The passion and energy of wine
Most American wine drinkers are unfamiliar with Falanghina, Coda di Volpe Bianca, Aglianico and Nero D’Avola, but in southern Italy these red and white grapes are revered for their historical and viticultural significance. What also makes these grapes special is their exclusive ability to grow in volcanic, mineral-rich soils. A sip of Falanghina ( FAH-lan-ghee-na) […]
In the early 1990s when Boston’s restaurant renaissance was first in its glory, Bill Sweat and his future wife Donna Morris were Fidelity Investments managers by day and passionate food-and wine explorers by night. Their discoveries, both in Beantown and abroad, led to a life-changing relocation to Oregon’s wine country in 2006. Today, the […]
Now here’s a novel way to celebrate Earth Day on Monday, April 22. Head down to The Groton Inn’s Forge & Vine restaurant for its special promotion on biodynamic varietals and organic wines. That’s right: plant a tree in the morning and then drink some very unique wines from sustainable farming wineries located in Italy, France […]
This blog’s sixth annual Easter wine list is diverse and vivacious, thanks to a knowledgeable and passionate group of experts who’ve forwarded 24 recommendations for your holiday table. All listed wines are available locally or online. (See Jim Campanini’s selections at: https://thewinenovice.com/jims-easter-picks-six-wines-for-the-senses/) A bottle of wine turns a simple meal into a feast, so pairing a […]
Smell the wine, sip it and savor it. Let your Easter wine(s) feel the love. Enjoy the holiday, my friends, and drink responsibly. Here are my suggestions for Easter dinner. (Tip: I’ll be pairing a white or rose` as a starter to be followed with a red for the main course.) Gratien & Meyer Cremant […]
Grilled steaks, braised ribs, burghers and bourbon barrel-aged Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s all the rage among trend-setting millennials, people aged 23 to 38 who have an affinity for new products and tastes. Some say aging wine in bourbon, rum and Irish whiskey barrels is a marketing gimmick. Others say it’s what the younger generation wants – […]
The Wine Goddess, my wife Mary Lee, handed me a challenge: Select a white wine she had never tasted before to pair with her special dish of mussels, shrimp and linguini in a white clam sauce (no garlic). I smacked my lips and headed to the wine laboratory – better known as my basement fridge […]
Crispy, ‘Fry-Baked’ Eggplant Recipe by Mary Lee Harrington I select firm, but ripe large eggplant to make this dish. The secret is not so much in the sauce, but in frying the eggplant first in a flour and egg mixture and then baking it. I only use Parmesan cheese, no other type of cheese. You […]
What makes the volcanic wines of southern Italy so exciting? That will be the focus of my April 11 adult education seminar at Middlesex Community College’s Nesmith House in Lowell, from 7-9 p.m. Participants will taste up to seven wines – white and red – and pair them with regional cuisine. They’ll be able […]
Mark Vlossak’s winemaking philosophy is simple: “I make wines to go with food.” The founder, owner, and president of St. Innocent Winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley says people often wonder why a wine enjoyed at a restaurant disappoints when consumed at home without a meal. Wine must be balanced for food, says Vlossak, a single-vineyard […]
