I try to read a couple of blog posts each day, along with newspapers in English and Italian. Some days I am able to do it, others not. I always listen to the radio during meals and when I can I watch the PBS Newshour and the Rai evening news. It's never enough time and... Continue Reading →
Calabria Calls: Roberto Ceraudo
During Italian Wine Week, I had the occasion to try many wines from Southern Italian regions made with indigenous grapes. Among those that I really enjoyed were wines from Roberto Ceraudo from Calabria. I tasted a few of his wines and was particularly fond of the Grisara and the Dattilo, the former made with Pecorello... Continue Reading →
Follow-Fridays: Villa Matilde from Campania
Often I taste wines in on occasion or another, write copious notes and plan my posts about them only to let 12 months go by before I actually end up writing anything, hence the title, follow-up Fridays. When not writing about Women in Wine, I will be dedicating Fridays to following up on posts that... Continue Reading →
Italian Indigenous Varieties: Kerner
Kerner is a grape that was created in Germany in 1969 by crossing Schiava Grossa or Trollinger with Riesling. It came to Italy early on and has been considered an Italian national varietal since 1981. It is often made into a mono-varietal wine and at times is blended with other varieties. It is similar to... Continue Reading →
Literary Greats – Umberto Eco and Harper Lee
Some people read the wedding pages or style section but I read the obituaries on a pretty regular basis. Actually it's a family habit and we often comment to each other about the lives that people have lived. I'm not sure when I started reading them so assiduously but it's been a long time. This... Continue Reading →
Wines from the Valtellina: Nino Negri Sfursat 5 Stelle 2011
Last week's Italian extravaganza of wines included some wines from the Valtellina in Lombardy, particularly this one from Nino Negri. I got about 10 text messages from a friend who lives in the Valtellina last week asking me if I had seen that Eric Asimov had finally taken note of Valtellina. Yes I had read... Continue Reading →
Anteprime Toscane
This past weekend was the start of the Anteprime Toscane when different top Tuscan denominations show their new vintages. I got to go to a number of these events some years ago and it was truly an experience. Sadly this year that was not in the cards but perhaps next year I will be back... Continue Reading →
Two Italian Giants Launch Annual Guides for Wine, Olive Oil
Last week saw the launch, in New York, of two Italian guides in English. The first by famed wine critic Daniele Cernilli called the “The Ultimate Guide to Italian Wine 2016” and the second by olive oil specialist Marco Oreggia entitled “Flos Olei 2016.” I wrote an article about it for I-Italy.org. If you want... Continue Reading →
Giacomo Tachis: Mille e Una Notte
When I learned of Giacomo Tachis' passing earlier this month, I was reminded of how many of his wines I have tasted. Yesterday on Valentine's day in fact I was just thinking about one of these special wines as one that I consider romantic and sexy as every good Valentine's day should be: MIlle e... Continue Reading →
Chianti Colli Fiorentini D.O.C.G.
I thought I would repost this piece because I just saw Diletta during Italian Wine Week and the wines were as delicious as ever. Florence is on my mind today as I read a mystery set there, translate a book about Florentine life and missed eating Cenci, Schiacciata alla Fiorentina and other delicacies. I can’t wait to try those foods again in situ. I am long overdue for a visit.
The denomination Chianti Colli Fiorentini Denominazione d’Origine Controllata e Garantita (D.O.C.G.) is just like someone who is always a bridesmaid and never a bride. While not the least mentioned of the seven sub-zones of Chianti D.O.C.G., it is rarely talked about and I think that’s a shame. This production zone is located in and around Florence and the Arno river valleys. Like its other six cousins, Chianti Rufina, Chianti Colli Aretini, Chianti Colli Senesi, Chianti Colline Pisane, Chianti Montalbano and Chianti Montespertoli, producers can chose to use the denomination or not. The area was defined in 1932. With DPR 290 of July 2, 1984, the Chianti Colli Fiorentini area was officially granted DOCG recognition; The Chianti Colli Fiorentini Consortium was founded on September 20, 1994.
The wines must be at least 70% Sangiovese. They can also contain Canaiolo and Colorino, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah in small…
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