Tag: November

Pinot Meunier Lands Lead Role in Champagne Laherte Frères!
Consider this your invitation to November’s opening of Champagne Laherte Frères Ultradition Brut. We’ve saved you a choice seat for this sparkling performance that has charmed critics around the globe.

Our BostonZest reviewers have nothing but praise for the delightful lead role so skillfully delivered by Pinot Meunier – usually offering a talented, but limited, supporting role in many a Champagne blend.

Here, the Laherte Frères Ultradition Brut blend is:

        60% Pinot Meunier

        30% Chardonnay

        10% Pinot Noir

We were impressed by:
- A toasty, chalky nose
- A big pop of flavor as soon as the wine hits your palate
- You might think it was a Rosé with that first burst of fruit – it was the Pinot Meunier taking a bow!
- Good acidity and tiny bubbles
- A lovely Champagne with a personality all its own
- This wine could develop a cult following
- We liked its flavor profile best when served at about 55º F
The winemaker points to, “… a subtle blend of our three varieties and the diversity of our Terroirs: a fine and complex blending with fruitiness and delicacy.”

Other applause from well-known reviewers:

– Wine Spectator, “Well-spiced and mouthwatering, offers a finely detailed bead and expressive flavors of black raspberry, dried apricot, orange blossom, fleur de sel and crystallized honey, minerally on the finish. 92 / 100.

– Antonio Galloni – Vinous: 90 /100

– Jancis Robinson: rating 16 / 20

It should also be said that this sparkler is imported by Oz Wine Company in Haverhill, MA. To us, seeing the Oz name on a bottle always means quality and that we’re likely to enjoy his selection.

We purchased our bottle of Champagne Laherte Frères Ultradition Brut at City Liquors in Cambridge for $45. Penny was told it has become a favorite of sommeliers in Europe.

Here’s to the very important month of November! Santé!

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Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover's Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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November 1, 2016
2012 Boston Area Holiday Markets & Other Places for Unique Gifts

Last week, over on the Trip Advisor Boston forum, a visitor asked about Christmas Markets. It made me think about the special Holiday Markets and events like CraftBoston that I could recommend to anyone thinking about a special shopping experience that will result in presenting unique, handcrafted, or at least carefully selected gifts for the holidays, or to stockpile for the rest of the year.

Here are some of the events and places I recommend to avoid chains, keep the money local, and support hard working artists and artisans.

The Downtown Crossing Holiday Market (next to Macy's) begins November 24th and operates daily.

Madeleine Ahlborn's Edge 2012 (mixed media and oil on canvas 6×6 feet)

The Museum School of the Museum of Fine Arts will hold their Annual Art Sale of student, alumni, and faculty work from November 29th to December 2nd. (The photo above of one of the pieces on offer is courtesy of the Museum School. )

The Somerville Holiday Market on December 2nd at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville MA.

The Society of Arts and Crafts' Craftboston Holiday Show is December 7, 8, 9 at the Cyclorama on Tremont street.

SOWA Holiday Market Saturday & Sunday, December 8 & 9, 2012. This is always a fun event and if you've attended in the past, you should note that they have a new location. This year's market will be held at the Ben Franklin Institute, 41 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA.

Bazaar Bizarre Boston, Sunday December 16th, is in its 12th year. You'll find this collection of mostly New Engalnd artists and craftspeople at the Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama building on Tremont Street.

Holly Fair 2012 at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, December 15th & 16th, was added to the trip advisor list by ChristineP, and she has a reputation for knowing how to enjoy Boston. It's at 42 Brattle Street in Cambridge.

Places to Shop for the Holidays or Anytime!

Stop into the Society of Arts and Crafts shop on Newbury Street to find very fine handmade gifts.

If you are in the North End, stop by the North Bennet Street School Gallery for carefully crafted gifts from this school's skilled students and alumni. This neighborhood also has a nice collection of small shops and is a wonderful place to buy food gifts.

And, Beacon Hill, and Charles Street in particular, still has a wonderful collection of neighborhood shops where you can buy hand selected items in a warm, friendly place. The community has done a great job of protecting their neighborhood from chains so it's worth a visit.

Any more places or events you love to shop? Add them in the comments below or send us an email and we'll check it out for a possible update to this list.

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: © 2008-2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino plus contributions from the SOWA Holiday Market site and the Museum School of the Museum of Fine Arts.

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.

Related articles

Make Our Holiday Tree Shine!

Holiday Mail and Package Delivery Deadlines for the Boston Area 2012

Puddle-luscious – Photo of the Week

November 23, 2012
2012 Boston Area Holiday Markets & Other Places for Unique Gifts

Last week, over on the Trip Advisor Boston forum, a visitor asked about Christmas Markets. It made me think about the special Holiday Markets and events like CraftBoston that I could recommend to anyone thinking about a special shopping experience that will result in presenting unique, handcrafted, or at least carefully selected gifts for the holidays, or to stockpile for the rest of the year.

Here are some of the events and places I recommend to avoid chains, keep the money local, and support hard working artists and artisans.

The Downtown Crossing Holiday Market (next to Macy's) begins November 24th and operates daily.

Madeleine Ahlborn's Edge 2012 (mixed media and oil on canvas 6×6 feet)

The Museum School of the Museum of Fine Arts will hold their Annual Art Sale of student, alumni, and faculty work from November 29th to December 2nd. (The photo above of one of the pieces on offer is courtesy of the Museum School. )

The Somerville Holiday Market on December 2nd at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville MA.

The Society of Arts and Crafts' Craftboston Holiday Show is December 7, 8, 9 at the Cyclorama on Tremont street.

SOWA Holiday Market Saturday & Sunday, December 8 & 9, 2012. This is always a fun event and if you've attended in the past, you should note that they have a new location. This year's market will be held at the Ben Franklin Institute, 41 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA.

Bazaar Bizarre Boston, Sunday December 16th, is in its 12th year. You'll find this collection of mostly New Engalnd artists and craftspeople at the Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama building on Tremont Street.

Holly Fair 2012 at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, December 15th & 16th, was added to the trip advisor list by ChristineP, and she has a reputation for knowing how to enjoy Boston. It's at 42 Brattle Street in Cambridge.

Places to Shop for the Holidays or Anytime!

Stop into the Society of Arts and Crafts shop on Newbury Street to find very fine handmade gifts.

If you are in the North End, stop by the North Bennet Street School Gallery for carefully crafted gifts from this school's skilled students and alumni. This neighborhood also has a nice collection of small shops and is a wonderful place to buy food gifts.

And, Beacon Hill, and Charles Street in particular, still has a wonderful collection of neighborhood shops where you can buy hand selected items in a warm, friendly place. The community has done a great job of protecting their neighborhood from chains so it's worth a visit.

Any more places or events you love to shop? Add them in the comments below or send us an email and we'll check it out for a possible update to this list.

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: © 2008-2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino plus contributions from the SOWA Holiday Market site and the Museum School of the Museum of Fine Arts.

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.

Related articles

Make Our Holiday Tree Shine!

Holiday Mail and Package Delivery Deadlines for the Boston Area 2012

Puddle-luscious – Photo of the Week

November 23, 2012
2012 Boston Area Holiday Markets & Other Places for Unique Gifts

Last week, over on the Trip Advisor Boston forum, a visitor asked about Christmas Markets. It made me think about the special Holiday Markets and events like CraftBoston that I could recommend to anyone thinking about a special shopping experience that will result in presenting unique, handcrafted, or at least carefully selected gifts for the holidays, or to stockpile for the rest of the year.

Here are some of the events and places I recommend to avoid chains, keep the money local, and support hard working artists and artisans.

The Downtown Crossing Holiday Market (next to Macy's) begins November 24th and operates daily.

Madeleine Ahlborn's Edge 2012 (mixed media and oil on canvas 6×6 feet)

The Museum School of the Museum of Fine Arts will hold their Annual Art Sale of student, alumni, and faculty work from November 29th to December 2nd. (The photo above of one of the pieces on offer is courtesy of the Museum School. )

The Somerville Holiday Market on December 2nd at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville MA.

The Society of Arts and Crafts' Craftboston Holiday Show is December 7, 8, 9 at the Cyclorama on Tremont street.

SOWA Holiday Market Saturday & Sunday, December 8 & 9, 2012. This is always a fun event and if you've attended in the past, you should note that they have a new location. This year's market will be held at the Ben Franklin Institute, 41 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA.

Bazaar Bizarre Boston, Sunday December 16th, is in its 12th year. You'll find this collection of mostly New Engalnd artists and craftspeople at the Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama building on Tremont Street.

Holly Fair 2012 at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, December 15th & 16th, was added to the trip advisor list by ChristineP, and she has a reputation for knowing how to enjoy Boston. It's at 42 Brattle Street in Cambridge.

Places to Shop for the Holidays or Anytime!

Stop into the Society of Arts and Crafts shop on Newbury Street to find very fine handmade gifts.

If you are in the North End, stop by the North Bennet Street School Gallery for carefully crafted gifts from this school's skilled students and alumni. This neighborhood also has a nice collection of small shops and is a wonderful place to buy food gifts.

And, Beacon Hill, and Charles Street in particular, still has a wonderful collection of neighborhood shops where you can buy hand selected items in a warm, friendly place. The community has done a great job of protecting their neighborhood from chains so it's worth a visit.

Any more places or events you love to shop? Add them in the comments below or send us an email and we'll check it out for a possible update to this list.

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: © 2008-2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino plus contributions from the SOWA Holiday Market site and the Museum School of the Museum of Fine Arts.

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.

Related articles

Make Our Holiday Tree Shine!

Holiday Mail and Package Delivery Deadlines for the Boston Area 2012

Puddle-luscious – Photo of the Week

November 23, 2012
Argyle Brut Rosé – a Treat to Greet November!

While we are huge fans of Argyle wines, especially the sparkling varieties, we’ve never treated ourselves to their Rosé until now. What’s our excuse? We have none. Except that we hadn't run into a bottle until a recent visit to the new Urban Grape South End location.

Our only hope of redemption is to spread the word about this 2008 Argyle Brut Rosé as part of our Sparkling Resolution for November.

As longtime Rosé lovers, this Oregon offering is a nice balance of fruit and acidity. Argyle Winery describes the aroma as “complex and delightful.” They point to hints of roses, red berries, and spice with a “super rich” flavor. “The finish is a long … like enjoying the leavings of the best strawberry shortcake you’ve ever enjoyed.”

I was happy just sipping the wine all on its own, but it also matched very well with the charcuterie we added to the mix.

Penny always says, “The sign of a really good Champagne is when you really don’t want it cold!” This sparkling Rosé drank well through all temperatures, especially when it warmed.

Here’s to November! We can’t think of better way to begin a new month. Another glass worthy of a toast to a great winemaker – Argyle’s, Rollin Soles.

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover's Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

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.

November 1, 2012
Argyle Brut Rosé – a Treat to Greet November!

While we are huge fans of Argyle wines, especially the sparkling varieties, we’ve never treated ourselves to their Rosé until now. What’s our excuse? We have none. Except that we hadn't run into a bottle until a recent visit to the new Urban Grape South End location.

Our only hope of redemption is to spread the word about this 2008 Argyle Brut Rosé as part of our Sparkling Resolution for November.

As longtime Rosé lovers, this Oregon offering is a nice balance of fruit and acidity. Argyle Winery describes the aroma as “complex and delightful.” They point to hints of roses, red berries, and spice with a “super rich” flavor. “The finish is a long … like enjoying the leavings of the best strawberry shortcake you’ve ever enjoyed.”

I was happy just sipping the wine all on its own, but it also matched very well with the charcuterie we added to the mix.

Penny always says, “The sign of a really good Champagne is when you really don’t want it cold!” This sparkling Rosé drank well through all temperatures, especially when it warmed.

Here’s to November! We can’t think of better way to begin a new month. Another glass worthy of a toast to a great winemaker – Argyle’s, Rollin Soles.

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover's Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

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.

November 1, 2012
Argyle Brut Rosé – a Treat to Greet November!

While we are huge fans of Argyle wines, especially the sparkling varieties, we’ve never treated ourselves to their Rosé until now. What’s our excuse? We have none. Except that we hadn't run into a bottle until a recent visit to the new Urban Grape South End location.

Our only hope of redemption is to spread the word about this 2008 Argyle Brut Rosé as part of our Sparkling Resolution for November.

As longtime Rosé lovers, this Oregon offering is a nice balance of fruit and acidity. Argyle Winery describes the aroma as “complex and delightful.” They point to hints of roses, red berries, and spice with a “super rich” flavor. “The finish is a long … like enjoying the leavings of the best strawberry shortcake you’ve ever enjoyed.”

I was happy just sipping the wine all on its own, but it also matched very well with the charcuterie we added to the mix.

Penny always says, “The sign of a really good Champagne is when you really don’t want it cold!” This sparkling Rosé drank well through all temperatures, especially when it warmed.

Here’s to November! We can’t think of better way to begin a new month. Another glass worthy of a toast to a great winemaker – Argyle’s, Rollin Soles.

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover's Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

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.

November 1, 2012