Collio – introducing Italy’s best-kept wine secret The Collio (aka Collio Goriziano) is a small Italian DOC. It’s in the Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) region in the far north-eastern corner of Italy, bordering Slovenia. Following a recent visit, this article is designed as a brief introduction to Collio and its wines. Future companion pieces will cover some of the most …
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, …
Chocolate Cake from Gascony with Maydie
Chocolate Cake from Gascony with Maydie Here’s an adaptation of a chocolate cake recipe by French Chef Marie-Claude Garcia, in the village of Poudenas in Gascony, Southwest France. This cake resembles a big chocolate brownie, while the secret weapon here is the inclusion of Sea Salt*, which adds a whole new dimension. This cake also improves if left to mature over several …
Nautilus – aged underwater by Ktima Foivos
Nautilus – aged underwater by Ktima Foivos This year, there have been many requests for more Greek wine reviews. Perhaps their time to break cover has finally (and rightly) come. So here’s a Greek white wine called Nautilus, made on the beautiful island of Kefalonia by Ktima Foivos. The grape varieties in this blend are organic and biodynamic, native to …
EVOO from Tuscany with Cumbrian Sourdough Bread
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 …
Cheese and wine matching: Top tips and classic matches
Cheese and wine matching: Top tips and classic matches It is hardly surprising that there is a long wine and cheese pairing history, as both products have ancient origins. We don’t know precisely when or even where cheese-making started. Possibly it was when sheep were domesticated, around 8,000 BC, and there is evidence of the ancient art in Europe, the …
Too hot to handle? Enjoying wines with Asian food
Too hot to handle? Enjoying wines with Asian food Britain’s favourite dish is often said to be Chicken Tikka Masala. Hence there is no doubting our love of Asian food, particularly cuisines from India, China and Thailand. Historically, Asia never produced nor consumed wine in quantity, so a wine and food cultural tradition never arose. Even now, home-grown Chinese and …
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 …
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 …