By Jim Campanini Did you ever drink wine from a can? Odds are that you haven’t, but times are a changin’ and so is the wine industry. Canned wines are gaining popularity worldwide, especially in the United States, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. The reasons are obvious: cans are portable, recyclable and less expensive […]
White Wines
Part 1: Gary Farrell Winery’s “cru” Chardonnays showcase Russian River Valley’s diversity
(This first of two articles on Gary Farrell Winery’s “cru” wines focuses on three premium Chardonnay bottlings made in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. The second explores Pinot Noir.) The point about single-vineyard wines is to express the unique terroir – mesoclimates, soils, landscape, etc. – in which the vines are planted and the influence it […]
Tussock Jumper fills in the “blancs” with these two splendid 2020 white wines
When I open a bottle of Tussock Jumper wine, I anticipate big flavor and a lasting finish. So I was overjoyed with my first tasting of TJ’s 2020 vintage of Chenin Blanc from South Africa and the Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Call it “blanc” season at Tussock Jumper, a wine company based in France […]
Fetzer’s ‘gutsy’ Gewurztraminer grabs the white wine spotlight
When it comes to pairing a cool wine with spicy Asian or Indian takeout, I always grab for the “gutsy” Gewurztraminer (geh-VURTZ-tra-MEEN-er). Alsatian versions of the grape are preferably the best, but I’m not fussy especially when I can get a racy, quality white that fits my retirement pocketbook. That’s why I can’t get enough […]
Landmark Vineyards ‘Lorenzo’ Chardonnay: Four elegant vintages for the ages
I never gave much thought to drinking aged Chardonnay made in California, believing that French vintners from Burgundy had a monopoly on the terroir and grapes conducive to crafting such outstanding, long-lived whites. The good news is I was wrong – and happily so. In early August, I was among a dozen wine and food […]
Hunker Down Series: Hess Select Rose`, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay
If you purchase six or more bottles of any Hess Collection wines, the Napa Valley winery will deliver the package to your door for $1 in shipping costs. That’s a pretty good deal, one of many now being offered by wineries coast-to-coast in their shop-from-home campaigns during the COVID-19 crisis. The Hess Family Estate offers […]
Artesa Winery: Lights, cameras, action and fabulous Chardonnay
Artesa Winery is small winery in Napa Valley that makes artisanal wines, principally small-batch Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Albarino and Tempranillo. The wines are very good and sometimes hard to obtain, although some have trickled into New Hampshire State Liquor & Wine Outlets. Artesa and its wines were featured in the recent movie “Wine […]
What do Kim Crawford, Sarah Jessica Parker and Charles Krug have in common? Bright, exciting Sauvignon Blanc for hunkering down
Life goes on – at home – and I’m not going to let the COVID-19 outbreak get me down. First, I want to express my gratitude to all the medical personnel and first responders who are on the front lines during these difficult times and helping the nation’s coronavirus victims. Second, I send my prayers […]
Grillo – clean, crisp, tasty – is the go-to white wine for seafood and Lent
For Christians all across the globe, especially Roman Catholics, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a very sacred season leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his resurrection on Easter Sunday. For Catholics, this is known as the 40 days of Lent when abstinence, or fasting, from meat is observed on Wednesdays and […]
Making a ‘V’-line for vibrant, vivacious – and even vegan – Viognier
“V” is for Viognier, a “noble” white grape of France’s Rhone Valley that depends on warm, sunny climates to bring out its best features. Condreiu, located on the right bank of the Rhone River, is famous for its exclusive production of Viognier wines that tend to be medium- to full-bodied, perfumey, fruity, and dry. The […]
