Today's Wine Wednesday is dedicated to a grape and a wine - Donnafugata's Mille e Una Notte and a region - La Sicilia. Sicily, wow, I haven’t been back in so many years. I must correct that as soon as I am able to. What I have been able to do however, is drink... 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 →
Vinitaly Day 2: Sparkling Wines Abound
As Vinitaly moved into its second day, I searched for bubbles from all areas of the peninsula. While Prosecco, Franciacorta and Trento DOC all have their obvious allure, I’m interested in tasting all kinds of sparklers from indigneous varieties and international ones or blends from the various regions. There are no shortage of bubbles to... Continue Reading →
Discovering Stemmari from Sicily
I've known about the Stemmari brand, which is owned by northern Italy-based Gruppo Mezzacorona, for many years but had never really focused on it until I was sent samples thanks to Li Valentine of #Thewininghourchat. I've been near where the winery is located as well but have never visited them. I was supposed to participate... Continue Reading →
Italian Indigenous Varieties: Minella Bianca
This variety hails from Sicily. It is grown in the province of Catania, at the foot of Etna. It usually grows in fields with other grapes including the much heralded Nerello Mascalese grape, Carricante and Catarratto. It's also grow around the province of Enna. It is seldom seen as a monovarietal wine but it usually... Continue Reading →
Sostain-Tasca D’Almerita Part 1
In its 8th generation, Tasca is at the head of a group of wineries working on a project called SOStain that is involved in protecting the environment. The mission of the project is to promote sustainable agriculture. Tasca is convinced that the responsibility of each producer is to make great wine and to protect the... Continue Reading →
Italian Indigenous Varieties: Grillo Bianco
Although Grillo bianco is thought to have originated in Puglia, it is most widely known for its wines made in Sicily, specifically in the Marsala and Trapani areas. Grillo is a white grape with citrus notes that is used in the production of Marsala and Vermouth as well as in dry white wines, among others. ... Continue Reading →
Winery of the Week: Cusumano from Sicily
I seem to be fixated on Sicily this summer and with good reason. A beautiful part Italy, I have spent a bit of time there during past summers and look forward to my next viaggio. When I can't travel physically, I can always travel thanks to the wines I drink and write about. This post... Continue Reading →
La Notte di San Lorenzo – The Night of the Shooting Stars
August 10 is officially known in Italy as la notte di San Lorenzo or the Night of the Shooting Stars. This is because, apparently, tonight if there were clear skies, one could see many shooting stars. I always thought this was very poetic but somewhat of a myth. Until I went sailing in the Mediterranean... Continue Reading →
A Grillo From Sicily Hits The Spot, Spring In A Glass
Today finally felt like the beginning of Spring in New York City. After a long seven hour stint at the Tre Bicchieri tasting yesterday, I was looking forward to making dinner at home for a friend from Chile. What to serve is always an issue and then my eyes settled on a bottle of Kados... Continue Reading →