In this beer-laden town, it isn't always easy to find your red. Whether you're a wino-lite or a homebody drinker, you'll find something to tide you over until the next bottle in this guide.
Sippin' Out
When fine dining and wining’s in the cards, there are plenty of spots around Boston to sip the fine reds (okay, and whites, but really).
Personally, I’m a Shiraz/Syrah fan. I could blah blah blah about shiraz until I’m blue in the face. Like how the Shiraz grape is unrelated to Shiraz, the city (which is in fact known for winemaking), or how the wine has one of the highest recommended serving temperatures (65 F, but who’s counting?)
Whatever your preference, here are some good Boston spots to wine and dine.
Can’t say I’m a huge fan of the food, but damn, their wine list is extensive! They also do some great wine tastings (Tuesday nights at 7pm, $30, food included) and have live jazz most weeknights.
Can’t say I’m a huge fan of the food, but damn, their wine list is extensive! They also do some great wine tastings (Tuesday nights at 7pm, $30, food included) and have live jazz most weeknights.
Not all Trader Joe’s stores have wine, so write this address down. The Brookline Trader Joe’s is chock full of the good stuff. What I love is the ability to get a rather good (or maybe kind of bad, depending on your pick) bottle of wine for less than 5 bucks. May I recommend the $4.99 Coastal Cabernet?
Not all Trader Joe’s stores have wine, so write this address down. The Brookline Trader Joe’s is chock full of the good stuff. What I love is the ability to get a rather good (or maybe kind of bad, depending on your pick) bottle of wine for less than 5 bucks. May I recommend the $4.99 Coastal Cabernet?
The guys here don’t card me. Not because they’re not law-abiding guys, but because they seem to have gotten the trick of determining who’s a shifty-eyed minor down. I’ve seen them turn people away, so I know they’re for real.
The guys here don’t card me. Not because they’re not law-abiding guys, but because they seem to have gotten the trick of determining who’s a shifty-eyed minor down. I’ve seen them turn people away, so I know they’re for real.
The Little Penguins
The other kind of little penguins
What Does it All Mean? A First-Timer's Guide to Cheap Red
Shiraz/Syrah: Goes well with meat, has a fruity, peppery taste.
Merlot: The simplest pairing (it goes with anything). Herbal and fruity.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Full-bodied, best with simply prepared meat.
Pinot Noir: Dark and earthy, better with white meats or fish.
Zinfandel: Comes in many shades, white zin (actually a blush) is berry-full and good with pizza.
Chianti: From the sangiovese grape of Italy, best with Italian/Med cuisine.
Petite Sirah: Only from California, this unique wine is wonderful with anything.
When in Roslindale…Nuvo recently reopened and if it’s anything like before, it’s worth checking out. Roslindale isn’t exactly a mecca for sommeliers, so get it where you can.
When in Roslindale…Nuvo recently reopened and if it’s anything like before, it’s worth checking out. Roslindale isn’t exactly a mecca for sommeliers, so get it where you can.
Dalia’s is super charming! It’s also right down the street from my house, and you know what that means…oh, you don’t? It means I can drink as much as I want, silly.
Dalia’s is super charming! It’s also right down the street from my house, and you know what that means…oh, you don’t? It means I can drink as much as I want, silly.
Stayin' In
If going out for a night on the town isn’t your style (when it comes to wine, it sure isn’t mine!), relax at home with a nice bottle or two (or three, or four).
This week has been rainy and cold, so I’ve settled in at home with a tasty bottle of red most nights. This evening’s pick: California’s Jewel Collection Petite Sirah, purchased at Hurley’s (see below). Read on for more good wine shops.
I’ve bought bevs at both locations and have, both times, been pleased. Our New Year’s Eve champagne came from the Boylston location and was delicious and sinfully sweet. Our Valentine’s Day wine, bought on a whim, was some bizarre chocolate dessert wine from the Brookline location, said to be an aphrodisiac. And that’s where I stop.
I’ve bought bevs at both locations and have, both times, been pleased. Our New Year’s Eve champagne came from the Boylston location and was delicious and sinfully sweet. Our Valentine’s Day wine, bought on a whim, was some bizarre chocolate dessert wine from the Brookline location, said to be an aphrodisiac. And that’s where I stop.
Cheapo Wines for Serious Winos
How do you tell a good cheap wine from rotgut? Print, fold, stuff in pocket:
Banrock Station Shiraz. Like I said, I love shiraz/syrah, so you know I won’t let you down. Banrock is an eco-conscious Australian vintner and its shiraz is to die for. ($4.99)
Barefoot California Merlot may very well win a prize for being the cheapest merlot to win seven gold medals. But that kind of redundancy would just be silly! ($5.99)
The Little Penguin Merlot is also a good bet, if merlot’s your thing and you’ve never seen Sideways. ($7.99)
Two Buck Chuck (aka Charles Shaw) Cabernet ranges from $1.99 to $3.99, depending on where you live, and is pretty much exclusively sold at Trader Joe’s (which is yet another reason to shop there).
Big Daddy Vineyards of Argentina. If you can find it, buy it – this is cheap wine at its finest.
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