Friday, March 27, 2015 Steffen Rasch, GoLocalWorcester Wine Writer
Last week I featured an outstanding red wine from France’s Languedoc region. This week I thought I would throw another regional wine into the mix – another great value that is available locally.
Mas Belles Eaux.
This week’s featured red wine is the Syrah based blend named ‘Les Coteaux’ produced by Mas Belles Eaux. The wine is very good and has gained a lot of international praise. Wine Spectator magazine, for example, recently declared this wine one of the ‘20 enticing reds for $20 or less’ and I can see why. While I couldn’t find a lot of information about how this wine is made, I did determine that the blend consists of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Mouvedre. While a lot of the other reviews praised this wine for its lush dark fruits, I thought this wine was more savory – bordering earthy – especially when compared to last week’s Languedoc.
To start, this wine needs to be aerated. After a while the nose starts developing stunning rich dark aromas of creamy black berries. On the palate there are noticeable tannins and the fruit profile, while dark and soft in the beginning, turns more savory on the mid-palate with considerable notes of ripe dark cherries, olives and herbs – boarding those reminiscent of the great Syrah’s from the Northern Rhone (bitter chocolate, cured meats and leather). I really like this wine a lot as it is very complex and continues to evolve in the glass. As I said, it needs time to breathe and a good meal to accompany it.
Check out the video from the estate & cheers,
Steffen Rasch is a Certified Sommelier and Specialist of Wine. Feel free to email him at srasch@ProvidenceWineAcademy.com with any wine-related question or learn about wine in person by signing up for one of his tastings through the Providence Wine Academy.
Central Mass’s own Hardwick Vineyard & Winery, open March-December, is a close to home treasure that produces 3,000 gallons of wine each year. The winery, which grows 6 varieties of grapes, is built on a quiet road in Hardwick that abuts the Quabbin Reservoir. Located on the property is a majestic 200 year old mansion. This weekend, take the trip to the vineyard to enjoy a wine tasting. Favorites include Massetts Cranberry and Yankee Girl Blush. If you head out on a Sunday; you’ll be in luck—the winery is hosting Sangria Sundays for the rest of the month.
Tucked away on the southern coast of Massachusetts, Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery, located about an hour’s drive from Worcester, is worth the trip. For only $10, you can take home a special edition etched wine glass and enjoy a tasting of up to six of their award-winning wines. While the tasting room is open Monday-Saturday, free winery tours are also offered to the public every Saturday from 1-3pm.
A relatively young addition to the Massachusetts family of wineries and vineyards, Coastal Vineyards in South Dartmouth opened its doors in 2004. Coastal Vineyards grows eight varieties of grapes on their property, including Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and more. For a special treat, head over on Sunday for their Ugly Sweater Wine Party featuring acoustic musician Ryan Thaxter. Don your ugliest sweater to get 35% off your purchase—and a chance at a prize.
Head out to one of Massachusetts’s favorite college towns this weekend to check out Amherst Farm Winery. Enjoy a wine tasting set in a cozy 19th century post and beam dairy barn. For only $5 receive a logo glass and a taste of 5 of their 15 wines, including unique flavors like chocolate raspberry, pumpkin frost, cranberry, and more. Bring a picnic and cozy up on their leather sofa by the fire to enjoy your wine with a snack.
Take the bite off the winter chill this weekend and take a drive to Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton. The winery hosts tasting events everyday from 10am-4:30pm For $5, receive a free tasting glass and samples of up to five different wines. Some favorites include Strawberry Rhubarb Wine, Holiday Special Cranberry Apple (a new release in November 2013), and New English Cider. If you are in the mood for something other than wine (if that’s possible), check out their beer selection as well!
100 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton, MA. (978) 779-5521.
Mill River Winery, located in Rowley, is the perfect wine destination for a mini-getaway. Enjoy the gorgeous winter scenery of Western Massachusetts as you wind through country roads to the winery. Mill River’s tasting room is housed in a refurbished cider mill, complete with eclectic décor that provides for an excellent tasting and shopping experience. Try their delicious Naked Chardonnay, a full bodied chardonnay with aromatic notes of lemon zest and pear. If you would like to get a “Dirt to Bottle Tour,” make sure to be at the winery at 2pm or 4pm Saturday or Sunday.
For only $6, get the full Black Birch Vineyard experience—tasting and a tour! Enjoy the great mix of contemporary and rustic décor of the tasting room and the local culture of this Massachusetts winery. While you’re in, be sure to try their award winning selection of reds and whites.
Located just over the border, Taylor Brook Winery in Woodstock, CT, is a hidden gem. This winery tends to over 2,000 vines of the finest grapes in the region. Head down to enjoy the country hospitality of this great local business, which offers tastings, bottles of their wine, and other great gift items for purchase. For a delicious winter wine, try their Winter Pomegranate.
The Obadiah McIntyre Farm Winery is located on the Charlton Orchards Farm property. The winery is owned and operated by a family that has been in the business of growing fruit for over 50 years, and began making wine in 1999. They are dedicated to making the best tasting wines around. Every weekend until the end of December, join them for a tasting and see for yourself.
44 Old Worcester Road, Charlton, MA. (508) 248-7941.
Just over the Vermont border, Putney Mountain Winery located inside Basketville, has been making delicious local wines since the 1990s. All of their wines are crafted from local produce, which makes for the best tasting wine possible. If you’re toting the kids along for the day, the winery also sells juices made from locally grown produce, like their Putney Bubbly Vermont Sparkling Black Currant.
Last week I featured an outstanding red wine from France’s Languedoc region. This week I thought I would throw another regional wine into the mix – another great value that is available locally.
To start, this wine needs to be aerated. After a while the nose starts developing stunning rich dark aromas of creamy black berries. On the palate there are noticeable tannins and the fruit profile, while dark and soft in the beginning, turns more savory on the mid-palate with considerable notes of ripe dark cherries, olives and herbs – boarding those reminiscent of the great Syrah’s from the Northern Rhone (bitter chocolate, cured meats and leather). I really like this wine a lot as it is very complex and continues to evolve in the glass. As I said, it needs time to breathe and a good meal to accompany it.
