This week’s indigenous variety is called Caloria from Tuscany. Specifically it is from the area near the city of Massa, in the province of Massa Carrara.

The grape is used as a blending grape in red wines. It helps to produce light red wines with good acidity, typically Tuscan to my mind.

Many people have heard of Massa Carrara because of the marble quarries. These same quarries were used for many centuries and have provided marble for Michelangelo’s sculptures as well as those of other great Italian sculptors.

Speaking of marble, don’t miss the show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on portraiture. It has wonderful paintings and incredible marble busts from some of Tuscany’s finest artists.