Italian Fall Wine Dinner. Opici Imports and The Savory Grape will hold an Italian Fall Wine Dinner on Monday, November 12th with Trattoria del Corso Restaurant at 7 PM. Trattoria del Corso will showcase its new fall menu during the four-course dinner that will be accompanied by a selection of fine Italian wines from Opici. The menu and wine selections are available by clicking here. The dinner will be held at Trattoria at 223 Main Street in EG. To make a reservation, please contact The Savory Grape at 886-9463 or at jessica@thesavorygrape.com. Space is limited.

November 9th and 12th Guest Wine Tasting. Please join us at the shop on Friday, November 9th and November 16th to welcome Mionetto's Doug Macleod and Merriam Vineyards' Owner Peter Merriam respectively. On the 9th, Macleod will get us energized for the holiday season with a sparkling wine tasting. On the 16th, Merriam will showcase his exquisite reds and discuss his passion for wine and connection to New England. Please plan to join us these nights.

November 19th Wine Tasting. Please join us for a holiday wine tasting, Wine and Food Pairings for Thanksgiving, on Monday, November 19th at Main Street Coffee at 7 PM. We will discuss and taste various wines that are perfect for the Thanksgiving meal and will provide you with suggested food recommendations. Tickets ($25) can be purchased at The Savory Grape (886-9463) or Main Street Coffee (885-8787). Seating is limited to 20 people, so please purchase your tickets early.

With the holiday season just around the corner you most likely will receive, as well as give, the gift of wine. For those on the receiving end of the exchange, it is important to store these gifts in the best way possible. While an unopened bottle of wine may look lovely on your bookshelf, it is not the best means of storage. When it comes to storing wine whether its for a few months or for 20 years, you need to keep a few things in mind. *First, store wine lying down to ensure the cork stays moist. A moist cork will remain plump and tight in the neck and will keep additional air out of the bottle, avoiding oxidation, which can compromise wine. *Keep the temperature of wine constant. Wine should be stored at the lowest stable temperature possible (~ 55 degrees) in a dark, vibration free location with a relatively high humidity. *Ensure your wine is not stored around items that have a strong odor. A common mistake that people make is storing bottles in basements near hot water heaters and pipes or in kitchens near/on appliances like the refrigerator. This is a definite no. An appliance's heat can alter a wine's temperature thus making it unstable. If you have a nice wine rack in which to display your prized selections just ensure you are not placing them in these damaging locations. For those who don't have a wine cellar, wine refrigerator or basement that could acts as a cellar consistent of temperature and humidity, then place your wine in an area that is free of noise, light and extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations. Yes, a closet could work.

Once you have popped the cork or turned the screwcap on your prized possession, the question of how to maintain the life of it, if there is any remaining, once it has been opened is still present. The type of wine, storage and of course your palate will dictate the speed of decay of wine once opened. Some people will only drink left over wine the next day while others will do so up to a week. It truly depends on your personal tastes, the wine and how you store it. There are a couple of things you can do to prolong the life once opened. *You can use a gas device, which works by spraying an inert gas into the remaining bottle of wine. The inert gas acts as a protective cover over the wine, thus preventing oxygen from decaying it. *You also can use a vacuum-type product (the most common is the Vacu-Vin) that allows you to manually pump air and hence oxygen out of the bottle. So while getting the perfect bottle of wine as a gift may be the height of your holiday protecting your treasure is essential.

2002 Chateau Larose-Trintaudon Haut-Medoc, France. Bordering the appellations of Pauillac and St. Julien, the vineyards of Chateau Larose- Trintaudon are the most extensive in the Haut-Medoc. Planted predominately with Cabernet Sauvignon and complemented by Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this Chateau produces big full-flavored wine that is harmonious and stylish in the way only fine Bordeaux can be. Like classified growths, the wine is somewhat tannic and closed when young, but with a few years in bottle, it develops into a more fragrant and rounded claret. ($15.99)

2000 Chateau Picoron Cotes de Castillon, France. Chateau Picoron is located in the Cotes de Castillon appellation which lies east of Saint-Emilion, an area known for producing generous, full-bodied wines with great aging potential (15 years on average). Comprised of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and just 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has rich aromas of cherry and plum blended with cedar and earth tones. In the mouth there is nice concentration with silk tannins and great length. The wines of this area are similar in style to those found in Saint Emilion, but since the Cotes de Castillon is not as well known, wines from here offer a great value. Enjoy now or over the next 7 years. ($16.99)

2005 Red Burgundies and 2005 Caymus Special Select Cabernet Sauvignon Arriving Thursday!

Friday, November 2nd (5 to 8 PM) A glimpse at Bordeaux

• 2002 Chateau Larose-Trintaudon Haut- Medoc, France. Please see our tasting notes above in the Savory Selections. ($15.99)

• 2000 Chateau Picoron Cotes de Castillon, France. Please see our tasting notes above in the Savory Selections. ($16.99)

• 2005 Chateau Magneau Graves Blanc, France This white Bordeaux is made from three traditional varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle. Each is fermented separately at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks to preserve the grape's aromatic profile. The wines are then blended and bottled before the spring of the following year. On the nose, grassy, herbal scents join with hints of pineapple and tropical fruits to add a flamboyant, exotic edge to the wine. On the palate, the wine exhibits good length and a healthy dose of plush, ripe flavors that fill the mouth. Serve this wine with hors d'oeuvres, fish, as well as dishes featuring cream sauces. ($12.99)

Saturday, November 3rd (3 to 7 PM) California Staples

• 2005 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California. The Cabernet Sauvignon fruit that composes this bottling is sourced from a number of family farmers with vineyards in Paso Robles. This wine has very engaging aromas of blackberry brambles, layered with dark cherry, chocolate and cassis. On the palate, initial softness amplifies in to a warm, supple firmness. ($15.49)

• 2005 Liberty School Chardonnay, Paso Robles, California. Liberty School's Chardonnay consists of blended fruit from two of the best Chardonnay regions in the state, the Santa Maria Valley and another in Monterey County in the famous Santa Lucia Highlands. There are nuances of Bartlett pear, pineapple, and green apples in the nose. On the palate the finish is long, balanced, and never cloying, due to its healthy acidity. ($14.99)

• 2006 Amazin Zinfandel, California. You might be familiar with this label. But we just received the new vinatge of this wine, and think it is well worth tasting and much better than its 2005 counterpart. Full of brambly dark berry fruits of plum, black cherry and blueberry, it offers an explosive force on the palate. The mouth feel is silky smooth, and the wine lingers incessantly on the finish. This is a great everyday table wine. ($12.99)

email: jessica@thesavorygrape.com

phone: 401.886.9463

web: http://www.thesavorygrape.com