The wines of Querciabella, redux My admiration of Querciabella increases with each new vintage. I have shown their wines at many events; they are my benchmark of Tuscan excellence. Time then, for an overview. Querciabella redux is a summary of my many and various scribbles about Querciabella during the past few years. In the centre of the prosperous Tuscan hills, between …
Biodynamics in detail, Part 3 of 3
Biodynamics detail, Part 3 of 3 Part 1 of this article gave some context regarding the condition of modern agriculture. Part 2 provided an overview of Biodynamics. Now it’s time to describe Biodynamics in detail. How is Biodynamics practised? Biodynamics originated in eight lectures in June 1924 by the philosopher Rudolf Steiner. These were called The Spiritual Foundations for the …
The Biodynamics overview, Part 2 of 3
The Biodynamics Overview, Part 2 of 3 Part 1 of this article was about context, Koyaanisqatsi, a life out of balance caused by synthetic chemicals. Some of the reaction to this has been the development of “sustainable” agriculture and organic farming. This Part 2 is a Biodynamics overview of how it builds upon organics and how adoption has grown despite controversy. …
Biodynamics. Making saving our planet taste better. Part 1 of 3
Biodynamics. Part 1 of 3: Koyaanisqatsi Recently, I was asked to republish my articles introducing Biodynamics (or BD, for short). Pol Roger published parts of these. Biodynamics is an agricultural philosophy that offers a radically different approach to agriculture. With wine, this means the farming of grapes. I first encountered BD over a decade ago. Then it was regarded as an …
Dievole: an authentic Chianti Classico is reborn
Dievole: an authentic Chianti Classico is reborn Here’s the new release of Chianti Classico from Dievole. This 2014 vintage featured at VinItaly 2016. I have tried Dievole wines before, but not recently. My old tasting notes say they were right. However, I found their Chianti Classico was a modern style; Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in new French oak. While …
Fasoli Gino – doing the right thing right
Fasoli Gino – doing the right thing right I love discovering less well-known producers that make exciting wines. Excitement for me is about wines that express terroir and the personality of the winemaker. Fasoli Gino is one. Amarone is an elegant and powerful dry red wine made with dried grapes. Now famous, its success has driven the resurgence of the Valpolicella …
Tenuta di Valgiano, Palistorti Rosso
Tenuta di Valgiano Palistorti Rosso, DOC Colline Lucchesi, Italy Welcome to Lucca Laura di Collabiano welcomed me into the kitchen of Tenuta di Valgiano. This sixteenth-century estate is some 250 metres above the river Sérchio, and 10 km north of Lucca in Tuscany. On a cold February night, a fire burned brightly within an enormous open hearth, giving the room …