jammy fruit and spice, I found this Port to be elegant and approachable, with prominent bright fruit flavors, mild spice notes, and a little toastiness. The tannins are mild, it isn't overly sweet, and has a fairly lengthy finish. With this Port, they have accomplished their goal and it would be perfect for a chilly evening, accompanied by a hunk of pungent Blue Cheese. 

4) 2014 Guidobono Langhe Nebbiolo ($15.99)

Made from 100% Nebbiolo, this Italian wine is fermented in stainless steel vats and then 50% is aged in large, used oak barrels for about eight months. This is intended to be a more entry level Nebbiolo, one lacking the aging found in Barbaresco and Barolo, and which is meant for drinking now. With a light red color, this wine has a pleasant nose of cherries with a hint of spice, and on the palate is smooth and fruity, easy drinking but far from simple. With soft tannins, good acidity, and a delightful blend of red fruit and spice flavors, it would be an excellent choice for many different dishes, from a simple pizza or burger, to a nice pasta dish.

5) 2010 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco ($39.99)

This Italian Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo and was aged for two years in oak and eighteen months in the bottle. It has an intriguing nose of black fruit and subtle spices and a touch of floral notes. On the palate, it possesses restrained tannins, excellent acidity and deep, complex flavors of black cherry, blackberry, violets, black pepper and spicy accents. It is dry and elegant, with a lengthy finish. Absolutely delicious and an impressive wine that is well worth a splurge.

6) 2015 Bonny Doon Vineyard Vin Gris de Cigare ($18)

An intriguing California Rosé that is a blend of 44% Grenache, 20% Grenache Blanc, 12% Carignane, 11% Mourvèdre, 7% Cinsaut, and 6% Roussanne. This wine is made in the vin gris style, from grapes, picked at optimal ripeness, with minimal skin contact. It also experiences some bâtonnage, which is intended to add some creaminess to the texture. This Rosé is a pale pink in color, resembling a typical Provence Rosé, and its aroma and taste are similar as well. This is an elegant and more subtle Rosé, crisp and dry, with restrained red fruit flavors with mineral notes. There are also some subtle floral notes and a touch of savory herbs. It is complex and intriguing, with a lingering, satisfying finish. Absolutely delicious and refreshing, something you can enjoy on its own or with seafood or a light chicken dish.

7) 2006 Majolini Brut Electro Franciacorta ($24)

Franciacorta, from Lombardy, Italy, is one of my favorite styles of Sparkling Wine. This wine is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, spending at least 60 months on the lees. This is an extremely impressive sparkling wine, with a great intensity and an earthy element. There are pleasant fruit flavors, though more subtle, and it also possesses a lingering and compelling finish. Highly recommended.

8) 2014 Orgo Rkatsiteli ($19.99)

A Georgian wine, it is made from 100% Rkatisteli and is fermented and aged in qvevri for about six months, with skin contact for that entire period. It is also made with wild yeasts and is unfiltered. It presents with a more unusual, yet intriguing, aroma, a melange of spice and fruit. On the palate, the spice notes dominate with more subtle undertones of citrus and peach and a touch of honey. It is fresh and crisp, complex and well-balanced. This wine would pair well with a variety of foods, from seafood to chicken, cheese to charcuterie.

9) 2014 Ktima Brintziki Tinaktorogos ($19.99)

This Greek wine is made from 100% Tinaktorogos, a rare, indigenous grape that is so ancient that it might have been mentioned by Homer. It might even be the only 100% Tinaktorogos in the world. On the nose, there are alluring notes of stone fruits and light floral elements. On the palate, it is crisp and dry, with delicious flavors of apple and pear, with floral hints and a touch of tea. There is some round, creaminess to the wine, balanced with its nice acidity. The finish is long and pleasing and it certainly has a slightly different taste than many other white wines. It pairs well with a diversity of food.

10) 2015 Tsiakkas Xinisteri ($17.99)

Another Cypriot wine, it is produced from the indigenous Xinisteri grape and the vines average about 50 years old. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and sees no oak. Possessing a light golden color, it possesses a pleasant aroma of apples and citrus. On the palate, it is crisp and dry, with lush apple and peach flavors, enhanced by some minerality. Easy drinking, it would be excellent with seafood, such as oysters.

Summary

Spain occupies the most places on my Top Ten (or Top Twelve) list, with four spots. Portugal and Georgia each occupy two spots while California, Cyprus, Greece and France each occupy one spot. The list is also broken down into three Fortified Wines, five Reds, one Rosé, & three Whites. On the Honorable Mention list, Italy dominates, occupying three spots. Spain, New York, Portugal, California, Georgia, Greece and Cyprus each occupy one spot. The list is also broken down into one Sparkling Wine, one Fortified Wine, three Reds, one Rosé, & four Whites.

When you combine the two lists, Spain is in first place with five spots while Portugal, Georgia, and Italy are tied for second place with three spots each. California, Cyprus, and Greece, each have two spots while France and New York both have only one spot. In addition, you'll find one Sparkling Wine, four Fortified Wines, two Rosé, eight Reds, and seven Whites.

As with my list of Top Ten Wine Under $15, a number of the wines on this list were tasted at the Boston Wine Expo. On the above Top Ten list, the first three wines are from the Boston Wine Expo while on the Honorable Mentions list, the first three wines are also from the Expo.

It is also interesting to note that four of the wines from the combined lists were tasted at Committee, one of my favorite Boston restaurants. These wines include 2011 Ktima Brintziki Avgoustiatis,  2013 Tsiakkas Vamvakada, 2014 Ktima Brintziki Tinaktorogos, and 2015 Tsiakkas Xinisteri. Committee has an excellent wine list and also hosts some compelling wine dinners so it is a great place to find some intriguing and delicious wines. 

I have plenty of other recommendations for wines at this price point on my blog. There are top notch wines from countries all over the world, made from an incredibly diverse selection of grapes and you can still find plenty of values too. My advice is that you seek out wines outside of your comfort zone. Explore the multitude of diversity in the wonderful world of wine. Taste and try anything new, unique or potentially interesting.  I am sure your search will lead to new favorites.

If you have some of your own recommendations for wines that are over $15 but under $50, please add them to the comments.

Boston Wine Expo: The Wines You Should Taste

Next weekend, the Boston Wine Expo is coming to town and you might be planning on attending this huge wine event. If you attend the Grand Tasting, you'll be confronted with over 1800 wines, an overwhelming amount of wine. As you can only sample a tiny fraction of those wines, which should you choose to taste?

Last month, I provided some Advice For Attending The Boston Wine Expo, twenty suggestions for making the most of your expo experience. My first suggestion was to make a plan of which wine regions and/or specific wineries tables you want to visit and taste. Rather than waste your time wandering around the hall, you should have an idea of what you want to taste. I suggested you check the list of participating exhibitors and spend some time deciding on where you want to go.

I'm also going to provide you with my own suggestions for which wines you should check out, partially based on another prior suggestion I gave to my readers: Take this opportunity to expand your palate and try different wines, hoping to find new wines to enjoy. With all the diversity of wines available, it makes little sense to spend your time drinking the same wines you drink at home all the time. Be willing to experiment and taste something different.

This list will include many of the tables where I will also sample wines as I too like to taste new wines, to expand my own vinous horizons. In addition, I may add to this list in the days up to the Expo, as additional exhibitors are added to their website.

Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana (Table 515)
This is one of the best Sherry bodegas in Spain, and I was fortunate to visit the winery back in 2010. They will be showcasing their delicious La Gitana Manzanilla as well as a number of non-Sherry wines they produce. I haven't previously tasted these non-Sherry wines so am excited to sample them. I expect them to be quality wines based on my experience with their exquisite Sherries.

Portuguese Wines (Tables 261, 263, 265, 360, 362, 364, & 372)
As I've often said, Portugal produces some of the best value wines in the world and if you want inexpensive, but delicious, wines then you need to explore Portugal. Portugal has lots of intriguing, indigenous grapes, making their wines unique in a number of ways. Both their white and red wines are compelling. Portugal also makes fine, higher end wines as well, including amazing Ports. Take some time to explore what Portugal has to offer.

Moldovan Wines (Table 764)
Where is Moldova? You might not know anything about this Eastern European country, which was once part of the Soviet Union, but it has a lengthy history of wine production. They will be showcasing at least five wines, including a Sparkling, two Whites and two Reds, made from indigenous grapes of which you probably never have heard. I haven't had Moldova wines before so I definitely will be checking out this table. I don't know if the wines will be good or not, but I am compelled to explore these new wines.

Greek Wine (Table 720)
Greece is another country with a lengthy history of wine yet not enough consumers know about their fascinating wines. There are plenty of indigenous grapes in Greece, and they make a full gamut of wines, whites, reds, sparkling, dessert and more. I've found plenty of excellent Greek wine at prior Expos and recommend you check out what they have to offer this year.

Georgia Wines (Table 354)
The country not the state. Another country that once was part of the Soviet Union, Georgia might be the birthplace of wine production. It now produces some interesting wines, including some made in a very traditional manner in qvevri, earthenware vessels. I've enjoyed a number of Georgian wines before and continue to seek out new ones too. Why not try something different?

90+ Cellars (Table 437)
A Boston company, 90+ Cellars sources wines from all over the world, offering excellent bargains on a full array of wines. They will have plenty of good wines available for tasting at the Expo. This year,  keep an eye out for the 2012 L'Amis Barbaresco, which I reviewed at an Expo preview event. They also have a few newer wines, including the Magic Door Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, CA), Magic Door Rosso Toscana IGT (Italy), and the 90+ Cellars Lot 121 Cuvee Royale (Cotes du Rhone, France).

Expand your palate and seek out wines new to you!

Boston Wine Expo: A Preview of 2016

The Boston Wine Expo will be toasting its 25th Anniversary next President’s Day weekend, February 13 & 14, 2016, at the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center.  Presented by the Boston Guild of Oenophilists, the Expo will be even larger this year with a number of special features to celebrate this milestone.

Last week, I attended a media preview of the Expo, which including a wine tasting with over 30 wines from all over the world. There was also some food provided, from salami to risotto. For dessert, McCrea's Candies provided samples of their delicious caramels. Back in 2012, I first tasted their caramels and they were one of my top three finds at a dessert showcase. Since then, I've seen them each year at the Boston Wine Expo and last year, one of their new flavors, their Highland Single Malt Scotch Caramel, was excellent. At the 2016 Expo, I highly recommend you stop at their table to sample their caramels.

Of the wines I tasted at the preview event, I wanted to present my Top Three Favorites.  I highly recommend you seek out these wines at the Boston Wine Expo, as well as seek them out at your local wine shop. You won't be disappointed.

Humboldt Imports
The NV Rossinyol de Moragas Extra Brut Cava (about $15) is produced by Fermi Bohigas, a which has been involved in working the vineyards for over 800 years. This Spanish sparkling wine  is produced from a blend of traditional Cava grapes, Macabeo, Xarello and Parellada and it is made by the Champenoise method. It is organic and low production, and at this price is an excellent value. With a nice golden color and plenty of tiny bubbles, this is a dry, crisp and delicious Cava. There are tasty flavors of apple and pear, with a tiny hint of toast. It was nice paired with a creamy risotto, its acidity cutting well through the creaminess. With the holidays approaching, this would be a great choice for inexpensive bubbly.

90+ Cellars
I've long been a fan of the wines from 90+ Cellars and they recently have been creating some new labels to showcase different types of wines, especially wines that showcase terroir, which possess a sense of place.

From their Magic Door Vineyards label, they recently released the NV La Clé de la Femme Champagne (about $35), a blend of 80% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay. This is a more unusual blend as Pinot Meunier rarely headlines a Champagne, most often being a minor player in a blend. The vineyard is located in the Marne Valley, and the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation as well as spends at least 20 months on the lees. You'll love the flavors of green apple, red berries, and underlying spice and nutty notes within this bubbly.It is dry and crisp, an easy drinking Champagne with plenty of character for the price. This Champagne can easily compete with many House Champagnes that cost $50 or more. For the holidays, if you desire Champagne, this is an excellent value choice.

From their Earthshaker Wines label, they also have recently released the 2012 L'Amis Barbaresco (about $25), which is produced from 100% Nebbiolo. The wine is aged for 16-24 months in large Slovenian oak barrels. With a light red color, it has an appealing nose of red fruits with a hint of spice. On the palate, there are pleasing flavors of bright cherry with some black fruit notes, some floral elements and underlying spice. It is elegant with mild tannins that make it very approachable now without the need for cellaring, though it should age well too. In addition, it would make an excellent food wine, with dishes from pizza to pasta.

At the 2016 Boston Wine Expo, there will be the usual Grand Tasting, which will feature over 200 producers and about 1800 wines. As always, there will also be numerous other vendors, many food-related, which offer samples of their products. You can check this site for a list of the participating exhibitors. You will even have the opportunity to purchase wines through the Drync app which will be delivered to your home. There will be Chef Demonstrations on both days, with appearances by chefs including Ming Tsai,  Barbara Lynch, Chris Coombs, Louis DiBicarri, and Rachel Klein.

Debuting this year will be a special W?NE Bar,  where you can stop and ask members of the Boston Sommelier Society your wine-related questions as well as get a retrospective of the industry’s past 25 years and what to expect in the next 25 years.

Prices for Grand Tasting:
--Early Bird Tickets (through November 29): Saturday: $89 per person; Sunday: $79 per person
--Advance Tickets (November 30 – February 14): Saturday: $99 per person; Sunday: $89 per person

The Vintners’ Reserve Lounge is also returning, a place to taste special vintages, as well as unique d small production wines. Located in the Seaport Hotel’s Plaza Ballroom, the Vintners’ Reserve Lounge gives guests a chance to taste special wines that commonly retail for $75 and up per bottle, while enjoying tastings from the city’s finest restaurants. New this year, you can indulge your sweet tooth at the 25th anniversary Dessert Bar featuring treats designed to pair with the Vintners’ Reserve Lounge’s wines.

Prices for Vintners’ Reserve Lounge:
--Early Bird Tickets (through November 29): $185 per session
--Advance Tickets (November 30 – February 14): $200 per session
*Tickets also gran you access to the Grand Tasting.,

This year, there will be about 40 different Seminars which you can attend, educational programs for both consumers and those in the trade featuring top winemakers and industry experts. You can learn about Champagne and Chianti Classico, Rioja and Burgundy. A few Seminars which sound especially appealing to me include: Buffalo Trace's Singular Bourbons (where you'll get to taste 20 & 23 year old Pappy Van Winkle); Sherry for Billionaires and Historians (a chance to taste some very old Sherries); and Decadent & Delicious: Sweet Wines of the World.

Prices for Seminars:
--Prices range from $25-$225 by seminar

As always, the Boston Wine Expo contributes money to a local charity & in 2016, the major charitable benefactor will be the Tufts Medical Center’s Summer Camp Program for Children with Disabilities. To date, the Boston Guild of Oenophilists has raised over $1.4 million for worthy causes.

If you want to attend the Boston Wine Expo, now is the time to buy your tickets to pay the lowest price. In addition, some of the Seminars will sell out so it is better to get your tickets now if you are really interested in attending one of the seminar events.