We have years of wine selections in our posts on sparkling and other wines. Since 2007 we've greeted each new month with a bottle of sparkle. And along the way, we've also shared our experience with red, white, and rosé wines.
While you may not have time to hunt down our specific selections, you can use them as examples of something you might like. Then, a good wine merchant will be able to direct you to a comparable bottle from the store's own stock.
There are many reasons to add cider to your holiday menu – for meals, for cocktail hour, or mulled and warm on a chilly evening. And, there are many types of cider to serve to your family and guests.
1. Artisanal ciders will be a hit with fans of microbrews and fine wines. Our wine guru, Howie Rubin of Bauer Wine & Spirits, recently recommended Bantam Wunderkind, a new local cider from Cambridge, MA. He knows our taste and this crisp, clean, dry creation was perfect with a supper of salad with buttery croutons and goat cheese.
2. At farmers' markets and farm stands you'll find sweet, fresh cider for those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks. You can even find single source ciders like this one made from honeycrisp apples. And, most cider is gluten-free. Just be sure to check that the one you're choosing really is safe for those who restrict gluten. You never know what some producers might add to the mix.
3. Cider's history makes it a perfect fit in this season of traditions. We wrote more about cider's past in our post, You Only Think You Know Cider.
4. Cider gives you a new world to explore! Try an imported, sparkling cider from someplace like Normandy where there is a long tradition of turning apples into a companion for food. One of the most respected producers is Etienne Dupont. Penny loves the barnyard funk of their organic version. It has that same mysterious quality of some of our favorite Italian wines. We wrote more about it here.
5. If you want to keep up with the conversation among food lovers, you should add some cider knowledge to your repertoire. Everyone is starting to rediscover this once lost beverage. Here'a a primer from NPR, Americans Rediscover The Kick Of Hard Cider. And, remember, don't judge ciders by the mass produced versions. Try a small scale, local producer recommended by someone you trust.
Beer glasses, like the one below, are perfect for serving cider. Or, you can pour it into the same glass that other guests will use for wine or serve it in a brandy snifter
as we did in the top photo.
And, thanks to everyone who clicks over to Amazon from here. It doesn't cost you anymore, but it puts a few coins in our tip jar.
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
There are many reasons to add cider to your holiday menu – for meals, for cocktail hour, or mulled and warm on a chilly evening. And, there are many types of cider to serve to your family and guests.
1. Artisanal ciders will be a hit with fans of microbrews and fine wines. Our wine guru, Howie Rubin of Bauer Wine & Spirits, recently recommended Bantam Wunderkind, a new local cider from Cambridge, MA. He knows our taste and this crisp, clean, dry creation was perfect with a supper of salad with buttery croutons and goat cheese.
2. At farmers' markets and farm stands you'll find sweet, fresh cider for those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks. You can even find single source ciders like this one made from honeycrisp apples. And, most cider is gluten-free. Just be sure to check that the one you're choosing really is safe for those who restrict gluten. You never know what some producers might add to the mix.
3. Cider's history makes it a perfect fit in this season of traditions. We wrote more about cider's past in our post, You Only Think You Know Cider.
4. Cider gives you a new world to explore! Try an imported, sparkling cider from someplace like Normandy where there is a long tradition of turning apples into a companion for food. One of the most respected producers is Etienne Dupont. Penny loves the barnyard funk of their organic version. It has that same mysterious quality of some of our favorite Italian wines. We wrote more about it here.
5. If you want to keep up with the conversation among food lovers, you should add some cider knowledge to your repertoire. Everyone is starting to rediscover this once lost beverage. Here'a a primer from NPR, Americans Rediscover The Kick Of Hard Cider. And, remember, don't judge ciders by the mass produced versions. Try a small scale, local producer recommended by someone you trust.
Beer glasses, like the one below, are perfect for serving cider. Or, you can pour it into the same glass that other guests will use for wine or serve it in a brandy snifter
as we did in the top photo.
And, thanks to everyone who clicks over to Amazon from here. It doesn't cost you anymore, but it puts a few coins in our tip jar.
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
Zoe is a little bit Maltese and a little bit Yorkie – a “Morkie” (sometimes called a Malkie or Yorktese). But, no matter what you call her, Zoe definitely has the cutes!
This adorable 9-month-old, who relocated from Florida last summer, is getting used to dressing up for the New England weather and of course looks great no matter what she wears.
Zoe loves playing with her pink, cloth Frisbie and is learning that the toilet paper is not her toy.
“Did someone say Toilet Paper?”
Her favorite person told us that Zoe, “absolutely loves attention and adores being around people and other dogs (big or small). And like most Yorkies that have a big personality, my Zoe will confront the bigger dogs like Great Danes and Pointers with no fear, not realizing she is only 7 pounds!"
Zoe was actually playing with our Poppy, here! But, it looks as though she could hold her own if the situation called for it.
By the way, we were fascinated by our Sunday Dog’s level of style and fashion sense, usually not seen at such a young age. So, before you ask, Zoe did not reveal her colorist’s name, but we’re betting this stunning color mix will be the new fall look. See you around, Zoe!
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
Zoe is a little bit Maltese and a little bit Yorkie – a “Morkie” (sometimes called a Malkie or Yorktese). But, no matter what you call her, Zoe definitely has the cutes!
This adorable 9-month-old, who relocated from Florida last summer, is getting used to dressing up for the New England weather and of course looks great no matter what she wears.
Zoe loves playing with her pink, cloth Frisbie and is learning that the toilet paper is not her toy.
“Did someone say Toilet Paper?”
Her favorite person told us that Zoe, “absolutely loves attention and adores being around people and other dogs (big or small). And like most Yorkies that have a big personality, my Zoe will confront the bigger dogs like Great Danes and Pointers with no fear, not realizing she is only 7 pounds!"
Zoe was actually playing with our Poppy, here! But, it looks as though she could hold her own if the situation called for it.
By the way, we were fascinated by our Sunday Dog’s level of style and fashion sense, usually not seen at such a young age. So, before you ask, Zoe did not reveal her colorist’s name, but we’re betting this stunning color mix will be the new fall look. See you around, Zoe!
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been showing ways the colors of fall call things to our attention. Today, we celebrate the beautiful shape of this bare tree outlined by the brilliant colors across the open grass.
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been showing ways the colors of fall call things to our attention. Today, we celebrate the beautiful shape of this bare tree outlined by the brilliant colors across the open grass.
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
With the summer farmers’ market season coming to a close Thanksgiving week, it’s time to spread the word on winter markets. Today's Friday Link will take you to farmers' markets around the area.
The team over at Mass Farmers’ Markets says, “Turns out they are opening up all over the state! We are expecting more than 30 of them to crop up this winter; to find out if there is a Winter Market opening up near you visit our website [www.massfarmersmarkets.org], click on the FIND tab and type the word "WINTER' in the 'name of market' field.” They are adding new information as market details are submitted.
Here are some Boston area dates & locations:
Brookline Winter Farmers’ Market, Sundays, Noon – 5pm, (Nov 4 – Early June) at The Arcade, Coolidge Corner, 318 Harvard St., Brookline
We've included the Wayland Market in this list because this is a wonderful destination market.
When father frost has us in his icy grip, the Wayland Winter Market at Russell’s Garden Center is a trip to the tropics. Russell’s lush greenhouses are turned into a festival of food vendors. They not only sell products for you to enjoy at home, but also host a food court where you can enjoy breakfast or lunch in the greenhouse.
This market supports all aspects of local food production. In addition to having local wine and cheese producers on their regular vendor list, they hold special events for them. The annual Massachusetts Farm Wineries Day will be held on January 26. This year, the Russell’s team has added a Farm Cheese Day on March 2nd. These are opportunities to sample, purchase, and support these value-added products from area farms.
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
With the summer farmers’ market season coming to a close Thanksgiving week, it’s time to spread the word on winter markets. Today's Friday Link will take you to farmers' markets around the area.
The team over at Mass Farmers’ Markets says, “Turns out they are opening up all over the state! We are expecting more than 30 of them to crop up this winter; to find out if there is a Winter Market opening up near you visit our website [www.massfarmersmarkets.org], click on the FIND tab and type the word "WINTER' in the 'name of market' field.” They are adding new information as market details are submitted.
Here are some Boston area dates & locations:
Brookline Winter Farmers’ Market, Sundays, Noon – 5pm, (Nov 4 – Early June) at The Arcade, Coolidge Corner, 318 Harvard St., Brookline
We've included the Wayland Market in this list because this is a wonderful destination market.
When father frost has us in his icy grip, the Wayland Winter Market at Russell’s Garden Center is a trip to the tropics. Russell’s lush greenhouses are turned into a festival of food vendors. They not only sell products for you to enjoy at home, but also host a food court where you can enjoy breakfast or lunch in the greenhouse.
This market supports all aspects of local food production. In addition to having local wine and cheese producers on their regular vendor list, they hold special events for them. The annual Massachusetts Farm Wineries Day will be held on January 26. This year, the Russell’s team has added a Farm Cheese Day on March 2nd. These are opportunities to sample, purchase, and support these value-added products from area farms.
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
Thanksgiving is next week and you only have a couple more days to order a pie from Pie in the Sky! Saturday is the deadline.
Here's how it works.
More than 150 of your favoriteBoston area chefs and bakers donate their time and talent to bake more than 10,000 apple, pecan, pumpkin, and sweet potato pies. While you can't order a pie from a specific baker, the organizers say, "we assure you that all the pies are made with love."
Hundreds more individuals, community groups, businesses, and social organizations volunteer to sell and distribute those pies.
People, like you, order their holiday dessert through this effort. The money raised is used by Community Servings.
As they say on their webpage, "Each $25 pie you purchase will provide a week's worth of free, home-delivered meals for a man, woman or child in Eastern Massachusetts who is battling a critical illness such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes or MS."
On the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 21, 2012 you pick up your pie at the location you selected when you placed your order. There are more than 40 pick-up sites in the Greater Boston area.
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
from here. It doesn't cost you anymore, but it puts a few coins in our tip jar.
