12 Days of Wine Tastings and Other Fun Things

Written by on in General Wine

On the first day of Christmas my true love said to me ….Well, we know how that turns out and it’s memorable.

‘Tis the season for joyous spirits, most appreciatively for wine, whiskey and scotch. Events are popping up all the time and here are a few that have come across my desk.

1. Andover Liquors in the Shawsheen Plaza on Route 28 will be holding a Holiday Wine Tasting with John Grange from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1. If you have champagne tastes, this is the place for you. Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne will be the featured treat. Andrea DiFiore, the store’s most capable manager and wine expert, also says a “knockout Chardonnay” will be served along with some nice holiday reds. Give it a shot!

2. Tutto Bene Wine & Cheese Cellar on Prescott Street in downtown Lowell will hold its Holliday Kick-off Wine Tasting on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 1-4 p.m. Join Mike Provencher of Horizon Wines for a sampling of wines that can be paired with brunch or dinner, as well as some sweeter wines for after dinner. Tastings are free.

Tutto Bene has also scheduled a Wednesday, Dec. 12 Open House and Wine Tasting from 6-7:30 p.m. and will repeat it on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 1-4 p.m. Once again the tastings are free.

On Wednesday, Dec. 19, from 6-8 p.m. Tutto Bene will be hosting a Port Wine Seminar led by Paul Doble of Grape Moments who has 30 years of wine and travel experience. This is a ticketed event, costing $30 per person. Seven port wines will be sampled. If you are a port lover, you don’t want to miss this event. If you’ve never tried port before, here’s your chance to discover great fortified wines that ruled the world of kings and queens for centuries and are now superbly produced in France, Spain, and Portugal. Let your palate be your guide and start the fireplace. Port is perfection in my book!

3. On Friday, Dec. 7 Stonehedge Inn & Spa in Tyngsboro is featuring a special 5-course Glemorangie Scotch Dinner beginning at 7:30 p.m. Wow! Frank Girard will be hosting the dinner in which several spectacular Glenmorangie selections will be dancing across the table linen for you personal tasting. The cost is $95 per person. Those who wish to stay overnight will receive a special room rate of $185. Executive chef Florent Boutet will oversee the 5-course meal preparating, highlighted by roasted venison loin with smoked apple and braised red cabbage pie, and huckleberry sauce. Glenmorange Quinta Rubin will be paired with this dish. For reservations call 978-649-4400.