It’s fun (for me) to taste wines, for years, and trying to imagine what the person behind this thing that brings you so much joy is actually like. Are they like some of the wines that don’t show so well? Are they the same as the wines that blow your mind, and have you searching…
The 10 best Italian wines (and why you shouldn’t want them)
Today on my news feed, I stumbled across an article entitled “Nine Best Burgundy Wines under $100”. What a load of shit. I read the first paragraph; well, at least the first sentence or two. Essentially, it said that there are more buyers for (new release) Burgundy wines than there are (new release) Burgundy wines…
The Journey Begins
Thanks for joining me! I’ll try to keep it interesting, and fresh (even though a great deal of what I cover in Italia is centuries old, at least). Fix yourself an espresso, and read on, my friends. Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Panzano, Chianti Classico visit
Well, let’s see, I have yet to finish my piece on Sicily, I haven’t yet written about my exciting stop in Franciacorta, and then there’s my four days in Verona for Vin Italy 2016, but at least I have a few minutes to post some pictures from today’s visits: Fontodi, Castello di Rampolla and La…
Family. Farming.
It’s just after ten in the morning here in Montalcino. The sun is high enough now that I can bring the laptop outside (yes, this is the middle of February, but it’s 100% sunshine and on the way to over 60 degrees today; magnificent in other words. I’ve already had an early morning walk through…
Monferrato Cabernet Sauvignon – 2008 Accornero Centenario
12 January, 2018 2008 Accornero Centenario “Classic CS – aromas, flavors, structure – though by classic, I mean the Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa and Sonoma that I began drinking twenty years ago (and those were largely 10-20 years old already). So that classic. Has nothing to do with the CS that most are opening today, a year or…
Internationally styled, at 20 years – 1998 Sportoletti Rosso Villa Fidelia Umbria IGT
As you can see in the photos above, the fill, cork and condition of this 1998 Villa Fidelia Rosso were as good as one could hope for at twenty years old. That said, the wine, like most, needed some air at first so that it could shake off the damp soil smells that often come…
Frappato, you’re ready for the big leagues – 2015 Valle dell’Acate Vittoria Il Frappato
The saying goes that wine tastes better if/when you’re drinking it where it’s produced. For example, a nice Chianti Classico with dinner at a trattoria near Panzano. Some people have even brought wines home with them from their trips only to say that it just didn’t taste as good once they were back home. I…
Power, purity…Brunate – 2009 Oddero Barolo Brunate
From a 0,4 hectare site in one of Barolo’s most esteemed Cru comes this immensely enjoyable effort from the historical producer, Poderi e Cantine (farms and cellars) Oddero. Vine age is ~ 60 years, and production is just 2,000 bottles; since 2010 vintage, this site is now farmed according to BIO methods. Brunate Cru The…
Alto Monferrato’s Hidden Treasure(s) – Cantine Valpane, Part I
At this point, I’ve visited many hundred wineries/estates. I generally meet with the winegrower and/or agronomist; often, one man (or woman) is both. In the instant case, that many is Pietro Arditi, a self-taught winegrower that has a kind, pleasant and inspiring humility; he’s also got a great sense of humor. Pietro’s in charge of…
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