Melissa complimented my zest for life in her recent post
Sharing Some Love. Check her out if you have a minute, she keeps it real and brings humor and a fresh perspective in her "lazy girls guide to healthy living" blog. She had some really positive words to say about myself and some other local bloggers. It is such a great feeling to know people get just as excited to read your blog as you do theirs. Thanks for the love, Melissa!
The blog community here in Boston really is just one big lovefest. Case and point; at
brunch this past Sunday
Alicia offered up tickets she'd won to a wine cruise but wasn't able to redeem. How thoughtful of her! Takers? Anybody? No? Are you
sure?! Because I live just around the corner from Rowes Wharf and I'd be happy to take them off your hands. Spontaneous wine cruises around Boston Harbor are just what I need more of in my life. As the group of us were settling the tab at
brunch, I realized it was just past 11:30 and I better head for home it if I wanted to make the 1:00 departure!
I made it home, changed, (was still mildly under dressed, what are you gonna do, I has 15 seconds to throw on something nicer than my brunch attire) and Adam and I made it to the docks with not 5 minutes to spare before boarding
The Markia, one of the vessels operated by
Princess Yacht Charters, LTD.
We took in the scene at Rowes Wharf, one of my favorite spots on the Harbor. I'll let the architecture speak for itself.
Boston Harbor Hotel docks are always pristine and inviting.
I was excited, but I'll be honest with you, I had no idea how I was going to partake in a wine tasting right about now. I was s-t-u-f-f-e-d to the brim from
Lord Hobo's Pork Belly Hash and feeling more like I needed a nap on my couch from the previous nights
bachelorette party festivities.
They had couches on the boat, so there's that going for me. We cruised by the Institute of Contemporary Art and Fort Point Channel. Soon enough I decided it was time to dive headfirst into the tasting. (Did you really think I was going to pass on free wine?)
I started with a glass of champagne (who's name I can't recall) and a 90+ Cellars Malbec.
90+ Cellars provided the majority of the wines offered aboard the Marika. I had never seen or heard of this brand before but I really enjoyed all of the wines that I ended up tasting.
So much for feeling like I couldn't drink. After the first glass, the wine flowed like water.....
When I inquired about 90+ brand and location I was told they are a new world wine company and they don't have a single winery, but are located all over the world; from Napa to Argentina to Australia. I was intrigued. I knew I was going to have to do my own research if I wanted to get down to the bottom of these fantastic tasting "new world" wines...
You'll be amazed at what I learned!! Paraphrased from the
website:
90+ Cellars purchases high quality and highly rated finished wines direct from wineries at a discount and then passes the savings on to you. Price and availability aren't the only selection criteria. The wines we purchase must have a pedigree of 90 or higher ratings, best buy or gold medal accolades from a respected wine authority or publication. 
Fascinating. I've never heard of such a concept. There is more.
Stick with me on the long italic paragraphs here: Other companies with a similar concept are usually buying the winery's excess or distressed wine. We are buying a winery's best and most highly rated finished wine, which they would normally sell under their own label. Wineries are willing to work with us because they either produced more than they need or sales have slowed. In return, they are promised complete anonymity, which we take very seriously. 
And I promise,
the last fun facts about the 90+ Wine Cellars company:
The wines are great values because we are a virtual winery, we don't own any land or bottling facility. In fact, the source wineries bottle and label our wines for us. We simply search out world class wine, negotiate a great price and then pass the savings on to our customers.
Upon release, each 90+Cellars wine is assigned a "Lot" number. A lot is defined as a particular wine from a winery. On successful lots we may purchase the next vintage (if available) if the quality is the same or better.
I wish I knew about the "lot" numbers as I was tasting. I would have made it a point to note them more closely. Actually, I wish I knew more in general about these wines when I was tasting. The woman I engaged was surely lacking in her knowledge of the wines she poured.
The "Lot 16" Pinot Grigio from Napa Valley tasted incredible. It was rich and full bodied with fruity notes of pear and grapefruit that gave way to more tropical notes such as mango and guava. (No, my palate is not that distinct, or my memory that good, I just know that I liked it and I'm reading the flavor profile from the website.)
I'll tell you what else I was fascinated with, the views of the city from the ship!
We cruised past Logan Airport and saw a few planes land and take off. And past the some of the Harbor Islands, which I still have yet to visit any.
Castle Island below
I mostly snapped shots of the Financial District and Downtown skyscrapers.
Check out this vessel - I could barely fit it all in the frame.
It was, if you couldn't tell from the photos, overcast and windy. I didn't mind so much, it was actually somewhat refreshing. Most of the ship is indoors anyways, so the second you felt too much of that windy chill run through your bones you could step back inside.
It was a great day for a sail.
The jazz was a lovely touch.
They had a buffet but I didn't partake. Again, way to stuffed. And enjoying my wine way to much!
Adam had a plate of the pulled BBQ Chicken and the Lobster Mac-n-Cheese.
We made our way to the inner harbor which provided views of the Zakim Bridge,
as well as The Charlestown Navy Yard and The USS Constitution. We actually took a tour of the USS Constitution in late August.
I can't believe that afternoon didn't make the blog. Perhaps it will one of these days!
While most of my adventures do make it up here, there are definitely a few missing out! Experiencing Boston from afar and tasting some awesome new wines made for quite an afternoon. Thanks again
Alicia for offering up these tickets!
I grabbed a Pumpkin Spice Latte on the walk home at the Long Wharf Marriot Starbucks. This hit the spot. Then I passed out on the couch. Weekend was bound to catch up with me sooner or later....
The blog community here in Boston really is just one big lovefest. Case and point; at brunch this past Sunday Alicia offered up tickets she'd won to a wine cruise but wasn't able to redeem. How thoughtful of her! Takers? Anybody? No? Are you sure?! Because I live just around the corner from Rowes Wharf and I'd be happy to take them off your hands. Spontaneous wine cruises around Boston Harbor are just what I need more of in my life. As the group of us were settling the tab at brunch, I realized it was just past 11:30 and I better head for home it if I wanted to make the 1:00 departure!
I made it home, changed, (was still mildly under dressed, what are you gonna do, I has 15 seconds to throw on something nicer than my brunch attire) and Adam and I made it to the docks with not 5 minutes to spare before boarding The Markia, one of the vessels operated by Princess Yacht Charters, LTD.
We took in the scene at Rowes Wharf, one of my favorite spots on the Harbor. I'll let the architecture speak for itself. 
Boston Harbor Hotel docks are always pristine and inviting. 
I was excited, but I'll be honest with you, I had no idea how I was going to partake in a wine tasting right about now. I was s-t-u-f-f-e-d to the brim from Lord Hobo's Pork Belly Hash and feeling more like I needed a nap on my couch from the previous nights bachelorette party festivities. 
They had couches on the boat, so there's that going for me. We cruised by the Institute of Contemporary Art and Fort Point Channel. Soon enough I decided it was time to dive headfirst into the tasting. (Did you really think I was going to pass on free wine?)
I started with a glass of champagne (who's name I can't recall) and a 90+ Cellars Malbec. 
90+ Cellars provided the majority of the wines offered aboard the Marika. I had never seen or heard of this brand before but I really enjoyed all of the wines that I ended up tasting. 
So much for feeling like I couldn't drink. After the first glass, the wine flowed like water.....
When I inquired about 90+ brand and location I was told they are a new world wine company and they don't have a single winery, but are located all over the world; from Napa to Argentina to Australia. I was intrigued. I knew I was going to have to do my own research if I wanted to get down to the bottom of these fantastic tasting "new world" wines...
You'll be amazed at what I learned!! Paraphrased from the website: 90+ Cellars purchases high quality and highly rated finished wines direct from wineries at a discount and then passes the savings on to you. Price and availability aren't the only selection criteria. The wines we purchase must have a pedigree of 90 or higher ratings, best buy or gold medal accolades from a respected wine authority or publication. 
Fascinating. I've never heard of such a concept. There is more. Stick with me on the long italic paragraphs here: Other companies with a similar concept are usually buying the winery's excess or distressed wine. We are buying a winery's best and most highly rated finished wine, which they would normally sell under their own label. Wineries are willing to work with us because they either produced more than they need or sales have slowed. In return, they are promised complete anonymity, which we take very seriously. 
And I promise, the last fun facts about the 90+ Wine Cellars company: The wines are great values because we are a virtual winery, we don't own any land or bottling facility. In fact, the source wineries bottle and label our wines for us. We simply search out world class wine, negotiate a great price and then pass the savings on to our customers. Upon release, each 90+Cellars wine is assigned a "Lot" number. A lot is defined as a particular wine from a winery. On successful lots we may purchase the next vintage (if available) if the quality is the same or better.
I wish I knew about the "lot" numbers as I was tasting. I would have made it a point to note them more closely. Actually, I wish I knew more in general about these wines when I was tasting. The woman I engaged was surely lacking in her knowledge of the wines she poured. 
The "Lot 16" Pinot Grigio from Napa Valley tasted incredible. It was rich and full bodied with fruity notes of pear and grapefruit that gave way to more tropical notes such as mango and guava. (No, my palate is not that distinct, or my memory that good, I just know that I liked it and I'm reading the flavor profile from the website.)
I'll tell you what else I was fascinated with, the views of the city from the ship!
We cruised past Logan Airport and saw a few planes land and take off. And past the some of the Harbor Islands, which I still have yet to visit any.
Castle Island below
I mostly snapped shots of the Financial District and Downtown skyscrapers.
Check out this vessel - I could barely fit it all in the frame.
It was, if you couldn't tell from the photos, overcast and windy. I didn't mind so much, it was actually somewhat refreshing. Most of the ship is indoors anyways, so the second you felt too much of that windy chill run through your bones you could step back inside.
It was a great day for a sail.
The jazz was a lovely touch.
They had a buffet but I didn't partake. Again, way to stuffed. And enjoying my wine way to much!
Adam had a plate of the pulled BBQ Chicken and the Lobster Mac-n-Cheese.
We made our way to the inner harbor which provided views of the Zakim Bridge,
as well as The Charlestown Navy Yard and The USS Constitution. We actually took a tour of the USS Constitution in late August.
I can't believe that afternoon didn't make the blog. Perhaps it will one of these days!
While most of my adventures do make it up here, there are definitely a few missing out! Experiencing Boston from afar and tasting some awesome new wines made for quite an afternoon. Thanks again Alicia for offering up these tickets!
I grabbed a Pumpkin Spice Latte on the walk home at the Long Wharf Marriot Starbucks. This hit the spot. Then I passed out on the couch. Weekend was bound to catch up with me sooner or later....
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