We love the people at online wine magazine, The Second Glass and really love their bi-annual wine expo, The Wine Riot! This spring’s edition takes place this weekend at Boston’s Center for the Arts in the South End.

Here’s a little more info from thewineriot.com:

Wine Riot is Second Glass’s expo-style wine tasting, hitting Boston April 16th and 17th 2010. Swirl, sniff and sip over 250 new baller wines from all over the globe, soak up knowledge from the experts at Crash Course Wine Seminars, conquer the Riot strategically with help from the Wine Intelligence Unit, and grab tasty food pairings under $5 from the hottest local restaurants. Throw in a DJ, photo booth, lounge, and more – this isn’t your parents’ wine tasting.

And of course, check out our segment on last April’s Wine Riot…

Wine, food, awesome people…what more in life can one ask for??

Bottle Shock is a movie based on the true story of a small winery in Napa Valley that challenged the notion of  French wine superiority in the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris blind (labels unseen) wine tasting.

The plot centers around a struggling winery named Chateau Montelena that is run by Jim Barrett, a former corporate attorney, and his lackadaisical, long haired son, Bo. The winery is visited by a Paris wine store owner named Steven Spurrier who has planned to create a blind taste test of wines from California and France as Californian wines have been heralded in the U.S. but scoffed at by European (particularly French) wine experts. The idea is excitedly welcomed by many winemakers in Napa Valley but resisted by Barrett who views Spurrier as trying to humiliate U.S. winemakers in the midst of the bicentennial.

The film stars a trio of actors most famous for their roles in action movies with Bill Pullman (Independance Day) and Chris Pine (Star Trek) as Jim and Bo Barrett and Alan Rickman (Die Hard) as Steven Spurrier. A curious first glance at the casting is justifed as Pullman and Pine lack a sense of beliveablilty as the winemakers they portray and certainly lack deft comedic timing in a script with several humorous turns. Rickman, however, is marvelous as Spurrier. With immaculate restraint, he presents a character of quiet hilarity. When Jim Barrett asks Spurrier, “Why do I hate you?” he deadpans, “Because you think I’m an asshole. Actually, I’m not an asshole. It’s just that I’m British, and, well … you’re not.”

As for the filmmaking itself, director Randall Miller, who co-wrote the script with his wife Jody Savin, does well at portraying Napa Valley as the grassroots nest for New World wine. He presents several of the area’s winemakers as humble farmers who are gifted, deeply passionate and long skilled at their craft. Complimenting is the movie’s fantastic cinematography with wide shots of a vast and breathtaking Napa Valley sure to please vineyard enthusiasts and the average moviegoer alike.

It may be unfortunate that movies about wine will forever be compared to “Sideways” and even though most if not all will come up short sizing up against such a classic film, a comparison is inevitable and hard to resist. That being said, Bottle Shock is an entertaining and fun watch especially considering Rickman’s turn as Spurrier. One thing though – it would behoove the viewer to sip on some good Napa Valley Chardonnay while viewing the film…it will certainly enhance your appreciation of both the wine and movie. - RL

(BTW: The actual definition of “bottle shock” is when wine adopts strange and disordered flavors that result in a weaker fruit taste and a higher presence of alcohol. The condition usually occurs when wine is transported and is subjected to constant shaking.)

Stone Brewery, Escondido, California. 7.7% ABV. 100+ International Bitterness Units (IBUs).

Stone Brewery’s Ruination IPA is ‘So called because of the immediate ruinous effect on your palate’, the back of the bottle reads, and it’s not kidding. This overpowering India Pale Ale (IPA) renders a Sam Adams or Sierra Nevada bland (not to mention what it does to a Coors Light), making mass-marketed competitors taste like little more than beer-flavored water; the intensity of Ruination’s flavor saps the taste of any other food or drink you consume along with it. ‘Ruination’ doesn’t sound like a friendly beer, and it isn’t: the bottle embraces a beer-snob attitude, with comments like, ‘If you are not already a confirmed hop head…then this is NOT the place to start, for it will bring you nothing but shock’. Good thing the delicious flavor and gorgeous golden color compensate for the insult-laden packaging.

Weighing in at a respectable 7.7% alcohol by volume (ABV), Ruination’s cloudy appearance can be attributed to the large amount of hops used during the brewing process. The yeast fogs up the glass too; at the bottom of each 22 oz. bottle, you will detect a far murkier body than seen at the top, as the yeast tends to settle, rendering the end of the beer quite heavy (it is recommended that the last few sips of any hoppy brew be discarded, as no one wants a mouthful of yeast). In fact, not only does Ruination’s taste and weight differ within each bottle, but between bottles. Two of these IPAs opened next to each other often reveal that one has significantly more yeast than its neighbor, demonstrating the impossibility of finding two identical bottles of a craft beer. Each can of Budweiser tastes the same, smells the same, looks the same, but expect no such consistency from independent or small-scale brewers. This can be charming or irritating, depending upon your point of view.

Ruination’s golden color reveals that it is an ale, which is mid-range on the scale of light to dark – you’re not in for a light yellow pilsner, not in for a dark stout, but something in between. The taste, as mentioned before, is strong. It has a rich, ever-so-slightly sweet flavor, yet is bitter from the overload of hops. Please don’t write this beer off at the mention of bitter! While such a word generally holds a negative connotation – who wants to eat bitter pizza or spend time with a bitter friend? – in beer, it’s heaven. Though admittedly an acquired taste, once acquired, there’s nothing better. Most IPAs showcase their bitterness on the back of your tongue and linger after you’ve swallowed, and Ruination is no exception. Let a few seconds tick by before passing judgment; as with any good beer, the long finish highlights Ruination’s excellent quality.

Overall, an excellent brew, but perhaps not the best stepping-stone for beer drinkers looking to move on from college days of Bud Light beer pong games. Ruination’s intensity may be best suited for those who enjoy IPA’s like Harpoon. Pairs best with strong, spicy foods. - Diana Kerney

Lagunitas’ Little Sumpin’ Extra is certainly a beer that lives up to its name.  The super hoppy aroma and intense, foamy head announces before you even taste it that this in no ordinary beer.  This is a true a hop-head’s ale, with an almost piny taste.  It’s one of those mighty pale ales that somehow makes your mouth dry even as it quenches your thirst!  All in all, Little Sumpin’ Extra is another outstanding brew from an extremely reliable company.  It was released in a limited batch this September, so if you can still find it, grab it! - Sam Tymorek

A Saison/Farmhouse Ale, this is one of the best reviewed and revered beers of the last year. With its hazy golden orange color, fluffy white – and yet pristine – head and champagne like citrus and pepper flavor notes, Pretty Things’ Jack D’Or is a beer that you long for, but rarely find. A classic for all people. - RL

Just a quick note about a similar event that we covered in spring…

The Fall Wine Fest sponsored by Boston Event Guide is taking place THIS Saturday and promises to be another fantastic evening. Guests will be able to taste 10 distinct wines of the world and enjoy delicious paired food samples from their respective regions.

For more on the Fall Wine Fest, check out the information page at http://www.bostoneventguide.com/events/fwf.htm – complete with French Oak's great segment on the same event in the spring. Great wine, good times and fun people – what more can you ask for?

In the cellar of Cambridge Brewing Company in Kendall Square, you’ll find an abundance of barrels filled with delicious and innovative craft beers creatively designed by the brewpub's head brewer, Will Meyers. Will has been with CBC for 16 years now, and has over 20 years of experience in the brewing industry. In our tour of the brewpub and its unique cellar, Will shared with us his extensive and profound knowledge of craft beers bringing us into his world of hops, malts, and innovative flavors.

We had the privilege of sampling three of CBC's most interesting and popular different brews – the Regatta Golden Ale, the cleverly branded Spring Training Ale and the Cambridge Amber. Along with the tasting, Will provided us with a sampling of the complimentary malts and hops that the beers were created with. It was amazing to sip each brew with its respective component allowing for each brew to burst with an accentuated flavor.

However, it was the incredibly intoxicating Heather Ale that was my personal favorite. The Heather Ale is very uniquely brewed beer whose creation begins in a field of heather flowers in northern Massachusetts. Will explained the how he and his CBC crew make a special trip to this field and hand pick thousands of flowers to infuse with the mash of the ale. The result is a sensuous, faint aroma of herb-like flowers that you take in with each sip. We can’t wait to grab our first pint come this Labor Day, as it is a seasonal brew. Make sure to get your own this September while you reminisce of the summer days gone by.

No doubt we will be back to visit this hidden jewel in Cambridge and sample dozens of fine crafted beers that are just waiting to be discovered! See you there! – HC

We’ve come a long way since French Oak debuted in March, and yet it’s almost like we’re starting all over again with each new episode, French Oak #5.

This edition features 4 segments on wine and beer events happening throughout Boston and Brookline over the past few months. Lots of fun, interesting topics, and of course plenty of delicious libations! Enjoy!

http://batv.org/streaming-video/ondemand/french-oak-episode-5

A couple weeks ago, a friend recommended that we visit the Boston Winery in the Port Norfolk section of the city. We'd heard that they made some really good wine in the back of a restaurant out there.

So without too many expectations, we organized a visit to film a segment for an upcoming show…in short, we were blown away.

Boston Winery is a 12,000 square foot facility inside a Civil War-era brick and stone building adjacent to the grand Venezia Restaurant on the water. Both are owned by one of the great gentlemen of Boston, Ralph Bruno.

In creating the winery, Ralph's vision was to offer people an opportunity to participate in the wine making process by helping to produce their own wine, from choosing the grapes to de-stemming and crushing to aging and bottling.

Ralph and his sommelier, Scott Dahill, took us on a tour of the winery detailing its history and an overview of the operations. A magnificent place, complete with a multiple tabled tasting room (and a big open kitchen behind the bar!) and a beautiful cellar, barrels racked with grace and precision.

And the wine…goodness…it's doubtful that we've tasted better. After one sip, it was obvious to see how much love and passion went into preparing each barrel; between the Merlot and old vine Zinfandel, it was really, really hard to leave! That and how well Ralph, Scott and Jim took care of us…seriously, some of the kindest and warmest people we have ever met.

So…the segment that planned to film has been canceled…the filming we did has to become a full episode! We hope to air it within about three weeks, so stay tuned.

On this past Saturday, March 28, the producers of French Oak were welcomed to WGBH’s 2009 Fine Wine Auction at the WGBH studios in Brighton. This was the 15th anniversary of this auction and what a magnificent event it was…

Wine connoisseurs from the Boston area and across the country alike arrived to bid on rare wines from local and private cellars. The proceeds of the auction support WGBH’s award-winning programs and educational services. Among the bottles sold were a 2000 Chateau Petrus, a 1992 Opus One, a 1963 Croft Vintage Port, and a 1996 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, signed by Julia Child and Robert Mondavi along with a picture of Robert Mondavi signing the bottle.

The pre-auction reception was spectacular with delicious and elegant hors d’oeuvres and delicious wines provided by Gourmet Caterers. Seared scallops, beef tartar, lobster spring rolls, and German chocolate truffles were just a few of the items we devoured with sips (and gulps) of Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

The auction itself was quite the scene with over 140 single and multiple bottle lots being bid on (and re-bid on) by the enthusiastic crowd that was egged on by the entertaining and clever auctioneer. We were close, but didn’t come away with anything this time around…We’ll be back though!

Many thanks go to Yuri Stern, WGBH’s Assistant Director of Development Operations who organized the event and was so gracious in having us attend and taking time to speak with us about the auction and its history.

We hope to return next year and film the event as a segment for the show. If this year’s auction was an indication, it should be a great one!