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Penny & Ed
Category: Uncategorized
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July1, 2025 We Raise a Glass of Raventós i Blanc to Wine Educator Eric Asimov
This is our year of saluting wine mentors, and Eric Asimov has been a wine critic and educator at the New York Times since 1999. We have followed his advice for many years. Recently, he wrote one of his “The Pour” columns on the topic “A Starter Pack for Aspiring Wine Lovers.”
The sparkling wine he featured was a favorite of ours, Raventós i Blanc. We have featured it often because we love it and usually have a supply on hand. Here is what he said about it. “
Just about every place that makes wine makes sparkling wine as well. They come in myriad styles and colors, ranging from cheap Prosecco to very expensive Champagne. For now, I suggest a good cava, a catchall term for the sparkling wines of Spain.
The Raventós i Blanc is a pale pink sparkling wine, made using the same method as Champagne, as is required for all cavas. It’s dry, tangy, and wonderful. Drink by itself, with potato chips, anything fried, pizza, or whatever.”
In his column, he shone as a wine educator, brushing aside the often too serious side of wine writing to say, “I would like to propose an alternative, a wine starter kit complete with a six-pack of bottles guaranteed to be fun and delicious. These are not bottles to study, they are joyous wines to love now.”
Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007, we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!
Related Posts:
Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post: Join Us as We Toast…
A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers
Here are all the wines we’ve covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top of the list. Just scroll down for more.
What’s on your food lover’s shopping list?
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2020-2025 Penny Cherubino -
Frequently Asked Questions About Real Service Dogs
A Boston Globe article this week has the headline, "Pretending your pet is a service animal? That could soon be illegal."
It talked about the problem of people who buy service dog vests and certificates online to obtain some of the accommodations meant for real service dogs. This, of course, makes if even more difficult for those who actually need the assistance their service animal provides.
Here's an example of the real thing. We met Dodie back in 2011 when he was in training to be a hearing ear dog.
This weekend Dodie and other hard working service animals hope you will read this page of Frequently Asked Questions from the American's with Disabilities Act about real service animals.
Then when you see a dog off-leash and are told that she is a service dog, you'll know that is very unlikely. When you see a dog wearing a service vest acting up, you'll have your doubts. And, perhaps, you'll speak up when an acquaintance tells you they are going to buy a vest and get a certificate.
The Globe article is actually about a piece of legislation filed this session in Massachusetts. As originally proposed, this says, “A person who violates this section commits a civil infraction, punishable by 30 hours of community service for an organization that serves individuals with disabilities, or for another entity or organization at the discretion of the court, to be completed in not more than 6 months and/or pay a fine no more than $500.”
We will be following this bill and trying to think of ways to address this problem.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon
from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2011 Penny & Ed Cherubino -
Champagne Résonance from Marie-Courtin, Special Bubbles to Ring-In the New Year!
Although we toast the beginning of every new month with a glass of bubbly to remain true to Our Sparkling Resolution, we admittedly get a little more excited about the arrival of January. After all, greeting a new year definitely holds special significance and therefore (follow me here) calls for a bottle of “special” bubbles.
We hope you'll join Our Sparkling Resolution and have fun with it. There are no rules!
For instance, if you’re someone who thinks Champagne (or any sparkler) is ONLY for special occasions, consider the advice of Master Sommelier Andrea (Immer) Robinson in her book "Great Wine Made Simple: Straight Talk from a Master Sommelier":
"Get over it. Say this to yourself: 'I deserve to open a bottle of bubbly. I do not need an excuse. I do not have to deny myself and wait until some significant event comes along.' For me, if the day dawns, that is an occasion for Champagne."
Happy New Year!
Now More About Our New Year's Wine!
Say hello to Résonance, a Champagne from Marie-Courtin! This 100% Pinot Noir, biodynamically farmed, non-dosage cuvée has been getting some rave reviews for the last several years.
Here’s what critics are saying:
- “This Champagne has a firm chord of acidity that runs throughout.”
- “… pungent depth of fruit and distinctly flinty minerality”
- “… demonstrates a remarkably elegant poise … with a refinement and discreet grace.”
- “Organically farmed Grower Champagne”
- “The N V (2012) Extra Brut Résonance is a real stand out”
- “Beautifully textured and generous”
- “offers terrific depth, with fewer of the hard edges these wines can sometimes show”
- “Dried pear, spice, mint and licorice flow through to the effortless, creamy finish”
(Just Grapes) (2013)
- “Résonance resoundingly discredits the austerity critics’ claims”
- “One of the most accessible, pure, fruity and fresh Champagnes I’ve had”
Résonance NV (2008)
- "Clear, light hay/sunshine yellow."
- "Dough, small red fruits, soil"
- "Medium bodied with lovely density and mid palate weight"
- "Plum skin, red apple and mineral"
- "Finished dry and long with pinot tinged extract. Delicious."
Antonio Galloni: 93 points: (2008) Extra Brut Resonance:
- “a brilliant, energetic wine … with gorgeous richness and depth”
- “Succulent apricots, peaches, flowers and crushed rocks are some of the many nuances
- “Chalky notes linger on the precise, beautifully articulated, eternal finish”
- “kept getting better and better with air”
- “It is a fabulous wine in every way. I loved it."
- “Résonance is fermented in stainless steel”
- “the grapes are all harvested by hand”
- “The wines are fermented with natural yeasts”
- “there is no dosage added upon disgorgement”
- “[Dominique] recommends that [Résonance] be served in traditional white wine glasses to allow for [its] development through increased aeration” ( As you can see in the photo above, we plan to do just that!)
Résonance Champagne Marie-Courtin Extra Brut Pinot Noir
(From Thomas Calder Selections)
Imported by: Vineyard Road Inc. Framingham, MA
ABV: 12%
Date of disgorgement: June 2016
We purchased our bottle of Résonance Champagne Marie-Courtin at City Liquors in Cambridge.
Here’s more about Our Sparkling Resolution
And Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List
What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino -
Champagne Résonance from Marie-Courtin, Special Bubbles to Ring-In the New Year!
Although we toast the beginning of every new month with a glass of bubbly to remain true to Our Sparkling Resolution, we admittedly get a little more excited about the arrival of January. After all, greeting a new year definitely holds special significance and therefore (follow me here) calls for a bottle of “special” bubbles.
We hope you'll join Our Sparkling Resolution and have fun with it. There are no rules!
For instance, if you’re someone who thinks Champagne (or any sparkler) is ONLY for special occasions, consider the advice of Master Sommelier Andrea (Immer) Robinson in her book "Great Wine Made Simple: Straight Talk from a Master Sommelier":
"Get over it. Say this to yourself: 'I deserve to open a bottle of bubbly. I do not need an excuse. I do not have to deny myself and wait until some significant event comes along.' For me, if the day dawns, that is an occasion for Champagne."
Happy New Year!
Now More About Our New Year's Wine!
Say hello to Résonance, a Champagne from Marie-Courtin! This 100% Pinot Noir, biodynamically farmed, non-dosage cuvée has been getting some rave reviews for the last several years.
Here’s what critics are saying:
- “This Champagne has a firm chord of acidity that runs throughout.”
- “… pungent depth of fruit and distinctly flinty minerality”
- “… demonstrates a remarkably elegant poise … with a refinement and discreet grace.”
- “Organically farmed Grower Champagne”
- “The N V (2012) Extra Brut Résonance is a real stand out”
- “Beautifully textured and generous”
- “offers terrific depth, with fewer of the hard edges these wines can sometimes show”
- “Dried pear, spice, mint and licorice flow through to the effortless, creamy finish”
(Just Grapes) (2013)
- “Résonance resoundingly discredits the austerity critics’ claims”
- “One of the most accessible, pure, fruity and fresh Champagnes I’ve had”
Résonance NV (2008)
- "Clear, light hay/sunshine yellow."
- "Dough, small red fruits, soil"
- "Medium bodied with lovely density and mid palate weight"
- "Plum skin, red apple and mineral"
- "Finished dry and long with pinot tinged extract. Delicious."
Antonio Galloni: 93 points: (2008) Extra Brut Resonance:
- “a brilliant, energetic wine … with gorgeous richness and depth”
- “Succulent apricots, peaches, flowers and crushed rocks are some of the many nuances
- “Chalky notes linger on the precise, beautifully articulated, eternal finish”
- “kept getting better and better with air”
- “It is a fabulous wine in every way. I loved it."
- “Résonance is fermented in stainless steel”
- “the grapes are all harvested by hand”
- “The wines are fermented with natural yeasts”
- “there is no dosage added upon disgorgement”
- “[Dominique] recommends that [Résonance] be served in traditional white wine glasses to allow for [its] development through increased aeration” ( As you can see in the photo above, we plan to do just that!)
Résonance Champagne Marie-Courtin Extra Brut Pinot Noir
(From Thomas Calder Selections)
Imported by: Vineyard Road Inc. Framingham, MA
ABV: 12%
Date of disgorgement: June 2016
We purchased our bottle of Résonance Champagne Marie-Courtin at City Liquors in Cambridge.
Here’s more about Our Sparkling Resolution
And Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List
What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino -
Sunday Dog Ashby Turns Seven!
We had the pleasure of meeting Ashby last week, on his birthday, and helped him celebrate lucky number seven. As you can see, he’s very photogenic. What a profile!
I grew up with a Cocker Spaniel and still have a soft spot for the breed. Their friendly, gentle, and loving nature helps make them wonderful companions.
Ashby is so well trained that he couldn’t wait to show us how he could sit and pose for our cameras. And that was no small feat seeing as how he had been promised a slice of cheese pizza for dinner when he got home.
Happy birthday, Ashby!
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!
Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed CherubinoNote 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.
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Look Who We Just Met, Sunday Dog Monty!
We were sitting on a park bench last Sunday morning soaking up some lazy, August sunshine when along came Monty. This very friendly, curious five-month-old wanted to say hello to everyone and get some pats, which we happily supplied.
This handsome English Springer Spaniel is called Monty in memory of famed WWII British commander Bernard Montgomery. Although it’s hard to imagine our Monty with his own command, we wouldn’t be surprised to hear him occasionally bark out an order or two …
Springers are known for their intelligence along with a willingness to obey. They are confident, curious, like the water, and said to make fine family pets.
The name springer is said to refer to the act of “springing” game into the open. However, Monty is from a “show” line, not a “hunting” line, meaning he was bred to have a slightly different appearance including a longer coat.
Look closely and you’ll see that Monty is already starting to grow his “feathers” (as they’re called) on his legs – a feature that’ll also adorn his tail.
Great to meet you, Monty! You made our summer morning. Thanks for being this week’s Sunday Dog.
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
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed CherubinoNote 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.
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Rocky Redux, a Sunday Dog Favorite!
We were returning from an early afternoon walk yesterday, when we looked up to see an old friend, Rocky! This frisky little guy looked just as handsome as the day he starred on Sunday Dog almost two years ago.
As the first flakes of the latest winter storm began to fall, Rocky told us he was looking forward to the snow because he gets to wear his boots. But, besides the obvious salt protection they provide, he seems to like the way they look and feel.
We weren’t surprised, since he is an exceptionally smart and stylish terrier. Need more proof? Take a look at: Sunday Dog Rocky Is Show-Dog Cute!
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
Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Ed CherubinoNote 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.
-
Rocky Redux, a Sunday Dog Favorite!
We were returning from an early afternoon walk yesterday, when we looked up to see an old friend, Rocky! This frisky little guy looked just as handsome as the day he starred on Sunday Dog almost two years ago.
As the first flakes of the latest winter storm began to fall, Rocky told us he was looking forward to the snow because he gets to wear his boots. But, besides the obvious salt protection they provide, he seems to like the way they look and feel.
We weren’t surprised, since he is an exceptionally smart and stylish terrier. Need more proof? Take a look at: Sunday Dog Rocky Is Show-Dog Cute!
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
Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Ed CherubinoNote 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.
-
Rocky Redux, a Sunday Dog Favorite!
We were returning from an early afternoon walk yesterday, when we looked up to see an old friend, Rocky! This frisky little guy looked just as handsome as the day he starred on Sunday Dog almost two years ago.
As the first flakes of the latest winter storm began to fall, Rocky told us he was looking forward to the snow because he gets to wear his boots. But, besides the obvious salt protection they provide, he seems to like the way they look and feel.
We weren’t surprised, since he is an exceptionally smart and stylish terrier. Need more proof? Take a look at: Sunday Dog Rocky Is Show-Dog Cute!
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
Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Ed CherubinoNote 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.