HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS: Basketball performance troupe comes to MassMutual Center in Springfield, D4
LIVE WIRE: Jethro Tull tribute band will perform at The Drake in Amherst, D4
Clockwise from top left are scenes from “Wicked,” “Emilia Pérez,” “Anora,” “Heretic” and “The Substance,” all nominated for various Golden Globe awards.
By C hiqui E steban and O livia Mc C ormack
The Golden Globe Awards feature a diverse lineup of nominations this year, with the continent-hopping musical film “Emilia Pérez” leading the pack with 10 nominations. Other leading movies include “The Brutalist” (seven nominations) and “Conclave” (six nominations).
In TV categories, the Globes echoed this year’s Emmy Awards, handing the most nods to “The Bear” (five nominations), “Only Murders in the Building” (four nominations) and “Shogun” (four). The annual awards — generally a slightly tipsier complement to
the Oscars and Emmys — honor the best in movies and TV, at least according to tastes of the international entertainment journalists who make up the Golden Globe Foundation, the successor to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Will they choose a musical like “Emilia Pérez” or “Wicked?” Or echo the buzz that has greeted Mikey Madison’s performance in “Anora?” We’ll learn the results of their conclave on Sunday, when the Globes air live on CBS. They will also stream on Paramount Plus and be available on the CBS app.
Here is a look at the major categories for nominations.
Best motion picture, drama
‘The Brutalist’
‘A Complete Unknown’
‘Conclave’
‘Dune: Part Two’
‘Nickel Boys’
‘September 5’
Best motion picture, musical or comedy
‘Anora’
‘Wicked’
‘Emilia Pérez’
‘Challengers’
‘A Real Pain’
‘The Substance’
Best actress, drama
Pamela Anderson, ‘The Last Showgirl’
Angelina Jolie, ‘Maria’
Nicole Kidman, ‘Babygirl’
Tilda Swinton, ‘The Room Next Door’
Fernanda Torres, ‘I’m Still Here’
Kate Winslet, ‘Lee’
Best actor, drama
Adrien Brody, ‘The Brutalist’
Timothée Chalamet, ‘A Complete Unknown’
Daniel Craig, ‘Queer’
Colman Domingo, ‘Sing Sing’
Ralph Fiennes, ‘Conclave’
Sebastian Stan, ‘The Apprentice’
Above, Guy Pearce as wealthy Pennsylvania industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren in “The Brutalist.” Far right, from top, Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in “A Real Pain,” and Edward Norton, left, and Timothée Chalamet in a scene from “A Complete Unknown.” Immediate right, Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in “Maria.”
Best actress, musical or comedy
Amy Adams, ‘Nightbitch’
Cynthia Erivo, ‘Wicked’
Karla Sofía Gascón, ‘Emilia Pérez’
Mikey Madison, ‘Anora’
Demi Moore, ‘The Substance’ Zendaya, ‘Challengers’
Best actor, musical or comedy
Jesse Eisenberg, ‘A Real Pain’
Hugh Grant, ‘Heretic’
Gabriel LaBelle, ‘Saturday Night’ Jesse Plemons, ‘Kinds of Kindness’
Glen Powell, ‘Hit Man’
Sebastian Stan, ‘A Different Man’
Best supporting actress
Selena Gomez, ‘Emilia Pérez’
Ariana Grande, ‘Wicked’
Margaret Qualley, ‘The Substance’
Isabella Rossellini, ‘Conclave’ Zoe Saldana, ‘Emilia Pérez’
Felicity Jones, ‘The Brutalist’
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican
The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters — revered for their exceptional athleticism, basketball wizardry, and heartwarming interactions with fans of all ages — are making their annual return to Springfield on Saturday at the MassMutual Center as part of their 2025 World Tour.
Showtime is 5 p.m.
Tickets, ranging in price from $64 to $129, are available online at massmutual center.com.
The tour began Dec. 26 at Boston’s TD Garden.
“The Harlem Globetrotters continue to be celebrated as ambassadors of goodwill, combining sportsmanship and entertainment while bringing joy to families all over the world,” said Keith Dawkins, president, Harlem
Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios.
“Our global tour remains a core part of our business but we’ve also been able to expand the brand with new widely distributed content, new strategic partners, unique merchandise offerings, elevated social extensions and deeper fan experiences. This increased activity has us well positioned for our 100-year anniversary in 2026 and beyond.”
An outstanding dribbler and long-range shooter, Too Tall Winston, took time before the tour began to answer random questions submitted by The Republican.
Q. What is new and exciting about this year’s tour?
A. What’s new this year is our Big Chain Challenges
IT WOULD SEEM TO be a surreal experience for the leader of a tribute band to meet and hang out with the leader of the actual band that is the subject of the tribute.
But for Chris Devine, the encounter was nothing short of lovely.
throughout the game, (where) fans will have a chance to win one of our Harlem Globetrotter Big Chains.
Q. How many new players, if any, are there this year and where are they from?
A. We have four new players — Big Dog Whitsett, from Hamilton City, CA; “Cash” Price, from Columbia, SC; “Dragon” Gilmore, from Norway, SC; and “Dynamite” Key, from Bowling Key, KY.
Q. What is available for kids to do before and after the show?
A. During our pregame, we offer a Magic Pass paid experience where fans have the opportunity to have a one-
Devine, who sings lead and plays several instruments in the Jethro Tull tribute Minstrels in the Gallery, was able to meet Tull’s founder, singer and main man Ian Anderson at a Mohegan Sun show. Devine, who is friends with astronaut Cady Coleman — who famously did a flute duet with Anderson from space — explained how it happened.
“When I saw that Tull was coming to the area, I asked her to let me ride her coat-
tails into a personal audience with the Big Guy — who was personable and surprisingly soft-spoken, perhaps saving his voice for the show to come,” Devine said. “The three of us enjoyed a cup of tea together and a nice chat.
“Naturally I told him why I was there, as a special brand of super-fan of which there’s
adds to the show?
a very small membership. He told me tribute bands both flatter and embarrass him in equal measure. I assured him he wouldn’t be embarrassed by us.”
If you want to see for yourself, Minstrels in the Gallery will play The Drake in Amherst on Jan. 24. Devine talked about the band — which also includes guitarist Joe Boyle, bassist Bill Noland, drummer Joe Fitzpatrick and keyboardist Ken Forfia — in a recent interview.
Q. Rather than just play the songs faithfully, you also dress the part of Ian Anderson with all his medieval garb and incorporate his onstage persona. Did you do that from the start, or did it evolve?
A. I’ve been a stage actor in Shakespeare and contemporary plays as well as a musician since my teens, as well as a “rock comic” for over 25 years with The Bobby Darling Show, so prancing about in tights playing poshy and wisecracking Brits was already a comfortable wheelhouse for me. There’s few other classic rockers — Bowie comes to mind — who always had a theme to their new record as much as Ian and Tull would, year after year, with accompanying costumery, and who were so known for their onstage personality.
Q. What do you think that
A. It’s all part of the fun. Just standing there in basic black and “rendering” the material doesn’t work, to me, when you’re covering one of the biggest personalities ever to walk a rock stage. And it actually helps me perform the music better when I “put the man on” pre-show.
Q. A key to any Tull tribute is having someone to handle Martin Barre’s guitar chops. When did Joe Boyle get involved and how crucial is he to the project?
A. As a lead guitarist myself, Martin Barre was one of my formative ‘teachers’ along with the usual stable of Clapton, Hendrix, and Santana, as well as the fusion musclemen of the day like John McLaughlin and Al DiMeola, so I know Martin’s playing from the inside out more than many would. When our original guitarist left, Joe was my first call — I’ve known him since 1980 but hadn’t played with him since — and it was kismet he was willing and available. He plays with big-time fire and while he evokes Martin’s style beautifully, he’s very much his own man on the instrument and isn’t merely shackled to the recordings but brings new excitement to every solo. It’s a joy to be with him.
Q. Tull is certainly a classic rock band. Are your audiences older or do you get a good mix?
A. As the Minstrels’ set list
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4
on-one question and answer session with a Globetrotter. Magic Pass provides fans photo opportunities with players, an autograph, and a chance to be on our new 360 Camera platform to shoot hoops with Washington Generals.
A. Absolutely. We practice every single day before our games and just like any professional athlete, we work on our ball handling, shooting, passing, and playing together as a team. We also keep a strict workout schedule every day and many of us work out together.
extends from 1968 through 1977, it’s obvious that our audience skews to the Boomer generation. What’s been particularly rewarding for me, though, is to have members of later generations come up to me, usually brought there by a parent or older friend, to tell me how much they loved the show, and that though Tull was previously largely unknown to them they’re now fans of the music. Great songs and a good show are always going to be that, and to their credit they recognize it.
Q. What’s the most challenging song to play or sing?
A. My stock answer of course is ‘whatever song we’re currently working on’ which for our next show, we hope will be the complex “Velvet Green,” a neo-baroque/folk tune from 1977’s “Songs From The Wood,” but in our established repertoire the 12 minute stew of “Thick As A Brick” and our eponymous song always require attention at rehearsals.
But no Tull song is an easy sail-through, except perhaps their biggest AOR hit of all, “Locomotive Breath.” Ian had a unique voice with a lot more agility than he’s sometimes given credit for, and I’m glad that he’s largely a high baritone range that sits right where I’m comfortable myself. That said, I never take any of his vocals for granted. Covering a very familiar singer is always a daunting thing.
Q. What about The Washington Generals who always lose to the Globetrotters? When did they last win, and why do they still keep playing after losing all the time?
A. The Generals are competitors at the end of the day and the last time they won was in 1971. But since I’ve been with the team, we haven’t lost, so I love to win. I look at it like a sibling rivalry, the little brother always loses to the big brother. You never know. The Washington Generals have been preparing all year or what’s up their sleeve, so we always need to be ready as they try to dethrone the Globetrotters!
Q. Do the Globetrotters practice while on the road?
Q. Do fans have a favorite player?
A. Yes. Fans definitely have their favorites and we see often times handmade signs or they are screaming to our players like ‘Torch’ George, who lights up the floor with her amazing ball handling, ‘Bulldog’ Mack with his half court hook shot, ‘Jet’ Rivers with his amazing shooting from the 4-point line and me ‘Too Tall’ Winston. I love showing off my 2 ball spin and backwards Trick Shot!
Q. Does the music played during the show inspire the players?
A. Of course. Music while playing basketball puts you in a different mode. Especially if some J Cole or Kendrick is playing through the speakers.
Best supporting actor
Yura Borisov, ‘Anora’
Edward Norton, ‘A Complete Unknown’
Kieran Culkin, ‘A Real Pain’
Guy Pearce, ‘The Brutalist’
Jeremy Strong, ‘The Apprentice’ Denzel Washington, ‘Gladiator II’
Best director
Jacques Audiard, ‘Emilia Pérez’
Sean Baker, ‘Anora’
Edward Berger, ‘Conclave’
Brady Corbet, ‘The Brutalist’
Coralie Fargeat, ‘The Substance’
Payal Kapadia, ‘All We Imagine as Light’
Best screenplay
Jacques Audiard, ‘Emilia Pérez’
Sean Baker, ‘Anora’
Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold, ‘The Brutalist’
Jesse Eisenberg, ‘A Real Pain’
Coralie Fargeat, ‘The Substance’
Peter Straughan, ‘Conclave’
Best original score
Volker Bertelmann, ‘Conclave’
Daniel Blumberg, ‘The Brutalist’
Chris Bowers, ‘The Wild Robot’
Clément Ducol, ‘Emilia Pérez’
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, ‘Challengers’
Hans Zimmer, ‘Dune: Part Two’
Best original song
‘Beautiful That Way,’ ‘The Last Showgirl’
‘Compress / Repress,’ ‘Challengers’
‘El Mal,’ ‘Emilia Pérez’
‘Forbidden Road,’ ‘Better Man’
‘Kiss the Sky,’ ‘The Wild Robot’
‘Mi Camino,’ ‘Emilia Pérez’
Best motion picture, animated
‘Flow’
‘Inside Out 2’
‘Memoir of a Snail’ ‘Moana 2’
‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance
Most Fowl’ ‘The Wild Robot’
Best motion picture, non-English language
‘All We Imagine as Light’
‘Emilia Pérez’
‘The Girl With the Needle’
‘I’m Still Here’
‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ ‘Vermiglio’
Cinematic and box office achievement
‘Alien: Romulus’
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’
‘Gladiator II’
‘Inside Out 2’
‘Twisters’
‘Wicked’
‘The Wild Robot’
Best TV series, drama
‘The Day of the Jackal’
‘The Diplomat’
‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’
‘Shogun’
‘Slow Horses’ ‘Squid Game’
THURSDAY
Uno Chicago Grill: Country Music. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield
FRIDAY
Delaney House: Alex Rohan. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
MGM Springfield: MGM Roar
Comedy Club: Michael Lenoci. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
The Meeting House: Dave Brinnel. 827 Williams St., Longmeadow
Theodores’: Ottomatic Slim and the Deadly Sins. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Roots, Blues and Rock. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield
SATURDAY
Delaney House: Luther Johnson. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
MGM Springfield: MGM Roar
Comedy Club: Michael Lenoci. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
Theodores’: 7Roads Band. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Modern, Contemporary Rock. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield
SUNDAY
Delaney House: Trivia. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
Uno Chicago Grill: Jazz. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield
MONDAY
Uno Chicago Grill: 50% off individual deep dish pizza (dine in only). 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield
TUESDAY
Uno Chicago Grill: Blues Music. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield
WEDNESDAY
Uno Chicago Grill: Light Rock. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield
The Republican is not responsible for unannounced schedule changes. Listings must be received two weeks before the date of the event. Items should be mailed to Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329, emailed to pmastriano@repub.com or submitted to www.masslive. com/myevent
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Best TV series, musical or comedy
‘Abbott Elementary’
‘The Bear’
‘The Gentlemen’ ‘Hacks’
‘Nobody Wants This’
‘Only Murders in the Building’
Best limited series, anthology series or motion picture made for TV
‘Baby Reindeer’
‘Disclaimer’
‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’
‘The Penguin’
‘Ripley’
‘True Detective: Night Country’
Best actress in a TV series, drama
Kathy Bates, ‘Matlock’
Emma D’Arcy, ‘House of the Dragon’
Maya Erskine, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’
Keira Knightley, ‘Black Doves’
Keri Russell, ‘The Diplomat’
Anna Sawai, ‘Shogun’
Best actor in a TV series, drama
Donald Glover, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’
Jake Gyllenhaal, ‘Presumed Innocent’
Gary Oldman, ‘Slow Horses’
Eddie Redmayne, ‘The Day of the Jackal’
Hiroyuki Sanada, ‘Shogun’
Billy Bob Thornton, ‘Landman’
Best actress in a TV series, musical or comedy
Kristen Bell, ‘Nobody Wants This’ Quinta Brunson, ‘Abbott Elementary’
Ayo Edebiri, ‘The Bear’
Selena Gomez, ‘Only Murders in the Building’
Kathryn Hahn, ‘Agatha All Along’ Jean Smart, ‘Hacks’
Best actor in a TV series, musical or comedy
Ted Danson, ‘A Man on the Inside’
Steve Martin, ‘Only Murders in the Building’
Martin Short, ‘Only Murders in the Building’
Jeremy Allen White, ‘The Bear’
Adam Brody, ‘Nobody Wants This’
Jason Segel, ‘Shrinking’
Best supporting actress on TV
Liza Colón-Zayas, ‘The Bear’
Hannah Einbinder, ‘Hacks’
Dakota Fanning, ‘Ripley’
Jessica Gunning, ‘Baby Reindeer’
Allison Janney, ‘The Diplomat’
Kali Reis, ‘True Detective: Night Country’
Best supporting actor on TV
Tadanobu Asano, ‘Shogun’
Javier Bardem, ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’
Harrison Ford, ‘Shrinking’
Jack Lowden, ‘Slow Horses’
Diego Luna, ‘La Máquina’
Ebon Moss-Bachrach, ‘The Bear’
Best actress in a limited series, anthology series or motion picture made for TV
Cate Blanchett, ‘Disclaimer’
Jodie Foster, ‘True Detective: Night Country’
Cristin Milioti, ‘The Penguin’
Sofía Vergara, ‘Griselda’
Naomi Watts, ‘Feud: Capote vs. The Swans’
Kate Winslet, ‘The Regime’
Best actor in a limited series, anthology series or motion picture made for TV
Colin Farrell, ‘The Penguin’ Richard Gadd, ‘Baby Reindeer’ Kevin Kline, ‘Disclaimer’ Cooper Koch, ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Ewan McGregor, ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’
Andrew Scott, ‘Ripley’
Best performance in stand-up comedy
Jamie Foxx, ‘Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was’
Nikki Glaser, ‘Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die’
Seth Meyers, ‘Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking’
Adam Sandler, ‘Adam Sandler: Love You’
Ali Wong, ‘Ali Wong: Single Lady’ Ramy Youssef, ‘Ramy Youssef: More Feelings’
The 82nd annual Golden Globes ceremony will air live on CBS on and be streamed live on Paramount+ on Sunday, Jan. 5, starting at 8 p.m.
EVERY DECEMBER, as the year draws to a close, restaurant industry pundits make a habit of delivering commentary on dining out trends they foresee for the 12 months ahead. This year, however, those voices have been mostly silent, with forecasts of what’s to be “hot” (and what’s not) few and far between.
Perhaps this collective reticence on the part of those who write about the industry represents a reaction to a difficult 2024 or an uneasiness about a potentially disruptive economic landscape during the year ahead. Regardless of what’s causing this silence, there’s certainly been a lack of predictive focus on where the dining out world might be headed.
That, however, doesn’t mean there aren’t a few significant trends at work out there.
Certainly “value” will continue to be front and center as chains and independent alike strive to counter the perception that dining out has become “too expensive.”
Instead, expect savvy operators — through menu pricing and promotion — to reinforce the idea that eating away from home remains an affordable indulgence.
Beverage product creation and marketing, in every area from cocktails to coffee drinks, will remain a focus of business activity as operators strive to capitalize on the higher margins that drinkable options traditionally command.
When it comes to menu development, chicken will most likely remain the preferred protein ingredient, and spicy flavor profiles can be expected to dominate as chefs and product development specialists add to the repertoires of their respective operations.
Regardless of the specifics, expect the year ahead to continue to bring about plenty of new and interesting options that will make “dining out” an experience that can be looked forward to and enjoyed.
• Dewey’s Jazz Lounge in downtown Springfield will host its Winter Supper Club on Wednesday, Jan. 22. The evening, which starts at 6:30 p.m., features a three-course menu, each course of which will be paired with a whisky or Bourbon-based cocktail.
Diners will get to enjoy shrimp and grits, short rib mac and cheese and sweet potato pie, as well as live entertainment.
Tickets, which are $75 plus a convenience fee, can be ordered at Eventbrite.com.
Dewey’s Jazz Lounge answers at 413-301-8337.
• The Munich Haus in Chicopee will host its first Wild Game Feast of 2025 on Saturday, Jan. 18. The Hunter’s Harvest event will begin at 6 p.m. and feature an extensive array of wild edibles.
Centerpiece of the buffet is to be a chef-attended carving station stocked with roast venison, bison, elk and kangaroo. Turkey schnitzel, marinated squid, roasted wild boar, alligator sausages and more will supplement the carving station selections.
An assortment of cheeses, salads, chips, dips and numerous side dishes will also be part of the buffet layout.
Tickets for assigned seating
itas) have already been upgraded, so the focus on fajitas will complete this particular product “refresh.”
Fajitas are a dish that has a lot going on, so the rework must necessary be multifaceted, including not only ingredient enhancements
As a part of the remake, the fajitas will get repriced, moving up from the high teens price point where the product has traditionally been positioned.
The fajitas update is expected to be rolled out chainwide in the first half of 2025.
• Brignole Vineyards in East Granby, Connecticut, will host a sushi-making class Friday, Jan. 10, at 6 p.m.
A hands-on, two-hour experience, the session will focus on making sushi, including tips on presentation and garnish that make the end product “Instagram-worthy.”
The basic $60 class fee includes ingredients for making both a California roll and a vegetarian roll. Participants have the option to advance-order what’s needed to create additional sushi favorites.
A glass of wine is also included in the ticket price. Brignole Vineyards answers at 860-653-9463.
• Champney’s Restaurant at the Deerfield Inn is once again presenting a Robert Burns Night on Jan. 25. Burns Night celebrations are held across the globe to commemorate the birth of Scottish poet Robert Burns. The traditions that these events incorporate have changed little since the first Burns Night back in 1801; the festivities include food, Scotch whisky, songs, bagpipes, and more.
at the event will be priced at $65 per person, and reservations may be made online at munichhaus.com.
The Munich Haus answers at 413-594-8788.
• Chili’s Grill & Bar, the Texas-based flagship brand of Brinker International, has announced plans to upgrade its fajitas. The reformulation is part of a broader process by which Chili’s is refreshing its “Core Four,” the items that have historically been among the chain’s best-sellers. The other Core Four (burgers, chicken tenders, and margar-
but changes to presentation as well. For instance, in an effort to make the fajitas more visually appealing, Chili’s is swapping out some of the dishware on which the product is served.
The company’s culinary development team is also committed to improving the “sizzle rate” on the fajitas, a recognition that plenty of crackle and pop as the dish is carried through the dining room helps sell fajitas to other customers.
Even a new garnish for the dish — a whole fried jalapeno pepper — is on tap.
The Burns Night at Champney’s will feature a traditional menu, beginning with chicken consommé, followed by a ceremonial parading of the haggis, which will be toasted with Tomintoul Single Malt whisky.
A warm winter green salad will precede the main course which is to be a beef, lamb and venison fricassee. Sticky toffee pudding and Cheddar with oat cakes will conclude the feasting.
Tickets for the event, which do not include gratuity or tax, are $95.
I’D LIKE TO WISH EVeryone a “Happy New Year,” and I sincerely mean that.
However, the ongoing news in the craft beer world doesn’t contain a lot of harbingers of good tidings for the coming year.
Over the past few months, I’ve written about some sad brewery closings both locally and regionally, the rising cost
GOOD WINE
doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. That simple sentence was one of the driving forces behind the creation of this weekly wine column in November 2012.
Twelve years later, I still believe that’s true.
That’s why each year at this time, I have written an annual wine column about the top wines under $10.
Initially, the annual list was only five wines. Then in 2015, I expanded the annual list to the current 10 wine format. Since then, finding new, affordable wines for under $10 has become more challenging.
We can thank inflation. Everything costs more the past few years. And wine is no exception.
Fortunately, there are still some great bargains to be found.
This week, you can find 11 wines (two are tied for fifth place) for under $10, along with five “honorable mentions.” You might also notice that a few wines cost $10.99. Technically, that isn’t “under” $10 but the wine does cost $10 plus a few more cents — and that’s good enough for me.
Let me add that you can find all the previous top 10 lists and the top wine of the year
of beer, and the continuous flatlining of craft beer sales over the past few years. I wish I could say that my crystal ball forecasts a turnaround in 2025, but like that old Magic 8 Ball toy might say: “Outlook not so good.”
Even the vaunted New York Times wrote about the trend with a Dec. 27 article titled “Has the Craft Beer Industry’s Keg Finally Kicked?”
The story offered the same reasons we’ve all cited for the downturn, but also shone a light on possible shifts that could help abate the slide. It referred to Hendler Family Brewing, of Framingham, which local readers will know as the owners of Jack’s Abby. The company also does contract brewing for other beermakers and recently purchased Night Shift and
Wormtown breweries. This last move obviously saved a ton of overhead costs.
“Those three brands were brewing in three production facilities with three brewhouses, three rent payments, three heat bills and three AC bills,” owner Sam Hendler told The Times.
But acquisitions and consolidations like that are probably
from previous years online at MassLive.com
As in years past, I made a point this year of picking wines from around the world. This year’s list includes two wines each from California, Italy, Spain and Chile along with one wine from France, Argentina and New Zealand. And for the first time ever, the top wine of the year for under $10 comes from California.
What took so long? Partly, it’s because many great California wines cost more than $10 a bottle for a variety of reasons — production costs, the price of land and simple supply and demand.
But if you look hard enough, there are still great bargains to be found in California. And I’m thrilled to share this particular one, along with all the other great, affordable wines recommended this week.
Hope you enjoy and looking forward to sharing more wine
Initially, the annual list was only five wines. Then in 2015, I expanded the annual list to the current 10 wine format. Since then, finding new, affordable wines for under $10 has become more challenging.
recommendations with you each week in 2025 as well.
10. 2022 Los Vascos
Cabernet Sauvignon
($8.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield)
Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile
Grape: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting notes: The first one on this list might be familiar to longtime readers of this wine column. This wine was named the third-best wine on the top 10 wines under $10 for 2021. Made by Domaines Barons De Rothschild — the same world-class winery in France’s Bordeaux region that makes Chateau Lafite Rothschild — this outstanding red wine from Chile’s Colch-
agua Valley has a delightful, light, bright finish with hints of cherry, strawberry and raspberry. If you love lighter red wines from France’s Beaujolais or southern Rhone region, I think you will really enjoy this approachable yet complex wine.
9. 2023 Le Salare Montepulciano D’Abruzzo
($8.99 at Table & Vine)
Region: Abruzzo, Italy
Grape: 100% Montepulciano
Tasting notes: The first of two Italian red wines on this list, this light, understated wine has impressed me for many years. In fact, two years ago, this wine was my top wine of the year under $10 in 2022. What I love about
this wine is its approachable, easy-to-drink flavors, including hints of cherry and plum. Let me add that if you’re confused about Montepulciano wines, you’re not alone. I wrote about them last week as part of an overview of Italian wines. Montepulciano is a grape and a wine region in Italy. I could confuse you even more, but I can save that for another week.
8. 2021 Cave Saint Desirat Syrah Vin De Pays Dardeche ($9.99 at Table & Vine)
Region: Northern Rhone, France
Grape: 100% Syrah
Tasting notes: The Syrah grape often produces elegant red wines that age gracefully
THURSDAY
Bright Nights at Forest Park: Thu.Sun., Forest Park, through Jan. 5. Hours: Mon.-Thu. 5-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 5-10 p.m.; Sun. 5-9 p.m. Admission is $23 per car; $35 per limousine; campers with seating capacity of less than 17 passengers $23; mini buses (seating capacity 17-31) $80; buses (seating capacity 31+) $175. Tickets available online at brightnights.org. Sumner Avenue, Springfield.
MGM Springfield Tree Lighting and Ice Rink: Thu.-Sun., MGM Springfield. Tree lighting takes place at 6 p.m. Hours: Mon.-Tue., closed; Wed.-Thu., 4-10 p.m.; Fri.- Sat. 1-10 p.m.; Sun. noon-10 p.m. Walk-up sales only; tickets not available online. 1 MGM Way, Springfield.
FRIDAY
Bright Nights at Forest Park: See Thursday listing
MGM Springfield Tree Lighting and Ice Rink: See Thursday listing Montague Shakespeare Festival 2025 Workshops: Fri.-Sun., online, "The Digital Bard: Live Online Workshops," Jan. 3 - Feb. 28, 1-2 p.m. A nine-part Zoom workshop series offering insights into Shakespear's works. Learn from acclaimed actors and directors from Shakespeare's Globe and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Cost is $25 per workshop. Register at montagueshakespearefestival. com.
Bright Nights at Forest Park: See Thursday listing Merrimack Valley Kennel Club Dog Show: Sat.-Sun, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Eastern States Exposition, Young Building, Free. 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or thebige.com.
MGM Springfield Tree Lighting and Ice Rink: See Thursday listing Montague Reporter Fundraiser — in Honor of Christopher Sawyer-Laucanno: Sat., 1 p.m. Great Falls Discovery Center. Celebrate the life of Christopher Sawyer-Lauçanno (1951-2024) in the form of a fundraiser for the Montague Reporter. Family, friends, fellow poets, artists, collaborators, community members, and colleagues are welcome and encouraged to share stories at this event. Sawyer-Luacanno fostered and edited the Montague Reporter Poetry Page for many years. Donations to the Montague Reporter are welcomed but not required. Spon-
Laurie Zelek, of Old Lyme, Conn., applies the finishing touches to her dog Briggs during the Merrimack Valley Kennel Club’s 84th All-Breed Dog Show at the Eastern States Exposition. The Merrimack Valley Kennel Club Dog Show returns this weekend. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTO)
sored by family and the Montague Reporter. For all ages. To join the program as a speaker, contact Sarah Pruitt at sarahpruitt58@gmail. com, or Jessica Pruitt at jesprui@ gmail.com. Meet in the Great Hall, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, 413-8633221 or greatfallsma.org.
Montague Shakespeare Festival 2025 Workshops: See Friday listing
Bright Nights at Forest Park: See Thursday listing Merrimack Valley Kennel Club Dog Show: See Saturday listing MGM Springfield Tree Lighting and Ice Rink: See Thursday listing Montague Shakespeare Festival 2025 Workshops: See Friday listing
George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: “Ancient Treasures,” a display of artifacts from ancient China, Greece, Rome and Egypt. On the first Wed. of every month through the end of 2026, admission to the Springfield Museums is free. For more information, visit springfieldmuseums.org.
Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “The 200th Anniversary of the Springfield Republican,” through Jan. 5. Permanent exhibit: More than two dozen Indian motorcycles and related memorabilia. Michele and Donald D’Amour
Amelia Park Children’s Museum: Permanent exhibits include spaceship, construction site, library, grocery store. Weekday activities. Visit ameliaparkmuseum.org for information. Hours: Tue.-Tue, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Open for groups Wed. Admission: $8 adults; $8 children (12 months and older); $4 grandparents/ seniors (60+); military personnel and teachers receive a 10% discount off the price of regular admission; members/infants free. 29 South Broad St., Westfield or ameliaparkmuseum.org
Collection: Recent Acquisitions.” Through Feb. 23. “In Pursuit of the Picturesque: The Art of James Wells Champney.” Through Feb. 23. 80 Old Main St., Deerfield or historic-deerfield.org.
Historic Northampton Museum and Education: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Wed.-Sun. noon-5 p.m. $5 suggested donation. 46 Bridge St., Northampton or historic-northampton.org.
Museum of Fine Arts: “Gilded Echoes: The Tiffany Influence in Josh Simpson’s Glasswork,” through Feb. 25. “Look Again: Portraits of Daring Women” by Julie Lapping Rivera, through Feb. 23. “Tiffany’s Gardens in Glass,” through Feb. 25.
Springfield Science Museum: Permanent exhibit: State-of-theart Zeiss Projector and updated International Space Station exhibit. Stars Over Springfield: Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m.–9 p.m. $7, members $5. Join in for a beginner’s astronomy program featuring a short talk by a local expert, hands-on activities and demonstrations, a planetarium show with the Korkosz starball and brand-new Zeiss projector, and stargazing in the rooftop observatory. Recommended for ages 8 and older. Registration is required, visit springfieldmuseums.org.
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Permanent exhibit. Firstfloor exhibition provides opportunities to explore new sounds and vocabulary, play rhyming games, invent stories, and engage in activities that encourage teamwork and creative thinking, with interactive three-dimensional exhibits. Second floor contains Geisel’s personal memorabilia. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit springfieldmuseums.org.
Quadrangle admission - $25 for adults, $16.50 for seniors (60+) and college students with ID, $13 for children ages 3-17; free to children under age 3 and members, Springfield residents are free with proof of residency. Welcome Center and Museum store. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Anchor House of Artists: Rotating art exhibits, self-staged by fine regional talents. The best least-known gallery in the Pioneer Valley. Free public receptions on the 2nd Fri. of the month from 5-8 p.m. For more information, ertists@anchorhouseartists.org, go online to anchorhouseartists.org, or call 413-5884337. 518 Pleasant St., Northampton Berkshire Museum: “Call of the Sea: Maritime Art and Navigation & Homage to the Glacier” works by Peter Bremers and James Schantz, through Jan. 5. 39 South St., Pittsfield or berkshiremuseum.org. East Longmeadow Historical Commission Museum: Permanent exhibit: Open every third Saturday of the month, 1-3 p.m., with free admission. Guided tours are available. For more information about seasonal events, visit them on Facebook by searching “East Longmeadow Historical Commission.” 87 Maple St., East Longmeadow.
Edith Wharton — The Mount: NightWood, through Jan. 4. Inspired by the natural world, NightWood combines cinematic and atmospheric music, theatrical lighting, and scenic elements to create encounters that evoke wonder, delight, and mystery. General admission: $27 adults; $12 youths 13-18; free for children 12 and under. Admission is limited and timed. Reservations are required and can be made online at EdithWharton.org or by calling 413-551-5100. 2 Plunkett St., Lenox.
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: Permanent exhibit: Gabrielle Healy Carroll Storytime Programs are held Tues. and Fri. 10:30 a.m.; Sat. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m., free with admission. Museum hours: Wed.-Fri, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun, noon-5 p.m. $6, $9, $22.50 for a family of four.
“Artful Collaboration: Eric Carle & Ann Beneduce,” through March 9. “Free to Be...You and Me: 50 Years of Stories and Songs,” through April 6. 125 West Bay Road, Amherst or carlemuseum.org.
Historic Deerfield: “Building a
Josiah Day House: Permanent exhibit: featuring guided tours, artifacts, furniture, clothing and documents from 1754-1902. Call for open house schedule and individual tours. $3, $1 children 6-12, free for members. 70 Park St., West Springfield, 413-734-8322.
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art: Permanent exhibit, “A Coin in the Corner” by Micah Lexier; “Clocktower Project” by Christina Kubisch; “Allovers”; “Looking at North Adams” by Joe Manning; “Tree Logic” by Natalie Jeremijenko; and more. $20 adults; $18 seniors and veterans; $12 students with ID; $8 youth (6–16). Tickets must be purchased in advance. 87 Marshall St., North Adams or massmoca.org.
Mead Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: various American and European paintings, Mexican ceramics, Tibetan scroll paintings and more. Museum hours: Tues.-Thurs. and Sun. 9 a.m.-midnight; Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. free, 220 South Pleasant St., Amherst or amherst.edu.
Mount Holyoke College Art Museum: “Northern Exposure: Painting from the Low Countries in the Permanent Collection,” through May 25. “Mariam Ghani: Like Water from a Stone,” through May 25. Lower Lake Road, South Hadley or mtholyoke. edu.
Norman Rockwell Museum: Online exhibit: “Imagining Freedom.” The exhibition highlights the important role of Norman Rockwell and other artists in advancing and communicating these ideals, envisioned as core human rights for all people. The fee for accessing “Imagining freedom” is $5 for the general public, available on the museum’s website at NRM.org. “Anita Kunz: Original Sisters Portraits of Tenacity and Courage,” through May 26. $10/$25. “Norman Rockwell: Home for the Holidays,” through Feb. 23. $0$25. Illustrators of Light: Rockwell, Wyeth, and Parrish from the Edison Mazda Collection, through Jan. 4. $0/$25. “ Norman Rockwell’s Life and Holiday Art Guided Tours,” through Feb. 23. 40 min. Tours are limited to 25 people and often sell out in advance,. $0-$10 in addition to Museum admission. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge or nrm.org.
for years. This is especially true with some Syrah wines from France’s Northern Rhone region, especially in the village of Cote Rotie. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune (many top Cote Rotie wines cost hundreds of dollars) or wait a decade or more to enjoy this soft, understated wine with subtle hints of roasted cherry, blackberry and pepper.
Virgen Cabernet ($9.99 at Table & Vine)
Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
Grape: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting notes: This bright, refreshing red wine comes from one of my favorite Argentinian wineries — Domaine Bousquet. This winery consistently produces great, affordable wines made with organic, vegan-certified grapes. In this particular case, the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes come from Argentina’s Uco Valley, which is located in the magnificent Mendoza region, which is famous for making some of the best wines in Argentina. Flavor wise, this wine has a fresh, clean finish with hints of blackberry and cherry.
gnon Blanc ($10.99 at Table & Vine)
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Grapes: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting notes: This classic white wine never gets old for me. And while it’s not technically under $10 a bottle, the price has a 10 in it so it’s close enough in my opinion. The Marlborough region located on the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island produces delicious, distinct white wines made with Sauvignon Blanc grapes. The dominant flavor and aroma of these wines is often fresh-cut grass. In this particular case, the wine also includes hints of lime, grapefruit and other zesty fruit-like flavors.
5. (TIE) 2017 Evodia Old Vine Garnacha ($10.99 at Table & Vine)
Region: Calatayud, Aragon, Spain
Grape: 100% Garnacha
Tasting notes: In order to squeeze in one more wine onto this list, I ranked both Spanish wines the fifth best affordable wines of the year. This outstanding red wine comes from Spain’s Calatayud region, which is located in central Spain near Zaragoza. Spain’s famous for producing affordable red wines made with Garnacha grapes. This particular one has a robust finish at first straight out of the bottle. But give this wine a few minutes in the glass and those flavors quickly become more subtle, softer and delicate, including hints of jam, plum and dark chocolate.
5. (TIE) Segura Viudas
Brut Reserve ($9.99 at Table & Vine)
Region: Catalonia, Spain
Grapes: 50% Macabeo, 30% Xarello, 20% Parellada
Tasting notes: Earlier this year, I taught a wine tasting class about Spanish wines. This particular sparkling wine was a huge hit. (Three people in the class picked this wine as their favorite wine of the class.) I wasn’t surprised. For many years, whenever anyone has asked me for a recommendation for a dry, affordable sparkling wine, this is the one I often recommend. This sparkling wine is a Cava, which is a type of Spanish sparkling wine from the Cava region. Cavas are made the same way as Champagne from France’s
cantly more. This wine from the southernmost part of Italy has a soft, subtle finish with hints of cherry and blackberry that goes nice and smooth.
2. 2021 Root 1 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon ($10.99 at Table & Vine)
Region: Maipo Valley, Chile Grape: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Champagne region. Both are fermented twice. The big difference is Cavas cost a fraction of what you would normally pay for a Champagne. This particular Cava has a crisp, smooth, refreshing finish with hints of pear, apricot, lemon zest and green apple.
4. 2022 Seaglass Central Coast Sauvignon Blanc
($9.99 at Table & Vine)
Region: California
Grapes: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting notes: This outstanding white wine was my fifth favorite wine under $10 last year. This year, I had this wine several times. And many times, I would think about this wine days or weeks later, which is always a sign of a great wine. That’s why I wanted to make sure this memorable wine moved up even higher on this year’s list. Like many Sauvignon Blanc wines, this one has a zesty, lemon-like finish. There are also delicate dashes of sea salt and fresh-cut grass along with a slight tart finish.
3. 2023 Contrade Masseria Li Veli Negroamaro Red Italy Puglia Sustainable
($10.99 at Table & Vine)
Region: Puglia, Italy
Grapes: 100% Negroamaro
Tasting notes: The second Italian wine on this list was also one of the wines featured in a wine class I taught a few weeks ago about Italian wines. In fact, this wine received one vote in the class for the best Italian wine of the night, even though it was competing against wines that cost signifi-
Tasting notes: This past fall, this red wine was one of the wines I featured in a wine tasting class about wines from Chile. I chose this wine for the class for the same reason it’s included on this list — it’s an outstanding wine for a terrific price. This particular gem comes from Chile’s Maipo Valley, one of the country’s best-known wine regions, which is famous for producing great wines made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere and Chardonnay grapes. Here, the flavors are light, fruit forward and earthy with subtle hints of cherry, pepper and cloves.
1. 2021 Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel ($9.99 at Table & Vine)
Region: California
Grapes: 100% Zinfandel
Tasting notes: And here it is — the top wine of the year for under $10. And for the first time ever, it’s a California wine. This particular red wine was voted the most popular wine in a wine class I taught in September about California wines. It’s also a long-time favorite wine of mine that I hadn’t tried in a while until this past fall. Tasting this wine again felt like catching up with a great friend I hadn’t seen in a while. You know what I’m talking about. You fall right back into the same rhythm and feel like no time has passed since you last saw each other. Its familiar flavors cover a wide range — from smooth and smokey to subtle, intense notes of blackberry, pepper and cranberry. Cheers!
Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday.
not common enough to bail out a lot of breweries that might face some stark realities in the coming year. Also, there is a general suspicion among craft beer fans whenever a bigger brand purchases a smaller one. This attitude is not always fair (and certainly the Hendler family should be above reproach for its pragmatic and brand-saving deal), but in cases where large corporate brands swallow small craft breweries, some qualms are understandably warranted. However, those huge multinational corporations are now also walking away from such deals. Where companies like Anheuser-Busch InBev and Molson Coors once took a keen interest in snagging craft brands, they are now divesting themselves of previous acquisitions. AB InBev sold eight craft brands, including Shock Top and Redhook, while Molson Coors sold Hop Valley Brewing Co., Terrapin Beer, Revolver Brewing, and Atwater Brewery to the Canadian cannabis firm Tilray Brands. Last year was the first time since 2005 where there were more brewery closings than openings. While that is seemingly just another sad detail in the industry’s stagnation, I can also see it as a somewhat good trend.
While it’s always exciting to try a new brewery’s offerings, if truth be told, I think the industry is suffering from a bit of fatigue. There are almost 10,000 breweries in the country and most Americans live within 10 miles of one (in a country that covers well more than 3,000,000 square miles) so I think we probably don’t need any (or at least many) more — at least not for the time being.
Maybe our motto for 2025 should be “sometimes enough is enough,” and we should just enjoy all the good beers we currently have. “New” isn’t always “better.”
That said, I also say, “Happy New Year.”
Vocalist Ethel Lee will perform at the 350 Grill in downtown Springfield on Sunday, Jan. 12. At left, she is pictured performing in a 2019 file photo.
The Deerfield Inn is also offering a stay-over discount for the Burns weekend. For more information and to make dinner reservations, call 413-774-5587.
• Confident of its “pricing power,” Chipotle Mexican Grill implemented a 2% menu price hike last month.
The company cited increased ingredient costs, especially for avocados, beef, and dairy, as one of the drivers for this series of price increases. Interestingly, however, a company spokesperson also referenced “higher usage ensuring generous portions” as another reason for the price adjustment.
Earlier in 2024 Chipotle had been the subject of gone-viral social media that supposedly showed employees “skimping” on ingredients while assembling customer orders.
• From Friday, Jan. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 19, the Villa Rose Restaurant in Ludlow will be celebrating winter with a Frostbite Ice Bar. Presented in collaboration with V-One Vodka of Hadley, the ice bar features handmade winter-themed cocktails, an ice luge that dispense crisp shots and an assortment of fanciful ice sculpture creations. Live
entertainment will be featured on Friday and Saturday evenings.
For more details on the Ice Bar weekend, contact Villa Rose at 413-547-6667.
• On Thursday, Jan. 23, Uno Pizzeria & Grill in Haymarket Square on Boston Road will host a Bourbon Pairing Dinner. The evening, which begins at 6 p.m., will incorporate a specially created multi-course menu that be matched with selected Bourbon tastes.
Tickets for the Bourbon Pairing Dinner are available on Eventbrite.com, where they are priced at $45 plus a convenience fee.
Uno Pizzeria & Grill in Haymarket Square answers at 413-543-5600.
• On Sunday, Jan. 12, the 350 Grill in downtown Springfield will be hosting live jazz starting at 6 p.m.
Vocalist Ethel Lee will be debuting a new show that evening; she’ll be accompanied by Chris Casey on keyboard and Wes Brown on bass.
Reservations can be made by calling the 350 Grill at 413-439-0666.
Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.
