Dottore Marco Santarelli looks like a young Italian actor, more suited to making movies than growing grapes. But the 32-year-old enologist is serious about his craft — winemaker for the Santadi winery in Sardinia’s Carignano del Sulcis region. “Winemaking is very easy if the grapes grow clean,” says Santarelli, noting the less interference from the […]
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The amazing story of an ageless Amarone
“If I could save time in a bottle The first thing that I’d like to do Is to save every day till eternity passes away Just to spend them with you.” — From Jim Croce’s song “Time in a Bottle” The Wine Goddess was upset. We’ve shared nearly everything in our 25 years together — […]
Bledsoe, Baker bottles score big at charity auction
Tis the season for miracles, but who’d expect they’d come in the shape of wine bottles? The four signed wine bottles I wrote about in last week’s column brought in $6,500 at the WCAP Salvation Army Radiothon. Kudos to Saturday morning talk show host Warren Shaw and his WCAP crew, Fred Simon, Artie Sutcliffe, Jerry […]
Signed Bledsoe bottle heads 3-star Lowell wine auction
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind Christmas gift for that special wine connoisseur in your life, listen to the annual WCAP (980 AM) Salvation Army Radiothon on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. That’s when I’ll be on the show with Warren Shaw, Sam Poulten and the rest of the crew to raise money for the […]
Beaujolais Nouveau: Drink it fresh, fruity, and now
There is only one red wine that delivers aromas and flavors of fresh banana and cranberries in the same bottle. It’s called Beaujolais Nouveau and it’s crafted in France. The grape is 100 percent Gamay Noir å Jus Blanc, a low tannin, high acid varietal banished from Bourgogne in the 14th century only to be […]
There's a wine-derful in historic Charleston
Following the recent statewide election, I took a quick four-day refresher trip to Charleston, S.C., to visit my daughter Jalyn. Now 30, the UMass Lowell graduate is enjoying Southern living in what is one of America’s most endearing cities. There are more than 1,000 historical homes and buildings in downtown Charleston. It seems you can’t […]
Need a Thanksgiving wine? Here are 30 to feast on
[email protected] My third annual Thanksgiving Wine List comes from some of the best wine buyers and tasters in the region. They’ve selected 30 reds, whites and rosés to pair with your respective holiday feast of turkey, lamb and/or ham. Look them over, make a list of choices, and then head to the store. Taste the […]
Chardonnay: The mother of all problem-solving wines
A good Chardonnay goes a long way toward resolving a dispute in the kingdom run by the Wine Goddess. Believe me, it’s her kingdom. Like I’ve written previously, I entered marriage 23 years ago with one suitcase and am now down to a gym bag; she began with 52 boxes of everything — clothes, fine […]
Warming up to several winter wine bargains
When it comes to wine, winter doesn’t have to be any less fun than summer. We just take it all inside, off the patio and deck, to the warmth of the hearth and home. ‘Tis the season for Malbecs from Argentina, Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, and Chianti and red blends from Italy — heat, spice, […]
From 'Rage' to 'Lust', Michael David's wines are Zin-ful
There’s a reason why Michael David Winery is capturing America’s attention. The wines are flavorful and fun. Wines are meant to be flavorful, but fun too? While marketing has a lot to do with it, the personality of the winemaker contributes to what’s in the bottle in subtle ways. If you’ve ever met David Phillips, […]
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