EVOO from Tuscany with Cumbrian Sourdough Bread You may recall that two wines from Tenuta di Ghizzano in the Terre di Pisa area of Tuscany were chosen as my Wines of the Year 2022, while their other wines are also terrific. Hence a tasting of their Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) was long overdue. The Estate comprises 283 hectares, of …
Organic Rosé by Artesano de Argento
Organic Rosé by Artesano de Argento Regular readers will know that the Argento Winery of Argentina has appeared in the pages before, firstly with their Organic Malbec/Cabernet Franc and then their single-vineyard Finca Altamira. Now for their Organic Rosé, in a UK launch perfectly timed for our current summer heatwave. It’s labelled as a single-variety Malbec, although strictly speaking, it’s a blend of …
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Samos Anthemis wine with Gulab Jamun Cake
Samos Anthemis wine with Gulab Jamun Cake Let’s be clear from the outset, Gulab Jamun isn’t cake. But a Gulab Jamun Cake is. Hence, this article pairs this cake with a famous and fabulous sweet wine from Samos in Greece. It also involves a couple of Greek philosophers, albeit tangentially. It’s time to tell all. Gulab Jamun Who can resist Gulab Jamun? Whether …
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Tenute Ballasanti – a new Etna adventure with deep roots
Tenute Ballasanti – a new Etna adventure with deep roots Tenute Ballasanti is a young wine venture, yet one with deep roots. It’s on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, rising above the Ionian Sea. Some years ago, I wrote about Mount Etna, covering the native grape varieties, unique terroir, and their renaissance in wine growing. The article …
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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 …
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VignaAlta, the flagship of Badia di Morrona
VignaAlta, the flagship of Badia di Morrona Badia di Morrona was featured in these pages last year with their I Sodi del Paretaio, a Chianti DOCG that comes in Annata and Riserva forms. You can read about those wines here. This article reviews their flagship wine, VignaAlta, a 100% Sangiovese designated as the up-and-coming Terre di Pisa DOC. Terre di Pisa DOC Wine …
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Bardolino Cru – the first vintage from the new subzones
Bardolino Cru – the first vintage from the new subzones On the eastern shores of Lake Garda, Bardolino DOC and Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC share geographical boundaries, and most wineries make both styles. However, Bardolino represents the reds (60%), while Chiaretto is the well-known Rosé (40%). Rule changes were ratified in April 2021 and applied to both from the 2020 …
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Pineau d’Aunis – a rare red wine from the Loire
Pineau d’Aunis – a rare red wine from the Loire Here’s a riddle for you. Q: When is a rare red not a rare red? A: when it’s a Pineau d’Aunis. What is Pineau d’Aunis? Occasionally still called Chenin Noir, Pineau d’Aunis is a red grape grown in Touraine in the Loire valley of France. Said to be admired by …
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The Cost of Living Crisis Case, Festive Season 2022
The Cost of Living Crisis Case, Festive Season 2022 I hope you like my Christmas card! Everyone knows we’re in a cost-of-living crisis, so this situation has affected my wine recommendations for the festive season. We all want to celebrate and enjoy ourselves, but in a cost-conscious way. What is a wine-lover to do? A real price cap Hence, for …
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Di Madre In Vigna: Antonella Corda four years on
Di Madre In Vigna. Antonella Corda four years on Di Madre In Vigna? That must be Antonella Corda in Sardinia. That phrase is prominent on her bottle labels. It says that the land is the mother to the vines. But you could infer that Antonella Corda is also the vines’ mother. Four years ago, I had the great fortune to …
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