I've often sipped and savored the work of Neal Rosenthal and now, thanks to Upstairs on the Square and the Harvard Bookstore, I'll meet the man and hear about his new book.
Ed and I have had three wine mentors - Howie Rubin of Bauer Wines on Newbury Street, Paul Lang of the late, great Cafe Louis and now of A Casa NYC, and Brick Loomis of Aujourd'hui at the Four Seasons. Through the years, we noticed that of their recommended wines, the ones we loved were often from the same importer, Neal Rosenthal. 
All three men had great things to say about this man as a vendor and a person. Naturally, we began to pay attention. When we know nothing about a wine-- except that it has a Rosenthal label on the back, we trust that it will be worth trying. Over the years we've discovered a little more about the man, his philosophy of wine, and today we count ourselves among his admirers.
Last week, my pal David (who shares our enjoyment of great wine) sent an email telling me that the man himself was coming to town and asking whether I wanted to go to the event. I answered a quick yes, felt terrible that Ed would not be able to go, but really happy that I would.
Today I wandered into Bauer to review their current selection of Rosenthal wines. Howie wasn't working, but John Stepanski quickly pulled five of his favorites off the shelves. They were from France and Italy and ranged in price from $17 to $70.
All were new to me and I would have liked to taste each one. Perhaps one or two of them will be among the selection we'll taste at the event. Upstairs on the Square says, "Ticket purchase includes a wine tasting, hors d'oeuvre, a reading and book signing, and conversation with the author in an intimate setting."
EVENT INFORMATION
DATE: Wednesday, May 14th
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: UpStairs on the Square , 91 Winthrop St. Cambridge
TICKETS: Tickets for this event are $38 and may be purchased at Harvard Book Store or over the phone with a credit card (617-661-1515).
Neal I. Rosenthal was born in New York City in 1945 and was educated at Rutgers, Columbia, and New York University. He lives on a fifty-seven-acre farmstead in Pine Plains, New York, which produces organic eggs, buckwheat honey, fruit, and vegetables. Rosenthal was featured in the documentary film Mondovino and is outspoken against globalization, homogenization, and the “critic-ization” of the wine business. He was also a major subject in Lawrence Osborne’s The Accidental Connoisseur.
For more information on Neal Rosenthal's wines and other imported items
Locally you can buy them at:
And if you would like to throw a great wine event contact Paul Lang via:
