Barone Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico DOCG 2018 Ricasoli and the Castello di Brolio probably need little introduction to many lovers of Chianti Classico. It’s one of the most iconic properties in Tuscany. Indeed, opening a bottle from Ricasoli always brings back fond memories of visits there. Firstly, there’s that imposing castle, the Florentine Castello di Brolio, acquired by the family …
Italy’s Native Wine Grape Terroirs – Book Review
Italy’s Native Wine Grape Terroirs – Book Review This article reviews a new wine book by Ian D’Agata, entitled Italy’s Native Wine Grape Terroirs. It follows on from his indispensable previous book, Native Wine Grapes of Italy. Here D’Agata continues his focus on Italian native grape varieties. This time he shows how these can communicate a unique “somewhereness” in the wines made from them. …
Albarossa from Bricco dei Guazzi in Piemonte
Albarossa from Bricco dei Guazzi in Piemonte What is Albarossa? Good question. It’s a relatively unknown Italian red grape variety, primarily grown in Piemonte, Northern Italy. Piemonte is famous for Nebbiolo (think Barolo and Barbaresco) and Barbera. And that’s a clue to this high-quality grape variety with an interesting backstory. While many Italian examples have ancient origins, from mutations and …
Luce della Vite from Frescobaldi – Luce 2016
Luce della Vite from Frescobaldi – Luce 2016 In Italian, Luce means light. Light brings life. That’s the name of this Supertuscan winery, owned by the Frescobaldi family, whose top wine is Luce della Vite. In 1993, this project released its first vintage. It was originally a joint venture between two wine titans, namely Vittorio Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi. Tenuta …
Christmas 2019 – a dozen wines to check out!
Christmas 2019 – a dozen wines to check out! Happy Christmas to you all, and here’s my pick of the wines for Christmas 2019. Here’s my Christmas Card as well. It’s the skating rink at the Christmas Market held in Bruges, Belgium. Anyway, here are a delightful dozen wines for the festive season that are all available in the UK. …
Runcata Soave Superiore DOCG, Tenuta Corte Giacobbe
Runcata Soave Superiore DOCG, Tenuta Corte Giacobbe I recently had the pleasure of visiting Tenuta Corte Giacobbe, to find out more about their top Soave Superiore DOCG called Runcata. Runcata is made only with the Garganega grape variety. It’s a single vineyard right up on the Eastern border of Soave. The terroir here has different characteristics from others in Soave, …
Tenuta di Ghizzano and a double anniversary
Tenuta di Ghizzano and a double anniversary The Tenuta di Ghizzano occupies the gently contoured low hills of the Colline Pisane, southwest of Pisa, less than an hour away. Here, there’s plenty of wine grown in coastal Tuscany, yet they are often obscurities. Twenty-six generations of the Venerosi Pesciolini family have owned this 350-hectare estate since 1370. Today it’s in the …
Lessini Durello – Exciting Fizz from the Veneto
Lessini Durello – Exciting Fizz from the Veneto Between Verona and Vicenza in Northern Italy lies a currently obscure DOC, based on a little known Italian white grape variety called Durella. Eclipsed by Venetian vinous heavyweights such as Valpolicella, Soave and Prosecco, the tiny enclave of Lessini Durello nevertheless makes unique sparkling wines. Now, some thirty years after becoming a …
Summer of Soave – UK promotion 2019, and more besides
Summer of Soave – UK promotion 2019, and more besides Summer of Soave is a UK promotion that’s running, you guessed it, this summer. So look out for tastings, promotions and more besides. Soave is undoubtedly one of my favourite Italian white wines and is also a place that’s close to my heart. Hence it’s a place to return to often, …
Recantina renaissance – a rare red grape from the Veneto
Recantina renaissance – a rare red grape from the Veneto Regular readers of these pages will know how much I like to discover new and unusual grape varieties, especially those native to Italy. Recently I had the pleasure of staying in Asolo, primarily to explore their DOCG Prosecco. However, this part of the Veneto is also an excellent source for …