One of the great pleasures of wine exploration is stumbling upon something new. Every corner of Italy is filled with rare forgotten grapes that wine makers are nurturing and coddling. It’s becoming easier to find ancient grapes and when you stumble upon these gems, you’ll be in for a ‘wow’ moment… and that’s special. And that’s Gaglioppo, grown all over… Read more »
Barbera fans take note! Meet smaller producer Susanna Galandrino and La Gironda winery in Piedmont Monferrato for organic Barbera exploration.
Kneading dough and making naan bread during the social isolation of Covid-19. This is the time to dig into the things you’ve been wanting to do, paired with wine of course!
A caramelized oozy dessert with melt-in-your-mouth apples and a semi-flaky crust, that’s Tarte Tatin. When I know it’s coming, I wish it were the only course of the meal. It really is that good.
This is not any wine. Nope… nor a regular duck confit dish. Prepared with potimarron and duck from a local producer, the dish and Rasteau AOC wine combo could be one of our favorites.
For me, cheese is like caviar or a Michelin starred restaurant- I partake on special occasions only. It’s not that I don’t like it, quite the contrary. There’s nothing like slathering young and creamy Gorgonzola on a cracker. Or a crostini topped with aged Mimolette or Manchego, a walnut then drizzled with honey. But sadly, cheese doesn’t like me. I… Read more »
If you like white wine and want to change things up this fall try the Turbiana grape. It’s from the inter-regional DOC Lugana shared between the Italian Lombardy and Veneto regions producing mostly rich, fuller-bodied wines. While in southern Lake Garda last year I spotted Lugana at a wine shop. Then visiting Pratello winery they poured their Lugana- my first… Read more »
Grower Champagne is the smaller producer deciding what he or she wants to make and how. This is the essence of grower Champagne and two fourth-generation grower producers: Pierre Péters Champagne and Champagne Bourgeois-Diaz.
Northern Italy is full of (wine) surprises. It’s not just about Milan and the Cinque Terre, and Venice or Tuscany. Lots of people don’t explore outside of these destinations. So for those folks wanting fewer than a zillion tourists and interesting wines made with grapes native to Italy, head to Bardolino on Lake Garda. This area is making some of… Read more »
A year ago I wandered into a favorite wine shop in Bordeaux and discovered Vermentino again. It’s a grape that grows in many places. France, Italy, Australia, California and Oregon are prime areas. I’ve tasted some from each place but the one that stands out is the Vermentino from the Corsican Arena family. A Family Business in Patrimonio Antoine Arena… Read more »