We’ve reached a new milestone. This is Wine Novice’s fifth annual Easter wine column, and it wouldn’t be possible without the oeniphiles who look forward to the selections and, of course, the expert contributors who make them. (See my “novice” list.) Thanks to our three specialists, there are 26 fabulous wines to peruse and choose. […]
White Wines
Post House Penny Black is stamped for your approval
If you’re looking for an exquisite new red wine for an adventurous palate, try the 2014 Post House Penny Black from South Africa. This is wine every postal worker should want to call his/her own. More on that later. Penny Black is one of the inkiest, black-colored wines I’ve ever seen. Once in the glass, […]
Goldschmidt Cabernets big, bold and beautiful
The only thing missing from a tasting of Nick Goldschmidt’s California wines was the winemaker himself. I wrote Goldschmidt an email with several questions about the wines sampled recently at the Wine ConneXtion, and he quickly responded: “Sorry I am out of the country completing harvest down below the equator. … Sorry for the inconvenience […]
His haul is finding quality inexpensive wines
What impressed me at the 2017 Boston Wine Expo held in February were the quality of wines on display and their affordable prices. The only problem is finding these wines — especially foreign products — in local shops. Many small producers don’t have national or regional distributors. That’s where Joe Meunier comes in. Meunier is […]
Narrowing hundreds of wines to top 50
1. Michael David Petite Petit 2014, Lodi, $15 — Big bang for the buck in this jammy Petite Sirah fruit bomb. 2. Il Valentiano Brunello di Montalcino 2007, Tuscany, $38 — Time in the bottle has lifted this spirited wine to new heights. 3. David Pinot Noir 2013, Anderson Valley, $55 — Only 250 cases […]
Need a Thanksgiving Day wine? Here are 21 great selections
My wine experts agree: Thanksgiving is an all-American holiday and the traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings goes best with American wine. However, there are some wonderful Italian, French and Greek wines that pair well with the holiday meal. That said, here are 21 suggestions from some of the best wine directors in the […]
Wilson Creek's Peach Bellini: A unique holiday sparkler
So what will I be drinking with the Wine Goddess, Bella the cat, and the rest of the family on Thanksgiving Day? <a href=”http://blogs.lowellsun.com/winenovice/files/2016/11/Bellini.jpg”><img class=”size-medium wp-image-3531″ src=”http://blogs.lowellsun.com/winenovice/files/2016/11/Bellini-225×300.jpg” alt=”Wilson Creek Winery’s Peach Bellini is fine holiday starter.” width=”225″ height=”300″ /></a> Wilson Creek Winery’s Peach Bellini is fine holiday starter. There’s one definite on my list, and […]
Say 'Ole!' to Jorge Ordonez' Spanish wines
If you know little about Spanish wines, today’s your lucky day. Craig Gandolf, a Lowell resident, is the USA Wine Director for one ofthe biggest and most respected production and importing houses in Spain — Jorge Ordoñez Selections. Ordoñez, who has strong roots in Massachusetts, including a home and office on Cape Cod, has helped to liberate and […]
Going coast-to-coast with race Rieslings
I like my Riesling well-chilled, racy, overflowing with tropical flavor, and dry. Match them with spicy Asian or Thai cuisine, and Riesling’s crisp acidity and citrus flavors produce a delightful sensation. Riesling is also a refreshing, stand-a-lone beverage on hot, hazy summer days. Two of the best I’ve tasted for the price are actually coastal […]
Lefty or Righty?: Six seductive Chablis Premier Cru
There’s Chardonnay and then there’s Chablis, a dry white wine and also the name of the Bourgogne’s northernmost district from which it comes. Chablis is a wine that easily accentuates a sense of place (terroir). While Chablis typifies feminine elegance — seductive floral aromas, pure flavors — it’s structured around high acidity (a result of […]
