Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is widely celebrated in Italy and is a public holiday. The day commemorates when Mary, the mother of Jesus, was graced by God to lead a life “free of sin” according to Catholic belief but yet gets pregnant with Baby Jesus on this day. Nowhere is... Continue Reading →
Monday Musings: Will New Regions Find A Place in Post-Pandemic USA
Today I am musing about wine regions of the world that have set their sights on coming to the USA. In this new pandemic world, especially in the USA, many restaurants throughout the country are shuttered completely or only partially open for outdoor dining or take-out. In that context, can a new region of a... Continue Reading →
Exploring Lesser Known Italian Wine Regions with #ItalianFWT
It is hard to believe it is December and almost the holiday season. In Italy, the holidays beginning this weekend with the Immaculate or the Immaculate Conception on Sunday, December 8. It seems a perfect time to explore some of the areas of Italy that we haven't discussed this year and that's why, this month's... Continue Reading →
Italian Indigenous Varieties: Nero Buono
This week's indigenous variety hails from Latina in Lazio, specifically from the town of Cori. It is usually used in blends and adds a good dose of color to the wines. This red grape can be seen in the Cori Rosso DOC where it must be 50% of the blend. There is also a Cori... Continue Reading →
Saturday Sweet Spot: Cannellino from Zagarolo
My post yesterday on Tuscany reminded me of the 12-hour Christmas I spent one year at my friend's table in Rome. She is from Sicily, her husband is from Bologna, her cousins were from Naples, one of the other guests was Milanese and we were in Rome so we had all the desserts from each... Continue Reading →
Italian Indigenous Varieties: Grechetto
This week's grape hails is Grechetto which grows in Umbria but also in Lazio and Tuscany. The green heart of Italy, Umbria is the home of the Grechetto Bianco grape also called Grechetto di Orvieto. Grechetto produces a lovely white wine with notes of pear and almonds as well as hints of white flowers. It... Continue Reading →
Wine Wednesday: Drinking Bubbly From Lazio – Mottura Brut Millesime’
As I get over my lastest bout with the flu, I am remembering with a smile the last glass of sparkling wine I had in Italy one week ago, Sergio Mottura's Brut Millesime'. I discovered this wine some time ago in Rome and recently was reminded of the family when I saw one of the... Continue Reading →
Wine of the Week: Luna Mater Frascati Superiore 2009
My lastest wine of the week is Luna Mater 2009 from Fontana Candida. This wine is a Frascati Superiore from the Lazio region. I had this wine last week as part of a delicious meal at the new Cafe Des Artistes. I have had many wines from Frascati and the Castelli Romani throughout the years... Continue Reading →