San Leonardo 2017 – Trentino’s Flagship Bordeaux Blend Here is San Leonardo 2017. Gambero Rosso once described this red wine, made by Tenuta San Leonardo, as “one of the fifty wines that changed Italy”. They have awarded their Tre Biccheri to it consistently, and it has become something of a legend in Italy. It’s from Trentino, a less well-known Italian wine region. …
Finca Altamira: World Malbec Day and Easter Sunday
Finca Altamira: World Malbec Day and Easter Sunday The Argento winery makes a single-vineyard premium Malbec called Finca Altamira, which is also one of the best value red wines you’ll currently find. Meanwhile, when compiling the list of International Drinks Days, I saw that the annual World Malbec Day is on the 17th of April. And that got me thinking about an …
Casisano 2016 – a mighty fine Brunello di Montalcino
Casisano 2016 – a mighty fine Brunello di Montalcino Brunello is one of Italy’s most prestigious wines and aspires to be the ultimate expression of Sangiovese. This DOCG, centred on the hill town of Montalcino, hosts considerable natural variation; in elevation, soil and aspects. Brunello’s stylistic hallmark is based upon long-maturation and subsequent longevity. In recent times, some producers have made …
Schloss Reinhartshausen – Dry German Riesling
Schloss Reinhartshausen – Dry German Riesling Schloss Reinhartshausen is at Eltville, on the north bank of the river Rhine, where the Riesling grape grows in steep stony vineyards with perfect southern exposure. Welcome to the Rheingau region of central Germany, a small area that has punched above its weight for centuries. It (together with the Mosel) has grown Riesling the longest, as records …
Madrevite – Umbrian organic excellence
Madrevite – Umbrian organic excellence A “Madrevite” is a wooden threaded spigot that Umbrian winemakers once used to close up their barrels after filling them full of wine. Nicola Chiucchiurlotto, who founded the Madrevite estate, chose this name for his wine estate as a linkage between traditional and modern wine growing, which embodies organic and artisanal wine production. Located on …
Sténopé – a Champagne from Devaux and Chapoutier
Sténopé – a Champagne from Devaux and Chapoutier Champagne Veuve A. Devaux was founded in 1846 by brothers Jules and Auguste Devaux, based at the beautiful Chateaux of Domaine de Villeneuve. It’s at Bar-sur-Seine, down south in the Aube region. The Veuve (widow) referred to was Madame Augusta Devaux, in charge of this House for several decades. After five family …
Cantina Toblino Vènt project – a different kind of tension
Cantina Toblino Vènt project – a different kind of tension Cantina Toblino was recently awarded the Wine Alchemy WOTY 2021. This was for their sweet dessert wine, Trentino Vino Santo DOC. You can read all about this here. However, as we’ll see, this isn’t the only terrific wine they make. Thanks to their Vènt Project, there are several new wine stars, all …
Vino Santo from Cantina Toblino – WOTY 2021
Vino Santo from Cantina Toblino – WOTY 2021 The Wine Alchemy WOTY (Wine of the Year) 2021 is the extraordinary Trentino Vino Santo DOC 2004 from Cantina Toblino. A worthy winner As usual, the Wine Alchemy WOTY is an exceptional wine. It’s also sustainable and available to buy in the UK. There were plenty of close contenders! Sweet wines make …
Christmas 2021 – a dozen delights
Christmas 2021 – a dozen delights Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to you all! Thanks for reading, supporting and encouraging me during this incredibly challenging year. Here’s my present to you all – the pick of the wines for Christmas 2021, together with a Christmas Card. This year there are a dozen delights. All come highly recommended for …
Off the beaten track – some lesser-known Italian wines
Off the beaten track – some lesser-known Italian wines Despite the smaller harvests reported this year, Italy remains the biggest wine-producing country globally. Many readers will know that this massive volume of wine is also incredibly diverse, whether in quality, price, style, terroir, business or winegrowing philosophies. The last time I looked, there were 569 grape varieties registered, with 377 …