urban_grape

news_title

The Spirit of Gift Giving 

 

Tree with Wine 

 

As a child, December was my favorite month of the year. The endless excitement, parties, cookies, decorating and special occasions were all topped off with a mountain of presents under the Christmas tree. When you're a kid, the holidays are all about being indulged. 

 

As an adult, and especially as a parent, Christmas started to lose some of its magic. It really wasn't Santa making the month of December so magical for me, it was my mom. Now as a mother myself, December sometimes starts to feel like four times the work for a quarter of the pay-off. My remedy for this feeling has been to really revel in each moment of our kids' joy and wonder, and to recapture that feeling of awe through them. 

 

This year, part of my plan to recapture the holiday spirit has been to forego the big bombshell of a gift and instead focus on smaller, more thoughtful items. While TJ may really want that $425 Baccarat Whiskey Decanter, the reality is he's going to get a stocking full of smaller treasures instead. The joy for me now is in the finding and giving. 

 

We hope we can help you find the perfect gift for whomever is on your list. Be it big, medium or small, we have thoughtful gift ideas to suit any taste and budget. We'll be profiling 24 of our favorite gifts on our blog throughout the month, so make sure to check it daily for our latest idea. 

 

As for me, if I'm going to stay up all night wrapping the presents only to see Santa get thanked, I'll be doing it will a bottle of the finest Champagne at my side! 

 

Best Wishes for a Wonderful Holiday Season,

 

TJ and Hadley Douglas, and the staff of The Urban Grape 


Urban Tastings

 

It's such a busy month that we are not having a pop-up tasting in December, but keep your eyes on our Facebook and Twitter pages for news on their return in 2012! Meanwhile, be sure to join us on Thursday and Friday nights from 5-8 and Saturdays from 2-5 for our regular tastings. 


Below are a few event and tasting highlights for the upcoming month:

 

Friday, December, 5-8 PM: Join Neil McCallum as he pours some funky Italian wines from lesser known (but equally as outstanding!) producers. 

 

Saturday, December 3, 2-5 PM: Christmas parties are upon us, and we've got you covered for hostess gifts. Sample wine from Lindy at Winebow while browsing the amazing collection of Lynzariums - unique vessels filled with natural elements (succulents, sand, stones, etc) that are truly gorgeous works of art. This is the PERFECT gift and you can purchase them today at UG!

 

Friday, December 9, 5-8 PM:  A true holiday tasting with Frapin Cognac and Los Amantes Mezcal. Whether the person you're buying for likes cognac from one of the oldest cognac producing houses in France, or likes discovering new spirits, there's something here for everyone!

 

Saturday, December 10, 2-5 PM: Amazing line-up that you will not want to miss! Meet Raj, the founder of Whistle Pig Rye from Vermont and taste the product that we literally cannot keep in stock. Next, sample the line-up of Duval LeRoy Champagnes, the bubbly we think has the best quality/price ratio. Lastly, sample holiday cheeses, honeys and jams from the cheese purveyors at Whole Foods Brighton! Awesome, right?

 

Wednesday, December 14, 6-9 PM: It's time to drink and shop with UG and Ted Baker! Join us at Ted Baker, 201 Newbury Street, for complimentary wine and chocolate while you shop the entire store with an exclusive discount. We held this event last year and our UG customers went home with bags full of gorgeous clothes at a fraction of the price! RSVP by clicking here.

 

Friday, December 16, 5-8 PM: BellaVista Spumante is one of the very best Italian Sparkling wines we've ever had. Made in Franciacorta in the style of Champagne, this wine speaks Italian with a French accent. Meet Sara Pedrali, BellaVista's charming national rep, who will be pouring alongside Chris Lohring, founder and brewer of Notch Session Ales from Boston. He'll be sampling his new Cerne Pivo brew!

 

Saturday, December 18, 2-5 PM: Join Noah as he pours his winter beer choices - both for drinking and for giving! This would be the perfect time to stop by and get a little help building a four- or six-pack of brews for your favorite beer geek. **Please note, UG will be open until 9 PM to accommodate last minute holiday shopping!

 

Wednesday, December 21, 5-8 PM: Cody from Trio kicks off our dash to Christmas with a special Wednesday night tasting of these funky wines from around the world. 

 

Thursday, December 22, 4-8 PM: Frank from Carolina keeps the ball rolling with a special sampling of his favorite holiday selections!

 

Friday, December 23, 3-8 PM: Join Mark from Harborside and taste his selection of big, bold reds for the holidays!

 

Saturday, December 24, 1-8 PM: You've bought presents for everyone else, now it's time to make sure there is something under the tree for you. Join Shirlee from United as she finds you the perfect bottle to drink by the light of the tree. **Please note, UG will be closing at 8 PM on Christmas Eve so our staff can be with their families.

 

Saturday, December 31, 2-8 PM: Bubbly, bubbly and more bubbly. We will have bottles open all day for you to sample. Whether you're having an intimate celebratory dinner for two or an all-night rager for 200, we have the bubbly for you! **Please note, UG will be closing at 8 PM on New Year's Eve so our staff can celebrate! 

 

As always, check the events page on our website for event updates and newly added tastings!


Spotlight Wine: 2010 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River Valley)

merry edwards 

 

TJ loves underdogs who make it big. Merry Edwards, the female vintner from California, fits this description perfectly. Just out of college in the 70's, Merry knew she wanted to be a wine maker, but couldn't find anyone in the California winemaking scene that would take her seriously. She was, after all, a woman. 

 

Flash forward to 2011, and Merry is one of the most successful winemakers in the state - woman or otherwise. With successful stints as the winemaker for Mount Eden Vineyards and Matanzas Creek under her belt, her pedigree is above reproach. Her ingenuity in bringing French clones to Napa has won her world-wide acclaim. Now in her own vineyards, she focuses on hand-crafted, terroir-driven wines that consistently receive high marks and accolades. 

 

She's best known for her Pinot Noirs, but this barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc has been a hit since she added it to her portfolio in 2001. The barrel aging leads to a richness on the palate and a depth of flavor not normally found in Sauvignon Blanc. This is a Sauvignon Blanc that can stand up to cooler weather and heavier food, while still rocking with tastes of grapefruit, pear and citrus. Normally her wines are reserved for restaurants, but occasionally they are made available at retail. This is one of those times. A wonderful wine that will please you through the holidays at an extraordinary price!

 

For this Spotlight we're offering the 25% discount on six bottles of wine, as opposed to a full case. This should make your decision even easier! 

  

Regular Price: $42

 

15% Bottle Discount: $35.70

25% 6-Bottle Discount: $189 (a $63 savings at $31.50/bottle)

 

 

The Spotlight wine is available at this price until 10 AM, December 1. Respond to this email, stop by, or call the store at 617.232.4831 to reserve your order.  


Tuesday Tweets

 

 

kiamie 

 

 

2008 Kiamie Wine Cellars White Kuv�e (Paso Robles)

Made with 60% Rousson and 40% Viognier, this fantastic white is full-bodied with impressions of melon and crisp Asian pear and a lovely, persistent minerality. Pair with Vietnamese spring rolls with a peanut dipping sauce to see the wine's full flavors appear!

 

Regular Price: $22

 

20% Bottle Discount: $17.60

 

 

 roth PN

 

2009 Roth Estate Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

A wonderful, terroir-influenced Pinot Noir with elegant flavors of red and Bing cherries. The cool-climate influence is seen in its excellent depth and complexity of flavors. 'Tis the season for Chanterelle Mushroom risotto, and this is the wine to pair it with!

 

Regular Price: $26

 

20% Bottle Discount: $20.80

 



Give the Gift of The Urban Grape! 

UG gift card

Don't be shy, everyone. Tell your spouses, significant others, friends, family and co-workers what you really want for the holidays this year - a gift card from The Urban Grape! They come in a nice little gift box, and can be made out for any amount. We can mail them wherever they need to be mailed, too. 
 
So save yourself the dejected disappointment that comes with receiving yet another bottle of Yellow Tail. Just forward this email right now with the subject line "Perfect Gift Idea for Me at the Bottom of this Email" and have them give us a call at 617.232.4831!  
 
 



ub_samler




What action, if any, do you want your members to take? Add a "Find out more" link to additional information that you may have hosted on your website.