I told you about Michael David Winery’s 2013 Petite Petit Sirah from Lodi in October. Here’s what I wrote when I tasted this gem at the Wine ConneXtion in North Andover: “This is the best bargain in America today, if you can still get it. The violet color is absolutely stunning in the glass, and […]
Events
Wine by the Magnum adds glitz to the holidays
What’s “hot” this holiday season for wine lovers? Large format bottles that make a statement. They’re big, bold, and beautiful — gold-etched labels add elegance — and represent a perfect gift for the connoisseur, collector or special person in your life. They also add luster to any holiday party and dinner table. I’m talking about […]
Expert selections: 31 wines for Thanksgiving holiday
For the fourth year in a row I’ve gathered Thanksgiving Day recommendations from area wine experts for your perusal and enjoyment. Feel free to visit them at their respective stores and talk about what might go well with your holiday dinner, which is seven days away. Finally, remember to drink responsibly and show gratitude for […]
Sicily's Nero d'Avola: The wine of 'The Leopard'
“I belong to an unlucky generation, astride between two worlds and ill-at-ease in both. And what is more, I am completely without illusions. Now, what would the Senate do with me, an inexperienced legislator who lacks the faculty for self-deception, an essential requisite for wanting to guide others. No, I cannot lift a finger in […]
Blockbuster wines at bargain prices
It’s never too early to start thinking about purchasing wines for the upcoming holidays, or to cozy up to during the winter months. October is a big sales month for wine retailers, especially with new stock arriving on shelves for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For several weeks I’ve been sampling new wines with the Wine Butler […]
Making John's Wine
The distress call came in at 7 o’clock on a Saturday night. My twin brother John, who is two minutes older than me, said his home winemaking operation was in jeopardy. Several friends who regularly drink his wine failed to show up and help him de-stem and press 200 pounds of newly arrived Napa Valley […]
Gratallops' Black Slate red unleases Priorat's power
On the evening when I’m planning to drink a new wine from Priorat, the October issue of Wine Spectator arrives with a cover story titled “Great Spanish Reds: Alvaro Palacious Leads Priorat to New Heights.” The Wine Goddess smiles, thinking I’m an “expert” able to spot wine industry trends, especially after I glowingly tell her […]
October kicks off big wine deals
October is a good month for wine. Tutto Bene Wine & Cheese Cellar on Prescott Street in downtown Lowell is offering a month-long promotion of a 25 percent discount on each 12-bottle case purchased. Proprietor Richard “Ricardo” Rourke says customers can mix and match from any products in the store. Other discounts are also available […]
Alto Adige wines are alight in tradition, uniqueness
On summer evenings in June in Italy’s northernmost province of Alto Adige, residents sit in cafes drinking pitchers of wine and eating plates of bresaola (air-cured beef) while gazing for hours at the fuochi burning in the mountains. The fires are symbolic of warning signals that used to alert citizens of an impending invasion. Today, […]
Le Volte dell'Ornellaia 2013: A Super Tuscan at a super price
Marchese Lodovico Antinori produced Ornellaia Estate’s first vintage in 1985, marking the historic launch of the Super Tuscan blend of Italy’s Sangiovese grape with that of France’s Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. While the Marchese is gone and the Ornellaia Estate has changed hands several times, the wine world has never been the same. While bottles […]
