Just about every night, around the same time, I make the trek into the basement, head over the the racking and look for a bottle(s) to go with dinner. Most times I’ll spend too long down there, aimlessly searching for a bottle that I feel is ready AND will make a nice complement to the…
Month: February 2017
Exactly as it should be – Az. Agr. Monchiero Fratelli
Sometimes it happens when we least expect it – we come across something that stands apart, it rockets up from a set of expectations, and it enters your inner circle along with all your other prized memories, possessions, experience, etc. That’s precisely what happened one day when I happened to stop by the Cantina Communale dei…
HOW TO MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION – MASSOLINO (AZ. AGR. VIGNA RIONDA), PART II
Referring to the map he’s provided me with, Franco (a graduate of the oenologic school in Alba) gives a quick overview of the Barolo area – he mentions the eleven communes/villages (see below), and points out the Massolino Cru (i.e. single) vineyards, three of which are in Serralunga d’Alba proper, and one, Parussi, located in…
How to make a lasting impression – Massolino (Az. Agr. Vigna Rionda), Part I
They say you only get one chance to make a first impression. Some make full use of that opportunity, and others, well, let’s just say they do not. In the case of Massolino’s wines, which I’ve enjoyed for well over a decade, and during my lengthy visit there in 2014 (I will return spring 2017,…
‘Faro’, or, ‘how I fell more deeply in love with Sicilian wines’ – Az. Agr. Palari
I’ve had wines from Faro (region) before, though most times have generally been at trade tastings, when the wines are young, and for the most part, diffident, and reserved. As with many varieties, Nerello Mascalese can take many forms, some are immediately approachable, others demand to be cellared for years before they are ready. (I…
You don’t know me…yet. Casa Emma, part V
It’s 1970, and Alessandro’s father (actually his wife, unbeknownst to her husband), who hails from Certaldo, about 35km to the west, purchases some land in Chianti Classico region. There’s nothing on the land at this point, just native plants, and lots and lots of stones. His father has some history as a farmer, but not…
You don’t know me…yet. Casa Emma, Part IV
Here’s what I haven’t told you so far, what compelled me to seek a visit to the estate. One thing, the 2011 Chianti Classico Riserva. Coming off the heals of the heralded (still!) 2010 vintage, one that most of the mainstream media went bananas over, was 2011. And when it did come out, the media,…
You don’t know me…yet. Casa Emma, Part III
My friend Valerio and I pulled into the Casa Emma estate and winery at 10am. The day was clear and cool, though one could tell that the mid-day’s warmth, when it arrived, would be spectacular, and it was, nearly 24C, not bad for 26 April (2014). I mention Valerio because he is a native Italian…
You don’t know me…yet. Casa Emma, Part II
It’s like any other day at Vin Italy, there’s too much to do, too many people, and not enough time (and it’s too warm, but I digress). But, as I’m walking by the various stands (each space is referred to as a stand – we’d say booth – and something clicks in my head (not the…
You don’t know me…yet. Casa Emma, Part I
The email said that a friend was selling his entire cellar – health reasons – and the sender, an acquaintance of mine, asked if I might be interested in buying it. I took a look at the attached spreadsheet, absolutely yes, I was interested. I bought that cellar, well, most of it, anyway. Buried within the…
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