Wine

ONLY FOUR CUPS?!

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Passover is coming, and that means it’s a great time to stock up on foods that are made with fewer artificial items- especially things that could do sugar or corn syrup and you can get the sugar version.

While I always stock up on jam and soda, it is also a great time to get introduced (or reintroduced) to kosher wine.  

When wine is kosher for Passover, it means that it is certified kosher for Passover and all year-round, contains no gluten nor any byproducts from grain that has leavened

Kosher wine is made exactly like any other “regular” wine that does not carry a kosher certification. The only differences are: all hands-on operations from the moment the grapes are crushed until the wine is bottled and sealed must be done by a crew of professionally-trained sabbath-observant Jewish workers mandated by the contracted kosher supervision agency. Like any wine, there are kosher wines that are dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, or sweet and they come from state-of-the-art wineries from all over the world.

As the leading producer of kosher wines and spirits, Royal Wine Corp. knows what makes a great wine and is always looking for and offering some of the best the world has to offer! From domestic delights like Herzog Generation VIII to French faves like a vintage Burgundy fromChâteau Philippe Le Hardi and a Pomerol from Château Le Gay to an Italian Chianti that you just can’t refuse, Royal brings the best of the world to your table, whether you want to enjoy the traditional four cups of the Passover meal or more.

And if you like Israeli wine (as more and more people are!), Royal recently released new and new-old wines from such award-winning wineries as Feldstein, Gros, Naveh, and Yatir – all of which are names you should know if you are any kind of oenophile.

So if you still think sticky and sweet when you think of kosher wine, it is time to emancipate yourself and your taste buds. 

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A “SPECIAL” BREW

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As I recently hosted an episode of  “Belmont Business Report“ that was produced by Belmont Media Center about Art’s Specialties, I figured it would be appropriate to revisit them for Matt’s Meals as well!

In addition to opening his latest store in Cambridge with more on the way, Art has also been brewing his own coffee in his Maynard location and is making hand-distilled cold brew that is now available at all of is stores.

As is the based with so much of what Art does, he started selling other canned cold brew brands but figured that he could do it better!

Using the family coffee traditions of his Armenian roots, Arts cold brew is rich and refreshing and comes in handy 12-ounce glass bottles that can be enjoyed or their own or used to make your favorite coffee drinks and treats. They go especially well with ice cream from Art’s Creamery as a lower-caffeine and low-acid Affogato or to wash down any of the special culinary treats you pick up at his main stores.

While at Art’s, be sure to peruse his collection of over 100 local and international beers, as well as his shelves of non-alcoholic drinks, international snacks and prepared foods, and, of course, the wide selection of curated olive oils and vinegars and teas and cheeses that first made him famous. 

I find something new and delicious every time I visit and Art is always happy to honor special requests for new products, so even if he does not have exactly what I am looking for, he surely will soon!

Art already has locations in Belmont, Sherburne, Maynard, and Carlisle and is opening Cambridge and Everett, so a visit to Art’s Specialties (and Art’s Creamery) is more convenient from more places and more worth the trip from anywhere else.

See you there and see you on Belmont Media!

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POP GOES THE PARTY

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For years, we’ve talked about the Boston International Wine & Food Festival at the Boston Harbor Hotel and the Boston Wine Expo.

And while those are both amazing, I’m excited to pop the cork on a new wine event in Boston.

On Saturday, February 15 from 6 to 10 PM, the national sensation known as Uncorked Wine Festivals will premiere at the SoWa Power Station in Boston’s South End.

Featuring over 100 wines and bubblies from around the world. Uncorked will also offer DJ-directed dancing and food trucks that will have a flavor for every sip you savor.

For the braver oenophiles, there will be a blind tasting bar where you can try your taste buds and find new faves amongst seasoned swirlers and amateur aerators.

VIP tickets cost $110 and include access to all four hours of the event plus exclusive access to an upstairs lounge that will offer premium tastings, pairings, and other special treats. For those who want a taste of special access, early admission tickets are $85 and include all four hours of festivities and some exclusive pours for the first hour. General admission starts at 7 PM and includes more than 100 wines for only $70.

For the ultimate, oenophilic experience, Uncorked has an app that you can download at https://uncorkedwinefestivals.com that will allow you to keep track of all of your new favorite wines and get info about the food vendors that might not even be available on Matt’s Meals!

Whether you’re a wine aficionado or just looking for something fun to do to keep the Valentine’s Day vibe bubbling, check out the Uncorked Wine Festival and help start a new Boston tradition.

CHOOSE NO BOOZE

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It’s that time of year when many people start to let go of their well-intentioned resolutions and slip back into less productive habits like overeating and drinking.

Fortunately, a number of area eateries and event spaces have prepared for such moments of weakness with a strong set of non-alcoholic drinks that let you enjoy the fun of the season without any moral compromise.

I recently raved about Post 1917 in Reading. In addition to their great food and historic atmosphere, the reconditioned post office will be delivering such creative creations by bar manager Ben Spinney as the Fleur De Lis (with Fleur Aperitivo and fresh orange and lemon juice), a Negroni Sans (Fleur on the rocks with an orange twist), and Trust the Bartender, a personalized creation tailored to your taste. 

If you’re in town to watch the B’s and C’s go for more banners, Banners Kitchen & Tap is featuring the award-winning booze-free brand Lyre’s in drinks called the Half Court Spritz and the Volcano – the latter of which is a fiery combination of Fever Tree grapefruit, house made coconut syrup, and Lyre’s White Cane Spirit. As it is a great place to catch the game, it is no surprise that Banners will also offer Athletic Brewing IPA on draft and an increased selection of non-alcoholic canned beers to help you get through the season.

If you prefer to participate in sports instead of (or in addition to) just watching them, PuttShack locations in Natick and the Seaport can help you ball without the fall with the Lyre-based N/A Spritz (which also features our fave Töst sparkling tea), H2NO Ranch Water made from Almave Blanco distilled blue agave with fresh lime and soda water, a Cotton Candy Crush made with real cotton candy and coconut Red Bull, and a cold-pressed passion lemonade that will surely help you get your balls in the cup.

Winter in New England can be challenging, but this year, staying straight and sober while having fun and eating well is not.

L’chaim!

SALUTE!

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There is not much better than an amazing meal at Prezza in Boston’s legendary North End. And there are a few better ways to wash down your favorite flavors than with a great Italian wine.

Perhaps that is why owner Anthony Cutarano has arranged a Great Wines of Italy dinner at Prezza on January 21 at 6:30.

At this specially-priced, five-course meal, guests will enjoy such creative delights as Mediterranean prawns with Calabrian chili, seared scallops with lobster butter, duck confit with mushrooms and a tomato veal stock, parmesan polenta, grilled sirloin and veal chops, and a pistachio sundae with mango sorbet. And while the delicious dessert will surely end the meal with a flourish, the fact that every other course is being paired with some of Italy’s most beloved wines will make this meal truly special!

From a 2023 Ca’Marcanda Vistamare to a 2020 Gaja Barolo and 2018 Sesti Brunello di Montalcino, Caturano is pulling out all the stops and a bunch of great corks to celebrate his Italian heritage and the flavors that have inspired him and his guests for so many years.

If you are not able to snag a table on the 21st, rest assured that any night at Prezza is a treat! From their trend setting antipasto board and ravioli di Uovo to their famed crispy shrimp with Italian slaw, wood-grilled venison, branzino, and their freshly-caught squid and octopus medley, lobster-loaded fish stew, and of course, handmade pastas topped with everything from duck to veal to saffron and shrimp, Prezza combines traditional, Italian favorites with creative combinations of fresh ingredients and flavors that make it a great place to bring family friends or just to drop by to see what’s new on the menu. 

And if you can’t decide on just one thing, Prezza recently brought back their petite portion menu, featuring oysters, tuna, tartare, and their famous gourmet meatballs, offering everyone plenty of options to make their own tasting menu or a lighter meal or snack.

Molto bene!         

The ART of Great Food (and Ice Cream)

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In my constant search to find great places to find great food made by great people from our great community (and beyond), I recently came upon a place – actually a series of places – that not only sells some of my favorite brands that I’ve talked about before (some MANY times!), but also a huge selection of soon-to-be-favorites!

Run by the husband-and-wife team of Art and Jen Negaryan, Art’s Specialties has everything from chocolate, coffee, and cookies to cheese and crackers to oils and spices to international foods that are hard to find ‘round here, as well as a wide array of local and international beverages that ranges from beer and wine to cider and sake. They even have an entire set of flavored olive oils and vinegars that are delicious to taste and perfect for any recipe or gift package.

Speaking of gift packages, Art and his talented team are more than happy to help you pick out the perfect presents for any friend or colleague.

And while many suppliers have been raising their prices, Art and Jen do all they can to make it easy and affordable to try new things so you too can find new favorites.

When you want to reward your great taste, head across the street from the Belmont store to Art’s Creamery or to the Sherborn store or soon to a new location near the Cambridge/Arlington line, where flash-frozen flavors from New City Microcreamery, Nightingale Ice Cream, and Van Leeuwen and their own Ice Cream Bike Sandwiches, all of which have proven so popular that they are staying open all year!

With locations in Belmont, Carlisle, Maynard, and Sherborn, there is probably a store near you. And if not, go to www.artsspecialties.com and www.artscreamery.com to see what is new and what you will be enjoying next.

FRE TO INDULGE

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While I started my writing career as a music critic, as I got older and less able to function after staying for the last encore, I started to review dinner and the opening act, which eventually led me to my focus on food.

Another change has been the amount of alcohol I can handle.

Fortunately, I have found suitable substitutions like Sober Carpenter ciders, non-alcoholic beers from Partake and hop-infused beverages from HOP WTR, and wines from Fre (that’s “free” but with only one “e,” as the other was apparently removed with the alcohol).

Using a revolutionary centrifuge technology, Fre removes the alcohol from fully-fermented wine. In the process, a lot of the calories drop out too, making it even easier to enjoy multiple glasses. And as they offer such popular varietals as cabernet, chardonnay, merlot, rosé, sauvignon blanc, and even blends, there are multiple reasons to do so!

While you still need to acknowledge that you are of legal drinking age when you visit frewines.com (as it technically has less than .5% alcohol in it, which is the same as in most kombucha), once you are there, it is easy to find out more about their wines and to find your next favorite. In addition to a link to their Napa-born Luminara line, the site also has recipes by Liquid Muse founder Natalie Bovis-Nelsen and seasonal suggestions for celebrations that give you more reasons to enjoy. As I have been taking my book on the Ivy League and my author interview series to various venues, Fre is great because most bookstores, libraries and senior center allow it and my guests love it!

You will too!

SCHOOL FOR SIPPERS

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As the days get shorter and colder, we all need something to keep our bodies warm, our minds engaged, and our spirits up,

Thankfully, there is a bevy of great new courses and other treats at Commonwealth Wine School!

Whether you are a novice sipper or a certified oenophile, CWS has events and offerings that will help you get more out of your wine and your life, including workshops, classes, and private events, as well as certification-level programs from the prestigious Wine and Spirits Education Trust and the Wine Scholar Guild.

On October 27, they will host a class for those who want to make Halloween more fun for older trick or treaters by explaining what wines pair best you’re your favorite candies.

November 1, their expert educators will advise others on how to negotiate for the best wines in international markets.

On the 2nd and 3rd and again on the 16th and 17th, Sake lovers will gather to explore their favorite beverage. I am looking forward to the cider and cheese pairings on November 9 but may also refresh my palate at the introduction to wine tasting class on November 22.

If you cannot make it to or find parking in Harvard Square, CWS also offers classes in NH and ME and also online.

Though the classes and events make for fun breaks from the winter blahs, for those who want to get away from New England winter altogether, CWS also offers occasional wine tours around the world, including a trip to Argentina that is scheduled for February of 2025.

See you in class!

BOXING UP SICILY

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Though boxed wine may still not have the cachet of glass and cork, there is a new series of Sicilian sippers that are helping to stem the stemless tide.

Alileo Wines uses viticultural traditions that go back generations to make wines that fit the modern palates and proclivities. The hand-harvested grapes are turned into wines that are 100% unfiltered, organic, and both gluten- and sugar-free, allowing every sip to be fresh, fruity, and free of the pesticides and other chemicals that plague so many other wines. And as they come in recyclable boxes that are easier to ship and keep more wine fresher longer, the wines are as good for the environment as they are for your favorite oenophile!

Whether or not you have experienced them at their popular pop-ups in Boston’s Seaport District, at Caffe Nero at Legacy Place in Dedham, MA, or at Tuscan Village in NH, Alileo have surely been getting around and are popping up at restaurants and homes all over.

Among the bold boxes are a light and fruity  Zibibbo Macerato, a dry and floral Young Grillo, a full-bodied, fruity, and tannic Syrah, and a darkly different Rosato Bronzato made from Syrah grapes with notes of cherry and red fruit.
Crafted in Sicily by a family that still clings to Old World ways, the wine is brought to the States and into the 21st century by a husband-and-wife who started the winery to fulfill a family member’s last wish.

Though they also sell shirts on their website (www.alileowines.com) that maintain that “boxed wine is not a crime,” Alileo also has sparkling wines made from the same organic grapes that come in bottles as well. They also have a wine club that sends you reminders to get more wine instead of forcing it into your mailbox. In the final analysis, however, it’s what’s inside and behind the wines that counts and Alileo is a great wine with a great story! 

…WHEN THEY’RE 64?

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Before I had the privilege of working with Jordan Rich, I was an intern at the legendary WBCN in Boston it was there that I got to meet another broadcasting legend – Cha-Chi Loprete.

As Cha-Chi was the man who got me access to interview Tony Bennett. I am eternally grateful, and so I wanted to make sure to take this opportunity to help him do more with his musical idols.

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Beatles playing at Boston Garden, Cha-Chi will be hosting a special edition of his popular “Come Together” series at City Winery in Boston on Sunday, September 8th at noon.

Together with award-winning magician and speaker John Duke Logan, Cha-Chi will present a special afternoon of music and nostalgia that will feature multimedia presentations, trivia contests, and a special musical guest appearance by Boston Rock God Sal Baglio of The Stompers. The event will also feature presentations by several Beatlemaniacs who were in the Garden back in 1964, including three locals who talked their way into a media-only press conference with the band on the day of the show!

While you reminisce and rock out, be sure to try the Winery’s home- and hand-made wines (including the locally-sourced Frotenac and Bourbon barrel Malbec) along with such succulent staples as their CW wedge salad, raspberry chipotle wings, chicken Corsica, duck tacos, risotto balls, and hot honey pizza.

To get tickets to this or any of the other great gigs at City Winery, go to citywinery.com/boston, and to learn more about Cha-Chi’s magical mystery show, go to cometogetherproductions.com.