urban_grape

news_title
UG Named One of Boston's 50 on Fire!

 

 

50onFire  

 

We're so excited to share the news that last week, The Urban Grape was named one of Boston's 50 on Fire by BostInno! These awards were given to the companies lighting the Boston scene on fire, and UG won in the Dining/Retail section with Joanne Chang, New Balance, and Chef Brian Poe. We're psyched, to say the least. 

 

With some of our more seasoned staff heading to internal jobs (Chelsea is our new Events and Tasting Coordinator, Leah is our Special Orders and Corporate Partnerships Coordinator, and Trevor and Micah are managers of UGCH and UGSE respectively), we've brought on some new staff. If you haven't already, you'll soon run into Cathryn, Andrew, Celine, and Janine at the stores. And starting this week, Erich Schliebe, the former Wine Director of L'Epalier will be working our mid-shifts at UGCH. Erich is a wealth of down-to-earth wine knowledge and a huge addition to our already incredible staff. Sorry UGSE, Erich is all Chestnut Hill's! 

 

Make sure you join us on April 9th, when we welcome Carissa Mondavi to UGSE for a tasting of Continuum. The wine has been sold-out in MA since last year, but we've got the newest vintage, and Carissa is coming in support of it! A very exciting opportunity to taste a wine that rivals "first growth" California reds.

 

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

Urban Tastings

 

Be sure to join us on Thursday and Friday nights - both stores have tastings from 5-8. On Saturdays in Chestnut Hill our tastings remain from 3-6 and our Saturday tastings in the South End are from 2-5. Below is a sampling of the tastings we have this month. 

 

Friday, April 5, 5-8 PM at UGCH: If you feel baffled trying to decipher the front of a sake label, then stop by for this demystifying tasting with Molly from Winebow, featuring the sakes of top brewers like Ichishima, Manabito and Dewatsuru. 

 

Friday, April 5, 5-8 PM at UGSE: Shirlee pours the Ramey portfolio as well as wines from Buena Vista winery, for whom David Ramey is now the consulting winemaker! Buena Vista is a great way to get the Ramey quality at a lower price point.

 

Saturday, April 6, 2-5 PM at UGSE: Join Jennifer as she pours Berkshire Mountain Distillers' infamous Ethereal Gin, Barrel-Aged Ethereal Gin, and Bourbon Whiskey!

 

Tuesday, April 9, 6-8 PM at UGSE: A can't miss tasting opportunity with the daughter of one of California's premiere winemaking families, Carissa Mondavi! Carissa will be pouring their jewel, Continuum - a wine that sells out quickly every year. Come taste the new vintage!

 

Thursday, April 11, 5-8 PM at UGSE: CAN you dig it? Craft Brew Ben sure does. Join Brendan from Oskar Blues Brewery and see that great beer does come in cans!

 

Friday, April 12, 5-8 PM at UGCH: A night of Washington wines with Jared from Baystate. Come see why TJ says 2013 will be the year of the WA! 

 

Sunday, April 14, 7-9 PM at UGSE: Tickets to our April pop-up - a celebration of all things Japanese with sake and ramen - sold out in just three hours! Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement about our May pop-up, which will be announced in the coming weeks. It's going to be crafty!

 

Thursday, April 18, 5-8 PM at UGCH and UGSE: It's the Germanic invasion at both stores as Atlantic Importing takes over to pour German beer and wine! 

 

Friday, April 19, 5-8 PM at UGCH: Whistle Pig is back! Daniel visits "The Nut" (as we like to call it), to pour a selection of these great rye whiskeys (and some cocktails too!).

 

Monday, April 22, 5-8 PM at UGSE: A special Monday night winemaker tasting with Audrey Braccini, the winemaker of Domaine Ferret. She'll be pouring her gorgeous Pouilly Fuisse and Cru Beaujolais (made on her husband's estate, Chateau des Jacques). 

 

Thursday, April 25, 5-8 PM at UGCH: Loca Linda wines are some of our favorites - they pack lots of flavor into a liter bottle at a low, low price! Join Loca Linda founder Brian Smith, as he pours his Mendoza Malbec, La Rioja Torrontes, and his new Southwestern French Rosé!

 

Friday, April 26, 5-8 PM at UGCH: Our tastebuds have had a decidedly Spanish outlook lately, and tonight we're tasting wines from one of our favorite Spanish Importers, Olé. Come see why these delightful and affordable wines have won our hearts!

 

 

 

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

Spotlight: 2009 Browne Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, WA)


 
There are a lot of reasons to fall in love with a bottle of wine. TJ always says it's, of course, the wine, but also your attraction to the bottle itself, the story behind the wine, and the story you make while having the wine. 

It's hard not to love the first three components behind today's Spotlight. The wine in the bottle is superb. Bing cherry, cocoa and leather aromas invite you into the glass. It boasts a silky palate with vanilla, clove, plum and an intriguing salinity. The finish is long and fruity. An all around seductive wine. 

browne

The bottle is gorgeous. The label is simple and modern, but inviting and warm. Sometimes we taste wine from Old World winemakers and the wine itself is tasty, but we know the bottle won't appeal to American buyers. Not so this label. It lands right in the American aesthetic. 

The story behind the wine is captivating. The vineyard was named for founder Andrew Browne's grandfather, who was a hero of World War II and the Korean War, and who found his love of wine in the 1930s when he studied at the University of Bordeaux. He passed his passion down to his grandson, who now makes wine in his name.

The 2009 vintage of this Cab was a tricky one in that the entire season had a late start due to a slow bud break, but rebounded with a precipitously quick harvest that allowed them to miss the early frost that hurt so many other winemakers in the region. In between was a long, hot summer that helped the fruit to explode with flavor, resulting in an ultimately stunning vintage. 

Now, it's up to you to complete the story. With a cellaring option of ten years, what moment will you choose to pop this bottle open? And what story will you create when you pour out this wine? 
 

Regular Price: $42

 

15% per bottle discount: $35.70

 

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

 

 

Tuesday Tweets

 

  canoe ridge

 

2010 Canoe Ridge Pinot Gris (Washington State)

We did the red from The Expedition a few weeks ago, now comes the white - Canoe Ridge. Crisp and juicy, with a great blend of lemon, lime, green apple and peach notes. Lively acidity balanced with honeysuckle and lemongrass on the lingering finish. One word - YUM!

 

Regular Price: $21

 

Tuesday Tweet Price: $16.80

 

 

  flor de vetus

 

2010 Flor de Vetus (Toro, SP)

A deep black cherry color with expressive aromas of fresh red and black berry fruit. On the palate, it is a well-balanced and structured wine with medium-body and a pleasant, succulent finish.  

 

Regular Price: $22

 

Tuesday Tweet Price: $17.60

                                   

 

Both wines are available at the stores until next Monday night!



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.