February is the Italian Food, Wine and Travel group’s second month climbing Italy. I say climbing because we are working ourselves from the bottom of the boot to the Alps at the top. Our January Sicilian adventures with host Culinary Camilla (link) propelled us to Puglia (Apulia in Italian), the long and skinny heel of the boot, where our virtual… Read more »
Years ago, when I went into a wine store in Chicago where I lived and asked for a Sicilian red wine, I was handed Nero d’Avola. The same thing happened in Northern California some time later, and now in Bordeaux, we get the same. While I enjoy wine made from this grape, I am less of a mainstream person, preferring… Read more »
“But why Orvieto?” a wine friend asked when I shared I was heading to taste Orvieto wines. Partly because our Italian Food, Wine, Travel group visits Orvieto this month and also because wineries in Orvieto make much more than the easy quaffing style of the past. I wanted to taste these wines of greater character! Anyone who likes exploring less… Read more »
Tiefenbrunner Linticlarus Cuvée Riserve has a beautiful soul that, given time to open up it, withheld no secrets. In fact, it is a gorgeous, silky wine that has a lot to say.
At their small winery based in San Giacomo de Teglio, the Segas team does everything by hand. Extremely steep slopes, small plots and super Valtellina wines.
Ramato is similar to a rosé and an orange wine but is it? Traditionally made in Fiuli-Venezia Giulia, I dig into this wine to find out more.
Palmina Wines in Santa Barbara County focuses on Northern Italian grape varieties. The wines are to be enjoyed with friends and of course, great food.
A new year, a fresh start, a positive outlook. I welcome 2021 and am kicking things off with one of my favorite Italian red grapes: Lagrein. If you are fond of medium to fuller-bodied wine such as Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, I bet you’ll enjoy Lagrein. Below I share information about where this grape grows in Italy and a few… Read more »
Primitivo’s home turf in Puglia is Gioia del Colli where the wines are generally fresher with more finesse than those from warmer, well known areas further south- they are fuller and richer. Let’s pour four and find out.
Mark and I drink plenty of pink wine whether Italian rosato, rosado or rosé. Here I share two very different styles from the foothills of the Italian Apennines to rolling hills closer to the sea.