Like cat-scratch fever, Patriots fever has our region in its claws. We're celebrating with a LOCAL DOMINATION Superbowl Tasting on Saturday, February 4th from 2-5. Like the Pats, we'll be showcasing the best our region has to offer - locally made beer from Backlash Brewing, locally made rum from Privateer Rum, and the most necessary Superbowl food of all, locally made guacamole from Patty's Homemade Guacamole. If you can't swing by for this tasting, make sure you check out some of the other events taking place at UG this February. See you at the store, and see you at the Superbowl!

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

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:

Saturday, February 4, 2-5 PM: Sample locally made products Backlash Beer, Privateer Rum and Patty's Homemade Guacamole during our LOCAL DOMINATION Superbowl Party! Everything you need for the big game in one place. 

Monday, February 6, 6-8 PM: Celebrate Heart Month with Ehlers Estate wine, the Mandarin Oriental, and UG! Join us at the Mandarin for this special tasting of Ehlers wines with perfectly paired food from the M Bar. A percentage of the $30 entrance fee is donated to the Boston chapter of the American Heart Association. Call 617.535.8800 to reserve your spot.

Saturday, Febuary 11, 2-5 PM:  Sample and buy chocolates from local chocolatier Yes Chocolates while you sip on Champagne and Fair Goji Liqueur and Fair Cafe (the world's first fair-trade certified coffee liqueur!). One stop shopping for all you'll need to celebrate your honey on the big day.

Sunday, February 12, 7-9 PM: It's singles night at UG as we sample oysters, chocolate, whiskey and wine while mingling with other food and wine-loving singles (with the help of the Boston WingWomen). Gentlemen, the women's tickets are sold out and it's a fantastic group of ladies. There's really no excuse for not buying a ticket this second. Take a chance on love!

Saturday, February 19, 2-5 PM: Join the cheese mongers from Whole Foods Brighton as they once again share their favorite cheeses paired with a scrumptious wine from UG.

Tuesday, February 28, 7-9 PM: Over the years, Jim Solomon, the chef/owner of The Fireplace in Brookline, has bought and cellared of some of the finest wine made in the Stag's Leap District of Napa. Tonight he's opening it up and pairing it with signature dishes like Seared Scallops over Lobster Hash. Five courses, five wines, $110. That's a serious deal for a dinner featuring wines that you can't find at retail, much less ever even get a taste of!

Sunday, March 4, 7-9 PM: The cocktail Sensei himself, Jackson Cannon of Eastern Standard, ICO Bar and the newly opened The Hawthorne, will join us to lead a Home Mixology Seminar at UG. This is a rare opportunity to learn the best way to get creative when it comes time to mix a drink at home from one of our city's finest. Tickets are almost sold out!

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

For those of you that complain that the prices in all Massachusetts stores are often more expensive than the prices you see online - have we got a deal for you today. 

The former marketing executive for Caymus, Claus Janzen, suffered from what he describes as a "cloudy" head - in other words, he always dreamed that he could make good wine too, despite not having the classic training. It turns out he was right. The Janzen "Cloudy's Vineyard" is the feather in the cap of what has become a wonderful winemaking production under his direction. 

The wine from this two-acre parcel in a mountainous section of Napa created only 100 sought-after cases. The rugged terrain and late growing season grew sweet grapes with abundant tannins, but the structure is softened by the intense fruit flavors - think cassis and blackberry. Parker called this wine "Napa's version of a Bordeaux Pauillac." 

It's almost impossible to find this wine anymore, but when you do see it online it's closer to $100. Today, you can nab your piece of our remaining inventory of the Janzen Cab for $56.25 a bottle if you buy six or more bottles. The price is valid until 10 AM on Thursday, February 2, 2012.

Regular Price: $75

15% Bottle Discount: $63.75

25% 6-Bottle Discount: $337.50 (a $112.50 savings at $56.25/bottle)

2011 The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, NZ)

This vineyard's flagship varietal is made from a blend of the selected vineyard parcels. Passionfruit on the nose melds into melon and stone fruit on the palate. Nice acidity and minerality make this a classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Regular Price: $13

20% Bottle Discount: $10.40

Whole Foods Brighton Cheese Pairing: Fromager D'Affinois

This French brie-style cheese is delightfully buttery and almost impossibly creamy. Fromager d'Affinois is one of our best sellers and always one of the first items to disappear on any cheese plate. Especially delicious on a crusty baguette, serve this with chilled Sauvignon Blanc from The Crossings for a perfect, not to be missed experience!

Regular Price: $17.99/lb

Sale Price at Whole Foods Brighton: $14.99/lb

2008 EOS Estate Winery Petit Sirah (Paso Robles)

A full-bodied "inky beauty" with aromas of bing cherries, dried currants, black pepper and almond extract. The palate has flavors of cherry fruit, toasted almond and espresso. A lovely long, lingering finish. A good replacement for Villa San-Juliette (see below)

Regular Price: $15

20% Bottle Discount: $12