Today is a perfect day to write about Donatella Cinelli Colombini . Donatella was the second woman that I met in 2005 who worked in the wine business and was part of the organization, Le Donne del Vino.She is the President of Le Donne del Vino and of the Brunello Consortium. I met Donatella when I was writing... Continue Reading →
Wine Wednesday: Galatrona from Petrolo
This week's Wine Wednesday is dedicated to Galatrona from the Petrolo winery. I first tasted it a couple of years ago and then again in February at the Anteprime and in April at Operawine in Verona. It's from the Val d'Arno di Sopra DOC and is 100% Merlot. It's a beauty and worth the swanky... Continue Reading →
Remembering Gianni Brunelli
I just got back from Montalcino this week and am reminded about so many special people I have met from that area. Among them of course was Gianni Brunelli. I met Gianni and his wife Laura Vacca through their New York importer Dancing Bear Cellars at Vinitaly 2007. I stayed with them that summer and... Continue Reading →
Anteprime Toscane: Consorzio Tutela Vini Elba
The first group of wines I tasted at the Anteprime di Toscan 2018 edition were wines from the island of Elba. I have sailed around Elba and been to a few of the towns there but haven't spent much time. When I lived in Florence we often went to the Island of Giglio, a much... Continue Reading →
Monday Musings: Carnevale State of Mind
My love affair with Italy, where I currently find myself for the Anteprime Toscane, began when I was 15 on a trip to Switzerland and Venice. Apparently we passed through Milan when I was 3 but I don't of course remember that trip. I do of course remember the trip when I was 15. That... Continue Reading →
Wine Wednesday: Vernaccia di San Gimignano & the Mona Lisa- What do they have in common? The Guicciardini Strozzi Family
I’m really looking forward to going back to San Gimignano. I haven’t been in years and next week I will be participating in the Anteprime there. I hope to meet Natalia and other friends whose wines I know from the denomination. Vernaccia di San Gimignano became a DOCG in 1993 but I think it has not gotten the attention it deserves, certainly not in recent years. They are hosting a tasting comparing different regions of Italy that are well known for their white wines. I can’t wait!
Principessa Natalia Guicciardini Strozzi
I had the good fortune to meet Natalia at the Society of Wine Educators conference in New Orleans in May of this year. She was on a panel entitled “Female Finesse: Outstanding Women Winemakers” together with Catherine Faller of Domaine Weinbach in France and Sara Perez of Mas Martinet in Spain. I had actually seen Natalia at a tasting held by their importer, Domaine Select, but she was speaking in Russian to other guests and I didn’t want to disturb her. That day I spoke at length with her father, the Prince Girolamo Guicciardini Strozzi. I tasted a very delicious Petit Verdot which was made at their winery in Maremma. I had never seen a Petit Verdot from Tuscany. This one is called A Solo. I was impressed with the subtleness in that wine and its spicy notes. I later found out it is made by…
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Looking forward to Benvenuto Brunello Tastings in NYC and Italy
While Monday's event won't be as thrilling as the one in Italy, I am looking forward to tasting some great Brunello in New York and to seeing good friends. I am also really looking forward to my trip to Tuscany to attend the Anteprime 2018 in February. I went for the first time in 2009... 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 →
Anteprime Toscane: Memorable Events – Benvenuto Brunello
This is a post about a memorable experience that I had last year right around this time when I was lucky enough to attend the Benvenuto Brunello tasting in Montalcino. The event held by the Consorzio is a huge draw for journalists. While the 2014 edition has already come and gone as well, I never... Continue Reading →