Author: Jim Campanini

Events

14 Hands, My Man Sam will crown Derby Day

I’m going for longshots today in the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby. But even if I don’t win at the racetrack, I know I have a clear standout with 14 Hands Kentucky Derby Limited Reserve red blend when I get home. Today is the day to crack it open with the Wine Goddess, grill […]

Red wines

Run for the Rosés: Eight lively Derby Day picks

Saturday, May 7, is the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby, the 1 1/4-mile race that tests the speed and stamina of the world’s best 3-year-old thoroughbreds. This weekend, some wine stores will be holding Run for the Rosés events — a takeoff on the blanket of roses presented to the winning horse. For the […]

Flavor of the day, General Wine, White Wines

Lefty or Righty?: Six seductive Chablis Premier Cru

There’s Chardonnay and then there’s Chablis, a dry white wine and also the name of the Bourgogne’s northernmost district from which it comes. Chablis is a wine that easily accentuates a sense of place (terroir). While Chablis typifies feminine elegance — seductive floral aromas, pure flavors — it’s structured around high acidity (a result of […]

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

Wine for the course: 14 Hands Kentucky Derby Red Blend

[email protected] The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is 16 days away, and I’m excited. That’s because I already have a winner — not the winning horse — but the winning wine. Once again, I’ll be drinking 14 Hands Winery’s Limited Release Kentucky Derby Red Blend with grapes sourced from Washington State’s Columbia Valley. The […]

Events

Brunello takes the sting out of Bella's curse

Someone asked me the other day if I remembered what I had received for Christmas gifts. I thought hard for a moment and said I couldn’t recall exactly. Was this a dementia test, I asked? No, said the friend, explaining that life seems to be a blur these days — everything’s going by so fast. […]

Events

Five wines that command attention

It’s the end of March and I’ve had a good week tasting several red wines — two from the France — and a wonderful dry Riesling. Here are the reviews: • 2012 Inkblot Tannat, Lodi, $26.95 — Here’s a red grape varietal that is popular in southwest France where it’s used in blends. California’s Michael […]