Author: Jim Campanini

Events, Flavor of the day, French wines, General Wine, Italian, Must Try, Red wines, Spanish wines, Uncategorized

Kentucky Derby weekend: Run for the (pink) Rose`s

We’re “Running for the Rose`s” this week in honor of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, America’s greatest horserace. My party drink won’t be a mint julep, however. Instead I’ll be sipping a light, refreshing, delicious pink-colored rose` and pairing it with shrimp cocktail, spring rolls, crab Rangoon and a green saladtopped with fresh strawberries. While Provence put […]

Events, Flavor of the day, General Wine, Italian, Must Try, Recipes, Red wines

Palates thunder at ‘Volcanic Wines of Southern Italy’ tasting seminar

Most American wine drinkers are unfamiliar with Falanghina, Coda di Volpe Bianca, Aglianico and Nero D’Avola, but in southern Italy these red and white grapes are revered for their historical and viticultural significance. What also makes these grapes special is their exclusive ability to grow in volcanic, mineral-rich soils. A sip of Falanghina ( FAH-lan-ghee-na) […]

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Who’s Who of “Pinot in the City” wineries

The following Willamette Valley wineries will be pouring their wines at Boston’s “Pinot in the City” event on May 2 at The Castle exposition center at the Park Plaza hotel. For tickets got to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pinot-in-the-city-boston-tickets-52721981867). See story on the event at: https://thewinenovice.com/oregons-pinot-in-the-city-extravaganza-to-rock-boston-may-2/ ADELSHEIM VINEYARD ALEXANA ESTATE WINERY AMALIE ROBERT ESTATE ANGELA ESTATE ANNE AMIE VINEYARDS ANTICA […]

Events, Flavor of the day, General Wine, Must Try, Red wines, Uncategorized

Oregon’s ‘Pinot in the City’ extravaganza to rock Boston May 2

  In the early 1990s when Boston’s restaurant renaissance was first in its glory, Bill Sweat and his future wife Donna Morris were Fidelity Investments managers by day and passionate food-and wine explorers by night. Their discoveries, both in Beantown and abroad, led to a life-changing relocation to Oregon’s wine country in 2006. Today, the […]

Events, Flavor of the day, French wines, General Wine, Italian, Must Try, Red wines, Uncategorized, White Wines

Toast Mother Earth at The Groton Inn’s organic wine event

Now here’s a novel way to celebrate Earth Day on Monday, April 22. Head down to The Groton Inn’s Forge & Vine restaurant for its special promotion on biodynamic varietals and organic wines. That’s right: plant a tree in the morning and then drink some very unique wines from sustainable farming wineries located in Italy, France […]

Flavor of the day, French wines, General Wine, Must Try, Red wines, Uncategorized, White Wines

Expert presentation: A feast of 24 Easter wine suggestions

This blog’s sixth annual Easter wine list is diverse and vivacious, thanks to a knowledgeable and passionate group of experts who’ve forwarded 24 recommendations for your holiday table. All listed wines are available locally or online. (See Jim Campanini’s selections at: https://thewinenovice.com/jims-easter-picks-six-wines-for-the-senses/) A bottle of wine turns a simple meal into a feast, so pairing a […]

Flavor of the day, General Wine, Red wines, Uncategorized

Putting five ‘bourbon’ barrel-aged wines to a spirited test

Grilled steaks, braised ribs, burghers and bourbon barrel-aged Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s all the rage among trend-setting millennials, people aged 23 to 38 who have an affinity for new products and tastes. Some say aging wine in bourbon, rum and Irish whiskey barrels is a marketing gimmick. Others say it’s what the younger generation wants – […]

Events, Flavor of the day, General Wine, Italian, Must Try, Red wines, Uncategorized, White Wines

La Tunella Friulano: It does more than ‘sleep’ with the fishes

The Wine Goddess, my wife Mary Lee, handed me a challenge: Select a white wine she had never tasted before to pair with her special dish of mussels, shrimp and linguini in a white clam sauce (no garlic). I smacked my lips and headed to the wine laboratory – better known as my basement fridge […]