Giovan Battista Basile looks at his friend, Christian Trotta, and tries to find the right words to explain the point he is making to an interviewer. “What is it you say in America about the politics being close to home?,” asks Basile. Trotta quickly responds: “All politics is local.” “Yes,” says Basile, adding, “In Italy, […]
Author: James Campanini
“Scotty, beam me up a boxed wine, will ya?”
By Jim Campanini The Wine Novice Three weeks into the new year, I’ve committed to making a serious resolution as to how I will drink wine going forward. I’m adding boxed wines to my list (I’ve already tried aluminum cans). I’m taking Captain Kirk’s advice to “go boldly” into the great beyond of the wine […]
Wines of the Week: Querceto Chianti Classico and Waterdog Reserva from Portugal
By Jim Campanini The Wine Novice The following wines were sampled and discussed on the Grapefully Yours Wine Podcast posed on Tuesday, Jan. 10 on InsideLowell.com. Click on the link to view a video of the show. http://insidelowell.com/podcast/grapefully-yours-w-jim-campanini-dave-messina/ Castello Querceto Chianti Classico 2017 DOCG, Greve, abv. 13% – For an entry-level wine, Querceto Chianti Classico […]
Grapefully Yours podcast with Wine ConneXtion’s David Messina
http://insidelowell.com/podcast/grapefully-yours-w-jim-campanini-dave-messina/ By Jim Campanini Great conversation with the Wine ConneXtion’s Dave Messina on my latest wine podcast from InsideLowell.com studios. Dave talks about the North Andover store’s mission to search out high-quality, affordable wines from across the globe and build consumer awareness through free, educational tastings. Watch for Dave’s recommendation on a new Oregon Pinot […]
Hands Off Wines: Authenticity, quality in every stylish can
By Jim Campanini Did you ever drink wine from a can? Odds are that you haven’t, but times are a changin’ and so is the wine industry. Canned wines are gaining popularity worldwide, especially in the United States, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. The reasons are obvious: cans are portable, recyclable and less expensive […]
Say “I love you” with sparkling Italian Prosecco
What’s not to like about Italian Prosecco? It’s an easy drinking sparkling wine that’s bubbly delicious and much less expensive than French Champagne. Plus, you can get creative and mix all kinds of fruit juices with Prosecco to make colorful and refreshing sparkling drinks. One of my favorites is the Bellini, made famous at Harry’s […]
‘Lady Z’ sparkles on Champagne podcast -‘Tis the season to be bubbly!
It’s bubbly season – as in celebrating the holidays with sparkling wine – and on my most recent podcast I talk with one of Lowell’s most engaging Champagne drinkers, “Lady Z” herself, Dacey Zouzas. Click on the following link to watch the 34-minute show: Grapefully Yours w/Jim Campanini – Champagne – YouTube You’ll see me […]
Luke Merlot heads 16 wine buys to track down now
Here is my first wine update column for InsideLowell.com. These are wines I’ve tasted personally and consider high in quality based on their price and category. In other words, they are good deals, especially if you can act on the listed price where the wine is being sold. (The listed price is at the store […]
Tiny Abruzzo is taking the wine world by grape and grace
Italy’s province of Abruzzo may be small geographically, but in the wine world it’s getting larger and larger every day. On Nov. 11, Wine Enthusiast handed out its Wine Star Awards and named Abruzzo its “Wine Region of Year 2022.” The central Italian province beat out Marlborough, New Zealand; Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon; Uco Valley, […]
For a Hess of a deal, this luxury Mount Veeder Cabernet pushed all the right buttons
“Where’s the value in drinking Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley when it costs $75 or more a bottle?” I hear that question a lot from friends and acquaintances who recoil at paying big money for Napa’s signature red wine. My answer is simple: If you love Napa wine, don’t give up on it. Just work […]
