Exploring Italian Wine One Grape at a Time
Lazio, a wine region, has been overshadowed by other, more prominent regions until recently, despite its rich viticultural history. In Lazio, we find well-known grapes such as Cesanese del Piglio and Cesanese d’Affile, as well as historical yet lesser-known varieties such as Bellone, Passerina del Frusinate, Capolongo, Pampanaro, and Nero Buono. Cincinnato is a cooperative … Read more
This article was first published at the beginning of 2020, while we were in the early days of the pandemic. My website was hacked during that period, and some articles never got republished automatically at the new website. So, here you can read about Cincinnato Winery again. The article was a part of the Italian … Read more
About one year ago, I invited the wine professional, wine and marketing consultant Priscilla Hennekam from Australia, to talk about The Challenges of Wine Language on my show, Wines of Italy LiveStream. I decided to republish it as the topic is as current as ever. My idea was to discuss how language changes over time, … Read more
The Viticoltori Montespertoli (the Montespertoli Vintners) was founded in 2022 by 15 vintners in the Montespertoli area to change the discourse and produce authentic, terroir-driven, and contemporary wines. On their website, they say that what unites them is “their pride and passion” for what they do and, while doing so, to safeguard the tradition of … Read more
“Maximum selection in the vineyard,” is the motto of Achille Della Porta, owner of Masseria della Porta in the Montaperto locality in Irpinia, Campania. Achille believes in giving value to the Irpinia territory and producing wines that give an expression of the local micro terroir, its history, and tradition. Biodiversity and respect for nature lie … Read more
Colli Orientali del Friuli is a wine region that is situated right in the northeastern corner of Friuli Venezia Giulia, where Cividale is the main town. It is an area that includes the overarching DOC Friuli Colli Orientali denomination as well as DOCG Ramandolo, DOCG Rosazzo, and DOCG Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit. In this … Read more
Lacrima di Morro d’Alba is a wine with imperial connotations, in the sense that it was enjoyed by Frederick I, i.e. Frederick Barbarossa when he resided in Morro d’Alba in 1167.My own experiences are not as imperial but more familial. My brother and his family used to go to Le Marche for their holiday every … Read more
June will be the month to discover more about wine in Umbria and Lazio in the Italian Food, Wine, and Travel group. Central Italy has for long been in the shadows of other more hyped-up regions when it comes to viticulture and winemaking. However, in recent years a lot has been happening to change the … Read more
We will be focusing on the food, wine, and travel in Calabria and Sardinia in the Italian Food, Wine, and Travel group this month. Calabria and Sardegna are two regions with a long viticultural and winemaking history but despite that, they are still today quite underrated wine regions with many hidden gems. During the last … Read more
The Chianti Classico Collection 2023 just took place a month ago, and the Chianti Classico consortium was on a roll. It was a well-attended Anteprima (preview tasting) after the reduced events during the last three years due to the pandemic, and the good mood was on top. In an article on the blog of Fattoria … Read more