Wine

GREEK REVIVAL

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As it was once called the Athens of America, it makes sense that Boston is at the forefront of the Greek revival that appears to be running through the restaurant space like an Olympic (or Boston) marathoner.

And while many popular places have followed, the Farm Grille & Rotisserie in Newton and its sister store, Greek International Market in West Roxbury, have been leading the pack for over 25 years.

Whenever I want to get my Greek on in a fresh and friendly flash, a visit to the Grille always fits the bill(e). But when I want to get the authentic ingredients that make this family-run restaurant and caterer so great or to explore the larger realm of Hellenistic hunger helpers, the Market has all I need….and MORE!

In addition to freshly-imported Greek spices and wines (including Retsina) to imported meats and other prepared foods (including their famed octopus salad!), as well as hand-crafted cheeses and Greek yogurt, an olive bar and enough olive oils and Greek pastries for the Spartan army, the Market offers honey-based health and beauty aids, toys and gifts, and customized gift baskets that are perfect for any occasion. 

Speaking of occasions, the Market has an Aegean Sea-full of fish and a farm-full of plant-based options that are perfect for Lent or just for eating healthy! And Proprietor Katerina Iliades recently debuted a line of children’s clothing for communions and baptisms that will be on display at a VIP fashion show on March 23 at the Maliotis Center in Brookline!

Everyone seems set on catching the healthy and delicious Mediterranean diet train. As is true of so many other things, we in Boston are ahead of the curve, thanks in great part to the Iliades family and their great pair of places to eat.    

A PRESS-ING SCHEDULE

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I have often spoken of the great wines and the great events at City Winery in Boston.

To put it mildly, March is packed with both!

Their popular Wine Education 101 series is made up of two-hour sessions “taught” by the Winery’s own sommelier Alex Nezam that include explorations of grape varieties and regions and the techniques that give each wine its character and personality. In addition to enjoying and learning about the wines, students will also enjoy some of the delicious food from the Winery kitchen.

On March 27, WE 101 will feature full-bodied reds from winemakers from around the world. April 10 will surely be a sparkling night as the Winery presents a class that will help students distinguish among Prosecco, Cava, and Champagne and enjoy all of them even more.

For those who like to mix it up when it comes to education, the Winery is also hosting a class on what they call foolish cocktails April 1 and a study of pre-Prohibition tipples April 8.

If you need to absorb all that the amazing alcohol, try the pasta class with Seven Hills Pasta April 3.

There is also still time to get in on their Winter Wine Experience, which includes two wine flights that can be enjoyed with any meal in the Winery (where you can also catch the Boston Comedy Festival at the end of March and the Woodstock Experience brunch April 6) as well as a bottle of wine and two City Winery-branded glasses to enjoy at home.

It’s a lot to take in. You may need a drink!  

  citywinery.com/boston

L’CHAIM

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As the issues in the Middle East continue to rile the world, many Jew and others are still looking to raise a glass in the traditional toast L’chaim– To life!

And while the deeds of a few are destroying the lives of the many, at least there is a way to help those in peril by drinking to their health and praying for their survival.

Through the end of the year, for every bottle of wine you buy that is made in Israel, the Israeli Wine Producers Association will donate proceeds to support Israeli organizations through their Sip for Solidarity program.

Though their grapes are rooted in the land that has been integral to the Jewish people for thousands of years, Israeli wines continue to keep up with if not inspire the industry (and international oenophiles) with new tastes and harvesting procedures that are already leading the world in environmental preservation. As they are now supporting people and the land on which they have lived for millennia, it is now a better time than ever to taste or enjoy more of your favorite (or soon-to-be-favorite) wines!

Closer to home, Israeli-friendly friends like Steve Peljovich of Michael’s Deli and Galit Grutman of Galit’s Treats (who is still offering her amazing challahs at Bill’s Pizzeria in Newton Center) are also donating proceeds and food to help family and friends in Israel and here. As always, I ask you to do all you can to support all our food friends who do so much for so many.

L’chaim! 

@IsraeliWine #drinkisrael

STRENGTHENING THE BONDE

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I was recently back on my old stomping grounds of Harvard Square to promote my book on the Ivy League (www.lionstigersbulldogs.com) and, after visiting my old friends at Grendel’s for a delicious meal, I dropped by my other friends at Bonde wines for an after-dinner drink and a bit of oenophilic education.

In addition to learning about some of the most expertly-curated, independently-crafted, ecologically-responsible wines, I also learned that Bonde has come up with even more fun and creative ways to share and pair their wines with some of my (and your) favorite foods!

On Wednesday, October 4, Bonde will be crafting complements to what they call Cuisine Manufacturielle d’America (a.k.a., American junk food) in a perky pairing event that will be perfect for anyone who is gearing up for late-season grilling sessions, football season wings and nachos, or even Halloween season candy. If you are not such a fan of frankfurters but love the food of Frankfurt, there will be an event dedicated to Oktoberfest fare (Might I suggest Eastern Standard Provisions‘ pretzels? Yes- I might!) on October 11. If a visit to French Canada is more convenient, a quartet of poutines will be on the menu on October 25, each with its own hand-picked pairing

Though the latest installment of Bonde’s Chef Series (which features Vietnamese master Vincenzo Le) is sold out there will surely be more amazing food makers lining up to have their fare paired with flair at Bonde, so be sure to keep an eye out on www.bondewines.com.

Each of these classes cost $89 per person and include not only delicious food and extraordinary wines (some of which are only available at Bonde) but also the comprehensive and collegial consultation of curator Bertil Jean-Chronberg (a native Frenchman who knows his way not only around a wine cellar but a stack of gravied frites as well!), making a vinicultured visit on these (or any other nights) well worth it! So keep checking bondewines.com to see what fruited fun is coming up next!

ANOTHER ROUND AT THE WINERY

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In its never-ending quest to give area food, wine, and entertainment fans what they want, City Winery is offering a new program that will bring all of these and more to more people than ever by encouraging what some may say is the sadly lost art of of sharing.

As part of their new “Pairing is Sharing” dining experience, the food and beverage teams at City Winery have combined forces to combine small plates that show off their big-flavored wines through a dining experience that is guided by the diners but supported by the staff.

Tapping into top winemakers like North Coast, Sonoma Mountain, Windrem, and City Winery’s own wines from their hydroelectric-powered facility just north of New York City, the sharable selections options include charcuterie and oysters, charred octopus, Wagyu Sliders, triple cream brie, as well as a mushroom-pocked pizza known as the ”Fun-guy” flatbread. All of the wines are tapped fresh from stainless steel kegs and all the equally elegant edibles are prepared and delivered fresh to enhance the experience all the more!  

For those who want to enhance their experience even further, the Winery recently rang in Ringo Starr’s birthday and will soon be hosting the legendary likes of Lisa Loeb, Dickey Betts, Holly Near, Bebel Gilberto, Lalah Hathaway, Cowboy Mouth, and Jon Cleary & His Absolute Monster Gentlemen, as well as bartending classes, comedy shows, and trivia nights.

Despite the name, City Winery has been offering much more than wine for many more years than some of the wine you drink has probably been around. If someone has not shared it with you yet, be sure to reserve a table for Pairing is Sharing and make it a night of wine, friends, and song!

https://citywinery.com/Boston

WINE-DING YOUR WAY THROUGH SUMMER

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As his recent Wednesday night wine pairings have proven so popular, Harvard Square’s resident hospitality guru and wine expert Bertil Jean-Chronberg (who also enjoys a following around the world) is again expanding the offerings at his food and wine emporium Bonde (again with an “e”). 

Having kicked off with a French food-filled Bastille Day party on July 14, Bonde will host special tastings for eight people every other Wednesday through September 27, from 7-8:30 PM that will feature flights from some of the world’s finest organic and biodynamic wineries paired with sushi, sausages, French baked goods, and, of course, fromage.

As a proud native Frenchman who has worked in hospitality for 40 years, Bertil knows a great deal about food and wine and even more about how to make guests comfortable and to share his vast knowledge in a comfortable, convivial way that edifies even the most experienced imbiber. That is surely why his events continue to prove so popular and why it would be wise to register soon at www.bondewines.com and to keep an eye not only on his event calendar but his legendary wine publication, Zero-Two-Wine-Three-Eight (which is a well-poured pun on Bonde’s zip code) and other community-serving programs like the Black Donkey project that helps children in need.

Speaking of events, Bonde will also be hosting weekly wine garden parties no Sundays from 11-5 where guests can take in the Tour de France and tours of Harvard while enjoying wines from various regions (including New England on August 6!).

No matter when you go, it is always wine o’clock at Bonde and that is a wine-derful thing! www.bondewines.com

Bonde-ing with Wine

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After enjoying a successful set of chef chats and other food-related events, restaurateur and renowned sommelier Bertil Jean-Chronberg is expanding the offerings at his Harvard Square food and wine emporium Bonde (with an “e”). 

Among the options will be Wednesday night wine and food pairings that will feature everything from Indian cuisine and poutine to pizza and other beloved “junk” foods as well as eco-responsible, sustainable American wines curated by Jean-Chronberg himself. 

If Wednesday is not your wine-nesday, there will also be a set of “advanced” Saturday night tastings that are geared towards those with more experienced understandings of wine who can not only appreciate the taste but also have a familiarity with the terroir and concern about how the changing climate is affecting their favorite fruit. These classes will also look back into wine history to the days of the Califronia Gold Rush and ahead to the prospects of new wine countries in places like Maryland, Michigan, and Texas. 

For those who want to fill more of their weekend with wine or who want to learn more before joining the “advanced” classes, Bonde is also adding set of five Sunday night classes called “The Essentials of Wine” that will instill confidence in participants while they enjoy some liquid courage as well. From how wine is made and how to know one type (or “varietal”) from another to how to order and taste wine (a.k.a., “To spit or not to spit?”) and how to serve it (e.g., do you smell the cork or not?), these classes will also allow participants to get more familiar with Jean-Chronberg himself in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

As the publisher of the hip wine newsletter Zero-Two-Wine-Three-Eight (a parody on his zip code that he calls “the most opinionated wine newsletter in America”), Jean-Chronberg is a noted expert in the field (or is that the vineyard?). By opening the doors of Bonde to so many people in so many creative ways, he clearly wants to expand people’s palettes while also expanding the world of wine itself.

Join him- won’t you?

www.bondewines.com

Great Greeks

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I have long been a fan of Farm Grill in Newton and its sister store, the Greek International Market in Boston. The only problem I have with them is that, no matter what I try when I visit either place, there is always something new and amazing that I have not tried before, so I have to go back again and again.

Some problem to have, right?!
Among the latest temptations have been the growing selection of Ambrosi-c Greek honeys (which are not called “the food of the gods” for nothing!). While most Greek honeys are particularly delicious and particularly important this time of year as a balm against bacteria, infections, and, of course, sore throats, the Market features one variety from another great Greek food family – the Fragiadakises – that comes from the pine forests of Crete and that retains much of that Retsina-like floral flavor. 

While the honeys are delicious on toast or even on a spoon, they pair particularly well with the Market’s mega-collection of Greek teas, including the chamomile that owner Katerina Iliades used to prepare with her grandmother back in the land of Helena and which she now ships (along with pretty much anything else) around the world through the Market’s website, https://greekintlmarket.com.

Another recent great Greek find has been the vegan Greek-style kabobs from Mega Meatless that offer all the flavor and protein of a freshly-sliced gyro without all the GMOs, soy, or guilt that other meaty meals contain. They even include authentic Greek olive oil (which is some of the best in the world) and Greek herbs and spices for that authentic taste!

If you want more real Greek flavor, drop by Farm Grill in Newton for lunch or dinner (their traditional Greek salads, grape leaves and kabobs are always amazing, as is their sweet and flaky kataifi) or have them bring their homemade treats to your home or office. All you have to do is go to www.farm-grill.com to see (and almost taste) what amazing new stuff is on the menu- and enjoy!

HARVESTING SNOW

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Have you ever had a food or drink that you love so much you want to enjoy it now but also want to save some for a special occasion?
I feel that way about the Fox Hill Maple wine from Snow Farm Vineyard.

As the vineyard is located on an island, it is special to begin with. When you taste that fresh crisp wine with just enough real maple sweetness, it is special on another level!

And while I am a BIG fan of their maple wine, I have also fallen for many of their other offerings.

Snow Farm’s Seyval Blanc (which is apparently the favorite of their head winemaker- and for good reason!) balances dry and fruity flavors and mouthfeels, much like a zesty Sauvignon Blanc. Their Vidal Blanc is put through malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels, imparting a comforting smoothness that can be enhanced with age or enjoyed as soon as you receive (or give) it. 

While their menu of wonderful wines continues to grow, special attention has clearly been paid to Snow Farm’s recently-released Fortress Red- a fortified Port-style wine made exclusively from the Farm’s own Frontenac grapes that is aged in oak, releasing scents and flavors of chocolate, coffee, and a hint of licorice that make it ideal for accompanying a wide range of foods or being enjoyed on its own like a fine aperitif.

If you cannot choose your favorite (as I apparently have- at least for now!), Snow Farm also offers gift sets that are great for introducing others (or yourself) to their fine flights. For those in the know (or those who want to be such), there is also a Snow Farm Wine Club that gives members discojnts on what they already love and the inside track on what is coming up.

Speaking of coming up, Snow Farm is looking forward to opening their own distillery next year and to making a new line of liquors right on the island as well.

For information on all of their oenophilic and other offerings, visit www.SnowFarm.com. And the next time you are in the area of South Hero, VT (which is worth a trip for the wine and the natural beauty),  be sure to drop by and tell ‘em Matt’s Meals sent ya!

WINE, MEN and WOMEN, AND SONG

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I recently enjoyed a concert by one of the first bands I ever reviewed – The Slambovian Circus of Dreams – at City Winery in Boston and it not only brought back memories of my earliest days as a writer but also my love for live music combined with great food and drink.

Ever eager to bring such great memories and good vibes to their guests, City Winery is expanding upon the great tipple and tune combos that I mentioned recently such as the Sunday Berklee band brunches and Monday night Soul Pairings with a new offering that builds upon their already popular Vinofile Club.

While the original Vinofile membership includes 48-hour advanced access to concert tickets (with no fees!) and points that can be used toward future food and ticket purchases, as well as access to members-only events, the Plus level adds a bottle of the Winery’s monthly featured wine, a monthly wine flight in the restaurant, entrance to exclusive monthly tastings (with a guest!), access to limited-edition wines, and a complimentary entree and glass the week of your birthday! And at only $30 a month, the monthly bottle of wine alone makes it all worth wine (I mean worthwhile)!City Winery’s award-winning wines are made with world-class grapes from around the world and combine old world techniques combined with 21st-century technology. As everything from grape selection and fermentation to bottling happens in one place, there is no wine fresher or more creative than those at the Winery. When you add great food and some of the most popular musical acts around, it makes the Winery a great place to visit and revisit month after month (if not more often!).

Even if you are not a member of the clubs (at least not yet), the Winery has also prepared holiday gift baskets for those who cannot make it in all the time and for anyone who appreciates great gifts of great wine.

Holiday Cheers!

citywinery.com/boston