This week's indigenous variety is Malvasia di Lipari. Like all of the other Malvasia varieties, this ne is also part of the Malvasia family. Lipari is a beautiful island in the Aeolian Islands. Malvasia di Lipari is usually made into a sweet wine. The grapes are harvested late and usually dried for a brief period... Continue Reading →
Italian Indigenous Varieties: Corinto Nero from Sicily
This week we are looking at an Italian indigenous variety from Sicily - Corinto Nero. The grape originally hails from Greece, either from the city of Corinth or Naxos. It was brought to the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily sometime in the Sixth Century. In the past, the grapes were present on Lipari,... Continue Reading →
La Notte di San Lorenzo – The Night of the Shooting Stars
August 10 is officially known in Italy as la notte di San Lorenzo or the Night of the Shooting Stars. This is because, apparently, tonight if there were clear skies, one could see many shooting stars. I always thought this was very poetic but somewhat of a myth. Until I went sailing in the Mediterranean... Continue Reading →