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 …
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 …
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 …
Greatest Hits – A Case for Christmas 2024
Greatest Hits – A Case for Christmas 2024 This year, I’m ringing the changes for the Case for Christmas 2024 article. This time, it’s a Greatest Hits package. This features a dozen wines selected from all my previous annual Christmas wine recommendations. They are twelve wines that stand the test of time and fully deserve highlighting again. Such a listicle …
Pisa – Stay and Explore at Badia di Morrona
Pisa – Stay and Explore at Badia di Morrona The Badia di Morrona winery near Pisa has been featured previously on this website for some excellent red wines. The first article concentrated on I Sodi del Paretaio, two Chianti DOCG wines. Then, the second piece featured their flagship wine, VignaAlta. This latter red wine is a Tuscan gem, the best …
Tenuta Argentiera – You Got The Silver
Tenuta Argentiera – You Got The Silver Tenuta Argentiera is in Bolgheri DOC, a winery in Tuscany at the top of the fine wine podium. From seemingly nowhere, Bolgheri enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame. That was during this century, though now-fêted pioneers sowed the seeds some decades before. Bolgheri is one of several places in Italy where Bordeaux grape …
Morellino di Scansano and Cantina Vignaioli
Morellino di Scansano and Cantina Vignaioli What’s in a name? Morellino di Scansano is in Tuscany’s deep southwest, occupying the central Maremma close to the coast. Much of this area was once wild malarial marshland before humans drained it. So, it was more suitable for horses, cattle, and sheep than vines. This was a poor area with relatively few inhabitants. …
Badia a Corte Riserva – Vinum Florentinum
Badia a Corte Riserva – Vinum Florentinum Take the old Via Roma (SP1) southeast from Florence towards Rignano sull’Arno. After only 10 km, you’ll find Torre a Cona, a magnificent 18th-century Renaissance estate. It makes wine and olive oil and now offers fine dining and hospitality. Torre a Cona is one of the best wine estates in the Chianti Colli …
A Subtle Dislocation of the Norm? Three wines
A Subtle Dislocation of the Norm? Three wines Below are three wines, two whites and a red. Each one shows individuality, a great beverage in its unique way, combining people, place, and culture. However, there is also something even rarer about them, as they are unconventional creations. They offer a subtle dislocation of the norm. Tetramythos, Retsina Amphorae, Traditional Designation, …
Bulichella in Suvereto – wine by design
Bulichella in Suvereto – wine by design Welcome to the beautiful and historic Val di Cornia and coastal Tuscany, where the Bulichella winery is only two km outside the medieval walled town of Suvereto. When I stayed in Suvereto (and nearby Campiglia Marittima) a decade ago, I imagined this place might become my future Italian home. While that was not to …