International Drinks Days – a Calendar in progress Have you noticed the increasing number of International Drinks Days? These are annual days dedicated to a grape variety, a cocktail, a spirit, or a beer. How did the idea of International Drinks Days arise? Do they have value besides clogging up your calendar or social media feeds? Are they of any …
Vicoregio 36 – Three Classic Italian Reds, Pt 2 – Sangiovese
Vicoregio 36 – Three Classic Italian Reds, Pt. 2 – Sangiovese Castello di Fonteruloli in Chianti Classico embraces the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione category, producing not just one but three examples. They are all 100% Sangiovese, but each comes from a distinct terroir. One of those wines features here: Vicoregio 36. Fonterutoli is a place where the ancient sits comfortably …
Lison DOCG – In the Shadow of the Lion
Lison DOCG – In the Shadow of the Lion You may never have heard of Lison DOCG, as despite its lofty status, there are only 44 hectares of vineyards and around 180,000 bottles made each year. Yet the excellent wine quality fully deserves such an appellation, which even contains a Classico subzone. There is a long history of winemaking here, …
Three Classic Italian Reds – Part 1 – Manzone Cento Anni
Three Classic Italian Reds, Part 1 – Manzone Giovanni Cento Anni Barolo Riserva 2009 Earlier this year, I reviewed two contrasting Barolo DOCGs and a Langhe Nebbiolo DOC from Manzone Giovanni, about which you can read here. Along with these wines, there was also a special edition Barolo Riserva DOCG from the 2009 vintage called Cento Anni. I deferred writing …
Mandrarossa – Two Contrasting Wines from Menfishire
Mandrarossa – Two Contrasting Wines from Menfishire Mandrarossa is the premium brand of Cantine Settesoli, an important Sicilian cooperative on the south-western coast of Sicily, at Menfi, in what has become known as Menfishire. Settesoli began in 1958, initially with 68 growers, and its first vintage was in 1965. By the seventies, they were one of the first wineries in …
Castello di Querceto – Chianti Classico Annata and Riserva
Castello di Querceto – Chianti Classico Annata and Riserva In January 2022, I wrote an article about two Chianti Classico wines from Castello di Querceto. These representatives of the top of the Chianti Classico quality pyramid were their 2018 vintage Gran Selezione wines, namely Il Picchio and La Corte. You can read about those here (including new updated prices and …
What’s your Champagne Style?
What’s your Champagne Style? While there is but one way of making Champagne, not all Champagnes are the same. Champagne is a blend of three essential ingredients: grape varieties, vineyards and vintages. In combination, they can create a particular Champagne style. Champagne is a protected word, meaning it can only come from the Champagne region, but the styles of Champagnes …
Kendal Farmers Market – Retailer of the Year Award 2025
Kendal Farmers Market – Retailer of the Year Award 2025 Since moving to Cumbria in 2021, I’ve been raving about Kendal Farmers Market, a vibrant part of Cumbria’s vibrant culinary community. In short, it’s the best Farmers Market I’ve ever attended in the UK, of which there are now 500-600 examples. And, as Farmers Markets and Farm Shops have long …
LVNAE Etichetta Nera – an authentic Ligurian Vermentino
LVNAE Etichetta Nera – an authentic Ligurian Vermentino Cantine Lvnae Bosoni is a winery in eastern Liguria. It’s near the port of La Spezia, close to the Tuscan border. Meanwhile, Vermentino is a semi-aromatic white grape variety that thrives in heat (and heat spikes), is resistant to drought and doesn’t drop its acidity. It’s found right around the western Mediterranean …
VentiVenti – The Razzaboni family’s 2020 Vision
VentiVenti – The Razzaboni family’s 2020 Vision VentiVenti is a young start-up venture producing exceptional organic Lambrusco and other wines, particularly through the use of the Metodo Classico method. VentiVenti (2020) is named after the year it was founded. However, the name applies just as aptly to the shared vision of the Razzaboni family, namely Vittorio and his sons Riccardo, …