Author: Jim Campanini

General Wine

Recent tastings: A 90+ wine for $9

Here are three bottlings toadd to your lookout list in your wine travels 1. 2009 Chateau de Flaugergues, France ($16) — From the Languedoc comes this full-bodied red blend of Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvedre that is a superb overachiever at this price. A small shop owner in Saratoga Springs said it was the best […]

General Wine

Wine tastings can help your party planning

Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa: good bargain from the land of Mandela Now is the time to be considering your wine purchases for the holidays, looking for deals that will save money and also offer the opportunity to get wonderful wines at bargain prices. Wine tastings afford a relaxing, no-pressure time to sample wines, […]

General Wine

The amazing women of Amarone

Tiliana Begali of Begali Lorenzo Azienda Agricola says the winery’s 2008 Amarone is beautifully structured for a long life. “A good Amarone is like no other red wine in the world,” writes wine expert and author Matt Kramer. “You get scents and tastes of perceived cherries, various fruits, whiffs of licorice and tar, along with […]

General Wine

Luca Speri returns with a classic 2008 Amarone

  Luca Speri, center, says the 2008 Speri Amarone is “elegant” and “classic” in every way. At left is Kevin Coughlin of Westford and Wine Novice writer Jim Campanini who both sampled the marvelous bottling. It’s hard to believe that the 2008 Speri Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (Monte Sant’Urbano) can be better than the 2007. […]

General Wine

Autumn a great blend of weather, wine

The stage is set for early evening al fresco dining n the pergola. Warm Indian summer days and cool autumn nights, the perfect weather to enjoy a relaxing vacation with your favorite friend(s) and wine. Whether you stay at home or head out on weekends along the New England coast, it’s a great time to […]

General Wine

Recent tastings: A 90+ wine for $9

Here are three bottlings to add to your look-for list in your wine travels: 1. 2009 Chateau de Flaugergues, France ($16) — From the Languedoc comes this full-bodied red blend of Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvedre that is a superb overachiever at this price. A small shop owner in Saratoga Springs said it was the […]

General Wine

A Brunello-Barolo buying binge

It’s rare that high-cost wines go on sale at a deep discount, but when they do you should act with urgency. Three weeks ago, the Wine Bunker in Reading put out a Friday night email blast announcing a 30 percent discount on its remaining stock of Brunellos, Barolos, Amarones and other high-end Italian wines. I […]

General Wine

A Greek wine worth discovering

Unless you are a Trojan warrior, there’s nothing to beware about Greeks bearing gifts — especially if it is wine. Greek winemakers have come into their own over the past decade, producing quality products from native grape varietals and gaining the respect they deserve. The September issue of Wine Spectator has a flattering article on […]

General Wine

A Brunello-Barolo buying binge

It’s rare that high-cost wines go on sale at a deep discount, but when they do you should act with urgency. Three weeks ago, the Wine Bunker in Reading put out a Friday night email blast announcing a 30 percent discount on its remaining stock of Brunellos, Barolos, Amarones and other high-end Italian wines. I […]

General Wine

Backing up the biggest wine bargain suprise

I’ve received 14 emails from readers who commented on my challenge to buy 12 bottles of quality wine for less than $100. If you followed my weekly progress, you would have learned that I completed the task with several dollars to spare. Most comments were positive. Some readers actually tried several of the suggested wines […]