Most people who know me know that I am able to “talk the talk” when it comes to wine, thanks to years of study and practice in the wine industry. I know how that sounds, but trust me: it’s not all tasting and drinking.  Knowing the flavor profiles and the technical aspects of wine is part of the service that is expected from me.  I must possess the ability to help the customer navigate their way through the many wines available while assisting them in making the best choice.  I’ve attended many classes and seminars to acquire the tools needed to do the job well.

The other day I found out that I am in possession of another tool that helps me in my job, one that I didn’t learn from a book.  I was unaware of its importance until one of my customers told me that the reason she bought most of her wines from me was because of the personal stories I include with each particular wine…and here I thought she was buying from me because of the the way I described the flavor profiles and the minutiae of the wine.  She explained that it was the details that I included while talking about each bottle; the where, the when, and the why of my experience with each one gave her a better understanding of what the wine was all about.  I just like to talk to good people about good wine; I never really thought too much about the stories as a sales tool. Having said that, and after much deliberation on whether or not to embarrass myself, here are but a few of my wine stories.

Quinta da Alorna, Arinto 2 for $20

It was early May in 2008 and I was cutting my Friday short in order to get a head start on the weekend.  Before I left, a sales rep gave me this bottle as a sample and told me to drink it at home. The next day was beautifully sunny so I decided to wash, wax and polish my car with the help of this bottle of wine. Four hours later, not only was my car sparkling, but the bottle was entirely empty! Needless to say I really enjoyed the crisp and refreshing profile of the wine, and of course, my car has never looked so sharp. This white wine, which is made from the grape called Arinto, could be considered Portugal’s answer to Sauvignon Blanc. A bright, golden wine has greenish hues and a pronounced grapefruit and citric nose lead to flavors of tropical and citric fruit that dance across your tongue. Expect some mineral and stony nuances in the later stages that finish very clean and crisp.

Volver Tempranillo, $17.99

100 % Tempranillo, made from vines planted in the heart of Spain over 40 years ago.  From the the region of La Mancha, this is a wine that would make even Don Quixote proud as it brings to mind all that is classic Spain. This is a deeply dark-colored and brooding wine, with warm aromas of plum and black cherry. The well structured tannins add a sultry mouthfeel, with seductive flavors of rich, dark fruits, ripe plum, and some soft spices.  This all leads to a finish that is initially firm, but softens to reveal even more subtle layers and depths. As much as I love this wine, it does bring up some painful memories. It was over a bottle of Volver that my neighbor (and fellow ‘wine guy’) defeated me in a very  hard fought game of NCAA Football 2011 for the XBox 360. We still haven’t had a rematch, but I have the wine ready.

Billi Billi Shiraz, $13.99

Ah yes, this story. I met the winery rep, a charming and attractive woman, here at the store. She was visiting key accounts in the state and stopped by to visit myself and the other half of our wine team, Kristian, who happens to be a certified Somelier and Master of Wine.  Also of note is that Kristian is from Bulgaria. The wine rep. showed us this wine from Australia. It’s a big, bold, and spicy wine, made with 80 to 100-year-old bush vines. With a focus on fruit intensity, this shiraz is produced with the drinker in mind.  A plush texture with a very sultry mouthfeel mesh together with flavors of exuberant black fruit, ripe plums and an abundance of spice that will certainly please. At the end of her presentation, like most wine presentations, there was plenty of small talk while we continued to sample the wine. She then said, “I like listening to you speak. You have a very attractive and charming accent.” Naturally I thought she was talking to Kristian, but she was in fact speaking to me!  Imagine that…I out-accented a Bulgarian.

Neil Matias is the Store Manager of Chancellor Wine & Spirits (formerly Cardoza’s) in Fall River. You can contact him at neil_the_wineguy@yahoo.com.

By its very nature, Valentine’s Day is a sexy day.  It uncovers a side of us that is rarely throughout the rest of the year.  Men stand a little prouder, and try to cut a more dashing figure of themselves, while women allow their sensuous side to radiate. It is the time of year that allows the romantic versions of who we are to be exposed to each other.  Valentine’s Day allows the embers of passion that have smoldered for most of the year to be ignited once more.

While Valentine’s Day has long been synonymous with flowers and candy, there exists what I believe to be an even sexier gift: wine.  Listed below are some wines that are sultry, sensuous, and seductive. They are good on their own, but oh-so-sinful with someone else!

Rosenblum, Castanho Vineyard, Zinfandel Port ($19.99)
This wine, from California, is a temptation best surrendered to.  A very dark purple color, with alluring scents of fig and chocolate that only begin the enticement of the senses. A very rich and sultry wine with the flavors of fig, chocolate, and black currant that linger with a silk laden finish.  A beautifully balanced port that does not overpower, but finesses its way throughout the experience.  Tempt someone by pairing it with dark chocolate or truffles.

Barnard Griffin, Syrah Port ($16.99)
Quite possibly one of the best Ports outside of Portugal, this wine smells of rich blackberry with some soft cocoa tones.  The seduction continues with flavors of dark chocolate interlaced with blackberry, with a slight touch of raspberry and nuttiness.  The finish is full and soft, making it a truly decadent wine.  Matches well with chocolate, especially when enjoyed with your Valentine.

Roger Goulart, Semi Seco Cava ($14.99)
This Spanish beauty is an aromatic treat. Light notes of tangerine and peach are accentuated by the exquisite bubbles of this sparkler. A wonderful and dancing mouth-feel (thanks again to the bubbles) makes this an excellent and playful choice for enticing that certain someone.

Banfi, Rosa Regale ($12.99)
Here we have a Brachetto D’Acqui from Italy. This sparkling red dessert wine could possibly be what Cupid drinks! It has an elegant garnet color that shimmers and exudes an alluring jammy nose. You’ll notice flavors of raspberry, strawberry, and a bit of sweet clementine orange.  The finish is lively and sexy, just like your Valentine’s Day should be.

Royal Tokaji, Aszu 5 Puttonyus ($40.99)
This is ambrosia straight from the gods, replete with apricot, orange peel, and honey fragrances.  The palate is rich with orange and notes of botrytis, which is then swept by apricot with a citrusy aftertaste. It’s decadently sticky but not overdone, thanks to the soft acidity. It is not the sweetness, but the rich aromas that add up to the extremely long finish.  A great wine to start or end the night.

Neil Matias is the Store Manager and Wine Specialist at Chancellor Wine & Spirits Fall River – email him at Neil_the_wineguy@yahoo.com

Wine cellars still captures the imagination and envy of many people.  A private sanctum where the collected trophies of rare and best-loved wines are showcased, is the dream of many wine lovers.   I have been fortunate to see dimly lit caves where bottle upon bottle lie in dusty repose, undisturbed for generations.   I have also seen modern cellars that rival many medical facilities, both in sterility and technology, where computers regulate the environment and send notification when a wine is ready to drink.

While these are the most common ideas of what wine cellars are, it certainly represents the extravagant and not the norm.   To the average person (myself included), a wine cellar is a spot in the corner of the basement or in a little used closet. In order to keep wine properly stored there are only a few, but very important, things to consider.

The most important factor is the temperature of the storage space. Ideally, you want a cool and constant temperature.  The magic number seems to fall between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and you should never store wine where the temperature would exceed 70 degrees.  Excessive exposure to heat will accelerate the maturation of the wine. While this might sound like a great idea at first, keep in mind that the changes that happen while the wine ages naturally will be forced, and could result in an unbalanced wine that will deteriorate very quickly.

Cork is still the most common closure for wine bottles, and the simple act of storing a wine on its side or upside down enables the cork to protect the wine.  Much of the cork used in bottling is the natural kind, harvested from the bark of a tree found mostly in Portugal.   Laying a bottle on its side enables the cork to stay damp, preventing it from drying out and letting oxygen slowly seep in. This process will eventually oxidize the wine, rendering it lacking and tasteless.

Light is another culprit in the storage of wine. The ultraviolet light of sunlight will attack the wine and force a rapid oxidation of the wine.

Lastly, vibration should be kept to a minimum.  While there is no scientific evidence to support any detriment to the wine, there is plenty anecdotal support for it.  “Bottle Shock” is a term used among wine professionals to describe a condition where the wine shows very little, and its flavors are tight and very stubborn in opening.

What are the best places to store your wine?  Stay away from kitchens: the extreme heat fluctuations makes it a killer of wine.  The same goes for attics and garages.  The best places are the cool, dark, and quiet spaces of the house.  Basements are always best, or a closet in an unused room.   It really is as simple as that!

Neil Matias is the Store Manager and Wine Specialist at Chancellor Wine & Spirits Fall River – email him at Neil_the_wineguy@yahoo.com

Tucked away in the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula there is a section of land that is part of both Spain and Portugal.  In both countries they grow the same type of grapes, but call them by a different name.  The grape is known as Albarino in the Spanish province of Galicia, and in the Portuguese province of Minho it is called Alvarinho.  It is typically a light, fresh, and crisp grape, and contributes to one of the world’s most underrated white wines.

Brought to Iberia by from eastern France by Cluny Monks in the 12th century, the grape’s name in both countries means, “white from the Rhine.”  It is related closely to the Riesling grape from the Alsace region of France.

On the Galician coast there are inlets called ‘rias,’ or bays, which dominate the landscape.  Important for fishing and shell fishing, the Rias have helped make this the most famous region for seafood in Spain.  It is in the region of Rias Baixas that Albarino is made into wine.  It goes without saying that the wine is a perfect choice for many varieties of seafood, especially shell fish.

Here are two great types of Spanish Albarino to try:

Salneval Albarino is a wonderful light wine with aromas of pear and tropical fruit.  You’ll also notice the soft citrus and floral flavors, with a slight mineral finish.  This wine is an example of the more delicate style that can be made from this grape.  Enjoy it for $11.99 per bottle.

Burgans Alabarino has an amazing nose with hints of flowers and lemon peel.  On the mouth you will find flavors of peach and lime, with a very crisp mineral finish, which make it ideal with flaky fish courses.  This is a very excellent example of what Albarino can offer.  Enjoy this wine at two bottles for $25.

In Portugal, the grape does differ slightly along with the pronunciation.  In the region of Vinho Verde, located in the province of Minho, the Alvarinho grape is blended with other white grapes to produce wine.  Due to its natural acidity and lower alcohol, the wines exhibit a slight sparkle.  Vinho Verde, or “Green Wine,” should be enjoyed while the wine is young.

Terra Antiga Vinho, which is 50% Alvarinho and 50% Trajadura, is a delightful wine.  It is bright and refreshing, with hints of grapefruit and a clean, crisp finish.  This is certainly a wine that one can call ‘quaffable,’ and a perfect choice for oily fish, such as grilled sardines or chicharos.  Look for it at two bottles for $16.00.

Portugal also does make 100% Alvarinhos.  Andreza Alvarinho is a full bodied white due to the extended skin contact, providing grapefruit and apple aromas along with balance and structure on the palate.  The flavors of grapefruit and apple go along with the typical mineral finish.  Two bottles will cost around $30.

These wines are excellent whites and offer tremendous values.  Albarino or Alvarinho, take your pick…you really can’t go wrong with either.

Neil Matias is The Wine Guy.  He has worked for years managing wine & spirit shops in the New Bedford and Fall River areas.  You can email him with questions about these, or any other wine, at: neilm@cardozas.com