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  • We Celebrate Oregon Terroir with the 2013 RMS Brut from Rollin Soles’ ROCO Winery

    This month's wine, selected for its specific terroir, is the 2013 RMS Brut from Rollin Soles' ROCO Winery. We have a long-running resolution to toast each new month with a glass of sparkling wine. In recent years we've tried to set a theme for each year and 2020 is our year of terroir.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340240a4c00572200d-800wi

    We're still sheltering in place so we were happy that our wine rack contained another great example of a winemaker who knows and uses the terroir of a specific place to create a great wine.

    We've had the distinct pleasure of meeting Rollin Soles and years of pleasure drinking the wines he masterminds. (We borrowed this photo below from the ROCO Facebook page. We suggest you follow them to learn about their wine, their art gallery, and the many important causes they support)

    92354892_3028505603885882_7580063364097769472_o

    When you go to the ROCO website and click on the vineyards tab, you'll find this at the top of the page:

    "Every vineyard has its own microclimate, soil composition, slope, and relationship with the sun. When people speak of “terroir,” these unique attributes are what they’re talking about—the essence of a place captured in wine. At ROCO, we are keen on delivering the pleasure of place through the prism of vineyard-designated wines."

    We first wrote about this wine last year. Click on the link below for more information and to read Rollin's winemakers notes.

    Our November Sparkler Is 2013 RMS Brut from Rollin Soles' ROCO Winery

    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!

    6a00e54fc42bb888340240a496cfa4200c-800wi

    We purchase our bottle at Bauer Wine and Spirits for $29.99. If you want to keep track of what you paid for a bottle of wine and where you purchased it, we suggest writing on the bottle with these Sharpie Metallic Fine Point Permanent Markers. It works for us!

    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. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino

    The photo of Rollin Souls is courtesy of ROCO Vineyards.

  • We Celebrate Oregon Terroir with the 2013 RMS Brut from Rollin Soles’ ROCO Winery

    This month's wine, selected for its specific terroir, is the 2013 RMS Brut from Rollin Soles' ROCO Winery. We have a long-running resolution to toast each new month with a glass of sparkling wine. In recent years we've tried to set a theme for each year and 2020 is our year of terroir.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340240a4c00572200d-800wi

    We're still sheltering in place so we were happy that our wine rack contained another great example of a winemaker who knows and uses the terroir of a specific place to create a great wine.

    We've had the distinct pleasure of meeting Rollin Soles and years of pleasure drinking the wines he masterminds. (We borrowed this photo below from the ROCO Facebook page. We suggest you follow them to learn about their wine, their art gallery, and the many important causes they support)

    92354892_3028505603885882_7580063364097769472_o

    When you go to the ROCO website and click on the vineyards tab, you'll find this at the top of the page:

    "Every vineyard has its own microclimate, soil composition, slope, and relationship with the sun. When people speak of “terroir,” these unique attributes are what they’re talking about—the essence of a place captured in wine. At ROCO, we are keen on delivering the pleasure of place through the prism of vineyard-designated wines."

    We first wrote about this wine last year. Click on the link below for more information and to read Rollin's winemakers notes.

    Our November Sparkler Is 2013 RMS Brut from Rollin Soles' ROCO Winery

    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!

    6a00e54fc42bb888340240a496cfa4200c-800wi

    We purchase our bottle at Bauer Wine and Spirits for $29.99. If you want to keep track of what you paid for a bottle of wine and where you purchased it, we suggest writing on the bottle with these Sharpie Metallic Fine Point Permanent Markers. It works for us!

    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. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino

    The photo of Rollin Souls is courtesy of ROCO Vineyards.

  • Grab a Tree for Social Distancing! Photo Tales & Quotes

    With warmer weather coming, social distancing in parks and on walks is going to become harder. My suggestion is to grab a tree.

    IMG_9364

    The other day I met two neighbors, from different households, along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. It was obvious we were all trying to set a comfortable social distance so we could talk. I suggested we all pick a tree as our place to stay while we chatted. Along the Mall, on sidewalks, and in many other parks in the city, trees are well spaced for safe social distancing. 

    This morning Sarah (the lovely human who slid her scarf down so we could see her smile) and Harriet (the lovely dog who is always smiling) grabbed a tree while we talked and they agreed to be my models for this post. Sarah suggested that when it is not as wet as today, you can even lean on the tree!

    My favorite quote for today is from a truly great man, Warren Buffet.

    "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."

    About Photo Tales & Quotes: We keep hearing that people miss our cover photos that ran for years in the Back Bay Sun. That assignment was to provide a photo that showed what the week was like in the neighborhood. Often the photos illustrated favorite quotations. Photo Tales & Quotes is an occasional offering to our BostonZest readers featuring photos along the same theme but taken wherever we happen to be.

    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: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2020 Penny Cherubino  

  • Grab a Tree for Social Distancing! Photo Tales & Quotes

    With warmer weather coming, social distancing in parks and on walks is going to become harder. My suggestion is to grab a tree.

    IMG_9364

    The other day I met two neighbors, from different households, along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. It was obvious we were all trying to set a comfortable social distance so we could talk. I suggested we all pick a tree as our place to stay while we chatted. Along the Mall, on sidewalks, and in many other parks in the city, trees are well spaced for safe social distancing. 

    This morning Sarah (the lovely human who slid her scarf down so we could see her smile) and Harriet (the lovely dog who is always smiling) grabbed a tree while we talked and they agreed to be my models for this post. Sarah suggested that when it is not as wet as today, you can even lean on the tree!

    My favorite quote for today is from a truly great man, Warren Buffet.

    "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."

    About Photo Tales & Quotes: We keep hearing that people miss our cover photos that ran for years in the Back Bay Sun. That assignment was to provide a photo that showed what the week was like in the neighborhood. Often the photos illustrated favorite quotations. Photo Tales & Quotes is an occasional offering to our BostonZest readers featuring photos along the same theme but taken wherever we happen to be.

    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: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2020 Penny Cherubino  

  • On April 1, 2020 We Toast the Franco Family in Valdobbiadene with Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco

    Since 2020 is our year of exploring the terroir of sparkling wines, we knew we'd include a selection from Nino Franco. This family of winemakers has been working for 100 years at distinguishing wines produced in Valdobbiadene from other proseccos. Over the past month, our thoughts have been with them hoping the vineyards provide a safe haven. Salute! Good health to you and your neighbors from your friends in Boston.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b8d1eb18a3970c-800wi

    As we write this post, we're sheltering in place and choosing our sparkling wine of the month from our own wine rack. Fortunately, we usually have a few bottles of Nino Franco Rustico on hand. Today we are going to lift a glass and share with you some of our favorite photos of enjoying other bottles of this lovely wine.

    This time, instead of gathering friends on our roof deck, we'll connect over the Internet and raise our glasses from a safe distance. We hope you will do the same and use our monthly toast to connect with someone you are missing.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340223c84f3d60200c-800wi

    About the attention to the grape and the place, Nino Franco says, "At the beginning of the 90s, convinced that you need to control production right from the origins to obtain a good wine, Primo took over the running of a vineyard where he experimented with new planting techniques and the use of old clones."

    This year Primo Franco released a book on the passion the family has towards their products, "The Prosecco Way of Life."

    6a00e54fc42bb888340240a4a1a5a6200c-800wi

    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!

    6a00e54fc42bb888340240a4a1a5ba200c-800wi 6a00e54fc42bb888340240a4a1a5be200c-250wi

    We purchased our bottle at Gordon's for ~$25.00.

    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. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • On April 1, 2020 We Toast the Franco Family in Valdobbiadene with Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco

    Since 2020 is our year of exploring the terroir of sparkling wines, we knew we'd include a selection from Nino Franco. This family of winemakers has been working for 100 years at distinguishing wines produced in Valdobbiadene from other proseccos. Over the past month, our thoughts have been with them hoping the vineyards provide a safe haven. Salute! Good health to you and your neighbors from your friends in Boston.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b8d1eb18a3970c-800wi

    As we write this post, we're sheltering in place and choosing our sparkling wine of the month from our own wine rack. Fortunately, we usually have a few bottles of Nino Franco Rustico on hand. Today we are going to lift a glass and share with you some of our favorite photos of enjoying other bottles of this lovely wine.

    This time, instead of gathering friends on our roof deck, we'll connect over the Internet and raise our glasses from a safe distance. We hope you will do the same and use our monthly toast to connect with someone you are missing.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340223c84f3d60200c-800wi

    About the attention to the grape and the place, Nino Franco says, "At the beginning of the 90s, convinced that you need to control production right from the origins to obtain a good wine, Primo took over the running of a vineyard where he experimented with new planting techniques and the use of old clones."

    This year Primo Franco released a book on the passion the family has towards their products, "The Prosecco Way of Life."

    6a00e54fc42bb888340240a4a1a5a6200c-800wi

    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!

    6a00e54fc42bb888340240a4a1a5ba200c-800wi 6a00e54fc42bb888340240a4a1a5be200c-250wi

    We purchased our bottle at Gordon's for ~$25.00.

    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. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • New Mexico’s Gruet Sauvage Joins Our “Grand Tour” of Terroir

    We'll say "Happy New Month" to March with a blanc de blanc sparkling wine from New Mexico, Gruet Sauvage. We've been long time fans of the Gruet wines, but Sauvage is new to us.

    It's on the current wine list at Grand Tour, a new restaurant from Chef Michael Serpa and his team. This place is already a favorite with us. We've been stopping in since it opened slowly working our way through the engaging menu.

    IMG_7864

    Michael has become the latest of our wine mentors so even when we normally shy away from 100% Chardonnay sparklers, we are quick to try a glass of any wine that he selects. Our goal in 2020 is to explore terroir with our monthly toast, this wine from New Mexico fits right in.

    Here is what the Gruet vintners say about their terroir.

    "With high elevation, sandy loam soils, and sweeping winds to naturally keep away pests and thin the canopy for greater flavors, New Mexico’s desert landscape proved the ideal starting ground for Gruet.

    IMG_7868

    Here are the tasting notes from Gruet:

    "Gruet Sauvage NV is a bone-dry sparkler, pale straw in color with a delicate but persistent mousse. The aromas of bright mineral and citrus notes tickle the nose followed by touches of green apple, lemon and, grapefruit. The finish is structured, flavorful and long. The bright acidity makes this wine a perfect pairing for oysters, sushi and cream sauces."

    We've already enjoyed a few glasses of this crisp, food-oriented sparkler at the bar at Grand Tour. We'll return there today to raise another glass with friends to wish one another a "Happy New Month." We recommend the wine and we recommend the restaurant!

    IMG_7869

    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. Cheers!

    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. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • New Mexico’s Gruet Sauvage Joins Our “Grand Tour” of Terroir

    We'll say "Happy New Month" to March with a blanc de blanc sparkling wine from New Mexico, Gruet Sauvage. We've been long time fans of the Gruet wines, but Sauvage is new to us.

    It's on the current wine list at Grand Tour, a new restaurant from Chef Michael Serpa and his team. This place is already a favorite with us. We've been stopping in since it opened slowly working our way through the engaging menu.

    IMG_7864

    Michael has become the latest of our wine mentors so even when we normally shy away from 100% Chardonnay sparklers, we are quick to try a glass of any wine that he selects. Our goal in 2020 is to explore terroir with our monthly toast, this wine from New Mexico fits right in.

    Here is what the Gruet vintners say about their terroir.

    "With high elevation, sandy loam soils, and sweeping winds to naturally keep away pests and thin the canopy for greater flavors, New Mexico’s desert landscape proved the ideal starting ground for Gruet.

    IMG_7868

    Here are the tasting notes from Gruet:

    "Gruet Sauvage NV is a bone-dry sparkler, pale straw in color with a delicate but persistent mousse. The aromas of bright mineral and citrus notes tickle the nose followed by touches of green apple, lemon and, grapefruit. The finish is structured, flavorful and long. The bright acidity makes this wine a perfect pairing for oysters, sushi and cream sauces."

    We've already enjoyed a few glasses of this crisp, food-oriented sparkler at the bar at Grand Tour. We'll return there today to raise another glass with friends to wish one another a "Happy New Month." We recommend the wine and we recommend the restaurant!

    IMG_7869

    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. Cheers!

    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. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Raventos i Blanc de Nit Takes Us to Spain for Our February 1st Toast

    Raventos i Blanc de Nit is such a favorite with us that one of the staff at Select Oyster Bar asked Penny if she wanted her usual last week, meaning Raventos. That question put it next up on the list of wines we would feature this year as we explore the concept of terroir.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401a3fd0cb728970b-800wi

    Each month in 2020, we'll feature a bottle of wine from a different place. Some will be new to us and some, like this one, will be old favorites from great winemakers who respect the land and let the natural taste of the grapes and the land come through in the glass.

    IMG_7583

    The Raventos family has been making wine on their land since 1497. They say, "We stand up for the huge potential that our terroir has for creating sparkling wines."

    The Oxford Dictionary defines the word terroir as, "The complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate." And, "The characteristic taste and flavor imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced."

    IMG_7575

    The words "Conca del Riu Anoia" on the label are a part of an effort by the Reventos family to create a recognized wine appellation with some of the specific characteristics we happen to look for in a wine. These standards include: using native varietals, biodynamic methods, estate-grown grapes, and proper aging.

    They write, "Our dream is for the Raventós i Blanc wines to have their own name: Conca del Riu Anoia, the name of a small geographical area, centred around the River Anoia Basin, between the Catalan Pre-Coastal and Coastal Ranges."

    IMG_7579

    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! Please join our Sparkling Resolution.

    We purchased our bottle at Gordon's Fine Wines & Liquors for $26.99. 

    We've enjoyed this wine by the glass at Select Oyster Bar and by the half-bottle (they also have it through magnums) at Alcove.

    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. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Raventos i Blanc de Nit Takes Us to Spain for Our February 1st Toast

    Raventos i Blanc de Nit is such a favorite with us that one of the staff at Select Oyster Bar asked Penny if she wanted her usual last week, meaning Raventos. That question put it next up on the list of wines we would feature this year as we explore the concept of terroir.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401a3fd0cb728970b-800wi

    Each month in 2020, we'll feature a bottle of wine from a different place. Some will be new to us and some, like this one, will be old favorites from great winemakers who respect the land and let the natural taste of the grapes and the land come through in the glass.

    IMG_7583

    The Raventos family has been making wine on their land since 1497. They say, "We stand up for the huge potential that our terroir has for creating sparkling wines."

    The Oxford Dictionary defines the word terroir as, "The complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate." And, "The characteristic taste and flavor imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced."

    IMG_7575

    The words "Conca del Riu Anoia" on the label are a part of an effort by the Reventos family to create a recognized wine appellation with some of the specific characteristics we happen to look for in a wine. These standards include: using native varietals, biodynamic methods, estate-grown grapes, and proper aging.

    They write, "Our dream is for the Raventós i Blanc wines to have their own name: Conca del Riu Anoia, the name of a small geographical area, centred around the River Anoia Basin, between the Catalan Pre-Coastal and Coastal Ranges."

    IMG_7579

    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! Please join our Sparkling Resolution.

    We purchased our bottle at Gordon's Fine Wines & Liquors for $26.99. 

    We've enjoyed this wine by the glass at Select Oyster Bar and by the half-bottle (they also have it through magnums) at Alcove.

    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. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino