You may have noticed a new weekly email in your inbox from The Urban Grape. Although so many of you follow us on Facebook and Twitter, there are still lots of people who miss out on our weekly wine deals because they aren’t on those social media sites. TJ and I decided that once a week we would send out an email that features our two Tuesday Tweets and one “Spotlight” wine. This is a very special wine that TJ personally picks and we offer it an amazing discount for a day or two. These Spotlight emails will come to you every Tuesday, and on the first Tuesday of every month you will get our Newsletter, just like we’ve done since we opened the store.

The only sad news in this plan is that I’ve had to pull the recipe and wine pairing section of the newsletter to make room for the Spotlight wines. As an avid home cook, the recipe pairing was always my favorite part of the newsletter. As a compromise, TJ suggested I spend more time on the blog featuring recipes and wine pairings. It’s a great idea, of course. When I was posting our family recipes in the run up to Thanksgiving, I received so much positive feedback from you all. I mean, my mother’s gravy recipe has taken on near cult-like status. In that spirit, here is new recipe we tried last night that became an instant family heirloom!

Ever since the latest issue of Bon Appetit came through our door, I’ve been staring at this picture and salivating. The name of the recipe doesn’t help to quell my craving – Rigatoni with Eggplant and Pine Nut Crunch. The recipe itself is on-line here, but I’ve posted a few photos and  a wine pairing just to give you even more incentive to try this recipe!

To start, I chopped up eggplant, yellow peppers and grape tomatoes and drizzled them with garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. The recipe says to roast them at 425 for 45 minutes, but mine were done much faster.

When I first read the recipe, my inclination was to forego making the pine nut crunch and just use pesto. I am so glad I didn’t. You mix basil, parm, pine nuts, garlic and salt in a mini blender and it makes this amazing paste. I couldn’t believe how leaving out the olive oil turned it from a traditional pesto into a basil explosion. Crunchy, pleasantly salty, and overwhelming basil-y, it was all I could do not to just sit and eat the whole thing.

The next step I don’t have a photo of because it wasn’t really all that gorgeous, but it can only be described as heavenly goodness. You blend a full can of stewed tomatoes with a cup of whipping cream (oh, just do it!), garlic and basil. Again, the spoon had to be forcefully pried from my hand.

After you’ve mixed your cooked rigatoni with the tomato puree, some more parm and the roasted veggies, you sprinkle it with the basil/pine nut crunch and cubes of mozzarella. If you’re like me you put it in a pig ceramic dish instead of a Pyrex.

This is what you’re left with at the end. And this is where I feel badly for you, because I have leftovers in my fridge and you just have to stare at that picture.

We paired it with the 2001 Umani Ronchi Pelago. As we were sipping on this wine before dinner it was a little overwhelmingly licorice tasting to me, and we weren’t sure how it would be with the casserole. But never fear, wine pairing guru TJ did it again. Once we started eating the wine showed beautifully, standing up to all the flavors in the dish and adding an interesting flavor profile to the whole experience.

We don’t sell the Pelago at UG, but TJ also thinks our 2007 Siro Pacenti Rosso di Montelcino would go wonderfully with the meal. I’m probably going to make this once a month for the rest of our lives, so we’ll have the chance to find out soon! We sell it at UG for $30.

Enjoy!

As I sit inside on this snowy day, it finally feels like the holiday dust has settled. I’ve actually gotten the song “Tony the Turkey” out of my head, the Christmas wreaths are down, we’ve rung in the New Year, and properly celebrated our undying love over a candlelit Valentine’s Day dinner. All we have to do now is hang on until spring. March is just around the corner, and although we know we will get walloped with another storm or two, there is some comfort in knowing that we’re in the home stretch.

The November to February stretch is also significant for the sheer number of wedding proposals that happen during that time. I know it happened for me in December of 2003. I must have driven TJ insane as I puttered around the house getting ready for a celebratory Christmas dinner at Union Bar and Grill with my parents and some good family friends. He was pestering me endlessly to get ready early so we could take some photos next to our Christmas tree. I didn’t see what the big rush was, or notice how nervous he was as he showed me the new ornament that his mom had sent as an early Christmas gift. My exact thought as I looked at it was, “Wow…the top of that ornament is EXACTLY what I want my engagement ring to look like…wait…that is an engagement ring…wait…what is happening…wait…why is the entire room tilting on its axis right now?” I know that TJ got down on one knee and I know that he said some incredibly touching things to me, but I don’t remember them and maybe never even heard them. I lost all my sensory powers for at least five minutes. We celebrated the engagement with a Perrier Jouet Rose Flower Bottle.

A new trend that we’ve been seeing in recently engaged couples is that they are foregoing the traditional registry items and are instead asking for funkier things like help in building their wine cellars. I think there are two reasons for this. The first is that many people are getting married a little bit older these days and a lot of couples already have a Cuisinart or blender and don’t need to ask for these as gifts. The second is that many other couples are getting into wine at a younger age, and are making it a real part of their relationship. So young or old, wine registries are making a lot of sense.

We have done a few wine registries at The Urban Grape since we opened and have loved the experience. The couple comes in, works with TJ to build their ideal wine cellar consisting of every day bottles, special occasion bottles and bottles to lay down. TJ firmly believes in a good mix of wine, because you don’t want to peruse your wine collection on a Tuesday night and see only bottles that you shouldn’t drink for ten years.

The list is posted on a password protected page of our website that can be viewed by the wedding guests. The guests then call or email us at the store and reserve and pay for their bottles. If a guest doesn’t know what to purchase, our staff works with them personally to make sure that the couple’s collection is well-rounded. Some people want to buy one really special bottle, others want to spend the same amount on a mixed case. Either way, we make it work. A label is then printed for each bottle that contains the gift giver’s name and their special message for the bride and groom. When all is said and done, our registrants have seven or eight cases of wine delivered to their door after they return from their honeymoon.

After my bridal shower, TJ came home to find me lying in bed, exhausted, surround by all our gifts. Giddily, we opened each gift again and marveled at everyone’s generosity. I love to picture our happy couples returning home from their honeymoon and looking through their cases…feeling the weight of each bottle, reading the notes on the back of each one, and picturing how together their lives will unfold one glass of wine at a time.

If you know of a recently engaged couple (or are part of one yourself!), please contact us to see how easy it is to register for the perfect wine collection!

**The photo above was taken by Joe Mikos on the day of our wedding. It makes me smile every time I see it!

The past few weeks of events at The Urban Grape have really been more like parties. If our mission was to open a store that creates community, memories and joy through the experience of wine, then it seems like our business model is really falling into place. We’re continually amazed at how many of you turn our for our events and that you have made stopping by The Urban Grape a real part of your itinerary. We’ll keep up the parties, you keep on stopping by!

If you haven’t made it to one of our recent events, there are lots more coming up and you can check out the schedule here. And don’t forget, even if there are no scheduled events, we always have tastings Thursdays and Fridays from 5-8 and Saturdays from 2-5. In the meantime, here are a few photos of the fun we’ve been having.

Anya from Pretty Things poured a selection of tasty brews at our Superbowl Party

What happens when you sample Travessia's Vidal Blanc to over 100 people? You decimate your inventory, that's what happens!

Locally made Fastachi Nuts

Locally made To Die for Dips - perfect for the big game!

Get this man a publicist - English Bill always ready for the camera...

Chilling with Gregg Daniels...I'm pretty sure he offered me a radio job by the end of the night.

Amazing rum creations

The rum behind it all - Brugal Anejo

Love was in the air during our Valentine's Day Party featuring Vianne Chocolat

The Vianne Chocolat spread, and in the back a gorgeous arrangement from Ilex Flowers

Our upcoming event with Brugal Rum has given me the chance to learn more about Rum, a beverage that I really have not visited much outside of the always popular Mojito. I am definitely not a “Maestros Roneros” but here is what I can piece together so far…

The current productions standards of the most popular rums are a hotly contested subject. Apparently, the most popular rums in the US are not made in the “traditional manner,” and the Dominican Republic has been leading an effort to have their rums (which ARE made traditionally) protected by the DOP, much as Champagne and Port are currently protected.

Brugal Rum is the Caribbean’s number 1 selling rum, to the point that it is almost a national obsession for the people of the Dominican Republic. It is the only rum produced by a large distillery that is made from molasses in the same manner that it’s been being prepared since 1793. There is even thought that rum dates back to just after the time of Christopher Columbus, when Caribbean colonists were the first to distill the juice from sugar cane.

So how is traditional rum made? Sugar cane is produced into molasses. The molasses is then diluted with water and left to ferment for 24 to 48 hours (using yeasts). The fermented juice is then sent to be distilled, where it is heated to temperatures that allow for vaporization. Brugal Rum is distilled two or more times, resulting in a smoother, more refined product. The liquid is then sealed into oak barrels and left to age.

Brugal’s Blanco Rum is the least aged of the rums, at only one to two years. The Anejo Rum is aged for five years. Brugal ages rum for up to 30 years, to produce a sipping rum more akin to an aged scotch or tequila. The Brugal family still produces all aspects of the rum, and boasts five generations of maestros roneros, or “master rum makers.”

Other rums, which are not considered to be made in the traditional manner, may be made directly from the sugar cane juice, or may be distilled less often. Basically, what I’m trying to say is…Captain Morgan and Bacardi may be the best selling rums in the US, but their methods are not entirely traditional, and that difference can be tasted in the Brugal rum.

Although Brugal was recently bought by the Edrington Group, I was thrilled to learn that its production is still overseen by the Brugal family. It makes me even more excited to see what English Bill mixes up for us tomorrow night! I feel like a rum obsession might be brewing, just in time for the warmer weather!

This guy right here:

And this guy right here:

Go way, way back.

Now, anyone on the bar scene in Boston knows that the first guy is Bill Codman, bartender and self-promoter extraordinaire. The second guy is obviously TJ. What not too many people know is that right around the time TJ and I first met and had our ultra-romantic kiss on Newbury Street, “English Bill” and “Chocolate Thunder” were tearing up the Boston social scene with a few other local bad boys. Remember how I said in my last blog that TJ and I didn’t date for a while because he was taking care of some unfinished business? Well, English Bill could usually be found by TJ’s side during this time…wearing his English devil horns, I’m sure!

In addition to getting into trouble with each other on a nightly basis, TJ and Bill were also roommates when we first started dating. I think it’s fair to say that my arrival put a severe damper on their bro-mance. TJ and I got serious quickly, and the end to their trouble-making days was written on the wall. Over the years, they’ve stayed in touch and supportive of each other’s careers. We’ve had the pleasure of watching Bill use that English charm to rise to the top of the Boston bartending heap. After stints at restaurants like Gaslight and Sel de la Terre, Bill is now the anchor of Woodward at The Ames Hotel. He’s often seen on the morning news mixing up drinks for special occassions and recently competed on a reality tv show called “On the Rocks.” Through it all, he maintains his accent with grace and humor.

This Thursday night from 6:30-9, English Bill and Chocolate Thunder will be reunited once again at The Urban Grape, to the benefit of any who choose to come watch the show they are sure to put on. Bill will be mixing drinks using Brugal Rum, the Caribbean’s #1 rum that is taking Boston by storm. We carry both their Blanco Especial and Anejo, and if tasting it in the cocktails isn’t enough for you, you will also be able to sample it in cupcakes made by Kickass Cupcakes. Catherine Stanton Schiff, the city’s own Wine Diva turned Rum Diva, will also be on hand with giveaways and other fun surprises. Not enough fun under one roof? Let’s add Greg Daniels from Mix 104.1, who will be in house with music, prizes and the Mix 104.1 Street Team.

The weather on Thursday is supposed to be a relatively balmy 50 degrees. Stop by The Urban Grape to sample some sunshine in a cup, some rum by way of England…

The number one question I get asked has nothing to do with wine. It’s “How did you and TJ meet?”

The number two question is, “What is it like working with your husband?”

I get asked that second question so often, in fact, that my sister-in-law is urging me to start a little side project about the subject. Intriguing, to be sure, but I’m juggling so much right now – wife, mother and business partner  - that I don’t have much time for interesting new projects! But at a later date I’ll definitely get into what it is like to own a business with your husband and how it is that TJ and I are able to make it work. For now, the story of how we met, once and for all.

I remember many a Valentine’s Day when I felt so down that I was not dating someone interesting, or often anyone at all. February 14 can be a tough holiday when you’re single, and the memories from those lonelier years often tinge how I feel about the holiday now. Yes, I like to have a romantic dinner with TJ or hear the doorbell ring and know that a gorgeous bouquet of flowers is just on the other side of the door, but I can’t help but remember the terrible stress I felt each year as this day approached.

In the early months of 2001, my friend Emily and I were planning a fundraising event at Vox Populi for a local non-profit. We had settled on Vox as our venue and had a committee meeting there in February to finalize the details. After the meeting I rushed home to spend some time with a guy I was dating…after all, Valentine’s Day was approaching and I wanted to ensure that I would have a Valentine! In those days, the fact that I didn’t really like him wasn’t all that important. Later that evening Emily called me on the phone and said, “You should have stayed for dinner after the meeting. You’re going to marry the guy that waited on us.” That guy was TJ.

I thought nothing of our conversation until Marathon Monday in April of that same year. I met my friends Lisa and Colleen for a day of drinking and we decided to head to Vox. The bar was hopping when we got there (it was probably all of 10 AM!) and we squeezed our way into the downstairs bar. It was a warm day and the patio doors were open. There, surrounded by people trying to place their drink orders, was TJ. I picked up my cell phone, called Emily and left her the following message, “I’m at Vox. You’re right. I’m going to marry him.”

The knowledge that I was in the presence of my future husband combined with a need to down drinks with the rest of the crowd led to a less than favorable impression of me on TJ’s part. I think he thought I was a loud-mouth, although he will never really answer that question directly. But I knew that I had made a fool of myself, and I went back to Vox a week later to apologize to him for being less than lady-like. I stayed for dinner with a friend and by the end of dinner he had agreed to work the door at our fundraising event a few weeks later.

The night of the fundraiser, TJ showed up late…early enough to help me set up the Gerber Daisies on the bar, but late enough to give me a heart attack that I would never see him again. He worked the door, and even my dad later admitted that he knew that TJ and I would end up together after meeting him that night. After the event we all went out for drinks and TJ gave me a kiss on Newbury Street. There is one picture of the night – it’s me, being carried in TJ’s arms because my shoes hurt, holding a bouquet of flowers with my pashmina over my head. Everyone who sees it says it looks like we just got married.

It took a few months for us to start dating…we both had some unfinished business to attend to. But on July 30th, his birthday, he left me a message that said he was thinking back over his past year and he’d done everything right except that he hadn’t taken me seriously, and would I meet him for a drink the next night? And I did meet him for drinks on July 31, 2001 and we’ve been together almost every day since. I called him my “Summer Boyfriend” but I knew he was the one. I had been waiting for TJ my entire life, and he’d been waiting for me.

I knew that our journey would involve love, marriage, kids and a good partnership, but I never imagined we’d be doing what we’re doing now with The Urban Grape. But I’m happy fate brought us together ten years ago and I look forward to everything that lies ahead as long as he’s by my side. Happy Valentine’s Day, TJ!

This weather has me wanting to build an igloo and curl up until spring! The back alley off of which we park is a rutted, slushy, frozen mess. Even when we can get our cars down the alley and out to the street half the time there is another stuck car blocking the way. I’ve ditched the stroller until further notice. If the kids can’t walk where we are going, then we just don’t go. With more snow on the way for Saturday I can empathize if you want to stay home and watch re-runs of Jersey Shore or a marathon of the Rocky movies. But here are a few reasons to join us this weekend and turn our collective snowbound adventure into a fun staycation…

Tonight, 5-8: Join Whole Foods Brighton and The Urban Grape as we present three delicious wine and cheese pairings. The cheeses are all locally made, and the wines are all sure to make you forget about the three wipeouts you had on your way to work this morning.

Friday, 5-8: Our weekly distributor tastings start back up with Cody Bradford from the Trio Wine Company who will be pouring Washington Hills Late Harvest Riesling, Fulcrum “On Point” Pinot Noir, 2 Copas Tempranillo/Malbec, and Pendulum Red Blend.

Saturday, 2-5: It’s our (Local) Road to the Superbowl Party! We always emphasize that our store is about creating memories, joy and community through the experience of wine. This event is definitely one of those instances. A pictoral sampling of what will be offered at this event:

Pretty Things Beer

Travessia Wine

Effie’s Oatcakes

Shy Brother’s Farm Hannahbells Cheese

To Die for Dips

Fastachi Nuts

What do all these things have in common? They are all local! If it’s snowing, this party is still on. We have plowed parking and plenty of room for all. Stop by, warm up, grab some wine, beer and snacks at UG and then finish your storm shopping at the Star Market next door.

Sunday, 2-5: Beer Guy Noah will be pouring his beer picks for the big game. It’s been a while since Noah has done a beer tasting at the store, so if you’ve been missing him make sure to stop by!

Monday, 6-8: Join us at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for a tasting of the Ehlers Estate portfolio paired with delicious appetizers. Tickets are $30 and can be reserved by emailing Ari at abailikamien@mohg.com.

Tuesday looks like it will be bringing more snow…but at least you’ll have five days of wine memories to see you through another round of snow days!

I have two quick thoughts today and they are both related to Chappy Douglas, our awesome Golden Retriever.

As if it’s not torture enough living through all this snow, rain and sleet, I can’t help thinking about what is going to happen once everything starts to melt. We are going to have a true Vermont mud season on our hands this spring. Which reminded me of this picture of Chappy that we took after a hike out in Lincoln a few springs ago…

He had been swimming in a mud puddle, almost got sucked in and drowned, and then came out and shook mud all over us. We had to wash him in the freezing cold with a hose once we got home. Through it all, he had an ear to ear grin. The dog adores mud.

As you may have read in one of last week’s blogs, Chappy has been having seizures (he had another on Friday) and we are in the midst of figuring out what’s going on with him. To that end, this morning I spent an hour at Angell Memorial with Chappy and a neurologist while he got a full neurological screening.

The doctor was running down the list of reasons why he might be having the seizures, “Blah, blah, blah, encephalitis, blah, blah, blah, hypoglycemia, blah, blah, blah.” I sat quietly, thinking to myself, “When he’s done with the list I need to tell him that we have a history of hypoglycemia in my family. I forgot to mention that…”

It wasn’t until I was back in the car that I realized I had forgotten to mention that my family has a lot of hypoglycemics. And, THANK GOD I forgot. Because it wasn’t until I got home that I realized that Chappy and I don’t actually share any genetic material, being that he is my DOG and not an actual child of mine. Can you imagine how embarrassing that would have been if I had actually said something?

I think people must make that mistake all the time, don’t you? Or am I the only crazy one?

Today at the store – a snow day deal for all of our loyal customers. You’ll receive a $10 gift card for every $100 you spend at the store. But it’s only good on this snow day!

And don’t forget to join us tomorrow night when our regular tasting will be complimented by three local cheeses from Whole Foods Brighton.

Noah’s last day of school before his Christmas vacation was on December 14th. In the ensuing six weeks – between stomach bugs, ear infections, endless snow days, and a trip to Mexico – he has barely been in school. For some reason almost every illness or snow day has combined with an emergency of another sort – babysitter with pink eye, an asthma attack for Jason, sick dog – and all of this has added up to mean that time to work has been slim. Very slim.

Last Wednesday morning we had our first official staff meeting of 2011. The agenda was over 50% mine (Events, PR, etc.) and I was excited to get back into the store and in front of the staff and to feel like a real live member of The Urban Grape. But it was not to be. A variety of issues combined to keep me home, tending the flock. “Hads,” TJ said as he was walking out the door, “it’s like you are the 5th Beatle…”

That stung, it really did, and launched me into a funk for the entire day. I’m always two steps behind and buried under my To-Do List. And on top of that, I’m the Beatle that no one can name. Just the woman behind the Twitter account.

So the end of last week can only be described as a shot in the arm for me. I was able to make it to two spectacular events and work side by side with TJ at our Quintessa Wine Dinner at The Capital Grille and the Beyond Bubbie’s Kitchen event at the Moakley Courthouse.

TJ, Quintessa winemaker Charles Thomas, and guests

The Capital Grille dinner was incredible. Charles Thomas, the man behind the label, was “released” from the Vineyard to give us the behind the scene scoop on the making of the Huneeus Vintners portfolio. The wines showed amazingly well and the special tasting menu prepared by The Capital Grille was spot on. I was nervous when I saw that they were pairing the Quintessa with a sesame crusted tuna, but the pairing was incredible…the absolute hit pairing of the night.

A glass of the Illumination Sauvignon Blanc

Surprisingly, however, the wine that everyone enjoyed the most was the Illumination Sauvignon Blanc. I’m not one to really take the time to smell a wine before I try it, but with this wine it couldn’t be helped. The nose came jumping out of the glass and was a beautiful reminder that the snow will someday melt and spring will be here. I even snuck a small second pour!

Enjoying the Quintessa Dinner

Charles Thomas was such a down to earth, sweet man. Everyone was charmed by him and he took individual time with each person at the dinner. Everyone was completely impressed by the depth of his knowledge. His warmth and graciousness, combined with the cozy seating, turned our group into one big happy family for the evening. I can honestly say that new friendships were formed and a fantastic time was had by all. (Our next wine dinner – a Barolo tasting from Vias Imports – is on March 3rd, and tickets are going fast! Book yours by calling Liz at The Capital Grille, 617.928.1400)

Kosher Cava from Spain and Viognier from Israel

On Sunday night we headed to the Beyond Bubbie’s Kitchen event at which we were hosting a Kosher Wine tasting table. Marty Siegmeister, an importer of Kosher wines from New York, was on hand to help us pour and also brought two wines that have never been offered in the state before (but are now on our shelves!). Doing a Kosher wine tasting at Beyond Bubbie’s Kitchen felt exactly right. The attendees were primarily comprised of young Jewish professionals, and the food being served was all re-imagined traditional Jewish fare.

The rest of the line-up, including a new Kosher Australian Shiraz and a Cask Strength Kosher Scotch

Everyone seemed fascinated to learn how far Kosher wine has come in the past decade. It is made all over the world and to the highest quality and standards. The time has come for everyone to explore Kosher wine as just plain good WINE! Much as organic wine has lost its stigma, the same is happening for Kosher wine.

Marty and TJ doing their thing!

Marty was telling me how some wines in Israel are made with cooperative agreements between Jews and Arabs and should be celebrated for the fact that the region is working together to produce wine in some of the most contentious areas of Israel. This is definitely something we will be trying to learn more about and hope to feature for all of you in 2011.

Not a bad view - Russell House Tavern's Table and the Boston Harbor beyond

Today is the first snow day to land on one of TJ’s days off from work. Here I sit in my office working on my to do list while he is snuggled under blankets with the boys watching movies and eating popcorn. He’s reminding me that being the 5th Beatle isn’t such a bad job after all. Enjoy the snow…spring is almost here! I hope!