Red White Boston Launch Party

Red White Boston is a new app avalible for the iPhone (it's free!) that allows users to identify a participating wine store closest to them and suggests wines avalible for purchase as recomended from the store owner. The app is based on the premise of such a scenario "You're on you're way to a party, you're in a new neighborhood, or maybe you're just on your way home, but either way, you need to pick up a bottle of wine. Where is the closest wine store? And how can you choose from their vast selection of wine bottles?" Cathy Huyghe, the apps creator held a launch party this past Tuesday evening at Sonsie to share the inner workings of Red White Boston and brainstorm ideas and answer questions regarding how we as wine lovers in Boston can personalize the application and get the most use out of it in our everyday lives. Sonsie's infamous presence on Newbury Street boasts large french doors exposing a sidewalk cafe with a European flair.

However, the guests were lead downstairs to the wine room revealing an open tile floor plan with modern furniture including deep brown leather booth and chairs, set amongst an old world backdrop of brick archways and intricate wall detailing. I've enjoyed a dinner upstairs at Sonsie, as well a drink or two at the bar, but had yet to experience what the intruiging wine cellar had to offer. I sipped on a Spanish Rioja as I participated in a wine questionnaire in the form of Mad Libs.
The red was minerally with notes of plum and blackberry. I enjoyed the light bodied flavors and drank two glasses of this. Guests were treated to an extensive cheese spread with hand cut chips. As well as Sonsie's signature Brick Oven Pizzas. Mushroom, caramelized onion, mozzarella, brie cheese.Mozzarella, fresh tomato, basil pesto, pecorino.Goat Cheese, sweet roasted pepper, calamata olives, flat parsley.

The pizzas were equally tasty with a light crispy crust, but I'd have to say my favorite was the first one pictured. I've never experienced brie cheese on pizza, and the thick melty slices were a welcome pairing with the mushrooms and carmelized onions.

Meghan, Alicia, Megan, Katherine and I had fun brainstorming wine stores in our respective neighborhoods and offered plenty of advice, ideas and feedback to Cathy as she explained to us what this brilliant app can already do! A list of participating Boston wine stores (ever growing) can be found here. If you don't have an iPhone, you can navigate the web version on a Blackberry or Andriod or any smartphone that has a web browser.

Happy Wine Shopping!