Thank you to everyone who attended our 3rd annual Grand Rosé Tasting. We had an amazing turnout and got to chat with so many great people. Our wine vendors didn’t disappoint and came ready to pour; sampling 13 delicious wines for our attendees. We look forward to many more tastings at Mystic Wine Shoppe.
Here are some photos from the event –
Check our weekly tasting schedule for our next beer and wine tastings. Thanks!
This month we’ve got summer pool parties, bbq’s, Red Sox Games, and other outdoor celebrations on the mind. We’re mixing up something extra special to enhance each and every one of your summer celebrations with this month’s cocktail of the month. Our owner, Eric Faiola, enjoyed this cocktail while on vacation in Flordia and said: “this has to be our April Cocktail!” So while this is not a Mystic Wine Shoppe original cocktail, it is still is VERY tasty and as always, easy to make. Enjoy –
Ingredients:
Make it:
We hope you find this cocktail as tasty as we do!!! Thanks for following along.
The holidays were hectic. Beginning at Thanksgiving (actually, Halloween…) it’s been cooking, hunting for Tupperware tops, laundry, houseguests and dishes. It’s been fun, but I welcome getting back to the routine and a little peace and quiet. That’s why when my husband called at 5pm on Tuesday and said that he’d be working late, I was happy to have a few hours of solitude and meatloaf in the oven.
The week before, with house guests in tow, we had gone to TWK in Winchester for a burger. If I have a burger in the afternoon, I usually get a beer, but at night I’ll order a glass of red wine to elevate the burger to a higher cuisine. That’s what I did at TWK. The burger was delicious, but the wine really blew me away. Served by the glass, The Huntsman Cabernet Sauvignon from Ross Andrew in Washington’s Columbia Valley was silky, smooth and delicious.
I had two glasses and stopped by Mystic Wine Shoppe on my way home to see if they carried it. They do (!) and I picked up a bottle to share with my friends. But, in the flood of New Year’s champagne and morning-after Bloody Mary’s the Huntsman somehow, through the onslaught of guests, remained untouched.
Then, as I pulled the meatloaf out of the oven on that mundane Tuesday night, I wondered…if the Huntsman Cab could make a burger feel special, imagine what it would do for my meatloaf. Ordinarily, I might not open a nice bottle of wine just for myself – but I was savoring the solitude and somehow, it felt like a special occasion. I opened the cabinet, uncorked the bottle, poured a bit and swirled it in the glass. It was a gorgeous color— deep and fragrant. I sipped and tasted blackberries and whiff of vanilla.
I cut a generous slice of meatloaf, buttered a baked sweet potato and served myself some roasted cauliflower. It was a plate of comfort food—a post-holiday celebration of a return to normal. The owner of the vineyard named this wine The Huntsman because he likes to hunt, I imagine that this wine would pair as nicely with venison or wild boar as it did with my meatloaf.
I drank two glasses, corked the bottle and put it in the fridge. I bet it’s fantastic with meatloaf sandwiches, too!
Here’s my meatloaf recipe (it’s not rocket science, so feel free to tweak).
Written by one of our wine guru’s, Carol Bend
Tis the season to be merry, buy gifts and drink eggnog cocktails! This month we’re pulling out the good old eggnog to create a warming cocktail that will have you singing “fa la la la la la la” all evening long. Feeling weary about using eggnog in your cocktail, don’t! This smooth, bold and delicious drink makes the perfect mate with vodka and other spirits. Read on for all the tasty details…
Ingredients:
Mix It UP:
Add Ons:
We hope you enjoy this delicious cocktail with friends and family this holiday season! Thank you for all your continued support.
Your friends at Mystic Wine Shoppe
I’m not Jewish, but my husband is and, as is the case with holidays both secular and religious, it often falls upon the woman to create the traditions…which in my house means food.
So it has come to pass that I, the non-Jew, have become an expert at making latkes. I think that the crisp potato pancakes are the one thing that Hanukkah has over Christmas.
At our annual latke fry on Sunday, I grated both sweet and Yukon gold potatoes and served them with applesauce and sour cream, of course, but also with a hearty bowl of Portuguese kale soup and a romaine-free salad.
The soup is robust and smoky with chorizo and kielbasa, kidney beans, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and kale. But it cries out for a substantial red wine to elevate it from peasant food to festive holiday fare.
Bogle Phantom 2015 is just that wine.
Don’t be intimidated by the label that proclaims “mysterious and hauntingly seductive.” This is a very approachable blend (44% Petite Sirah, 44% Zinfandel, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon) that pairs well with comforting winter dishes like beef stew, pork loin and…my kale soup.
The girls and I opened it before dinner, let it breathe a bit and sampled it while pondering the New York Times crossword puzzle. Then we set the kitchen table and poured some for everyone.
It’s smooth but bodacious, yet it doesn’t overwhelm the tongue with tannins. This will become the winter house wine here on Bartlett Avenue. Even my daughter (a millennial!) who tends to gravitate toward pinot noirs gave this wine high marks. It’s loaded with subtle flavors and it drinks like a high priced bottle. Good thing we had two.
P.S. I made “Craft Beer Menorahs” for the “kids” and picked up some really interesting local brews to wish them all “Hoppy Holidays!”
We’re getting into the holiday spirit with our November Cocktail of The Month! This delicious and easy-to-make cocktail is sure to be a holiday hit at your Thanksgiving table or at your holiday bash.
Ingredients:
Make it:
We hope you find this cocktail makes the perfect addition for your holiday get-together! If you’re looking for a great hostess gift, stop into Mystic and pick-up a holiday gift basket or charcuterie board. Not into cocktails, check out our Turkey Day Wine Guide!
Cheers!
The Dalmore 18
Do you know someone who loves whisky? Are you struggling to find the
right gift for someone as the holidays are just around the corner? The
Dalmore 18 is an excellent whisky that has been aged in both bourbon and
sherry casks. This whisky is a perfect example of Dalmore’s trademark 
style with notes of vanilla, dark chocolate and orange, followed by a
hint of cinnamon and citrus fruit. The Dalmore 18 is a well balanced and
smooth whisky that is a perfect gift for friends and/or family. Relax
and sit by the fire while enjoying the delicious flavor Dalmore has to
offer.
The Dalmore Cigar Malt
Are you looking for a smooth whisky that will have you craving for more?
The Dalmore Cigar Malt has been aged in three types of casks; bourbon,
sherry, and cabernet sauvignon. There are cinnamon, vanilla, and red
fruit aromas with finishing notes of orange, dark chocolate and spices.
This rich tasting whisky has just the right amount of smokiness and
pairs perfectly with a fine cigar.
Local, local, local! Peak Organic Brewing Co. is dedicated to creating the most fantastic brews straight from their designated, local farmers from all around New England. “The idea is simple. Find the best ingredients being grown to create amazing flavor and truly delicious beer.” Each farm that Peak utilizes focuses on quality versus quantity. Peak has a passion for sustainability rooted in the way they run their company.
Peak likes to participate and dedicate its efforts to innovating new flavors that have never been done before. They achieve this by collaborating directly with their local farmers, chefs, and other organizations connected to sustainability as well. This company background and passion for being different, guarantees a unique, well-crafted taste when you give their brews a try! (If you’re a fan, you know that already!
Here are some of the delicious, specialty beers Peak Organic Brewing Co. has to offer!
Peak IPA: This is Peak’s classic, signature brew. Their India Pale Ale contains a flavorful initial taste thanks to the Amarillo and Simcoe dry hop. No bittering needed, just an abundance of floral and citrus flavors.
The Juice: This WICKED dry-hopped pale ale provides aromas and strong zests of tangerine and berry notes. The carefully brewed mix contains amarillo, simcoe, and hints of Azacca hops.
Happy Hour: Here we have Peak’s signature pilsner. Crisp and clean, this light brew makes it impossible to pass up more than one. 
“This beer is easygoing and pairs well with everything, including another beer! With this new pilsner, it’s always Happy Hour.”
Sweet Tart Cranberry: We’re drooling just at the name of this brew. This Cape Cod Sour Ale ties together tangy, cranberry, and sour flavors into a refreshing first sip. The locally sourced Cape Cod cranberries provide a special rose-like effervescence for this perfect, light-bodied brew.
Winter IPA: ‘Tis the season! Peak’s hazy, New England Style IPA was created to lighten things up as the cold weather starts to hit. With a bright, juicy mix of Calypso, Azacco, Simcoe, and Citra hops, this brew will help you survive the winter by hinting at springtime.
The story behind Peak Organic Brewing Co. is an inspiring, lovely New England story. By choosing their brews for your next holiday or tailgate, not only are you supporting sustainability, but you’re guaranteed to find a light, new favorite. Stop into Mystic Wine Shoppe to pick up a pack to try! It’ll be the ~peak~ of your day 😉
(all photos and quotes taken from Peak Brewing)