SPIRITED--My hometown wine shop, Lenox,Ma., knows what the wine business is about by Philip S. Kampe

We all know that the personality of a wine shop has a lot to do with how you think about and purchase wine. Fortunately, less than five minutes from our house in the beautiful Berkshires lies Spirited, a shop run by wine guru, Jim Nejaime. Jim has a flair for knowing what the customer wants. His staff follows suit.

I have spent hours sampling wines at the weekly complimentary wine tastings (normally on Saturdays) and have brought numerous new clients to the shop to experience what I have experienced. Add a staff that specializes in cheese, salami. local bread and all that goes with wine, beer and spirits to the scenario and you have a shop that is a magnet for those who want to learn about wine.

Vendors from the various distributors show their wares and in fact, teach you about each wine that you sample.

Spirited is like going to wine school, once a week.
As we all know, there is so much to learn and so little time.

If the Berkshires are your destination, visiting Spirited, should be your Saturday afternoon ritual.

There are several other wine shops in the area where one can learn extensively about wine, beer and spirits. Some of my favorites include Kelly's Package Store of Dalton and Nejaime's in both  Lenox and Stockbridge. All three stores have Saturday afternoon tastings, mostly year-round.

I can't wait for Thursday to arrive. There is a weekly complimentary 5-6pm wine and cheese tasting on the mansion patio at Cranwell ( Lenox) through the end of October. Host, Bruce Beckwith, from MS Walker, brings weekly imaginative wines from his extensive portfolio.

The Berkshires is a happening area for wine.

Today's spotlight was  Spirited, located at 444 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, Ma. More local wine shops to follow.
Visit Spirited at: www.spirited-wines.com
(413) 448-2274

"I am attending the Wednesday, October 8th wine dinner at Chez Nous in Lee, Ma. Hope to see you there!

SPIRITED TASTING EVENTS CALENDAR

s Rioja Wine Dinner   ●Oct. 8th,Wednesday Eve, Chez Nous(6pm start)   "Chef Franck has crafted a exquisite menu to pair with the exceptional wines from Bodegas Franco Espanolas, including their highly sought after Reserva & Gran Reserva Rioja with special guest speaker Juan Carlos Llopart, Director for Bodegas Franco Espanolas."    Annual OKTOBERFEST Tent Event  ●Oct. 11th, Saturday (1-4pm)-  - 12 tables Under the Tent featuring the Best Craft Beer, Ciders & Seasonal specialties, with brats, pulled pork & pork cracklings from Red Apple Butchers. Terlato: Chimney Rock Tasting & Winemaker Dinner ●Oct. 18th, Saturday (In-store  event,12-4pm) ( Evening Wine Dinner ) In-store tasting of highly acclaimed Napa Valley Cabernets & other great wines presented by Doug Fletcher, VP of Winemaking at Terlato Family Vyds.  (plus Wine Dinner menu details to follow) Special Pre-Arrival Cellar Tasting featuring Robert Kacher Selections     ●Oct. 25th, Saturday(3-5pm)-  wines from the Rhone Valley, Chateauneuf du Pape & Burgundy regions in France.   OPEN HOUSE GRAND TASTING SERIES Mark Your Calendars, the House is Open   ●Saturdays -November  8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th  (12-4pm)  In addition to our Spectacular Nov. Wine Sale, we'll host extensive FREE themed tastings with guest pourers highlighting fantastic new wines, artisinal brews & specialty foods for the season. Holiday Wine Dinner at Alta Restaurant, Lenox    ●December 3rd (Evening) Menu details to follow with wine pairings.  Champagne & Holiday Tasting ●December 6th (12-3pm) Celebrations, gatherings, parties...we'll be sampling sparklers, great wines, spirits & specialty foods to enhance all these occasions.    Vine Connections Cellar Tasting Event  ●December 6th (3-5pm) Experience some of the best Argentian & Chilean wine gems imported to the U.S.

Philip S. Kampe
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com