I haven't been blogging because I've been in a wine coma since Friday, when I went tasting w/ the craziest grape guru in Lowell, Augusto Gabriel. Had some great Portuguese wines at a low-key wine event at the Seaport Hotel Fri. There are so many undiscovered wines in this sunny sliver tucked into the tibula of Spain that are a dead ringer for high-end Mediterranean wines. But they are better for one simple reason: price. Most of the bottles I tried retail for under $10. Unheard of for quality vin. The best was a crisp summer white called Nico Light, it’s not avail. here until this summer. With its grassy label and perfect bite, we thirstily await its arrival.

The second stunner was Irrevernete 2005 red. Shown above w/ paint-splashed label. As it turns out labels do matter. "That's how you sell wine," said Augusto. (See full story in next Wed.'s Sun.) Then we hit the Wine Riot at the Cyclorama in the South End. Put on by Boston vin rag The Second Glass, this youthful event was more about being seen than debating scent and tannins. All wines were priced to sell. Had some divine iced apple wine from one-year-old Harvard winery Still River that dovetailed deliciously w/ sharp cheddar. Night's highlight was seeing what the Twitterati are wearing. Converse sneaks w/ suits for men (loose tie, designer shades in place of pocket square) and anything w/ cleavage and tattoos for the chicks. Between sips we had perfect ceviche from Sel de la Terre, but the aronchinis they served were not as good as Capellini’s in Tewks. Where was the tomato sauce? How was your wkend?