Non-Rant: Choosing A Wine Store

Introduction: Over 18 years ago, on May 9, 2007, I posted the following article with advice on Choosing A Wine Store. It was only the second article ever posted on The Passionate Foodie blog (and now there are over 5500 articles). With the first anniversary of Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet having occurred last Friday, I thought once again about this old article. I believe it's held up very well, and although today I might make some minor tweaks to it, the basic ideas remain solid. So, I'm presenting it as it was originally posted, without any revisions or changes. 

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If you wish to just pick up a bottle of wine, something under $10, then almost any store would do. Any local package store, grocery store or wine shop could cater to that need. But, what if you desire more than that? What if you are looking for a good wine store, a place to buy some different wines, maybe a case or two? What are the factors that differentiate the good wine stores from the mediocre ones?

Price: One of the primary factors for many people is price. We all want a good bargain when making any purchase. And wine prices can vary, sometimes significantly from store to store. You can see the price for the same bottle vary from $1 to $20 dependent where you buy it. Some stores cater to less expensive wines, such as $15 and under. Other stores have a variety, with some less expensive wines but also a selection of pricier ones too. Much will depend on the type of wine you are seeking.

Bottle price alone is not always indicative of the expense of a store. Many stores offer discounts, such as 10-20%, for purchasing a case of wine. And usually that can be a mixed case. So, even though a store's prices may be a bit higher than another store, the case discount may even matters out. In addition, some places run regular sales where you can get bargains. There are also stores that run promotions where you earn points based on your purchases, providing special gifts once you have acquired a certain amount of points.

Selection: You generally want a store that has a diverse selection of wines. Who wants to see the same old wines all the time? Some stores specialize in certain wine regions. Others may sell wines from more unusual regions. A good selection will also include varied prices, from $10 to $100 bottles, something for everyone. Remember that there are literally thousands of wines available so no store can carry them all. But, do look for places that try to acquire a good variety of wines from a number of regions.

Service: You want friendly and helpful staff at a good store. They should have a good knowledge of wine and those they sell. They should be personable and not snooty and pretentious. They should make you feel welcome rather than nervous. They should offer suggestions and recommendations without being pushy. Good service can include being able to order wine for you if they do not carry what you want.

There are a number of other factors, of less importance, but which can enhance or detract from your wine buying experience.

Appearance: A good wine store is clean and should not have dust all over their wine bottles. Display racks should be easy to see the individual bottles and their prices. They might have note cards describing the wines, or providing ratings and reviews from wine magazines.

Tastings: A good wine store will hold free tastings where you can try some of their wines. This can help you decide on which wines you might like to buy. Many stores now have weekly tastings.

Extras: A good wine store will sell more than just wine. They might sell other alcoholic drinks, from beer to hard liquors. They might also sell various foods, such as cheeses, chocolates and sauces. This can make the wine store a better one-stop place to stock up for a festive evening.

Website/Email: A good wine store will have a website providing information about the store and any upcoming events. Some even may an email list that will keep you up to date on their events.

But, there is one factor which I think is the most important of all. Passion.

Passion: The best sign of a good wine store is the passion of the owner. You can see that passion in them when they help you, when they answer your questions and make suggestions. The owner clearly enjoys wine, and is sincere in desiring to spread that joy to others. You can see that passion in them when they help you, when they answer your questions and make suggestions. These are the store owners who will truly work at making a good store. They will take care to make your experience as fine as possible. Their passion will show in every aspect of their wine store, elevating them above the rest.

No one wine store will probably cater to all of your needs, especially selection-wise. So, it is beneficial to visit different wine stores, to see what wines they offer that other stores do not. Your favorite wine store might not stock Greek wines but another store might. Your favorite wine store might sell 12 different Oregon pinot noirs but you might be looking for an Oregon producer that your store does not sell. But, in the end, you will probably have one or two wine stores which you frequent often, those places which you feel are the best. And I am willing to bet that the owners of those places have a true passion for wine.

Happy 1st Anniversary To Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet!

Happy 1 Year Anniversary to the owners of Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet in Melrose! And Best Wishes for many more years to come. 

A year ago, I first met the new owners, Vijay, Andy, Puja, and Brian, and it was with a little trepidation that we discussed their plans for the shop. That's a normal situation with new owners of any business. What is their objective for the business? How will the business change? Will the staff be retained?

Their answers were very positive, and uttered with complete sincerity, so that my trepidations vanished. They wanted the shop to be an artisan wine, beer and spirits store. They certainly didn't want to turn it into a package or convenience store. They also planned on retaining any of the staff who desired to work there. Finally, there would be changes, but they hoped only positive ones, those which would further their primary objective. 

After this past year, I'm pleased to report that they have lived up to everything they told me that first day. All of the new owners are sincere and hardworking, fully open to suggestions from all of the staff. And all of the current staff previously worked for Beacon Hill Wine.  

Victoria Hill is a destination shop, not just a neighborhood shop, a place which attracts people from all of the surrounding communities. In large part, this is accomplished by offering products that aren't available at many other local wine and liquor shops, including the big box shops. The diversity of their selection continues to always expand, and have been greatly welcomed by the customers. 

For example, the wine selections, numbering around 600, include offerings from about 25 different countries, including less commonly available wines from regions including Croatia, Lebanon, Georgia, Armenia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Peru, Brazil, Slovenia, Hungary, Switzerland, and more. Wines from additional countries, such as Mexico, Canada, and England, may be added in the future when good choices can be found.    

To expand their wine selection, new wooden wine shelves, such as the ones pictured above, have been added, allowing the shop to stock even more wines. These two shelving units are devoted to Portuguese and Spanish wines, from Vinho Verde to Port, from Albarino to Txacoli.  

There's also a new shelving unit for Sparkling Wines (from Crémant to House Champagne, Cava to Grower Champagne) and Rosé Wines (from Provence to Txakoli, Italy to California). The shelving unit also has some Ciders, Non-alcoholic Wines, Mocktails and Mixers. 

In addition, about 25%-30% of their wine selection are "Natural Wines," which is used as an overall designation for wines that are Biodynamic, organic, sustainable, or similarly produced, whether certified or not. To more easily locate the Natural wines, you simply have to check the new wine price labels, shown above, and look for an "N" in the right hand corner. More Natural wines continue to be added all the time.  

The store also carries a variety of interesting and delicious Sakes, from Junmai to Honjozo, Ginjo to Daiginjo, Sparkling Sake to Yuzu Infused. And if you need help selecting Sake, just ask me while I'm working and I'll be more than willing to help you.

I continue to conduct Wine Tastings every Thursday evening, from 5-7pm, and every Saturday afternoon, from 1-4pm. The tastings showcase diverse wines, exposing many customers to wines, countries and grapes they have never previously sampled. Customers have been very appreciative of this approach, and open to tasting more unique wines. They have often found new favorite wines, buying wines they wouldn't have purchased on their own, wary of buying a wine they've never experienced or knew little about. There have also been plenty of repeat customers who regularly come to the tastings to experience these new wines. 

On Friday nights, there are also often additional tastings, of Wine, Beer or Spirits. Please come by any of these tastings to expand your palate and taste some delicious and fascinating new wines, beers and spirits.  

Besides the diverse wine selection, the Beer chiller contains an excellent assortment of craft beers and ciders, many from local breweries, as well as some of the usual favorites, from Modelo to Budweiser. Customers have been very complimentary about the beer selection. 

The Spirits selection is diverse as well, including some harder to find selections, from Blanton's Bourbon to Chartreuse. Local spirits can also be found, from producers such as Barr Hill and Short Path.

Another physical change to the store has been new and extra lighting, to make the store brighter and easier for customers to see all of the selections. A new chiller case was also added, which holds wines, single beers, and hard seltzers.   

More changes are in the planning stages as well, such as the addition of more wooden wine racks, and possibly a new wine tasting station. As the holiday season approaches, even more wines will be added, included more higher end wines, which are great gifts for family and friends. 

Many thanks go to Vijay, Andy, Puja, and Brian, for creating an excellent store, for carrying a diverse and interesting selection, and for being open to suggestions. They have worked very hard during this past year, and it has been a real pleasure to work for them. 

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 this destination spot as you are likely to find plenty of selections that aren't available at your own neighborhood wine shop. And please come to the tastings and learn more about the wonders of wines, beer and spirits from all over the world! 

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

Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet: An Update on the New Shop

Eight months have now passed since Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet in Melrose 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. I previously wrote an update about Victoria Hill at its third month anniversary, and now I want to update my thoughts and insights about the new shop. 

First, Victoria Hill is an artisan wine, beer and spirits shop which is intended to be a destination shop, not merely a neighborhood store. Its objective is to attract customers not only from Melrose but also from all of the surrounding communities. This is done by offering products that aren't available at other local wine and liquor shops, including the big box shops. The diversity of their selection continues to always expand, and have been greatly welcomed by the customers. 

To expand their wine selection, new wine shelves, such as the one pictured above, have been added, allowing the shop to stock even more wine selections. As an example, the shelves above contain Portuguese wines, from Vinho Verde to Port, Madeira to Douro still wines. Spanish wines are on similar new wine shelves.  

There's also a new shelving unit for Sparkling Wines (from Crémant to House Champagne, Cava to Grower Champagne) to Rosé Wines (from Provence to Txakoli, Italy to California). Overall, the shop now stocks approximately 600 wines! 

Victoria Hill also carries about 125 "Natural Wines," which is used as an overall designation for wines that are Biodynamic, organic, sustainable, or similarly produced, whether certified or not. To more easily locate the Natural wines, you simply have to check the new wine price labels, shown above, and look for an "N" in the right hand corner. More Natural wines will be coming in the near future too.  

The wine selections also now come from about 25 different countries, including less commonly available wines from regions including Croatia, Lebanon, Georgia, Armenia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Uruguay, Slovenia, Switzerland, and more. Wines from additional countries will also be added over the next several months.   

I have continued to conduct Wine Tastings every Thursday evening, from 5-7pm, and every Saturday afternoon, from 1-4pm. The tastings showcase diverse wines, exposing many customers to wines, countries and grapes they have never previously sampled. Customers have been very appreciative of this approach, and open to tasting more unique wines. They have often found new favorite wines, buying wines they wouldn't have purchased on their own, wary of buying a wine they've never experienced or knew little about. There have also been plenty of repeat customers who regularly come to the tastings to experience these new wines. 

The shop also conducts Beer Tastings and Spirit tastings on Friday nights. Please come by any of these tastings to expand your palate and taste some delicious and fascinating new wines, beers and spirits.  

Besides the diverse wine selection, the beer and spirits selection has also grown in numbers and diversity. The main beer chiller above contains many different craft beers, including plenty of local selections. The spirits selection has also expanded, including some harder to find items, from Blanton's Bourbon to Chartreuse.

Much positive progress has been made during their first eight months, and the store has plans for additional changes. They are also open to suggestions and recommendations. 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 plenty of selections that aren't available at your own neighborhood wine shop. And please come to the wine tastings and learn more about the wonders of wines from all over the world! 

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

Rant: Take A Wine Label Pic!

While working at the wine shop, I sometimes encounter customers seeking a specific wine, yet they remember very little about it. They might only know that it had a blue label, or an animal on the label, or that the name of the producer began with a "P." That leads to a "game" of Twenty Questions as I try to determine the wine's identity, asking question after question to narrow down the possible choices. Sometimes I'm successful, and sometimes not. 

With many thousands of wines out there, trying to determine a specific wine with very limited information is difficult, if not impossible. However, there's something simple that consumers can do to make these type of situations much easier for all involved. I give this advice to many customers, and if they follow the advice, it becomes so much easier to identify the wine. 

This advice is a solution that any wine consumer can and should know and use. All you have to do is to take a picture of any wine bottle you enjoy. If you're at a restaurant, and enjoy a wine, take a picture of the label. Do the same if you find a wine you love on vacation, or receive a wine as a gift. 

Nearly everyone carries a smart phone, with the capability to take photos, so you always have a camera handy. It only takes a few seconds to snap a photo of a wine label. You don't have to write anything down, to take any notes about the wine. The picture becomes your memory of the wine, a memory that can be easily shared with others. The picture of the wine label should be sufficient for most any wine store to identify the wine. And you won't need to play Twenty Questions with the wine store staff to identify the wine that you previously enjoyed. 

I love when customers come to the wine shop with a picture of a wine label. It makes it very easy to identify whether we stock that particular wine or not. And if not, I can usually recommend a similar wine that we do carry. I don't have to play Twenty Questions, which might ultimately fail to identify the wine the customer desires.       

There's no reason why more people can't take such pictures. If you enjoy a wine, then take a few seconds to memorialize that occasion with a photo, a quick picture of the wine label. And when you go to a wine shop, trying to buy that bottle, it will be a far easier and more satisfying experience.

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. 

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.) 

Qualities of the Better Wine Stores

If you want to purchase an inexpensive wine, one of the major large brands, then you can probably find it at almost any store that sells wine, from your local package store to some grocery stores. However, what if you desire something more, if you want a more diverse and interesting wine selection? What are the factors that differentiate the excellent wine shops from the mediocre ones? What transforms a neighborhood wine shop into a destination wine store?

Here are what I consider to be the three main factors of concern to wine lovers: 

Price: We all want a good value when making a wine purchase. Wine prices, from store to store, can vary, sometimes significantly, and you can find the price for the same bottle vary from $1 to $20, if not more, dependent where you buy it. The smaller, independent wine shops may have higher prices than the huge wine store chains, but that's because the small store pays a higher wholesale price than the big chains, who are able to order large quantities of wine, at a significant discount. That's something a smaller wine store is unable to do so they cannot match the lower prices of the chain stores. 

Consumers also need to realize that bottle price alone is not always indicative of the expense of a store. Many stores offer discounts, such as 5-20%, dependent on the number of bottles that you purchase. So, even though a store's prices may be a bit higher than another store, the wine discounts may help to even matters out. 

At the better smaller stores, the staff can also help point out some of the best value wines, at various price points, in the shop. At some of the large chain stores, they may point out the wines with the best profit margins for the store, rather than the best value for the consumer. It's also important to know that the better small stores make up their disadvantage on price with the large chain stores by providing other advantages, such as selection and service.   

Selection: The better wine stores tend to have a greater diversity in the selection of their wines. They seek to stand out from their competition by offering wines that many other shops in the area don't carry. They become wine destinations, where wine lovers will take the time to travel to that shop, seeking their more unique selections. Why not seek a wine shop which not only sells wines from the classic regions, like France, Italy and California, but also wines from Croatia, Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, Lebanon, and more? 

The better shops often tend to source wines from smaller wineries, often family-owned. They may stock some big brand names, but their heart is in lesser known, and often small wineries, which still provide , high quality and delicious wines. The large chain stores, dealing in volume, are much less likely to carry wines from these smaller wineries. A larger chain stores may carry more labels, but that often means they just have a larger selection of well known wine brands. 

The better wine stores are much more than just a neighborhood wine store, and appeal to wine consumers from all of the surrounding communities, as well as those willing to drive from further away because of the store's intriguing wine selection. For myself, I easily drive half an hour or more to seek a better selection of wines. 

A better wine selection will also include varied prices, from $10 to $100+ bottles, something for everyone. Wines for every day drinking and wines for special occasions or gifts. However, one must remember that there are many thousands of wines available in the world so no one store can carry even a small percentage of all of the available choices but you should seek places which try to acquire a good variety of wines from a number of regions. It's boring to go to a wine store that stocks the same selection as many other shops. I certainly want diversity in my wine selection. Don't you?

Service: You also should want friendly and helpful staff at the better stores. They should have a good knowledge of wine and those they sell. They should be personable and not snooty and pretentious. They should make you feel welcome rather than nervous. Wine can be intimidating to many people but it shouldn't have to be. The proper employees should offer wine suggestions and recommendations without being pushy. Good service can include being able to order wine for you if that shop does not carry what you want. This personal service can be lacking in the large chain stores.

There are a number of other factors, of less importance, but which can enhance or detract from your overall wine buying experience.

Appearance: A good wine store should be clean and not have dust all over their wine bottles. Display racks should be easy to see the individual bottles and their prices. They might have shelf talkers, note cards, describing the wines, or providing reviews from wine magazines. The shop would be well lit, and feel welcoming. 

Tastings: A better wine store will hold free wine tastings, often on at least a weekly basis, where you can try some of their wines. Tasting a wine is a great way to help you decide on whether you want to buy a specific wine or not. You might be intrigued by a particular bottle, but not willing to take a risk on buying it because you may worry you won't like it. Wine tastings prevent some of that risk. Tastings should also be for more different wines. Big brand names don't really need tastings because so many people already know what they taste like. Tastings should get consumers to try something new and different, to expand their palates. 

Extras: A better wine store will probably sell more than just wine. They might sell other alcoholic drinks, from beer to hard liquors. They might also sell various foods, such as cheeses, chocolates and sauces. This can make the wine store a better one-stop place to stock up for a festive evening.

Website/Email: A better wine store will have a website providing information about the store and any upcoming events. They might also be on social media, from Facebook to Instagram. Some even may have an email list or newsletter that will keep you up to date on their future events.

But, there is one more factor which I think is the most important of all: Passion.

Passion: The best sign of a better wine store is the passion of the people who work there, from the owners to the employees. You can feel that passion when they assist you, when they answer your wine questions and make suggestions. They aren't trying to sell you the most expensive bottle that they can. They work with you within your price point to select the best wine within those parameters. When they describe their recommendations, you feel their love for wine. You understand that these people clearly enjoy wine, and are sincere in desiring to spread that joy to their customers. They will take care to make your experience as fine as possible. And they will spread that passion to you.

Time to open a bottle of wine.

A New Wine Shop in Melrose: Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet

There's a new wine shop in Melrose.....

About 15 years ago, Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet, owned and operated by Rebecca & Gene Beraldi, was established in Melrose, and I worked there for 12 of those years. In mid-August, the Beraldis sold the store, which is now known as Victoria Hill Wine, Spirits & Gourmet. I have remained as an employee at the new store. 

The new owners, Vijay, Andy, Brian and Puja, are very sincere people and they 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. They have been expanding the available selections on a variety of levels. Obviously, with the new ownership, there have been changes at the wine shop, but they have largely been positive, and the owners have been very open to suggestions about such changes. 

For example, one of the minor changes is that Rosé wines are now stocked in the chiller, which I believe is an excellent idea. This has been met with positive feedback from many customers. Another change is that numerous different beers, especially IPAs, are now stocked in the chillers, although many old favorites are still stocked, and that new beer selection has also been met with raves from the beer customers. 

A variety of new wine selections have also been added, with many more coming in the next few months, including wines from Portugal, Georgia, Greece, Lebanon, Moldova, Croatia, and more. Customers will have many intriguing choices in what wines to purchase. I've had some input in the new wines and Sakes that have been brought in, such as the Ramos Pinto Ports, including their amazing 20 Year Old Tawny. Another example is that I also suggested wines from Lebanon, from the famed Chateau Musar (pictured above). Come see me at the store and I'll show you all of the new wines.

Chartreuse, the acclaimed liqueur made by Carthusian monks, is also now available at the shop. As devotees of this spirit know, there has been a shortage of Charteuse for several years, and it has been difficult to find in local shops. So, if you're interested in this French herbal liqueur, you now know where you can find a bottle. Although it might sell out soon, so take action if you want to purchase a bottle. 

We're conducting Wine Tastings every Saturday, from 1-4pm, sampling new wines, as well as every Thursday night, starting at 5pm. Soon, we will also be conducting Beer Tastings on Friday nights, and additional special tasting events might occur on other nights. Please come by at any of these times to expand your palate and taste some delicious and fascinating new wines!

We will be holding a special Sake Tasting event on Saturday, September 28, in honor of International Sake Day on October 1. We shall have several Sakes to sample, accompanied by some nibbles, and everyone who attends the event will receive a special handout with information about Sake, including a food recipe and a couple cocktail recipes. More information about this Sake event will be posted soon. 

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 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.

2022 C&C Lecareux L'Hydrophobe: The "Water Hater"

A wine of resilience in the face of disaster, a wine that emerged after the devastation of hail storms. It's also delicious and interesting, an excellent showcase of the Gamay grape. 

Back in 2017, the vineyards of Domaine Les Capréoles sustained significant damage from terrible hail storms, and they had to somehow make do with the limited amount of grapes which remained. They chose to create a new cuvée, L'Hydrophobe, the "Water Hater."

Domaine Les Capréoles was established in July 2014, although the wine estate they purchased in Regnie-Durette possessed a history of over 250 years. The term “capreoles” derives from Old French and means "vine tendrils." They only own about 5.5 hectares of organic vineyards, upon granitic bedrock, in the Brouilly appellation in Beaujolais. However, some of their Gamay vines are over 80 years old.  

The Beaujolais wine region contains 10 crus, including Brouilly, which is the largest and southernmost cru. It has been recognized as an AOC since 1938, and the history of the region extends back to the ancient Romans, who were the first to plant grapes vines in this area. The cru's name derives from the name of a nearby mountain, which was named after an ancient Roman lieutenant. 

The 2022 C&C Lecareux L'Hydrophobe ($28), composed of 100% Gamay, has a 13% ABV, and little information seems readily available on its production process. Gamay probably doesn't receive as much attention as it should, and far too many people think only of Nouveau Beaujolais when they think of the Beaujolais wine region. In the ten different Crus of Beaujolais, the Gamay grape can be expressed in many different manners, showcasing terroir, and providing a complex and compelling wine. 

I very much enjoyed this wine! With an intriguing nose of cherries, violets, and subtle spices, on the palate, it was bright, fresh, fruity and complex with silky tannins. A delightful melange of ripe plum, black cherries, hints of forest, a touch of minerality, and even a subtle briny note. Well balanced, good acidity, and a lengthy, pleasing finish. You can easily enjoy this wine on its own, but it also will pair well with a variety of foods, from pizza to burgers. It's also stated that this wine can age well for 5 years. It earns my hearty recommendation.

I bought this wine at the Cellar Door in Ipswich, a cool shop which sells wines, beers, and gourmet foods. Their wine selection is interesting, with many small production wines, organic wines, skin contact wines, and more. Wine lovers should definitely check out this shop.

2023: Favorite Wine, Spirit, Sake & Drink-Related Items

What were some of my favorite Wine, Spirit, Sake & Drink-related related items of the past year?

As 2024 approaches, it's time once again to reflect upon the past year, to remember and savor pleasant memories. Previously, I posted three of my food-related Favorites lists as well as my Top Twenty Wines of 2023. It's time now to cover my Favorite Wine, Spirit, Sake and Drink-Related Items of 2023. 

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.

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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 two such stores which continue, year after year, to do an especially good job, places where I go to seek bargains. Shop at any of those stores and you won't be disappointed.

• Bin Ends in Braintree & Needham
• Rapid Liquors in Stoneham.  

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.

• Malden Center Fine Wines in Malden (Excellent Sake selection)
• Lower Falls Wine Company in Newton Lower Falls
• Streetcar Wines in Jamaica Plain
• Bauer's Wine & Spirits in Boston
• Croatian Premium Wine in Boston (Only an online store, but you can get their wines delivered to you, all across the country, with a great selection of Croatian wines)

Favorite Maine Wine Store: Browne Trading Company sells gourmet foods, including caviar and fresh seafood, but they also have an excellent wine selection. They sell many high-end wines as well as more unique wines, including a very good Sherry selection. It's a place I could easily buy a case of wines, reveling in the finds. Any wine lover who visits Portland should definitely stop here. I also want to note that have an intriguing selection of soy sauces, from Mizunara Whisky Barrel Aged Shoyu to a White Shoyu. 

Favorite Restaurant Wine Lists: I want to highlight a few restaurants which offer some intriguing and excellent wine lists. 

     Krasi: With the largest Greek wine list in the country, you'll find almost any type of Greek wine you could desire. There are so many excellent options that you might have difficulty selecting a bottle, but the sommelier/wine director, Evan Turner, and staff can help guide you through the intriguing list. Expand your palate and explore the wonders of Greek wine. Plus, Krasi now sells their wines at retail, so if you enjoy a bottle for dinner, you can buy a bottle and take it home with you. This is such a great option, and I bought a couple bottles during my last visit to Krasi. 

    Kosmos: Although their wine list is not as large as Krasi, Kosmos also has an excellent and interesting Greek wine list, which well complements their excellent Greek cuisine. 

    Nightshade Noodle Bar: Their eclectic, well-curated wine list has primarily more natural wines from small producers. There's plenty of interesting options available, and the wines pair very well with their delicious cuisine. The list changes fairly regularly, and there's always something new to tantalize your palate.  

Favorite Wine Dinner: For the second year in a row, my favorite wine dinner was at A Tavola in Winchester. Their Fantasy Fine Wine Dinner was compelling, with excellent wines, two of which made my list of Top Twenty Wines of 2023, and they paired very well with the delicious foods prepared by Chef Carli, from Chatham Scallop Carpaccio to Mortadella Rotolo. A Tavola holds a number of wine dinners each year and you definitely should check them out. For 2024, they have already announced a Bourbon & BBQ dinner to be held on February 28. 

Runner-Up Wine Dinners: There are two other wine dinners in 2023 which are worthy of recognition. First, there was a Greek Wine Dinner with Domaine Costa Lazaridi and Yiannis Distributing at the Ithaki Restaurant. The food was delicious, including Marinated Sardines, Tuna Crudo, Scallops, Beef Kebob, Halibut, and more. The wines were tasty too, including an Assyrtiko which made my list of Top Twenty Wines of 2023,  Second, there was a California wine dinner with Ireland Family Wines at the Coach Grill. From Lobster Bisque to Seared Sirloin, the delectable food paired well with the higher-end California wines. Two of those wines made my list of Top Twenty Wines of 2023,

Favorite Single Country Wine Tasting:  2023 is the 25th Anniversary of the first Uruguayan wines being exported to the U.S. This year, I attended a fascinating media tasting of the Wines of Uruguay, which provided much information about the wine industry in this small South American country. We also got to taste a number of tasty wines, from Albariño to Tannat, including one which made my list of Top Twenty Wines of 2023,  

Favorite Large-Scale Wine Event: In 2023, the Boston Wine Expo returned, under new ownership and at a new venue, the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. It was a smaller more intimate event, and included a Spirits Tasting room and several Wine Classes. I found some excellent wines here, including a number which ended up on my list of Top Twenty Wines of 2023. There were also several food exhibitors, which enhanced the event. I would have liked to see more diversity in the wines, more wines from different countries, and hopefully there will be more in 2024. For example, there was only a single booth of Greek wines and only one of Portugal wines, and I would like to see more such booths. Stay tuned as sooner to the 2024 Expo, I will post an article with my recommendations for booths to visit. 

Historical Drink Articles: Since the start of the pandemic, it's been tough for many food and drink writers and some have simply written sporadically,. For myself, I've continued to devote many hours to researching and writing numerous historical food and drink articles, combing through thousands of newspapers and books. I've especially delved into the origins of numerous foods and drinks, trying to seek out their true origins, and not just accepting the unsubstantiated claims of others. Here are the historical drink articles I completed this past year.

• The Origins & Early History of White Port
• A History of Vinho Verde in the U.S.

Favorite Whiskey: During the 1850s, Chicken Cock Whiskey was created, and it was a very popular whiskey in the Boston area during the 19th century. However, the distillery burnt to the ground in the 1950s, but the brand was recently resurrected. This new whiskey is made from a mashbill of 70% Corn, 21% Rye, and 9% Malted Barley, and it bottled at 90 proof. With a pleasing golden-brown color, it has an appealing and complex nose, with notes of caramel, vanilla, spice and more. It's smooth on the palate, with only a touch of heat, and isn't as sweet as many bourbons due to its high rye percentage. The taste possesses a complex melange of caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, dried fruit, and more with a lengthy, spicy finish. It's an excellent sipping Bourbon, and each sip will bring something new and delicious to your mouth. 

Favorite Irish Whiskey: I tasted the four whiskey expressions from The Busker Irish Whiskey, and my favorite was The Busker Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. It was produced in copper pot stills, and then matured in ex-bourbon and sherry casks. This was an impressive whiskey, especially considering the price point ($33), delivering a complex, delicious, and alluring taste. On the palate, there's an intriguing melange of flavors, each sip bringing something new to your mouth. There are floral notes, touches of honey and caramel, hints of nuttiness, and plenty of pepper and spice, especially on the lengthy, satisfying finish. It's rich and smooth, perfect neat or on the rocks. It's a whiskey to slowly sip and enjoy, to savor each intriguing taste

Favorite Main Cocktails: At the Brown Cow in Portland, Maine, a casual burger spot and cocktail bar, I was impressed with two of their cocktails. The Angel Fire was made with mezcal, amaretto, madeira, Jamaican rum, and charred apricot bitters. This was a very well-made and balanced cocktail, with a complex blend of flavors, with the mezcal being the most prominent taste. The Before Sunset was made with cynar, bourbon, averna, lemon, and Islay scotch. Another excellent, complex and well-balanced cocktail, with a nice smokey edge to it. I'd return here just for their cocktails.

Favorite Greek Cocktail: At the opening of Bar Vlaha in Brookline, I was thoroughly impressed with the Ode to Pan, a delicious concoction that will remind you of a Gin Bloody Mary. The Ode to Pan is made with Moletto's Tomato Gin, lemon, celery, mastic cucumber soda, and heirloom tomato cubes. I watched one of the bartenders prepare this cocktail and it was quite an involved process. It was such a refreshing and delicious drink, lighter than the typical Bloody Mary, with a prominent tomato flavor, accented by cucumber and lemon notes. The gin was noticeable without being overpowering, and the tomato ice cubes were visually beautiful, and took a while to melt, leaving you a thicker tomato base once the cocktail was drank. 

Favorite Junmai Sake: The Imada Shuzo Fukucho "Forgotten Fortune" Junmai ($35-$40) is produced by Miho Imada, a female Toji, who is also the owner of the brewery. The sake is produced from Hattanso sake rice, an heirloom breed which was nearly extinct, and it was polished down to 70%. It also has a 15% ABV, a SMV +3, and the label states it is best served slightly chilled. It is said to pair very well with oysters, as the Hiroshima Prefecture has the most amount of oyster beds in Japan. I found this Sake to be complex and pure delicious, with tasty flavors of melon and pear, a dominant earthiness and good acidity. Silky smooth, with a fuller body, and a lengthy, satisfying finish. It paired very well with a variety of foods, from raw octopus to grilled chicken skin. 

Favorite Junmai Ginjo Sake: The Heiwa Shuzou "Kid" Junmai Ginjo Hiyaoroshi ($39) is a type of Sake, hiyaoroshi, which is made specifically for the autumn. This sake is made with Gohyakumangoku rice that was polished down to 55%. They use a natural water source, the Koyasan Nansui, which is said to be "soft and luscious." It also has a 15% ABV, a Sake Meter Value (SMV) of +1.5, and an Acidity of 1.7 (making it more acidic than average). The label states that it can be served chilled, warmed or at room temperature. It was a delicious Sake, with a soft and rich mouth feel, but crisp acidity balancing the richness. It was fruity, with tastes of banana, citrus, apple, and hints of raspberry, and also had some steamed rice flavors. It was rich in umami, especially on the finish, and made for an excellent pairing with the fatty salmon. Definitely a heartier Sake for the cooler Autumn weather, although it would work well in the Winter as well.

Favorite Sake Rant: Especially relevant this winter, I previously ranted that people should Drink Warm Sake! Most premium Sake is best when serve slightly chilled, however there are plenty of exceptions. Sake shouldn't be served as hot as you would drink a glass of tea. It should be more gently warmed, although it can be served at a range of warmer temperatures, with each point in that range presenting a slightly different taste profile. In the winter, warm Sake can be very satisfying, presenting a unique flavor profile, and more people should embrace it. Just remember not to see it too hot, like you unfortunately find at many restaurants.   

Favorite Sake Educational Resource: For some of the latest and most fascinating current information about Sake, you need to read the Sake Industry News by John Gauntner. Each twice-monthly issue contains numerous intriguing news articles, sure to interest all Sake lovers, and with information you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. I've learned plenty from this newsletter and eagerly look forward to each new issue. There's not enough Sake news available out there, and Gauntner is filling a much-needed niche. If you're interested in Sake, you definitely should subscribe. 

What were some of your favorite Wine, Spirit, Sake & Drink-related items this year?

Rant: Holiday Wines? Stop Being 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.

Stop being 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, which are very cheap. 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 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 maybe price, to elevate your wine selections. Or would you rather be known as a wine cheapskate by your guests, who know you bought cheap wine with no real thought?

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-$12 wines, only a few dollars more than you might otherwise spend, 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?

To start, the easiest path is to seek out one of the better discount wine stores. These places often carry a good selection of wines costing $15 or under, a larger selection than you will find at a regular wine store. You'll find plenty of variety in these inexpensive wines, whites and reds, sparkling and rose, domestic and imported. You'll find wines comparable in price to those large commercial "value" wines but which offer much more character, taste and value.

My top recommendations for discount wine stores include Bin Ends in Braintree and Needham, and Rapid Liquors in Stoneham. Make the effort and drive to one of these discount spots and find better value wines. The investment of time will pay off, creating many happy guests at your next party.

For example, when I go to Bin Ends in Needham, I can purchase a couple cases of wine, averaging $10-$12 per bottle, and get a nice diversity of wines, reds, whites & rose. These wines will satisfy most people. They are excellent every-day wines, and work well as inexpensive wines for larger parties too. Rapid Liquors also offer a large selection and you can always find excellent values there. 

If you some reason you can't make it to one of these discount wine shops, you still have options. At whatever wine shop you visit, it might be best to ask the wine store staff for recommendations of 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. You should also remember that most wine stores offer a discount for bulk purchases, commonly 10-20%, and sometimes on as few as 6 wines, which is another way to save money on your purchases.

But 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 $12 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 $12 or less, you will 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 $10-$15, 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 $10 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.

Exploring Biddeford to Portland, Maine (Part 2)

As I mentioned yesterday in Part 1 of this article, this past weekend, I traveled to the Biddeford/Portland region for a short vacation, and had lots of fun exploring this area. Yesterday, I discussed the places I visited in Biddeford, and on route to Portland. Today, I'll mention some of the interesting places I visited in Portland. Some of these stops were preplanned, while others I stumbled upon while wandering through the streets of Portland. Please also note that there were plenty of interesting places I didn't visit, but hope to check out on a future trip. 

Our first stop was at the Browne Trading Company, located at 262 Commercial Street, Portland, on Merrill's Wharf. They sell fresh seafood, caviar, gourmet foods, and also have a large wine selection. I've been here before and always stop when I return to Portland. The gourmet food section has lots of intriguing options, and I could have bought plenty but I had some restraint, knowing I'd be visiting lots of other shops during my trip. However, I did purchase three more unique Japanese soy sauces, including a Mizunara Whisky Barrel Aged Shoyu (pictured above), a White Shoyu and a Smoked Shoyu. Looking forward to tasting these intriguing new sauces.

I also bought a Spicy Cajun Fish Jerky, made from Wild Pacific Rockfish. I've had fish jerky before and enjoyed it so I expect I will like this one as well.

Browne has an excellent wine selection, including plenty of high-end wines, as well as some more unique wines. Although I could have easily bought a case or more of wine, I finally decided to just buy a couple Sherries, including a Palo Cortado and Manzanilla. 

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We then continued to walk down Commercial Street, stopping at whatever shops caught our eye. Portland Dry Goods, at 235 Commercial Street, is a high-end clothing store for men and women. Beautiful clothes, but high-priced as well. Portland has a number of high-end clothing shops, and many of us are more likely just to browse rather than actually buy anything, unless you really want to splurge.

Old Port Wine Merchants, at 223 Commercial Street, is another wine shop which also sells cigars. They have a good selection of wines and I ended up buying a 10 Year Old White Port, which is a difficult wine to find. 

Local Color Design, at 221 Commercial Street, is a design store, selling a wide variety of items, from tableware to pillows, purses to artwork. At this shop, I was most impressed by their Gyotaku prints, which you can check out at Joe's Fresh Fish Prints. The fish prints, made by a local fisherman, were so compelling, and the process of creation is fascinating. 

There is location of Holy Donut at 177 Commercial Street, a great place to grab a snack while you are wandering the shops.

LeRoux Kitchen, at 161 Commercial Street, is a two-story, kitchen supply store, with a variety of kitchen implements and machines, as well as some foods, from olive oil to coffee and tea. 

We then headed to check into our hotel room, at the Westin Portland Harborview, at 157 High Street. The hotel was very nice, and in a good central location for walking around Portland. The hotel has a restaurant for breakfast and dinner, as well as a lounge on the top floor. 

Our first dinner in Portland was at Street & Co., a seafood restaurant located at 33 Wharf Street. The restaurant was established in 1989, and has a simple elegance to it. The menu is nearly all seafood, without a steak or burger in sight. Salads/Appetizer prices range from $10-$18 and Entree prices generally range from $36-$40. 

We began our dinner ordering the two appetizer specials, including the above Scallop Crudo ($18). Silky pieces of delicious scallop, tasty flavors of citrus, and the crunch of pine nuts. Fresh, clean and excellent. 

The Salt Cod Brandade ($20) was creamy and rich, with a fine, salty element, and the touch of crispness from the browned topping. I love salt cod so this was a very good choice. 

The Grilled Lobster on Linguine ($56/MP), in butter and garlic, was a 1 1/4 pound lobster, where the tail was easy to slide out and you just needed to crack the claws. Sweet lobster meat, enhanced by the butter and lots of garlic in the sauce, with nicely firm linguine. If you're in Maine, you probably should have lobster at least once during your trip. 

The Grilled Albacore Tuna ($38) is accompanied by Roast Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts, in a Romesco and Sherry Reduction. The thick pieces of tuna were tender and flavorful, enhanced by the intriguing flavors of the reduction. The veggies were fresh as well. 

For our dinner, we ordered a bottle of the 2020 Vale D. Maria Vinhas Do Sabor Branco ($75), a Portuguese white wine which is a blend of Viosinho, Rabigato and Arinto. Fresh and elegant, with excellent fruit flavors, crisp acidity, and a long finish. It went very well with the seafood. 

Overall, this was an excellent dining experience, with very tasty seafood. Service was excellent as well. If you're seeking a higher-end seafood restaurant, then I would highly recommend Street & Co.

After dinner, rather than ordering dessert, we left and stopped at Gelato Fiasco, for a creamy and delicious Coconut Gelato in a waffle cone. 

To Be Continued...