Freisa This week's grape variety hails from Piedmont - Freisa. It is often made into a pure varietal wine but is also blended with Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto. It is a red grape that has heavy tannins and at times is made into a frizzante wine to make it softer. Freisa's native area is near... Continue Reading →
Poderi di Luigi Einaudi’s Dolcetto di Dogliani
Today's post is about Dolcetto, a grape most widely grown in Piedmont but also seen in Liguria under the name Ormeasco and in the Oltrepo’Pavese. It tends to make easy to drink, friendly red wines as well as wines that can age with a hint of almond and liquorice on the nose and palate. It... Continue Reading →
Monday musing: Wine Cooperatives
Today’s Monday musing is about the place of cooperatives in the wine space. The photo above is of the growers at La Clavesana a cooperative in Piedmont that makes an amazing Dolcetto. For many years I have pondered cooperatives and their reputation and like many others I have set them in a separate category and... Continue Reading →
Italy’s Catarratto Bianco In My Glass
On May 23, 1992 – 28 years ago – Anti-Mafia Judge Giovanni Falcone was murdered together with his wife Francesca Morvillo and three of his bodyguards. It was a day I will never forget. My boyfriend and I lived in a cute apartment in Florence near the Boboli gardens. I had moved to Florence... Continue Reading →
Wine & Food: Lugana DOC & Chinese Food
I hosted a dinner this evening at a well-known Chinese restaurant called Jing Fong in Chinatown. I had help from a friend, Pinny Tam, who pens a blog called Chinese and Wine Pairings. I think I speak for all 10 people at the dinner when I say no one will need to eat until two... Continue Reading →
Buona Pasqua, Happy Easter
Today was Easter, a holiday I love actually. In the past on this day I have gone to hear gospel music in churches throughout Manhattan or a particular Pastor speak and often I have been visiting with friends in Italy sharing a particularly spectacular meal. Today I was in Pennsylvania with different generations of my... Continue Reading →
Wine Wednesday: Lambrusco Mantovano from Azienda Agricola Corte Pagliare Verdieri
This week's Wine Wednesday is about Lambrusco Mantovano from Azienda Agricola Pagliare Verdieri. The family has 15 hectares near Oglio in the Po river valley. Since 1986, Mimma has been working with her Mother in law on their farm which is certified organic from ICEA. They grow a host of crops, among them, wine grapes.... Continue Reading →
New Year’s Resolutions: Drink Only Good Wine
Every year I make numerous New Year's resolutions. Some of them I keep, I wish I could say all of them but this one - to drink only good wine - I am sure I can keep. While that sounds like an odd one, I like everyone who loves wine, sometimes drinks what they have... Continue Reading →