Tim Rude, Fierce Creative
A cabernet selection at Halyards
Wine—the rendering of a gentle squeeze of grapes dancing in a crystal chalice, a fermented flux alive with aromas, tastes, and complex finishes. Damn, that’s a mouthful. We use so many adjectives and qualifiers to define a simple, delicious, colored juice, enjoyed in a fancy glass or a red solo cup. But wine does not need to be so complicated or intimidating. Wine exists simply to be enjoyed.
We believe that wine is made special by those you share it with. It is a wonderful vehicle for memories, good times, laughter, and meaningful discussions. We’ve never met anyone who has a great story about a bottle of wine they drank by themselves—each bottle is a joy best shared with family or friends.
What matters when it comes to wine is this: Do you like it? The media tells us that wine needs to be formal, proper, high-end, complicated—and even sexy. But you get to decide if it’s delicious to you. If you like it, you buy it.
What makes sharing a bottle of wine together with friends so much fun is that everyone will have a different opinion about it. For some, the flavor will be just perfect. And for others, it’ll be too sweet or too dry. And everyone’s opinions are correct—with wine, there are no wrong answers.
No singular wine will suit everyone on every occasion—that’s what makes each unique bottle such a great adventure. There are so many wines and so little time to taste them all. A late morning tailgate in Athens in September might call for a Spanish Albariño or Verdejo, or an October afternoon brisket picnic might need an Australian Shiraz. A late-night dinner in the driveway leaning against the warm hood of your car with pizza in hand is asking for a cheap Chianti. Bottom line: there are no rules! It’s all about what sounds like a good choice to you in that moment and the joy you find in your bottle.
Tim Rude, Fierce Creative
Wine at Halyards
So many wonderful professional beverage crews believe in the simplicity and personal choice of wine like we do and are dedicated to helping you find your next favorite region, grape varietal, producer, or bottle. Ask your local package store owner about winemakers who pride themselves on making great “juice” because at the end of the day, these are the people who are simply “farmers” treating grapes with the utmost love and respect. And if you’re lucky enough to visit a wine region, find producers who don’t have cathedrals that double as tasting rooms. Talk to the winemakers who prefer tastings at a picnic table under the sun in view of their vineyards. These amazing men and women will not give you a dog-and-pony show; instead, their stories will be all about their personal experiences, from planting their vines to aging their wines.
Keep creating your own beautiful, fun stories and memories with friends and family—enjoying whatever bottles of reds, whites, oranges, and rosés you love best in kitchens, on porches, on boats, in driveways, and on picnic tables. Chandeliers, tall candles, and tuxedos are fine if the mood strikes you. But for a simple moment of joy, just pull your favorite bottle off the shelf and pour a bit with friends.
Dave Snyder is the owner of the Halyard Restaurant Group. This New England Culinary Institute graduate brought years of experience serving under top chefs when he struck out on his own and opened Halyards in 2000. He expanded next door to launch Tramici for neighborhood Italian cuisine in 2006 and added Latin street fare at La Plancha in 2017 to celebrate his Colombian heritage. The restaurant group includes these popular island eateries, plus Halyards Catering and Hal the Food Truck. Dave’s love of hospitality, food, and team is seconded by his time chasing fish. If he’s not on site at his restaurants, he’s probably on the water—with a bottle of wine nearby. To learn about the extensive wine offerings and delicious food at his restaurants, visit halyardrestaurantgroup.com.
