May 15th Train Your Palate Wine Seminar. Ever wonder how to actually taste wines' flavors that are often described so eloquently. Well if you are one of those who may struggle to put words to what you are tasting then come join us on Thursday, May 15th for the Train Your Palate wine seminar where you will learn to become a master among your business colleagues, family and friends at understanding how to taste wine and describe what you taste. The evening will begin with hors d'oeuvres and a sparkling wine reception at 6:30 PM that will then lead into the wine tasting seminar at 7 PM. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at The Savory Grape. Held at the Post Office Cafe on Main Street in EG, the seminar is limited to 25 people, so please purchase your tickets early.

May 19th Wine Tasting. Please join us on Monday, May 19th at Main Street Coffee as we explore Wines of Spring and Summer, which will include a bright, minerally Muscadet and Lanson's Rose Champagne (stunning!) just to name a couple. To purchase tickets please contact The Savory Grape at 886-9463 or Main Street Coffee at 885-8787. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased at time of reservation. Tickets are on sale now, and seating is limited to 20 people.

May 28th Wine Dinner. Save the date! The next wine dinner with EG's Siena Cucina is Wednesday, May 28th. The menu and pricing for the event will be available this weekend. As always, these events sell out quickly, so check your calendar. We will begin taking reservations this weekend when the pricing and menu are final. Simply stop in the shop or call us at 886-9463.

May 21st Cabernet Wine Dinner. The recently opened Black and Blue Steakhouse will hold its first wine dinner on Wednesday, May 21st featuring a stunning lineup of Cabernet Sauvignons from around the world that will be available at The Savory Grape. The dinner is $75 per person and begins at 7 PM person. Please click here for the menu and wine selections. Reservations can be made by contacting Black and Blue at 884-7100.

Year after year many wine lovers wait patiently to hear about the next great vintage from Bordeaux. '82, '86, '89, '90, '96 and 2000 have all gone down in history as some of the best vintages in the last 25 years. However, these days everyone is talking about 2005. Wine Spectator says 2005 is the best vintage in decades and Robert Parker calls it the greatest vintage in his 30-year career. What is all the excitement about? Click here for the rest of the article.

2006 Punto Final Malbec, Argentina. The Malbec grapes used for this wine are sourced from two mountain vineyards, both planted more than 50 years ago. Nice... The wine is aged for 8 months, partly in French barriques (small barrels), partly in stainless steel. The result is a wine with a rich bouquet, lively mouth feel, lingering flavors of red and black berries with undertones of black pepper and vanilla and a velvety texture throughout. This is a big wine with lots of personality that will age for the next 3-5 years. ($14.99)

2007 Marraso Chardonnay, Argentina. This unoaked Chardonnay is crisp and more reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc with bright, fresh characteristics. It is refreshing on the nose with a bit of citrus that is followed by a balanced acidity with tropical fruit and honey flavors that linger to the finish. It ends with a light creaminess and just a bit of a buttery flavor that brings all the flavors together. ($13.99)

2005 Chateau La Bourrée Côte de Castillon, France. The Côtes de Castillon borders the celebrated appellation of St Emilion on Bordeaux's right bank, and is a great source of well crafted, fruity wines. With St Emilion's Châteaux stealing the limelight, Côtes de Castillon wines such as this offer tremendous value for the money, too. This oak-aged, nicely balanced Bordeaux is a finely knit and very complete wine. A deep red cherry in color, it has plenty of body with complex aromas of ripe fruits. The tannic structure is supple and strong, and the oak well- integrated. Crafted with 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this Claret is simply delicious and already has the constitution to last several years yet. Enjoy alongside grilled beef tenderloin. ($15.99)

2006 Grayson Central Coast Pinot Noir, California. The wines of Grayson Cellars are no stranger to The Savory Grape, but we are very excited to about a new addition to the lineup. The Grayson Pinot Noir, a blend of 90.5% Pinot Noir and 9.5% Zinfandel, is brimming with effusive aromas of black cherry and plum followed by layers of toasty oak, cola and hints of wild raspberries. The inviting palate has vibrant flavors of cherry compote and baking spices with a balanced, supple finish. ($15.99)

Friday, May 9th (5 to 8 PM) Dievole Fourplay from Sicily.

• 2005 Fourplay Rosso, Sicily. Created from four native grapes of Italy, which is how this wine got its cheeky name, Fourplay is born from the near- forgotten varietals Frappato Nero, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Nero D'Avola that are layered subtly, stimulating each other to create a wine beyond the ordinary. The wine is alive, juicy and fragrant with flavors of blackberries, black cherries and spice. A joy to be shared. ($12.99)

• 2006 Fourplay Bianco, Sicily. Fourplay Bianco 2006 is also the first white of its kind, a blend of four Sicilian ancient grape varieties from the beautiful region of Sambuca di Sicilia where viticulture is an old tradition. The blend of Cataratto, Insolia, Grillo and Grecanico makes the wine an intense yellow in color with green reflexes. The bouquet is full of tropical, crisp, ripe fruit. On the palate the wine is minerally, yet full with a long finish and elegant acidity. ($15.49)

Saturday, May 10th (3 to 7 PM) Great spring wines from Argentina.

• 2006 Punto Final Malbec, Argentina. Please see tasting notes above in this week's Savory Selections. ($14.99)

• 2007 Marraso Chardonnay, Argentina. Please see tasting notes above in this week's Savory Selections. ($13.99)

email: jessica@thesavorygrape.com

phone: 401.886.9463

web: http://www.thesavorygrape.com