Artist Opening Reception.As a reminder, you are invited to an opening reception on Saturday, February 24 from 6 pm to 9 pm for RI Artist Claire Marschak, who is showcasing her paintings in the tasting room at The Savory Grape. Please stop by that evening to meet Claire and view her work, which also may be purchased, and to enjoy a wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres.

Argentina Wine Tasting. Main Street Coffee and The Savory Grape will continue its winter wine tasting series on Monday, February 26 at 7 pm. During the series' second tasting, wines from Argentina will be showcased and tasted during the evening. Tickets are $18 per person, which includes sampling 5 wines and appetizers, and must be purchased in advance. Space is limited to 20 people. Please contact The Savory Grape (886-9463) or Main Street Coffee (885-8787) for tickets.

Discover The Different - A Wine and Food Pairing. The American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF), along with The Savory Grape and Trattoria del Corso will hold a wine and food tasting on Monday, March 5th. The event will begin at 6 pm at the shop for a tour and special tasting and then it will move to Trattoria del Corso for the food and wine sampling at 6:30 pm. For full details and to make reservations, please visit the AIWF web site by clicking here.

Pair Essentials - Exploring the Art of Matching Food and Wine. We are pleased to announce that The Savory Grape and Grape Ideas Wine Education again will hold "Pair Essentials - Exploring the Art of Matching Food and Wine" class on Monday, March 12 from 7-9:30 pm. The class will explore various types and styles of wine, and how facets of these wines - such as sweetness, acidity, tannin, body and more - give clues to their preferred food partners. During the class, you will explore food components, and discover which wines and foods are more versatile, or more particular, in their pairing capacity. This class does not offer dinner but small appetizers will be served. Space is limited to 20 seats. The cost is $45 per person, which includes instruction, tasting of 6 wines and handouts. Advance reservations and payment can be made by contacting The Savory Grape. The class will be held at Trattoria del Corso Restaurant at 223 Main Street in East Greenwich, so stop in early for dinner and fuel up for the exciting class.

Wine 201 Sommelier Secrets: Professional Short Cuts to Great Pairings. This class is a more advanced class and is designed for those who already have some basic knowledge of wine or who have already taken the Pair Essentials class. Held on Monday, March 19 at 7 pm, during this class you will explore more unusal and upscale wines and how to recognize their characteristics and ability to pair with food based on your existing knowledge. You will also sample appetizers that partner well with these wines. This is the perfect class for those who want to continue advancing their knowledge, entertain regularly or who treat corporate clients to wine and dinner. Again, space is limited to 20 seats, and the cost is $45 per person, which includes instruction, wine and food samplings and handouts. Advance reservations and payment can be made by contacting The Savory Grape. The class will be held at Trattoria del Corso Restaurant at 223 Main Street in EG.

Due to the plethora of events that we highlighted, we are not publishing an article this week.

2005 Lily Pinot Noir, Sonoma, California. This Pinot Noir is one of our new favorites. Specific vineyard sites within the Sonoma Coast and Carneros regions were chosen for this particular wine because of their cool climates and complexity of fruit. The wine is beautiful, just like the flower, and soft, yet full of elegant raspberry and plum flavors that are backed by a touch of sweet oak, all permeating through a silky finish. It can pair well with fuller flavored seafood dishes, grilled duck as well as other wild game. ($22.49)

2002 Luiano Chianti Classico, Italy. This is a great selection of a Classico Chianti under $15. We retasted this wine earlier this week and our first thought was - "Absolutely smooth." Located in the Upper Chianti Classico region of Tuscany, the Luiano winery is one of the most prestigious estates. Its cellars, built during the Renaissance, is a true testament to the ancient tradition of winemaking at Luiano. Those same cellars served as a refuge to such notables as Machiavelli and Michelangelo. The wine is obtained by a careful selection and vinification of Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Colorino grapes, thus revealing a ruby red color with strong aromas of red berry fruits, yet light aromas of oak from 14 months of aging. A perfect partner for Risotto dishes, prosciutto or an Antipasto Salad. ($13.99)

2005 Kaesler Stonehorse Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre (GSM), Australia. The new vintage of Kaesler Stonehorse was recently released, and it is quite stunning. Another Barossa Valley selection, this red wine is filled with cassis, sweet black cherry and raspberry flavors, that give an elegant, velvety mouthfeel. It is medium-to-full in body, yet soft, and will cellar well for 5-7 years. We recommend pairing this with spicy Indian cuisine. ($21.49)

2005 Cimicky Trumps Shiraz/Grenache, Australia. This powerful, full bodied blend of Shiraz and Grenache from Australia's Barossa Valley possesses such an overwhelming silky texture, finesse and depth. Your expression is likely to be WOW! When pouring in the glass, the wine immediately reveals a beautiful, deep, rich ruby/purple color. We were so amazed at this that we continued to stare at it. On the palate, copious fruit flavors of plums and cherries explode that are then accompanied by a touch of toasty oak from 15 months of oak aging. ($19.99)

Friday, February 16 (5 pm to 8 pm) We decided make a fun twist to our usual weekend wine tasting. On Friday evening, we will conduct a blind wine tasting. This means that you will not know ahead of time, nor will you know at the time of tasting the wines you will be sampling. Once you have sampled the wines, then we will reveal to you their identity. So, beat the cold and come out for the Friday evening fun!

Saturday, February 17 (3 pm to 7 pm) Food Friendly Pinots

• 2004 Kuentz-Bas Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France: From importer Kermit Lynch, this Alsatian Pinot Blanc is delightful and a great alternative to the usual whites of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. It is round, delicate, fruity, yet dry, and supple with soft creamy pear aromas and flavors. It is best suited for grilled fish of the lighter style (ie., Sea Bass, Orange Roughy) and roasted chicken. ($14.99)

• 2005 Irony Pinot Noir, Monterey, CA: This Monterey Pinot Noir offers a balance of heady fruit notes and savory characteristics. The 2005 vintage started out with cooler than average spring temperatures. The weather warmed up without any unusual heat spikes, which allowed for good flavor development and acid retention in the grapes. Layers of sweet cherry, fresh raspberries, cola and a slight earthiness make up the profile of this medium-bodied Pinot. In the $10-$15 range, this is a nice find. Enjoy this with lamb, grilled seafood, salads, roast duck or various cheeses. ($12.49)

• 2005 Lily Pinot Noir: Our notes for this wine are above in the Savory Selections section, where Lily Pinot Noir is highlighted. ($22.49)

email: jessica@thesavorygrape.com

phone: 401.886.9463

web: http://www.thesavorygrape.com