Why does a short vacation away from home nearly always heighten the flavors in the food we eat and the beverages we drink? Why are the warm days and cools nights of autumn always resplendent with fun and adventure and even romance? I asked the Wine Goddess that very question. We were sitting in comfortable […]
Author: Jim Campanini
Fourteen reds for holiday parties, dining
The Wine Novice asked Andrea DiFiore, store manager at Andover Liquors, for a list of red wines (with her own descriptions) for the following functions: an informal dinner-party, a formal dinner party at your boss’s house (or someone else you might want to impress); and that special memorable event. These 14 wines, ranging in price […]
A wine match made in Andover
“Tis the season for the big bold brash and vibrant red wines that inspire fall parties and grace holiday tables the toasty tannins of Italian Barolos and Brunellos and the rich complex blue black and red fruits of California Cabernet Sauvignon and French Bordeaux. Like shortsleeve shirts and Bermuda shorts that are packed away for […]
These red wines were summer hits
Two weeks ago, I evaluated the best of the white wines sampled this summer, from May to September’s Labor Day. Here’s the best of the reds that made their way into the pergola with the Wine Goddess, Wine Butler and others. Pinot Noir and red blends dominated the scene. All these wines were purchased either […]
Drew Bledsoe goes deep with 'Doubleback' cabernet
I’m calling an audible this week. Instead of writing about the best red wines I tasted during “summer school”(I’ll do that next week), I’m going to tell you about my meeting with former NFL star quarterback turned winemaker Drew Bledsoe, who is producing an outstanding Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon called “Doubleback.” The name is derived […]
Summer school: These white wines made the grade
The 1960s who so wickedly said of her favorite cocktail: “I love Martinis Two are the most – Three I’m on the table Four I’m under the host.”; Actually, we didn’t drink all that wine alone. We had plenty of help from the Wine Butler (Michael Pigeon), his wife (Judy) and some splendid neighbors and […]
It's B (Barolo) and B (Barbaresco) time
Here is its the last week in August, the beginning of the end of summer. The backyard birch tree is shedding its leaves and the dogwood is signalng a color change that makes me realize I’m a year older too. Depressed? Not really. I arrived home from Saratoga to find the September issue of Wine […]
'Tis the season for the taste of Italy
Here is its the last week in August, the beginning of the end of summer. The backyard birch tree is shedding its leaves and the dogwood is signalng a color change that makes me realize I’m a year older too. Depressed? Not really. I arrived home from Saratoga to find the September issue of Wine […]
Taste of Italy for the fall
I’ve been impressed with some recent Italian wine purchases I’ve made. The new wines arriving from Sicily are particularly intriguing, inexpensive and mouth-watering. I’ve tried two that standout: 2010 Stemmari Pinot Noir and Stemmari Nero D’Avola. The Stemmari Pinot Noir was lighter colored in the glass than most others I’ve tried. Normally, I look for […]
Across the board, a good wine always wins
A week ago today, I was in Saratoga Springs, enjoying the summer splendor of up state New York while trying to add to my 401(k) by handicapping the ponies at historic Saratoga Race Course. Needless to say, my retirement plan did not receive the financial boost I had expected after five days of reading the […]
