Last year I wondered into a favorite wine shop in Bordeaux and discovered a particular Vermentino. The grape is growing in several areas. You can find it in California, Oregon, Italy, Australia, France- probably other countries too. They all have their place and are worth searching out. Then there’s Vermentino from the Corsican Arena family. A Family Business in Patrimonio… Read more »
Soave is one of the most important white wine appellations in Italy. Although it’s name was tarnished for years, they now produce single varietal, distinctive “cru” wines from the Garganega grape. The Veneto region in northern Italy where the Soave hails is worth the visit, great food too!
Nea Berglund grew up among the vines at the Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux property her father purchased in 1990. This “French summer cottage” called Château Carsin is located in the town of Rion and has been a great opportunity for her. She’s now the winemaker and the modern mind behind Charivari Wines. Come in for a visit!
Vermentino is the flagship wine of the Gallura region in the north east of Sardinia. Gallura is a specific area where the grape has a striking personality. Today it’s becoming one of the Island’s most successful wines.
Picpoul screams spring into summer when it comes to white wines. Something for a spontaneous Saturday picnic? Or a wine that seriously pairs with seafood whether grilled, baked or raw- absolutely! The great thing about Picpoul is the reasonable price tag: it hovers around $10 to $15.
There’s a white grape in the Marche region of Italy that some say produces one of Italy’s prized white wines. In fact, it’s been called one of Italy’s greatest native white grapes. Its best expression comes from Verdicchio del Castelli di Jesi but growns in other areas of the Marche too. Today I’m sharing information about two lovely Verdicchio from the Umani Ronchi estate.
March 12, 2018 – Didier Barral, the proprietor of Domaine Leon Barral is a revolutionary man producing biodynamic wines in the Faugères AOP. This hilly area is known as Grand Terroir de Schist where Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Cinsault are primary red grapes. I looked to this region for a wine to elevate my lazy Sunday evening.
I didn’t know much about the Italian wine grape Aglianico. In fact I can’t remember tasting such a wine. Italy has a staggering number of grape varieties native to the country. It’s likely near impossible to have an exact number but as of 2016, the national registry of grape varieties catalogs 511. As you probably guessed, Aglianico is one of… Read more »
We recently spent a few days in Napa Valley on a California trip to visit friends and family. After two years in living Bordeaux, what a fabulous and interesting experience being back in Northern California. Our amazing vacation rental was cozy and relaxing, close to Oxbow Market and CIA at Copia, and the base of the Silverado Trail, situated perfectly for a stay in Napa.
I’ll bet at some point in your life a French wine stole your heart. It seems to often steel hearts worldwide including mine. In fact, I do love French wine.
Not to say I’m less fond of wines from other countries. Reds, whites, and bubbles from all over the world lasso me. But this month, a month of love and valentines, the French #Winophiles take you to France.