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 […]
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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 […]
Exquisite, exotic, exciting: Sicilian wines of the House of Duca di Salaparuta
Sicilian wines are the rage and for good reason: This enchanting – but previously below the radar – Mediterranean island is turning out high quality, reasonably priced wines that are gaining attention from global importers. In fact, U.S. imports of Sicilian wines has increased 41 percent over the past two years. Two decades ago, it […]
Sense the beauty of Abruzzo in these two native grape wines
“You may have the universe if I may have … Abruzzo?” I’m rewriting a charming quote by Giuseppe Francesco Verdi, the famous 19th century composer who left us with Rigoletto, Il Trovatore and La Traviata among other great operas. Verdi actually ends the aforementioned quote with the word “Italy”, but I don’t think he’d be […]
Wine enthusiasts here’s your chance: Experience Italy, glass by glass, with Jo-Ann Ross
One of my favorite Italian proverbs goes like this: “Anni e bicchieri di vino si contano mai.” Translation: “Age and glasses of wine should never be counted.” The proverb might suggest a Bacchanalian night of drinking, but that’s not the point. It’s true meaning is: Forget about your age, stay young, and enjoy the company […]
Iconic Super Tuscans and several inviting – and affordable – ‘sidekicks’
When it comes to Italy’s iconic Super Tuscans, there’s almost always a reliable “second fiddle” in the house. Think of famous movie sidekicks: Tonto to the Lone Ranger; Robin to Batman, and Dr. Watson to Sherlock Holmes. The same is true for Super Tuscan red wines. Tenuta San Guido’s “Sassicaia” ( SRP: $250-$300), which is […]
Gautherin Chablis: My summer choice for a cool, satisfying, uplifting drink
(CORRECTION UPDATE, JULY 9: The suggested retail price for the 2020 Raoul Gautherin et Fils Grands Vins de Bourgogne Chablis is $36 a bottle. I erroneously reported the cost in my original article, for which I apologize to Craig Gandolf at Cynthia Hurley French Wines and, of course, my readers. That said, I stand by […]
Saddle up for the summer with cool ‘ranch’ whites from Ancient Peaks Winery
Did you ever drink an authentic California “ranch” wine? Ancient Peaks Winery in Paso Robles is firmly placed on my bucket list. It’s located on the historic Santa Margarita Ranch which is still operated as a cattle ranch. The estate vineyard, Margarita Vineyard, stretches out over 857 acres at 1,100 feet above sea level. It’s […]
A bombshell Barolo for $19? Kirkland Signature brand makes it happen
A 91-point Barolo for $19? That’s insane, right? No, it’s not. It’s Kirklandian, as in Kirkland Signature Barolo from Costco, the No. 1 wine retailer in the United States. I must admit there’s no better store to find a wine bargain than at Costco. And this one is a double doozy. Barolo is one of […]
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