The cover of every fitness magazine has headlines screaming about how to get "beach body ready" in just a few short weeks. We're concerned about helping you discover a much more important beach body - the weight of the wine you should be drinking while relaxing all summer. 

Over the past few weeks the wine wall at UG has been slowly migrating. Our 7-10 R sections have been shrinking, while our 1-3 R sections have been growing. Same too of our white wines - we're focusing on whites that pair well with summer fare and concentrating less on those full-bodied, cozy Chards. In the middle of it all, you'll find nearly 90 rosés on the wall, all with varying bodies, but chosen with freshness and summer food pairing in mind. 

If your palate is a bit confused (we know ours are), never fear. Just like the shift from sweaters to shorts or stews to grilling can cause some temporary confusion, so can the shift in seasonal beverages. Before you know it you'll have a glass of light-bodied sparkling Moscato in your glass and a watermelon gazpacho in your bowl. 

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 3-6 for our regular tastings. 

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

Saturday, June 1, 3-6 PM: It's a party as the ladies from Russian Standard play host at a Moscow Mule cocktail party at UG. We'll also welcome Fat Toad Farm as they sample their artisanal goat cheese and goat cheese caramel! 

Thursday, June 7, 5-8 PM: We can't let the ladies from Russian Standard have all the fun. Tonight stop by and sample Karlsson's Gold Vodka from Sweden. Stop by for both tastings and compare!

Friday, June 8, 5-8 PM: Come stock up for the weekend with Cody from Ruby Wines!

Saturday, June 9, 3-6 PM: Treat Yourself to a cupcake and dessert wine pairing!

Monday, June 11, 6:30-8:30 PM: UG will be closing at 4 PM on the 11th as we move the fun over to BOKX 109 for our two-year anniversary party. If you were able to score tickets to the party, please consider taking the T (Green line - Grove Street). This party happens rain or shine (but seriously, pray for shine!). 

Thursday, June 14, 5-8 PM: Join Roy from Cynthia Hurley as he tastes us on some of this niche importer's fabulous French wines.  

Friday, June 15, 5-8 PM: Some say Chas from Arborway is the spitting image of Tim Tebow. Come judge for yourself as he hosts a Friday night tasting at UG (complete with the notorious Tebow prayer stance).

Saturday, June 16, 3-6 PM: Think Father's Day with Mike from Atlantic Importing. He'll be sampling all things "guy" - wine, scotch, beer, you name it - so you can pick up last minute gifts for Dad. 

Friday, June 22, 5-8 PM: Couldn't get tickets to our Sake night with Nancy Cushman? Stop by tonight for a sampling of a wide variety of sakes with Adrienne of Joto Sake.

Saturday, June 23, 3-6 PM: We're getting hyper-local today with a tasting of Clown Shoes beer and jams from UG customer Robin Cohen of Doves & Figs Kitchen! 

Friday, June 29, 5-8 PM: Micah from Vinifera Imports will be holding court at UG with some super-geeky, small production wines from Italy. 

Saturday, June 30, 3-6 PM: Let's face it. You're going to stretch this weekend straight into the 4th of July. Might as well have some good beer by your side for five straight nights of grilling. Grab something local at this Cape Ann Brewing tasting at UG!

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

Spotlight Wine: 2008 Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon



Try as we might, we've really not been able to understand the recent enchantment with all things ChocoVine. It's not that we are opposed to eating chocolate with red wine. After all, that's a flavor profile that has been enjoyed through the ages. But the true enjoyment of chocolate and red wine is in the nuances - not in being clubbed over the head with it like some of the new "chocolate wines" do.

Enter the Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a big luscious Cab from Walla Walla Valley that is first and foremost a powerhouse wine from a stellar appellation. But throughout the wine, there are notes of chocolate - chocolate covered cherries and cocoa on the nose; dark chocolate and espresso on the palate; and a finish that has been described as walking down a "long dark hallway made of dark chocolate."

If you love chocolate and red wine, but crave subtlety, then you really can't go wrong with this spectacular Washington wine. Enjoy!  

Regular Price: $33

15% Bottle Discount: $28.05

25% 6-Bottle Discount: $148.50 ($24.75 per bottle, a savings of $49.50 per 6-bottle case)

2010 Seghesio Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio (Russian River Valley, CA)

A bright, enticing bouquet with flavors of sweet melon and juicy white peaches. A lovely creamy mouthfeel gives this wine some substance. Pair with grilled pork chops with a melon based salsa for an easy dinner!

Regular Price: $22

20% Bottle Discount: $17.60

2004 Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino "Do ut des" Super Tuscan (Tuscan, IT)

A great wine and a fabulous deal. This wine has gotten better with age and will continue to do so. Aromas of blackberry and sour cherry, full-bodied with silky tannins. Drinks well now, but grab a few extra to cellar!

Regular Price: $28

20% Bottle Discount: $22.40