All Set in Massachusetts

Portuguese White Wine - Perfect for Summer Lobster Dinners

Vinho Verde - Quinta das Arcas Sociedade

Arca Nova, 2007

Portugal

With plans to kick-off Summer 2009 properly, we headed north to the Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier over Memorial Day weekend with our close friends, the Bernals. On the way, we stopped at the New Hampshire Liquor Store to pick up some wine for our outing. One of our selections was the Arca Nova Vinho Verde (or "Green Wine") from Portugal. The wine chilled quickly in our cooler, and it was the first bottle we opened to enjoy with our appetizers of mussels and steamers. By the time we got to our lobsters, we only had a few sips left! The wine was clean, crisp and refreshing with light citrus fruit flavors -- a perfect complement to the fresh seafood. When we looked at the back of the bottle, we learned that "Vinho Verde is the classical wine of Portugal, where the seafood consumption is among the highest in Europe."

While we'd certainly like to try other Vinho Verde's for comparison's sake, everyone at the table agreed that this was a great summer find! Definitely pick some up next time you cook up some lobsters or other shellfish.

A&T Ranking: 8.5/10

Great Pinot Noir: Jezebel from Oregon

Daedalus Cellars

Jezebel Pinot Noir, 2007

Dundee, Oregon

We first purchased Jezebel Pinot Noir at the recommendation of a clerk at the Chelsea Wine Vault in NYC. We brought it to a summer evening picnic in Central Park, where everyone thoroughly enjoyed it along with beef and chicken pitas - samples from the menu of our friend's new restaurant (stay tuned for more info). Even our friend who is not a Pinot Noir fan said that he really liked this wine!

We ARE big Pinot Noir fans and think Jezebel stands out among others we've tried in the low $20s price range. It's light and smooth on the palate, with deep, tart cherry flavors and a hint of spice. The wine comprises fruit from several different Oregon vineyards. We stopped by the wine shop the next day and picked up two more bottles - and we highly suggest you do the same next time you have the chance!

A&T Ranking: 9/10