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.
France is a country associated with l’amour. Love of wine and food, and so much more. This month the French Winophiles explore wines with a name or concept reminiscent of love. And appropriately February focuses on these things so come see what we have in store!
Argentina is Malbec country. Head to Mendoza and the Uco Valley where it thrives in a variety of soils and temperatures. This is where Doña Paula is located, and where viticulturist Martin Kaiser studies terroir.
Two appellations lie within the Languedoc-Roussillon: the Corbiéres and Minervois AOPs (Appellation d’Origine Protégée). Both are focused on red wines made from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, and Lladoner Pelut in differing proportions. They deliver a small amount of noteworthy whites made primarily from Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Vermentino (Rolle), and Maccabeu (Viura). Several other grapes grow there too. Read on to learn about defining characteristics of these areas.
I’m thrilled to be a finalist in the Millesima wine blog awards! Established to highlight the wine blogging community in Europe and the US, the three award categories are Wine Reporter, Food and Wine Pairing, and Wine Travel. Two people from the US and Europe are picked in each category as finalists for the next round.
Sauternes is a sweet wine appellation south of Bordeaux that includes five small villages. One of them, Barsac, is a sister AOP and home to Château Doisy-Daëne and many other producers. Fantastic wines are produced with modest prices. An area to check out if you’re new to Sauternes style wines.