I spent the last two days in Boston eating and drinking way too much. Time to get focused about my up coming trip. Please check out this video about my trip around the world!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dayonetravelers/day-one-travelers?ref=live


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The season is over and I'll be leaving the island in three weeks. Today on the cape for a tasting and enjoying a beer!


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Location:Ocean Ave,East Falmouth,United States

The last Dinner!!

For those of you who couldn't come do the last dinner of the year.


http://vimeo.com/28705200

Just a few days till the second annual Marthas Vineyard wine affair and there are still tickets left. Ck out this link below for a video of last years event!!


http://watch1.plumtvvideo.com/marthas_vineyard/16402_pd_CAWine_10.flv


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Location:Old Dunham's Corner Way,,United States

This weeks feature

This week's red wine feature comes from Hess. The 2007 Block 19 Cuvee from Mount Veeder is a red blend. It is mostly Cabernet (74%) with Malbec, Syrah, Merlot & Petit Verdot. Flavors of dark cherries and chocolate dominate. This wine is full bodied but has mild tannins and is a great value at $60 on the wine list. Come check it out.





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Rombauer

Thanks to Jim Teagen and everyone at Rombauer Vineyards for all the support you've given me over the years. On Tuesday nt we had an amazing evening of food and wine! Christian and Matt did a great job creating the menu! As always Jim was such a entertaining host and I look forward to doing many more dinners with him. Thanks to everyone who attended!! Cheers!!!




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Features!!

We will be featuring these two wines until next Wednesday:
- 2009 Paul Hobbs "Crossbarn" Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, Ca
- 2008 Numanthia "Termes" Tempranillo from Spain

The Paul Hobbs Chardonnay was aged in 75% stainless steel and 25% in new oak. Its characteristics fool you, though, and tasting it you would never know that it was aged in stainless steel. It is 100% malolactic (meaning it has a buttery flavor that comes from a stage in the fermentation process wherein malic acid turns into lactic acid. This is not typical for wines aged in steel because that breakdown does not always occur when wines are aged in steel). The wine is full of tropical fruit flavors with a hint of spice. Its style is reminiscent of the quality dry whites you find in Chablis, the northernmost part of Burgandy, complemented by California attitude.

I recommend trying this wine beside our grilled swordfish entree.




Stay tuned to hear about the Tempranillo!

Both wines are on the list for $15/glass and $60/bottle. Available for just one more week… Cheers!


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South Africa

I always get excited when I try something new from the Passages winery because my good friend Ron and his wife Charlayne founded it fourteen years ago. The couple lives in South Africa for half the year and on Martha’s Vineyard for the other half. They source grapes from a vineyard known for high quality fruit in the coastal region of the Western Cape.

I just tried the 2010 Passages Chardonnay from South Africa. It is a fresh, un-oaked wine with lots of acidity and citrus (almost like a Sauvignon Blanc). I love all the variations in Chardonnay that come from winemaking. This is particularly true because I’ve found Chardonnay to be a varietal that people tend to “swear off” after trying only a handful. It is so remarkable how different wine can be depending on how it is made!

So whether or not you think you’re a fan of Chardonnay, be sure to pick this one up and give it a swirl! It’s great for summer and a real steal at $14 retail. I recommend pairing it with oysters and shellfish.

Cheers!

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Sundays

Sunday at the Harbor-View, it's so nice to have the afternoon off.


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Location:Pine St,Edgartown,United States

Burgundy

It can also be hard to find quality Burgandy on a budget but boy have I got something for you: 2009 Louis Latour Pouilly Fuisse. The wine is very forward and giving for a 2009 vintage! The producer is a big one and often has good wine at good prices.

This wine is medium to full bodied with lots of minerality. It hits your palate with notes of lime and a touch of butter. A really great buy- this wine retails for $22-$25.

*TIP: A quick way to find quality Burgundy on the cheaper side is to look at wines from the Macon or Bourgogne regions. Cheers!!!

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Location:Planting Field Way,Edgartown,United States

Affordable Italian

I'm looking for some new wines for Atria's list and hoping to add a wine that everyone loves: Barolo. Sometimes the price point of this varietal can run a bit high so I've been on a quest to find a wine within reach of everyone's enjoyment.

If you find yourself shopping for Italian wine on a budget, I suggest looking at the 100% Nebbiolo's from Langhe in Piedmont, Italy. I tried the 2007 Paolo Scavino today and really fell in love with it.

Italian wines are made for food and this one is no different. This 600 case production wine is bone dry with lots of raspberry fruit. It would be the perfect match for a rack of lamb and white beans. AND at $25 retail, it's really a steal!! It gives you a way to taste some baby Barolos without spending a lot of money. Enjoy!

New wine by the glass

I've been tasting a lot of 2009 Bordeaux lately and have been so impressed! There have been lots of great wine to choose from but I'm happy to announce that I'll be adding the 2009 Chateau Les Grands Marechaux to this year's wine list.

This full-bodied red exhibits lots of licorice and herbs on the nose with nice fruit and mild tannins on the palate. It shows plenty of dark berry fruit and lots of spice to give it a long finish. I'm really loving it!

We'll be pouring it by the glass for $11 this summer. Old world wine lovers prepare to revel in it.

Cheers!

Location:Planting Field Way,Edgartown,United States

Rose in the Morning!!

Ahhh, there's nothing like Rosé in the morning! 2010 Chateau Montaud from Provence, France. This wine is clean and dry with intense cherry & deep currant juiciness.

It's rare to find such quality wines being sold at $12 retail- but of all the wines, rosé can often be found at great "quality for price ratios." Go get it!!!

Lazy Day on the Vineyard! Atria is closed and I'm enjoying some down time. Drink some Rosé!!


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Rhone

Every Thursday at Atria, we have wine class. This gives our staff a chance to be quizzed on their wine knowledge, learn about new offerings, and congregate over something we all love: wine.

Yesterday during our class, I opened this 2009 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc. I wish more people would try these wines (White Rhones). This wine is comprised mostly of (about 60%) viognier and there is just something exotic about this grape. On the nose, this wine has a forceful expression of white flowers with lush flavors of fresh peaches, apricots & honey on the palate.

Guigal is one of the most reliable producers in the Rhone and 2009 is an amazing vintage! Go out and try this if you can find it. It retails for just $15 and goes well with Thai and other Asian dishes.


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Location:Pine St,Edgartown,United States

Castlemans Tasting

I came to Nantucket to see Jerry's wines. His portfolio is priced on the higher end but even so a few wines really stood out for me. He really does have some of the best wines of any distributor I buy from.

One of the home-run wines he showed me was the 2009 Odisea Wine Company "Angele". It was an off-dry white Rhone from California. With bright acid to keep the wine fresh, I love its bold apricot & banana flavors.

Another was the 2007 Jack "Burning Creek" Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills, CA. A great QPR (quality to price ratio) wine for Jerry, this should retail for about $35 - $40. The wine was full of ripe fruit and spice, still holding up well for a 2007!

2005 was an amazing vintage in Burgundy. It's rare to taste these wines and Jerry only had a few. I loved the 2005 Chateau Genot-Boulanger Mersult 1er Cru "Les Boucheres." It has so much fruit, finesse and power in one that I wish America could make wine like this! Its great waxy characteristic prolonged into the finish! At $85 a bottle, it's not cheap. But good white burgundy never is. Thanks for the great wine Jerry!!!

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Good Morning

A great time on Nantucket as always!!! What an amazing morning.


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Location:Milestone Rd,Nantucket,United States

No better way than to start a day on Nantucket than with breakfast at Black Eyed Susans.

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Location:Sparks Ave,Nantucket,United States

Nantucket

I'm off to Nantucket to see Jerry Castleman, he has the most amazing cult wines!!



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Location:Cathcart Rd,Nantucket,United States

End of the night

A great refreshing beer to end the night!! 21st-Amendment, Hell or High Watermelon. This beer is bright and fresh with just a touch of fruit and finishes bone dry. Love it!




Come in a grab one!
Cheers!

Location:Pine St,Edgartown,United States

Anderson Valley

Im loving these 2008 Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs!!

Battle of Cali and Oregon!

2007 Row Eleven Pinot from Santa Maria Valley, California

VS.

2008 Domaine Drouhin from Willamette Valley, Oregon

As a precursor to this "battle" let me tell you that I attribute the wines from Santa Maria Valley with credit for the great love I have for Pinot Noir. The wines are so diverse. They are usually full of the spicy red fruit characteristic I love while almost always being fruit forward and juicy.

The '07 Row Eleven Pinot didn't disappoint. This wine shows bright red fruit, lots of spice, and a touch of oak on the finish. It should retail for about $35, a price I think it is well worth! For wines with fruit picked four years ago, I'd say the 2007's are holding up beautifully!!

After tasting the California Pinot, I was a bit disappointed by the Domaine Drouhin. I think the wine is just too young. It really needs food.. or at least food really adds to its enjoyability. The next day it was much more approachable, though. Retailing for $45, this might be the first 2008 Willamette to let me down this year!

... And California wins this battle for me!!

Check out Row Eleven website


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Location:Pine St,Edgartown,United States

My search continues in trying to find a great Willamette Pinot. Today I'll be tasting 2008 Domaine Drouhin. These guys are always good! Stay tuned to find out.


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domainedrouhin.com
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Location:Pine St,Edgartown,United States

2008 Willamette Pinot

I've never been the biggest fan of Oregen Pinot Noir but I have to credit J. Christopher's 2008 vintage with beginning to convert me into a true Oregon Pinot lover! I can't even believe these wines... Each one has come close to seducing me into enjoying more than a quick taste.

They are just amazing: so full and floral with aromatics so powerful, they jump out of the glass.

Not only are the wines from J. Christopher really nice but they are also wonderful for the price. Come in and try it for yourself! ...And while you're at it, they also make a Sauvignon Blanc like nothing I've ever tasted out of Oregon.

La Follette Wines

This week we will be featuring a 2009 Chardonnay from La Follette "Sangiacomco Vineyard" in Sonoma Coast, CA. Greg, the winemaker, focuses on single vineyard wines and has great relationships with some the best grape growers in CA!!

I first tasted this wine in 2006 when he had Tandem winery. He works with chardonnay and pinot noir, making wine as pure as possible. Come in and check them out!!

lafollettewines.com
atriamv.com