Some of New England’s top wine experts — importers, sommeliers, and restaurateurs with decades of experience — will share their knowledge during a series of wine tastings at the Terrace at the Charlotte Inn in Edgartown this summer.
“They bring a deep passion for food and wine to their work, seeking out lesser-known small growers with artisanal production methods, but their knowledge of wine is far-reaching,” says Justin Melnick, the restaurant’s executive chef.
According to a press release, each has his own specialty, Mr. Melnick says, but they all share an enthusiasm for superior-quality wines and the people who make them, as well as the people who drink them, and a collaborative approach to bringing them all together. Each wine tasting will run from noon to 2 pm on select Saturdays throughout the summer, and costs $75 per person.
The series kicks off on Saturday, July 11, with Fred Mullins of M.S. Walker. Mr. Mullins specializes in family-owned, naturally produced, regional wines of exceptional quality and value. “My drive goes far beyond enjoying good food and wine,” Mr. Mullins says. “It’s really about being able to share the knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm so that others benefit.”
On Saturday, July 25, Lorenzo Savona of PortaVino comes to the Terrace. Mr. Savona was named Boston’s Best Sommelier by Food and Wine Magazine, and his discerning palate and creative energy have earned accolades from Wine Spectator and Gourmet magazines, among others. His latest endeavor as a consultant, portavino.com, combines his passion for people, wine, and food.
David Mitchell of Mise Wines will be on hand Saturday, August 1, with stories of his travels among vineyards in France and Italy and a selection of favorite finds. Mr. Mitchell sets high standards for the “one-of-a-kind gems” he selects for Mise, his small import and wholesale company, dedicated to French and Italian wines made by hand in small quantities from grapes farmed sustainably and organically.
On Saturday, August 15, Andrew Deitz of M.S. Walker and Thirst Boston will talk about the California wine movement in a presentation called “In Pursuit of Balance.” This direction, featured in a recent New York Times article, “The Wrath of Grapes,” focuses on a minimalist approach to pinot noir and chardonnay that emphasizes their intrinsic varietal characteristics. Mr. Deitz, co-founder of Thirst Boston, a popular annual festival featuring 50-plus cocktail events, plans to feature new European-style, lower-alcohol California wines from Santa Barbara County at the Terrace.
The series concludes on Saturday, August 22, with a class on vintage cocktails by noted Boston bartender Scott Holliday of Chez Henri, Salamander, and Rendezvous fame, now with Mise Wines. Scott’s degree in biochemistry comes in handy as he shares some classic concoctions. “I’ve held every job from dishwasher to director of operations in every type of establishment from ice cream stands to five-star hotels,” Mr. Holliday says. “But I feel most at home when preparing and talking about drinks. A well-made cocktail is more than a mere concoction. It can and should highlight the virtues in the humblest of ingredients — and drinkers.”
Reservations are required for the wine tastings and cocktail class, which will be held at the Terrace at The Charlotte Inn, 27 South Summer Street in Edgartown. The restaurant will also be hosting wine dinners with guest sommeliers on select Friday and Saturday nights from 5:30 to 9 pm. For more information, see theterracemv.com/menu/special-events or call 508-627-6227.
