What makes the volcanic wines of southern Italy so exciting? That will be the focus of my April 11 adult education seminar at Middlesex Community College’s Nesmith House in Lowell, from 7-9 p.m. Participants will taste up to seven wines – white and red – and pair them with regional cuisine. They’ll be able […]
Author: Jim Campanini
For heavenly pairings, it’s Oregon’s St. Innocent Pinot Noir
Mark Vlossak’s winemaking philosophy is simple: “I make wines to go with food.” The founder, owner, and president of St. Innocent Winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley says people often wonder why a wine enjoyed at a restaurant disappoints when consumed at home without a meal. Wine must be balanced for food, says Vlossak, a single-vineyard […]
I tried drinking wine out of a can. I failed. But taste’s not bad.
It was only a matter of time before I tried drinking wine out of an aluminum can and, quite frankly, I survived. That doesn’t mean I enjoyed the experience. I didn’t. Lifting the cold can to my lips to get a sip of wine was frustrating. The liquid rushed out as I tilted the can. […]
A luxury rose` for U.S. millennials to (someday?) call their own
Je ne sais quoi? I’ve heard the phrase but never understood it until I read it on a wine bottle. Je ne sais quoi is the lovely French way of describing “someone so unique and so exceptional that no words exist to sufficiently capture her essence.” That’s the message behind JNSQ Rose` Cru, one of […]
Is the $6 bottle of wine headed to the dust bin?
The results of a survey question I posted on social media two weeks ago have confirmed a popular trend: The “sweet” spot for consumers buying a “decent” bottle of wine is in the $11 to $15 range. Of the 126 people who responded, a solid 70 percent ( 89 respondents) said they spent at least […]
Looking for ‘sole’ mates? Twelve white wines for Lent
I don’t understand why some Christians give up wine for Lent, the 40-day observance of prayer and penance that extends from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. Several years ago, my Catholic pastor set me straight on the subject. “Wine plays an essential part of church liturgy and in Jesus’ life,” this wise man said. “The […]
Get on board the Produttori del Barbaresco bandwagon
Now is the time to get to know Barbaresco, the red wine from Italy’s northern Piedmont growing region that plays a great second fiddle to Barolo, its more prestigious and expensive cousin. The 2015 growing season was fabulous, according to wine experts, and I’ve got just the wine to put you on the Barbaresco bandwagon: […]
Spicy Bolognese with spinach pasta
Mary Lee’s Quick Bolognese (paired with Produttori del Barbaresco) Written by Mary Lee Harrington, aka The Wine Goddess. Ingredients 2 T. Olive oil 3- (24 oz jars) Bertoli Tomato and Basil Sauce 2-T. unsalted butter 2 tsp. Italian seasoning 2 cups finely chopped onions- about 1 large 1 T. sugar 1 cup finely chopped carrots- […]
Last call for champagne (class)
My elegant Sparkling Wine and Champagne class is now less than two weeks away, and there are still a few seats left. Registration ends on March 4. The 2-hour class is Thursday, March 14 from 7-9 p.m. at the beautiful Nesmith House in Lowell. We’ll be tasting 6-8 sparklers, including Spanish cava, Italian Prosecco, plus […]
Seeking a lavish wine experience? Try the Biltmore Estate
What is the largest and most visited winery in the United States? It’s the Biltmore Estate Winery in Asheville, N.C. Surprised? I was. Then I visited the Biltmore Estate, toured its impressive 450-room “house”, ate lunch in the Stable Café, and tasted the locally made wines. The 8,000-acre estate is an architectural and environmental shrine […]
