Wine & Words

It's New Years Eve day and that makes us think of sparkling wines and resolutions.

Yes, the Wine & Words stores in both Belhaven and Washington will be open today from 11:00 until about 4:00 (the Back Bay Cafe will not be open, only the retail store. See the rest of the January schedule below). And we've got some sparklers on sale -- from our gorgeous all-Pinot Noir, all Grand Crus grapes Soutiran Champagne Brut Rose (regularly $80 and Featured at $64) and the all Chardonnay Pierre Moncuit Moncuit-Delos Champagne (regularly $60 and Featured at $48) to the Tobin James Dreamweaver (Paso Robles, California) on sale and very quaffable for just $13.20 a bottle. The one we've been enjoying recently with holiday meals is the Cuvee #8 from New Zealand. It's mostly Pinot Noir, so you know it goes well with food. It's in a lovely red and gold package that presents elegantly at your holiday occasion. And we're selling it for just $24...20% off its regular price of $30. Of course, we've also got a range of Italian Prosecco (recently featured in the New York Times). Or Blanquette de Limoux, the original French sparkling wine. Or even the Gruet Brut or Blanc de Noirs, made in New Mexico by a French Champagne family. Lots of bubbles to choose from, so come in and see us and we'll help you get what's right for your New Year celebration.

As for the resolutions part, I'm not going to go into the details of what we resolve to do for the new year. That's because we're taking some of our January time off to review and reformulate everything from the wine list to the cafe menus to the store hours. But I can give you my list of broad outline intentions...call them "meta-resolutions." First of all, we intend to survive and thrive in 2009. Your support in the last quarter of 2008 has been very gratfitying. You have really taken to heart the admonition to "shop locally," and that makes us resolve to continue with the best food and wine selection and the best customer service in our neighborhood. If you have an idea of what you'd like to see us do, some item you'd like us to carry or experience we could offer, let us know. You're the reason for our existence, so if you ever have any suggestions or requests we sure want to hear them.

The second resolution is that we're going to do what we do with joy and hope. We won't get out of the darkness if we contribute to the gloom. So we're going to remember to take time to rest and reflect, to turn challenges into opportunities, to be sure the glass is half full (of great wine, of course!). Years ago, on the first Sunday as the young assistant minister of my first church in Buffalo, NY I remember approaching the ornate oak doors of the gothic building with the senior minister, a man who had been serving that church for 25 years. As he took out his key to open the door on that early Sunday morning, he turned to me and said, "Isn't this exciting?" That's the way I always want to feel about my work. Not tired and overburdened, but hopeful at the prospect of another day of doing the best I can at whatever is before me. I think everyone who works with us at Wine & Words has this attitude. We really do love to see you smile.

Finally, I resolve that our little piece of the puzzle will be one that supports peace and understanding not only in our neighborhood but all across the world. In our relationships with our neighbors, our vendors, our co-workers and our customers, we will do our part to be a balm to this troubled old world. The old man who represents 2008 is rather battered this New Years Eve. War, poverty, disease and trouble have dominated our news. But the young year begins, as always, with fresh attitude and new hope. That's the toast Yvonne and I will make with our glass of bubbly tonight...let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Happy New Year!

January Schedule

Wine & Words/The Back Bay Cafe, Belhaven Closed all of January. Re-opens for lunch on Wednesday, February 4.

Wine & Words...& Gourmet, Washington
Open regular hours January 2-3 and January 7-10
Closed for Vacation January 11-27
Reopen regular hours beginning Wednesday January 28