bostonzest

Blog

  • We Toast October 2022 with Victorine de Chastenay Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Rose

    This month our toast will be with a bottle of Victorine de Chastenay Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Rose. This was an easy choice since we found it in a favorite wine shop Formaggio South End. This shop offers the best of so many food options, including a small but well-curated wine selection.

    Victorine-de-chastenay-brut-rose-cremant-bourgogne_1

    This bottle was in the cooler, chilled and ready for an impromptu celebration. It was 100% pinot noir, a favorite with us. It was a pinot noir from Burgundy, one of our favorite sources for this grape. The back label had what we considered a seal of approval, the logo of Skurnik Wines & Spirits, an importer we trust! Since this bottle made it through all those selection gateways and was priced at $22.95, we knew it would be a great value.

    IMG_6136

    Skurnik Wine and Spirits wrote that great value was their reason for importing this wine.

    "Not all Crémant de Bourgogne are created equal. We at Skurnik have searched for years for a Crémant de Bourgogne that can deliver the quality and value that the Skurnik name has come to represent. With Victorine de Chastenay, they have found that rare combination. Long an afterthought for many producers in Burgundy, these delicious sparklers come from fruit in the Côtes de Nuits and Côtes De Beaune in Burgundy (a welcome contrast to most Crémant de Bourgognes that are made from fruit in the Mâconnais, Beaujolais, and Côte Chalonnaise). From the complex and refreshing Brut Blanc to the 100% Pinot Noir Brut Rosé, these wines are made completely in tank to preserve the minerality and freshness of the Côte d’Or fruit and are aged on the lees for 20 months before release (the minimum for the appellation is 12 months!). It is rare to find Crémants of such pedigree and quality at a value price and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have you try them."

    Xcremant-de-bourgogne-rose-victorine-de-chastenay-2.jpg.pagespeed.ic.A8mrJEebtw

    We purchase our bottle at Formaggio South End for $22.95.

    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. Just scroll down for more.

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

    Details:

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

  • We Toast October 2022 with Victorine de Chastenay Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Rose

    This month our toast will be with a bottle of Victorine de Chastenay Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Rose. This was an easy choice since we found it in a favorite wine shop Formaggio South End. This shop offers the best of so many food options, including a small but well-curated wine selection.

    Victorine-de-chastenay-brut-rose-cremant-bourgogne_1

    This bottle was in the cooler, chilled and ready for an impromptu celebration. It was 100% pinot noir, a favorite with us. It was a pinot noir from Burgundy, one of our favorite sources for this grape. The back label had what we considered a seal of approval, the logo of Skurnik Wines & Spirits, an importer we trust! Since this bottle made it through all those selection gateways and was priced at $22.95, we knew it would be a great value.

    IMG_6136

    Skurnik Wine and Spirits wrote that great value was their reason for importing this wine.

    "Not all Crémant de Bourgogne are created equal. We at Skurnik have searched for years for a Crémant de Bourgogne that can deliver the quality and value that the Skurnik name has come to represent. With Victorine de Chastenay, they have found that rare combination. Long an afterthought for many producers in Burgundy, these delicious sparklers come from fruit in the Côtes de Nuits and Côtes De Beaune in Burgundy (a welcome contrast to most Crémant de Bourgognes that are made from fruit in the Mâconnais, Beaujolais, and Côte Chalonnaise). From the complex and refreshing Brut Blanc to the 100% Pinot Noir Brut Rosé, these wines are made completely in tank to preserve the minerality and freshness of the Côte d’Or fruit and are aged on the lees for 20 months before release (the minimum for the appellation is 12 months!). It is rare to find Crémants of such pedigree and quality at a value price and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have you try them."

    Xcremant-de-bourgogne-rose-victorine-de-chastenay-2.jpg.pagespeed.ic.A8mrJEebtw

    We purchase our bottle at Formaggio South End for $22.95.

    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. Just scroll down for more.

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

    Details:

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

  • We’ll Toast Friends with a Dr. Konstantin Frank 2019 Sparkling Riesling Nature

    This month we’ll raise of glass of Dr. Konstantin Frank Vineyard’s 2019 Sparkling Riesling. We can thank our friends David and Peter for introducing us to this family vineyard from the Finger Lakes region of New York. We also have to thank them for educating Penny about dry Rieslings. She had always avoided this varietal after trying a few versions that were too sweet for her taste. You can learn a lot about wine by sharing it with friends.

    IMG_5826

    Recently the Washington Post featured Dr. Konstantin Frank Vineyard in Dave McIntyre’s article “This 60-year-old winery changed the way America grew grapes.” One of our toasts from this bottle will honor Ukrainian refugee Konstantin Frank for his contributions to winemaking and the education of wine consumers in this country. Another toast will be to the third and fourth generation of his family who operate the winery today.

    A second nudge to place an order from this vineyard came when we spotted their dry Riesling on the menu at the Dubliner, where we’ve enjoyed this selection by the glass while lunching with friends.

    Here’s what the winemakers say about their Sparkling Riesling Nature 2019. 

    “Our Riesling Nature is 100% Riesling from our estate vineyards on Keuka Lake. Secondary fermentation took place in bottle for a minimum of 24 months in our historic underground cellar. The wine is finished without any additional dosage creating a very dry wine.”

    “Toastiness comes first, with prominent fruit flavors of crisp red apple, lemon curd, and ginger come to meet up. Driven by its freshness and austerity, the creamy mouthfeel balances the dry, crisp, and bright green apple flavors.”

    IMG_5843  IMG_5843

    We purchase our bottle directly from the vineyard for $34.99.

    IMG_5685


    IMG_5684

    We were pleased with every aspect of the transaction. They were offering a quantity discount, so we added three bottles of the dry Riesling and two more of their sparkling wines. The cost of shipping was reasonable. The packaging was sturdy, and our wines arrived promptly as promised.

    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. Just scroll down for more.

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2022 Penny Cherubino 

  • We’ll Toast Friends with a Dr. Konstantin Frank 2019 Sparkling Riesling Nature

    This month we’ll raise of glass of Dr. Konstantin Frank Vineyard’s 2019 Sparkling Riesling. We can thank our friends David and Peter for introducing us to this family vineyard from the Finger Lakes region of New York. We also have to thank them for educating Penny about dry Rieslings. She had always avoided this varietal after trying a few versions that were too sweet for her taste. You can learn a lot about wine by sharing it with friends.

    IMG_5826

    Recently the Washington Post featured Dr. Konstantin Frank Vineyard in Dave McIntyre’s article “This 60-year-old winery changed the way America grew grapes.” One of our toasts from this bottle will honor Ukrainian refugee Konstantin Frank for his contributions to winemaking and the education of wine consumers in this country. Another toast will be to the third and fourth generation of his family who operate the winery today.

    A second nudge to place an order from this vineyard came when we spotted their dry Riesling on the menu at the Dubliner, where we’ve enjoyed this selection by the glass while lunching with friends.

    Here’s what the winemakers say about their Sparkling Riesling Nature 2019. 

    “Our Riesling Nature is 100% Riesling from our estate vineyards on Keuka Lake. Secondary fermentation took place in bottle for a minimum of 24 months in our historic underground cellar. The wine is finished without any additional dosage creating a very dry wine.”

    “Toastiness comes first, with prominent fruit flavors of crisp red apple, lemon curd, and ginger come to meet up. Driven by its freshness and austerity, the creamy mouthfeel balances the dry, crisp, and bright green apple flavors.”

    IMG_5843  IMG_5843

    We purchase our bottle directly from the vineyard for $34.99.

    IMG_5685


    IMG_5684

    We were pleased with every aspect of the transaction. They were offering a quantity discount, so we added three bottles of the dry Riesling and two more of their sparkling wines. The cost of shipping was reasonable. The packaging was sturdy, and our wines arrived promptly as promised.

    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. Just scroll down for more.

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2022 Penny Cherubino 

  • We Toast Family Vineyards in August 2022 with a Glass of Nino Franco Rustico

    We've been toasting all the wonderful people who help us enjoy wine this year. In August, we raise a glass of our house sparkler, Nino Franco Rustico, to the Franco family and others like them who continue the traditions of family-owned and operated vineyards. 

    6a00e54fc42bb888340282e1521932200b-800wi

    This family is proud of their four generations of winemaking and DOCG designation.

    They say:

    "The grapes of Nino Franco come entirely from the territory of the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene denomination. They are harvested by hand and vinified within the historically most suitable area of Prosecco, recognized by the disciplinary as the pinnacle of high-quality production. The parcels of Nino Franco, all no more than a few hectares wide, stretch within the Municipality of Valdobbiadene, yielding the winery’s single vineyard labels: Riva di San Floriano, Nodi and Grave di Stecca, “Grand Cru” Prosecco wines tightly bound to the territory of origin."

    IMG_5458

    Cheers and thank you to all the families who work together to raise the grapes to make great wine. In this day of corporate buyouts, they choose the protection of traditions over making some fast cash.

    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!

    6a00e54fc42bb8883402942fa73df8200c-500wi

    IMG_5457

    We purchased our bottle at Gordon's Fine Wine and Spirits for $23.99.

    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: © 2005-2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • We Toast Family Vineyards in August 2022 with a Glass of Nino Franco Rustico

    We've been toasting all the wonderful people who help us enjoy wine this year. In August, we raise a glass of our house sparkler, Nino Franco Rustico, to the Franco family and others like them who continue the traditions of family-owned and operated vineyards. 

    6a00e54fc42bb888340282e1521932200b-800wi

    This family is proud of their four generations of winemaking and DOCG designation.

    They say:

    "The grapes of Nino Franco come entirely from the territory of the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene denomination. They are harvested by hand and vinified within the historically most suitable area of Prosecco, recognized by the disciplinary as the pinnacle of high-quality production. The parcels of Nino Franco, all no more than a few hectares wide, stretch within the Municipality of Valdobbiadene, yielding the winery’s single vineyard labels: Riva di San Floriano, Nodi and Grave di Stecca, “Grand Cru” Prosecco wines tightly bound to the territory of origin."

    IMG_5458

    Cheers and thank you to all the families who work together to raise the grapes to make great wine. In this day of corporate buyouts, they choose the protection of traditions over making some fast cash.

    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!

    6a00e54fc42bb8883402942fa73df8200c-500wi

    IMG_5457

    We purchased our bottle at Gordon's Fine Wine and Spirits for $23.99.

    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: © 2005-2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • For Our July 2022 Toast We Raise a Glass of Guy Larmandier, Cramant Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs to Great Importers!

    Today we will toast all the great wine importers whose work and skill have introduced us to great wines with a glass of Guy Larmandier, Cramant Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from Neal Rosenthal Wine Merchant.

    IMG_5214

    This is one of the few Blanc de Blanc or all Chardonnay Champagnes we like. We would normally select a Pinot Noir forward Champagne. However, the very fact that this one was from Neal Rosenthal made us try it.

    IMG_5216

    Neal Rosenthal describes it, "From this renowned grand cru in the southern tier of the Cote des Blancs, Larmandier’s Cramant is textbook stuff: beautifully brioche-y, yet with a driving floral elegance and an effortlessly pungent minerality characteristic of Chardonnay grown in a place where it’s truly at home."

    IMG_5217 (1)

    When you find a wine you love, turn the bottle around and look at the back label. A few of our favorite importers like Neal Rosenthall, Kermit Lynch, and Oz Wines make it easy by proudly displaying their identification in an easy-to-find fashion.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340240a4ca472d200b-800wi

    6a00e54fc42bb888340240a4ca472d200b-800wi

    Sometimes you'll have to hunt for the information. To find great importers you can also ask your local wine mentors. For us, a wine mentor is someone who adds to our ongoing education in all things wine and wine-related.

    If someone has a great wine list, they probably have a few importers that they depend on to provide a dependable selection of wines that fit their palate. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834022ad376603e200c-800wi

    We've also enjoyed half bottles of this lovely Champagne at Select Oyster Bar over the years. It's not always on their list but when it is, we recommend you give it a try.

    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!

    We purchased our half bottle at Urban Grape for $42.00

    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: ©2022 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • For Our July 2022 Toast We Raise a Glass of Guy Larmandier, Cramant Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs to Great Importers!

    Today we will toast all the great wine importers whose work and skill have introduced us to great wines with a glass of Guy Larmandier, Cramant Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from Neal Rosenthal Wine Merchant.

    IMG_5214

    This is one of the few Blanc de Blanc or all Chardonnay Champagnes we like. We would normally select a Pinot Noir forward Champagne. However, the very fact that this one was from Neal Rosenthal made us try it.

    IMG_5216

    Neal Rosenthal describes it, "From this renowned grand cru in the southern tier of the Cote des Blancs, Larmandier’s Cramant is textbook stuff: beautifully brioche-y, yet with a driving floral elegance and an effortlessly pungent minerality characteristic of Chardonnay grown in a place where it’s truly at home."

    IMG_5217 (1)

    When you find a wine you love, turn the bottle around and look at the back label. A few of our favorite importers like Neal Rosenthall, Kermit Lynch, and Oz Wines make it easy by proudly displaying their identification in an easy-to-find fashion.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340240a4ca472d200b-800wi

    6a00e54fc42bb888340240a4ca472d200b-800wi

    Sometimes you'll have to hunt for the information. To find great importers you can also ask your local wine mentors. For us, a wine mentor is someone who adds to our ongoing education in all things wine and wine-related.

    If someone has a great wine list, they probably have a few importers that they depend on to provide a dependable selection of wines that fit their palate. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834022ad376603e200c-800wi

    We've also enjoyed half bottles of this lovely Champagne at Select Oyster Bar over the years. It's not always on their list but when it is, we recommend you give it a try.

    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!

    We purchased our half bottle at Urban Grape for $42.00

    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: ©2022 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Our June 2022 Toast Will Be in Praise of Half Bottles

    Once upon a time, we were known to friends as the couple who always had a half bottle of something sparkling chilling in the refrigerator if they had a reason to celebrate! We bought cases of the very well-made but relatively inexpensive Gruet Blanc de Blanc and Blanc de Noir to pop open when someone landed a new account, received good news, or simply felt like a quick celebration of a lovely day. 

    Memories of these spontaneous toasts sent us out to stock up on more half-bottles of great sparkling wines.

    At the Urban Grape, we chose three selections: NV Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvee Extra Brut 375ml (Champagne, FR) at $40, NV Guy Larmandier Cramant Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs 375ml (Champagne, FR) at $42, and just for fun the Hakutsuru "Awa Yuki" Sparkling Sake (Japan) at $8.

    IMG_4756

    We popped open the Bruno Paillard for a quiet anniversary celebration.

    IMG_4795

    It was highly recommended by the Urban Grape staff as a Champagne that would fit our taste. It is a fabulous food wine and stood up to the big flavors of our stinky cheese, salumi, and focaccia. It was a spot-on recommendation and we'll pick up a couple more bottles on our next South End walk.

    Here are the labels for a few 375ml bottles of old favorites we'll add to our next Gordon's Wine order!

    2437-b631b22df1cbd657384924997a808edd-original 

     2437-b631b22df1cbd657384924997a808edd-original

    F0234bf1-8372-4d57-a1f8-561a8ff7b5be-original

    F0234bf1-8372-4d57-a1f8-561a8ff7b5be-original

    When dining out, we love enjoying great bottles of wine with friends. However, when it's the two of us, we choose from the wines by the glass. We would love to have more half-bottle options on wine lists. That will only happen when more of us order the half-bottles restaurants do offer. We enjoyed this half bottle of Deutz Classic Brut Champagne on the Select Oyster Bar patio!

    IMG_4852

    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. Just scroll down for more.

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2022 Penny & Ed Cherubino ( Labels courtesy of Gordon's Wine)

  • Our June 2022 Toast Will Be in Praise of Half Bottles

    Once upon a time, we were known to friends as the couple who always had a half bottle of something sparkling chilling in the refrigerator if they had a reason to celebrate! We bought cases of the very well-made but relatively inexpensive Gruet Blanc de Blanc and Blanc de Noir to pop open when someone landed a new account, received good news, or simply felt like a quick celebration of a lovely day. 

    Memories of these spontaneous toasts sent us out to stock up on more half-bottles of great sparkling wines.

    At the Urban Grape, we chose three selections: NV Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvee Extra Brut 375ml (Champagne, FR) at $40, NV Guy Larmandier Cramant Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs 375ml (Champagne, FR) at $42, and just for fun the Hakutsuru "Awa Yuki" Sparkling Sake (Japan) at $8.

    IMG_4756

    We popped open the Bruno Paillard for a quiet anniversary celebration.

    IMG_4795

    It was highly recommended by the Urban Grape staff as a Champagne that would fit our taste. It is a fabulous food wine and stood up to the big flavors of our stinky cheese, salumi, and focaccia. It was a spot-on recommendation and we'll pick up a couple more bottles on our next South End walk.

    Here are the labels for a few 375ml bottles of old favorites we'll add to our next Gordon's Wine order!

    2437-b631b22df1cbd657384924997a808edd-original 

     2437-b631b22df1cbd657384924997a808edd-original

    F0234bf1-8372-4d57-a1f8-561a8ff7b5be-original

    F0234bf1-8372-4d57-a1f8-561a8ff7b5be-original

    When dining out, we love enjoying great bottles of wine with friends. However, when it's the two of us, we choose from the wines by the glass. We would love to have more half-bottle options on wine lists. That will only happen when more of us order the half-bottles restaurants do offer. We enjoyed this half bottle of Deutz Classic Brut Champagne on the Select Oyster Bar patio!

    IMG_4852

    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. Just scroll down for more.

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2022 Penny & Ed Cherubino ( Labels courtesy of Gordon's Wine)