Spoletino. I say Spoletino; you say Trebbiano I say Spoletino; you say Trebbiano. Let’s call the whole thing off.* In Umbria, there resides a brilliant yet still obscure white grape variety, called Trebbiano Spoletino. It grows around the hilltop towns of Montefalco and neighbouring Spoleto, near Perugia. What’s in a name? Yes, the name Trebbiano does it no favours. Trebbiano …
Christmas 2018 – six favourite wines
Christmas wines 2018 – six favourites What are my six Wines for Christmas 2018? ‘Tis the season. If you’d like more recommendations, then please look at my lists from 2017 and 2016 too. As for my selection criteria for Christmas 2018, they have to be versatile; excellent with food or at a party. I’ve tried to mix the selection up …
Sagrantino, Montefalco wineries and wines
Sagrantino, Montefalco wineries and wines Part 1 of this article told the story of dry Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG in Umbria and its rise to become an iconic Italian red wine. This Part 2 has a dozen wineries, most with wines available in the UK. You can click on the map embedded below to view these wineries and find out more. …
Montefalco Sagrantino. Tannins, time, and transformation.
Montefalco Sagrantino. Tannins, time, and transformation. Sagrantino is a fascinating Italian native red grape variety. It’s capable of making outstanding red wines in its homeland around Montefalco in Umbria. This grape has a long history. Despite this, it has only recently acquired success, due to the extraordinary rise of the dry Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG. It was just in 1979 that this …
Lagrein from Cantina Bolzano: Taber Riserva
Lagrein from Cantina Bolzano: Taber Riserva Lagrein is an Italian native red grape variety, grown mostly in Trentino-Alto Adige since ancient times. Lagrien usually makes a monovarietal wine but does also feature in blends. Arguably, Lagrein wines are best from around Bolzano, the capital of the Alto Adige. Indeed, the Benedictine monks of Gries Abbey near Bolzano were famous for …
Autochtona 2018 wine competition, Bolzano
Autochtona 2018 wine competition, Bolzano Autochtona is an annual wine competition held in Bolzano, in the far north of Italy. What makes it unique is that entries can be from wines made only with Italy’s Authoctonous grape varieties. Autochtonous means only those varieties that originate, as far as is known, within Italy itself. You won’t find the international varieties or any other grape …
FICO Eataly World. From Farm to Fork in Bologna
FICO Eataly World. From Farm to Fork in Bologna. FICO Eataly World opened in Bologna in November 2017. Though I was in Bologna exploring the nearby Colli Bolognesi wine region, unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to visit it. Instead, I vowed to come back and, nearly a year on, I did. I went twice. This special place is all …
Feudi di San Gregorio – heritage and innovation (updated)
Feudi di San Gregorio – heritage and innovation (updated) Welcome to Campania, in the Mezzogiorno, beautiful southern Italy. Feudi di San Gregorio is in the “shin” of Italy’s boot, some 50 km inland from Napoli. In just a few years, this wine producer became an icon of the modern Italian winemaking renaissance. It remains one of the leaders in restoring authentic …
Antonella Corda, Stunning Sardinian Wines
Antonella Corda, Stunning Sardinian Wines Antonella Corda is from a family of Sardinian winegrowers. She is also an agronomist specialising in vine management, returning to Sardinia from Trentino. 2011 was her first vintage. In so doing, she has created a boutique winery producing subtle, authentic, and refined wines. I met with Antonella in Cagliari to taste her Vermentino di Sardegna. …
Sicily, the Land of Baroque ‘n’ Roll, Part 1
Sicily – the Land of Baroque ‘n’Roll, Part 1 This land Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, symbolised by the Trinacria, representing the island’s triangular shape and fabled fertility. Winegrowing here dates back to the 8th century B.C. by ancient Greek colonies. Sicily has highly visible evidence of conquest by many civilisations. Phonecians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Normans, Arabs, Germans, …