This Christmas Eve, I am grateful to be healthy and that my family is all still here even if we can't all get together. As I do every Christmas since moving back from Italy, I reflect on Christmases past and the wonderful traditions I had when I lived there. Top of mind is drinking Franciacorta,... Continue Reading →
Wines of Lombardy: Azienda Noventa, Botticino DOC – Brescia
I'm reposting this article I wrote about Alessandra from Azienda Noventa in the Botticino DOC area, in the province of Brescia. I met Alessandra in July 2017 at her winery. I had met her husband at Vinitaly in April and arranged to visit them. I gave a seminar on the Wines of Lombardy at the... Continue Reading →
Wines of Lombardy – Franciacorta – Brescia
Today's post is about another Lombard city under siege, Brescia. Many people have not visited Brescia but know it for the great wines it produces, Franciacorta. Franciacorta became a DOC wine in 1967 but the Consorzio was created in 1990 by 29 producers. It became a DOCG in 1995. Today they have 200 producers and... Continue Reading →
Thoughts On Pearl Harbor, Family, Milan
December 7th is always a strange day. On the one hand, I think of Pearl Harbor, the day that will live in infamy and how the USA got into World War II and all that that meant and all the lives that were lost on this day. My great Uncle was at Pearl Harbor. It... Continue Reading →
Wine Wednesday: Valtènesi Chiaretto DOC, Il Chiaretto from Azienda Agricola Pasini San Giovanni
Today's wine Wednesday is dedicated to Il Chiaretto from the Azienda Agricola Pasini San Giovanni. The wine is made from a blend of indigenous varieties: Groppello, Marzemino, Barbera and Sangiovese. To be a Valtènesi some 50% of the blend must be from Groppello (either Gentile and/or Mocasina). As a grape, Groppello has a thin skin... Continue Reading →
Wine Wednesday: Berlucchi ’61 Brut
Guido Berlucchi has always been one of my favorite Italian brands. When I lived in Milan, this was one of two wines on every single restaurant and bar list. If I asked for a sparkling wines, the baristas would always say Berlucchi o Ferrari. I celebrated every occasion with one or the other and got... Continue Reading →
Italian Indigenous Varieties: Invernenga Bianco from Lombardy
This week's indigenous variety hails from Lombardy, from the province of Brescia. I found it mentioned in a couple of places and a white wine made from the grape called Vino Pusterla. I also found this interesting blog reference to the grape. I have never had a wine made from this white grape but I... Continue Reading →
Vinitaly Day 4: Lombardy My Love
Vinitaly ended last week but I tried so many wines there that I can probably keep writing about them for the next two months. One building where I spent a lot of time is the Lombardy area in the Palaexpo building. It is the closest one to the entrance, has the sala stampa (press room)... Continue Reading →
Women in Wine in Franciacorta: Azienda Agricola Fratelli Berlucchi
Some years ago I had the occasion to interview Pia Donata Berlucchi, CEO of Fratelli Berlucchi and President of Le Donne del Vino, an Italian association of women in wine started in 1988. She was extremely intelligent, very professional and really impressive with sharp and piercing blue eyes. I remember being a little intimidated by... Continue Reading →