Joe Campanale pairs wine and other delicious beverages with Gabe Thompson's food as owner and beverage director of L'Artusi and dell'anima restaurants in the West Village of New York City. A former sommelier at the famed Babbo Ristorante, he also was the food and wine editor of Debonair Magazine and has lent his expertise to publications such as Beverage Media, Inked and Seriouseats. After earning a master's degree in Food Studies from NYU and the Diploma in Wines & Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, Joe became a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers and is currently a Master of Wine candidate. He grew up in Queens, New York, has spent considerable time in Europe, mostly in Italy, is a newly-avid runner and currently resides in the West Village.
Fill a rocks glass with ice and add gin, Aperol, and lemonade; stir to combine. Top with Lambrusco and garnish with orange slice; serve immediately.
Santo Germain:
Serves 1
Ice
2 ounces Prosecco
1 ½ ounces elderflower liqueur, such as St. Germain
2 ounces club soda
1 raspberry or blackberry, for garnish
Directions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add Prosecco, liqueur, and club soda. Cover and shake to combine. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with raspberry; serve immediately.
Sgroppino:
Serves 6
1 (250 ml) bottle Lambrusco Bianco
1 cup vodka
1 cup lemon sorbet
6 lemon twists, for garnish
Directions
Place all ingredients in large bowl; whisk to combine. Using a ladle, transfer to a serving pitcher. To serve, pour into champagne flutes and squeeze lemon twist over cocktail before adding to glass.
Sponsor my marathon run and the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps
As a member of Team Hole in the Wall, I am using my participation in the ING New York City Marathon on November 1, 2009 as a way to raise funds for and bring awareness to Hole in the Wall Camps. Please help me reach (or even exceed!) my goal by clicking on my support button. With your generosity, we can all share in the joy of knowing that we are helping to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Every summer at Hole in the Wall Camps, hundreds of children become athletes and actors, painters and poets, swimmers and singers, clowns and canoe paddlers, naturalists, equestrians, and hot air balloonists. It is amazing what these campers accomplish in one week; just as amazing are the obstacles they overcome on a daily basis, for these children suffer from serious illnesses such as cancer, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, and hemophilia. Camp helps keep them going — throughout the many challenges of serious illness.
I hope you caught my appearance on the Today Show on May 22, where I had the opportunity to recommend some excellent spring and summer wines I am currently enjoying. In case you missed it, my good friends at New York Vintners have put together a special mixed case* of my selections for you to enjoy.
Through the New York Vintners website, it's easy to order a case or just choose a few wines to make your seasonal menus something really exceptional.
