Spanish Whites – six great examples Spain’s enormous wealth of native grape varieties, terroirs, and winegrowers means that it’s one of the most exciting countries for wine diversity, interest and value. This article covers six dry white wines chosen from the hundreds available at the annual Wines From Spain 2021 event. Furthermore, Spanish whites have emerged from the shadow of …
Ushas – Rosenmuskateller and visions of the Divine
Ushas – Rosenmuskateller and visions of the divine The Kellerai Kurtasch (Cantina Cortaccia) is one of those magnificent Alto Adige wine co-operatives, focusing on sustainability in the vineyard and the winery. Founded in 1900, its 190 hectares of vineyards rise to 900 metres in this alpine terroir on steep slopes that welcome the sunrise. As is usual in these parts, …
Roero – white and red wines in my Glass
Roero – white and red wines in my Glass The Roero DOCG region is on the northern (left bank) side of the Tanaro river in Piemonte. This river divides Roero from the likes of Barolo and Barbaresco on its southern side. Roero’s territory isn’t a monoculture; while vines have been grown here since Etruscan times, the 1,180 hectares of vineyards …
Chiaretto di Bardolino – Anteprima 2021
Chiaretto di Bardolino – Anteprima 2021 Chiaretto di Bardolino is a crisp, dry, pale-pink wine made in the Bardolino DOC on the Venetian shore of Lake Garda. The Italians never refer to this wine as a Rosato or Rosé, though that’s what it is. Instead, it’s always known as Chiaretto, meaning “the little light one”. Lake Garda is to Italy …
Pojer e Sandri Merlino – an Italian Unicorn
Pojer e Sandri Merlino – an Italian Unicorn Pojer e Sandri is a Trentino winery owned by oenologist Mario Pojer and viticulturalist Fiorentino Sandri. This famous boutique estate started in 1975 with just two hectares. Four decades on, they have 26 hectares of organically certified vines. They make a wide range of acclaimed wines and also have a distillery. This article …
Cantina Tramin and their path to Alpine wines
Cantina Tramin and their path to Alpine wines Cantina Tramin is one of the leading wine producers in the Alto Adige (Südtirol) region of northeast Italy. This co-operative is in the village of Tramin (Termeno), comprising some 300 members and 270 hectares of vines, some of which are now organic. In this mountainous region, individual family holdings are frequently tiny, …
New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia – Book Review
New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia – Book Review The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia is now in a new 6th Edition. It’s a privilege to review this mighty tome, as I recall using the 3rd Edition of 2001 for the WSET Diploma exams. Twenty years on, that book, though still in use, has inevitably become outdated. Revisions mean this new Edition is …
Glass facts – a pick ‘n’ mix collection
Glass facts – a pick ‘n’ mix collection Here’s a collection of fascinating glass facts from background research into the use of glass wine bottles. Although there wasn’t enough space to include them in recent articles about glass wine bottles, they are a fascinating glimpse into our glass heritage and so well worth sharing. Origins Volcanic activity produces obsidian, a natural …
Passorosso – the quintessential Etna Rosso
Passorosso – the quintessential Etna Rosso Mount Etna, while never quiescent, has recently had the most violent eruptions of the past fifty years. Yet, as my previous articles about Etna demonstrate, this destructive power is also life giving. Today, Etna produces magnificent wines from its unique vineyards. Etna’s reputation has been re-established over the last twenty years and now ranks with …
Oxney Organic Estate Rosé, English Sparkling Wine
Oxney Organic Estate Rosé, English Sparkling Wine Oxney is Britain’s largest single organic wine estate on the River Rother in East Sussex, six miles north of Rye’s historic and charming port. That means it’s also in the High Weald, a designated Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty. Oxney is also certified organic by the Soil Association. Indeed, this organic mixed farm …