Monday, October 5, 2009

"Wining" About Holiday Gift Giving?

Oh the holidays! Once it starts to get cold and before any snow hits the ground most people are happy that the season of giving is on the way. “This will be the year!” you think, “This will be the year I will get everybody something thoughtful instead of a generic gift card.” It’s a month away if not more at this point. You’ll have time…..right?

But, the reality is that you are a busy person. Between home, work, your pets and social life who has time to walk around a mall or drive from one boutique to another? That’s why at The Savory Grape we’ll do it for you. With the ability to ship to all but 9 states (those whose laws prohibit it) and the ability to hand deliver anything within the state of Rhode Island we can make your gift giving painless.

For starters we offer a selection of charming themed gift baskets to choose from. Do you have a friend who recently traveled to France? You could send them a “Viva France” basket complete with extra virgin olive oil. Available as low as $35, we can make the basket as small or as extravagant as you like. Want something unique? Call or e-mail us your specifications. If you have a friend who loves chocolate, but is allergic to nuts and only likes wine from the Pomerol appellation of Bordeaux, France we can create something tailored. If you’re running even shorter on time our gift baskets are available for sale online as well.

Another thing we offer at The Savory Grape is our Savory Sipper Wine Club. Especially if you are a Rhode Island resident you understand how frustrating it is to not be allowed to be part of wine clubs from California or other parts of the US because Rhode Island is one of the many states wine cannot be shipped to. To allow Rhode Island residents that same luxury we offer a wine club that can be hand delivered to your door. Available in 4 levels (The Explorer, The Enthusiast, The Connoisseur, and The Collector) our wine club memberships are a great way to try new wines or add to your collection. Just like our gift baskets, memberships can be purchased online. So, for your friend who loves wine, but doesn’t know where to begin exploring, a membership where they get 2 bottles of wine a month complete with vineyard history, tasting notes and a recipe perfectly paired with their wine could be the perfect gift.

We understand that you are a busy person so let us tie the bow, dot the “I” on the gift card and fluff the tissue paper. Our goal is to make every gift a unique special one without costing you the time it would usually take to put it together. Who knows? You may not buy one gift card this year.

Wines For Tailgating!

We picked 3 wines with typical tailgating food in mind; hot dogs, burgers, chips, etc. All the sorts of food you would find at the Superbowl. But in doing research we found that there is a small uprising in people tailgating before Operas! We find it a bit odd, but as a play on that sort of person who is tailgating, but enjoys the finer things in life we also selected a nicer bottle of wine that plays on football.

2006 De Lisio Quarterback, McLarenvale, Australia. A red inspired by the wonderful things that can be accomplished with a little well orchestrated teamwork, Quarterback is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot, and Grenache. The result is a full bodied red with scents of smoky cedar, spice and black fruit. The deep red palate is riddled with hints 0f clove and ripe opulent fruit. This wine speaks to the tailgater who loves the finer things in life. So kick back in your fold out chair in the parking lot of your favorite football team while your steak sizzles on the grill and enjoy the teamwork behind the Quarterback. Under $25.

*A quote from the winemaker should you want to use it “Tony De Lisio,” “Celebrate when your team has achieved that glorious win, it is useful as a reminder of what can be achieved with teamwork.”

2007 Ravenswood Zen of Zin, Sonoma County, California. This bold, smooth red wine instructs on its back label to "Pour often." Especially among friends. Perfect instruction, I think, to bring this wine along with you the next time you tailgate. It’s deep cocoa, toffee and blackberry jam flavors accentuate the roasted charred flavors of your boldest grilled creations. Casual and easy, this wine is perfect for the tailgater surrounded by friends. Under $12

2007 The Crusher Chardonnay, Clarksburg, California. Just because you feel like white wine doesn’t mean you can’t tailgate too. Pale golden in color this white is rich with vanilla bean and custard notes, layered with tangerine and pear aromas. The palate is rich and textured with tropical notes of coconut, guava and papaya. To round things out it finishes with crisp red delicious apple and baked apple pie flavors. The Crusher is full and creamy with a backbone tough enough to handle the hearty foods you encounter while tailgating without sacrificing the delicate flavors you crave. Under $15.

Wines that Age with Marriage Sampler – Now, 1, 5, & 10 Years

The wedding is over and you have many wonderful years ahead. For the wine lover there’s no greater way to celebrate those milestones than to uncork a special bottle of wine. For those worthy occasions pick the wine that would be well suited for that special moment.

Now: When you return from your honeymoon, enjoying a treasure to toast your future together is a perfect way to wrap up a romantic getaway and nothing says romance like sweets for your sweet. The Trentadue Chocolate Amore, Alexander Valley, California is sheer decadence with molten chocolate cake a la mode. This unique dessert wine is a Merlot based, Port-style wine inspired by the delicious Ports of Portugal. Infused with natural chocolate extract it’s a dessert itself. (Under $25)

1 Year: When one year has passed, celebrating with bubbly is without a doubt the right
way to go. Schramsburg Blanc de Blancs. Made in California, this bubbly is made in the “Méthode Champenoise” meaning that it is made the same way bubbly is made in Champagne, France but without the high cost that usually comes along with that distinction. Made from Chardonnay it is dry with light nutty, fruity notes. Perfect for your, this bottle is under $50.

5 Years: Your fifth is your “Wood Anniversary.” While this may not immediately seem glamorous, we take this as an invitation to recommend a lovely oaked red blend to enjoy on your fifth anniversary. The 2006 Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank, Napa Valley, California will easily stand the test of time and be lovely in 5 years. Classic and made from Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this red is rich and lush with great blackberry, coffee and plum flavors. This bottle is under $65.

10 Years: By your tenth anniversary you deserve to enjoy a bottle that has been aged to perfection much like your marriage has been. Toast to 10 more years with a bottle of 2005 Chateau Certan de May, Pomerol, France. Splurge is what we say here to this wine that scored 92 points out of 100. This treasure from the Pomerol region of Bordeaux is powerful, yet extremely balanced. Just like your marriage, this wine will only get better with time. This bottle is under $150.

The Savory Grape Happenings

Banfi Harvest Wine Dinner. We are pleased to present, with Siena Cucina EG, a Harvest Wine Dinner with Castello Banfi & Banfi Vintners on Tuesday, October 13. The five-course evening will begin with an opening reception at 6:45 PM and dinner commencing at 7:30 PM. Please click here for the evening's menu. Tickets, $85 including tax and gratuity, must be purchased to attend, and tickets, once purchased, are nonrefundable. We hope you can join us for this great night. To purchase tickets, please call TSG at 886-9463 or Siena at 885-8850.

Savory Grape Fall Charity Wine Festival. Roughly 20 tickets remain for The Savory Grape Fall Wine Festival on Sat., November 7, 6-9 PM at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. Monies from the Festival will be donated to the RI Community Food Bank. Tickets are $50 per person ($45 for active wine club members.) Auction packages will go online next week. For more information on the Festival, click here or visit TSG's News & Events page. To purchase tickets online, click here or contact The Savory Grape, 886-9463. If you are unable to attend but would like to make a contribution, you can do so securely online at RICFB. We look forward to a great evening!

Wine Harvest

As we welcome Fall, one of the most fun activities occurs this time of year - Wine Harvest. This is when vineyard folk pick their grapes. August through October marks prime time for harvest in Europe and North America. Harvesting is the first step that our favorite grapes make on their way to the bottle, and it's usually the busiest for vineyards.

If you're considering visiting Wine Country in the US or abroad, this is a great time to engage in the picking and "stomping" of grapes. (If you dislike crowds this isn't the time to go!) If it's too late for you to make it this harvest, check the local vineyards to see what activities they might have planned. It's a grand time to "Stomp" and get your feet wet with "the juice."

The Savory Grape Reopens At New Location!

Greetings!

As Sabrina, Pat, Nino and I continue to run around putting finishing touches on The Savory Grape 2.0 at 1000 Division St., we will officially open the doors at 4 PM on Wednesday, September 30. We hope you will pardon any "incomplete" appearances and stop by the new location.

As we settle in over the next couple weeks, we will hold a Grand Reopening Celebration for the weekend of October 16th. So stay tuned for more details. If you can't make it in soon, you can get a glimpse of the new shop by visiting the web site of client and photographer David Dadekian who blogged about us today. Click here to see some of the pictures from David.

We also will hold our regular tastings this weekend on Friday, 5-8 PM, and Saturday, 3-7 PM.