The Wine Goddess put on a Tapas party this past weekend, which coincided with my 62nd birthday. She insisted it wasn’t a birthday party, since it had been planned weeks ago with neighborhood friends and yet I was extremely satisfied: a birthday cake glowing with lit candles mysteriously appeared along with other luscious desserts. I […]
General Wine
Author Frances Mayes's new hit: Tuscan wines
Under the Tuscan Sun author Frances Mayes is now endorsing a line of seven Italian wines under her own label. While I haven’t tasted the wines, the classy artistic bottle designs (what marketing!) are sure to make these big sellers. Mayes will be signing books and bottles on Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m. to 3 […]
Capturing wine and soul of Portugal, Spain
Portugal and Spain have a lot more in common than the Iberian Peninsula: they’re turning out quality wines at affordable prices. At a recent wine tasting, I was pleasantly surprised by the freshness of recent vintages and the dramatic consumer-friendly pricing. Portugal is famous for its port wines from the Douro River valley in the […]
The hunt for red Barolo (cheap and good)
The April issue of Wine Spectator magazine touts the 2010 Barolo produced in Italy’s dynamic Piedmont region as a “classic, elegant” vintage. Also, I recently received in the mail a newspaper article written by British wine expert Jancis Robinson titled “Barolo Steps Up.” (Thank you George B. for sending it to me.) Robinson writes how […]
Run for the Rosés on Kentucky Derby Day
Saturday is Kentucky Derby Day and while many horse-racing fans will be sipping mint juleps, wine lovers shouldn’t feel left out. It’s a great day to break out the pink- and salmon-colored rosés, tune into the race and hold a spring party. I have a new appreciation for rosé, especially the dry and semi-dry versions […]
Little known grapes, elegant wines
If you’re looking for low-cost elegant wines produced from unfamiliar red grapes, here are a few selections I’ve tasted recently. • Tascante “Ghiaia Nera” Nerello Macalese 2010, Sicily, $19.95 — Andrea DiFiore at Andover Liquors recommended this beautiful garnet-colored and accented red wine grown in the volcanic rich soils of northeastern Mount Etna-area vineyards. I […]
Muscadet and 'I': Two wines worth exploring
The best part of exploring wines are the simple surprises you find along the way. My most recent discovery is “Muscadet” — a French white grape that originated in Bourgogne, was destroyed by harsh winters in the early 18th century, and revived in later years in the lower Loire Valley as “Melon de Bourgogne.” Interestingly, […]
The secret of Capezzana — sangiovese blends
The rich history and superb wines of Carmignano — and the family-owned and operated Tenuta di Capezzana winery — are no secret to Italians. So why is it that Americans know very little about this small, hidden Tuscan gem located 14 miles east of Florence? “We don’t want to be too famous,” says Emanuele Gastel, […]
Lenten wines that are worth the sacrifice
Lent is always a reflective time for Roman Catholics. Most look at the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter as a time to feel guilty about something — like eating candy or drinking soda — and they give it up for the duration. Some manage to keep the pledge for a day or two […]
Don't miss out: Super 90+ tasting at Wine Connextion
The Wine Connextion in North Andover will be hosting an exciting 90+ tasting of more than a dozen wines from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. This complimentary tasting features all wines that have been rated 90 points or better by various experts. Plus, Sam and Tina Messina, the store’s co-owners, are discounting prices even […]
