It’s that time of year again…when things turn green: grass, trees and beer! It’s time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and all things Irish. There’s nothing more Irish than Guinness…well, maybe a leprechaun…and we have the pleasure of bringing you the adventure of this brewer’s famous Draught.

Way back in 1759, Arthur Guinness used a £100 inheritance to sign a 9,000-year lease on Dublin’s ramshackle St. James’s Gate brewery. The exact recipe for the stout’s mild hoppiness and dark, smooth, espresso-like richness is fiercely guarded, but water from the Wicklow Mountains, south of Dublin, and roasted, unmalted barley are always in the unmistakable mix. In fact, last year in 2009, we joined Guinness devotees worldwide in toasting the brewery’s 250th anniversary and the celebration continues, of course, this and every St. Patrick’s Day.

We encourage you to go all-out Irish and experience even more of the bittersweet malty, caramel flavor of this Draught by pairing it with our exclusive sweet, nutty Kilaree Irish Cheddar. Sourced primarily from milk that comes from small dairy farmers located in the South of Ireland, cows roam free in fresh air and graze in lush pastures of tender grass. Ireland’s unique climate lends itself to the exceptional milk, which in turn produces big Cheddar flavor. Now, you won’t find this to be green but this pairing will definitely get you feeling lucky for sure!

Sláinte! (To your health!)

Join in the fun this spring as we celebrate quality, priced-to-please Australian wines. Defined by a vibrant mix of cultures and an unmatched diversity of land and climates, Australia produces wine styles as rich and varied as the soil from which each grape grows. Read the rest of this entry »

The adventure began in 1786 when John Molson brewed his first beer using the highest quality barley that he brought back from England. Over two hundred years later, the Montreal brewery that he founded is still the oldest on the continent. A successful entrepreneur with a focus on social responsibility, John Molson was dedicated to improving the world, in particular, by building hospitals and railways. Today, Molson’s commitment to crafting world-class beer remains unchanged. Brewed with pure Canadian water and the finest ingredients, it is an easy drinking premium lager that delivers the perfect balance of sweetness with a slightly hoppy bitterness and medium body for a smooth, refreshing finish. An extremely versatile beer, it pairs exceptionally well with spicy cuisines such as Thai and barbeque.

Are you ready to ring in the New Year? We are! While our wine departments are stocked with many great Champagnes and sparkling wines perfect for toasting, we have to admit that we do have a favorite: J.P. Chenet Blanc De Blancs Brut.

This value-minded – and utterly delicious – French Sparkler holds a coveted spot on our Top Ten Wines for the holidays. Fine bubbles and a golden hue make this delicate but powerful pour quite refined. Whether you pair its apricot and buttery brioche notes with Bon Homme Brie from Normandy or Hervé Mons Camembert cheese, pour for a toast or sip after a long day, it always shines. Read the rest of this entry »

Holiday time is the perfect time to enjoy a delicious port wine! Port wine is a “sipper” kind of wine – it slowly warms your spirit and soul while you mingle and enjoy time with family and friends.

We brought in this delightful port wine called “The Portly Gentleman” from Buller Wines, a fourth-generation Australian winery. Made in the style of a Tawny port, this wine comes from Grenache, Shiraz and Cabernet grapes. It is oak-cask aged for three to five years, which gives it a beautiful almost Burgundy pale red color. With a bouquet of liquored berry fruits and flavors of strawberry and cherry syrup, it is delicious as an after dinner drink on its own or as an accompaniment for dessert. We love port wine with chocolate and this wine pairs deliciously with bittersweet Belgian chocolate.

Another part of this port wine that we love is its price tag. You will warm someone’s heart (and palate) if you show up with a bottle of “The Portly Gentleman” at your next holiday party. And you may as well pick up a few bottles so you can keep at least one for yourself – who said gifting was only for others? The time seems just about right for a little gift from you to you!

The adventure began in 1984 when Jim Koch took an old family recipe dating back to the 19th century and brewed his first bottles of Samuel Adams Boston Lager. It’s hard to imagine a world in which craft beers did not exist, but in the early 1980s, The Boston Beer Company was pioneering a relatively unknown segment of brewing that led to the craft beer revolution. The brewery has grown a bit in the last 25 years, but Koch remains true to the principles upon which it was founded – adhering to the definition of craft brewing: small, independent and traditional. Read the rest of this entry »

For some reason people consider the words “holiday party” to be among the scariest in the English lexicon. Well, we don’t. Yes, you’ll certainly need to create the guest list, send invitations, plan the menu, pair the wines and decorate the house… maybe that is a lot of work. But with Whole Foods Market’s Top Ten Wines plus our great holiday recipes, you have a resource to make your holiday entertaining a snap. It’s like that extra set of hands you always wished you had to help prepare your holiday gala. (You’re still going to have to use your own hands to clean up afterwards – sorry we can’t help you with that!)

Helfrich Gewurztraminer, a floral and spicy wine with honey and tropical fruit flavors, is perfect to hand to your guests as an aperitif as they make their way to the food. Speaking of food, this wine is so versatile that it pairs perfectly with dishes as diverse as Lamb Tagine with Dates and Poached Pears with Fig Syrup and Bleu Cheese. So if you’re looking for a go-to white, this is definitely it.

As you’re pondering that guest list, go ahead and pop open a bottle of Pepperwood Pinot Noir. With aromas of freshly-baked cherry pie, this stunning value goes great with beef dishes, spinach and cheese lasagna, or look to pair it with a Gruyère Reserve or cranberry cheddar cheese. No matter what dishes accompany this wine both you and your guests will absolutely have a match made in heaven.

No holiday festivities would be complete without a little (or a lot) of dessert to end the meal. Whether you fancy some cheese to end on a savory note or a decadent Raspberry and Cocoa Linzer Torte, Sutter Home’s Muscat of Alexandria offers delightful honeysuckle and peach flavors to cap off the evening. But make sure to save some, so that long after your guests leave you can pour a glass or two of this nectar, prop your feet up, and revel in this wonderful time of year.

Making a list and checking it twice… Santa’s not the only one doing that this year. As you plan your holiday festivities, you no doubt have a budget in mind and are crunching the numbers. You want to provide a nice spread for your guests but you have to live with yourself-and your bank account-when the party’s over. Read the rest of this entry »

Mark your calendars, set your alarms or just watch the clock. On November 19th, the third Thursday of November, this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau is released to the world.

This festive once-a-year party wine is made for anyone and everyone. Light and cherry-berry fruity, but not sweet, this is no serious swirling and sniffing wine – it’s all about gulping and swigging and washing down your holiday foods. Just take a hint from the cheerful label, exclusively designed for our fun-loving customers. Read the rest of this entry »

Traveling for the holidays can be appealing, but let’s be honest…not all of us can afford a trip to Europe, South America or even northern California. You can take a journey by bottle instead of by plane with our “top notch wines at easy-to-swallow prices.”

Your vinous passport to so many wonderful places minus the flight delays and inclement weather and – get this – all for under $15 a bottle. Now THAT is a deal that can’t be beat! Read the rest of this entry »