Divas uncork some fine wine

That the Boston-based Divas Uncorked have their own wine label might surprise some, but no one was more stunned than the 10 African- American women who make up the wine consumer and education group. ``We're as shocked as anyone else. When we started this . . . we had no idea it would take us here," member Barbara Cruz said of the Divas Uncorked California Chardonnay that will be unveiled this weekend at the Foxwoods Resort Casino 's first Food & Wine Festival. Stopping by the Brix Wine Shop in the South End, where the Divas' wine will be sold, Cruz ran through some of the qualities of the group's first release. ``It's not an oaky Chardonnay. . . . It's on the light side. . . . It has good acidity. It's fruity. . . . It's perfect for that end of the summer meal," she said. Then remember another one of the wine's selling points, Cruz added, "And it's got a screw cap! It will stay fresher." So has the attention from the wine world taken the fun out of the group's down-home get-togethers? "Oh, no. We still have a ball. It started with us learning about wine so that we could better enjoy it," said Cruz. ``Now we just share that with others."

‘Hollywoodland’ director boosts Affleck

Director Allen Coulter knows that when he's in Boston talking about ``Hollywoodland," one of the film's stars is going to elicit more questions than the others. ``Ben [ Affleck] and I talked at great length about this role and this story throughout the process," said Coulter who was in Boston recently promoting his movie about the late TV ``Superman" actor George Reeves. ``I do think it's one of his best performances." But Coulter, who has directed for ``The Sopranos" and ``Sex and the City," won't let it rest there. ``Ben's just one of several great performances. You have all these characters playing off each other but rarely do we see them interacting on screen." The film, opening today, also stars Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, and Bob Hoskins. Still it's Affleck who has been attracting a lot of attention for his portrayal of the fading actor who dies under mysterious circumstances. ``I hope Ben does get recognition for his work in this film. . . . He is good," said Coulter.

Large says goodbye to ‘Rockstar’

Southborough's long and leggy rocker Storm Large bid a tearful adieu Wednesday night to bad boy drummer Tommy Lee and the rest of his bandmates on the CBS reality show ``Rockstar: Supernova." The blond glamazon, 37, was the 10th rocker kicked off the show after receiving one of the lowest numbers of votes from viewers this week. A graduate of St. Mark's in Southborough, Large was one of 15 finalists who began the series vying for a chance to front Supernova on tour and in the studio. The 6-foot crooner who now lives in Portland, Ore., left the show telling Lee: ``I love you most for your big -- huge -- heart." On Tuesday night, Large premiered her original song ``Ladylike" to the delight of Lee -- who stood and cheered as she blasted out her vocals. Her last performance Wednesday was a rendition of Pink Floyd's ``Wish You Were Here," which she dedicated to her mother, Susan, who died last year. Large was the last of three finalists with local ties. Josh Logan of Manchester, N.H., was voted out in the early weeks, and Ryan Star, who had residency earlier this year at the Paradise Lounge, was recently cut from the show.

Here and there . . .

Former North Carolina senator and Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards will keynote the annual ABCD Community Awards Dinner scheduled for Nov. 3. The event honors ``unsung heroes" from Boston neighborhoods. Fox 25 anchor Maria Stephanos and reporter Glenn Jones will be the MCs. . . . The Huntington Theatre Company's artistic director, Nicholas Martin, went to New York City this week to begin rehearsals for the Huntington's production of ``Butley," starring Nathan Lane . The show, which Martin is directing, opens for previews Oct. 5.

It was a busy day at the Newton studios of NECN where Nora Ephron stopped by to chat with Chet Curtis about her book ``I Feel Bad About My Neck and Other Thoughts on Being a Woman." Showing her sharp humor, Ephron admonished older people who write about their sex lives. ``Why do they do this? If you have sex when you're old, that's great, but let's not get carried away." Hockey legend and restaurateur Ray Bourque, chef Ming Tsai, and Legal Sea Foods skipper Roger Berkowitz were also at the studio to tape a ``TV Diner" show to air tomorrow. Branford Marsalis also stopped by NECN yesterday before heading to WGBH's studio to talk with the FM station's jazz guy, Eric Jackson, last night. . . . Funnyman Jamie Kennedy, was spotted yesterday at the Victoria's Secret at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace before headlining his shows at the Comedy Connection. . . . The Telluride Film Festival's cofounder, Bill Pence, and his wife, Stella, a managing director, announced they are stepping down after 33 years. Residents of New Hampshire, where Bill Pence teaches at Dartmouth College, the couple said they will remain advisers to the festival.

Globe correspondent Jennifer Rosinski contributed. Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253.