Buys $25 and under, Buys under $75, Italian Wine, Red; Mostly Napa Cabs

Thanksgiving Wines Under $40: Beyond the Usual Suspects

If you've been tasked with bringing the wine to Thanksgiving, this post is for you. Instead of picking up the old familiar names--Kendall Jackson, Meiomi, Cline--spice up your gathering with these lesser-known wines that are as good, or better, than the usual suspects. Many are from smaller producers in up-and-coming wine regions, and they're all… Continue reading Thanksgiving Wines Under $40: Beyond the Usual Suspects

Buys under $75, Italian Wine, Shops + Shows, Tastings

Italian Wine Finds for Under $40

We've been missing Italy of late. Dreaming about our trip to Puglia in 2019. Gorging on Gary's homemade pizza and lasagna. And discovering new wines from Sardinia, Chianti, and Abruzzo. In October we held a tasting of white, red, and rosé wines from the island of Sardinia. A few weeks ago we grabbed three bottles… Continue reading Italian Wine Finds for Under $40

Italian Wine, Lisa's Whites, Tastings

Why Pecorino d’Abruzzo Deserves Your Attention

When wine lovers hear "Abruzzo" they think Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, the popular powerhouse red from the Italian region of Abruzzo. When chefs hear "Pecorino," they think of Pecorino Romano, the cheese perfectly suited to grating over home-style Italian meals. But after a recent wine tasting, when VinoDuo hears "Pecorino d'Abruzzo" we'll now think, "Oh, that zingy… Continue reading Why Pecorino d’Abruzzo Deserves Your Attention

Buys $25 and under, Italian Wine, Puglia, Rosé Rosato etc., Tastings

Italian Wine Tasting: Rosés and Reds from Piemonte to Puglia

Wine tastings can take many forms. Horizontal, vertical, by region, by grape, by year...endless combinations. But sometimes you just feel like drinking good wine with friends and conjure up a theme on the spot. We had Italy on our minds and Italian-loving friends in the house, so we cobbled together an "Italian Wines from the… Continue reading Italian Wine Tasting: Rosés and Reds from Piemonte to Puglia

Italian Wine, Lisa's Whites, Rosé Rosato etc.

Top White and Rosé Wines for Mid-Summer Tasting

It's been a hot and humid summer in Massachusetts. Not a great backdrop for big red wines or oaky Chardonnay, but the perfect setting for crisp, white wines and mouthwatering rosés-- from palest salmon to deepest cherry. With August approaching, it's time for a mid-summer round-up of the best we've tasted so far. Most are… Continue reading Top White and Rosé Wines for Mid-Summer Tasting

Italian Wine, Tastings

A Taste of Campania, from Campania

Waltham, Mass. is home to one of the Boston area’s best Italian restaurants and Italian wine shops, both owned by Campania native David Maione.  La Campania and Vino Italiano are located a few blocks from each other on Main Street and are regular stops on the VinoDuo social calendar. In September, Maione paired the restaurant’s… Continue reading A Taste of Campania, from Campania

Italian Wine, Shops + Shows, Tastings

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Master Class*

*Not to be confused with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. First, let's clarify the geography and nomenclature. From Wikipedia: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is an Italian red wine made from the Montepulciano wine grape in the Abruzzo region of east-central Italy. It should not be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a Tuscan wine made from Sangiovese and other grapes.[1]… Continue reading Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Master Class*