The Knot of Love and Custoza DOC wines, Part 2

Paul Howard Articles, Blog, Food, Italy, Organic, Sustainability

Big skies in Custoza

The Knot of Love and Custoza DOC wines, Part 2 Part 1 of this article looked at Custoza DOC and the reasons influencing the taste and quality of its dry white wines. Now Part 2 puts that to the test with six representative Custoza DOC wines presented by the Consorzio. An interactive map below shows the locations of the featured producers, while …

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Custoza celebrates its 50th Anniversary, Part 1

Paul Howard Articles, Blog, Italy, Organic, Sustainability

Typical Custoza Landscape

Custoza celebrates its 50th Anniversary, Part 1. The Custoza DOC covers the white wines made on Lake Garda’s eastern Venetian shore.  It’s centred on the small village of Custoza, which is just to the west of Verona. This DOC overlaps and shares some boundaries with the Bardolino (red) and Chiaretto di Bardolino (rosé) DOC. It dates from 1971, renaming it …

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Trebbiano di Soave – the comeback

Paul Howard Articles, Blog, Italy

Trebbiano di Soave

Trebbiano di Soave – the comeback Trebbiano di Soave is, alongside Garganega, one of the mainstays of Soave. Under the current rules, Soave allows the inclusion of it up to 30%. Other non-aromatic white grape varieties now only have a 5% maximum. Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Manzoni are those that spring to mind. At the same time, it’s Garganega that’s …

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The Verdicchio of the Castles of Jesi

Paul Howard Articles, Blog, Italy

Verdicchio dei Castelli di 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 …

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Valtellina – an ode to Mountain Nebbiolo Part 1

Paul Howard Articles, Blog, Italy, Travel

Valtellina: Grumello

Valtellina – an ode to Mountain Nebbiolo Part 1 This article is about how I discovered Valtellina, a special place. One to return to, again and again. The discovery A few years ago, a glass of red wine was accompanied by the dread question, “what’s this?” On the first inspection, there was a floral perfume, high acidity, cherry fruit, tar and tannin. …

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