Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
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1) Committee, the Greek restaurant in the Seaport, announces a special all-day Brunch menu in celebration of Labor Day. On Sunday, September 1st, the Seaport favorite will offer some of its Greek and Mediterranean-inspired brunch dishes all day from 11AM to midnight, alongside the full restaurant menu. This gives guests plenty of opportunity to try the brunch menu created by Committee’s Executive Chef Sebastian Zuluaga, formerly of Saltie Girl, who joined the team this year and explore the new space as the team has also just completed a total refresh of the space, including the coveted outdoor patio.

The all day brunch menu will include:
Strapatsada Omelette – roasted cherry tomatoes, broccoli, onions, feta, served with potatoes and grilled pita
Smoked Salmon Pita – cucumber, crispy & pickled shallots, sesame seeds, scallion–manouri cream cheese
Pancakes – wild blueberries, whipped cream, caramel sauce
Greek Yogurt Parfait – fresh berries, maple sesame granola, Greek honey
Roasted Lamb Hash – sunny-side eggs, slow cooked pulled lamb, roasted potatoes, spicy tzatziki, pickled shallots, grilled sourdough

2) ‘Twas the night before (Allston) Christmas and all through the Sil, the creatures were stirring… but they weren’t a mouse. This Allston Christmas – the ritual, made legendary by college students ditching their apartment lease and furniture on the curb, with Gen Z dumpster-divers scoring big for their new digs – the Silhouette Lounge is getting the party started early with Allston Christmas Eve. Opening early on August 31, from 12pm-1am, the lounge will be decked in Yuletide décor complete with an inflatable Santa dancing in the wind atop the roof.

While jamming out to Christmas classics, scarf down The Sil’s signature “Sil Dogs” – all-beef franks nestled in their buns with the option to top them with ketchup, mustard and relish – for only $1* per ‘dog with the purchase of a boozy beverage. 

*Limit of one per customer at $1 pricing with the purchase of an alcoholic beverage

Channel your inner Clark and Ellen Griswold with festive drink specials: All I Got for XMAS is Storrowed, a High Noon peach vodka seltzer with a Pasoa passionfruit float ($10); The Grinch Who Stole My Parking Spot, a shot of Rumchata peppermint and crème de menthe ($7); and On the First Day of Allston XMAS My… bartender gave me their choice of a shot and beer ($10).

Rock around the Christmas tree in your signature ugly sweater that usually only makes its annual appearance in December and be sure not to sleep on the budget-friendly pitchers, pool, darts, pinball, Big Buck Hunter and – of course – free popcorn.

Rant: Drinking Advice After Labor Day

One week from today is Labor Day, what many people see as the unofficial end of Summer, despite the fact that the official end isn't until September 22. Labor Day also presages changes in the wine and beverage world, beyond the fact it's grape harvest season, and consumers need to pay attention. There are opportunities now that they should take advantage of, to learn more about wine and other beverages, to experience different drinks, and to enjoy plenty of delicious drinks. I've compiled some drinking advice for the Fall and rest of the year. 

1) Don't Stop Drinking Rosé 
It's a myth that Rosé is only a Summer wine. The reality is that Rosé can and should be consumed year-round, no matter what the season, especially as it's excellent with food. Don't be fooled by those who try to claim it's only a seasonal wine. The better wine stores understand that Rosé is great all year round and thus they will stock Rosé throughout  the year, even though many distributors don't push Rosé during this time. Thanksgiving is an excellent occasion for Rosé. For more thoughts on this topic, check out Don't Stop Drinking Rosé.

2) Celebrate International Port Wine Day on September 10

Port wine, produced in Portugal, comes in a variety of styles and types, from Ruby Port to Tawny Port, from White Port to Rosé Port. There are Vintage Ports as well as Ports of various ages, from 10 Years to 50 Years. This holiday is a great time to explore the wonders of Port wine, as well as its food pairings. For myself, Port and Blue Cheese is one of my favorites. You can learn much more about Port HERE, with links to my many Port articles, from the Origins of Port to numerous reviews.  

3) Celebrate Sake Day on October 1
Nihonshu no Hi, known in English as Sake Day, originated over 40 years ago, in 1978, by a declaration of the Japan Sake Brewers Association and is now celebrated worldwide. Japanese Sake remains a niche beverage in the U.S. so this is a perfect day to learn more about it, to sample some delicious Sake, and understand its wonders. Some local restaurants and wine shops may offer Sake Day celebrations and you should avail yourselves of that opportunity. For more thoughts on this topic, check out Celebrate Sake Day!

4) Celebrate International Sherry Week in November
This year, International Sherry Week will be held from November 3-9. Sherry may be one of the tastiest, most intriguing, and unique wines that you're probably not drinking. It remains a tiny niche beverage in the U.S. and like Sake Day, this is a perfect opportunity to learn more about Sherry, to sample some delicious bottles, and understand its wonders. This will be at least a couple thousand Sherry events across the world. For more thoughts on Sherry, check out All About Sherry.

5) Don't Stress Over Thanksgiving Wines
The holidays are a stressful enough time that you really shouldn't add to your stress by worrying about the wine. Do you really need specific Thanksgiving wine recommendations? I don't think so. The more I ponder the question, the more I realize that all you need for Thanksgiving are some good wines, the varietals and/or blends being much less important. As long as they don't blatantly clash with the meal, then they should work and few wines are going to so blatantly clash. Drink wines you'll enjoy and don't worry so much about "perfect pairings." For more thoughts on this topic, check out Rant: Stop Stressing Over Thanksgiving Wine.

6) Don't Be Cheap Buying Holiday Wines
As the holidays approach, you might be planning to host parties for your family and friends. You might need a selection of wine for these celebrations. Price is usually a significant factor in your decision as to which wines to purchase. However, instead of buying just the cheapest wine at a shop, ask the staff at that store for their recommendations for the best value wines. They might be able to suggest wines you might not have considered, wines which offer excellent value as well as taste. These are also some great discount wine shops worthy of your attention, offering compelling wines at a low price point. For more thoughts on this topic, check out Rant: Holiday Wines? Don't Be A Cheapskate.

7) DON'T DRINK & DRIVE!!
This is one of the most important pieces of advice you'll receive this season. Please give this your full attention. If you've had too much alcohol to drink, if there is any doubt in your mind, don't drive. Just don't do it! Err on the side of caution so that if you have any doubt of your capacity to drive, then please do not drive. Take a taxi or Uber, catch a ride with someone else, walk or sleep it off. Just don't drive! For more thoughts on this topic, check out Rant: DON'T DRINK & DRIVE...OR ELSE!!

What post-Labor Day drinking advice would you like to add?

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
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1) On Wednesday, August 27th, at 6:30 PM, join Bistro 5, in Medford, for A Journey to the Italian Coast Wine Dinner.  Chef-Owner Vittorio Ettore states: "When I travel to Italy, I dream, I eat, and then I dream again. And like so many others, I find myself asking: Why is the food so good? Is it the skill? The sun? The bounty of the land and sea? Perhaps it is something deeper — a collective connection between people and their environment, expressed through food and wine. With that in mind, our fish is sourced as locally as possible, and our produce comes from the beautiful Kimball Fruit Farm in Pepperell, MA. This dinner is also a true collaboration, created together with our friends at Wine-Sense of Andover and Mucci Wine Imports." 

The Menu includes:

Antipasti: Chef’s inspired passed appetizers
La Sabbiona Vermouth Cocktail

Fiori di Zucca “Sardi” (Stuffed zucchini blossoms with Maine lobster, herbs and sheep milk ricotta, zucchini and basil emulsion, and Bottarga di Muggine)
Muscari-Tomajoli ‘Nethun’ Lazio Vermentino 2023

Paccheri Trabaccolara (Locally sourced seafood, large rigatoni shaped pasta, DOP San Marzano tomatoes, lemon zest)
Reale 'Getis' Costa d'Amalfi Tramonti Rosato DOC 2024

Tagliata di Tonno (Bluefin tuna loin, crusted with “Scaccia”, toasted fennel seed and pink peppercorns. Plum, Etna Rossa and orange zest “agrodolce”. Eggplant, plum and mint caponata.)
Palmento Costanzo 'Mofete Rosso' Etna Rosso DOC 2022

Torta della Nonna (Basil infused Ligurian tart, peach-lemon Mostarda)
Cantina Lilliu 'Dunkas' IGT Bianco Passito, Sardegna

The dinner costs: $150 Tasting Menu & Wine Pairings (tax and gratuity not included) and you can make Reservations HERE. 

2) On Wednesday, September 10, during normal operating hours, Anna’s Taqueria is ready to party like it's 1995 as they celebrate their 30th anniversary at the homegrown brand’s 10 Greater Boston locations. From open to close, Anna’s will roll back the hands of time and offer its legendary super burritos – 12″ fresh hot flour tortillas customized to your taste and packed with a main filling, cheese, rice, beans, lettuce, pico, hot sauce and jalapeños – at its original 1995 pricing, $3.50 per oversized bundle of love (Premium add-ons priced à la carte). Additionally, the first 50 faithful through the doors of each location on September 10 will score a commemorative 30th anniversary t-shirt with their purchase. 

Inspired by San Francisco’s Mission District, Anna’s Taqueria was first conceived with the goal of bringing the homestyle flavor of Mexican street food to the people of Boston. Brookline became Anna’s Taqueria first home in 1995, with an additional nine locations joining the family over the decades. Anna’s passion for bringing the best in Mexican food to Greater Boston is only outdone by its passion for supporting the people and causes in its communities.

2024 Varvaglione 1921 Susumaniello Rosé: A Puglia Prize

Apulia, also known as Puglia, is an Italian region which occupies the "heel" of the Italian "boot," bordering the Adriatic Sea on its east coast. This region is best known for its red wines, especially those made from Primitivo and Negroamaro. However, you can find other interesting red grapes there, although their total acreage may be small. One such grape, of ancient lineage, is Susumaniello. 

The name, "susumaniello," may derive from the term "somarello," which roughly translates as "small donkey." This may refer to the hardiness of the grape, as the donkey can handle a great load, or it may refer to the grape bunches, which some claim resemble an overloaded donkey. DNA analysis indicates the grape is a cross between Garganega and Uva Sogra, and there are some claims that the grape originated in the Dalmatian region of Croatia, although proof of such is largely lacking. However, as it's known Primitivo originated in Dalmatia, it wouldn't be a stretch to consider Susumaniello had a similar journey. 

During the 20th century, Susumaniello fell out of favor, as it became low yielding, and farmers preferred to work with more productive vines, like Primitivo and Negroamaro. However, in time, the low yields of Susumaniello became seen as a strength, indicative of higher quality, by a number of wineries, and the grape was saved from extinction. It's now used as a blending grape, as a single varietal, and in Rosé wines. 

Varvaglione 1921 is a family-owned winery based in Leporano, on the coast of the Ionian Sea, in Puglia. It was established just over 100 years ago, making it one of the oldest wineries in southern Italy, and is currently owned and operated by the fourth generation of the Varvaglione family. The winery focuses on the native grapes of the region, including Primitivo, Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera, Aglianico, Verdeca, Falanghina, Malvasia Bianca and Fiano. They own about 150 hectares of vineyards, and also purchase fruit from low grape growers. They are also certified sustainable. 

I recently received a media sample of the 2024 Varvaglione 1921 Susumaniello Rosé (about $19), which is produced from 100% Susumaniello and has a 13% ABV. The wine is aged in stainless steel, with periodic suspension of the lees. With a vibrant pink color, the nose is alluring with plenty of red fruit aromas and hints of spice. On the palate, it is crisp and dry, with bright red fruit flavors of strawberry, raspberry and cherry, along with subtle spice notes. On the lengthy finish, there's hints of minerality, and it's simply delicious. This would be excellent on its own, although it would also be an excellent food wine. 

Overall, this was an impressive Rosé, perfect for the summer, but which would be great year round. It would make a very good choice for Thanksgiving dinner. And at under $20, this wine is a good value as well. 

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.