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 →
Wine Wedneday: San Lorenzo Superiore Sassella DOCG from Mamete Prevostini
This week's Wine Wednesday is dedicated to a Cru wine from Mamete Prevostini, a producer I am fond of from the Valtellina. This wine is called San Lorenzo Superiore Sassella DOCG. San Lorenzo is the name of a convent near the city of Sondrio. The vineyard is within it's walls at 450 meters above sea... Continue Reading →
Exploring the Wines of Valtellina
Valtellina seems to be getting more attention than it used to and I for one think that was long overdue. I first discovered the area thanks to a friend who lives there over 20 years ago. They make wonderful wines and the landscape is breathtaking. Now that the New York Times is giving it a lot more coverage, I am sure many people will be going to the area to visit and to drink the amazing wines from there. I certainly hope so.
I first visited Valtellina with someone whose family had a home there in 1998. We went to Sondrio, drove around and visited wineries. The views were incredible and the terracing spectacular. I wasn’t yet working in the wine business but I was studying wine in Milan at a local wine school. This wasn’t primarily a wine trip but we did visit a number of wineries and it was among the first wine trips I have ever been on. At the time, we didn’t visit Mamete Prevostini’s winery but it was the first I had heard of it. Fast forward 19 years and I decide to do a presentation on wines from Lombardy for the Society of Wine Educators conference. The first winery that came to mind was Mamete Prevostini for a few years. First because the wines are wonderful, second they are available in the US, third he is the…
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Wine of the Week: Marzemino from Cantina San Michele in Capriano del Colle
This week's wine of the week is Cantina San Michele. They are from Capriano del Colle, a region near the Lombard city of Brescia. I met them a couple of years ago and found them and the wines very engaging. I also love their graphic identity. The winery was founded in 1980. They are ... Continue Reading →
Thinking About Bergamo – Valcalepio
I read that Ermanno Olmi died, the Italian film director who made the film the Tree of the Wooden Clogs. I always thought it was set in the countryside around Bergamo where he was born. The movie meant a lot to me when I was first falling in love with Italy. I remember seeing it... Continue Reading →
Braulio – An Amaro from Lombardy
Today's post is about Braulio, which is a well-known brand from Lombardy, specifically from the Valtellina region and the town of Bormio. The brand is now owned by the Campari Group. Braulio has a distinctly alpine flower note that characterizes it and also hints of sage. Braulio has a long history that started with Francesco... Continue Reading →
Wines from the Valtellina: Nino Negri Sfursat 5 Stelle 2011
Last week's Italian extravaganza of wines included some wines from the Valtellina in Lombardy, particularly this one from Nino Negri. I got about 10 text messages from a friend who lives in the Valtellina last week asking me if I had seen that Eric Asimov had finally taken note of Valtellina. Yes I had read... Continue Reading →
Winter Whites: Lugana from Italy
Today I am just posting a few pictures from Lugana, a white wine region from the Veneto and Lombardy region that I love. I have worked with the Consorzio and today is the Director's birthday so I wanted to send him a shout out. I never write about wines that I work with on this... Continue Reading →
July is Lugana Month At Eataly
Last night the Consorzio di Lugana hosted an event at Eataly which I helped to organize. If you didn't make it to the event, don't fear, you have a whole month ahead to try wines from this region - Lugana, bordering both Lombardy and the Veneto and this grape variety - Turbiana at Eataly. Don't... Continue Reading →
Expo 2015, Streets of Milan, Franciacorta
Today is day 8 of Expo2015 and one of the themes of the day is the importance of bread. In fact they are giving out fresh bread. Obviously giving bread is a religious symbol as well. The Expo as we know is about feeding people and our planet so this seems quite appropriate to me.... Continue Reading →