This weekend the #ItalianFWT blogging group is traveling to Campania. It's going to be a lovely virtual trip. Campania, as I wrote in my invitation post here, is an incredible wine region with a wealth of native grapes to choose from, both whites and reds. There is so much to learn and explore about the... Continue Reading →
Invitation to Explore the Wines of Campania for May’s #ItalianFWT Group
In April 2018, I had the good fortune to attend Campania Stories, an annual wine event showcasing the bounty of Campania. I had been to Campania about five times as a tourist in various parts of the region before that but this was my full immersion into the world of Campanian wines and I have... Continue Reading →
Campania Stories 2018: Wines from Colline Caiatine- Terre del Volturno
On the first evening of Campania Stories, we were invited to a dinner at Sclavia where we tasted some of his wines that are labeled Terre del Volturno. We met his lovely female oenologist canmed Anna Della Porta. The winery was founded in 2012 and has 13 hectares. I tasted their Casavecchia di Pontelatone DOP... Continue Reading →
Campania Stories Week 2018
This past April I went on a press trip to Campania to attend Campania Stories. The trip was fascinating and we tasted many wines. This week I am going to attempt to share my impressions of this wonderful region and the interesting grapes and producers I met while there. Campania has the following provinces: Avellino,... Continue Reading →
Women In Wine Fridays: Ilaria Petitto from Donnachiara (Campania)
I'm reposting this interview I did with Ilaria some years ago. Since this post, we've both had children, I've seen her often and her wines have exploded in the United States. Next week I am dedicating to wines from Campania so starting off with Ilaria seems perfect. I met Ilaria about eight years ago at... Continue Reading →
Charles Scicolone On DonnaChiara Vertical Tasting Of Fiano d’Avellino DOCG 2007-2015
Today I am posting an article written by Charles Scicolone, a friend and wine expert with a particular affection for Italy. His take on the tasting which I also attended is right on. My favorite was the amazing 2007 which showed beautiful tropical fruit and great acidity. I also favored the 2013 and the 2009.... Continue Reading →
Italian Indigenous Varieties: Greco di Tufo
This week's indigenous variety is Greco di Tufo. Thought to have been brought to Italy from Greece, in the 7th-8th century B.C. by Greek colonists, it is generally considered to have landed near the area around Vesuvio in Campania. It produces lovely white wines with a golden color, good acidity and astringency. It is grown... Continue Reading →
Women in Wine Fridays: Silvia Imparato & Montevetrano from Campania
I first heard the name Montevetrano more than 19 years ago from a friend in Milan who knew the family. He had a birthday this week and has been on my mind so I thought I would write about this lovely wine. I met part of the family in 1997 and finally met Silvia Imparato... Continue Reading →
Italian Indigenous Varieties: Fiano Bianco
This week we will again be looking at another great white grape variety from Campania - Fiano bianco. This is a very antique variety that existed during Roman times and is said to come from the area around Avellino. I have never had the good fortune to visit Avellino but have an old friend who... Continue Reading →
Italian Indigenous Varieties: Coda di Volpe Bianca from Campania
Coda di Volpe is a grape that hails from the Campania region. There are both white and red grapes with this name, although the red is much more rare. I have had the white version often but have never tried the red version of this grape variety. Apparently, according to sources, Pliny gave the grape... Continue Reading →