Asolare: drinking Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG (Pt.2) Part 1 introduced the Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, setting it in a cultural context and describing its relationship with the larger Prosecco DOC and the neighbouring Prosecco DOCG of Conegliano Valdobbiadene. Now Part 2 features a dozen recommendations for Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG. In style, these range from bone-dry to sweet, each with food …
Asolo: Prosecco with a sense of place (Pt.1)
Asolo: Prosecco with a sense of place (Pt.1) On a clear day in Venice, take a moment and look inland to north-north-west. On the horizon, shimmering in a lagoon haze, are a range of hills forming the first outliers of the alps, some 60 km distant across the pancake-flat land of the pianura. Here lies the town of Asolo; perched on …
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. …
Pretty in Pink: Rosé wines for summer drinking
Pretty in Pink: Rosé wines for summer drinking Rosé wines were thought irredeemably naff by past generations of wine drinkers. Only in this century have rosé wines come back into fashion after years of neglect. Now we can’t get enough of them, especially on sunny summer days. Indeed, rosé wines are so in vogue they are part of the basket …
Wine of the Year 2017 – Gini Salvarenza
Wine of the Year 2017 – Gini Salvarenza – Soave’s Montrachet My Wine of the Year (WOTY) 2017 is Gini Salvarenza, Vecchie Vigne, Soave Classico, DOC 2014 13.5% Fanfare, please! Introducing Gini The Gini family have been winegrowers at Monteforte d’Alpone in Soave since 1600. These days, brothers Sandro and Claudio Gini run their 55-hectare estate. They own some of the …
The Story of Tai Rosso in the Colli Berici. Part 2, the Producers
The Story of Tai Rosso in the Colli Berici. Part 2, the Producers While Part 1 of this article was about the Colli Berici DOC and its unique grape, Part 2 covers five producers making authentic Tai Rosso wines in various styles. These five examples demonstrate the potential of this land for high-quality wine production. Also, they all make excellent, contrasting …
The story of Tai Rosso in the Colli Berici, Part 1
The story of Tai Rosso in the Colli Berici, Part 1 Last year I spent some quality time in the Colli Berici in northern Italy. These hills rise out of the flat plains between Vicenza and Verona. In central Veneto, the Colli Berici was my countryside base for visits to these historic cities. The local DOC wines attracted my attention, and …
Making a case for Christmas 2016
Making a case for Christmas 2016 In my recent Christmas Card, I suggested wines that’ll make your festivities go with a bang. I’m following my advice – here’s a case that includes wines that I’ll be drinking myself. Chosen with Christmas celebrations firmly in mind, there’s a dozen here. I’ve selected premium fizz from the £20+ range, and all the others …
Visiting Villa Monteleone in Valpolicella
Visiting Villa Monteleone in Valpolicella I visited Villa Monteleone on a hot spring day infused with the smell of Jasmine. We sat in the shade of an ancient Cherry tree tasting the wines with owner Lucia Duran Raimondi. Magic was in the air. Villa Monteleone is in the most western part of the Valpolicella Classico zone in northern Italy, found …
Coffele Castel Cerino Soave Classico
Coffele Castel Cerino Soave Classico DOC, Veneto, Italy. Soave is a famous Italian white wine region. In the heart of the Classico zone, the town of Soave lends it its name. Here, a magnificent walled fortress dominates the landscape. From its swallow-tailed vantage points, you can see far and wide. It seems besieged by rolling limestone and volcanic hills. On …