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 »
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.
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.
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.
Pairing sweet and savory flavors definitely works, it certainly did here- a tart with figs, pears and caramelized leek yum. My choice was Beaujolais, anything other than a Beaujolais Nouveau, the wine so many are familiar with this time of year. Depending on how you garnish this vegetarian tart, it pairs with many types of wine. Figs not in season? No worries, skip them or use another fruit.
Located in Chianti Storico (old Chianti), you find Chianti Classico wines. Montefioralle is an organic producer located near Greve- an easy trip from Florence for tasting wine and olive oil.