I consider spring a time of rebirth for lots of things, including my palate. Searching out exciting new wines is a favorite past-time, especially those made from unfamiliar grapes and innovative winemakers. Here are three discoveries to put on your white wine list. • Zymé From Black to White, Veneto 2014, $19.99 — Celestino Gaspari […]
Italian
Bixio Poderi's brave new world of Italian reds
If I had to select a Best of Show at the recent 2016 Boston Wine Expo, it would be Bixio Poderi, a small family owned winery (7.2 acres of vineyards) located in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico zone in Italy’s Veneto region. In truth, I sampled less than 3 percent of the 800 wines […]
Boston Wine Expo 2016: Something special for everyone
For those of you who’ve never been to the annual Boston Wine Expo, this is the year to make your debut. It’s the 25th anniversary of this classic event and its founders, the Boston Guild of Oenophilists, have come up with a spectacular program for the weekend of Feb. 13-14. Come to think of it, […]
Four wines to jump-start the new year
OK, let’s all take a sip of Prosecco, refresh the palate and get ready for a great 2016 wine adventure. Seven days into the new year, I’ve already sampled two reds and two whites for my personal Wine Log. But first … looking back on the pages from 2015, I had the good fortune, along […]
House of Speri hits high mark with voluptuous Valpolicella
“We don’t make wine to shock the mouth. We make wine to fill the mouth with intense flavors that are smooth, elegant and lasting. We make wine that is beautiful with food. A great vintage is one in which we make less.” The words from Luca Speri were music to my ears, like the great […]
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, […]
When you Pinot, do you Grigio or Gris?
Why would you favor drinking a Pinot Grigio from America as opposed to one from Italy? Key factors should be quality, taste, and price. Some Americans grab the cheapest bottle on the shelf, believing it’s all the same. It’s not. While the Pinot Grigio grape is widely planted throughout the world, its best flavor profile […]
Gran Passione Rosso: An enchanting red of summer
If you long for a taste of Venice at your next summer barbecue, I’ve got a great dry red wine for you. Think of gliding along the Grand Canal in a gondola with Andrea Bocelli singing romantic love songs while sharing a gorgeous wine with your honey. That’s what Gran Passione Rosso is all about. […]