For years Tenuta San Guido estate’s “Guidalberto” has lived in the shadow as a second label to “Sassicaia”, the Marchesa Mario della Rochetta’s legendary Bordeaux-style wine that launched Italy’s Super Tuscan phenomenon in the 1970s. Now run by son Nicolo`, Tenuta San Guido enjoys the best of both worlds. Sassicaia, which retails at $250 a […]
Red wines
Double Diamond: A Napa Valley gem makes an exquisite comeback
“You want it darker,” sang the late-great poet-singer Leonard Cohen in one of his final albums before he died in 2016. Too bad he wasn’t singing about wine. Yes, Mr. Cohen, I want it darker too – in the glass. After drinking pale pink rose` wines for what seems like an eternity this summer, my […]
Gambero Rosso wine event makes a Mast'(ery) of Neapolitan-style cooking
[URIS id=4969] Pizza is food, says Marco Caputo, and it should be cooked so that all the ingredients’ flavors emerge – some patiently, others powerfully – to be enjoyed as a meal. When Caputo talks pizza, your mouth starts watering for a taste. He’s the owner-chef of Boston’s Mast’ Restaurant & Drinkery on Province Street […]
Super wines for a super Fourth of July!
When I hear “Bonanza”, I think instantly of the wildly popular 1960s action-packed western TV series starring actor Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright and his three disparate sons – “Hoss” (Dan Blocker), Adam (Pernell Roberts) and Little Joe (Michael Landon) – patrolling the Ponderosa ranch and defending it from unscrupulous bad guys. If only the […]
Wilson Daniel Tour Italia wows Boston with wines of finesse, elegance and power
http://[URIS id=4831] It’s been a labor of love, and I’ve just completed my take on the 2019 Wilson Daniels Tour Italia that kicked off its four-city grand-tasting in Boston on June 3. The event featured wines from 13 producers – some familiar, others new – at SRV (Serene Republic of Venice) restaurant on Columbus Avenue. […]
Beat soaring wine prices with these under $10 over-achievers
Whether a wine costs $10 or $50, the best are those that over-deliver on quality and price. This equates to value. It is the same concept applied every day by millions of consumers hunting for bargains on clothes, cars, food, computers, etc. Sadly, many wine lovers overspend because they believe a higher price guarantees a […]
Memorable wine gifts to make Dad the toast of the town
Say Happy Father’s Day this Sunday with a gift of wine. Here are five extraordinary options for the Dad and/or grandad on your list. 1. If Dad is a golfer, plant a bottle of Meiomi Pinot Noir ($16.59 at Costco) in his cart. The California wine, which is America’s top-selling $15 and above label, recently […]
Wines that celebrate U.S. military veterans, their sacrifices
I’m not being flip when I say “Drink red wine and help a veteran.” As you may know, this week marks an historic day in American and world history. Thursday is the 75th anniversary of the allied forces’ D-Day invasion to liberate France – and later all of Europe – of Nazi Germany’s tyranny. Two […]
Weekend Wine Deals: Two California Cabernets for $20 or less
When I hear “Bonanza”, I think instantly of the wildly popular 1960s action-packed western TV series starring actor Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright and his three disparate sons – “Hoss” (Dan Blocker) was my favorite – corralling steer on the Ponderosa ranch and defending it from unscrupulous bad guys. If only the Cartwrights had planted […]
Giorgio Rivetti’s art is in La Spinetta’s gorgeous wines
A real-live rhinoceros has never set foot in Italy, yet Piemontese winemaker Giorgio Rivetti graces his La Spinetta winery bottles with an image of the magnificent animal. Does it have anything to do with the wines? “There’s no connection to the vineyards or Italy,” Rivetti replies with a mischievous grin. “I just love the art. […]
