Ribolla Gialla and a Dachshund – what’s the link? What links the Ribolla Gialla grape variety with a Dachsund? The answer is the Eugenio Collavini winery in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy. But as for why – you’ll need to read to the end to find out. Friuli Venezia Giulia Friuli Venezia Giulia lies in the northeast corner of …
The Mimesi Project by Tenuta di Ghizzano
The Mimesi Project by Tenuta di Ghizzano Tenuta di Ghizzano has been featured on these pages before, with two superb classically-styled red wine blends called Nambrot and Veneroso. Their new wine project is called Mimesi, where current owner Ginevra Venerosi Pesciolini employs ancient natural wine practices in a modern context. As Confucius once said, “study the past if you want to …
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 …
Wine and Cake – the first of an occasional theme
Wine and cake – the first of an occasional theme Let’s try some word association. If I say the word wine, do you reply with cake? No, I thought not. Pairing wine and cake together only occurred to me on a miserable winter afternoon. Given the current spate of storms battering these shores (Storm Xena Warrior Princess* will be along …
Artichoke Sauce with Spaghetti – effortless sophistication
Artichoke Sauce with Spaghetti – effortless sophistication Globe Artichokes are tricky to pair with wine, and the usual culinary advice is don’t. Putting them together usually results in metallic or bitter flavours. That’s why the dressing for globe artichokes often employs the sharpness of lemon juice or vinaigrette. Wine-friendly, they’re most certainly not. However, marinating artichoke hearts changes their flavour …
Beronia Rioja – an historic wine tasting
Beronia Rioja – an historic wine tasting Rioja deserves to feature more frequently on these pages – it’s the most famous and well-loved Spanish wine region. Indeed, Rioja is synonymous with Spanish wine quality and inextricably linked with Spanish culture and cuisine. Like Bordeaux and Burgundy, there are millions of words and thousands of books about Rioja*. The difference with …