Bacchus in Berlin is a journey into the heart of Berlin’s dynamic and eclectic wine culture, where old-world traditions meet cutting-edge innovation. This series explores how Germany’s capital, long celebrated for its beer and bohemian charm, has blossomed into a vibrant hub for wine lovers. From Riesling to rosé, Spätburgunder to sparkling Sekt, Berlin’s wine […]
Giving the Gift of Wine | Holiday Gift Guide 2021
IN VINO VERITAS by Jonathon AlsopNovember 22, 2021 Unlike the rest of the year, I try to be practical with wine gifts around the holidays. Does the full-grown wine lover in your life really want to walk around in a T-shirt that says “Crush me, squeeze me, make me wine”? And I already have a […]
Southern Star Malbec: New world fruit, old world style
By Jonathon Alsop BOSTON, MA — Inventive holidays like International Malbec Day give us the chance to look deep into the many Malbec based wines we teach with in wine class. Alma Andina – Soul of the Andes – hits the Boston Wine School trifecta: we use it in “Come To Cheeses” with Manchego, “Grape Expectations” […]
Pinot To The People
By Jonathon Alsop BOSTON, MA — California makes more Pinot Noir than it grows, not by importing out-of-state wine, but by blending in other grapes. Technically, US wine only has to be 75% one grape type to be named for that grape on the label. In theory, your favorite bottle could be pure Pinot, or […]
Zinfandel Dreams
By Jonathon Alsop BOSTON, MA — Our “Signature Grapes” tasting class really gets fundamental by tasting the connection between certain wines and the places around the world they’ve made famous – and vice versa. Zinfandel fills this role in California wine. Cabernet and Chardonnay may be just as famous, but you only get this kind of […]
Blending For Power Wine
By Jonathon Alsop BOSTON, MA — This is one of those wines that really sets your expectations before you even get into the bottle. First of all, the richly artistic label – evocative and powerful on its own – promises a powerful wine experience. And then the blend – Cabernet Sauvignon plus Zinfandel – is […]
Magical Merlot: Off the beaten path in Castillon
By Jonathon Alsop BOSTON, MA — This Wine Club Selection comes right out of our Burgers And Bordeaux class. Our curriculum always focuses on the delicious, and this Merlot-heavy blend really teaches us what Merlot means in Bordeaux. As always, every Wine School Selection is a wine we teach with and you taste in class. […]