Spoletino. I say Spoletino; you say Trebbiano I say Spoletino; you say Trebbiano. Let’s call the whole thing off.* In Umbria, there resides a brilliant yet still obscure white grape variety, called Trebbiano Spoletino. It grows around the hilltop towns of Montefalco and neighbouring Spoleto, near Perugia. What’s in a name? Yes, the name Trebbiano does it no favours. Trebbiano …
Montefalco Sagrantino. Tannins, time, and transformation.
Montefalco Sagrantino. Tannins, time, and transformation. Sagrantino is a fascinating Italian native red grape variety. It’s capable of making outstanding red wines in its homeland around Montefalco in Umbria. This grape has a long history. Despite this, it has only recently acquired success, due to the extraordinary rise of the dry Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG. It was just in 1979 that this …
Lagrein from Cantina Bolzano: Taber Riserva
Lagrein from Cantina Bolzano: Taber Riserva Lagrein is an Italian native red grape variety, grown mostly in Trentino-Alto Adige since ancient times. Lagrien usually makes a monovarietal wine but does also feature in blends. Arguably, Lagrein wines are best from around Bolzano, the capital of the Alto Adige. Indeed, the Benedictine monks of Gries Abbey near Bolzano were famous for …
Sicilian Wines, My Delightful Dozen. Baroque ‘n’ Roll, Part 2
Sicilian Wines, My Delightful Dozen. Baroque ‘n’ Roll, Part 2. Here are wines that I consider to be outstanding examples of Sicilian wines from all over the island. I’ve deliberately restricted the choice to only one wine per producer. I’ve also chosen different grape varieties and styles wherever possible. Hence it shows off the Island’s enormous diversity. Sometimes that’s made …
Nero Oro Nero d’Avola Appassimento, DOC Sicilia, 2017
Nero Oro Nero d’Avola Appassimento, DOC Sicilia, 2017 Nero Oro comes from the Feudo di Santa Tresa estate in Sicily in collaboration with a company called The Wine People. It’s intriguing in several ways, not just because of the taste. Firstly, it’s 100% Nero d’Avola, a grape indigenous to Sicily and one of its best varieties. Since the 1990s, it …
Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, Part 2
Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, Part 2 Part 1 of this article covered Vermentino di Sardegna wineries and wines from the south of the Island. In this Part 2, it’s time for those further north. These are roughly centred on the town of Alghero, featuring ten wineries and 18 wines. Further north Soletta Tenute Soletta is in Codrongianos, near Alghero and …
Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, Part 1
Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, Part 1 Vermentino di Sardegna comes from the island of wind and wine. Sardegna is roughly the size of Wales and the second biggest of all the Mediterranean islands. Being there feels like it’s an entire continent, such are the varying landscapes. Once upon a time, Sardinian Vermentino was mostly quaffing wine, cheap and cheerful. However, …
Sella & Mosca, a unique winery in Sardegna
Sella & Mosca, a unique winery in Sardegna Erminio Sella and Edgardo Mosca founded Sella & Mosca in 1890. They came from Piemonte, transforming a poor sheep-farming area into an extraordinary vinous landscape. These rich men were also amateur Egyptologists. It’s commemorated in the winery logo, showing ancient Egyptians pressing grapes, from the tomb of Mereruka in Saqqara. The origins of …
Colonnara – you might say VerdichiAMO!
Colonnara – you might say VerdichiAMO! Colonnara is a 110-member co-operative winery located in the heart of the Verdicchio Castelli di Jesi DOC, in Cupramontana. It’s some 40km inland from the city of Ancona and 20km from the town of Jesi. Colonnara was established in 1959 by 19 growers; it now makes many different wines from around the March; there …
The Verdicchio of the Castles of Jesi
The Verdicchio of the Castles of Jesi In my first article on Verdicchio (Part 1: Matelica, fifty shades of green), I mentioned that the Marche region of central Italy is where the best Verdicchio grows. Here it proves to be one of Italy’s finest native white grapes, capable of outstanding longevity. Part two is about Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Matelica’s more famous …