Garda DOC wines: Part 2 of Garda Wine Stories 2025 The well-named Garda Wine Stories 2025 event is part of an engaging communication programme devised by Consorzio Garda DOC. To keep things manageable, the article is in two parts. Part 1 dives into Lake Garda itself. It then explains what Garda DOC is, and offers some examples of how the …
It’s time to make Creme de Cassis
Crème de Cassis What to do with Black Currants? In Britain, they just tend to end up as Ribena. France created an altogether better solution – Crème de Cassis. France took its Black Currants from England and Holland centuries ago. Their best come from Burgundy, called “Noir de Bourgogne”. The woods and hills above the vines are full of them. A few …
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Manzone Giovanni – Two Contrasting Barolo DOCG Cru
Manzone Giovanni – Two Contrasting Barolo DOCG Cru Azienda Agricola Manzone Giovanni is in the heart of the Langhe hills, offering views overlooking the Barolo MGA1 terroirs of Gramolere and Castelletto. It’s at the top of the Castelletto hill, at 400 metres, near Monforte d’Alba, and was established in 1925. The Giovanni Manzone estate Having been handed down through five …
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Mosnel Franciacorta Brut – their landmark 44th Edition
Mosnel Franciacorta Brut – their landmark 44th Edition In 2016, it was an honour to be one of the guests at Mosnel’s 180th birthday celebrations. While there, a unique tasting of their flagship Franciacorta Extra Brut, called EBB, was special. You can read all about Mosnel and that superb sparkling wine here. A return to Mosnel via these pages was …
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Garda Wine Stories 2025: Part 1 – Garda DOC
Garda Wine Stories 2025: Part 1 – Garda DOC Those who follow my various Italian adventures on this website are familiar with my affection for the Lake Garda region and its wines. Hence, it was a privilege to attend the recent Garda Wine Stories 2025 event. This is held annually on the shores of the lake, in the fortified town …
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Seasonal Eating: soon time for Samphire
Seasonal Eating: Soon time for Samphire I am blessed to have a Fishmonger who turns up weekly at the local market. During the season, he includes a handful of emerald green samphires for free. In Britain, Samphire grows naturally in muddy salt-water marshes and estuaries around the coast. It’s a seasonal delicacy, at its best from May onwards until September. …
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Tenuta Liliana – a new Cabernet Sauvignon from Puglia
Tenuta Liliana – a new Cabernet Sauvignon from Puglia Puglia is best known for big red wines, principally from native grape varieties such as Primitivo and Negroamaro. Almost inevitably, Puglia also has representation from the international brigade, typified by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Often, it’s easy to dismiss international varieties because of their ubiquity. However, there are exceptions to the …
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Elderflower Cordial – making the perfect summer drink
Elderflower Cordial – making the perfect summer drink Right now, I can’t think of a more quintessentially British summer drink than Elderflower cordial. The Elder (Sambucus nigra) is in full bloom in summer, so why not do a bit of easy foraging and make Elderflower cordial yourself? It’s swift and easy*. The result is brilliant refreshment when you don’t want …
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Plaques de Muselets – Every Plaque Tells a Story
Plaques de Muselets – Every Plaque Tells a Story How many people notice that the wire cage holding the cork firmly onto a bottle of sparkling wine can contain minor works of art? Usually, we’re in a hurry to open a bottle of fizz and often discard the wire cage before we take a closer look at it. This contraption …
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Poggio Valente by Fattoria Le Pupille
Poggio Valente by Fattoria Le Pupille Poggio Valente is one of those rare wines where just one glass made me want to visit Fattoria Le Pupille to find out more. So, some years ago I did, and I’ve followed its development from afar ever since. Given this, I can’t quite understand how I’ve not previously written about it. That’s especially …
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