A Tuscany Travelogue – introducing Toscana. This is an overview article about the wines of Tuscany because many regard it (with some justification) as quintessential Italy. This is a topic needing an entire book or two. However, here it is in less than 1,300 words. Two included maps show just how complex Tuscany is. For brevity, the links in the …
Vernaccia di San Gimignano Vigna a Solatio
Vernaccia di San Gimignano Vigna a Solatio Riccardo Falchini bought the property now known as Casale-Falchini back in 1964. This was an ancient convent located outside the San Gimignano city walls, with forty hectares of vineyards and olive groves occupying the green rolling sandstone hills. From there, the famous medieval towers of the city dominate the skyline. He has worked …
Tenuta di Ghizzano and a double anniversary
Tenuta di Ghizzano and a double anniversary The Tenuta di Ghizzano occupies the gently contoured low hills of the Colline Pisane, southwest of Pisa, less than an hour away. Here, there’s plenty of wine grown in coastal Tuscany, yet they are often obscurities. Twenty-six generations of the Venerosi Pesciolini family have owned this 350-hectare estate since 1370. Today it’s in the …
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 …
Why not try these compelling vegan wines? Ten to get you started
Why not try these ten compelling vegan wines? Well, I promised some compelling vegan wines after my recent article called Vegan wines are not just for vegans. Consequently, and without further ado, here are ten vegan wines to explore. From a range of UK stockists, all are superb examples. Let me be clear from the outset: I am not a Vegan. …
Le Mortelle, a rising star in the Maremma
Le Mortelle, a rising star in the Maremma Le Mortelle is one of Antinori’s more recent ventures, a new organic wine estate created in Tuscany’s coastal Maremma. Here’s a progress report on this rising star. The Antinori family has been in the wine business for over six hundred years, documenting this back to 1385, across 26 generations. Has anyone done …
Campo alle Comete, Stupore. UK Exclusive!
Campo alle Comete, Stupore. UK Exclusive! The wines of the Bolgheri region, down on the Tuscan coast, excite me in a way few others can. Bolgheri has become a magnet for wine investment, and many famous Italian wine producers have expanded into the area. Bolgheri is primarily Bordeaux-blend land, where the Reds achieve a rare intensity and Sangiovese plays only …
I Veroni Chianti Rùfina Riserva – verticale
I Veroni Chianti Rùfina Riserva – verticale Chianti DOCG has seven subzones, and Chianti Rùfina (pronounced, in my best London accent, Roo-fina) is arguably the best of these. It’s a small enclave of 1,000 hectares and probably accounts for only about 3% of all Chianti production. Perhaps it’s the only Chianti subzone to rival Classico consistently in the quality of …
The magic of Caiarossa wines
The magic of Caiarossa wines Background Profile Caiarossa sits alone amidst unspoilt rolling hills in the Val di Cecina near the Tuscan coast. It’s a few miles north of the now-famous Bolgheri wine region. The blank canvas that was Tuscany’s coastal strip underwent a transformation a few decades ago. A slew of wineries and vineyards now occupy this previously virgin land, …
The wines of Querciabella, redux
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 …