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Bordeaux wine merchants, Jean-Christophe and Margaret Calvet, gave a presentation at the Boston Wine Expo on January 21 entitled “2OO9 Bordeaux – The Best Vintage Ever?” They own the Aquitaine Wine Company. They stood side-by-side at the podium and shared the presentation. Not only is it rare to find a... Read More

When I began writing about wine in the 197Os, few and odd were Argentine wines in this market. In recent years, however, Argentina, riding on the shoulders of Malbec, has become a world wine power. Many of its wines are very good, especially with famed Argentine or other beef, yet,... Read More

As anyone who has spent much time in Europe can attest, drinking on the Continent just isn’t the same as cocktailing in the US.  In Italy, for example, if you order a “dry martini” at the bar, you’ll wind up with a glass of dry Martini & Rossi vermouth.  Sure,... Read More

The Languedoc seems to me a land of opposing extremes: ancient and ultramodern, enormous yet unimposing, placidly rural despite a roiled history. One finds rustic wines from obscure traditional grapes alongside state-of-the-art, high-tech, Parker-pleasing products of international varieties. The Languedoc was one of the earliest wine-producing regions in France: visited... Read More

MAUREEN RUBINOCO-OWNER of CENTRAL BOTTLE WINE & PROVISIONS, CAMBRIDGE      Central Square and neighboring Kendall Square in Cambridge have become burgeoning biology and technology hubs, with MIT-spawned start-ups and notable companies like Google and Novartis setting up shop.  Not the only ones to miss the opportunity to be part of an... Read More

This year the Boston Wine Expo made a concerted effort to address wine producers’ goal to connect directly with the Boston trade. As a part of that program, Davis Bynum presented a “Pinot Noir Clone Seminar”. In 2OO7, Tom Klein, a California farmer, purchased the Davis Bynum brand from founder... Read More

A harmless compound blocks intoxication, hangovers and addiction to alcohol? I am suspicious of things too good to be true, but we are presented with compelling data that cannot be ignored from a reputable institution. This is an old story. An ancient folk remedy, in this case Chinese, is found... Read More

MICHAEL GILLEN63 • Wine Buyer/Wine DirectorBusa Wine & Spirits, Salem THERE’S A PATTERN, a ring to this series of once-well-known restaurants for Greater Boston wine-lovers.  Michael Gillen, the man behind that name, is still a hardworking, forthright, practical guy.  Passionate about wine.  Devoted Francophile, now with family connections.  Funny, quick,... Read More

Scientific evidence has been accruing for nearly half a century supporting the healthfulness of wine in moderate doses. Initially, population (epidemiologic) studies endorsed folk experience. Then ethyl alcohol, contained in common with other beverages, was deemed to supply a major share of the health benefits. But both strengthening some of... Read More

Since the late ’9Os “martinis” have been all the rage.  Dirty Martini, Apple-tini, Choco-tini, Pomegranate-tini – this trend of mixing up a beverage and slapping “tini” on its suffix is the reason a proper martini is one of the most endangered cocktails of all.  For the uninitiated, the earliest recipes... Read More